Connecting the Dots: 5 Lessons About Following God

Have you ever been in the car with someone else driving?  There are a multitude of illustrations from this statement alone!  However, I want to zero in on the driver taking a route to your destination with which you are not familiar.  The driver keeps saying something like: “I know where I am and where I’m going…so relax and trust me.”  But you’ve never been on that road before….you feel like you are headed in the opposite direction!  You are convinced that your way is better.  However, you eventually arrive at your destination safe and sound.

That is how it often is with the believer following the Lord’s path.  “I’ve never been on this path before Lord!”  “I feel like we are headed in the wrong direction Lord!”  But as we grow, we learn to trust the Lord more…relax a bit more…and rest in the Lord, knowing he will lead us all the way!

The Kinsman (v. 19-20)

Ruth returns home from work, shows Naomi her outcome of her hard work, and Naomi asks, “Where did you work today?!”  Naomi believed Ruth’s harvest to not be a common harvest.  It was very generous!

Where have you been working this week?  What seeds did you plant?  What harvest have you brought home?  What improvements have you chosen that have drawn you closer to your Savior?

The revelation of Boaz led Naomi to make an announcement: “He is our kinsman!”  If the close relative called the kinsman accepted the role of kinsman, he would marry the widow, produce an heir to keep his relative’s family line going…he could also redeem a relative from slavery, redeem his brother’s land, and even exact vengeance for his brother.

One of the things I enjoyed as a child on a rainy or sick day was “Connect the Dots.”  You would look at the picture of dots and some lines here and there – but it only looked like a bunch of dots and lines.  Then I would begin to connect the dots, and as the picture began to fill in, I started to see what I was drawing!  I couldn’t make sense of it all at the beginning, but towards the end everything started making sense to me.

God starts connecting the dots for Ruth in His master plan!

In John 14, the disciples didn’t understand where the Lord was going or what His plans were…they were confused and scared.  They had two choices: trust the Lord and follow Him with what they did know or run away.

Ruth has been laboring in the fields as a Moabite in Bethlehem.  Ruth is poor and trying to provide for her older mother-in-law, so she takes the lead from a page in the Mosaic Law and gleans in the fields.  At this point, she might even be privately longing for home.  Ruth cannot see the end to this struggle.  All she can do is what she knows to do and trust God. 

We often don’t see or understand what God is doing, but we can rest in the Lord, knowing He will lead us all the way!

The Instruction (v. 21-23)

Naomi tells Ruth to continue in Boaz’s fields until the end of the barley harvest.  In other words -- keep on doing what you have been doing.  Follow. God’s. Law.  --  follow the light God has already given you!

Times are hard.  Ruth may have wondered if there was a better way for her to pursue…but Naomi’s revelation of Boaz’s position starts to provide hope…God begins connecting the dots for Ruth and Naomi!!

5 lessons about following God:

1. God’s path is worth pursuing. 

   Don’t give up -- keep on going!  Ruth doesn’t know how God will meet her needs.  She doesn’t know she will be King David’s grandmother and be a part of the lineage of the Savior.  God is at work even when you can’t see what He is doing.  Don’t stop 2 yards from the finish line!  (Genesis 50:20; Philippians 3:14)

2. God reveals His work in His time. 

   Ruth is tired.  It’s been hard for a long time now.  Sometimes the Lord doesn’t reveal what He is doing -- until He does it.  So, we must find rest in hard times by trusting Him.  (Isaiah 26:4; Proverbs 29:25)

3. God is good to affirm the path He has for you. 

The natural human response to trials is discouraged, self-pity, and questioning why.  Although we don’t know if Ruth voiced these things, we do know God knows when we need affirmation.  God uses Naomi to, in essence say, “Keep going…keep doing what you are doing.”  Don’t you love it when God affirms what you are doing is the pathway He wants you to continue pursuing?!  (Psalm 100:5; 145:8-9)

4. God knows when it is time to encourage you.

Can you imagine how encouraging it must have been to be treated so kindly by a stranger in time of such need?  Can you imagine how encouraging it must have been to receive such generosity in a time of having so little?

We think we know when we need encouragement, don’t we?  Encouragement is often long in coming during hardship.  God knows the spiritual muscle we need for what is ahead and He allows resistance to build that spiritual muscle.  God knows what He is doing.  Trust Him.  (Psalm 37:3-5)

5. God is worth the sacrifice and struggle. 

Remember, the struggle for Ruth and Naomi is not over yet. Ruth will still be gleaning in the fields until the end of the barley harvest.  We also know there is an unexpected kinsman in this story that complicates things later (but he has not yet been introduced).  The struggle is not over.  God is still working!  (Proverbs 19:21; 16:9; 21:1)

Ever go to the store to pick up the dishwasher soap you always buy…only to discover that everything looks different?  The color of the packaging has completely changed and it takes you a few minutes to figure out if this is the same thing you got two weeks ago…and then you realize – it is the “New and Improved” model.  Why??  Well, technology advanced and research successfully found a better formula to do the job.

We are often looking for something new or different to solve our problems. The answer is still the same.  Follow. God’s. Word.  – and trust Him! The impossibilities in life can overwhelm us…we must take our focus off the impossibilities, place our focus on the one who can, and then choose to follow God’s Word regardless of what we see.  We can rest in the Lord, knowing He will lead us all the way!

Are you allowing the Lord to lead you all the way?  What have you been doing in the fields this week?  The harvest you are or will reap is always determined by the seeds you are planting!  Where is it you need to get back to following God’s Word?

Have you replaced the Lord with an idol?  Are there many reasons why you don’t have time for God?

Do you honor your parents?  Do you have justification for not honoring them?

Are you known by your love for others or love for yourself?  Are you so consumed with your own to-do list that you run over people in your path…missing the opportunity to impact for Christ?

Go back to the basics!  The Bible tells us this is the “church age” within the varying dispensations of time.  Do you know Christ as your Savior, but have never been baptized?  Have you become a member of a local Bible  preaching church?  What are you waiting for?

Are you looking for ways to disciple others…to be disciple makers…to sharpen other believers in their relationship with Jesus?

We must first go back to what we already know – and follow God’s Word!  It is crucial for greater understanding and greater relationship with Jesus.

3 Targets for Our Generosity & 4 Ways to Rest in Our Powerful God

Lightning is a powerful element of nature.  It is visible and often audible with thunder that accompanies the symphony of the storm.  The electricity in our walls isn’t as visible or audible – but it is still working and full of power (although not always seen).  I remember a young friend who put their finger in an electrical outlet. They discovered the power of the unseen electrical currents! We also had a home in Marshfield that had hot electrical wires in their walls go up in flames and do much damage to their home.

God’s working isn’t always obvious to us as we would like it to be…but His powerful working is always in play!  The church must we rest in the one true powerful God!

The Powerful Unknown (2:15-16)

We truly don’t know all that the Lord is doing behind the scenes…in our lives, for our lives, through our lives!

Amy Carmichael complained of her brown eyes as a little girl.  She longed for blue eyes.  God had plans for Amy to rescue many children in India from human sacrifices, but her blue eyes would have given her away.  God was at work even in the color of the eyes He gave her at birth!

Don’t get discouraged when you can’t see the answer!  Walk through the day trusting the Lord --- resting in the Lord – that He will care for your needs as He promised!

