Ruth and Naomi

Ruth 1:1. The story of Ruth takes place sometime during the period of the rule of the Judges. These were dark days for Israel, when everyone did as he saw fit. But during those dark and evil times, there were still some who followed God. Naomi and Ruth are beautiful examples of loyalty, friendship and commitment to God and to each other.
Ruth 1:2. Moab was the land east of the Dead sea. It was one of the nations that opposed Israel during the period of the Judges, so there was hostility between the two nations. The famine must have been quite severe in Israel for Elimelech to move his family here. They were called Ephrathites because Ephrath was an earlier name for Bethlehem. Even if Israel had already defeated Moab, there still would have been tensions between them.
Ruth 1:4,5. Friendly relations with the Moabites were discouraged, but probably not forbidden since the Moabites lived outside the promised land. Marrying a Canaanite and all those living within the borders of the promised land, however, was against Gods law. Moabites were not allowed to worship at the tabernacle because they had not let the Israelites pass through their land during the exodus from Egypt. As God’s chosen nation, Israel should have set the standards of high moral living for the other nations. Ironically it was Ruth, a Moabitess, whom God used as an example of genuine spiritual character. This shows just how bleak life had become in Israel during those days.
Ruth 1:8,9. There was almost nothing worse than being a widow in the ancient world. Widows were taken advantage of or ignored. They were almost always poverty stricken. God’s law, therefore provided that the nearest relative of the dead husband should care for the widow, but Naomi had no relatives in Moab, and she did not know if any of her relatives were alive in Israel. Even in her desperate situation, Naomi had a selfless attitude. Although she had decided to return to Israel, she encouraged Ruth and Orpah to stay in Moab and start their lives over, even though this would mean hardship for her. Like Naomi, we must consider the needs of others and not just our own, as Naomi discovered , when you act selflessly, others are encouraged to follow your example.
Ruth 1:16 Ruth was a Moabitess, but that didn’t stop her from worshiping the true God, nor did it stop God from accepting her worship and blessing her greatly. The Jews were not the only people God loved. God chose the Jews to be the people through whom the rest of the world would come to know him. This was fulfilled when Jesus was born as a Jew. Through him, the entire world can come to know God. God accepts all who worship him. he works through people regardless of their race, sex, or nationality. The book of Ruth is a perfect example of God’s impartiality. Although Ruth belonged to a race often despised by Israel, she was blessed because of her faithfulness.
Ruth 1:20-21, Naomi had experienced severe hardships. She had left Israel married and secure, she returned widowed and poor. Naomi changed her name to express the bitterness and pain she felt. When you face bitter times, God welcomes your honest prayers, but be careful not to overlook the love, strength and resources that he provides in your present relationships. And don’t let bitterness and disappointment to blind you in your opportunities.


When I am praying for you, what you don’t believe in is not important. What I believe in is!!!
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GZ/KZ

