7 Descriptions of the GREAT SHEPHERD

The scene is an outside basketball court at the neighborhood park. A group of teenagers are gathering to play a game of pickup basketball. Two captains are chosen and to begin choosing their teams from the group of boys who made their way to the park the first name that is called is James. The other team captain immediately says, “that’s not fair.”  Everyone on the court is now hoping that the first captain chooses them… Everyone wants to be on James’ team.

Why? If James were like every other teenage boy on the court, it would not have been that big of a deal. If James were like me or you, no one would have been begging to be on our team. But what if “James” was just a last name?  You see, in high school, when my friends and I would play a sport we would call each other by our last name. It would sound like, “hey Holloway over here!” Or, “hey Holloway shot it!”  So, what if Jimmy was the name all the guys in the neighborhood called Lebron. And what if Lebron grew up to be known as Lebron James, basketball star of the decade? 

You see, everyone wants to be on Lebron James team because they know who Lebron James is… They know how strong his basketball abilities are… They know he can pretty much outplay anyone on the court. His high school friends knew they would win the game with “James” on their team!

So, we need to ask ourselves a question, “what keeps us from having the same kind of confidence and rest in Jesus?”

We must willingly turn to trust the great Shepherd!

“The LORD is my shepherd”

David wrote this Psalm from the perspective of having been a shepherd himself.… from the perspective of the care of a shepherd… from the prespective of the watchful eye of a shepherd. Consider David’s life for just a moment…

• David was a shepherd.  He was the son of a shepherd as well.  He would later be called the “Shepherd King.”

•  What unique and grand things do we know about David?

-A warrior

-Defeated Goliath

-He became King of Israel

-He was called a man after God’s own heart

-He was a musician

-He was broken over his sin with Bathsheba once confronted

-He was brave (shepherds have to be)

• What negative things do we know about David?

  -He was a murderer

  -He was an adulterer

  -He tried to hide his sin for a time (getting Bathsheba’s husband to spend the night with his wife during battle)

When I went to college and had to eat college food for the first time – nothing compared to my mom’s cooking.  I came home skinny and mom spent the whole Christmas vacation trying to fatten my up for another semester!

I knew my mom’s cooking…I longed for my mom’s cooking…nothing else would suffice!  The more we know our Savior and who He truly is – nothing else will do!

 Deuteronomy 4:39 -- There is none else — nothing comes close to comparison!

 7 descriptions of the GREAT SHEPHERD!  

                        Romans 2:2 – He is justice

                        Isaiah 6:3 – He is Holy

                        Hebrews 6:18 – He is truth

                        Psalm 103:17 – He is mercy

                        Romans 5:1, 2 – He is grace

                        Romans 8:28 – He is sovereign

                        I Corinthians 8:6 – He alone is God! 

I can remember going through a math and science class during my fifth-grade year of elementary school.  They were very hard and I was frustrated!  I couldn’t comprehend how to figure out the assignments.  I was literally to the point of tears.  I didn’t understand it…I didn’t want to understand it…I just wanted it all to go away.  However, the classes didn’t go away -- and I eventually started seeing what I couldn’t see before. My teacher knew what I need it to further prepare me for college and continued to press me to complete the course. That pathway of resistance eventually bore the fruit of greater strength.

• When do you and I truly start seeing our great Shepherd for who He is…during and/or after trials.

• When are we prone to lose sight of who our great Shepherd truly is?…during comfortable times.

How should we then view those difficult days?  With those classes I thought my teacher had it in for me…that she or he was laughing with delight at home thinking of how miserable we all were in trying to do the homework.  In reality, the teacher was at home praying and hoping we would all understand the problems and get an A!

Your hard times do not mean Jesus has forgotten you! Your hard times do not mean Jesus doesn’t love you or that he is not helping you! Sometimes the great, good Shepherd allows difficulty to accomplish something even better in our lives.

“remember this, had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there.”

Charles Spurgeon

The Lord doesn’t delight in my struggle, but the struggle is necessary to build spiritual muscle and character to be useable in the master’s hand!  The Shepherd wants to use you!  The Lord wanted to use Jonah.  He wanted to use David, and He wants to use you!  Turn to the great Shepherd and trust His incomparable care for you!

Purposeful Victory: 5 Guards Against Spiritual Wandering

Have you ever talked with someone with divided attention?  Frustrating, right?  You are in mid-sentence and they engage someone else in conversation.  Although not purposeful, I know I have done this to others.  I am sure most of us have done this at some point and time.  You see, there is so much going on around us, that we are easily distracted from the task at hand.  To combat this, we would need to be purposeful. 

We can do the same thing with our relationship with the Lord!  There is much around us … much that is appealing … much that seems harmless and catches our eye.  However, it is harmful when it gets us off mission.  When something or someone gets us off the God-given mission of our calling, the mission of our marriage, the mission of our family, the mission of pursuing unity, or the mission of bringing glory to God, the mission of the gospel – IT IS HARMFUL!

We must keep our eyes -- our heart and mind -- on the mission.

Purposely Impossible (Judges 7:3-12)

• Go home if you want (22,000 leave & 10,000 stay…v. 3)

• Drink like a dog and go home (9,700 sent home…v. 6)

• Left with 300… against unnumbered multitudes (sands of the sea – v. 12)

• Numbers diminished to guard against pride (v. 2b)

Purposely Encouraged (in a dream) (Judges 7:9-10, 13)

Take a moment to read the Bible verses above. Did you notice the first thing Gideon did after God allowed him to hear the dream? He worshipped. The man who struggled with doubt and with the illogical being presented as logical — stopped what he was doing and worshipped God. Gideon was so encouraged by God’s encouragement that he worshipped the Lord God of Israel.

