faith

Jonah: The Reluctant Prophet and the Boundless Mercy of God

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Today, I read the Book of Jonah — a story that, though short, reaches deep into the heart of what it means to know God. It’s a tale filled with humor, irony, and divine tenderness. On the surface, it’s the story of a prophet who runs away from his calling. But beneath that simple narrative lies a profound lesson about mercy, prejudice, and the wideness of God’s compassion.

A Message Beyond the Whale

God calls Jonah to go to Nineveh — a powerful and violent city, the capital of Israel’s enemies. Instead of obeying, Jonah runs the other way. He would rather face a storm at sea and the belly of a great fish than see God show mercy to people he despises.

But God’s mercy cannot be outrun. After Jonah’s reluctant obedience, Nineveh repents. The people fast, pray, and turn from their violence. And God spares them. Jonah, instead of rejoicing, grows angry. It is in that moment — under a withering vine and a scorching sun — that God reveals the story’s heart: “Should I not be concerned for Nineveh?”

This question echoes through the centuries, asking each of us: Shouldn’t we care, too?

The Meaning for Our Time

In today’s divided world, Jonah’s story feels strikingly modern. We live in an age of “us versus them” — where politics, religion, and identity have become walls instead of bridges. Like Jonah, we sometimes hope that God will vindicate us and punish “the other side.”

Yet Jonah reminds us that God’s love is larger than our fears and prejudices. The same mercy that reached a foreign city also reaches us. God cares not just for those who call on His name, but for all people — even those we find hardest to love.

The story asks us to let go of our anger, our moral superiority, and our certainties about who deserves grace. It calls us to become instruments of compassion in a world hungry for forgiveness.

A Personal Reflection

When I think about Jonah, I see my own resistance mirrored in his. There are times I would rather avoid the places God calls me to — especially when those places involve forgiveness, humility, or speaking truth in uncomfortable settings. Yet God patiently pursues me, not to punish but to teach. The story of Jonah reminds me that faith is not just about obedience — it’s about allowing my heart to be transformed by love.

A Prayer

Gracious God, teach me to see the world as You see it. When I am tempted to run from Your calling, give me courage to obey. When I wish for judgment, teach me mercy. Open my heart to love those I find difficult to understand. May Your compassion flow through me, healing what is broken in our world. Amen.

It is time to speak up and stand up

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I am greatly disturbed by the war of aggression in Ukraine and the annihilation of the Palestinians in Gaza. I am appalled at American Troops being deployed in American Cities, the Ice Raids, the arrests of immigrants and American Citizens, the deportations, the loss of free speech in the United States, and the oppression of people around the world by tyrannical governments like North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, El Salvador, Cuba, and yes, the United States.

I cannot sit idly and watch this without speaking up and standing up. As a follower of Jesus, I am reminded of the prophets of the Old Testament especially Obadiah. Here is how I see Obadiah’s message speaks to our current world.

1. The Purge of Immigrants

Edom’s sin was not only violence but indifference — standing by while their kin suffered, even benefiting from their pain.
When we see immigrants and refugees being rejected, detained, or expelled, we are seeing a modern echo of that same betrayal of kinship. In God’s eyes, all people share one human family.

Obadiah reminds us that prideful nations forget compassion — and when they turn their backs on the vulnerable, they invite their own moral decay. The prophetic call is clear: Welcome the stranger. Defend the displaced. Refuse to dehumanize those who seek refuge.

2. Troops in American Cities

The presence of troops among citizens reveals a breakdown of trust — when fear replaces community, and power replaces dialogue.
Edom trusted in its fortresses, thinking no one could bring them down. Likewise, when nations depend on military strength to control their own people, they forget that true security comes from justice, not force.

Obadiah’s voice cries out: “The pride of your heart has deceived you.” Power used without humility always turns inward, eroding the very peace it seeks to preserve.

3. Revenge and Political Enemies

Obadiah’s central warning is about the spirit of vengeance — rejoicing when another falls. When leaders or movements seek revenge rather than reconciliation, they replay the tragedy of Edom.

The prophet insists that “the day of the Lord is near for all nations; as you have done, it shall be done to you.”
Retribution breeds retribution. A society rooted in revenge cannot heal. God calls us instead to truth, repentance, and mercy — the only paths that lead to renewal.