The Powerful Undeserved (2:17-18)

Ruth did nothing for Boaz to deserve this favor…this kindness.  She didn’t pay him money; in fact, she didn’t have money to pay him if she wanted to pay him. 

“JJ’s” last name placed him to always be in line right in front of me for school.  He knew how to push my buttons.  He would poke me in the shoulder incessantly…always ask crazy questions…and was just all-around undesirable to be around.  Now, I fast forward 4 decades, I think about my reactions to “JJ” …and then I think about God’s reaction to me when I am stubborn, rebellious, or irritating!

Consider God’s mercy and grace bestowed upon each of us as His children!  Consider how we couldn’t “return the favor” if we even wanted to do so.  We were…we ARE dependent upon God’s mercy and grace --- and He willingly bestows that mercy and grace on us.  Don’t lose sight of those gifts from God when you are dealing with others that seem undesirable to you!  In fact, thank God for His merciful, loving gifts – and then thank Him for those He has allowed to cross your path.

The Powerful Unveiling (2:19a)

The generosity is obvious to Naomi.  Naomi is greatly encouraged by the generosity and wants to know the details.  “Where were you gleaning today?!”

Is God’s generosity obvious to you?  Are you pausing to try to remember where the term “generous” connects to God in your life?  Please pause here and rehearse with me God’s great generosity. Consider God’s salvation and what it took to make such a gift possible.  Consider His presence…His provision…His love…His patience…and His long-suffering — all directed at You and Me!

How obvious is the generosity of God in you towards others?

We hear much about “self-help” books, but we hear very little about helping others! 

CONSIDER THESE 3 TARGETS FOR GENEROSITY:  

1. Be generous with your time and LISTEN to understand

2. Be generous with your treasures and LOOK for where/who to help

3. Be generous with your talents and CHOOSE to volunteer

   o   …help widows & the fatherless

   o   …help those in lower income

   o   …help your local church

   o   …help your pregnancy center

   o   …help center for abused victims

God’s working isn’t always obvious to us as we would like it to be…but His generous powerful working IS always in play!

• Think about Joseph as a slave or in prison. God was at work when the he sold as a slave and when he was made second in command of all of Egypt!

• Think about Moses and the 10 plagues in Egypt. God was at work when the Israelites were freed from Egypt AND when the Egyptians began pursuing the Israelites AND when God divided the Red Sea AND when God allowed the waters to crash down on their enemies!

• Think about Daniel in the lion’s den. God was at work before the two other Presidents deceived the King and formed a plan to get rid of Daniel.

• Think about Lazarus’ death and resurrection. God was at work when Jesus delayed in coming to help.

• Think about Haman wanting to destroy the Jews. God was at work to deliver the Jews when Esther taken to be the queen.

• Think about the nobleman’s son healed or the woman with an issue of blood healed…Jesus said he was healed or the woman just touched the hem of his garment – and it was done!

Ruth was poor…away from home…away from family…her husband is dead…and she is in Bethlehem!  How can she rest in God? 

4 WAYS WE CAN REST IN OUR POWERFUL GOD!

• Do what you know (obey God’s Word)

• Rehearse God’s Track Record

o   Purposely choose to remember God’s story of power, provision, and love in your life

o   Purposely choose to remember God’s story of power, provision, and love in the Bible

• Refuse to Embrace Fear. (Turn to Prayer! — I Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6-7)

Will I choose to embrace all of the things I cannot control and embrace fear?  Or will I embrace the One who can control all things?

• Surround Yourself with Truth.

o   Evaluate relationships – you may need to talk to some of your relationships and ask them to help you embrace truth.  You may be surprised how much you can help them while they are also helping you!

o   Evaluate news programs – the truth is, most news programs have an agenda they want you to embrace.  They do not simply report the facts and leave it for you to decide.  Does the news with which you saturate your mind lead you closer to God and His Word?

o   Evaluate time in God’s Word – we know the Bible is THE truth (John 17:17).  How well do we know the truth?

o   Evaluate your heart – The heart is the center of the will.  Are you willing to believe God and His Word?  If you are struggling with trusting/resting in God – then go back to your thoughts.  What are you rehearsing? (Prov. 4:23; Pro. 23:7; Phil. 4:8)

May we all rest in THE one true powerful God!

Protect Your Heart: 5 Ways to Love God More

The word “heart” is used in the Scripture as the most comprehensive term for the authentic person. It is the part of our being where we desire, deliberate, and decide. It has been described as "the place of conscious and decisive spiritual activity," "the comprehensive term for a person as a whole; his feelings, desires, passions, thought, understanding and will," and "the center of a person…the place to which God turns."  (Source: J. Stowell, Fan The Flame, Moody, 1986, p. 13. )

Did you know that Hummingbirds have race car hearts that eat oxygen at an eye-popping rate? Their hearts are built of thinner, leaner fibers than ours. Their arteries are stiffer and more taut. Their hearts are stripped to the skin for the war against gravity and inertia, the mad search for food, the insane idea of flight.

They are tiny little birds and their hearts beat 10 times a second. So even if you put your huge ear to its chest, it would be hard to discern the heartbeat.

The price of their ambition is a life closer to death; they suffer more heart attacks and aneurysms and ruptures than any other living creature. It’s expensive to fly. You burn out. You fry the machine. You melt the engine. (Source: An article by Bryan Doyle)

The largest heart in the world is inside the blue whale. It is about the size of a small car.  It is a room, with four chambers. A child could walk around it, head high, bending only to step through the valves. This house of a heart drives a creature a hundred feet long. (Source: Whale Facts)

It is estimated that EVERY CREATURE on earth has approximately two billion heartbeats to spend in a lifetime. You can spend them slowly, like a tortoise and live to be two hundred years old, or you can spend them fast, like a hummingbird, and live to be two years old. (Source: An article by Jason Kottke)

In what condition is your heart? Is it beating to the rhythm of songs of praise to God…in holy worship to the Savior of the world? Or is your pulse set to the city, the job, the constant striving for possessions and property, the ways of the world, or the wicked  pulse of hell?

The believer must make the condition of the heart primary – because the outward appearance will always follow the condition of the heart!

Rehearsing History (2:11)

Boaz meets her about 10 in the morning – and sees for himself who this “damsel” is! Rehearsing Ruth’s story is his way of giving her a compliment.  Boaz is impressed with Ruth.  She sticks out from the crowd, but his impressions go beyond her appearance.  He speaks of her character!

Character will go beyond appearance. Character is brighter than appearance. Character lasts longer than appearance. Character truly reveals who you are…appearance promotes who you want to be.

Someone once approached Blaise Pascal, the famous French philosopher and said, "If I had your brains, I would be a better person." Pascal replied, "Be a better person and you will have my brains."

The Bible says in Philippians 2:5, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Look at the decisions the Lord made in yielding His will to the will of the Father: “…made Himself of no reputation….took upon Him the form of a servant…humbled Himself…obedient unto death….” He yielded His will for me and you! Ruth’s humility is attractive to Boaz.  Why?  Because this reflects God almighty.  Humility will take you much farther than pride promotes itself capable of doing!  Church of God – put more emphasis on godly character than outward appearance!

