01.18 - Decisions Made
Ruth 1:18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her. KJV
Wednesday, May 04, 2022 8:33 AM
Jesus gave the same "offer" to those who were following Him
John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? KJV
I find it interesting that this passage is John 6:66.I think the depth of our relationship with God depends on how we deal with this issue in our lives . . .
Do we decide once to follow Him and just stick to it or do we dialy choose Him over all other things that are there on the "plate of life"
Daily walking with Christ allows that He is kept dear and close as is our choice fresh in our minds, we have decided, again and again, to follow Him no matter where He leads or what the cost
• THIS DAY - today, and tomorrow, again and again, not just about a choice I made long ago but I am still consciously deciding even moment by moment to walk with Him
§ Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. KJV
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01.19 - Until They Made It Home
Wednesday, May 04, 2022
8:34 AM
Ruth 1:19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? KJV
• Until they came to Bethlehem . . .
We are not told of the obstacles they uncounted or how long it took, we are just told they left, they went and that they arrived.
• Set our hearts on Heaven and don’t look back, not matter what!' • All the city was moved about them . . .
Naomi was literally home again
There should be rejoicing when prodigals come home, great celebration
• Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found . And they began to be merry. KJV
• Is this Naomi? . . .
She likely did not look like she did when she left, she had been through a personal battle of loss, being lost and needed restoration and healing
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01.20 - Come Unto Me
Ruth 1:20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. KJV
Wednesday, May 04, 2022 8:34 AM
It is clear she was broken in heart and in spirit
We do not always see the wisdom and providence in what God is doing and unless we trust
Him fully can tend to fall away
Sometimes the tapestry of our lives cannot be fully appreciated until we have lived it all
Note again many of the women in the city had gone out to her . . . the city was moved . . .
When Prodigal comes home there is a great need for help and healing
Bring forth the best robe . . .
§ not just any old garment but the BEST, in the sense that we were awaiting your return and had made ready
§ A picture of grace not just from God but from the Church to forgive and move forward
§ And put it it on him - we are to do out part in the restoration and healing of others, it is our honor to assist in restoring the broken
Put the ring on his hand . . .
§ Shows that he is back in a place of authority and not just coming home as ano account, he has been restored to his place in the family
Shoes on his feet . . .
§ He was not to be treated as a captive but fully as one who was restored
OT captives were naked and had their shoes taken off - this to shame
them and announce to all that they were prisoners and captives. When the robe was put on and the shoes it was now a public statement of full restoration
Points to Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; KJV
Fatted calf . . . § Sacrifice
§ Celebration
§ Community
Be merry . . .
§ Community celebration
§ Everyone is affected when one is lost and when one is found
• Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. KJV
• This is the Scripture Jesus uses to start the story of the prodigal son
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01.21 - Hidden Testimony
Wednesday, May 04, 2022
8:35 AM
Ruth 1:21 I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? KJV
It is actually pretty amazing what she said without realizing what she was saying. She ws somewhat complaining but in her complaint was the raw truth about what God had really done in her life . . .when she left she was indeed full, a husband and two sons all of which God had given her and yet they left and did not trust in His Hand to take care of them . . .when she came home she was most empty, but God brought me back empty - when my tank was empty He still got me to the "gas station" sometimes it is easier for others to see what his happening in our lives than for us to see it - that said choose wise counsel
I don’t know Naomi so I don’t know her personality and what was intended meaning of what she was saying here, but she was distraught to say the least.
01.22 - Something Growing
Wednesday, May 04, 2022
8:35 AM
Ruth 1:22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest. KJV
• . . .at the beginning of barley harvest . . .
Weeping may endure for a night
The close of a season and the open of another
The close of a chapter and the story goes on
End of April, winter is over, spring has sprung and now a new season springs forth
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