Truths from Ruth: Part 3

Possessing Virtue

Before I start, can I just mention how amazing God is! I have noticed the more I develop my relationship with Christ, the more He orchestrates divine appointments. Even the small things line up! For example, I bought a book not knowing that it parallels the life of Ruth while God already knew that  I have been blogging about the life of Ruth! How amazing is that!? Have you ever had even the slightest divine circumstance happen? I am so glad God places little things in my life like that because it opens my eyes to see how big my God actually is.

As I was reading Ruth chapter 3, I began to wonder what the Lord would lay on my heart to share about Ruth. As I continued to read, I came across verse 11b which says, "...for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman." This is one of the things Boaz says to Ruth after she laid down at his feet. What Boaz says to Ruth is powerful! Put yourself in Ruth's shoes for a moment. Could you imagine someone telling you that the whole (city, church, college, work place, etc.) knows you are a virtuous woman? Ruth must have possessed some virtuous attributes  in order for Boaz to say that about her (let alone a whole city!). 

Proverbs 31 paints a good picture of what a virtuous woman ought to look like. Verse 10 of Proverbs 31 even says, "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies." Every woman should strive to be a woman of virtue not only because they are rare but also because virtuous women please God. The word virtuous means to uphold a high moral standard. In a world that is saturated in immorality, we should be the women who hold high a moral standard that pleases God and encourages men to strive to be godly men of character with their own set of virtue. Although there are many ways to be virtuous, I would like to share eight ways that you can maintain a virtuous lifestyle.

 

1. Saturate yourself in God's Word. Be a God girl who literally is satisfied in Him alone before you are satisfied in any other relationships. Okay, let's be real because this is what this whole blog is  about! Some of my blog posts that are written are areas of my life that I struggle with. One thing  that I often struggle with is my Bible reading. It is a day-by-day struggle. Why? Because my carnal  flesh does not want to read the Bible, but when I am filled with Christ's Spirit, I love every second  of it! I have found when I skip my Bible reading, my soul longs for it. I am spiritually deprived, and my day usually does not go very well. When I do not take time to read my Bible, it becomes a priority issue. I then find I need to reprioritize what I place at the most valued position and that  should be Jesus Christ.

 

2. Shine His love.  Once you saturate yourself and are spiritually fed, go shine His love to people. There are so many hurting people out there who are searching for something to fill their void. Often times people try to fill the void with money, sex, drugs, pornography, entertainment, etc. However, what they are missing is the love of Jesus. The only Person who can fill their empty lives. When you radiate for Jesus, others will notice that there is something different about you - that difference being Jesus. Allow Jesus to shine through your life. Not because we are worthy (we   are not!) but because Jesus chooses to use us for His kingdom building.

 

3. Be dependable. Here are four questions to ask yourself. Can people come to you when they are in need of something? Can people come to you if they need advice? Do people come to you with prayer requests knowing that you will actually take time to pray? When you tell someone you are going to do something, can they trust that you will follow through? Try listing other ways you can be  dependable.

 

4. Embrace your beauty. No, I am not saying to fish for compliments, to be vain, or to disregard your health, but what I am saying is that God made you exactly how He wanted you to look. Did you ever think that every time you say you are ugly or think that "you just do not match up," that you are totally and blatantly telling God that He messed up when He created you? I am guilty as charged. But when I think of what I am in essence telling God, it makes me take a step back and realize what I have done. Whatever you do, do not let the world define your beauty and worth. Instead, be confident in the woman God created you to be.

 

5. Live above reproach. Philippians 2:15 says, "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;" Nobody lives a perfect life, but do not give people the opportunity to speak ill of you. One thing I have learned is that it can take years to build your testimony, and it can take five seconds to destroy it. So be careful how you are living because you could very well be the only Bible someone will ever read.

 

6. Never settle. You heard me. NEVER settle for less than God's best for you! Do not settle for a Bozo when God has a Boaz for you! (You need to read Lady in Waiting by Jackie Kendall.She does a wonderful job warning us ladies about the Bozo guys and preparing our hearts for our Boaz).