Rewards from Heaven (2:12)

Recompense means “to make good, to restore.”  Boaz calls for rewards from where she rests!  “…under whose wings thou art come to trust.” Boaz points to Ruth’s relationship with God and His relationship with God — thus clarifying a common bond they already have in the God of Israel.

A man tells the story of riding Shetland ponies. He relates that they were prone to buck you off from time to time, and while riding, one of those occasions occurred. He shared, “Well, as I hit the ground I heard someone call my name, ‘Bruce.’ I rolled over to see who it was and no one did I see. However, when I looked back the pony had just stepped where I rolled from.”  He continued, “In God’s grace, He was teaching me to learn to listen to His voice and to trust Him to protect me. God was teaching me to depend upon Him for the help I would need in living life.” (Source: Unknown)

Boaz directs attention to the source of Ruth’s rewards.  Such attention was only possible if Ruth was trusting in the Lord!  Boaz is drawn to Ruth’s walk with God…her trust in the Lord.  Whether you are seeking a marriage partner or already married or remaining single – the single most appealing, important attribute of a believing man or woman is their walk with God…it is Jesus Christ in me!  He is the attraction!!

Ready to Dine (2:13-14)

Ruth shows humility and thankfulness. (v. 13)  She does not assume or believe Boaz owes her something.  In return, Boaz shows obvious positive attention to Ruth. (v. 14)  Love’s flower has budded!

Praise the Lord for the Love of God for each of us!

Gary Ezzo says that one of the problems with families today is that the husband and wife join hands to form a family circle and then a child comes along and they place the child in the center with the husband and wife still forming the circle. But now everything revolves around the child. Then a 2nd child comes and that child is also placed in the circle. And now everything revolves around two children. And as the family becomes larger the center becomes so big that the hands of the father and mother are pulled apart and the circle is broken. He says that what we must do is form the circle but with Christ in the center. Then as each child is born, they join hands with mom and dad to make the circle bigger. And the result is that the circle is never broken as long as Christ is the center.

So, here’s the deal: we must love God more than we love anyone else. He is first.

A growing love for God is the attraction for Boaz in Ruth…is your love for God the attraction in you?

Consider these 5 Ways to Love God More…

1.     Chase after strong obedience to God.  James 1:22-25. 

Take a look into the mirror of God’s Word with complete honesty.  Do you like what you see?  Does God like what He sees…what He knows?

2.     Evaluate prayer. 

Don’t neglect it.  Get serious about your prayer life for a moment.  Does your current prayer life demonstrate you believe you need to prayer?  Matthew 26:41. Look over the last week…even the last month.  What does God see in your prayer life?  Does He see consistency, humility, and persistence?  Does God see yieldedness, love for Him…love for others…love for your enemies?  Does God see a deepening relationship with Him in your prayer life? Matthew 6:5-8.

Our prayer life reveals how much we truly trust God and love God.

3.     Forgive everyone – no exceptions. 

You may say, “I can’t,” or “I’m not ready.”  Well…why?  What keeps you from forgiveness?  I realize the hurt is most likely deep, but bitterness does not hurt them back. 

Bitterness only ruins the vessel that holds it.

Consider this stunning warning from Matthew 6:15, “but if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses.” 

It is hard to hear…but it is truth – an unwillingness to forgive is rooted in pride. 

The justifications flood to the surface, I know. “The offense is a deep wound and hurts horribly…the offender doesn’t deserve to be forgiven…the offender is wicked…the offender hasn’t suffered anything compared to me…etc.”  Rest assured that God will bring justice in His perfect way – but God will also bring justice on the one who refuses to obey His call to forgive others as they have been forgiven themselves by God. Ephesians 4:32.

4.     Deny Self. 

Jesus is the ultimate example here.  Luke 22:42 reminds us of this with His profound prayer, “…not my will, but thine be done.”  Have you surrendered your ambitions, you will, to God?  We often object and say we can’t.

Ask yourself this, — Jesus yielded His will to dramatically impact my eternity…what I am holding on to that simply impacts me now and for which I will be accountable later?

This is a daily evaluation for us all!

5.     Reject worldly mindsets. 

The ways of the world are directly contrary to the ways of God.  Be so incredibly careful!  The ways of the world can quietly swoop in and infiltrate our heart before we realize what we have allowed to be done.  We are called to be like Jesus (I Peter. 1:15; II Cor. 7:1).  We are warned not to be fashioned according to the world (Romans 12:2).

Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matt. 22:37-39; Mk. 12:29-31) doesn’t happen all by itself.  We must do our part! Are you working on your love relationship with God?

The Times are Changing: 5 Steps to Take in Hard Times

Years ago, my wife and I lived in Colorado…south of Denver.  We needed to drive to her Grandmother’s funeral in Iowa, but we were to pick up her parents in Nebraska on the way.  We were unable to leave until the late evening / early morning hours.  The plan was to drive to Nebraska and then let my Father-in-law drive the rest of the way.  We had a very full day, loaded sleeping children into the car, and began our 4 hour drive.  Before we reached the highway, my sweet tired pregnant wife was fast asleep, and I was already nodding.  I drove for about an hour, reached the north side of Denver, pulled onto highway 76, still 3 hours from our destination, and could not keep my eyes open no matter what I did.  So, I pulled over.  We eventually reached Nebraska and our relief driver, but we realized one thing that night – we would never again attempt to drive through the night!

In our sleep-deprived culture it appears many people question the value of rest. Some even cut back on their sleep to carve out time for exercise. For what it’s worth, you burn around 70 calories per hour simply sleeping. That means a good 8 hour night of sleep approximates a 5 mile jog.—(Source: Saturday Evening Post, September/October 2000)

Our society has a struggle with being able to truly rest!  If it’s not work – then it’s family.  If it’s not family – then it’s projects around the house.  If it’s not projects – then it recreational activities…and the list goes on!  Even more importantly than physical rest, we must practice spiritual rest.  The believer must rest in God’s guidance, wisdom, and perfect way.

If you have your Bible or an online connection, please turn to Ruth 2:4-10.

1.      The Arrival

Boaz wasn’t around when Ruth came to the field…she didn’t know it was his field! 

Dr. William L. Pettingill the well-known Bible teacher and author of many books, at a meeting of the Philadelphia Fundamentalists made a penetrating remark on the subject of God’s will. "Most people," he said, "don't want to know the will of God in order to do it; they want to know it in order to consider it." It often takes time to learn just what God wants us to do in any particular matter, but once we know His purpose we ought not to delay in at least beginning to carry it out by His grace. And when obedience is prompt? Well, the songwriter says it this way, "when we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way!" (Source: Sunday School Times).

Ruth didn’t know what the full outcome of following God’s way (gleaning) would yield. However, although the path would be bumpy and hard, God provided all that was needed. God’s way is perfect…down to the finest detail!

Also, don’t miss this…Boaz greets his laborers – “the Lord be with you.” Boaz has good management / labor skills. This is consistent with how we know Boaz in the rest of the book of Ruth. Boaz is a kindhearted and generous man to his hired help, as well as a complete stranger (Ruth). Much to learn from here, but simply said, kindheartedness and generosity are character traits the Lord has for us all (part of His way for us). How well are we following His way when it comes to these kinds of character traits?

2.      The Approach

Whose damsel is this?  Boaz notices Ruth.  Basically, it is similar to, “Wow. Who is this woman?!!”  Boaz is drawn to Ruth at the very beginning. 