Purposely Ran (God fought for them) (Judges 7:19-22a)

Purposely Turned Away (Judges 8:33-35)

They forgot God after Gideon’s death – and worshipped false gods again. This incredible story of victory does not have a happy ending! After the greatest victories, we will often have great defeat because we became distracted from the mission.

Marla Runyan gave her all to qualify for the Olympic Games in 1996, but her best time finished short of the mark to make the United States team. Undeterred by that failure, she returned in 2000 and made the team for the Sydney Olympics. Her eighth-place finish in the 1,500-meter race was the best finish ever for a United States woman runner. The thing that makes Runyan’s accomplishments even more remarkable is that she is legally blind. She is the first legally blind athlete to ever qualify for and compete in the Olympic Games. After her Olympic career was over, she switched to running marathons and in 2002 posted the second fastest debut marathon time ever by an American woman.

Runyan can only see shapes and blurs, but she says that her lack of vision is actually an asset—she just focuses on the finish line in front of her rather than looking around to see what the other runners are doing. Not having visual distractions helps her compete and win her races. The same thing can be true in our lives. There will always be things that try to pull us away from what we should be focused on doing. Many times these will be good things, but we must be willing to set them aside and stay focused on what is most important.  (Source: USA Track and Field)

5 Guards against spiritual distractions…

1-Reveal your weaknesses (Ask God - Ps. 139:23-24… Be honest with God – Prov. 28:13)

2-Remind yourself of the finish line every day (devotions – Ps. 119:11; Phil. 3:14; II Tim. 2:15)

3-Rehearse your training regimen regularly (Josh. 1:8; Ps. 1:2; 119:105 – Bible memory)

4-Rely on your coach (God’s grace: it’s how you started-Eph. 2:8; it’s how you continue – Rom. 5:1-2; it’s how you improve/prayer – Heb. 4:16 ; it’s all you need – II Cor. 12:9)

5-Remember your coach is watching (live in the reality of God’s presence-Prov. 15:3; Ex. 33:14)

The writer of Hebrews said, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1–2). No matter what is going on around us, Jesus never changes. As long as we focus on Him, we will stay on course. 

The Gospel Life: What does gospel living look like?

What does your everyday life look like? Sleep, food, work, family, church, community, and leisure time is what fills the average person's week...but what kind of impact are you making on this world as a Christian? Afterall, the impact the church will have on the world has impact that will last forever!

Jesus believing, Bible preaching, God loving people must live the GOSPEL LIFE. This begins with…

GOSPEL RECEIVING.

Acts 9:1-7. Acts 9 relates the true account of Saul’s conversion. He was bold, antagonistic, oppressive…and then cam Jesus. everything changed when he met Jesus! Do you remember the day you came to Jesus? Share your gospel story with someone. Relive the day you embraced God's saving grace -- and never loose sight of that day again.

You don't have a personal gospel story yet? Discover YOUR gospel story. Click Here.

Romans 10:9-10, 13.

When you come to Jesus...everything changes!

·       Your sin changes from unforgiven to forgiven!

·       Your future changes from hopeless to amazing!

·       Your “here and now” changes from selfishness to God focused and Others Minded!

·       Your hate and bitterness changes to love and forgiveness

·       Your helplessness changes to the promises of God.

GOSPEL LIVING.

Col. 1:9-12; I Pet. 1:15; 2:21.

Gospel living flows out of gospel receiving. The gospel is God’s holiness & justice, God’s love & mercy, and God’s forgiveness.

Believer — gospel living looks like the gospel!

The gospel life isn’t mere fire insurance. It is transformational for the present AND total perfection for the future. However, sometimes in our imperfect condition, our living doesn’t look like the gospel. Sometimes, our living looks more like selfishness, fearful, proud, and/or contentious.

Has the Lord revealed the need of gospel living in your life recently? What has God taught you recently that has drawn you back to a strong gospel living?

I pray we can move forward together with gospel living:

1.     Love for God

2.     Love for others

3.     Mercy for others

4.     Striving for unity and not nurturing discord or discontent

5.     All to the glory of God!

...without gospel living, we will never live the reality of gospel investing.

Gospel Investing.

John 1:29-30; Acts 9:27; Matthew 28:19

• Gospel investing is the only investment that yields unending gains!

• Gospel investing is made with gospel living deposits.

• You cannot invest the gospel effectively without living the gospel by God's grace.

May we all embrace gospel life living.

Revival Meeting with Evangelist Morris Gleiser

You can find the first recording of these special services here: September 27 Revival with Morris Gleiser. You will find several others services with Evangelist Morris Gleiser on the same YouTube channel — Reset 2 Reach. You may find clicking on this YouTube channel’s playlists and finding the “Evangelist Ministry” playlist an easier way to find all the messages from this revival. This playlist includes our time with Evangelist Jeremy Frazor and Morris Gleiser.

My Redeemer: 3 Things My Redeemer Must Be

David Harrell wrote a book telling the story of his father, Edgar Harrell. Edgar was one of the survivors of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, the last US ship sunk by enemy contact in WW2. 600 men were stranded in the water for five days - many with only a life vest - all facing thirst, hunger, injuries, dehydration and sharks. They all came face to face with fear and their own mortality.   Edgar testifies of those days alone in the ocean, "Clearly there were no atheists in the water that day. Gone was that attitude of pride that deceives men into thinking that there is no God, or if there is, they don't need Him. When a man is confronted with death, it is the face of Almighty God he sees, not his own. We were all acutely aware of our Creator during those days and nights."  (Source: David Harrell, “Out of the Depths,” Xulon Press, 2005, 112-113). 