 

7. Be productive. Do not be a lazy lady. Be productive! Learn a new hobby, prepare a new meal, strive to be better in your career, in your married life, or even your single life. Keep going! Plus, who would want to date someone who is not active? (Not me anyway!) I like adventures Someone once told me as I am serving God in ministry, He will eventually send me a guy who will serve with me (something to that degree anyway).

 

8. Lastly, Stay pure! Ladies, this goes beyond the physical aspect of purity. This encompasses your inner thoughts, speech, walk (lifestyle), dress, and the list goes on. Are your words becoming to the soul? Are you uplifting? Are you saving yourself physically for your future husband or are you giving pieces of your heart away where eventually you will have a scrap to give to your husband on your wedding day? There is a reason why the Bible tells us to guard our hearts and out of it are the issues of life. Did you ever think of the consequences your impurity could cost? It could cost a marriage, a child, a disease, etc. Most importantly, you would grieve God's heart. Will He forgive you?  Sure He will, but grieving our Holy God is heartbreaking. Plus, if you are holding out for God's best, your boyfriend should NEVER compromise your purity before marriage. Period. Be a mystery. Your boyfriend does not need to know everything about you. Let him get to know you on a deep emotional level not a physical level.

 

 

 

Truths from Ruth: Part 2

Five Qualities that Ruth Possessed:

 

1) She was determined (vs. 2) 

 "And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. ..."   Ruth was determined to go to field. She did not procrastinate to go. How often do we have a  mentality of procrastination? She was also determined that she was going to find grace with  Boaz. She did not doubt it. How often do we doubt God in our lives? Sometimes we live as  if God does not have the power to accomplish His will in our lives.

 

2) She was hardworking 

 As you read Ruth chapter 2, her hard work is seen throughout this chapter. Because of her    determination to go to the field, she made it there. She began to work where God placed her -  in the field. She took her work seriously and worked hard at it. In our own lives are we determined to work hard no matter where God places us? He may have us do something we do not think we are good at;however, I can reassure you  that God will not give you anything you cannot handle. He will equip you. He may also lead you to a place of unfamiliarity. God led Ruth from Moab to Bethlehem. That was an  adjustment for her. Trust God in what He has you do and where He has you go, and work harddespite the difficulty.

 

3) She stepped out of her comfort zone

  In verse 6, the servant of the reapers told Boaz where Ruth was from. Dwelling on this verse, you can come to the conclusion that Ruth stepped out of her comfort zone. She was from   Moab, yet she left everything she ever knew to travel with Naomi to Bethlehem.  She left her beliefs in Moab. She left her friends and family in Moab. She left the comforts of home in Moab. She left her comfort zone to achieve something greater. (vs. 11)   How often are we the opposite from Ruth by staying in our comfort zone? We are scared to  take the first step of faith because we fear what is ahead. Let me challenge you to step out of your comfort zone because nothing great ever comes from them.

 

4) She was humble

 "Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have  I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a   stranger?" Do we show humility in our lives? Hey, remember my first point? She was determined to find grace. She found grace with Boaz in this verse.

 

5) She was faithful 

 "And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed unto me, all that thou hast  done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou  knowest not heretofore (vs. 11)."   She showed faithfulness to her mother-in-law even if it meant for her to leave her own  country. Do we show faithfulness to the people around us? Most importantly, do we show faithfulness to God? Would you leave your home country if God led you to?

     

Truths from Ruth: Part 1

Caring for the Widows

 As I dived into the first chapter of Ruth, I picked up on something I never have before. Have you ever experienced one of those illuminating moments? Those moments when you read a passage of Scripture a number of times, but each time you read it, you get something new out of it. I love these  moments because it just reassures me that my God is ALIVE and working His way in my life. His Word is not dead, but is quick, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.

