Lessons from the book of Ruth (1:1-15)

 

Hey Family!

While the content is very similar, the written transcript varies slightly from the podcast. I am trusting you will be blessed in whichever format you choose to enjoy the Word through!

God bless you and welcome to BlenCouragesU! Last month, a few of my friends and  I thought we’d do a Bible study on Periscope,  and the Lord led me to the book of Ruth. You may be thinking, “seriously–Old Testament?” “This same story?” Trust me, there are some nuggets here! I know I found a few that paralleled MANY of my life situations! To prepare, read though Ruth chapter 1 and then we’ll dig in.

Background: This was a time when Israel was pretty disobedient. In fact, Judges 17:6 says “and there was no king in Israel, but everyone did what was right on their own eyes.” (Times sure have not changed much).  So a consequence here was Israel was experiencing a famine in the land, so Elimelech, his wife Naomi and their two sons Mahlon and Chilion move to Moab.

So–what’s Moab got to do with anything? This is significant because Moab had oppressed the Israelites for eighteen years under the leadership of king Eglon, (Judges 3:12-14),  ON top of the fact, when the children of Israel were fleeing Egypt, Moab would  not feed them, AND the Moabites hired a prophet, Balaam to curse the children of Israel (Numbers 22:1-6 and Deuteronomy 23:3-5). In fact, verse 6 of Deuteronomy said: “you shall not seek their [Moab’s] peace or prosperity all your days forever.” With all this history and direct command from God, Elimelich moved his family. Anyway. Not so fast, family! How many times have we directly disobeyed God for something we needed, but did not trust He would supply..maybe out of curiosity, fear, desperation, no other way out? I just told one of my young people, God would never tell you to do something bad to get something good. 

Situation: After a space of time, Naomi’s husband, Elimelech dies and her sons marry Moab natives Orpah and Ruth. After ten years, the sons pass away, leaving Naomi, Ruth and Orpah destitute widows.

 So, they were widows…why is that important?  In biblical times (and in many homes today) men provided for their wives and families–and they did that well. Widowhood at that time is not like now–we have life insurance (well, we should–if not, please invest today) and many women work outside the home, so they can help/provide for themselves. At the that time, even if a widow did work, she was often fleeced, neglected, and overlooked.  God, in His infinite wisdom set up a law that said the widow must marry the next of kin on the deceased husbands’s side of the family. But…think about it…who would be related to Elimelech in Moab? No one. And after so many years, what relative would be alive back home? How could they find not one, but three relatives? Hence Naomi’s impassioned plea for her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab and start over as she prepared to go back to Judah. Orpah took Naomi’s advice and went back to “her people and her gods”.  Ruth insisted on staying citing, she would stay, worship Naomi’s God and be her family until death.

Relationships: I’m sure Orpah loved her mother-in-law, yet despite knowing the laws, situation and what hardships were ahead of the elder woman, Orpah still chose to leave Naomi to fend for herself. While we may chide her for doing so, in all honesty, how many of us would take on in-laws or other members of the family indefinitely? (As God directs, of course). Would we do it lovingly, or automatically think of the extra work, inconvenience and responsibility involved? While the Word does not tell us Orpah’s thoughts, she clearly left Naomi to fend for herself.

Well family, this is a good place to stop, reflect and meditate on what the Word of God has revealed in our hearts, and more importantly, to talk with the Lord on how to apply the Word in our lives, with His help. I’m going to part here so we can all take the time to do just that. Lord will, when we get together next time, we’ll finish up Ruth 1, starting around verse 16, make our way to the end of the chapter, and prepare for Ruth 2.

I trust this study was a blessing to you as much as it was to me! If so, please take a moment  to give us a thumbs up, share and comment–we’d love to hear from you! Thanks SO much and may God bless you for stopping by, and until next time, #StayOnTheWall.

 

Blen

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Be on high alert: Holiday blues

Hey Family,

As many of us prepare celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s with family, friends, serving others, or what have you, I’d like us to keep ourselves, those around us and especially those we do not know in prayer.

I recall a few years back on a Friday night, I was at a  Christmas dinner party with some friends, where we ALL laughed and talked for hours–it was one of the best times I had ever had!  Fast forward to the following Monday and we learned one of the guests had committed suicide. I was SHOCKED..and as I recounted the time we had together, I did not detect this engaging person intended to carry out their own demise. It still breaks my heart to think about it. 😦

*Sigh* "The holidays are here again"...
*Sigh* “The holidays are here again”…

While there is not a set time, the enemy, adversary or plainly, the devil seems to come around hard during November, December and January, working on the minds of people to convince them there is no hope, you’ll never get a job, your family does not love you, you have no friends, things will not get better, that relationship will not work, nothing goes right, the pain is too great, things will only get worse..et cetera. And the ultimate–if you end it all, you will finally be at peace. That is NOT so–your soul has an eternity to live with that decision, and it WILL be one you regret.

