Visual: #BeEncouraged

BCU Family,

Just be reminded that God is STILL on the throne, ALWAYS in control and KNOWS exactly what He is doing, even we don’t know or always understand. His ways and thoughts will always be higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), and His perfect plans always better than anything we could ever come up with. Ever.

Trust the wait time and occupy, pray, praise God and continue being faithful in all aspects of your life with God’s grace, okay? In due season you will reap if you don’t faint (Galatians 6:9).

God has not forgotten you. #StayOnTheWall!

 

Love,

BCU

 

 

 

 

BlenCouragesU5 Comments

Series: Lessons from Ruth chapter 4

Hey BCU family!

Please enjoy the condensed podcast (click on the icon below and hear a special friend of mine kick off the podcast), read through the notes, or do both! Be encouraged in the Lord!

Ruth Chapter 3 takeaways:

God wants us to REST on His word, His promises and in Him. We DO not want to miss any blessings, promises or more importantly Heaven because of practiced disobedience, fear and unbelief. 

Without faith it is impossible to please Him. We must believe that He is and a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. 

Wheat (what’s on the inside) is more valuable than chaff (what’s on the outside). Cherish your Holy Ghost and nourish your insides with the Word of God, so we won’t be blown away or burned with the chaff. 

God is NOT interested in us staying broken. He is a healer and desires to make us whole–In John  5:6,  Jesus asked the impotent man lying by the healing pool of Bethesda “would thou be made whole?” Rather than directly answer, the man told why he couldn’t get to the pool, unaware that Jesus was right there, willing and able to heal. Will we accept His offer?

Follow God’s specific directions. He knows what He’s doing. 

God is our kinsman-redeemer. Stay under his covering. 

Ladies, keep your reputation intact and menfolk, do what you can to protect a lady’s and your own integrity.  I Thessalonians 5:22 states to avoid or abstain from the very appearance of evil. 

 

So we’re coming to the exciting conclusion of Ruth’s story!  It’s best to start at the beginning of the series, so you’ll have a full understanding of everything we covered. Let’s look at the highlights:

Elimelech, his wife Naomi and their sons Mahlon and Chilion move from Bethlehem to former arch-enemy, Moab due to a famine. Elimelech passes away and the young men marry Moab natives Ruth and Orpah.

Naomi’s sons then pass away leaving these three women in dire straits, as they had no way to provide for themselves. Naomi decides to move back home to Bethlehem, urging her daughters-in-law to move back to their parents and “find rest, each of them with thier husbands (remarry–Ruth 1:9).  Orpah leaves, Ruth stays, takes Naomi as family and starts serving God.

Because it’s harvest time, Ruth decides to glean for grain and “happens” to lands in Boaz’s field. Boaz notices Ruth’s integrity, dedication to Naomi and hard work and he rewards her with special protection, favor during a mealtime and extra grain.

Naomi realizes Boaz was a kinsman-redeemer–someone who could give Ruth the rest Naomi mentioned in chapter 1, and starts on a plan to arrange a marriage. After following Naomi’s instructions, Ruth and Boaz are almost set to marry–but there is another kinsman-redeemer in line ahead of Boaz. And this is where we being chapter 4.

4:1-2–So Boaz got busy right away and went to the gate to look for his relative. The city gate was a bustling hub where all people entered, exited and also served as the city hall, where business was conducted–hence this was the place to take care of his transaction and secure witnesses. After getting his relative, Boaz pulled ten elders of the city to witness this conversation with the relative.   What’s interesting about that is along with the numbers that represent completion and perfection,  (three– divine perfection, seven–spiritual perfection) and twelve–governmental perfection there are 12 people on a jury),  the number ten denotes perfection or completion of “God’s divine order”, or His authority/governmental rule over the affairs of mankind. Here are a few examples:

  • There were ten commandments (five dealing with our relationship with God and five relationship with people and man’s responsibility of obedience to God’s law.
  • Ten starts a new set of numbers and rounds out the numbers that come before it.
  • We tithe ten percent of our income–what is due to God.
  • There were ten generations that lived up to the flood
  • And to top it off,  unlike three, seven or twelve, God’s divine order (ten) is “built-in” to as humans –we have ten fingers and ten toes to do the work of God.