As I read Ruth chapter one, I realized that not only was Naomi a widow but also her two daughter-in-laws, Ruth and Orpah. These ladies had lost their husbands during the time of famine - probably the time they need their husbands most.  One thing that widows today struggle with at times is facing economic hardship.

I realized as I continued to read the passage that there came a time in these woman's  lives that they would depart. Naomi told Ruth and Orpah to  depart from her and move on with their lives. However, at first, they both persisted that they stay with her. Again, Naomi told them both to go their way. Finally Orpah gave into Naomi and  returned unto her people and her gods. I love what Ruth says next. Ruth 1:16-17 says, "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me." Ruth was determined to stay with Naomi in her distress. She was willing to give everything up to follow her. Are we willing to give up everything to follow God? I also would like to think Naomi gave them a chance for her daughter-in-laws to depart either because she was testing their faithfulness to her or she did not want to be a burden to them. Whatever the case, Ruth was a faithful daughter-in-law to Naomi. Often times widows get the vibe that they are somehow being a burden to us when the exact opposite is taking place. They are being a tremendous blessing to us!  Make sure you make them realize your faithfulness to them just like Ruth did in verses 16-17.

Have you ever wondered what your name means? I have!  By studying his passage, I became interested in finding out the significance of Ruth's and Orpah's name. To my surprise, Ruth's name means "lovely friend", and Orpah's name means "back of the neck." Ruth was indeed a lovely friend and daughter-in-law to Naomi. On the contrary, Orpah turned her back on Naomi. When you stay in the center of God's will, you will be blessed, but the moment you turn your back on God is the moment your life will get messed up. However, God won't turn His back on you for He is always there. It is us that choose to walk away from Him. So,what do people think about when people dwell on your name?  Isn't that thought provoking!

Another thing widows deal with is loneliness, and I honestly believe Ruth understood loneliness because she was a widow herself. Sometimes you do not know what someone is going through until you go through the exact same thing. It is then that you can relate to someone else's struggle.
My favorite verse I try to live out in my life is found in James 1:27 which parallels this passage perfectly. It says, "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." Although this verse has three truths to it, it is evident that we ought to care for the widows around us. So, what are we doing to demonstrate love to the widows that were placed so strategically in our lives?
God gives you a chance to reach out to the widows, but His will will be done either way. Psalm 146:9 says, "The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down." Are you going to let the Lord turn you upside down before you dare to reach your hand out to a widow? I would hope that it would not have to go that far. Let us look to Ruth's example as she cared for her widow in her life - Naomi- as we look for the opportunities to reach out to the widows that surround us.

Introduction to the Series of Ruth

Yesterday evening my church had the privilege to have Pastor Clark of Legacy Baptist Church preach for us. He is one of our church planters we support at our church. He preached on extending our reach through serving and developing relationships with others. We turned to the book of Ruth for a very short portion of the service while we were in III John for the majority of the service, but that short segment of time in Ruth got me thinking of a blog topic after Pastor Clark said, "Ruth did what God intended her to do, and Boaz was right around the corner." My thoughts immediately went to my blog. What a powerful truth he had just said!

Ruth is such a great example for us women to look to and model our lives after. When Ruth did what God had called her to do, God blessed her with a man, Boaz,  that was just right around the corner. She was so busy in God's calling for her life that she did not have any idle time to look for "the one." Instead, God led him  to her. How many times are we preoccupied with trying to find "the one" that we miss God's plan for our lives?

With that being said, I believe the Lord is leading me to start a series from the book of Ruth in my blog posts. There are only four chapters in the book of Ruth, which I believe contains so much that we can apply to our lives. Let's keep our hearts open as the Lord teaches us some things from the book of Ruth. Pray that the Lord helps us glean (pun intended) some truths from this powerful woman of God.

Being Content With The Stage You Are In

                                                           

Being Content With The Stage You Are In 

Jessica Sunday 

We live in a world full of immediate gratification . If you want something, you get it. If you like what someone else has, you will inquire where someone got it just to go get the same exact thing. This disease of always getting, getting, getting, and never waiting, waiting, waiting is rampant.