God is the giver of life and whether we saved or not, as depressing, sick, tough, painful, ugly, unbearable, tiring, impossible, messy, hurtful or what ever is happening  (and yes, I DO understand.. we have ALL been here some time or another), God does not give us permission to end our lives–that’s HIS job. Rather God directs us to cast our cares on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). The Word also reminds us that Jesus wants all who labor, are burdened and are heavy laden to come to Him for rest! He wants to exchange burdens with us because His burden is light. (Matthew 28:11-30).  Is that easy to do? No! Think about the alternative, though–as we carry burdens, they get heavier, we get weaker, sicker, less motivated, depressed and then the suicidal/self-destructive thoughts  and actions come. It is true we will have troubles in this life,  but God really wants us to come to and depend on Him to help us with every situation we have.

Bottom line: Sometimes, behind the smiles and jokes, there is a person who is hurting and does not know how or to whom they should reach out. Pride, fear of ridicule, stigma, losing social status, gossip, being bullied more (all coming from the enemy), can rob a person from this earth prematurely leaving the family and friends reeling from the shock and praying for God to heal their shattered hearts.

My Holy-Ghost filled readers, please… ask God to sensitize your heart, spiritual eyes, and give you what to say to those around you. Be on the lookout for people who are laughing, but there is pain in their eyes. Make it a point to call or SEE someone (NO texting or email unless it’s to set up a meeting). Only use Skype or FaceTime if needed..just make a personal connection. Pay attention to folks at the market, pray silently (or with them if they would like) for the representatives you speak with on the telephone.  As you are getting your hair cut or styled or shopping about, ask the Lord to bless, heal, deliver and save anyone who comes in the shop.  As you think about it,  pray for those who may be depressed over losing a loved one, relationship, job, hurting, and over life in general. Ask God how to help–maybe you can cook a meal, give a gift card, buy them a coffee, or just listen –be a friend. Your act of kindness can turn things around. Also, ask God to help YOU (yes, believers feel sad sometimes), to take all your heavy burdens to Him. Confide in a trusted friend or prayer partner as needful.

If you do not know Christ, and are feeling blue or know someone who is, know that we are praying for you. Take every situation to God in prayer right now–you do not have to be fancy about it, just talk to Him.  Ask Him to send you a sensitive, Holy-Ghost filled counselor who will give you biblical and practical advice. God is STILL in the saving, fixing and healing business. He has done it for me and wants to do it for you and others as well..you have His word on it! He promises.

You can reach out to me at:  Blencouragesu at gmail dot com. (just type it out like you would any other email address).

God bless you for reading and taking action!

 

Love,

 

Blen

 

 

 

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Visual: What are you thinking?

Hey Family!

Take a look at the chart below. I saw it on Linked in—I’m not sure who the original author is (if anyone knows, please let me know), but this SPOKE to me!

The Word of God reminds us that we are to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). That’s important because what we think translates into words and they effect our actions.  In fact, Proverbs 18:21 says death and life are in the power of the tongue and you will “eat the fruit of your words”. Every self-depreciating comment, negative affirmation or put-down is like eating rotten, deadly fruit. How many of us would knowingly eat harmful food? If you’ve ever had food poisoning or ANY gastrointestinal trouble after eating a particular food or at a place, you would totally avoid it! We need to incorporate this in our thought and word choices.

Additionally, the result of the rotten fruit not only effects you to the point where you feel like you cannot do anything correctly, it either draws other “flies” to you (fellow bad fruit eaters–that’s another post) and/or can drive away the folks who prefer to speak life. Moreover, it is a like a slap in the face to God, who has made us and not we ourselves (Psalms 100:3).

Bottom line: If it you are reading this, it’s not too late to repent for thinking and speaking in the negative. We all say things on the left side of the list from time to time, myself included—the thing is not to continue practicing this behavior. How different would our lives be if we spoke life into ourselves, children, co-workers, et cetera? In fact, after praying, the Lord blessed me to tell a couple of folks with God’s help, they would be a blessing to all they came in contact with. Do you know they came back with a victory report?! Thank you, Jesus!!! So it’s best to ask God to help us line up our thoughts, words and actions with His Word and enjoy the fruit of the spoken labor. Amen?! Amen!

God bless you and thank you for reading!

Blen

What are you thinking?
What are you thinking?

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Treasure hunt…

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Hey family!