A park ranger at Yellowstone National Park was leading a group of hikers to a fire lookout. The ranger was so intent on telling the hikers about the flowers and animals that he considered the messages on his two-way radio distracting, so he switched it off. As the group neared the tower, the ranger was met by a nearly breathless lookout, who asked why he hadn’t responded to the messages on his radio. A grizzly bear had been seen stalking the group, and the authorities were trying to warn them of the danger.

Any time we tune out the Holy Spirit or ignore the warnings of the Bible we put ourselves and those around us in danger.  (Source: 750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers, and Writers, Craig Brian Larson)

Ruth was in danger.  She needed protection.  The servant says it is the Moabite woman that came back with Naomi.  Boaz has been away…he now sees her and wants to know who she is.  Perhaps the servant thought Boaz may not have approved of Ruth being there -- so the servant says she “asked this way” (v. 7).  Boaz makes his thoughts clear in 2:8-9.  Boaz basically says, “Ruth, don’t go anywhere else…stay right here to glean. I have even told the young men to not touch you!”  Boaz fully extends his protection to Ruth.

God watches over Ruth and protects her and meets her financial, physical, and relational needs generously.

3.      The Acclaim

Ruth (v. 10) falls on her face and bows herself down to the ground.  She asks Boaz why she has found grace in his eyes.  This is a sincere question. Ruth was prepared for ridicule from the Israelites – not grace!  She is overwhelmed by this grace (receiving something you don’t deserve). When was the last time your took the opportunity to overwhelm another with grace…just a small glimpse of the massive grace you received from Jesus? 

Lenny Skutnik had no intention of being a hero. The staffer at the Congressional Budget Office in Washington was having an ordinary winter day when Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge over the Potomac River shortly after takeoff. Those who survived the crash faced death as the plane sank in the icy waters.

A helicopter dropped a rescue line to one of the survivors, but she was too weak to hold on. Lenny Skutnik saw what was happening and dove into the water. He swam out to her and pulled her back to shore, saving her life. Two weeks later, President Ronald Reagan invited Skutnik to attend the State of the Union address, and in describing the accident said: “We saw the heroism of one of our young government employees, Lenny Skutnik, who, when he saw a woman lose her grip on the helicopter line, dove into the water and dragged her to safety.” (Source: Presidential Voices, Allan Metcalf)

Why did Lenny show that lady such favor?  Simply because he saw she needed help.  Why did Boaz show such grace to Ruth? Because Ruth was beautiful? Because she had strong character and was now following the one true God? Because Boaz was taken with her?  Perhaps all or some of these; however, one thing is clear when it comes to Boaz: he was a good, godly man who wanted to do right.  How so? 

• We see later he never thought Ruth would desire him as a husband because he was much older than her.

• We also see that Boaz didn’t have the judgmental, negative spirit toward a Moabite woman.  Instead, he chose to protect her and honor her.

Why have I found grace in God’s eyes?  It is not because I am attractive or incredibly holy.  I cannot merit the grace of God!  I receive the grace of God because He loves me and has chosen me!!

5 Steps to Take When Following God in Hard Times

…in addition to prayer and Bible reading:

1.      Take one step at a time (Psalm 137:23; 119:105)

• Don’t rush ahead out of impatience (Psalm 27:14)

• Don’t lag behind out of fear or laziness (Phil. 3:14; 4:6-7)

2.      Saturate your heart with truth (John 17:17)

• It is easy to become confused when you embrace “fake news” (anything that doesn’t line up with the truth of the Bible), popular opinion, and fear.

• Truth clarifies and affirms the next steps you need to take.

3.      Don’t doubt in the darkness what you came to believe in the light.

• Remember Jesus is the light and Satan is the liar. (John 8:12, 44)

• Remember, we need to walk by faith and not by sight. (II Cor. 5:7)

4.      Remember, God is in control.  He has His goodness in mind for you! (Gen. 50:20; Prov. 19:21; Prov. 21:1)

• Sometimes, what is good for me, is hard for me.

• Access God’s grace by faith. (Rom. 5:2)

5.      Live like your “hard time” is temporary, but that heaven is eternal. (II Cor. 4:18)

Believer … child of God … rest in God’s guidance, wisdom, and perfect way.

Hard Times: 7 Keys to Trusting God with Everything You've Got

There have been a couple times in my life (that I can recall at this time) that I didn’t know what to do at first.  The first time was when my brother called me to tell me he had cancer, and the second time was when I got the call that my mom had a major heart attack.  Both calls were serious, humbling, and surprising.  Both my brother’s cancer and my mom’s heart attack were life threatening. There was nothing I could do to adjust something, or work harder…longer, or make something happen that would make everything better.  It was out of my hands.  Those kinds of times eventually help you find clearer perspective in your relationships (familial and Divine).

Do you remember a time when you just didn’t know what to do?  Perhaps that’s how you feel right now, or maybe that’s how you have felt recently.  You ask friends for direction…you come up with your own ideas and a plan of action – but you seem to still lack peace.  What do you do?  Naomi and Ruth are in one of those places of life – and they turn to the law of God for their next step!  Praise God!  We see the evidence of renewed faith in God and a willingness to follow His plan.  What happens? Everything isn’t perfectly smooth on this path, but in the end God’s plan works just as He set it up to work.  Poverty will turn to provision.  Weakness will turn to strength.  Discouragement will turn to encouragement…all because they return to the Lord’s way for their life!

The believer must depend on God’s leading…God’s Word… in the midst of good and hard times.

The Mighty Man

Ruth 2:1-2. Kinsman means relative. Boaz is related to Elimelech (Ruth 2:1, 3)…and not just relative, Boaz is wealthy and Naomi’s Kinsman Redeemer (Ruth 2:1). According to several laws in the Pentateuch, a male relative would fulfill the role of kinsman redeemer. This relative had the honor or responsibility to intervene on behalf of their relative who was in trouble, danger, or need.  The Hebrew word for kinsman-redeemer clarifies as one who delivers or rescues (Genesis 48:16; Exodus 6:6) or redeems property or person (Leviticus 27:9–25, 25:47–55). 

The Gleaner

Charles Spurgeon told this story of his grandfather James and his faith in God. “He had a large family and a very small income, but he loved his Lord, and he would not have given up his preaching of the gospel for anything.” One day the cow on which the family relied for milk for the children suddenly died. James Spurgeon’s wife was greatly concerned, but he said, “God said He would provide, and I believe He could send us fifty cows if He pleased.”

On that same day, a group met in London—a group James Spurgeon did not know—that wanted to help meet the needs of poor pastors. They raised a large sum of money, and began sending it to different pastors in need to help their families. When they reached the end of the list, there were still five pounds left. One man suggested sending it to James Spurgeon. Another said, “No, let’s not send just five pounds. Let me add five more to go with it.” Others joined in, and the day after his cow died, James Spurgeon received twenty pounds in the mail!

You can trust God to keep His promises and provide for your needs. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 4:19  (Source: The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Volume 21, Charles Spurgeon)

• Look at Ruth 2:3.  “To glean” meant they were poor (Lev. 19:9-10; 23:22)

• The Modern  Day Reaper: cuts the grain, threshes the grain, and puts it in a sack – you get it all today.  But back in the Bible times – you didn’t get it all, and so they could come through and pick up what was dropped or missed.

