“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4.

What do you desire? Many people will answer that question saying they desire something more out of life, such as more money. Worldly things aren’t necessarily bad to desire, but Jesus said. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).

As Christians, we need to take a good look at what we desire and what we treasure. Keep in mind, you’ll never have enough money. When I was in the working world, we had a saying that the outgo will always grow to fit the income. That was true then, and it’s true now. I can tell you that trying to find ways to stretch a dollar is very challenging, but God always provides.

Many Christians look at prayer as a magic way to get what you want. Name it and claim it, blab it and grab it, tell God what He can do for you in order to make you happy. That seems to be the way some Christians look at prayer. Prayer is an important part of a Christian’s life, but it’s not an order to a catalog store listing what you desire today.

Jesus said, “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matthew 6:9-13).

Most of us know this prayer by heart and can repeat it without thinking. It might be a good idea to take a closer look.

First, God is honored. There’s peace that comes from worshipping God. Then, we are to desire that His kingdom come and His will be done just like it is done in heaven. If our desire is for God’s will to be done, we will humble ourselves before Him and desire what He desires. The only personal request is for our daily needs to be met, such as food. No worldly desires for fame and fortune, but for daily bread. Then, we are to acknowledge that not only do we need to be forgiven, but that we are also to forgive others. Finally, praise God. If we would truly pray this way and mean it, the desires of our heart just might change. We will begin to desire what God desires.

Later, Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

What things? Food, water, clothing. If we desire simple things, our desire will draw closer to God’s desire for us. If we step away from the rat race, the desires of our heart will change.

If God allows you to have lots of money, draw close to Him to see how He desires for you to use that blessing. We have many examples of how some people are irresponsible with their fortunes instead of using it for the Lord’s work. Instead of desiring what pleases God, money can easily become your god.

I have a friend who has been blessed and is so willing to use her finances to serve the Lord. I admire her. When we desire what God desires, we are blessed. When we come to know Christ, we need to turn from the sin that has plagued mankind since Adam chose to sin. Jesus gave His life for our salvation, and we owe Him everything. There is nothing we can do to earn salvation; it’s a free gift from God. The only way we can show gratitude is to seek His will and humbly submit to it.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2). Let your desires be His desires.

As we go through life, our desires change. Peter is an example of changing desires. He was a fisherman, and his desire was to catch more fish. The more fish he caught and sold, the more money he would have. He had a wife, and Scripture is silent as to any children he may have had, but every Jewish man wanted sons and daughters. Then Peter met Jesus. Or, maybe it was that Jesus found Peter.

“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him“ (Matthew 4:18-20).

I’m sure there are many Hollywood ideas of all that transpired, but the fact is Peter’s life was changed. He no longer desired to catch more fish, but he was going to be a “fisher of men.” Jesus had a lot of teaching to do with Peter, but Peter followed and was changed. If he had decided to remain a fisherman, he would have had a good job, and people would have food to satisfy them for a short time. Because Peter chose to follow Jesus, he was able to share the Bread of Life, which satisfies for eternity. Because Peter realized the desire of his heart was more than fishing, he has left a lasting influence on the world.

Paul was another man who was changed by Jesus. Paul desired to be the greatest Pharisee who ever lived. He just might have accomplished his goal if Jesus hadn’t changed Paul’s desire. Paul thought he was serving God by hunting down anybody who turned from the Jewish faith to follow the Good News of Jesus. Paul (then called Saul) was on his way to Damascus to arrest those who had fled to escape his persecution, and he went after them with a deadly purpose.

“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined around about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou me?” (Acts 9:3-4).

This happened many years after Jesus’ resurrection, so it’s no wonder Saul was confused. His life and desires changed dramatically. Instead of tyrannical power, he only wanted to serve Jesus and share love and forgiveness with everybody. It was Paul who knew about spiritual gifts and encouraged us to desire them. He especially encouraged us to desire to prophesy.

“Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the Spirit he speaketh mysteries” (1 Corinthians 14:1-2).

We need to desire what God desires for us. Paul became a man who truly served God. His missionary journeys should be the standard of missionaries today. He gave everything to serve Jesus. Yet, was he given the desire of his heart? He desired that God remove a “thorn in his flesh.” Whatever that was, we aren’t told, but it was a true problem for Paul.

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9).

God knows so much more than we know, and somehow, this “thorn in the flesh” was necessary. Instead of pouting because God didn’t jump through hoops for him, Paul humbly submitted to God.

Solomon was very wise. Sometimes, he wasn’t very smart, but his errors in life taught him some hard lessons. He often desired worldly things in life and found out that there was no happiness in having lots of wives and lots of money. These worldly desires led to pagan worship. He learned that there is a greater treasure than anything this world has to offer.

“There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man spendeth it up. He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour” (Proverbs 21;20-21).

It’s too bad Solomon didn’t learn this truth at a young age and follow his own advice.

Most of us are guilty of desiring the wrong treasure, but Jesus spoke about how valuable the desire for the kingdom of heaven is. “Again the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field” (Matthew 13:44).