On that horrible day, no one could save his fellow soldier...no one could even save themselves!  They were all in the same position – helpless.  They all needed someone to save them.  We all need a kinsman redeemer…but there is only one that will do! 

Boaz now buys back (redeems) Elimelech’s property and his son’s family line in marrying Ruth.  

We end this account of hardship, loss, poverty, and waiting -- with this incredible account of redemption!  Ruth’s property is redeemed.  Ruth’s husband’s family line is redeemed.  Then there is this:  The Lord lifts Ruth up and includes her in the line of the Messiah (James 4:10)!  Ruth becomes the great-grandmother of David. Ruth & Boaz’s son was Obed.  Obed’s son was Jesse.  Jesse’s son was David.  Ruth 4:21-22. 

Consider this – the outcast Moabite widow, Ruth, is in the Messianic genealogy!  Matthew 1:5.  Everything changes with redemption!  Redemption means to deliver by paying a price, to free from bondage. Take a look at the theme of redemption and Jesus Christ: 

• Matthew 20:28 - The death of Jesus Christ is the payment of the ransom for the one in bondage. 

• Col. 1:14 – Christ’s work on the cross is stated as redemption 

• Luke 2:30, 38 – (Simeon & Anna) Christ was looked to for redemption 

• Heb. 9:12 – Christ obtained redemption for us 

Redemption is key to God’s eternal purposes for mankind. 

Psalm 103:4, “He "redeemeth thy life from destruction."  This theme of REDEMPTION is dealt within the OT and NT over 150 times!  Redemption’s teaching in short: 

• Mankind is hopelessly enslaved to sin…needing another to pay the price for our freedom. 

• Christ paid mankind’s ransom with His blood 

• Ransom was paid to God, not Satan.  Satan does not have a legal claim against the sinner.  

God’s mercy & love ransoms man from God’s justice! 

How important is this “redemption plan” to God? 

• The goal of Christ’s incarnation was the redemption of man (Gal. 4:4, 5).  

• He "gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity." (Titus 2:14). 

•  It carried life and death consequences!  …for Christ and mankind!! 

The outcome of redemption: The price for our eternal freedom was huge.  It could never be repaid.  It was literally priceless!  So, glorify God with everything you have and everything you are. (I Cor. 6:20) 

The end picture of Redemption: Heaven.  Face to face with our Redeemer for all eternity. We will have new bodies in heaven.  Our human bodies are described in the Bible as perishable, dishonorable, and weak – all due to sin (I Cor. 15:42-53).  Our glorified bodies will be the opposite: imperishable, honorable, and powerful.  Our bodies will no longer be “natural” bodies, but they will be “spiritual” bodies.  They will be like that of Jesus’ resurrected body (John 20:19, 26; Lk. 24:39; 40-43). With that said, our bodies will no longer suffer from sickness, death, cold, heat, thirst, or hunger.  Praise God for His mighty redemption! 

Do you know your kinsman redeemer? 

3 things your kinsman redeemer must be to be the real deal: 

•  The Kinsman Redeemer must be a near kinsman 

Gal. 4:4-5 (Jesus is your kinsman redeemer) 

“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” 

• The Kinsman Redeemer must be willing to redeem 

John 3:16; I Tim. 2:4, “Who will have all men to saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 

II Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 

Nepalese fighters in Borneo known as Gurkhas were asked if they would be willing to jump from airplanes into combat against the Indonesians. The Gurkhas didn’t clearly understand what was involved, but they bravely said they would do it, asking only that the plane fly slowly over a swampy area and no higher than 100 feet. When they were told that the parachutes would not have time to open at that height, the Gurkhas replied, “Oh, you didn’t mention parachutes before!”  (Source: One Crowded Hour, Tim Bowden) 

No matter our resources, no matter how poor, or sinful, or rebellious we are before God…He was willing to die in our place! 

• Kinsman Redeemer must be able to redeem 

II Cor. 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 

A man in Ireland was convicted of his sin and was on the verge of trusting Christ when the devil raised the oft-repeated objection: “If you believe, it won’t last. What about tomorrow?” The worker dealing with him pointed to a water mill nearby. “What turns that wheel today?” 

“The stream.” 

“What will turn it tomorrow?” 

“The stream.” 

“And the days after?” 

“The stream.” The man was led to see that there was abundant grace to save, keep, and meet all his needs. 

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25 

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 (Source: Will’s Commentary on the New Testament, Volume 10: Hebrews - James, Harold E. Will) 

He is able to deliver thee, He is able to deliver thee. Tho by sin oppressed, come to Him for rest. My God is able to deliver thee.

Have you accepted your kinsman Redeemer’s offer?  Then praise God for the One who saved you from hopelessness and helplessness!  Have you not yet found your kinsman Redeemer?  Then call out to Him today.  He is waiting for you...His gift of redemption is still offered to you today!  

Redemption: 3 Life Changing Truths to Never Forget

One of the first explorers who sailed to South America went around a cape on a stormy sea. His ship threatened to go to pieces; so he called the place the Cape of Storms. But Vasco da Gama, who came later, changed the name to the Cape of Good Hope, for he saw ahead of him the jewels and treasures of India. You can call this a life of storms if you wish. But if you can see the glorious redemption of eternity ahead of you, you can call it what it is only in Christ—a life of good hope.  (Source: the homiletics class of West Coast Baptist College).

Only Jesus Christ can redeem you.  Rejoice in the glorious hope we have in Jesus!

Opportunities

The gate – Boaz has gone to where the action is.  It is also harvest season, so the other kinsman would be passing by; this was also where the court house was located. So, Boaz has now seen right where he needs to be to take actions just as he promised.

