The House of God
Today’s Passage – Genesis 27 – 28
“And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.” – (Genesis 28:18-22 )
In our passage today, in chapter 27, we read about the messy family problems that took place in the home of Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Esau. Jacob is force to flee from his home in order to escape the wrath of his brother Esau; but something wonderful happens to Jacob when he gets away from home: he meets God for himself. Chapter 28 records the wonderful experience that Jacob had in a place that he called Bethel, which means “the house of God”. At Bethel, God would introduce Himself personally to Jacob: no longer would God be the God of Abraham or Isaac; now God was Jacob’s God as well. During their visit together, God reaffirmed the covenant that He had previously made with Jacob’s father and grandfather; and Jacob also commits himself to worship and serve the Lord.
Every Christian has that special place in their life where they first met with God. For me, believe it or not, it was in my 1986 Isuzu box-body truck. It was there in that truck while travelling across New Jersey, listening to Christian radio, that God first revealed Himself to me. That truck was my Bethel: it was the place that I first met with God. There have also been other Bethel’s in my life: places where God spoke to my heart in a special way. I have a place that is my Bethel today: a place where I daily meet with the Lord. Bethel is a wonderful place; not because of any natural attribute it may have, but simply because it is the place where God meets with us.
Do you have a Bethel? Is there a place that you can remember: a place where God first revealed Himself to you? Is there a place where God regularly meets with you today? Those are your Bethels, and they are wonderful places to be.
Posted in Thoughts from Genesis by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
From a Father to a Son
Today’s Passage – Genesis 25 – 26
(Second Milers also read – Matthew 17 – 18; Proverbs 9; Psalms 41 – 45
“Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” – (Genesis 26:3-5)
Notice in the above verses that God told Isaac that He would be with him, and bless him; not because of anything that Isaac had done to deserve the blessing, but because that God had made a promise to Isaac’s father, Abraham. The son was being blessed because of the faithfulness of the father.
I have two thoughts regarding this passage:
1 As Christians, we are receiving an awful lot of benefit and blessing because of the faithfulness of the Lord Jesus Christ. We didn’t do anything to deserve salvation, and we didn’t do anything to deserve the joint inheritance that we have received, and will receive, all because of our relationship to Jesus. What a gift we have been given!
2 My second thought is a bit more practical than spiritual. The faithfulness and obedience of a father, will yield benefits that will pass down through many generations of children and grandchildren. It is a sobering thought, that my life today will have a great impact on future generations. I want my children and grandchildren to be blessed; I want the families in my church to be blessed. To some degree, the blessing that they will receive in the future is dependent upon my faithfulness today. For example: if I am a good steward of the money God gives me, I will leave behind a financial reward for my heirs. If I work hard to today to build character and faithfulness into my children, they will also benefit from that effort in the future. Again, it is my desire to leave behind an heritage of blessing for future generations; but in order for that to happen, I must work hard today.
Isaac had to learn to walk with God on his own, but Isaac had a great start that was handed to him by his father, Abraham. I want to be able to hand down some things to my children as well.
Posted in Thoughts from Genesis by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
Just for Ladies – by Camille Stahl
Today’s Passage – Genesis 23 – 24 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Matthew 15 – 16; Proverbs 8; Psalms 36 – 40
Scripture Memorization for January – Philippians 3
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 121
Read a previous post from this passage – “The Bride of Christ”
Watch “Growth Points Video – Leading With An Attitude” by Pastor Chappell
Elisheba, The Wife Of The High Priest Aaron
“And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.” (Exodus 6:23)
Elisheba’s name is only mention this one time in the Bible and very little is known about her. We know she was married to Aaron the High Priest and they had four sons. Being in a leadership roll, all eyes were on them. Her life was focused on the Lord God, and her family. As a mother she took part in the rearing of her sons to set their feet on the right path, which pointed them towards God. But something happened.
“And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire form the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.” (Leviticus 10:1-2)
Instead of following God’s directions, they willingly disobeyed God, by their “strange fire” incense offering. God punished them by consuming them in fire. Some say Nadab and Abihu may have been drunk because God later warned Aaron and his sons not to drink before worship.