For the second time in as many years, the local and national news (http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/24059298/2013/11/25/black-friday-shoppers-already-camped-out) have highlighted “Black Friday” shoppers who are already camped out in parking lots awaiting for all the bargains merchants are offering. While I am certainly NOT against sales, saving money, purchasing things you need or even desire, I wonder a couple of things.

First, what message does this send our families and children? Thanksgiving is traditionally a special day set aside (and in addition to all the other 364 days we give thanks) for families to come together, share a meal and count the blessings God gives us. While I suppose that can be done in a pop-up tent in a parking lot, is the specialness of that time dismissed by rushing the security guard who opens the door? Trampling the lady who steps in front of you? Pouting and cussing the clerk if they sell out of the $200 56 inch flat screen television before you get one? Are we giving God thanks while loading the cart? Are we going into debt trying to lay up our treasures on earth?

Second and more importantly, how does God feel about this? Again, while there is no sin in getting a bargain (we need to be good stewards), are we putting material gain over family time? In 5 years, Lord will, is getting the Wii more important than sitting around the table and recanting stories from when Junebug and Haskell were little? Is there any value left in building relationships, friendships or just enjoying company of other people? What about just thanking God for life, health, strength, food and whatever He gives us richly to enjoy? When I was a child, my siblings were just content to stuff ourselves and take a nap!

Bottom line: Yes, I realize this is America and we can choose to celebrate holidays anyway we choose. If we think about it, every holiday that comes around is focused on the deal of the day, rather than God or even a family aspect, which God created. And if we are not careful, we can get sucked in to believing that happiness is just a purchase away.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

What we value the most in our hearts comes out of our mouths and actions. As the coming of Christ comes closer, my prayer is that The Lord will be reflected in our speech and actions over the upcoming holidays and all year round!

God bless you and your family this Thanksgiving and always!

Love,

Blen

Pic courtesy of: http://www.monroecommunitychurch.org/blog/uploaded_images/title-and-sermon-755879.jpg

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A Fixed fight—David & Goliath

Hey family!

Happy July to you! Can you believe we are more than halfway through another year? I have heard the older you get, the faster time goes and I am certainly a witness to that! Anyway, I’d like to share a classic Bible story with you–David and Goliath. While many of us know and remember the story from Sunday School, I was recently reminded of the spiritual significance.

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I Samuel 17 tells how giant Goliath, champion of the Philistines taunted the Israelites twice daily for over a month–looking for someone to fight him. He was “kind” enough to make a deal with the Israelites: if they won, the Philistines would be their servants, but if he won the Israelites would be servants to the Philistines. I wonder if Goliath and his crew rested assured thinking, “yep, we got them right where we want them.”

Meanwhile, the word tells us the Israelites were dismayed and greatly afraid! These were the same people who experienced the blessings (and punishment) of God, but likely because Goliath was so big (almost ten feet) weighted with all that armor, and so confident, he frightened his opponents so NO one wanted to fight him. That is until David, a youthful shepard came by, heard Goliath, and was incensed that he would defy the army of the living God. David went to Goliath with no armour, rather with The Lord on his side, and a rock to Goliath’s forehead. As I was reading this story, a couple of things came to me.

Notice Goliath never touched the Israelites—he just spoke to them and they fell to pieces. In comparison, the adversary is a type of Goliath. He taunts, accuses, brings feelings of doubt, fear, worry —sometimes paralyzing us so we fall apart and we will not fight. We allow the enemy to stop us from doing what God called us to. We draw back when we notice the stern, unsmiling faces at church when we speak. We stop praising God freely because someone is looking at us. We stay out of the prayer line fearing the congregation will be wondering why we are up for prayer–again. We think,”what if God doesn’t…..” or “maybe people will laugh” or “what if I mess up?” The list can go on and on, but you get the picture. Proverbs 29:25 reminds us, the fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. Whose side are we trusting on?

Also, while what we feel may be real, we have to recall what David said to Goliath: You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou has defied (1 Samuel 17:45). David had total confidence in God and the ability God gave Him. AND David didn’t have the Holy Ghost, but WE do. We’ve got THE power in the name of Jesus, we just have to use it!

Also, while we do not wrestle against flesh and blood (no stones needed) 😄, we do wrestle against principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). Those battles are fought and won with fasting, prayer, reading your Word, and knowing that our God is God! While things may not go the way we want them, God in His infinite wisdom has won every battle–the fight is fixed!

Bottom line: while there are some “Goliaths” in all our lives from time to time, those of us who are Holy Ghost filled have the privilege to know the same God on whom David relied, is the same one we can call on for help. Psalms 98:1 reminds us His [God’s] right hand and His holy arm has gotten Him the victory. Because He lives in You, you can rest in knowing God is working on your behalf to ensure you will be victorious, according to His will! Fight on!

Thanks for reading and may God bless you richly!

~Blen

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