“Ho such an one” & get the leaders as well to sit.  This would indicate 10 elders would also be at this meeting.   It was a very busy harvest time, but this request for a meeting is communication to the leaders that something else important has come up. 

In a Berlin art gallery is a painting by German painter Adolf Menzel (1815-1905). However, it was only partially finished. Menzel intended to show Fredrick the Great speaking with some of his generals. So, Menzel painted generals and the background and chose to leave the king until last. Menzel was able to develop an outline of Fredrick in charcoal, but he died prior to finishing.

Many Christians come to end of life without ever having put Christ into his proper place...on the throne in their hearts.  (Source: Karl Laney, Marching Orders, p. 45.)

Boaz was in a busy harvest season; however, the business of kinsman redeemer is a higher priority for him. Where do your priorities lie?  Do they lie with your busy schedule, your long “to-do” list?  Or do they lie first with the business of redemption?

Choices

Boaz presents the choice of land needing to be redeemed (curious these men haven’t come to this need earlier. Boaz brings this to their attention. Boaz’s Uncle says yes to redeem the land.

Boaz presents the choice of redeeming Ruth as well. This additional piece of information exposes where the Uncle’s true priorities lay. the Uncle says no, because it would jeopardize his own children’s inheritance.

Think of the Uncle in this account as the one who represents the “law”.  The law cannot save us.  We can also think of Boaz as the true redeemer.  Only the true redeemer is willing and able to save!  Only the true redeemer can:

• …save from the penalty, power, and presence of sin!

• …save you from your sin because He knows all about your sin and still cannot love you any more than He does right now!

• …take your judgement in your place

• …die in your place

• …defeat sin, death, and hell in one bold move and rise from the dead

Reject the counterfeit gospel of good works (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5)!  Come to Jesus and LIVE!!

Excitement

Boaz accepts the position of the kinsman redeemer.

“The Old Testament law provided a way through which an inheritance that had been lost could be redeemed through a kinsman-redeemer. If a man through poverty was forced to mortgage his property, and then was unable to meet the payment on the date of maturity of the mortgage, then the man holding the mortgage could hold the land until the year of jubilee (which came every fifty years), at which time it reverted automatically to its former owner. But before this date a kinsman-redeemer, the nearest male blood relation could go into the civil court and by payment, recover the land for his relative. If the relation had died without an heir, then it became the duty of the kinsman-redeemer to marry his widow, and raise up the name of his brother.

In completing the transaction whereby the inheritance was redeemed and Ruth became his wife, an interesting old custom was observed. The account says: "Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbor: and this was a testimony in Israel. Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe" (Ruth 4:1, 8). Boaz took off his sandal and gave it to the owner of the mortgage as evidence of completing his act of redemption. This custom was usual in the transfer of inheritances. (Source: Background Info from Customs and Bible Manners)

Boaz gives his shoe for the business transaction. 

• Remember, the Uncle represents the law.  The law will never get us into heaven.  Nothing is wrong with the law…something is wrong with mankind!

• Boaz has to take off his shoe because he will redeem the land and the young foreign widow. The law will never enable us to walk all over heaven…we need the one true redeemer!

Can you imagine the excitement of Boaz at this point?  Can you imagine Ruth’s last instruction (”sit still”) waiting for this uncertain situation to play out in real time?  There was no shortage of excitement that day for the kinsman redeemer redeemed the land and the young woman Ruth!  I’m sure that was a story they told their children and grandchildren the rest of their lives… “the day of redemption.”

Take time to rejoice in your day of redemption and share with someone this week!

3 Life Changing Truths to Never Forget

1.       Never Forget WHO saved you. 

It was God that sent HIS son for you (Jn. 3:16-18).  It was God who loved you.  It was God that showed His love for you while you were still an unforgiven, dirty, rotten sinner (Rms. 5:8; I. Jn. 4:10).  It was God with which you were enemies (Rms. 8:7-8)!  It was Jesus who suffered for you (Jn. 19; I Pet. 2:21; I Jn. 3:16).

2.       Never Forget WHY He saved you

God saved you from everlasting judgment in hell because He is love (I Jn. 4:8)!

God saved you from everlasting judgment in hell because He needed to satisfy His own perfect justice and continue to show His love for you. 

God saved you to offer forgiveness of sin…making possible a home in heaven through His sacrifice for you!  Simply stated?  God. Loves You.  Even after all you have done, thought, and said – Jesus loves YOU! (Rms. 5:8; I Jn. 4:19)

3.       Never forget FROM WHAT He saved you. 

God saved you from everlasting fire (Matt. 13:42; 18:8). 

God saved you from weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt. 13:41-42).

God saved you from complete darkness (Matt. 8:12).

God saved you from a lake of burning sulfur (Rev. 19:20).

God saved you from eternal punishment (Matt. 25:46).

You do not deserve your sin debt to be paid in full.  You and I deserve this horrible judgment for our rebellion against God; HOWEVER, God intervened and sent His son, Jesus!

Never lose the joy of, the thankfulness for, & the motivation of your salvation – God loves you more than you can imagine.

God's Waiting Room: 3 Goals While Waiting on God

The waiting room of a doctor’s office or emergency room is usually not a place where most of us want to be spending time.  We all understand the reasons too!  First of all, we don’t like the waiting room because we are not feeling well (or a loved one is not feeling well).  No one likes to be sick.  Second of all, we don’t like the waiting room because we are anxious to hear the diagnosis and the prescribed solution.  We do not want to wait to start feeling better!  We want solutions…now!  Waiting. Is. Hard.

