Jesus knows the most about rejection.

I wonder how Jesus felt about being accepted and rejected. John writes that Jesus gave his life for man's sins. Some would appreciate this sacrifice of love so much that they would follow Jesus to their dying day. But others would reject the story of love, giving it no place in their lives at all.

At worship each Sunday, I think about his sacrifice of love when the time comes to participate in communion. Why would the King of kings offer himself to a bunch of ungrateful people, including me? Why should he die for my sins when it's so likely I'll reject him?

I say this because of the large number of unbelievers in the world today. Jesus is the one human being, I believe, who knows the most about selfless living. He also knows the most about rejection.

Don’t settle for a small destiny for you.

We re-define ourselves according to our catastrophes. As a result, we settle for a small destiny!

Think you've lost it all? You haven't. The truth is that God's gifts and God's call are under full warranty — never canceled, never rescinded (Romans 11:29 MSG).

Here's how it works.

Your boss calls you into the office. As kind as it sounds, a layoff is a layoff. How will I pay the bills? Who's going to hire me? Dread dominates your thoughts. But then you remember your destiny. What do I have that I cannot lose?

Wait a second — I am still God's child. My life is more than this life. God will make something good out of this. I will work hard, stay faithful, and trust Him — no matter what.

But then you remember your destiny! You just trusted your destiny. Another victory for God. It begins with a yes to God's call on your life!

But then you remember your destiny. Luke 18:1

Jonah 2:1-2

From inside the fish Jonah prayed ... "In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry."

Thoughts on Today's Verse....

Jonah was disobedient, rebellious, and selfish. He had run from the Lord. He had shunned the Lord's command. He had endangered the lives of those on the ship where he had tried to hide. Yet even in the middle of his rebellion, God heard his cry and delivered him. If you are in rebellion, if you are seeking to hide some secret and all-consuming sin, please know the Lord wants to ransom and redeem you! Things won't be easy, but coming back to the Lord means ultimate redemption and deliverance.