Do you desire the kingdom of heaven enough to give up your worldly desires and desire the things of God? This doesn’t mean we cannot have food, shelter, and clothing. It’s not a bad thing to have money in the bank. The question you need to answer is, what do you do with your wealth? Do you use what you have to spread the Gospel, or do you hoard your wealth? What about your physical desires? A Christian should submit to Christ.

As Paul said, “…that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1b).

When you desire what God desires, you’ll find it easier to let go of the desires of your flesh and live for Christ.

The way to know what God desires for you is to get to know Him. The more you know His will, the more you’ll desire His will for life. Temptation will always tug at your flesh, but if you are tempted to sin, that isn’t a desire of God.

“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed” (James 1:13-14).

The word “lust” is translated from the Greek word “alexithymia,” which means “desire for what is forbidden.” When temptation comes your way, if the thing you desire isn’t godly, then your desire is at odds with God’s desire for you. He won’t give you the desire of your heart if your heart desires to sin. God doesn’t want anybody to sin. He desires the best things for you.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). The gifts from God are perfect.

“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:3). Desire what God desires, and He will give you the desire of your heart. Then, use the desire of your heart to serve Him.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com

www.prophecyupdate.com

www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).

History can teach us some important lessons. Unfortunately, people are hard-headed. We believe we are special or different than the people who came before us. Thus, we are doomed to make the same mistakes as our forefathers. Scripture contains many lessons we should learn. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Too many Christians think the Old Testament is “boring” or it doesn’t pertain to today. In fact, it’s the foundation of the New Testament. Many Christians race through reading Scripture to finish in a year in order to get a certificate. The problem is there’s no study. For instance, what about Jonah? Is it more than a story about a man eaten by a fish? It’s much more. Let’s take a look.

Jonah tried to run away from God. I often wonder why God chose him to carry such an important message of repentance to a wicked Gentile city. Jonah gives us many lessons, and one is that if God chooses you for a task, don’t run away. God told Jonah “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me” (Jonah 1:2).

Nineveh was the capital city of Assyria, and their wickedness was legendary. When they conquered a nation, they made sure people suffered greatly. They worshipped pagan gods, so there was no moral integrity. Jonah’s reaction to God’s call was understandable. “But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa, and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD” (Jonah 1:3).

There’s always a price to pay when we rebel against God, and Jonah’s price would be much more than just the price of passage on a boat. A mighty storm came up, and the pagan crew of the ship prayed to their pagan gods to no avail. Where was Jonah? He was sleeping.

Here’s a lesson for Christians. We all have a calling from God, but many of us are asleep. We are to spread the Gospel, but we sleep while the storm of wickedness rages. When all seemed lost, the captain found Jonah and said, “…What meanest thou, O sleeper? Arise and call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.” Jonah 1:6b. The captain didn’t believe in the one true God, but as they say, “Any port in a storm.” It’s a shame that Jonah didn’t openly pray to God and obey His instructions. What a witness that would have been. Wake up, Christians.

The sailors drew lots and determined that Jonah was to blame. It was Jonah’s rebellious attitude toward God having mercy upon a merciless pagan nation. He answered their questions, saying, “And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land” (Jonah 1:9).

Finally, Jonah was being truthful. The sailors couldn’t believe he had tried to run from God and wanted to know what they could do to stop the tempest. Jonah told them to throw him into the sea. Well, the sailors had some integrity and didn’t want that to happen, but an amazing thing happened to these pagan sailors. They cried out to God. “Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, ‘We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee” (Jonah 1:14).

One person speaking up for God can bring others to belief.

The sailors threw Jonah overboard, and the storm stopped. The sailors were afraid, but they offered a sacrifice to the LORD. The story could end there with Jonah paying the price of his sin while the sailors rejoiced in their new-found faith and the calming of the tempest, but God still wanted Jonah to go to Nineveh. So, the LORD prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah “…And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” (Jonah 1:17b).

This strengthened Jonah’s faith, but he still didn’t want to go to Nineveh. “Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly, and said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice” (Jonah 2:1-2).

My fellow Americans, is that where we are? Are we in the belly of hell? The United States is in dire straits. Like Jonah, Christians have a message to deliver, but it looks as if we are running away from God. We’re surrounded by pagan worship. Maybe people don’t openly worship pagan gods, but they don’t worship the one true God; so by default, demons are worshipped.

America was founded upon Biblical principles. The men who founded this nation weren’t perfect, but they understood basic God-ordained rights. The Declaration of Independence contains some words to pay attention to. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Yes, our Creator has endowed us with rights, but America seems to be under siege by wickedness and evil. The leaders of this nation have little or no knowledge of God and care little for the individual people. The Republic of the United States has become a tyrannical dynasty led by people who encourage the pagan gods of evil that have brought destruction to many nations.

Abortion is nothing less than sacrificing children to the demon god Molech. The arms of this idol were heated, and babies were sacrificed by putting their little bodies in its arms. God told the Israelites, “And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shall thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 18:21.

Today, abortion kills babies in a mother’s womb. As the tiny body is brutalized, the cries cannot be heard. “Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, ‘Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones” (Leviticus 20:2). This is addressed to Israel, but Christians claim to belong to God, and we need to honor Him.

