I Won Something I Will Use Everyday of the Year!

I was the lucky winner of PJ's Pray Line giveaway on May 8th.  I won "The 365 Most Important Bible Passages For Women" from Hachette Book Group.

.

PJ is the host to Bible Quizzes, Inspirational Stories and devotionals.  She shares her love of the Lord, her family life and vacations with all who visit.  As her blog name suggest she has a prayer line that anyone is welcome to be a part of.   I hop you click on her name or here and stop by to visit her.


I love having this daily readings and meditations book to start each day out with.  I'm going to share today's devotional here with you.  Today's writings come under the chapter Stress & Community.

Against God's Will

     Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish...Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up.

     The Sailors...cast lots and the lot fell on Jonah.  So they asked him, "Tell us, who is responsible for making all this trouble for us?...He answered, "I am Hebrew and I worship the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land....Pick me up and throw me into the sea,...and it will become calm.  I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you."...Then they took Jonah and threw him overboard, and the raging sea grew calm...

     But the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights. 

     Jonah 1:3-4, 7-9, 12, 15, 17 NIV  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

     When we deliberately turn from what we know God wants us to do, we will struggle and might cause hardships for many other people.  This happens, for example, when a spouse or child turns from God and causes heartache and broken relationships.

     In the Old Testament, God called Jonah to a mission, but jonahh ran the other way to hide from God.  Jonah's choice led to problems  for many people.  When Jonah accepted the blame and the sailors tossed him into the sea, God calmed the waters and the ship and crew survived.  When Jonah admitted his responsibility, he also chose to give his life to save the sailors.  The sailors, amazed by God's power, worshipped God.  God used Jonah's disobedience to change hearts.  Jesus referred to Jonah's time in the fish to illustrate his coming time in the grave.

     Jonah's time in the big fish gave him time to pray, think, and choose to obey God.  Admitting our responsibility when we have turned away and admitting our sins restores our relationship with God and gives us another chance to obey him, accept his plans for our lives, and do what he calls us to do.


Thank you to both P.J. and Hachette Book Group for this devotional which is a gift that will be read daily and in turn I will think of P.J. everyday.

****Don't forget to enter my Barielle Nail Strengthening Cream giveaway.  I'm not kidding when I say their nail products are the absolute best!  Tonight is your last chance to enter and the chances are very good.  Just click here.****