4:3-5–Boaz presents his case regarding that Naomi has come back to sell land that belonged to Elimelech and since the unnamed kinsman was next in line, Boaz was offering it up before he (Boaz) redeemed it. Unnamed kinsman said he’d buy it. Then Boaz brings in the facet that mystery redeemer must also “buy” or marry Ruth to raise up the family name and get the inheritance “back in the family”.  Let’s stop here and sketch out how this whole things works.

When land was sold in Israel, it was more like a lease since all land reverted to the original owner in the year of Jubilee, every 50th year, so the original owner and his family still possessed title to the land. Elimelech sold his land due to the probably due to famine and it was redeemable by Elimelech’s family through paying the balance owed to the current occupant. According to the law, the title would have passed to Elimelech’s sons and on down to the nearest of kin. Recall our previous lesson that widows were not listed in the line of inheritance (Numbers 27:8-11), so although it would seem the nearest relative aka kinsman-redeemer would be “willed” the property automatically, he still needed to purchase it from the widow.

It seems that there was not a clear law established for property distribution for Israelites who died childless–in this case, Mahlon and Chilion. So local custom prevailed and the widow, in this case, Naomi owned the property  as long as she lived and could sell as needful. And…Ruth has a share in this transaction as the widow of Mahlon. So, with Naomi selling the land because she has no other means to support herself, a relative could come in and redeem that land. In the redemption process, the kinsman was  also contracted to take care of the widow and depending on her age, marry her and have children (namely a son) so the first born son could properly inherit the property, and carry on the family of the deceased name.

All of the sudden now, mystery kinsman now does not want to redeem the property, because it would “mar his own inheritance” and tells Boaz to redeem the property for himself. (v6) Scripture is unclear as to why the mystery kinsman reneged, but it reveals a couple of points. While the business part in these verses is what had to be done, the fact was Boaz truly loved Ruth. Boaz was very aware once they married and had a son, the property belonged to his son and his son’s children after that–there was no long-term monetary gain for him. Yet he was willing to pay for the land and redeem his future bride. ALL FOR LOVE and in return for HER LOVE.

Are ya’ll connecting the dots?!

Since the law could not redeem us, Jesus, OUR kinsman-redeemer was willing to pay the price–for all of us–you, me, us, like him or not, the President, the thief, the murderer, the liar,  clerk who was mean to you, the guy that dumped you, the “good” sinner (you know, the ones who didn’t drink, party, swear, et cetera) all in the name of LOVE and wants is to LOVE Him and keep His commandments (John 14:15). Glory!!!!

4:7-9–The mystery kinsman told Boaz to “buy it for yourself” (v 8) and the deal was sealed by the shoe LITERALLY given to the neighbor as a testimony in Israel. In other words, this man would prefer to go home without a shoe, rather than go back on his word.  This is ancient Israel and my thought is, folks did not have a closet full of shoes like we do today to be giving away–and ONE shoe? What could he do with one shoe?  This signified serious business! Boaz declared that the elders and people gathered were witnesses to the land purchase and he would now take Ruth to be his wife in order to raise up the name of Elimelech and keep the inheritance in the family, and the witnesses agreed. Similar to a wedding ceremony–there are always witnesses.

4:11–The witnesses “spoke life” that Ruth would be like Rachel and Leah who built the house of Israel. This goes back to Genesis 35 where Jacob’s wives children were among the twelve tribes of Israel started, so they wanted Ruth to be fruitful child wise. Additionally, they spoke that he do worthily in Ephratah (meaning a place of fruitfulness) and be famous on Bethlehem. Boaz was already known for his wealth and character, so they blessed him even more so with his new family coming aboard. Regarding the house of Pharez, (Genesis 38),  he was a twin whose mom was Tamar and dad was Judah–and as you’ll see coming up is a part of Boaz’s and eventually Jesus’ family line.