Have you ever thought about where you would be if things had worked out the way YOU wanted them to? Would you be in a messed up marriage if not divorced by now? Would your career be one of disappointment? Would you be partaking in unsatisfying situations?
What would your journey look like  if things worked out your way?

Reflecting on what could have been often makes us more grateful for the way things worked out, right? It does for me anyway. With that being said, it is important to be content with the stage you are currently in because if you are not content with the stage you are in and you jump too quickly to the next, you may be getting ready to travel down the road of pain and regret.

For example, if you keep dating the guy who you know is wrong for you, you more than likely will end up in a relationship of continual pain. If you continue pursuing the career that drudgingly
disappoints you, you will get burnt out really quick. So, be content with whatever stage you are in.

I am in the college and single stage of my life. The more I am in this stage, the more I realize I need  to rest assure that God will give me the strength to get through it. If you are still single and in college, this is the stage where most of your friends are dating or are further along than you in college. This is when you find yourself scrolling down your newsfeed only to find so-and-so are now in a relationship, engaged, married,etc. If you are not careful, before long, your flesh gets in the way, and you become disappointed. You begin to pity the stage you are in. But wait!!! Remember, that the stage you are in now differs from the stage your friends are in.

Think about it this way. Maybe the things that are not working out for you now are the things God is saving you from. Maybe He is saving you from heartache and regret. Maybe He is protecting you from something that would ruin your life.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

1) You won't be stuck in "your"  stage forever. You will move on to other stages.

2) Make the most of the stage you are in.

3) Use your stage as your STAGE to impact others.

4) Pray that the stage you are in now can be used for His honor and glory.

5) Instead of pitying yourself, reach out to others. Send a note, give a gift, share a hug! Be that encouragement to others.

Why Wait? : The Gratitude of a Patient Heart

 Why Wait?: The Gratitude of a              Patient Heart 

          Jessica Sunday 

Let’s be honest. Most people hate the process of waiting. We live in a generation where we want immediate satisfaction. If a little child sees his favorite candy bar on the shelf at the grocery store, he may beg his mother to buy him that candy bar. If she says, “No maybe next time,” her son may decide to throw a tantrum. Why? Because he wants immediate satisfaction. He does not want to wait. Okay, so the candy bar illustration just did not do it for you. What about seeing a laptop, toolbox, car, or outfit at the designated store and buying it with no questions asked. You wanted it, so you bought it, right? Again, your lust for immediate satisfaction was fulfilled. I mean  is that not why some people jump into a relationship with the first person who looks their way? Here are some reasons why you should be gratified with having a patient heart.

Maybe you have heard someone say, “Step back, and look at the big picture.” Although it seems simple to do, sometimes it is the last thing on our mind to do – especially when you want immediate satisfaction. Have you ever thought that if everything would go your way that your life would be perfect? That sounds wonderful, right? However, if your “perfect” scenario sounds good to you, just close your eyes and imagine God’s PERFECT plan for your life. I Corinthians 2:9 says, “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” Ephesians 3:20 goes on to read,  “Not unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,.” I honestly do not think we can fully comprehend these verses. IF we could, we would live like God’s thoughts are above our thoughts and that His ways are higher than our ways.

Part of looking at the big picture is understanding the sowing and reaping effect. If a farmer sows corn seeds, he is not going to reap tomatoes; he is going to reap corn. Obviously! You can sow seeds of love, joy, patience, etc. and expect to reap a worthwhile harvest, or you can sow seeds of hate, doubt, or impatience and reap a life of regrets. Ultimately it is your choice. However, realize that not only do you reap what you sow, but also that you reap more than what you sow. If you sow bad seeds, your consequences are going to be great. Before you rush into an irrational decision such as a relationship, think about the effects it can have on your future. How you prepare for your future now WILL eventually affect the rest of your life. So, how about it? Will your harvest reap effective or destructive “crops?”

