On the Run - From His Heart - May 26, Encouragement from Jeff Schreve

On the Run - From His Heart - May 26

May 26, 2024

ON THE RUN

But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.
Jonah 1:3

Jonah was called by God to preach to the great and wicked city of Nineveh. It was a clear call, a definite call… and Jonah did not want to do what God called him to do. So he hightailed it the other direction… on the run from God and His will for Jonah's life.

LOTS OF JONAHS

Lots of Christians live life like Jonah: on the run from God. These folks know the truth… they know what God wants them to do… but they don’t want to do it. They jettison God’s agenda and plan for their own agenda and plan. They go their own way instead of His way because they think their way is better and will bring them happiness and satisfaction. Listen, anytime you find yourself on the run from God and His will for your life, you are running from satisfaction not to satisfaction.

As a pastor, I talk to people each week who have sad stories to share about the misery they have caused themselves by running from God and His clearly revealed will for their lives. Like Jonah, those who flee from the Lord are eventually sorry they did. They find themselves swallowed up by life (or, as in Jonah’s case, by a great fish). Every single runner ends up the same: broken and bleeding, wishing they could go back in time and undo their rebellion.

IT'S TIME TO STOP RUNNING

Are you on the run from that which you know God has called you to do? Does the revealed will of God seem scary… and impossible… and unpleasant… and a bad idea? That is exactly the way it looked to Jonah… but looks can often be deceiving. Remember, God’s ways are not our ways. Although you may erroneously think His plan is not good, it is ALWAYS “good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2).

Whatever God has called you to do, do it! Don't hesitate, procrastinate, or rationalize away your responsibility to give complete, total and swift obedience to the King of Kings. The Lord loves you and wants the best for you. You can trust Him.

If you are on the run right now, STOP! Get your heart right with the Lord and begin moving in the direction He wants for you. God will cleanse you and forgive you for running from Him. He is the God of second chances. If you don’t believe me… just ask Jonah!

Love,

Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries

Dr. Jeff Schreve believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a wonderful plan just for you. From His Heart provides real truth, love and hope on over 700 radio stations each day, in 182 countries each week on TV, and is always available online. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All donations go to furthering the broadcast outreach. As a listener/viewer supported ministry, we thank you for joining with us to help speak the truth in love to a lost and hurting world. Go to www.fromhisheart.org for more information.

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About From His Heart

From His Heart Ministries is the TV, Radio and Internet broadcast outreach of Dr. Jeff Schreve who believes that no matter how badly you have messed up in life, God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. We’re on mission to help a new generation discover their creator through the preaching of the compassionate, relevant, yet uncompromised truth of the Gospel. Pastor Jeff speaks the truth in love with clear biblical content combined with engaging, personal stories. His messages are filled with life-giving principles for everyday living and eternal assurance.

On Television: From His Heart is seen each week on Lightsource and also around the world on The Hillsong Channel, NRBTV, The Walk TV, and hundreds of TV stations across America and around the world. Go to Click Here to find the station near you.

On Radio: Click Here to listen to the daily radio broadcast available on OnePlace.com as well as 720+ outlets across America.

About Dr. Jeff Schreve

Jeff's life has been radically changed by Jesus Christ.
Growing up in a church-going home, Jeff learned a lot about God, but he did not know God. He believed in Jesus in the same way he believed in George Washington: he knew Jesus was real, but had not personally met Him. All this changed one night after a Young Life meeting when he was alone in his bedroom. There Jeff saw his need for Christ and His forgiveness and surrendered his life to Jesus.

As a student at the University of Texas, Jeff grew in his Christian life. He graduated with a degree in business and moved back home to Houston, Texas to start a career in business. There he met his future wife, Debbie, at a single's group meeting at Champion Forest Baptist Church. They were married in 1986 and have been blessed with a wonderful relationship and three awesome daughters and two beautiful grandchildren.

A New Direction
After spending 13 years as a chemical salesman, God called Dr. Schreve to preach. He left his secure position and moved his family to North Carolina to attend Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. It was a scary and difficult move to make ... but it was one of the best decisions they have ever made. One year later, God called them to serve on staff at Champion Forest Baptist Church. In 2000, he completed his Master of Divinity degree graduating from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He graduated with a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2014 from Southeastern Seminary.

Jeff Schreve has been the senior Pastor of First Baptist Texarkana in 2003, a growing and exciting church with 4500+ members.