In ancient times, people referenced historical people as they spoke life or a blessing over someone. What a honor for the witnesses and to Boaz to hear wonderful words of blessing and encouragement. Are we aware of what we can speak over someone’s life–especially those of us who have Christ down on the inside? I recall a story from a deacon who said a woman called one son “Doctor so and so”, and her other son “attorney so and so “and that’s exactly what they became. Death and life are in the power of the tongue and they that love its fruit shall eat of it (Proverbs 18:21).

4:12-15 So the two marry and the Lord gave her conception–He is the giver of life and Obed was born. The women circled back to Naomi saying blessed be the Lord who has not left the without a kinsman-redeemer, that his name would be famous in Israel. Notice this is the second reference to famousness in the area–this is a reference to Jesus! The other significant remark is that the redeemer was a restorer of life and nourisher in Naomi’s old age, since Ruth love for her was better than seven sons.  That’s significant because, seven comes from a Hebrew word meaning to be full, satisfied, to have enough–it represents a complete cycle. While it is other places in the Bible, read Joshua 6:1-20 and take note on the use of the number seven. Finally, regarding us, Jesus us a restorer of life–for those of us who are saved, we were the walking dead with a one-way ticket to Hell! Oh, but heeding His call, Jesus cancelled that reservation! GLORY!! Get on board for this train bound for glory! Start with Acts 2:38-39 and go from there–contact me on BlenCouragesU.com for more info!

And finally, we see that Obed was the father of Jesse which begat King David.  Further, Ruth’s author recalls the genealogy back from Pharez to David–which happens to be 10 generations–God’s divine order.

Takeaways: Boaz took care of business–and did not delay. The kinsman even went shoeless to illustrate the seriousness of keeping a promise.  All through this series, God has constantly brought up integrity and keeping your word. This extends to our obligations to God, our responsibilities, family, paying bills–even as small as not leaving that meat you decided not to buy in the cereal section to go bad.  Throwing paper out of the car window or cleaning up behind yourself. A co-worker and were in the cafe one day and he left his garbage claiming “that’s why we pay people here to clean that up”. No, that’s not how that works! I am not saying that dropping a paper on the ground is a heaven/hell issue, it’s more about the fact that as saints we are set apart and called to be examples of light in this dark world. If I’m not keeping my word with the Lord’s help then how am I a good witness to others. People pay attention, even you don’t think they are looking. God, of course is looking all the time. Would you leave that meat in the bread if God was shopping with you? Provide all things honest in the sight of all men (Romans 12:17b). Providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but in the sight of all men (2 Corinthians 8:21).

Also notice that Ruth was home waiting and resting!!! She had no idea what was happening with the Boaz and the kinsman. There is no record of her running to the gate to see what was going on or sending folks to the gate for an update. Rather she apparently she trusted that Boaz would do what he said. Isn’t that a good reminder for us with Jesus? If He said He is going to do something, we don’t have keep checking up, laboring and “wrasslin” with it, just REST (lesson 3) on His word. Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, that He should lie, neither the son of man, that He should repent. Has He said and shall not do it? Or has He spoken and shall he not make it [His word] good?”

Boaz loved this woman–it was not an issue that he would not inherit anything once his son was born..he was buying the field to get the treasure that was in it–RUTH!! Similarly, Jesus told the parable of the man who found a pearl in Matthew 13:45-46.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Positive speaking–Let’s be aware of how we speak to people and ourselves. We can be such a blessing to someone else, if we allow the Lord to speak through us. Proverbs 25:11 says, “a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Imagine what a beautiful picture that is–would it not be amazing to speak that way? It’s possible when we let God have His way.

What’s interesting about the lineage through which Christ came through, there some faithful ones, like Ruth, shady ones, like Tamar, outstanding ones, like Boaz and just ordinary ones like Salmon, yet no perfect ones. God can use you regardless of your background, past, struggle or situation. We just have to yield to Him.

