Jonah, a funny guy

Jonah 1
Jonah is loved by God. His righteousness must have been pleasing to God for he would not have been sent by God to preach to the wicked city of Nineveh. Yet when he was called, he ran away to flee from God.
That is funny.
He clearly knows who God is and what he can do.
He displays his understanding of how big and how powerful God is when he was on the boat and has no fear of the circumstance.
This is the question or questions:
The crew on the boat believed and worshiped God because Jonah was there.
If Jonah was not defiant, would the crew have come to know God?
Was this God's plan?
Did God know Jonah was going to run?
Was God trying to reach the crew on the boat?
The answer is, yes.
According to the Bible, God knows all and his plan will be carried out.
One thing I know and am learning more and more, God uses us to be representations, or ambassadors for him so that people will know who he is.
Because we are such visual based beings, we come to believe when we see. As Job puts it, I can hear and understand, but to believe in something I cannot see is more challenging.
To see another human being doing something, or saying something, connects the understanding side of our brain.
That is why we need to go and spread the gospel and be like a light to the world so men/women will know who God is.
I know I can be like Jonah, not wanting to do something because I, the selfish me, thinks I know better and can determine what is best for God's kingdom.

God, the Merciful

Job 42

Confessing, admitting and acknowledging God is the Almighty, wonderful and all righteous being, is the first step to repentance.
Like Job, all humans are visual beings, which we quantify and discern what is real.
We can hear and understand, but without visual confirmation, it is difficult for us to believe, and hence faith comes in to play.

God was angry with Job's friends because they did not come to repentance like Job, and allowed them to offer burnt offerings for the forgiveness of their sins against him.

It is comforting to see God's generosity in providing Job with twice over what he had.

God, the Owner

Job 41

"Who has a claim against me that I must pay?
Everything under heaven belongs to me."

As much as an I am an owner of my home, my car, my family, my life. Nothing I that have, I made on my own nor do I have absolute control. I own my home because I can pay for the mortgage. I can support my family because I can pay for the food, the clothes and shelter. I have a car because I paid for it. If I do not have the means to support them, I am nothing.
God owns everything, even the strongest of the strongest animal on this earth.
God allowed me to have a life and the means to sustain me. Who am I to get critical of not being justified?
I do not even have the ability to produce air that would sustain me alone.
Let me be grateful and enjoy the gifts and share his joy with others.

God, the Almigty.

Job 40

The LORD said to Job: "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?
Let him who accuses God answer him!"

... Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm:

"Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me."

I would not want to be in that situation.

The best thing to do is to enjoy the time here on earth and let God do his will.

At times, I know I get frustrated doing the best I can and see no results. I believe I was doing it for God, but the end is not what I have anticipated, so the blame goes to God and not I.

The most important aspect of be a disciple of Jesus is to know that the results are already confirmed, I am just waiting for the day to arrive.

God, the Provider.

Job 39
While we tend the earth to feed ourselves, God provides for all the living things in the world and some to serve us, like the horse. As much as we do manage some animals, like the horse, his being, his nature was created and provided by God. We are mere users of what God has created, not creators.
As a designer, I do not create something out of nothing. I create something that is already existed, and merely tweak it's existence and hopefully be more desirable or needed by us humans.
So why am I here?
I believe, just as God started from the beginning, as Adam and eve, he wanted a relationship with us. As I have children of my own, the relationship between us parents and our children is priceless. To be a provider and somewhat of a creator, the tie is unique and immeasurable. To be loved by your offspring is the most gratifying emotional feeling in the world.
I believe, the point here is not to be proud, or arrogant, of what I can do, but be grateful and humble of what God has allowed me to do.

God, the Designer.

I have been reading the book of Job for the past few days.
Job 38 hits home for me because I am a designer by profession.
I have designed countless products and each product had it's own challenges and reward.
Creating the world including us in it is beyond my understanding or anyone on this planet.
In just a few short minutes, my perspective of my own troubles and problems seems really minute.
I am happy, and thankful.

Introduction

Starting today, I am writing a thought everyday for the rest of my life regarding what I have learned and experienced since the day I have committed to God in 1993.
Scriptures is the foundation of what I share.

Most importantly, this is an accountability for myself to stay true to what I have come to know.
I welcome any thoughts and comments along the way, as long as it is based on the the Word of God.

To God be the Glory,
Thomas

Tim 3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Matthew 5:16
...let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.