When I was a teenager, my family was in a car accident and we all had to go to the ER.  When we arrived, we signed in and were told to take a seat in the beloved waiting room.  We were sore, my brother had a large laceration on his back, some had stiff necks, and we were all a little shook up…but nonetheless, we waited – and waited – for our turn with a doctor. 

While we waited two elderly women came into the waiting room.  One of them told the woman behind the desk that their doctor thought her sister was having a heart attack and they needed to head off to the ER immediately.  The woman behind the desk received the information unphased.  She then pushed the clipboard towards them, asked them to sign in and have a seat in the waiting room.  After those ladies sat down, a teenage boy came through the doors with his father.  The boy was bleeding and looked like he was in significant pain.  The woman once again recited her mantra like a person working at an amusement park as a tour guide…mindlessly directing the crowds.

Outrageous!  Right?  We sometimes feel like that when we are waiting for God to work, don’t we?!  Frustrated.  Maybe resentful or angry.  Sometimes depressed or mournful…and sometimes even in pain!  We ask ourselves -- what is taking so long?!  The reality is, we truly don’t know what to do while waiting…and that is what drives us to do what we shouldn’t, while waiting on God.  Disciples of Jesus, we must understand that God’s best intentions & actions are at work – and He deserves His people to actively wait on Him.

Ruth 3:18

Ruth now had the hard job… “sit still!”  Naomi assures Ruth that Boaz will not stop until he has completed the job.  Ruth’s whole direction of life is in the balance – and she now has to wait to hear what the outcomes of Boaz’s conversation with a closer relative will be.  Hours will feel like days…and a day will feel like weeks!

Don’t miss this…Ruth’s waiting must be understood as active trust!  She cannot sit around and embrace anxiety over something she has absolutely no control over.  That would drive her crazy!  She must now trust the one true God! 

• Ruth must trust the same God that led her to Naomi back in Moab…

• The same God whom she declared would be her God…

• The same God who provided for her needs with gleaning laws that were well established well before she came on the scene…

• The same God who brought her to the fields of a near kinsman without her knowing it…

…and the same God who stirred Boaz’s heart to love her --- is the same God she continues to actively trust right now. 

Ruth has a rich, brief history of trusting the God of Israel.  This will comfort her heart to actively trust God yet again.

Disciples of Jesus — consider the history you have with the one true God.  In times of waiting on Him, rehearse His faithfulness to you. Go back to the beginning of your “God relationship timeline” …rehearse in detail the gospel. Rehearse the day you accepted God’s saving grace…be specific!

Amy Carmichael, missionary to India wrote, “Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace…If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness you know what His will is.”  (Ps. 46:10)

We live in an impatient society.

“Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort.” G. Campbell Morgan explains what waiting for God means? (Source: The Westminster Pulpit, G. Campbell Morgan)

3 Goals for Those Waiting on the Lord

ACTIVITY:

Waiting for God means, first, activity under command.  Stay busy doing what you know God wants you to do! Stay on mission!  The following Bible verses remind us of our mission; like, gospel giving, gospel living, gospel investing, loving others, sacrificing for others, living holy lives, and doing it all for the glory of God. Matt. 28:19-20; I Jn. 3:16; 4:11; I Pet. 1:15; I Cor. 10:31

READY TO GO:

This is a readiness for any new command that may come.  Do not put your stakes too deep in the ground…always be ready to move when God makes it clear that the waiting is over. This requires a teachable spirit & a simple trust in God! (Ps. 119:66; Ps. 121:1-2; Prov. 29:25)

DISCIPLINE:

This is the ability to do nothing until the command is given. Do not take over the Holy Spirit’s position of guide. The temptation is strong to say, “This is taking too long!  Forget this – I’ll just do it my way!!”  Stay disciplined and wait for God.  You will never regret waiting on God…His timing is impeccable!   Remember during your time of chaos that God has thoughts of peace for you!  (Jer. 29:11; I Cor. 14:33)

We must trust the Lord and stand our ground when all is quiet.  The Lord is working behind the scenes!

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

Stay on Mission

Be Ready to Move

Don’t rush ahead of God

Good Intentions: 3 Choices that Lead Good Intentions to Action

Good intentions.  We all have them.  Right?

• We will tell the boss, “I intended to get the project done yesterday.”

• We will tell our children, “I intended to come to your game.”

• We will tell the police officer, “I never intended to go that fast!”

We all have good intentions…but do our good intentions always translate to right actions?  The answer is no.  So, what happens? Where does it all go wrong?  What keeps our good intentions from becoming good actions – and thus we miss the project deadline, we miss our child’s baseball game, and we get a ticket for speeding? How do good intentions get derailed?  How do good intentions get replaced with wrong intentions?

The answer is -- good intentions are not enough. 

We must align our intentions with scripture…that is at the foundation.  Then we must build on that foundation with right thinking that fuels right actions.  After that, we must trust the sovereignty of God.  Sometimes the best intentions, thinking, and actions will not enable you to overcome a flat tire and traffic jam on the way to your child’s game or a 10 hour power outage that makes your laptop & internet useable for work. 

However, we really need to start with this: what are my intentions when it comes to my relationship with God and others?

Ruth 3:15.

Boaz wants Ruth and Naomi to be certain of his intentions.  His intentions were very favorable towards Ruth.  He is even honored that she asked him.  His intentions also line up directly with the Law of Moses.  In other words, his intentions line up with the Lord!  We can have good intentions, however, if they are contrary to God’s Word, then we are moving in rebellion to God’s Word – and that is not a good place to be!  Proverbs 3:7; 14:12.

