Encounter the Truth

Our God is a God of undeserved second chances, of unexpected revival, of unmatched compassion for the lost. Are we concerned for them as God is concerned? Or is our heart more like Jonah’s than we care to admit? And if we do share something of the compassion of God, how will we respond to the need all around us?

How big is the heart of God? How wide is the grace of God? How deep is the mercy of God? These are the big questions at the very heart of the book of Jonah. Even after his rebellion, Jonah’s life wasn’t over— even though he must have felt it should have been at points. And the Lord does not give up on us his people—even in our waywardness and reluctance and sin, he mercifully and sovereignly pursues us to restore us and to use us again.

How big is the heart of God? How wide is the grace of God? How deep is the mercy of God? These are the big questions at the very heart of the book of Jonah. Even after his rebellion, Jonah’s life wasn’t over— even though he must have felt it should have been at points. And the Lord does not give up on us his people—even in our waywardness and reluctance and sin, he mercifully and sovereignly pursues us to restore us and to use us again.

Just as Jesus called the apostles to be shrewd in their day, he calls us to be shrewd in ours—careful with our words, sensitive to our context. But at the same time, we don’t manipulate or compromise the message. By his help, we are to go out as his agents, innocent as doves, trusting his Word, trusting his power, trusting his provision, and leaving the work of judgment to him for the final day.

Having been made “light in the Lord” we must live in the light, filled with righteousness, goodness, wisdom, encouragement and thanksgiving.

Just as Jesus called the apostles to be shrewd in their day, he calls us to be shrewd in ours—careful with our words, sensitive to our context. But at the same time, we don’t manipulate or compromise the message. By his help, we are to go out as his agents, innocent as doves, trusting his Word, trusting his power, trusting his provision, and leaving the work of judgment to him for the final day.

Jesus has shown that the Kingdom message is life-transforming and thoroughly wonderful. He sees that the world is ready for the message and, out of compassion, he wants them to receive it. But the need is simply this: workers to spread the good news.

Jesus has shown that the Kingdom message is life-transforming and thoroughly wonderful. He sees that the world is ready for the message and, out of compassion, he wants them to receive it. But the need is simply this: workers to spread the good news.

We see a new series of powerful miracles that show Jesus’ authenticity and power, but the more clearly Jesus demonstrates these things, the more forcefully the religious leaders oppose him and blaspheme against him.

We see a new series of powerful miracles that show Jesus’ authenticity and power, but the more clearly Jesus demonstrates these things, the more forcefully the religious leaders oppose him and blaspheme against him.