“And the LORD spake unto Aaron saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a stature for ever throughout your generations:” (Leviticus 10:8 – 9)
As Christian moms, we all strive to raise our children to do right and fear the LORD. We love our children very much. But not every mother has children who make her proud. Every child is different. One may go in the direction that they were taught, the other, completely opposite. There may even be a child who starts off well, but as they become adults they go in the wrong direction. This is why it’s so important to start very early in teaching them the way of the LORD. Praying with them, even before they know what prayer is. Going with them to church. Letting them see you follow the Lord and not just telling them what to do. Be the example they need. It’s also important to never stop praying for them, and never stop loving them even when they are going in the wrong direction. Don’t misunderstand, we should never agree to the sin, but love them as Jesus loves us.
As with Elisheba, God may also provide a Christian mother a blessing. Eleazar, Elisheba’s third son, kept the faith of his parents, and followed in the footsteps of his father. He became the head of the Levites and then he became the High Priest in Aaron’s place.
Don’t give up on your children. Remember, no one is perfect. Love your children no matter what. Teach them by example. When they fall, be there to pick them up. Never write them off. God always has a plan B.
“Train up a child in the way he (she)should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
UNLESS THE LORD BUILDS THE HOUSE – By Keith Green
Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain to try at all
Building anything not according to His call
Unless the Lord wants it done, You Better not work another day
Building anything that will stand in His way
You love the Lord and it seems like He’s been leading, You’ve asked Him to bless all your plans
But are you so sure you’re NOT just doing what you want to, Building your house on the sand
Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain to try at all
Building anything not according to His call
Unless the Lord wants it done, You Better not work another day
Building anything that will stand in His way
Working so hard at the things that you believe in, No one can tear you away
But don’t you lose sight of the very ONE who calls you, You may be sorry some day
For wood, hay and stubble, will all burn in the fire
But to love the Lord with all your heart, should be your one DESIRE
Love the Lord!
Psalms 127:1 “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it…”
Thank You
1 John 5:13
Posted in Just for Ladies by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
He Pitched His Tent Towards Sodom – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Passage – Genesis 13 – 16 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read –Matthew 9 – 10; Proverbs 5; Psalms 21 – 25
Scripture Memorization for January – Philippians 3
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 92:1
Read a previos post from this passage – “Relationships Are More Important Than Riches”
Read “Be A Clutter Buster” by Pastor Paul Chappell
Good morning. This passage from Genesis chapter 13 marks the downfall of Lot, Abraham’s nephew. He would move into a city of exceeding wickedness.
He would lose his wife. He would father a child by each of his two daughters. He would lose everything he had.
“And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.” (Genesis 13:7-13).
The beautiful picture of Christ’s love for His church has been trampled upon by three states: Maryland, Maine, and Washington. Illinois could be falling soon too. Lawmakers in several other states may consider the issue later this year: Delaware, Hawaii, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. The issue: the perverted, lustful union between a man and a man, or a woman and a woman. The truth about Homosexuality is found in Romans chapter 1…
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” (Romans 1:18-32).
God calls it an abomination in Leviticus 20:13: “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.”
But there is hope. You see all sins can be forgiven except one. The sin of sodomy is just as bad as the sin of over eating, murder, or telling a lie. All sin condemns a person to death. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).
Jesus loves the Homosexual. He shed His precious blood to forgive the sin of Homosexuality as well as any other sin you can think of. If you are trapped in this ‘lifestyle’, you can be set free. That’s why Jesus came: to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). And, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (1Corithians 5:17)
Peace! (John 3:16)
Posted in Guest Posts, Thoughts from Genesis by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
I’m Getting Too Old For This!