• According to OT Law, God required his people to be generous to the stranger and to the poor…the stranger and the poor had to work, but they were given the opportunity to have their needs met. We could learn much in today’s society from this simple law of God for the strangers and poor – generosity and work ethic went together!!

• Ruth is a Moabite stranger and poor…Naomi is poor…Ruth is following the Mosaic Law for help!  Ruth is beginning to reveal a deeper relationship with the God of Israel.  What kind of relationship with God are you revealing in the midst of your day to day life?

The Happenstance

“…and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz:” (Ruth 2:3)

This word “hap” means “happened to.” There was no arrow pointing to the field of Boaz.  God hadn’t revealed it to her in a dream.  Ruth didn’t do genealogy research and then sought out the one called Boaz.  God used the circumstances to lead her. God leads people today through His Word, circumstances, and prayer. 

We often want to see the “how-to” and the “why,” but God  just wants us to trust Him and remain dependent on Him.

Ira Sankey was traveling on a steamer down the Delaware river when he was asked to sing. He led the group in singing “Saviour Like a Shepherd Lead Us.” When he finished, a man stepped from the shadows and asked, “Did you ever serve in the Union Army?” “Yes,” Sankey replied, “in the spring of 1860.”

“Can you remember if you were doing picket duty on a bright, moonlit night in 1862?”

“Yes,” Sankey replied.

“So did I, but I was serving in the Confederate army. When I saw you standing at your post, I thought to myself, ‘That fellow will never get away alive.’ I raised my musket and took aim. I was standing in the shadow, completely concealed, while the full light of the moon was falling upon you. At that instant, just as a moment ago, you raised your eyes to Heaven and began to sing. ‘Let him sing his song to the end,’ I said to myself, ‘I can shoot him afterwards. He’s my victim at all events, and my bullet cannot miss him.’

But the song you sang then was the song you sang just now. I heard the words perfectly: ‘We are Thine; do Thou befriend us. Be the Guardian of our way.’ Those words stirred up many memories. I began to think of my childhood and my God-fearing mother. She had many times sung that song to me. When you had finished your song, it was impossible for me to take aim again. I thought, ‘The Lord who is able to save that man from certain death must surely be great and mighty.’ And my arm of its own accord dropped limp at my side.”

God had protected Sankey in a great way just like He protects and leads all of His children. (Source: Liberating Ministry form the Success Syndrome, Kent and Barbara Hughes)

We cannot put our trust in special how-to books or human reasoning – we must squarely place our dependence in the Lord and allow Him to lead us.

7 Keys to Trusting God with Everything You’ve Got:

1.      Proverbs 3:1 – Choose to Remember God’s Law

2.      Proverbs 3:1, 3-4 – Choose to Obey God’s Law

3.      Proverbs 3:5 – Don’t Trust Yourself

4.      Proverbs 3:6 – Lift God Above All

5.      Proverbs 3:7 – Find Wisdom in God

6.      Proverbs 3:7 – Run from Sin

7.      Proverbs 3:9-10 – Honor God With What You Have

Coming Home: 4 Choices to Avoid Wandering from the Lord

"Marathoner Loses by a Mustache." So read the headline of a recent (1992) Associated Press story. It appeared that Abbes Tehami of Algeria was an easy winner of the Brussels Marathon--until someone wondered where his mustache had gone! Checking eyewitness accounts, it quickly became evident that the mustache belonged to Tehami's coach, Bensalem Hamiani. Hamiani had run the first seven-and-a-half miles of the race for Tehami, then dropped out of the pack and disappeared into the woods to pass race number 62 on to his pupil. "They looked about the same," race organizers said. "Only one had a mustache." It's expected that the two will never again be allowed to run in Belgium.  (Source: Today in the Word, Moody Bible Institute, Jan, 1992.)

We know the old adage, “cheaters never prosper.”  Right?  Well, this true story reminds us that the disobedient wandering path will prove undesirable, miserable, and full of regret.  This also should remind us that returning to the Lord is full of compassion, mercy, and forgiveness!  Come!  Let us return to the Lord.

1.      A Strong Stirring (v. 19)

“Is this Naomi?”  This is the question Naomi hears as she returns home. She has been gone for over 10 years.  She left with her husband and two sons.  They left seeking better times and better provision, and now she returns not having found what they sought after.

Isn’t that so often the case when wandering away from the Lord?  We leave God’s path believing it is a better, more pleasing path.  We ignore the warnings in scripture.  We choose to disagree with the sermons we have heard in church…and we rebel against our parent’s rules that are meant to point us to the Lord.  However long we walk our wayward path, we eventually come to the same conclusion: God’s way is better. 

Mankind will never find anything better outside of the Lord!  “Yes, I know” – but is that what we are living when we say no:

• …to God’s call to missions or preaching ministry

• …to tithing or getting baptized

• …to church membership

• …to witnessing

• …to coming to church

• …to our role in the family unit

• …to prayer

Let this stir our sleeping hearts to awaken and seek God’s path!

2.      A Strong Response (v. 20-21)

“Call me Mara.”  Naomi’s response was pointed. There was a great emphasis placed on the meaning of names during this time in history.  The Israelites would name their offspring because of the meaning of the name.  Naomi means “my joy, my delight.”  Mara means “bitterness.” 

Naomi is making her first appearance in Bethlehem…her poverty is obvious…no husband…no sons…and a Moabite daughter-in-law.

“…the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.”  Naomi continues her response with heart breaking clarification. This is because of disobedience!  Naomi has been left alone to feel the full effect of their disobedience…but also note that her husband and sons are no longer here to receive blessings from the Lord.  Only Naomi is here for such blessings after 10 years of struggle.

“…left full…returning empty….”  The sad realty of Naomi’s last 10 years is summed up with a review of the day they left Bethlehem and the day she returns home. So, no longer call me joyful & happy, but call me bitter.

In the West Indies there grows a beautiful and attractive flower, but on being plucked it ceases to be beautiful, and emits a most unpleasant odor. It is called by the natives 'the dead horse'—about the best name that could be given it.—J. T. Mawson

It was helpfully stated in Hebrews 11:25 when Moses chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.”  Sin is full of pleasure…but only for a short time!  But in the midst of sin, the believer isn’t thinking about the long term affects.  Naomi has lived and is still living through the long term affects.  What about us?

• When lying to a boss or spouse for the third time — then dealing with broken relationships without trust

• When cutting down leadership behind the leader’s back — then dealing with our own destroyed leadership

• When trying out gambling, drunkenness, or drugs — then dealing with no money, no family, & no job

• When choosing “innocent things” (sports, family, work) over God — then dealing with the guilt of sin and the misery of little relationship with God…and dealing with decisions made because idolatry led our way instead the Lord leading our way.

Don’t lose sight of the long term affects of sinful choices.

3.      A Strong Contrast (v. 22)

Ruth is a Moabite…shut out by the Mosaic Law…she doesn’t seem to have a chance.  All odds seem against Ruth and Naomi.

Isn’t that just like the Lord?!  As far as the eye can see – everything seems to be against Ruth & Naomi, BUT GOD!  His plan is to bless them!