Benjamin Spock led the way among child rearing professionals in instructing parents not to discipline their children. He said that doing so would damage a child’s ego. Later in his life he realized that he had made a mistake and said:

“We have reared a generation of brats. Parents aren’t firm enough with their children for fear of losing their love or incurring their resentment. This is a cruel deprivation that we professionals have imposed on mothers and fathers. Of course, we did it with the best of intentions. We didn’t realize until it was too late how our know-it-all attitude was undermining the self-assurance of parents.” (Source: Baptist Press, November, 6, 2007)

Dr. Spock states his intentions were good, but they fell short!  Isn’t it so encouraging to know that God’s intentions and actions are forever connected without contradiction – and they are always viewed through His goodness?!

So, where do your true intentions lie?  Here’s a good starting point: are my intentions in line with scripture?  As with Dr. Spock, we can propagate seemingly “good meaning things” (like a job, family time, necessary possessions) but they lead us away from God’s path for our lives. Then it becomes easy for us to critically judge the actions of others, but insist others judge our intentions with broad understanding.

Hidden truth: We will often judge others by their actions and ourselves by our intentions.

(source: Unknown)

Think about…

• Peter’s intentions were to follow Jesus – he specifically stated as much, “I will never deny you!” However, Peter’s actions actually heard him denying Jesus.  Do we think of Peter’s intentions or his actions when we size up Peter’s denial of Christ?  We think of his actions, don’t we?

• Achan’s intentions were to follow God and serve in Israel’s army against the enemy.  However, Achan’s actions fully disobeyed God’s specific instructions.  Do we consider Achan’s actions or intentions when we study Joshua 6-7?  Once again, the average believer thinks of his actions.

• But what about us?  We have the very sincere intention of loving God and serving Him.  We have the motto of “godly disciple of Jesus Christ” as our mantra.  Our church’s theme is “God Focused.  Others Minded.”  We intend to study the Bible, communicate much with Jesus through prayer, and develop a relationship with Jesus.  However, when we are caught lying, stealing, cheating, gossiping, or throwing a temper tantrum – do we first point to our sinful actions or do we often think (or say out loud) – that was not my intention!  I did not purposefully set out to do these sinful things!!  You see, we want our actions to be examined in the light of our intentions. 

So, disciple of Jesus, your intentions will only be seen as far as your actions.  Remember these three things:

Consider showing mercy

…as God has shown you mercy. Show mercy to those whose actions were not as they intended. (Lk. 6:36) Thankfully, Boaz’s intentions are seen in his actions!  Praise God!  However, when someone’s actions are not indications of righteous intentions, what is your response?

 Your intentions will lead you to specific & swift actions.

Boaz intends to marry Ruth.  He is taking steps to make those intentions a reality. Whether your intentions are good or evil, your intentions will eventually lead you to specific actions.

Your intentions may not be seen in your actions.

Boaz intends to marry Ruth, but the law might prohibit him from doing so…no matter how genuine his intentions may be, he may not be able to make good on his intentions. Sometimes…it is completely out of our control — but remember, everything is ALWAYS under God’s control.

A man tells the following story: “At their school carnival, our kids won four free goldfish (lucky us!), so out I went Saturday morning to find an aquarium. The first few I priced ranged from $40 to $70. Then I spotted it--right in the aisle: a discarded 10-gallon display tank, complete with gravel and filter--for a mere five bucks. Sold! Of course, it was nasty dirty, but the savings made the two hours of clean-up a breeze.

Those four new fish looked great in their new home, at least for the first day. But by Sunday one had died. Too bad, but three remained. Monday morning revealed a second casualty, and by Monday night a third goldfish had gone belly up.

We called in an expert, a member of our church who has a 30-gallon tank. It didn't take him long to discover the problem: I had washed the tank with soap, an absolute no-no. My uninformed efforts had destroyed the very lives I was trying to protect.” (Source: Richard L. Dunagin.)

I cannot control life and thus be certain my intentions will always be seen in my actions.  However, I can live in a way that aims for that target.  So, what do I do to see my actions line up with my intentions?

1. POSITION

   Place your intentions solidly on the word of God – and cling to the cross.  Remember that day you first came to the cross?  Titus 2:11. Do not overlook it too quickly.  Rehearse it right now.  You were lost and broken – damaged goods.  No doubt, you completely deserved punishment…but you cried out to Jesus for forgiveness.  Jesus is just.  How could He just “forgive you?”  Would He simply look the other way and give you a “pass?”  No.  He could not.  He did something far more amazing.  Jesus took your punishment on Himself because He loves you.  God. Loves. You!  The Lord Jesus took your excruciating judgment and then offered forgiveness of your sin as His personal gift to you.  It was all there for you…beautifully wrapped.  All you had to do was accept His gift.  Remember that day?  Remember how desperate you were…how humble you were…how needy you felt?  Take that humility and desperation – and now as a follower of Jesus – cling to the cross.  Cling to who you are as a disciple of Jesus Christ…because of Jesus Christ!!

Perhaps you need to take time today to regain that position, that mindset of clinging to the cross of Jesus.

2. FAITH

Access His grace by faith.  We need God’s grace!  It is grace that enables me to do what God calls me to do.  It is grace that will move one to mercy, love, kindness, patience, and much more.  These traits will lead one to Jesus…and not push one away from Jesus.  Grace is accessed by faith and prayer (Rm. 5:2; Heb. 4:16).  Receiving God’s grace requires humility (Jas. 4:6). Grace is vital for any disciple’s daily life (II Cor. 12:9).