4. The War in Ukraine

Obadiah’s message to Edom — that no nation can glorify itself through conquest or betrayal — echoes here.
When a stronger nation invades a weaker one, it embodies the arrogance God condemns: the illusion that power grants moral right. But Obadiah’s prophecy assures us that injustice will not stand forever — God’s justice may be delayed, but it is never denied.

For those who suffer under aggression, Obadiah offers comfort: “The house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.” The oppressed will be restored; peace will come again.

5. The War in Gaza

Here the tragedy of Edom and Israel feels painfully close — brothers at war, ancient wounds reopened. Obadiah reminds us that when kin destroy one another, everyone loses.
Both peoples — Israeli and Palestinian — trace their stories back to the same region, the same soil, the same God who calls them to justice and mercy.

The prophet’s vision of God’s kingdom — “and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s” — invites us to imagine a world beyond vengeance, where both sides are freed from fear and grief, and where peace is not the victory of one over another but the reign of God’s compassion over all.

🌿 A Reflection for Our Time

The Book of Obadiah calls every nation and every person to humility.
When we build walls instead of bridges, when we use power to dominate rather than to serve, when we rejoice in another’s downfall — we become Edom.
But when we defend the oppressed, welcome the stranger, and work for reconciliation — we join in God’s redemptive work.

The choice before our generation is the same as before Edom: Pride or compassion, revenge or justice, isolation or solidarity.

🙏 A Closing Prayer

God of all nations and peoples,
You see the pride of our hearts and the pain of our divisions.
Forgive us for standing by while others suffer.
Break the cycle of revenge that poisons our world.
Give us courage to speak truth, to defend the weak, and to live humbly in Your sight.
Let Your kingdom come — a kingdom where mercy triumphs over judgment,
and peace replaces pride.
Amen.

The Message of Obadiah: Pride, Justice, and Hope in a Broken World

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The book of Obadiah is only twenty-one verses long, yet it thunders with timeless truth. It is a prophecy against Edom, the descendants of Esau, who turned against their brother nation, Israel, in a time of crisis. When Jerusalem was attacked and her people suffered, Edom stood by and watched — even rejoiced. Their pride and indifference toward their kin’s pain became their downfall.

At its core, Obadiah is a warning about the destructive power of pride and the inevitable triumph of divine justice. God sees how people and nations treat one another, especially the vulnerable. The prophet declares that a “day of the Lord” is coming when every act of cruelty, betrayal, and arrogance will be judged — and righteousness will be restored.

Obadiah’s Voice in Today’s World

We live in a time much like Obadiah’s — a world divided by pride, nationalism, and indifference to suffering. Nations turn their backs on one another. Many rejoice when their rivals stumble. Pride blinds us to compassion, and the human family fractures further apart.

The message of Obadiah speaks across the centuries:

“As you have done, it shall be done to you.” (Obadiah 1:15)

In those words, God reminds us that injustice and cruelty always come full circle. No nation, system, or individual can stand secure on a foundation of arrogance. The more we exalt ourselves, the deeper the fall.

But Obadiah also holds out a vision of hope:

“The kingdom shall be the Lord’s.” (Obadiah 1:21)

This final line shifts the focus from vengeance to restoration. It points to a future where God’s justice and mercy prevail — where human pride gives way to divine peace.

A Personal Reflection

When I look at the world around me, I see so many “Edoms” — and sometimes I see traces of Edom in myself. When I turn away from someone’s pain or feel a quiet satisfaction in another’s misfortune, I hear Obadiah’s voice whisper, “Do not gloat over your brother’s day of distress.”

Obadiah calls me to humility — to stand beside those who suffer, to resist the easy temptation of judgment, and to trust that God’s justice will come in God’s time.

A Personal Pledge

I pledge to walk humbly before God,
to reject pride and indifference,
and to use my voice for compassion, reconciliation, and truth.
May I never stand idly by when others are in need,
but instead become a bridge of healing in a divided world.

A Closing Prayer

Gracious God,
teach us the lessons of Obadiah.
Strip away our pride and our false sense of security.
Open our eyes to the suffering of our brothers and sisters,
and move us to act with love, courage, and mercy.
Let Your kingdom come — a kingdom of justice, humility, and peace.
Amen.

