Jonah shows us that our call for justice can be even greater than God's. God is ready to forgive at the point of repentance, but we want to see justice paid. But justice was paid on a cross for them and us. Keep this story in mind the next time you're bitter at someone walking in God's grace and mercy before you think they deserve it.

Jonah 3:10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. 4:1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry.

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not mutually exclusive. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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July 19, 2008. I surrendered my life to Christ. A few months later, I was at a crossroads about how confident I was in my faith in Jesus and the Bible. After this listen, you'll understand why I have remained in Christ since taking my doubts to God.

John 20:24-29 24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not mutually exclusive. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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Even King David wasn't perfect. He had a major public failure but God still forgave Him. There were consequences but there was still grace. But make sure when we think someone else needs to learn a lesson, stop and look in the mirror first.

2 Samuel 12:1-14  1 And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds, 3 but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms,[a] and it was like a daughter to him. 4 Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” 5 Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, 6 and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.”

7 Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. 8 And I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more. 9 Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ 11 Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.’” 13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord,[b] the child who is born to you shall die.”

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not mutually exclusive. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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Temptation is real. Life is hard. But God hears and God sees. We can turn and ask Him for the strength we need. And even if we fail or it breaks us, our trust is ultimately in God. He will restore us, either on this side of eternity or the other. Praise God all the more.

1 Peter 5:6-11  6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not mutually exclusive. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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Praying is a cornerstone in your relationship with God. Making your needs, requests, praises, and more known will foster a healthy spiritual dependence on Him. He is there and wants to listen. Any good relationship will thrive when open and effective communication takes place. Lean into God today.

Matthew 6:9-13  9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not mutually exclusive. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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Wars, crimes, uncertainty, and fear are riddling our timelines. Don't fall into the abyss of hopelessness. Cling closer to God and look up. Christ will return. We will be restored. Hold on with hope. Remember what He told us.

Luke 21:25-28  25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, 26 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not mutually exclusive. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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God is moving in your life, but you need to see and feel His Spirit moving before you. When you're able to see and give Him the praise for it, it bolsters your faith and becomes a story to share with others. These moments are necessary for you and helpful for others. Look for God to move today and share the news with someone. Don't be discouraged if they don't yet understand.

1 Corinthians 2:14-16 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not opposite ends of the spectrum. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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It's not a doctrinal idea to build a theology on, however, the idea of sowing and reaping is riddled throughout Scripture and should drive us to desire to sow better and trust God with the reaping.

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deccieved: God is not mocked, for whatever done sows, that will he also reap.

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not opposite ends of the spectrum. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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The Gospel is good news and God's power for our salvation. With that root and foundation we're able to live a life full of faith and righteousness. God's gift is not merely a promise of eternity with Him but an empowerment to live for Him here on Earth too.

Romans 1:16-17 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not opposite ends of the spectrum. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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What do we make of life? Sometimes we lose our true north or think the journey will save us. As Christians, our hope is in the work of the cross alone. God's gift of his Son and Spirit is what has saved us. Now, we work to reflect the good work that He has already done. Give out of a place of wholeness and not seeking to create a wholeness.

Titus 3:4-8 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not opposite ends of the spectrum. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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