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The Story of Ruth
Ruth told Naomi everything Boaz had done for her, and she added, "He gave me these six scoops of barley and said, ‘Don’t go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.’"
Ruth 3:17
The book of Ruth is a wonderful story of a Moabite woman who finds a family redeemer in a rich Israelite farmer named Boaz. It is a story which starts with death but ends with life. Slowly Ruth learns faith, grace and hope through the sovereignty of God, which leads her to long for more than she could ever dream of.
From gleaning (then a way of leaving barley behind during the harvest to provide for widows and foreigners) in Boaz's fields, she collects the barley stalks left over by the harvesters, but learns that she can receive much more by knowing Boaz for herself.
With the ever increasing generosity of Boaz in the barley fields, she realises that Boaz's gifts aren't enough. With the help of her mother-in-Law Naomi, she sets out to win over Boaz's heart - what she really wants.
The whole book contains beautiful illustrations of the Lord Jesus and his church, redeeming her back to himself. The question we have to ask ourselves is: are we chasing after our redeemer only to get the gifts that he delights to give us, or like Ruth, do we just want him? By wanting just Boaz, she ended up with far more than she imagined.
I pray that you may long for more and by longing just for Jesus you find all your satisfaction in him.
Direct your Children onto the Right Path
Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.
Proverbs 22:6
Our children are a gift from God - they are loaned to us to while we have breath. As spiritual parents our duty and our joy should be to train our children in the ways of the Lord.
Here in Proverbs, the bible says to direct your children - this is asking us to lead by example. God directs us and his example is pure and perfect. The more we follow God ourselves the more we can lead our kids into the truth and the right path.
We live in a society that is very impressionable and with so many media mentors and iconic so called 'stars' to follow, our children have a great deal of discerning to do at a very young age! Often they're not capable of making the right choices.
There are so many paths that they can take. Man-made paths lead to ruin, depression, loneliness and bitterness. There is only one true path that will give our children fulfilment for now and for eternity and that is the path that Jesus stands on, saying "I am the way to the Father".
We need to remember that the greatest mentor any child can have, other than the Lord Jesus, are godly family members. Ones that can instruct, guide, discipline and above all, love, for the good of the spiritual health of the child. We need to be showing by our lifestyles the ways of the Lord. This isn't always easy, at times we are unsure of the right way and need to ask the Lord what we should do or say and live by his word. Remember the world is watching what you say and do, but above all, so are your children. Lead them on the right path.
Obedience the Key to Blessing
Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on. So they camped or travelled at the Lord’s command, and they did whatever the Lord told them through Moses.
Numbers 9:22-23 (NLT)
Today is another new day in the life of Crestwood Church - this is our second move. We started in the Crestwood School library, then the dining room and now a new location in the Dingle Community Centre.
In the Old Testament, the Israelites were nomads in the desert, moving camp at God’s command by following his cloud of presence. If the cloud moved, so did the people. They soon learnt that location was secondary to God, it was obedience that was key. As they obeyed, God’s presence abided with them and blessings abounded. Protection and prosperity surrounded them along with many other spiritual blessings.
As we settle into our new home, it is obedience to God that is the most crucial. Jesus said "When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love". The reason that obedience is key is highlighted in this verse. When we as a church obey, we remain in his love, he abides with us and we can experience all the wonder of knowing God, up close and personal!
The Israelites never saw God in the cloud, nor could they, because he was too glorious. But they knew he was there, they felt his warmth, his care and saw the work of his hands. Our church doesn’t have a cloud - we have the person of the Holy Spirit residing within our lives. We may not see him, but we know he's there and we can see his out workings.
The cloud was always above the Israelites in their camp reminding them God was with them. Let’s keep our spiritual eyes open to see that God is still with us, and wherever he moves, let's follow, so that we remain in the presence of the Lord, wherever we may be.
Are We Ready for God to Lead?
At just the right time, I will respond to you. On the day of salvation I will help you. I will protect you and give you to the people as my covenant with them.
Isaiah 49:8-10
God is always willing to bless us, he is forever wanting to touch us with his goodness and gives us what we ask for. Sometimes what we ask for is of God, but the timing is not right. Other times we may ask for something but in reality we are not ready for it. In both situations, God in his sovereignty chooses not to give at that time. But at just the right time when our heart comes into line with the Father's, blessing occurs.
Now we know this is true as individuals, but we rarely apply this to the body of the church. What if we, as a church, were to say "Lord, we are ready, whatever it takes, we are available!" We are giving God the permission to have his way with us. God doesn't need our permission, because he is Almighty, but he chooses to wait for our response.
In the church in Laodicea, Jesus stands at the door of their hearts, knocking and waiting for a response, waiting for permission to allow him to enter. This verse from Isaiah 49 is to the entire assembly of Israel, therefore it's not only for us as individuals. In this verse the Lord is promising us his protection, but also giving us the authority to take our community into the blessing of God.
Through you I will re-establish the land of Israel and assign it to its own people again. I will say to the prisoners, 'Come out in freedom,' and to those in darkness, 'Come into the light.' They will be my sheep, grazing in green pastures and on hills that were previously bare. They will neither hunger nor thirst. The searing sun will not reach them anymore. For the Lord in his mercy will lead them; he will lead them beside cool waters.
Let's declare to him as one people "we are ready". Let's invite the Lord to do whatever he wants to do!