Gentleness: Strength Wrapped in Love

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Paul names gentleness as one of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23. At first, the word might sound like weakness or passivity, but true gentleness is anything but that. It is strength under control—power guided by compassion. It reflects the heart of Christ, who could calm a storm with a word yet stoop to touch the untouchable, heal the broken, and forgive those who crucified Him.

To me, gentleness means living with a tender heart in a harsh world. It’s choosing to speak softly when anger could easily rise, to listen when I’d rather defend, and to offer kindness even when I feel wronged. Gentleness calls me to approach others with respect and care, seeing their humanity before judging their actions. It reminds me that my goal isn’t to win arguments but to build bridges of understanding.

Gentleness also invites me to treat myself with that same compassion—to let go of self-condemnation and receive God’s mercy anew each day. It’s the Spirit whispering, “You don’t have to force life; you can trust God’s timing.” When I practice gentleness, I make space for grace to do its work—in me and through me. It’s the quiet strength that transforms relationships and reflects the heart of Jesus to a world desperately in need of His touch.

My Personal Pledge

I pledge to live with gentleness in my words, my actions, and my heart.
I will seek to understand before I judge, to comfort before I criticize, and to speak truth wrapped in love.
I will treat others—and myself—with patience, respect, and compassion, knowing that gentleness is the language of God’s love.
In moments of tension or pain, I will pause, breathe, and choose the way of peace over pride.

Prayer

Loving Spirit, teach me the way of gentleness.
Help me to reflect the tenderness of Christ in how I speak, listen, and live.
When I am tempted to react in anger, soften my heart with Your calm.
When I encounter those who are hurting or difficult to love, remind me of how gently You have loved me.
Let my presence bring peace where there is conflict, healing where there is hurt, and hope where there is despair.
Shape my spirit to be gentle, like Yours.
Amen.

Finding My Voice in a Divided World: A Reflection on the Book of Joel

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Today I read the Book of Joel, a brief but powerful message that begins with devastation and ends with hope. Joel speaks of a locust plague that destroyed the land — a symbol of judgment and loss — but also of a God who calls His people to return with all their hearts. Joel’s cry, “Rend your heart and not your garments,” reminds me that true change begins within. After repentance comes renewal, and God promises, “I will pour out my Spirit on all people.”

As I look at our world today, filled with political division, fear, and moral confusion, I feel the same tension Joel must have felt. I struggle to know what role I should play and how to be a voice of truth and love. I am 75 years old, and while I may not have the strength to march or protest, I still believe God calls me to speak — but with wisdom, grace, and compassion. Sometimes courage looks like quiet faithfulness, choosing peace over hate, and hope over despair.

I know that dissent can be risky; it can bring misunderstanding, isolation, or even danger. Yet I also know that silence in the face of injustice can wound the soul. My voice may not be loud, but it can still be strong — shaped by love rather than anger, by prayer rather than fear. In this way, I hope to live out Joel’s promise: to be filled with the Spirit that renews hearts and restores what has been lost.

A Prayer for Courage and Wisdom

God of mercy and justice,
In a world torn by anger and fear, give me the courage to stand for what is true,
and the wisdom to speak with love.
When I am afraid, remind me that Your Spirit still moves across the earth.
Restore what is broken within me, and help me live as a light of peace and truth.
May my life, even now, be a quiet testimony of faith in You.
Amen.

💔 The Faithful Love of God — Reflections from the Book of Hosea

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The book of Hosea is one of the most moving love stories in all of Scripture — not just between a man and a woman, but between God and His people. Hosea’s own marriage to Gomer, a woman who was unfaithful to him, became a living parable of divine love. Through Hosea’s heartbreak, God revealed His own heart — a love that suffers, forgives, and keeps reaching out even when rejected.

At the time Hosea wrote, the kingdom of Israel was divided — Israel in the north, Judah in the south. The people were fractured politically and spiritually. “Ephraim,” “Samaria,” and “Israel” symbolized the corruption and idolatry of the north, while Judah and Benjamin were warned not to follow the same path. In their division and unfaithfulness, they forgot the covenant that bound them to God — much like how we, in our own time, have forgotten what it means to belong to one another and to the Source of Love itself.