Ephesians 2:2-4 – “Wherein time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desire of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.  But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us.”

I am told that one of the largest freshwater turtles is the alligator snapping turtle. Found primarily in the southeastern United States, these massive turtles have been known to weigh close to 250 pounds. They are carnivorous, and while their diet is primarily fish, they have been known to eat almost anything else they can find in the water—even in a few cases small alligators! The alligator snapping turtle relies on an uniquely deceitful method of foraging for fish.

The turtle will lie completely still on the floor of a lake or river with its mouth wide open. At the end of the turtle’s tongue is a small, pink, worm-shaped appendage. The turtle wiggles the end of its tongue so that it looks like a worm moving through the water. When a fish comes to eat the worm, the turtle’s jaws rapidly close, trapping the fish so that it cannot escape.

In similar fashion to the snapping turtle’s lure, temptation comes in the guise of something desirable, but it always carries destruction with it in the end. If we could see the end result rather than the tempting part, it would be far easier to resist. But Satan knows this, so he cleverly disguises what is deadly in the guise of something pleasurable.

4 Choices to Avoid Wandering from the Lord:

While we desperately need to depend on the Holy Spirit to enable us by His grace to do His will – (FAITH!  Rms. 5:2) – we must also make godly choices, yield our will, and act on our faith in God.  Consider these essential choices:

1.      Feed Yourself.  

Daily Bible reading, prayer, and regular church attendance are not optional choices for the humble disciple of Jesus Christ.  (Psalm 1:2; Joshua 1:8; Luke 18:1; I Thessalonians 5:17; Hebrews 10:24-25)

2.      Lead Yourself.  

Don’t rehearse your feelings.  Rehearse truth. (Psalm 42; Philippians 4:8)

 3.      Protect Yourself.  

First, take care what you allow in your mind.  The battle begins in the mind – the mind is where the roots for the battle are planted!  Your mind impacts desires…the desire will lead to choices…and the choices will form habits.

Second, “Birds of a feather folk together.”  We have heard this familiar phrase many times – and it is true!  Your closest friendships will reveal the condition of your heart and will impact your relationship with God.  You have those close friendships because there is something in your heart that is like them and drawn to them (Proverbs 27:17; I Corinthians 15:33).

4.      Renew Your “Self.”  

Have you wandered?  Have you chosen what you thought was a more pleasing path?  Then turn your eyes once again on Jesus!  When you turn to Jesus you will find:

…love replacing bitterness & resentment

…mercy replacing condemnation

…compassion replacing disapproval

…and forgiveness replacing guilt

Psalm 86:5, 15; Ephesians 2:2-4.  The disobedient wandering path will prove undesirable, miserable, and full of regret…BUT, returning to the Lord is full of compassion, mercy, love, and forgiveness!  Come, return to the Lord.

Forcing a Choice: 4 Lessons to Learn for Decision Making

In the 1950s a psychologist, Stanton Samenow, and a psychiatrist, Samuel Yochelson, sharing the conventional wisdom that crime is caused by environment, set out to prove their point. They began a 17-year study involving thousands of hours of clinical testing of 250 inmates here in the District of Columbia. To their astonishment, they discovered that the cause of crime cannot be traced to environment, poverty, or oppression. Instead, crime is the result of individuals making, as they put it, wrong moral choices. In their 1977 work The Criminal Personality, they concluded that the answer to crime is a, “Conversion of the wrong-doer to a more responsible lifestyle.”

In 1987, Harvard professors James Q. Wilson and Richard J. Herrnstein came to similar conclusions in their book Crime and Human Nature. They determined that the cause of crime is a lack of proper moral training among young people during the morally formative years, particularly ages one to six.  (Source: Christianity Today, August 16, 1993)

We must choose to own our own choices.

The press to go back is made (v. 7-9).

• …to your Moabite homes (v. 8)

• …in genuine love (v. 8 – “deal kindly”)

• …for a better future…marriage (v. 9 – “find rest”)

The connections between these women are strong and very real (v. 9-13).

• There was crying among all three ladies. Emotions have a tendency to confuse right thinking.

• Naomi presses Orpah and Ruth to return home (v. 10)

• Naomi provides important reasoning in the middle of a very emotional time (v. 11-13)

  “it grieveth me much” – Naomi is telling them that this is harder on her than it was on them.

Ruth and Orpah made their own decisions, and they took chose different directions (1:14-18).

NAOMI’S PRESSING & REASONING TEACHES US TO:

1.      Remove manipulation and intimidation from the decision-making process. 

If they were going to come with her, they needed to make it their choice…not a deceived choice with manipulation  – and not because they were intimidated to do go with her. 

Have you ever made a choice because of manipulation or intimidation?  We probably all have at some point in our lives.  However, such a choice surrounded with such impure motives, will only lead to more struggle in the future.  It will always take more what got you “there” to keep you “there.”

2.      Remove “feelings based” choices from the decision-making process. 

Emotions were heavy in this scene; however, Naomi insists on helping these young women listen to the facts.  We must take great care not to make decisions based only on feelings.  Feelings will often be involved, but it is important we do not make “feelings” the foundation of our decision making. Whether it is an altar call after a particularly moving sermon, or it is financial decision being made, we cannot make our decisions based purely on feelings.  Feelings change…daily!  Truth remains steady.  Truth strengthens long term decisions.

3.      The reality of what is best for me, may not be best for you. 

Naomi has known these ladies for 10 years.  This passage speaks of genuine love for one another.  Naomi doesn’t stress a direction that would best benefit herself.  Think about it.  Sending them away would remove:

• …travel companions

• …help in settling back in at Bethlehem-Judah

• …friends at a time she is returning to the place she left for Moab (Israel’s enemy)

• …companionship.  Without companionship, the loss of her husband and two sons would seem even heavier during this move to return home. Naomi is about to face a lot of “firsts” in returning home…first experiences without her husband and sons at home. The last time she was in Bethlehem-Judah her husband and sons were alive.

So, Naomi allows Ruth and Orpah to choose their path without asking them to consider her needs.   What happens?  God takes care of Naomi’s needs.

4.      Never forget the reality of accountability for our own choices.

Even though Naomi is struggling with bitter disappointments, she is giving wise counsel to Orpah and Ruth.  When things get harder…and they will…these ladies don’t want to be feeling like they had no choice in coming with Naomi.  They made different choices…but, they made their own choice.

Romans 14:8, 12

“For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”

So, when we make choices in life, we cannot blame anyone else FOR WHAT WE CHOOSE TO DO! 

• Your temper is not your boss’ or your kid’s fault…

• Your gossip or slander is not your friend’s fault…

• Your ill-treatment of another human being is not the fault of their skin color…

• Your killing of an unwanted pregnancy is not the doctor’s fault…

• Your yelling at your family is not your family’s fault…

We must also remember that the devil didn’t necessarily “make you do it.”  In fact, it is very likely the wickedness of our own heart led us to a sinful choice!  Jeremiah 17:9. 

We must take ownership of our own choices (without justification for what makes us look bad!).  Confess and repent where sin has been chosen…and rest in the One who able to do all.

