Traveling “Cross Country”

In Need of a New Bucket? (Isaiah 12:2-3) “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for YAH, the LORD is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation. Therefore, with joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” So, how are things? Are you facing tough times and challenging circumstances? Does life feel like a constant stream of problems? Do you need some relief from your daily challenges? Isaiah assures us that if we acknowledge the Lord as the source of our salvation, He will grant us the courage to confront our fears, the strength to overcome our struggles, and a song of confidence that only the redeemed can sing. When we turn to the Lord, we will benefit from the additional joy that comes from drawing water from the wells of salvation. If you are already a believer and trust Him with your salvation, you might need a new bucket. If you try to draw water with a leaky bucket, you'll never receive all the blessings the Lord has in store. Don’t settle for the same old bucket with makeshift repairs. Ask the Lord to do a new work in your spiritual life so you can claim all the blessings and benefits that are rightfully yours as a Child of God. The joy He gives us is something we embrace daily. This gift of joy is far more than just happiness because it comes from His eternal promises and provision. So, include those promises in your goals and confidently rely on His joyful support. “It Must Have Been Something He Ate” For the past three days, Baxter had been dealing with an upset stomach that matched his enormous size. He decided it must be something he ate. Maybe a trip to the beach would ease his discomfort. Luckily, it did. He approached the shoreline and expelled the source of his indigestion onto the beach. From the shallows, he was surprised to see the prophet of God, pale and seaweed-covered, hurrying toward Nineveh to fulfill his mission. Now, I’m not sure the big fish God prepared for Jonah’s “Underwater Uber” was named Baxter, but the rest of the story is 100% true. Jonah learned that you can’t run or hide from God. Even the depths of the ocean can’t hide you from His all-seeing eye. Although many Bible critics consider this story a myth or a remarkable legend, one expert affirms the account as true and accurate: Jesus. He compared Jonah’s three days and nights in the belly of the fish to the three days and nights He would spend in the grave before that resurrection morning. Next time you think about running from your spiritual duty and God's call, remember what happened to Jonah. That rebellious prophet not only faced the consequences of his disobedience but also turned the very first underwater adventure into a miserable ordeal for himself and for God’s specially prepared big fish. “Then Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from the fish’s belly. And he said: “I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction, and He answered me. Out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and You heard my voice.” (Jonah 2:1-2)