Before you take pleasure in immediate satisfaction, remember God has an amazing plan for you far greater than you could ever fathom. Immediate satisfaction is temporary and can lead to a lifelong road of regrets. So, why wait? Because if you let God work His perfect will in your life and remember what you reap is ultimately what you sow, than you will truly grasp that there is nothing far more rewardable than the gratitude of a patient heart.

               

How To Overcome the Insecurity of Misconception

                                                                  

  How To Overcome the      Insecurity of Misconception

          Jessica Sunday

Dealing With People Who Have Misconceptions: 

Have you ever fallen victim to someone who has spread rumors about you? I have. Maybe you were oblivious about the things that were said. All you knew was that people who once talked to you stopped.  People who were once friends with you on social media unfriended you.  And, sadly, you realize these people have a misconception of you. It would be a lot easier if they were strangers, right? But now it is awkward when you pass each other in the hall, grocery store, or church. A question lingers within you. What was said about me?  You want to know the truth because after all, you want everyone to like you. And if they did not have this misconception of you – they would. You not only become victim to the talebearer, but you fall prey to the insecurity that goes along with the misconceptions. Here are some ways to overcome misconception.

Overcoming Misconception # 1:

• Pray for the talebearer to stop and to make things right. Proverbs 26:20 says, "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth."

Overcoming Misconception # 2:      

• Pray for the deceived people to gain discretion and understanding. "Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:" -Proverbs 2:11

Overcoming Misconception # 3:

• Pray for the truth to be revealed. It may take awhile, but eventually the truth WILL be found out. Consider some truths from this story: In Acts 28, Paul and some others were shipwrecked, but a group of barbarous people showed kindness and helped them. They thought highly of Paul at first. Then when a viper fastened on his hand, they decided he must be a murderer. They waited for him to die the death he deserved. "Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds..." (Acts 28:6). I see three things that we can glean from this passage. 1. When people have misconceptions, they think ill of you. The barbarous people in Acts 28 showed Paul support at first, but when the viper fastened onto his hand, they quickly jumped to the wrong conclusion. Isn't it sad when the people who once supported you can so quickly turn their backs because of a misconception? 2. When people have a misconception of you, they look a great while. Have you ever noticed that the people who have misconceptions pay more attention to you? They literally watch your every move. So give them something worth watching.  I Timothy 4:12 says, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 3. When people have a misconception of you, they can choose to change their minds. After the deceived people look a great while at your life and cannot find blame in you, they have the choice to change their minds. The barbarous people changed their minds about Paul after they looked a great while and saw no harm done to him by the viper. It may take days, weeks, months, or years for them to come to the realization that they were deceived, but once the truth is made known, the only choice they have is to change their minds. Even if they don't want to admit it to you because of their pride, they know the truth themselves.

Overcoming Misconception # 4:

• Don't forget that the truth sets free! If you know the truth and God knows the truth, what else matters? Examine the following verses: John 8: 23:  "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Proverbs 12:19: "The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment." II Chronicles 16:9: "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect [or made complete] toward him." 


Another reassuring passage is Genesis 39: Potiphar's wife caught Joseph by his garment because she wanted to sleep with Joseph. Because Joseph was a man of God and a man of integrity, he quickly fled, leaving his garment behind. In this story, Potiphar's wife was the talebearer. She lied about the situation, making Potiphar believe that Joseph had forced her to sleep with him. Potiphar immediately threw Joseph in prison, and ultimately Potiphar is deceived by his wife's lies. Genesis 39:21 says, "But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison." Although this unfortunate event took place in Joseph's life, he didn't let it bother him because he knew the truth, and he knew the Lord knew the truth.

Overcoming Misconception # 5:

• Last, remember the people who love you and support you. I found in my own life that there are far more people who are for me than who are against me, most importantly God. "If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31). Christ desires for you to live an abundant life, so decide in your heart right now to let go of the insecurity brought on by other people’s misconceptions.  Don't let deceived people steal your joy. Don't be held captive by what other people falsely perceive you to be. Let go, and let God take over the situation.