white flag by andy stanley

the story of Jonab

1. how often do we flee away from God? dont we always choose to do the strangest things to run away from God? ( in order to run away from God, Jonab choosed to travel to spain, where was pretty much the furthest place in planet in ancient time)

2. we always only call out to God when we are in despair (Jonab called out to God when he waas in the stomache of the big fish and God answered his distress call)

3.why did Jonab run away from God's call
Jonab perhaps knew more much about God's character *slow to anger, abounding in love *
maybe he had submitted himself to the will of God but not the purpose of God to the world. being a good Christian, we may become judgemental and forget that we need equal amount of grace from God each single day.the danger of becoming a good christian, moral person, we gradually become so self-absorb that religion becomes all about us. become like Jonab-the obstacle of God's grace

=> sumbit to God to become the extention of God's compassion, love and grace
God wants everyone to be inside to experience His love and grace

personal applications: 
1. bring self-righteous to the cross as the righteous is from our faith in christ 
2.without God's grace we are only the object of His wrath. maybe there is not such a thing of one person is better than another??? it is God's role to judge others, why will i intend to play in God;s role? 
3. with God's grace, we become the extention of His love, compassion and grace
4. love can melt down the heart of stones, God works through us