When Jesus announced the kingdom of God in his day, many people struggled to accept his message. The same struggle still exists today. What keeps hearts from being open to God's word?

Submitting to God's plan begins with seeing His purpose and the bigger picture. God wants our city to be saved, and He is concerned more with our character than our comfort.

We are not simply recipients of God's love, we are to be agents of His love in the world. What does it mean for you to be an agent of God's love in your home, at work, and in the world?

Jonah's reluctance did not disqualify him from being a messenger of God. Amazingly, God uses frail and flawed men and women to take the message of salvation to the world, and uses that message to change the world.

Sometimes we need to hit rock bottom to make real changes. When Jonah found himself inside the belly of a big fish, his eyes and his heart were opened to God. Jonah's way back, and ours, comes through perspective and prayer.

The storms of life cannot stop the work of God. Knowing God can use His people and accomplish His purposes even in the storm, our only response should be to look for Him and submit to Him even in life's storms.

When God commissions you or the Holy Spirit nudges you in a certain direction, how do you respond? When God called Jonah, he ran the opposite direction. Unpacking our excuses exposes our hearts. Where are you in relation to God and His calling for your life?

As God enlists us into His work of bringing mercy and justice into the world, we should respond, like Mary, with glorious praise and humble participation. God is mindful of you; are you mindful of Him?

Just when you think you are on your own to face life's struggles without help or without hope, God offers resounding reassurance that He is for you and with you. Nothing can separate you from His love!

When life gets difficult, hang on! God uses the circumstances of our lives to orchestrate His good plan and accomplish His good purpose, shaping us into the image of His son.