Are you are walking a life journey that is simply hard, lonely, and too long?  Remember, Naomi has been on this path for 10 years!  As you take your own steps in life’s journey, remember 3 things:

1.      You cannot blame others for your own choices. 

2.      You will give an account to God for your choices.

3.      God alone will give you rest and provide your need.

Turning Back

A husband read an article to his wife about how women use 30,000 words a day to a man’s 15,000. The wife replied, “That’s because we have to repeat everything to men.” The husband turned to his wife and said, “What?”  Source Unknown

What was Naomi and her sons listening to that kept them in Moab for 10 years?!  Perhaps the better question would be, “What should they have been listening to?”

It is vital for the believer to have the right focus when looking to choose the right direction.

Remember:

• They are living in enemy country

• They are surrounded by worshippers of false gods

• 60 miles away from home (long way when traveled by camel)

• ALL these things will affect choices…yet somehow, Naomi heard something of home!  (v. 6)

Naomi has experienced some significant pressure in her life over the last 10 years.  Pressure is hard…but pressure can be used for our own good.

Pressure Points (Ruth 1:1-5)

• Husband Died

• Two Sons Died (after 10 years)

• Ties to Moab removed

Diamonds are formed under great pressure and heat. If these conditions do not exist, they are simply not formed. It is not that they will be low quality, or smaller in size, but they will not form. God brings His refining fire into our lives to create in us what He sees fit. When He sees our lack of character, He will bring into our lives what we need. So next time a fiery trial comes, thank God. He is producing exactly what He knows we need in our lives. The only difference between a diamond and a piece of coal is PRESSURE. (Source: the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College)

God brings pressure points into our lives to bring about something beautiful.  The Lord is stirring in Naomi a work that will affect her, that will affect Ruth, and that will affect the family line of David.

A Fresh Look

These pressure points have been preparing Naomi’s heart for this news – “…for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.”

Naomi was ready to hear this news.  She was ready to turn back to Bethlehem.  She was ready to leave Moab.  Naomi would still have much to work through in her heart and her relationship with God; however, God new she was ready for this first step.

Gold is one of the most valuable materials on earth. It has been used for centuries as money, but it also has many uses in industry, manufacturing, and even space flight. One of the traits that makes gold so useful is that it can be shaped and formed so easily. In fact, a single ounce of gold can be flattened out to cover three hundred square feet.

But gold ore dug out of the ground contains many other elements that must be removed prior to the gold being useful. The refining process for gold involves intense heat. Gold melts at a temperature of almost two thousand degrees Fahrenheit. That incredibly high temperature is required for gold to be ready to be used.

The Christian life involves much the same process. Sometimes we are surprised when “bad things happen to good people.” But the Scripture tells us that fiery trials are part of God’s refining process for our lives. Rather than griping or complaining when trials come, we should rejoice as we think of the end result, they will produce (James 1:1-5).

Naomi is not settled spiritually yet.  She is still be struggling (seen especially when she changes her name to Mara… “Bitter”)…but God is ready to use Naomi and turn her back to Him.  Movement to Christ is now taking place!

Where are you on your journey with the Lord? 

• Are you ready for fellowship with Him? 

• Are you wandering from Him?

• Are you being refined as a beautiful vessel?

How encouraging it is to see God take wrong choices made by Elimelech and turn them about to pour blessings on Naomi and Ruth! 

God is not finished with you yet!!  Sure, you may have made bad choices, sinful choices – but don’t stop there!  Confess and repent.  Run back to Christ.  Yield to His way.  Enjoy the blessing of victorious Christian living. 

• Do you see the Lord blessing His people again? 

• Do you see their peace in the midst of a storm?

• Do you see their genuine love for one another?

• Do you long for all that and more -- once again?

Come to the cross right now…accept His gift of forgiveness of sin and a home in heaven.

Come to His throne right now…ask for forgiveness, repent of sin, and restore your relationship with Jesus.

3 Places "MY WAY" Will Take Me

The other day my daughter and I needed to go to Plover.  When we arrived, we discovered that the road we needed was blocked off for repairs.  So, we were forced to go into the parking lot of a long line of stores.  In front of me -- was a pick-up truck.  It was traveling super slow.  We went past the first store and we still had to pass about 4 or 5 more stores following this truck.  I got this great idea that I would turn down the next isle of cars in the parking lot and go around the truck – or better yet, find another way out of the parking lot.  Do you know what I discovered?  There wasn’t another way!  I turned down that isle and drove the wide circle around the parking lot…while the truck drove in a terribly slow straight line.  Eventually, I was forced to return to the same path I left to get around the truck.  When I got back on that path, the same truck was still in front of me!  When I pulled up to the store for curbside service – you guessed it…the same truck was right in front of me!!

Elimelech tried to go around God’s way and follow his own way.  But it didn’t work out so well for him and his family. 

Are we trying to take the short cuts and faster lanes in our relationship with the Lord Jesus – but the Lord is saying, “NO.  I want you to follow me.” 

 It is so important that we yield to God’s way, instead of yielding to our own way. 

Determined Pursuits (1:2, 4)

Heathen Wives – not to take heathen wives (Deuteronomy 7:3; II Cor. 6:14-18)

Take a look at the 10 year picture…

• Elimelech dies close to his family’s arrival in Moab.

• Elimelech’s two sons die 10 years later.

• Elimelech’s wife, Naomi, has been in a foreign and forbidden country for 10 years without her husband!  She is left with two daughters-in-law and no other family…in a foreign, forbidden land! Keep in mind, the husband, and the oldest son after the husband’s death, would have led the home. Naomi would have followed their leadership.

Devastating Results (1:3, 5) – Death

His life…his sons’ lives…and his testimony all suffered destruction.

This. is. Heavy. News.  We often want to choose our way over God’s way…thinking it will be more satisfying and fulfilling.  So, where does Elimelech’s way take him AND his family?  Consider the 3 places “my way” will take me:

1.     My way takes me away from God’s people. 

Elimelech took his family away from the Israelites.  There is nothing to compare to “like-minded fellowship.”  In Moab, they would have found kind people.  However, there would have been a shortage of:

a.      God fearing people.

b.     People who would pray to God with them and for them.

c.      A church family. 

Some may say, “Elimelech was taking his onto the mission field.” This was not a missionary endeavor.  God doesn’t call you on a missionary endeavor that requires you to disobey Him!  Elimelech reasoned that the command of God to not marry the unsaved could be broken.  You don’t win people to Christ by disobeying the One you are pointing others to follow.

2.     My way takes me away from God’s will. 

God’s will was to stay away from Moab. God declares Moab to be His wash pot (Psalm 108:9).  Moab is called Israel’s enemy in Numbers 22; 25; Deuteronomy 23:3-6; Judges 3:12-14.

God’s will also clearly stated a command against marrying the unsaved.  Elimelech’s sons were of an age to marry.  They ended up marrying Moabite women.

In Words We Live By, Brian Burrell tells of an armed robber named Dennis Lee Curtis who was arrested in 1992 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Curtis apparently had scruples about his thievery. In his wallet the police found a sheet of paper on which was written the following code, sort of a robber's rules:

1. I will not kill anyone unless I have to.
2. I will take cash and food stamps—no checks.
3. I will rob only at night.
4. I will not wear a mask.
5. I will not rob mini-marts or 7-Eleven stores.
6. If I get chased by cops on foot, I will get away. If chased by a vehicle, I will not put the lives of innocent civilians on the line.
7. I will rob only seven months out of the year.
8. I will enjoy robbing from the rich to give to the poor.