3. ACTION

Follow Him by His grace.  This is where the intention becomes the action.  It is His grace that teaches us (Titus 2:12) changes our view (Titus 2:13) and reminds us of the price for our freedom (Titus 2:14). This is Romans 6:13-14, 16 in real life.  This is grace enabled surrender. 

o    Are you looking for strength to surrender to God’s call to ministry?  You need His grace. 

o    Are you looking for ability to overcome a sinful habit?  You need His grace. 

o    Are you looking for ability to fulfill your God-given roles?  You need His grace.

Are your daily intentions solidly on the Word of God?

Are there any choices you are making that could derail your godly intentions?

Disciple of Jesus Christ, align your intentions with God’s Word…access God’s grace for actions that do not disappoint…and follow God by faith.

Behind the Scenes: 4 Appearances to Guard

China’s best-known monument is the Great Wall that surrounded the country during the Ming Dynasty. At four thousand miles long and over twenty feet tall, the wall was designed to be an impenetrable obstacle to invading armies. The idea was a good one, and it would have worked well—except that the enemy was able to bribe the gatekeeper. With the compromise of one guard, an impenetrable wall was rendered useless.  

Have you felt God’s refuge was impenetrable…until recently?  Have circumstances changed (COVID, finances, relationships) and answers to prayer have dried up?  We must trust the Lord and stand our ground when all is quiet.  However, when God seems silent…when prayers continue without answers…when struggles are too hard for too long – it is time to trust!  NEVER FORGET -- The Lord is working behind the scenes!

Guarding Her Testimony (Ruth 3:14)

Ruth had done nothing wrong and Boaz wanted to be certain no one thought otherwise.  So, “before one could know another” — or while it was yet so dark a person could not discern another – Boaz sends Ruth home with a caution that it should not be known she was on his threshing floor that night.  Did Boaz say these words directly to Ruth, or to his servants, or was this merely the inner thoughts of his heart?  Well, we do not believe it was stated to his servants as the whole tenor of this passage seems to indicate he was alone. Yet, whether it was said in his thoughts or directly to Ruth, does not matter.  The revelation of Boaz’s desire to guard their testimony is what is important to understand here.

Boaz was concerned about appearances.  Isn’t that interesting?  Boaz knew how people talked…especially about the Moabite woman!  He was concerned about Ruth’s testimony and his own.  PLEASE NOTE – this does not say he is selfish or does not love her. It is just the opposite!!  Because Boaz loves Ruth, he wants to protect her reputation and not allow lies to be spoken of her.  Love wants what is best for the other.  Boaz wants what is best for Ruth.

A friend told Plato of a terrible charge that had been leveled against the famous philosopher. Knowing it was not true, his friend said, "What are we going to do?" Plato replied, "We must simply live in such a way that all people will know it is false."  (Source: Unknown)

Paul wrote in I Thessalonians 5:22 that all Christians ought to abstain from every appearance of evil.  Guard your testimony…make certain your appearances show others you are doing right!  Consider these 4 areas to guard our appearances.

YOUR GAZE.

Be careful what direction your gaze turns in the grocery lanes or on the internet! (Ps. 101:3)  Be purposeful with your gaze.

YOUR CONSENT.

Pay attention to what co-workers are saying so you don’t laugh just to be nice – though you weren’t listening. (Eph. 5:3-4)  That said, God loves a cheerful heart and laughter.  The godly disciple of Jesus Christ knows how to laugh heartily (Prov. 17:22); however, he responds to sin with mourning (Jas. 4:8-10) not laughter!  Illustration: Gram laughing

YOUR OBEDIENCE.

Be careful to purposely choose to obey the law as long as the law doesn’t require you to disobey God. (Rm. 13:1-2) Remember, this passage was written during the times of Nero’s rule – the church is not above the law.  Examples: obey the speed limit, pay your taxes, respect police officers & property of others.

YOUR TONGUE.

Hold your tongue. Talking just to fill in the silence can be dangerous and is often filled with complaint, whining, gossip, and slander.  Be careful! (Ps. 139:4; Jas. 3:2, 5)

Talking negatively about your spouse or others, behind their back, is a habit for some.  If you are seeking counsel from a godly disciple of Jesus Christ regarding your marriage or another relationship, and you are not going around to “many godly disciples of Jesus” to talk about the faults of others, then that is a different situation.  However, you still need to be guarded and careful.  Always talk about your spouse, children, or others with this thought – if the person I am talking about would over hear me right now (or it would be reported back to them), I wouldn’t be embarrassed or have to apologize for what I am revealing or saying right now.  Consider a few questions:

o    Am I breaking a trust by saying this right now? 

o    Have I said, “they told me not to say anything, so don’t tell anyone I told you?” (unethical and dishonest)

o    Do I include things like, “I don’t mean to be critical, but…?”  -- and then critically assess others in a way I do not like others assessing me?

o    Do I know this negative information firsthand or did I hear it from someone else?  Although the source may be a friend, they may have gotten the information wrong or included exaggeration to paint a more shocking picture.  The truth is, at that point, you do not know if they did include exaggeration.  So, if you share that information, you could be spreading gossip. 

In 1884 a young man died, and after the funeral his grieving parents decided to establish a memorial to him. With that in mind they met with Charles Eliot, president of Harvard University. Eliot received the unpretentious couple into his office and asked what he could do. After they expressed their desire to fund a memorial, Eliot impatiently said, "Perhaps you have in mind a scholarship." "We were thinking of something more substantial than that... perhaps a building," the woman replied. In a patronizing tone, Eliot brushed aside the idea as being too expensive and the couple departed. The next year, Eliot learned that this plain pair had gone elsewhere and established a $26 million memorial named Leland Stanford Junior University, better known today as Stanford!  (Today in the Word, June 11, 1992.)

As the old saying goes, appearances can be deceiving…so, be on your guard!