Well family, that concludes our class and study of Ruth. God has blessed us and we have been challenged, healed and delivered! Stay tuned for our next study and topic..and please…do not keep this all to yourselves–tell a friend!

God bless and make His face to shine upon you, and give you peace in Jesus name!

 

Until next time….#StayOnTheWall

 

Love,

BCU

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Room A203: Smoothies recipes from Green_Blender.com!

Hey BCU Family!

Health in ALL areas is a part of what BlenCouragesU.com is all about—spiritually, financially, mentally, emotionally and physically. I remember a friend of mine, Amy and I joking about going out “full”, meaning with every unhealthy food and treat imaginable! 🙂

Now, don’t get me wrong, Family, I LOVE my goodies and definitely eat them on the regular, I just try to get more of an 80/20 rule in most of the time. That means with the help of the Lord, I’m trying to eat a good amount of veggies/salad, protein and (play fanfare) a SMOOTHIE!!!!

Smoothies are a good meal replacement (for some), when I do make them, they enhance my meals and help keep me fuller longer. Plus, the sweetness helps curb the desire for the cake for awhile.

So, while Green Blender.com offers a very nifty smoothie service (read all about it here) , Jenna is gracious enough to offer some pretty dynamite smoothie recipes for you perusal or even to get them emailed to you FOR FREE!!!!! Some recipes have basic ingredients, some a little more different, so if you’re feeling adventurous, try out the newer ingredient. Otherwise, leave it or try subbing it out for something else–she usually explains what each ingredient does, so you can make an informed decision.

Take a look at the Smoothies link and see what wonderful things you can blend up! By the way,  this is NOT a sponsored/ paid endorsement. I saw, I liked and I shared. Now, please go check the site out and enjoy, ok? 🙂

 

Love,

 

BCU

 

Source: green blender.com

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Singles chalkboard: Recognizing “The set-up!”

Hey BCU Family!

As usual, the written transcript has a little more detail in it than the podcast does, but nothing drastic! Please enjoy both formats!

This post is especially for the singles..but the Scripture lesson can apply in a few situations for ANYONE! Please stay with me, BCU Fam! Let’s dig in!

There is something about the holidays–and the new year in particular, that seems to bring out the nostalgia, audacity and duplicity in folks. Over the past few weeks, a few very shady menfolk, cleverly disguised as a “good things”, tried to run their best game, but the Word says “resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7b). I thank God for heeding to His voice and not falling for the old set-up/okie-doke. It seems a few of my sisters have also had some menfolk trying them as well, and glory to God, they recognized the set-up and came out victoriously!

Luke 4:1-13 tells the story of the enemy tempting Jesus after His fast (of course, Jesus used the Word to counteract Satan’s attack). Verse 13 says.  “and when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from [Jesus] for a season. In other words, the enemy will be back and likely to tempt you in this same/similar area, singles. In that case, let’s prepare!

 

Your best line of defense: Prayer. I know you know this, but we can NEVER underestimate the POWER of prayer and seeking God for answers. I’ve told this story in some form or another before, but it’s always worth a revisit! Awhile back, a former acquaintance telephoned me, and as we were catching up, I thought to myself, “hmm.. sounds like “Bob” grew up a lot–I think there is some serious maturity here.” Eventually Bob mentioned meeting up for lunch at the end of the week and I agreed without even thinking about it. That quick agreement has happened to “seasoned” people of God before—it’s a set-up and it gets you into trouble! Let’s look at Joshua.

Joshua, chosen by God to secede Moses, was a mighty in faith and in battle, so much so that the people of Gibeon, in chapter 9 were concerned about Joshua coming for them next. So the Gibonites went to work on a plot to trick Joshua into to making peace with them.  Though Gibeon was about eight miles from Israel, the Gibonites pretended to be ambassadors from a far away place, seeking a covenant with Joshua so he would not harm them.  They even came outfitted in old clothes, shoes, torn wineskins, and even had dry, moldy bread to authenticate their story. After a short round of questions,  Joshua and his people ate with these tricksters and eventually covenanted peace with them–only to find out they were tricked into the agreement, but it was too late to do anything about it. Joshua was set-up!!! And why did the scheme work? Verse 14  in that same chapter says “[the Israelites] asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord.” If JOSHUA could trip up and miss praying to see if this situation was okay by God, the very same thing can happen to us, if we do not consult God first.

