Jonah, P31 Community Group

Writing Facebook group posts based on the First 5 app posts - each of us on the writing team have our own days - I’m the Thursday leader.

Week One

Hi there! It’s nice to meet you!
I’m Shelby — I’m from Bakersfield, CA, where it’s starting to warm up and will most likely require a lot of escaping town during the summer months, just for a quick break from the heat.
I work in marketing and communications at one of the California State University campuses here. I handle our main social media accounts — there’s never a dull moment with scheduling, creating reels and other content and always staying on top of what’s next in the higher education realm. But, I really enjoy it! It allows me to get creative but also strategize, which I love.
I’m so excited to be your study leader on Thursdays throughout the study of Jonah!
What are you most looking forward to, or hoping to receive from, the next several weeks?
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There have been many times in my life that I’ve been asleep spiritually, much like today’s reading in Jonah 5:1-6.
In fact, in the last few years, as I’ve been looking for a new home church, I realize it’s also been easier for me to use that as an excuse to sit more on the sidelines. Or to rationalize doing XYZ, or isolate from other believers.
It’s easy to fall into sinful complacency. To hear what the world tells us is okay, even when we know better, or allow things into our lives that would be better off on the outside. We rationalize “I’m just doing this and that" or “it was only that one time..” Until it’s not.
That’s what this wakeup call was for Jonah, both spiritually and physically — to call on God. And truthfully, this was a wakeup call that I needed. I think we all need to be reminded of this at times, no matter where we are in our faith journeys.
My other fellow Shelby raises a good question — Are there areas in our lives in which we’re slumbering in sin? How has God gotten your attention?
Something to think about today as you sit with God during your quiet time.
I’ll close us in prayer: Lord, thank You that we’re never out of Your reach. That You are always chasing after us and showing us how we can be better and live better for You in your loving ways. Continue to highlight the sin and how we can remove it from our lives and walk in the light of Your Word and hear Your voice more clearly than the world’s. In Your name, amen.

Genesis, P31First 5 Community Group

Over the course of six weeks, Fresh Start covers the book of Genesis through personal stories and scripture in our Facebook community group.

Introduction Week | Foundations
Week Two
Week Three
Week Four
Week Five
Week Six

Have you seen the cartoon meme of Jesus and a little girl that pops up on social media from time to time? She holds a small teddy bear in front of her and says, “But, I love it God.” Jesus is crouched down to her level, holding a much larger teddy bear behind His back with a hand outstretched and says, “Just trust me.”

Friends, while this meme is a simplistic picture of a complex emotion or action, to me, it serves as one of the most accurate depictions of what it means to trust God. We hold on so tightly to our dreams and/or our people, most of which are God-given. And yet, when He asks us to give them up, because He has something better, doubt and fear creep in.

Perhaps it’s because we’re used to human nature's ways of doing things. People tell each other things all the time that don’t work out. They’re canceled or fall through. And some even break our trust.

Today’s lesson, breaking down Genesis 22, relays a story of the ultimate test of trusting God. God asks Abraham to use his son, Isaac, as a living sacrifice, and to kill him on the altar. Abraham takes every step necessary toward obeying God’s instruction.

Imagine having that kind of faith, to courageously step into whatever God has called you to. Or to lay down what He’s asking you to give up, even when you have no idea what comes next. We can pray for that faith! Here’s my prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray that when the times come for our faith to be tested, we will rise to the occasion and trust You. You know what’s best for our lives and will always provide when You tell us You will. Work in our hearts to give up those things we think we love most so we can allow room for you to work.

In Your name,

Amen.

Is God asking you to lay something on the altar today? How have you seen Him come through on His promises before that reminds you He will do it again?

There’s the old expression, “father knows best.” And, that’s usually accurate. Has there ever been a moment in your life where you’ve gone to your father (or mother) for advice and they give it to you? But, thinking you still know best, you do what you wanted only to find that your parents were right in the end?

I think we can all say we’ve been there, whether it’s something that could have saved us a world of heartache, staying away from the wrong crowd in school, or something as simple as not running in the house. If our parents have greater wisdom and insight because they’ve lived more life than we have, can you just imagine how much more our Heavenly Father knows?

There’s a reason God asked Adam and Eve not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Why He warned Noah and his family of the flood, and why God, at the building of the tower of Babel, took away the unity of one language He gave at creation.

Those building the tower weren’t concerned about bringing glory to God, but rather, focused on making a name for themselves. So, instead of continuing with one language, God introduced various languages which then scattered His people over the face of the earth.

Lisa Alvin-Meyer talks more about this in today’s lesson — “As Christians, we know we are saved only by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ and not through any of our own ambitions, aspirations or accomplishments (Ephesians 2:8-9). Still, like the builders at Babel, we are tempted to succumb to pride and chase our own selfish pursuits….”

God’s wisdom is infinite. When He guides us on a path, although we might not understand or comprehend what He’s doing, it’s for our good and protection. But, even when we go astray from His plans, He finds a way to bring justice, mercy and humbles us with His love and grace.

How have you seen God’s grace turn around what could have otherwise been a messy situation in your own life?

It’s easy to say that God is with us or know that He provides, when everything is going well. But, to live it out in the middle of a life storm takes another level of trust. Between Denise Pass’ blog and Genesis 46-47, I’m reminded of God’s provision for His people.

In early 2022, I lost my full-time job. I still worked part-time for my church, but it wasn’t enough to sustain a living. I didn’t see it coming at all. I was at a loss on what to do next, and it required me to pause.

Where would I get another job?

Would I be able to make rent and stay in my apartment?

All the anxiety and fear of the unknown required me to lean into God and ask what He wanted me to learn from that season. Family and friends rallied around me at one of my lowest points. They opened their homes to me and provided meals or basic necessities to me, but most importantly they prayed for me and encouraged me. Other freelance opportunities opened up with contacts I’d had in the past to make extra money as I waited for unemployment or another job to come.

“Sometimes we can fail to recognize the blessings of God because of harsh circumstances surrounding us, yet He holds our very breath and life in His hands (Revelation 4:11; Isaiah 42:5),” Denise says in her post.

It was the same in Egypt. While the people didn’t have food to eat, Joseph bought the land and provided seed for them to plant. “…Give a fifth of it to Pharaoh. The other four-fifths you may keep as seed for the fields and as food for yourselves and your households and your children.”

Even in the drought and famine, God prepared Joseph to provide for his family, along with the people of Canaan and Egypt. He does the same for us, even in the simplest situations.

How has God provided for you recently, where through our earthly eyes it might not make sense?