From “In the Beginning” to Amen // Jonah - Who’s Reputation Matters Most?  Am I More Concerned About My Reputation or God’s Name and Reputation? Romans 9:1-3 (NLT)“With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it. My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed—cut off from Christ! —if that would save them.” It Is an Attitude Truly Conformed to Christ. The Most Forceful Examples of God’s Wrath Begin as Examples of His Patience. Whoever And Wherever We Are, God’s Patience Invites Our Repentance. 1 Peter 3:7-13 (NLT)“And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed. But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around, us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.” 

From “In the Beginning” to Amen //Nothing Is Impossible, Nothing Is Insignificant  2 Kings 6:1-7 (NLT)“One day the group of prophets came to Elisha and told him, ‘As you can see, this place where we meet with you is too small. Let’s go down to the Jordan River, where there are plenty of logs. There we can build a new place for us to meet.’ ‘All right,’ he told them, ‘Go ahead.’ ‘Please come with us,’ someone suggested. ‘I will,’ he said. So he went with them. When they arrived at the Jordan, they began cutting down trees. But as one of them was cutting a tree, his ax head fell into the river. ‘Oh, sir!' he cried. ‘It was a borrowed ax!’ Where did it fall?’ the man of God asked. When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. Then the ax head floated to the surface. ‘Grab it,’ Elisha said. And the man reached out and grabbed it.” Two Wonderful Truths:Nothing is Impossible with God.Nothing is Too Insignificant for God.God Is Not Limited by Natural Laws. He Created Them. “Impossible” Is Not a Problem for God. Matthew 9:25-26 (NKJV)“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God All Things are possible.’” Nothing Is “Too Insignificant” for God God Simply Cares If It Matters to You, It Matters to God Truth #1Nothing Is Impossible with God. Truth #2Nothing Is Too Insignificant for God.

From “In the Beginning” to Amen // Searching for God Knows What  1 Kings 19:1-3 (NKJV)“And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, also how he had executed all the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, ‘So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.’ And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.” 1 Kings 19:4 (NKJV)“But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, ‘It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!’" Even Elijah Had a Breaking Point God Doesn’t Abandon Us but Rather Meets Us at Our Point of Weakness 1 Kings 19:5 (NKJV)“Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, ‘Arise and eat.’ Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So, he ate and drank and lay down again.” 1 Kings 19:7 (NKJV)“And the angel of the LORD came back the second time, and touched him, and said, ‘Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.’ So, he arose and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.” God Ushers Him into His Forty Day Journey 1 Kings 19:9 (NKJV)“And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ So, he said, ‘I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.’” Second Point of Hope - He Does Not Abandon Us in the Darkness of Fear and Doubt 1 Kings 19:11 (NKJV)“Then He said, ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.’ And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire.”    Exodus 19:16-19 (NLT)“On the morning of the third day, thunder roared and lightning flashed, and a dense cloud came down on the mountain. There was a long, loud blast from a ram’s horn, and all the people trembled. Moses led them out from the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. All of Mount Sinai was covered with smoke because the Lord had descended on it in the form of fire. The smoke billowed into the sky like smoke from a brick kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently. As the blast of the ram’s horn grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God thundered his reply.” Exodus 20:18-20 (NLT)“When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram’s horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear. And they said to Moses, ‘You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!’” God’s Declaration in His Very Existence and Being… His Presence, His Breath… 1 Kings 19:13 (NKJV)“So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” 1 Kings 19:14-15 (NKJV)“And he said, ‘I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.’ Then the LORD said to him: ‘Go, return on your way…’” “Let’s get back to it…” Third Point of Hope - God Is Not Done with You Because You Are Wandering or on a Dark Place Even In Our Faith We Are Mortal Find Rest for Your Mind and Body… When We Are Spent Physically and Mentally, We Are Really Vulnerable God Has Not Abandoned You… He Is Not Condemning You; He Wants to Encourage You, Strengthen You and Sustain You… God Is Not Wanting to Use You Up and Discard You… He Wants You to Find Rest and Be Restored 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)”CAST ALL YOUR CARES AND ANXIETIES ON ME, BECAUSE I CARE FOR YOU..." He Goes with You and Prepares a Place He WILL Meet with You

