Sunday morning’s message centered around Jonah and the decisions he made. The things that stood out to me were:

         • Jonah chose to say “no” to God’s leading. While not a very smart move, it no less reveals that Jonah had an opportunity to choose to willfully disobey, just as we do. But I wonder if he considered the ramifications of his actions for one minute. Mankind does not often take the time to consider the penalty and cost of their decisions in respect to God’s leading. Surely a person would not change their future and the future of others by being defiant, yet it happens every day. Jonah knew he was to blame for the storm and the loss of the cargo and riggings as the others worked diligently to lighten the ship. It would be good if, the next time you are tempted to disobey God, you would stop long enough to count the cost.

         • Jonah’s message was one of coming judgment as God had had enough. Jonah did not want to go to this group of people. He disliked them and it would be fine with him if they perished instead of repenting. Do we find ourselves passing judgment on those who are not like us? We see Jonah pouting because they heard God’s message and turned from their wickedness.

      To preach the whole council of God, sometimes it is necessary to explain to people that God is holy and will not look upon sin, how deeply sin offends our Lord and how important it is to tell individuals that God does not mince words. When He says sin has separated you from the love of God, that is exactly what He means. Our message may offend many because they cannot endure the truth. Paul said if they preach any other gospel than the one we shared with you, turn away.

From Our Missionaries

         Misión Creciendo en Cristo (Growing in Christ), North Little Rock: Juan Carlos Posadas writes, “Sayra and her team in Sunday School have set out to teach children their duty with the Great Commission. They do not want children to just color, but at an early age to understand that they must share their faith.

There are some children who need special attention due to their ADHD, dyslexia or Down Syndrome, which is an additional challenge. Please pray for wisdom so the sisters do their jobs to the best of their ability.

      “There is a special case of three siblings — two girls and their little brother — who came to church on a vaccination day. They have been victims of bullying at school because of their shyness, consequently they are extremely reserved, none of them wanted to speak when they first came. Then they started congregating with us and now they ask their mother to bring them to church. It is incredible how displays of sincere love can create a safe environment for children so they will long to come to the house of God.”

      Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “Last Tuesday was our last home to visit and pray. We were in the home of Victor Ahmed. He invited his family members, and it was a good opportunity to connect with them.

      “We finished the month of January and now, in February, our task is to activate the Berean Groups (home groups) to be praying so that this year we will have many more places to sow the precious seed.

      “We continue to have a series of messages in the book of Acts. We are taking advantage of the fact that there are new people arriving who do not know what a church is.

      “Last Sunday, we were expanding on the brothers of Jesus. Some with Catholic backgrounds were amazed that Acts 1 mentions Jesus had more brothers. Keep praying that God will continue to guide us on how to take the gospel to new people.

      “My schedule is very busy with two ministries, and I must be wise in how I manage my time. Pray for God’s wisdom in being a good steward of time, talent and treasure. May God be glorified in our midst!”

         Faith Chapel, Flippin: Johnny Shew writes, “What a great week we had at Faith Chapel! Our numbers were back up, even with several out and, for the second week in a row, the Lord added to His church. Two more of our faithful visitors joined our mission and became members. Praise God! They are actually our close neighbors too, so we are very happy the Lord led them to us and to this decision!

      “We had a beautiful week weather wise, and this next one is forecasted to be the same. I keep saying this, but we are still waiting on drywall for the new building. But we are patient and know the Lord will have us in there when it is time for us to be in there.

      “We thank you again for all of your prayers and support. We are amazed every week by the faithfulness and generosity of God’s people in this association to support His work here in Flippin, and we are committed to doing the same as we plant here, with every intention of supporting other works as they are sent. We hope and pray that we will be able to raise up and send a missionary from here as well. Please keep praying for us and for this community. God is answering your prayers, and we will continue to pray for you as well.”

         Faith Journey, Benton: Bryan Clay writes, “Faith Journey took the opportunity to get out in the community this week. I was able to meet with one of our local campuses to talk with them on how we can better serve any needs they may have. We are currently helping to keep their food pantry stocked and are working on getting them hygiene type items for students that may need them. Hopefully, we will have more chances to be of service to them and their students in the future.

      “Our worship leader and his wife have a heart for overseas mission work, namely the country of Belize. Roy and Melanie Hale created 3H Ministries to be able to share God’s love and the gospel with this group of wonderful, hardworking people. They travel to Belize often, this year in May and June, and would love to have people join them who want to share Jesus with others. 3H Ministries spreads hope, healing and happiness through this life-changing mission. If anyone would like more information, please reach out and we will share their contact information with you! We are all on the same mission to share Jesus and grow the kingdom of God. Please keep missionaries in your prayers as they continue to do the work the Lord has called them to do in the lives of others.”

         Misión Gracia Soberana (Sovereign Grace), NWA:Roberto Marcelletti writes, “I am so excited to inform you of all God is doing through our mission with Hispanics in the Northwest part of the state. We see people coming every week to our discipleship groups and to our Sunday service, the glory be to God.

Our goal is to make disciples, so every week we meet in the homes to disciple men, women and children. There are 25 people who meet every week to pray together, have a time of accountability and learn the biblical principles we teach them.

      “The people who came to our Grace Group in Springdale are a couple who have just arrived in the city with a newborn baby and have nowhere to live. I asked the brothers who were gathered to stop the meeting and we prayed and looked for a solution to the situation these people were living in, and managed to get them to stay in the house of a sister from our congregation.

      “In our Sunday service, we had seven guests and one of them was very interested in starting to disciple himself. I consider this to be a response from God since we pray for men who want to commit themselves to serve the Lord.”

         Epic Life, Pea Ridge: Jake McCandless writes, “Well, shoot! That’s how I feel about this past Sunday. I was so pumped because our eight coach (leader) families (which includes us) were to gather in our house to start training. We also had three others coming to learn about coaching.

This would give us 11 families working as missionaries in their neighborhoods and training to lead a Connection Group. That excited me! It had been a long time coming, but when we went to bed Saturday night my daughter started coughing, she woke up with fever and flu symptoms. We knew we couldn’t have it at the house. This meeting was so important, so we talked about me leading it at our rented space, Room 161, or another home. But after praying through it, I felt it was important that Amanda and I lead the meeting together, not just me. The way we’re doing ministry at Epic Life, we’re not extracting individuals out of families. Being missionaries in our neighborhoods and networks starts with us being missionaries in our homes. It’s important to me that we move at a pace that families move together, so our meeting has been postponed.

      “Though the meeting didn’t happen, this was still a great week. We had a record number in our Woodbridge Group, with a new family joining for the first time. Our Garfield Group had a great night as they do a meal once a month, which adds to their fellowship. Three of us continued in the ongoing training with the KC Underground.”

      El Faro #2 Hispanic Mission, Cabot/Jacksonville: Michael Hight writes, “This week, the rain has kept us from doing a lot of visiting, but Sunday I was able to attend church with a group I feel like will let us use part of their facilities when we begin having corporate worship. I enjoyed meeting the church and wish them the best as they are struggling.

      “On another note, I ask for your earnest prayers on my behalf. The autoimmune illness I had in March of last year, partially due to a tick bite and COVID-19, has now combined to affect my heart activity and respiratory functions. The cardiologist told me there was no one in the state who could help me, and that I really needed to go to the Mayo Clinic. The one in Arizona has my medical records and is reviewing my case to see if they can help or are willing to see me. We really need a break in this area as this has been very difficult these past few months. God has a plan, and we are trying to walk by faith, not by sight. Pray for a divine breakthrough!”