Jonah 1:1-3 ESV – Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.’ But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.

John 10:14, 27 ESV – I am the good shepherd…My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

God is a Communicating God

John 1:1 ESV – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Hebrews 1:1-2 ESV – In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son.

Job 33:14 ESV – For God speak in one way, and in tow, though man does not perceive it.

Romans 1:19, 20 ESV – For what can be known about God is plain to the, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Psalm 19:1-2 ESV – The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

Psalm 119:105 ESV – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Jonah 1:1-2 ESV – Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah saying, ‘Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.’

Jonah 1:3 ESV – But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.

You can always find a ship to Tarshish!

Psalm 86:11 ESV – Teach me Your way, Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.

Hebrews 12:5-6 NIV – My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.

Jonah 1:4 ESV – But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up.

Jonah 1:5-6 ESV – Then the mariners were afraid, and each cried out to his god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep. So the captain came and said to him, ‘What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.’

Jonah 1:9 ESV – I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.

Most Christians in our culture live like everyone else. There is little distinction between our lives and the lives of the pagans down the street. We wear the same clothes, watch the same movies, read the same books, send our children to the same schools, and sign the same divorce decrees as everyone else.

The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable. – Brennan Manning

Psalm 119:67 ESV – Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.

Jonah 1:14-17 ESV – Therefore they called out to the Lord, ‘O Lord, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O Lord, have done as it pleased you.’ So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from is raging. Then the men feared the Lord exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows. And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

God’s Grace Stinks Like a Fish!

2 Corinthians 12:7 ESV – Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’