Be careful of your appearances…your testimony is easily broken but painfully hard to repair.

4 Ways to Actively Trust God through Unwanted Surprises

Today’s Passage is Ruth 3:6-12.

A frontier preacher was preaching against hatred, he asked all those who had overcome the sin of hatred to stand. He was shocked when one older man rose to his feet. The preacher asked him how this could be and he said, “All the skunks who done me dirt, all them scoundrels I hated—they're all dead.” (Source: Bible in Pocket, Gun in Hand, Ross Pahres)

Victory isn’t found in the removal of trials.  Victory is seen in the building of our faith amid the trials.

“God delights to increase the faith of His children. We ought, instead of wanting no trials before victory, no exercise for patience, to be willing to take them from God’s hand as a means. I say—and say it deliberately—trials, obstacles, difficulties, and sometimes defeats, are the very food of faith.” —George Mueller

 We must trust the Lord in the surprises along life’s path.

Following Good Counsel (Ruth 3:6)

Ruth not only receives good counsel…she also follows it!

When a couple asked a pastor if he would perform their marriage ceremony, he proceeded to tell them that he likes to give several sessions of premarital counseling before performing weddings. To which they replied, “We don’t need counseling. We’ve both been married several times before.”  (Source: Reader’s Digest, May, 2009)

We all need good counsel…but we all aren’t always willing to seek it -- or listen to it -- or heed to it.  So, what makes the counsel in Ruth 3:6 “good counsel?”

• It was good because it was according to the Word of God. This was the law of the Jews.

• It was good because Naomi’s God was the One true God.

• It was good because Naomi was following God and Naomi was Ruth’s leadership.

5 Ways to Receive “GOOD COUNSEL” –

1. Seek someone who is known as a disciple of Jesus. (Psalm 1:1; II Tim. 3:14)

2. Listen to understand…not to respond. (Prov. 18:13)

3. Bring humility to the table. (Prov. 16:18-19; James 4:6) Here’s the mindset — I am not perfect.  I have room to grow.  In fact, I must grow!  I cannot keep doing the same thing if I want different results!

4. Approach with a learner’s mindset (what could I do different from what I am doing right now – that would bring me closer to God?).  (II Peter 3:18; Ps. 86:11)

5. Pray over the counsel.  Be careful not to swiftly dismiss counsel.  Swiftly dismissing counsel, often happens when it was not the counsel you predetermined that you wanted to hear.  Bath it in prayer.  Ask the Lord to guide you through the counsel as you continue studying His Word.  (Proverbs 11:14; 24:6)

The church needs to be the Gospel Counsellor everyone needs!

o    Be the godly disciple of Jesus other souls need

o    Listen to the lost to understand their need for Jesus

o    Embrace humility and put yourself last – Jesus, Others, You.

o    Take a learner’s view of the gospel.  Get better at witnessing.

o    Pray others will understand: God’s holiness, justice, love, & gift

Taking Careful Steps (3:7-9)

The story is told of a young father-to-be who was pacing back and forth, nervously wringing his hands in the hospital waiting room while his wife was in labor. Finally, a nurse opened the door and said, “Well, sir, you have a little girl.”

He heaved a sigh of relief and said, “I’m glad it’s a girl. She’ll never have to go through the agony I’ve gone through tonight!”  Source: Unknown

Waiting never seems easy…it always seems too long…and it seems harder for me than anyone else.  Look at the waiting in this passage:

a. Ruth waited until he had eaten (3:3)

b. Ruth uncovered his feet (3:4)

Men would lie with their head by the grain to protect it from thieves and keep it safe

Then, and only then, does she claim him as her kinsman redeemer (she could have brought him into court…this was her right in the law of Moses)

c. Ruth waited, just as she was instructed (3:4)

d. Ruth’s presence (on the threshing floor) and position (desiring a kinsman redeemer) was not revealed immediately (3:9)

We will benefit from waiting on God and following Him

Rejoicing in God’s Way (3:10-13)

Ruth received more favor than expected (3:10)

Ruth received more assurance than expected (3:11) 

Ruth received more surprises than expected (3:12-13)

We all experience unwanted / undesirable surprises. The surprise of bills or health problems, of a layoff, of gossip, surprise of miscommunication, of hurt feelings, of broken trust, and the surprise of a less favorable way may be some examples of surprises that have crossed your path. But how do you deal with …surprises?

On July 6, 2011, a hiker, Brian Matayoshi, was attacked by a female grizzly bear near the Wapiti Lake trail in Yellowstone National Park. He and his wife were visiting the park as hundreds of thousands do each year. Apparently they surprised the mother grizzly and her cubs. The National Park Service issued a statement saying, “In an attempt to defend a perceived threat to her cubs, the bear attacked and fatally wounded the man.” Though the man did not intend to harm the bear or her cubs, she did not know that and responded according to her nature—with fatal results. (Source: Chicagotribune.com, July 8, 2011)

We don’t tend to like surprises…and we can often react like a grizzly bear trying to protect our territory.  There are no surprises to the Lord…we must trust Him even when the surprise seems threatening.

4 Ways to Actively Trust God when Surprises Cross our Path:

1.       Gratitude.  (James 1:2; 4:4)

2.       Promises.  Rehearse His promises. (II Cor. 1:20)

3.       Increased comfort… from other disciples and from His Word. (I Thess. 5:11)

4.       More of the same…read more of the Word, pray — more, go to church — more, pursue Jesus — more…don’t give up!

Most of us don’t like unwelcomed surprises … don’t forget, while your circumstances may have surprisingly changed, your God has not changed at all!  Choose to actively trust God…even when surprises cross your path.