Hosea’s message is timeless. We, too, live in an age of deep division — political, social, and spiritual. Many have turned away from truth toward idols that wear modern faces: power, wealth, nationalism, ego, and even the misuse of religion to justify hate. Like ancient Israel, we chase after false gods that promise control and security but leave our souls empty. And yet, the beauty of Hosea is that God still says, “I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely.” (Hosea 14:4) God’s love is never withdrawn; His mercy never expires.

For me, this message touches a very personal place. I have struggled with the issues that divide us — in the church, in society, and within my own heart. I have walked as a pilgrim searching for truth, trying to understand what it means to love and to be loved, to trust God’s mercy even when I cannot see the way. Hosea’s story reminds me that faithfulness is not about never failing — it’s about always returning. It’s about letting God’s love heal the wounds that judgment, fear, and false religion have caused in us. In a world shouting with anger and suspicion, I want to be one who listens for God’s quiet invitation: “Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.”

The book of Hosea calls all of humanity to come home — to trade our idols for integrity, our hatred for compassion, and our fear for love. It invites us to rediscover a faith that is not about rules or politics, but about relationship — a living covenant with the God whose love never gives up.

May we each learn from Hosea’s story how to love faithfully — in our relationships, in our communities, and in the world. For even in our unfaithfulness, God remains faithful, calling us again and again into the embrace of grace.

Faithful God,
Your love is deeper than my doubts and stronger than the divisions that tear our world apart.
Like Hosea, I have known the ache of searching and the longing to understand what it means to truly love and be loved. Yet through it all, You have never stopped reaching for me.

Forgive me, Lord, for the times I have chased after false gods — the approval of others, the comfort of control, or the illusion of certainty. Turn my heart back to You, the One who heals and restores.
Teach me to love as You love — with patience, mercy, and truth.
In a world divided by fear and pride, make me a vessel of faithfulness and reconciliation.

Let my life reflect Your steadfast love,
and may my heart always return to You —
my true home, my Redeemer, my Beloved.

Amen.

Faithfulness — A Steadfast Heart in a Changing World

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“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” — Proverbs 3:3

Faithfulness is the quiet strength of the soul that keeps us steady when life’s winds blow hard. It means being loyal, dependable, and true — to God, to others, and to ourselves. To be faithful is to keep showing up with love, even when it’s hard, to honor our promises, and to live with integrity when no one is watching.

Faithfulness reflects the very nature of God, who never gives up on us. When His Spirit lives within us, we learn to love with endurance, to believe with confidence, and to remain steadfast through both joy and sorrow. True faithfulness is not just about words or feelings — it’s about living each day with a heart that can be trusted.

My Personal Pledge

I pledge to be faithful — to God, who has never failed me, and to Robert, the gift of love in my life. I will stand beside him with loyalty and tenderness, keeping my heart true and my word sure. In good days and hard days, I will choose steadfast love, patience, and trust, knowing that faithfulness is not a feeling but a daily act of devotion.

A Prayer for Faithfulness

Gracious God,
You are ever faithful, constant in mercy, and steadfast in love. Teach me to mirror Your faithfulness in all that I do. Help me to be true to You and to those You’ve placed in my life. Strengthen my heart to keep my promises, to love without condition, and to live with quiet trust in Your plan. May Your Spirit guide me to be a faithful partner, friend, and servant every day.
Amen.

Faithfulness is love that endures the test of time — a quiet promise kept, a steady heart that mirrors the heart of God.

Peace in a Troubled World

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The fruit of the Spirit for today is peace (Galatians 5:22). Yet when we look at the world around us, peace often feels far away. Wars, divisions, greed, and the heavy hand of corrupt rulers weigh on our hearts. It is easy to feel anxious or even hopeless when nations rage and leaders oppress.

But God’s peace is not the fragile ceasefire of this world. It is not dependent on governments, armies, or politics. God’s peace is shalom—a deep wholeness, harmony, and rest that comes from Him alone. Jesus promised His disciples: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

The peace of Christ begins in the heart. When we let the Holy Spirit dwell within us, His peace steadies us even in chaos. Paul wrote: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). This peace is not naive. It does not ignore injustice or pretend suffering does not exist. Instead, it anchors us in God’s presence so we can stand firm, speak truth, and love boldly.

As followers of Christ, we are also called to be peacemakers. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). This means more than keeping quiet or avoiding conflict—it means actively working toward reconciliation, forgiveness, and justice in the name of Christ. We pray for our enemies, seek to heal divisions, and bear witness to God’s kingdom where swords are beaten into plowshares (Isaiah 2:4).

