CAN YOU IMAGINE A FISH AS A TRAVELING COMPANION?

Jonah didn’t either—I would imagine. Humanly speaking, it seems to me Jonah was done for, asleep in the ship, tossed out at sea, and had come to the end of life as he had known it. Have you ever felt that way? 

Jonah’s disobedience and running from God cost the ship’s crew their cargo, and nearly their lives. Who on earth would have imagined that in the midst of Jonah’s crisis, a huge fish would arrive and swallow him up—having a belly large enough for him to live in! God had prepared a huge fish for Jonah. 

The Bible says that every one of the crew cried out to his god, but when the storm would not cease, they asked Jonah to cry out to his God. Even in Jonah’s disobedience, God got the attention of the crew—and they cried out to God not to perish either. 

God can use the most unusual means to provide, to get our attention, and there is no telling what He will use for your predicament. One thing I know for certain, God’s provision always has an element of surprise. 

Jonah chose to travel the long way around. Whatever crisis we find ourselves in as individuals, or as a nation, God wants us out of the boat so that we can enter a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him.  God got Jonah’s attention—look at this…..as the water rushed over Jonah’s head….he said, “I remembered the Lord” (Jonah 2:7). Imagine that!

Unfortunately, most don’t turn to the Lord until they experience some type of crisis. “Whatever it takes, Lord” is a good prayer for a nation headed to disaster, and for those who don’t know the Lord. Life is short–eternity is forever. 

Jonah didn’t obey God immediately, and neither, much of the time, do we. All of us have drifted off God’s perfect course for our lives. There is great news in the story of Jonah for us today. We can never stray off so far in the distance that God cannot bring us back. That is a great word of encouragement for all. Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords–He is our anchor through every storm. 

He is the God of second chances. Whatever you are facing today, choose to get in agreement with God. Jonah got in agreement with God and preached to the people of Nineveh. And guess what….Nineveh repented. There is hope for America. 

May GOD use the next President of the United States to lead us as a nation in repentance and prayer–to return to God–advancing His Kingdom here on earth.  

 Take time to read the following passage….notice what the King did in response to the word preached by Jonah. 

 JONAH 3

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim to it the proclamation which I am going to tell you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three days’ walk. Then Jonah began to go through the city one day’s walk; and he cried out and said, “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown.” Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them. When the word reached the king of Nineveh, he arose from his throne, laid aside his robe from him, covered himself with sackcloth and sat on the ashes. He issued a proclamation and it said, “In Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let man, beast, herd, or flock taste a thing. Do not let them eat or drink water. But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence which is in his hands. Who knows, God may turn and relent and withdraw His burning anger so that we will not perish.” When God saw their deeds, that they turned from their wicked way, then God relented concerning the calamity which He had declared He would bring upon them. And He did not do it. 

BOOKS BY DEBORAH STARCZEWSKI

A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days At The Mercy Seat)

GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE

THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?)

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. 

DRAIN THE SWAMP AGAIN—VICTORY IS HERE

We have victory in Jesus Christ. God calls us to “possess the gates” or double-doors of a city or nation. Did you know that the Persians diverted the flow of the Euphrates into a swamp, lowering the water level in ancient times? The Bible is up-to-date and relevant to our time. 

Look at the notes from American Journal of Biblical Theology 2009: 

The two leaved gates refer to the bronze gates of Babylon.  The defeat of Babylon by Cyrus is recorded in Daniel, chapter 5.  Cyrus lead the Meads and Persians against the city in 539 B.C. only to find its king Belshazzar distracted by a feast.  The Persians diverted the flow of the Euphrates into a swamp, lowering the water level enough to march their army under the river gates to the city gates, only to find them open. (American Journal of Biblical Theology 2009) 

The gates of the city were signified as “double-doors” where public trade, and administration of justice took place. The gates were especially subject to attack (Ezekiel 21:15, 22).  God calls us to “possess the gates” (Genesis 22:17, 24:60). 

God spoke to Isaiah and, by declaring their sins forgiven, revealed that He is faithful to His covenant even when His people have forgotten it (see Isaiah 44:21-22). (Pray for America to turn back to God in genuine repentance.)

God spoke to Isaiah and revealed His sovereignty in a spectacular and amazing way by not only having Isaiah prophesy the return of His people from exile, but by naming Cyrus as the king he would use (see Isaiah 44:24-28). 

And look at this—God spoke to Cyrus (through Isaiah) more than 100 years before Cyrus was born, which reveals His sovereign control over all things and all people, and how He can use unbelievers to accomplish His plan (See Isaiah 45:2-7). God can use anyone who is available. 

God spoke to Isaiah and revealed His absolute sovereignty over all things, and how there is a fundamental difference between the Creator and what He has created (see Isaiah 45:8-13).

God spoke to Isaiah and, by showing the repentance of foreign nations, revealed that salvation is for the Gentiles as well as Israel, and that all salvation is through the one true God (see Isaiah 45:14). God doesn’t want anyone to perish. 

“Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by name, am the God of Israel” —Isaiah 45:1-3

Take time to pray Isaiah 45 aloud today. God is at work behind the scenes. The Holy Spirit is revealing all hidden truth and showing us things to come (John 16:13). Pray from the place of victory—we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus and seated in heavenly places with Him. Sing with joy!

Worship and sing!

Deborah Starczewski

This morning I was praying a specific prayer for a dear friend on the phone and asked the Lord to send angels to assist in the situation. It wasn’t even five minutes till Melanie called me and said, “Look what I saw outside the window just now.” She took a picture of what appeared to be an angel in the clouds. I told her what I had just prayed for someone else. 

God never ceases to amaze me. I live in awe of His presence and how He goes to extreme measures to make Himself known. 

I asked Melanie to make a ministry picture for us to use with this blog. You can see for yourself. God confirms His Word when we pray. God hears and answers our prayers. Just because we have angelic protection does not mean we won’t face trials and tribulation. We must choose to live a life of prayer.

When you learn that angels hearken to the voice of the Word of God, your faith will rise to a new level, and you will know and understand the power you have in praying the Scriptures. (See Psalm 103:20, Isaiah 55:11, Isaiah 54:17, Isaiah 49:25, Psalm 129:4)

God cares about the intimate details in our lives. He cares about America and all mankind in every nation. Our church had a special time of corporate prayer and repentance last night for America. Believers are praying corporately across the nation. Churches and ministries are holding prayer meetings across the nation. God hears and answers prayer. He wants His people to be encouraged and to trust Him. 

America is at a crossroads between a wide road that leads to destruction, and a narrow road that leads to eternal life and blessing. We must choose to honor God and His Word, not just at church, but seven days a week. 

Be encouraged and know that God loves you and cares about every detail in your life. Thank God for the gift of prayer—communion with our Heavenly Father. 

BOOKS BY DEBORAH STARCZEWSKI

A LEAP OF FAITH (25 Days At The Mercy Seat) … a modern day resurrection story

GOD’S PRICELESS TREASURE (How To Overcome Challenges, Be Transformed And Know Your Purpose) …move from drama to destiny. 

THE MIDNIGHT HOUR (Will America Turn Back To God?)

All available on-line on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.