This thief had a sense of morality, but it was flawed. When he stood before the court, he was not judged by the standards he had set for himself but by the higher law of the state.  Likewise, when we stand before God, we will not be judged by the code of morality we have written for ourselves but by God's perfect law.  (Source: Choice Contemporary Stories & Illustrations For Preachers, Teachers, & Writers, Craig Brian Larson)

Romans 8:31 reminds us, “If God be for us, who can be against us.”  God & I make a majority.  Why would the believer want to “switch teams” in the middle of battle (famine, desperate times, only God can provide the miracle that is needed)?  It is at this time that we need to run closer to God…not further away from Him.

3.      My way takes me away from God’s blessing.  

Elimelech took his family away from Judah because there was a famine.  He reasoned that His way (even though it required disobedience) would make things better.  Did things get better when Elimelech rejected God’s way?  No.  Elimelech died, his sons died, and Naomi is left with two unsaved daughters-in-law.  She had no followers of the One true God to comfort her, pray with her, and help her as a new widow. 

When Adam & Eve ate of the tree that God declared off limits, they were removed from the garden and hardships in life were introduced.  Genesis 3:13-19, 22-23.

When Moses chose unbelief and stroke the rock, he was not permitted to enter the promised land.  Numbers 20:10-12.

When Jacob chose to deceive, he ran away as his brother promised to kill him…but Jacob never again saw his mother (Rachel) alive.  Genesis 27:41-30:24.

When Ananias and Sapphira lied about the sale of their land, they died.  Acts 5.

Insisting on “MY WAY” over God’s Way proves to be challenging at best…and often destructive!

“There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12

An inner-city church had an annual student recognition day. Normally, students would share about their educational experiences and then the pastor would get up and offer a few closing words. One year, the pastor’s words were a bit alarming. He stood up in front of all the young graduates and proud parents and said, "Children, you’re going to die! You may not think you’re going to die, but you’re going to die! One of these days they’re going to take you out to the cemetery, drop you in a hole, throw some dirt on your face, and go back to the church to eat potato salad.

When you were born, you alone were crying, and everybody else was happy. The important question I want to ask is this: When you die are you alone going to be happy, leaving everybody else crying? The answer depends on whether you live to get titles or testimonies. Will they list your degrees and awards, or will they tell about what you meant to their lives? Will you leave behind a newspaper column telling people how important you were, or will you leave behind crying people who give their testimonies about how they’ve lost the best friend they ever had? Will they talk about all the boards you sat on and things you owned, or will they talk about all the money you gave away that made a difference in this world?

"There’s nothing wrong with titles. Titles are good things to have. But if it ever comes down to a choice between a title or a testimony, go for the testimony …"

• Pharaoh may have had the title, but Moses had the testimony!

• Nebuchadnezzar may have had the title, but Daniel had the testimony! 

• Queen Jezebel may have had the title, but Elijah had the testimony! 

• Pilate may have had the title, but my Jesus had the testimony!

And then he asked a single question: "What will it be for your life?  Title or testimony?"  (Source: James Emery White, You Can Experience a Purposeful Life, 86-88)

Choose God’s way every time…even when life is hard. It is there you find peace, rest, and contentment.

3 Choices We Make in the Present That Will Impact the Future

When we look over history, we find that there are numerous periods of “dark times” through which our nation has walked.  The Spanish Flu…the great depression… attack on Pearl Harbor…the Vietnam war…9/11… and most recently COVID-19.  Isn’t it interesting that our perspective tends to change during desperate times? 

Consider this question: what did we do before desperate times that helps us during desperate times?   For example, planting gardens and canning a lot of the harvest prepares a family for leaner times with food in the pantry.  This is a physical preparation, but what about spiritual preparations?

The book of Ruth opens during the time of Judges…a very dark and confusing time.  It is very much a desperate time.  Israel spends much time running from God and experiencing God’s loving chastening. We might think…how bad could it have been?  Look at Judges 21:25!  This passage is a vivid picture of the time of Ruth, and yet a growing picture of our own modern-day society.  It is critical that we examine the choices we make today to see how they impact our choices of future “desperate times.”

Famine

Many a pastor has found himself in a similar situations to the following account.  He knows he is an ill-equipped, under-educated, time-strapped preacher.  And sometimes, the  church has no money to pay him regularly, the church building is worn and in need of repair….and to top it all off there is barely enough attendance to bother with weekly meetings.

Desperate times.  Many a pastor can give testimony to God’s powerful working – turning desperate times around for the glory of God.  How?  How does that “turning around” happen?  What are the decisions -- in moments of desperation – that become game changers?   Many pastors will point to the church coming together to pray as the game changer.

To whom or to what do you turn to in times of desperation?

Elimelech took desperate measures during these desperate times that were outside the will of God! What were these desperate measures? He moved his family — to Moab. Moab is a pagan country 60 miles east of Judah and the Dead Sea. Look at the description of Moab in the scriptures:

              Psalm 108:9 – “Moab is my washpot”

The Moabites descended from Lot through his incestuous relationship with one of his daughters (Genesis 19:36, 37). 

Moab was an enemy of Israel (Numbers 22; 25; Deuteronomy 23:3-6; Judges 3:12-14).

…and Elimelech was a Hebrew of the tribe of Judah.

These are desperate times indeed…but Elimelech turned to the wrong desperate measure! So.  What should the disciple of Jesus Christ do in desperate times?  How should he do it?  When should he do it?

3 Choices We Are Making Now That Will Determine Our Choices During Desperate Times

1. PREPARATION

Cultivate a growing relationship with the Lord during times of comfort (II Peter 3:18; Psalm 63:1; I Corinthians 3:1-7).  The time to BEGIN a deeper pursuit of the Lord is NOT during trials – although that is when many will begin pursuing the Lord. 

• Spiritual workouts prior to trials will grow spiritual muscle for times requiring greater spiritual strength. 

• The hardest trial will require the heaviest lifting – with regular spiritual workouts, you will be ready for something harder.

• Cold Hard Facts: If you are BEGINNING a deeper pursuit of the Lord after the arrival of hard times…

  • Praise the Lord!  You are yielding to God’s best way for you.  (Proverbs 16:6-7, 18-19; I Peter 5:6) 

  • Be honest with yourself.  You should have been pursuing God with greater affection before this point.  After all, it is commanded and needed much earlier than this.  (Psalm 34:14; 119:9-11; I Timothy 6:11; II Timothy 2:22)

  • Confess and Repent. (Proverbs 28:13)

  • Thank God for His patience, grace, mercy, and love for you (Lamentations 3:22-23; II Corinthians 12:9; Philippians 4:6-7)

2. PLEASING

Walk by faith, not by sight.  No one sees all the answers at the start…or even as they walk forward through the trials (Psalm 119:105).  It is faith in God that pleases God (Hebrews 11:6).

3. POWER

Seek God first (Matthew 6:33)…look for godly counsel (Proverbs 11:14)…the strength of community among a local church family is revealed during crisis.  Does your strength come from relationship with God?

The choices made today will impact your tomorrow.  Live with a stronger eternal view that grows with stronger focus on the Lord every day. 

To watch this sermon, go to my YouTube channel: Reset 2 Reach.