Notice that the Gibonites “looked” the part of ambassadors and “said” they came in the name of the Lord, but their heart was all about how they would benefit from this ill-gotten agreement. How many of these old flames that show up look good–dressed nicely, well represented OR even playing the part of the  Gibonite, “woe as me, I’m dressed this way because I lost my job” my car, my place, I have no where to go.” “I just need $40, or “may I borrow your car to go on this job interview?” Or  “My new place will be ready tomorrow, if I can stay….” OR “You’re supposed to be a Christian and help people, right?”  This is a set-up!!!! And they sound like they know God–“Yes, I am SO blessed”, “I know God, too”, “I thank God for..”. or “I need to give my life to God, can you tell me how?” Do you see the set-up here?!  What is going on in that HEART?! Jeremiah 17:9 says, “the heart is deceitful above ALL things and desperately wicked, who can know it?” We may not, but God sure does and will reveal it to us IF we ask and heed to what He says.

Now, I’m not saying that every old flame or person that approaches you isn’t sincere about being saved or that should we skip sharing God’s plan of salvation according to Acts 2:38-NO!  We really need to be prayerful about how best to witness to this person without compromising your witness. Be in public, with another believer, or better yet, invite the person to church. That move tells a lot about the heart– either they come and start really yielding to the voice of Christ who wants to save them, or they will flee with a quickness!! Just remember to pray for the individual as we do want them to be saved. As we’re praying, one other are to be on hight alert in is “preventive care”.

Unless God reveals otherwise, stay out of places (in this case, people) that God delivered you from. Proverbs 26:11 says “as a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his own folly.” While dogs are very popular these days–that was not the case in biblical times. In fact, most of the time a dog is mentioned, they represent wicked men, (Psalm 22:16), noise (Psalm 59:14), along with laziness, being dumb and greedy (Isaiah 56:10-11). YIKES!!! All these horrible traits on TOP of the fact that a dog has a habit of vomiting up what did not agree with him —and then going back to eat it. I don’t know one person who likes to see or smell something they upchucked. UGH!!! To what restaurant would you go visit to order, pay for and EAT VOMIT?! Who DOES that?! Only a dog–and he’ll do that for free. UGH!!!!

Family, if God blessed you to escape a relationship (be it romantic or platonic) with this individual, it’s because they do not “agree with you”–who YOU are in Christ.  It doesn’t matter that the relationship didn’t make you “sick” in the beginning or it only made you ill sometimes. When God says leave it alone, that is His way of protecting us from coming in contact with a potential situation that can wreak havoc on your system–your heart, soul and mind. And the recovery process and chastening that follows can set you back days, weeks, months and possibly years and in some cases, never.

Recall in Genesis 19, when God extended His mercy to Lot, his wife and two daughters as they escaped from the wicked city of Sodom, which was being destroyed by fire and brimstone. Among other requirements, God commanded them not to look back, or they would be consumed (verse 17). As the city burned, apparently, Lot’s wife could not resist looking back “at the vomit”and in doing so immediately became a pillar of salt.  With God’s grace, let’s avoid vomit all together and trust that at the appointed time, He will send whoever (friend or otherwise) we are supposed to have in our lives. Amen?! Amen.

Before we end the podcast, I should tell you the ending of my story.  While I agreed to lunch, the Lord was gracious enough to use Joshua 9 and Proverbs 26:11 to get my attention over a two-day time period (yep, it did not sink in right away). Once it did, though, I cancelled lunch and invited Bob to church. Strangest thing, though–he never did show up…

Well this concludes our time together! I pray this blesses and challenges you. If this post been a blessing to you, please give us a thumbs up, comment and share. God bless you always and until next time, #StayOnTheWall.

 

 

Love,

BCU

 

 

 

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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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