In these days of turmoil, peace begins when we turn our hearts back to God, trust His promises, and allow His Spirit to guide us. Peace grows as we live out His love in our relationships, families, communities, and even in how we respond to world events.

The rulers of this world may stir up strife, but the Prince of Peace reigns forever. His kingdom will not be shaken. As Isaiah prophesied: “Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:7).

So today, let us receive God’s peace in our hearts, let it overflow in our lives, and let it shine as a witness to a weary, broken world that true peace is found only in Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace,
the world feels heavy with conflict, injustice, and fear.
We confess that our hearts grow troubled when we see evil rulers and war.
But today we choose to rest in Your promise: “My peace I give you.”

Fill us with Your Spirit so that Your peace may guard our minds and calm our hearts.
Make us peacemakers in our homes, our churches, our communities,
and even toward those who oppose us.
Help us to trust that Your kingdom of peace will never end.

We pray for the broken places in the world.
Bring healing where there is violence, justice where there is oppression,
and comfort where there is grief.

Lord, let Your peace begin with us today.
Amen.

Patience: Waiting with Trust

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“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” – Psalm 37:7

Patience is one of the hardest fruits of the Spirit to practice. We live in a world that values speed, instant answers, and quick results. Yet God’s Spirit calls us to a different pace—the holy rhythm of waiting, trusting, and resting in Him.

Patience is not passive. It is not simply sitting with folded hands while life passes by. True patience is active trust—it is choosing to believe that God is at work even when we cannot see the outcome. It is enduring with hope when the waiting feels long, when prayers seem unanswered, and when life tests our endurance.

Think of a seed planted in the ground. For weeks, even months, there may be no visible sign of growth. Yet underground, the seed is breaking open, roots are spreading, and life is forming. So it is with God’s work in our lives. What seems like silence or delay is often preparation for a harvest we cannot yet imagine.

Jesus Himself embodied patience. He endured opposition, misunderstanding, betrayal, and even the cross—for the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). His patience was rooted in love and in trust of the Father’s perfect plan.

Today, may we welcome the Spirit’s gift of patience. In our families, may we be patient with one another’s weaknesses. In our workplaces, may we show grace when deadlines or frustrations press in. In our personal walk with Christ, may we trust that His timing is always good.

Prayer
Lord, grow in me the fruit of patience. Help me to wait on You without fear, to endure with hope, and to trust that Your timing is perfect. Give me grace to be patient with others, as You are patient with me. Amen.

The Strength of Joy

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When I read Nehemiah 8:10 — “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” — I am reminded that joy is not something fragile or fleeting. It is a gift from God, a deep well that never runs dry, even when life feels heavy.

There are days when sorrow or worry seems closer than joy. The people in Nehemiah’s time knew that feeling. As they listened to God’s Word, they were struck with grief at how far they had wandered. Yet God’s message to them was not condemnation, but encouragement: Don’t stay in despair — My joy will be your strength.

That truth speaks to me today. Joy doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine or ignoring the struggles we face. It means knowing that God is present, faithful, and loving in every circumstance. Joy is anchored in Him.

Paul reminds us in Galatians 5 that joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit. I can’t force joy any more than I can make fruit grow by tugging on a branch. Joy grows in me when I stay connected to God — through prayer, worship, Scripture, and quiet trust in His promises.

I’ve seen how joy can change the way I face difficulties. It doesn’t take away the hard things, but it gives me strength to endure them. It shifts my focus from my problems to God’s presence. It reminds me that His story is bigger than my pain.

Even Jesus endured the cross “for the joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2). If He could face suffering with joy, then surely His Spirit can give me strength in my trials too.

So today, I choose joy. Not because life is perfect, but because God is good.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the gift of joy. Help me to remember that true joy comes from You, not from my circumstances. When I feel weak or overwhelmed, let Your joy be my strength. Plant it deep in my heart so it grows into peace, courage, and hope. May Your Spirit fill me with joy today, and may that joy overflow to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

P. S. This morning, our family grieves because a dear member of the family passed away in the early hours of today. I go to the doctor this afternoon for a checkup. I am reminded of the sting of death for this family member was younger than me so the joy of the Lord is my strength each and everyday!! God is with us!!!