Love

Romans 12:9. Most of us have learned how to pretend to love others, how to speak kindly, avoid hurting their feelings, and appear to take an interest in them. We may even be skilled in pretending to feel moved with compassion when we hear of other’s needs, or to become indignant when we learn of injustice. But God calls us to real and sincere love that goes far beyond pretense and politeness. Sincere love requires concentration and effort. It means helping others become better people. It demands our time, money and personal involvement. No individual has the capacity to express love to a whole community, but the body of Christ in your town does. Look for people who need your love, and look for ways that you and your fellow believers can love your community for Christ.
Romans 12:10. We can honor others in one of two ways. One involves ulterior motives. We honor our bosses so they will reward us, our employees so they will work harder, the wealthy so they will donate to our cause, the powerful so they will use there power for us and not against us. God’s other way involves love. As Christians, we honor people because they have been created in God’s image, because they are our brothers and sisters in Christ, and because they have a unique contribution to make to Christ’s church. Does God’s way of honoring others sound to difficult for your competitive nature? Why not try to outdo one another in showing honor? Put others first !!
Romans 12:13. Christian hospitality differs from social entertaining. Entertaining focuses on the host, the home must be spotless, the food must be very well prepared and abundant, the host must appear relaxed and good natured. Hospitality, by contrast, focuses on the guest. Their needs, whether for a place to stay, nourishing food, a listening ear, or acceptance, are the primary concern. Hospitality can happen in a messy home, it can happen around a dinner table where the main dish is a can of soup. It can even happen while the host and guest are doing chores together. Don’t hesitate to offer hospitality just because you are to tired, too busy, or not wealthy enough to entertain.
Romans 12:16 Many people use their contacts and relationships for self ambition. They select those people who will help them climb the social ladder. Christ demonstrated and taught that we should treat all people with respect, those of a different race, the handicapped, young and old, male and female. We must never consider others as being beneath us. Paul says we need to live in harmony with others and not be to proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. Are you able to do humble task with others? Do you welcome conversation with unattractive, non-prestigious people? Are you willing to welcome newcomers and entry level people? Or do you only relate to those who will help you get ahead?
Romans 12: 17. These verses summarize the core of Christian living. If we love someone the way Christ loves us, we will be willing to forgive. If we experienced God’s grace, we will want to pass it on to others. And remember, Grace is undeserved favor. By giving an enemy a drink, we’re excusing his misdeeds. We’re recognizing him, forgiving him, and loving him in spite of his sins, just as Christ did for us.
Romans12:19-21. Forgiveness involves both attitudes and actions. If you find it difficult to feel forgiveness toward someone who has hurt you, try responding with kind actions. Lend a helping hand. Send him or her a gift. Smile at him or her. Many times you will discover that right actions lead to right feelings.

When we fight all of our battles down on our knees, we win every time.

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GZ/KZ

Wisdom Is Supreme

Proverbs 4:3,4. One of the greatest responsibilities of parents is to encourage their children to become wise. Here Solomon tells how his Father, David, encouraged him to seek wisdom when he was young. This encouragement may have prompted Solomon to ask God for a discerning heart above everything else. Wisdom can be passed on from parents to children, from generation to generation. Ultimately ,of course, all wisdom comes from God; parents can only urge their children to turn to him. If your parents never taught you in this way, God’s word can function as a loving and compassionate mother or father to you. You can learn from the scriptures and then create a legacy of wisdom as you teach your own children.
Proverbs 4:5-7. If you want wisdom, you must decide to go after it. This will take resolve, a determination not to abandon the search once you begin no matter how difficult the road may become. This is not a once in a lifetime step, but a process of choosing between two paths, the wicked and the righteous. Nothing else is more important or valuable.
David taught Solomon as a young boy that seeking God’s wisdom was the most important choice he could make. Solomon learned the lesson well. When God appeared to Solomon to fulfill any request, Solomon chose wisdom above all else. We should also make God’s wisdom our first choice. We don’t have to wait for God to appear to us. We can boldly ask him for wisdom today through prayer. James 1:5 assures us that God will grant our request.
Proverbs 4:13-17. Even friends can make you fall. It is difficult for people to accept the fact that friends and acquaintances might be luring them to do wrong. Young people who want to be accepted would never want to confront or criticize for wrong plans or actions. Many other people can’t even see how their friend’s actions could lead to trouble. While we should be accepting of others, we need a healthily skepticism about human behavior. When you feel yourself being heavily influenced, proceed with caution. Don’t let your friends fall into sin.
Proverbs 4:23-27. Our heart , our feelings of love and desire, dictates to a great extent how we live because we always find time to do what we enjoy. Solomon tells us to guard our hearts above all else, making sure we concentrate on those desires that will keep us on the right path. Make sure your affections push you in the right direction. Put boundaries on your desires, don’t go after everything you see. Look straight ahead, keep your eyes fixed on your goal, and don’t get sidetracked on detours that lead to sin.

Forgiveness is giving up the right to punish another person.



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GZ/KZ