From “In the Beginning” to Amen // Ecclesiastes Ecclesiastes 1:2 (NLT)Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” Hevel = Smoke Temporary Paradoxical Ecclesiastes 9:3 (NLT)“It seems so wrong that everyone under the sun suffers the same fate…” Smoke Ecclesiastes 2:4,10-11 (NLT)“I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all of my labors. But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.” A Warning:Ecclesiastes 7:16-18 (NLT)“So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time? Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes.” Fear God and Obey His Commandments Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (NLT)“That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.” The Answer is Fear God, Stop Grasping, and Receive Life as a Gift. “Nothing Better”A repeated phrase in the book. So, be joyful, do good, enjoy walks, a garden, a friend, a tasty meal, a swim, a sunrise, etc… Remember God Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NLT)“Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.’” Accept This: You cannot Control Your life Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (NLT)“Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life—this is indeed a gift from God. God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past.” You Cannot Control Your Life, but You Can Control Your Attitude. Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 (MSG)“Seize life! Eat bread with gusto, Drink wine with a robust heart. Oh yes —God takes pleasure in your pleasure! Dress festively every morning. Don’t skimp on colors and scarves. Relish life with the spouse you love Each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God’s gift. It’s all you get in exchange for the hard work of staying alive. Make the most of each one! Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily! This is your last and only chance at it, for there’s neither work to do nor thoughts to think in the company of the dead.” Ephesians 2:2-10 (NLT)“You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” 

From “In the Beginning” to Amen // Called and Commissioned  2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (NLT)“And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So, we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!’” Ambassadors Carry the Authority of the One Who Sent Them Ambassadors Carry the Presence and Character of Their King Ambassadors Carry the Power of Heaven’s Message Ambassadors Are Also Intercessors An Ambassador with No Burden for People Has Forgotten the Heart of The King

From “In the Beginning” to Amen – Honest to God Honest to God God Invites Honesty, Not Performance The Psalms Model a Full Emotional Life Lived in God’s Presence, But Willing to Learn and Be Shaped Psalm 73:21-28 (NIV)“When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”  1.      Joy And Praise - Loads of It 2.      Fear and Anxiety 3.      Anger and Frustration 4.     Grief and Despair 5.      Honesty and Repentance God Is Not Intimidated by Emotional Complexity - He Created Us… God Desires Relationship Over Ritual Authenticity Is Central to a Deep Spiritual Life God Desires Your Real Heart, not a Rehearsed One

From “In the Beginning” to Amen // The God Who Makes A Way 2 Samuel 14:14 (NIV)“Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him.” God devises means so the banished are not forever separated from Him. 2 Peter 3:9 (AMP)“The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” Life Is Fragile and Fleeting Humanity Is Banished by Sin Sin Always Pushes Us Away from God God Desires Relationship God Could Leave Us, But He Does Not God Has Always Desired Nearness God Wants Restoration, Not Rejection God Devises Means and Uses Circumstances Circumstances Become Invitations Your Current Circumstance May Be a Doorway God Wastes Nothing When He Is Drawing Our Hearts Toward Him Jesus Is the Ultimate Example God Did Not Merely Send Help - He Came Himself Luke 15:7 - All Heaven Rejoices When One Lost Returns Home God Still Wants a Relationship with You 

From “In the Beginning” to Amen // DavidDavid He was a son, shepherd, musician, warrior, king, fugitive, father, adulterer, liar, murderer, and a man after God’s own heart. 1 Samuel 13:14 (ESV)“But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.” Biblical HeartThe control center of your life. David and Bathsheba2 Samuel 11:1 (NIV)“At the time when kings go to war… David stayed home.” SlideThis is an abuse of power. This is manipulation. This is murder. David shows us again, that it’s not a question of if we will fail, but what to do when we do.Psalm 51 (ESV)“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.” “Have mercy on me, O God” …“I know my transgressions…”“Create in me a clean heart…”“Restore to me the joy of your salvation” … “That’s what true repentance sounds like.”   David’s greatness was not that he didn’t fall.It was this: he knew where to go when he did. “Repentance Isn’t Punishment—It’s Realignment.”  Cultivating A Heart After God’s Heart Humble YourselfJames 4:10 (NIV)“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” “God, I really need you.” Acknowledge Your Brokenness 1 John 1:8-9 (MSG)“If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—simply come clean about them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing.”  James 5:16 (MSG)“Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.” Run Toward God           Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”           A man after God’s heart isn’t someone who never fails…It’s someone who knows where to run when they do. Psalm 115:4-8 (ESV)“Those who make [idols] become like them, so do all who trust in them.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”