The leaders of our nation have legalized many abominations that are offensive to God. Creation of the world is credited to chance and happenstance (evolution) and not to God. “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Our leaders mock God by allowing evolutionary lies to be taught to our children. “And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things” (Romans 1:23).

There are consequences to disobeying God. Jonah spent time in the belly of a great fish, but the consequences of denying God as the Creator bring the abomination of homosexuality. “Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 1:24-25).

Mocking God is never good. “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use unto what is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another: men with men working that which is unseemly and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet [due]” (Romans 1:26-27).

Wake up, Christians. We must not allow God to be mocked. The mocking was very evident during the opening ceremony of this year’s Olympics. Are we like Jonah? Are we sleeping while the demonic wickedness in the world rages? Do we approve of the evil by keeping silent? If you don’t participate in the evil but watch with pleasure and accept it, God isn’t pleased. “Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Romans 1:32).

Americans have a vote, and the last 4 years have been miserable. Before that, we had the wickedness of Ahab and Jezebel (the Clintons) and the Obama years. None of these people deserve our vote. We will not survive an administration of Harris. Christians, we must take a stand. Jonah could have avoided much trouble if he had obeyed God and gone to preach to Ninevah. He finally remembered God and prayed. “They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy” (Jonah 2:8). The New King James translation makes the meaning clearer: “Those who regard worthless idols Forsake their own Mercy” (Jonah 2:8, NKJ).

When you find yourself in the belly of a great fish, you realize you need to repent. Jonah did, and so must Christians today. We need to start making our voices heard in our government, whether in America or in other nations. Repent and turn from wickedness.

“And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land” (Jonah 2:10). Jonah must have been a mess and smelly. Sin and rebellion are always messy. Jonah’s mission wasn’t over. “And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time saying, Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee” (Jonah 3:1-2). Jonah did go to Nineveh but wasn’t happy about it. Christians have been forgiven of our sins, and now, we, too, must go and joyously preach the Gospel to a fallen world.

Nineveh was a very large city. The wickedness and evil found there was unspeakable. What would you do if God called you to preach repentance to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City, or Washington D.C.? Would you willingly preach, or would you run the other way? Would you like for God’s wrath to be poured upon the wicked, or would you want them to understand His love and mercy? Jonah was blunt as he delivered the message. “And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, ‘Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown’” (Jonah 3:4). Really? Jonah had received God’s mercy from being in the belly of a great fish, but Jonah could only say you have 40 days, and then it’s over.

Jesus Christ gave His life for us. If you’ve repented and received His forgiveness for your sin, then preach the truth with joy and gladness! It seems as if Jonah didn’t really want those in Nineveh to find God’s grace. They showed him! “So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes” (Jonah 3:5-6).

Can you imagine how great a nation could be if even the leaders repented and embraced God? The king decreed that everybody fast and cover themselves in sackcloth, including the animals. “Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?” (Jonah 3:9). Scripture tells us that God is willing to forgive all sin, but there has to be true repentance. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways: then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Christians, we are called by God’s name. It’s time for us to humble ourselves and pray, seek God’s face instead of following the ways of sin, repent and turn from our wicked ways. Why should God bless us when we mock Him?

What if there was true repentance in France, or Great Britain, Canada, or the United States? Would we put off judgment? What if Hollywood and the entertainment industry stopped putting out movies and music that glorify sin? Could it happen? If Nineveh could repent, even America can. “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil that he had said that he would do unto them, and he did it not” (Jonah 3:10).

Jonah wasn’t at all pleased. He wanted Nineveh to be destroyed. “But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry” (Jonah 4:1). He told God that this is why he tried to flee to Tarshish. He didn’t want Nineveh to be spared from God’s wrath. Is this why we don’t share God’s truth with people? Are we afraid our worst enemy will repent and find God’s mercy and grace?

There’s more to the story of Nineveh. It’s easy to return to wickedness and evil. That happened in Nineveh. About 140 years after their revival, they fell back into their evil ways.

When you know a repentant sinner, do you disciple them and help them live for Christ? Have you taught your children and grandchildren to love God? If you haven’t, then there’s a good chance they will return to the evil of the world. Public school is no place for a Christian child. They will be educated into the ways of the world and embrace the sin found there. Social media needs to be monitored by parents. The Ninevites reverted to their evil ways, and it can happen today. The return to their old ways can be seen in 2 Kings and Isaiah, as Nineveh again came against Israel.

God is slow to anger, but this should never be seen as acceptance of sin. He sent Jonah to witness to them, but we read in Nahum that God finally had enough of their wickedness. “The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet” (Nahum 1:3).

Is America about to see God’s anger? Remember that there is always forgiveness through Jesus Christ. True repentance will bring true salvation. We cannot hold onto our wicked ways and expect God to acquit us. We cannot continue to turn against Israel and expect God’s blessing.

America, remember Nineveh and turn from wickedness. We must love the Lord our God with all that’s in us and serve Him alone.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham
twotug@embarqmail.com

Recommended prophecy sites:

www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.

If you would like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).