Today’s Passage – Genesis 7 – 9
(Second Milers also read – Matthew 5 – 6; Proverbs 3 ; Psalm 11 – 15)
“And Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters was upon the earth.” – (Genesis 7:6)
“And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years. And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died.” – (Genesis 9:28-29)
The thought I have this morning may seem a little strange, but bear with me. Notice that Noah was 600 years old when the flood came, and he lived beyond the flood another 350 years. The lifespan of man back in these early days after creation was obviously a lot longer than it is today. Men and women would have lived forever had sin not entered into their world, but the wages of eating the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil was death; but even still, that death didn’t come for 100’s of years. The flood would cataclysmically change the earth, which would reduce lifespans; and then a strange event is mentioned but not explained in the Bible, which would further reduce the average age that men and women would live on the earth. (See Genesis 10:25; 11:10 – 19) By the time you get to Abraham, man’s years are reduced even further to 175; and eventually God limited man’s years on earth to “three score and ten (70), with possibly another ten years added for good behavior. (Psalm 90:10)
I didn’t mean for this to be an exhaustive study on the Biblical history of lifespans, but I merely wanted to point out that Noah’s life was better than half over when God called him to build the ark and deliver his family through the flood. In today’s years, Noah would have been in his fifties when called upon to do this monumental task for the Lord. Moses was two-thirds of the way done with his life (80 years old) when God called him to deliver the children of Israel out of Egypt. It seems that God does not have a problem giving older folks the strength and energy to do great things for Him.
I am 48 years old, and I am way past the half way point in my life; but I can still be used of the Lord to accomplish His will. Sometimes, I start to get a little discouraged about how much I have done for the Lord thus far. I would like to have completed some more tasks, done a little more than I have; but then, when I read passages like this, I get encouraged, because it may just be that I will be used of God in greater ways in my remaining years. I bet the same is true for you as well. You are not as young as you used to be, but God still wants to use you to accomplish great things for Him.
Noah Webster completed his monumental American Dictionary of the English Language at age 66.
Benjamin Franklin helped draft the Declaration of Independence at age 70.
Nola Ochs became the oldest person to receive a college diploma, a degree in general studies with an emphasis on history at age 95.
Grandma Moses (yes it’s a real person) started painting at age 76, and completed over 1000 paintings by the time she died at 101.
Posted in Thoughts from Genesis by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
Walking with God
Today’s Passage –Genesis 4 – 6 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Matthew 3 – 4; Proverbs 2; Psalm 6 – 10
Scripture Memorization for January – Philippians 3
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 55:17
Read – “Fresh” by Pastor Chappell
“And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.” – (Genesis 4:26)
“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” – (Genesis 5:24)
“These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” – (Genesis 6:9)
When I was in Bible college, I was required to daily record the Bible passages that I had read in a “Walking with God” notebook. I also had to jot down a key verse from the passage along with an explanation of the meaning of the text, and what God wanted me to do with it. What does it really mean to “walk with God”? Is it merely spending a few minutes each day in the Bible, and recording some thoughts, or is there more to it than that? In our passage today, we read about two men who walked with God: Enoch and Noah.
We know quite a bit about Noah. We know that he was seen as righteous by God, which means that he was justified in the sight of God because of his faith in God. We know that he obeyed God by building the ark, and we also know that he was a “preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5). There is not much recorded about Enoch in the Bible. The Scripture says that “God took him”, which is very mysterious, but is explained further in the Book of Hebrews:
“By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.” – (Hebrews 11:5)
Enoch is one of only two men in the Bible who has not seen death. God took him (and later, Elijah) up to Heaven with him while he was still alive. That’s pretty cool! He is a type (or a picture) of the church, which will be translated up to God before the coming judgment of the Tribulation Period. By the way, Noah and his family are a type of the nation Israel, which will be spared through the judgment. Unlike Enoch, Noah endured the flood, but was saved.
Both of these men, however, walked with God, meaning that they enjoyed an intimate relationship with God through faith. Walking with God begins with a relationship. Notice in Genesis 4:26, the Scripture says that men began “to call upon the name of the Lord”. Your relationship with God begins when you call upon his name for forgiveness:
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – (Romans 10:13)
However, walking with God means more than just being born into God’s family, it also involves continued communion with Him. Every relationship in life needs communication in order for it to grow. It is apparent that Enoch and Noah both spent time with God on a daily basis, communing with Him. You cannot walk with God without spending time with God in His Word, in prayer, and in His House.
Walking with God will also involve obedience. Enoch and Noah lived their lives in obedience to the will of God. If we are ever going to get to the place where we are walking in intimate fellowship with the Lord, we must learn to obey Him. We must surrender our stubborn will to His, and let Him direct our path.
Walking with God is a wonderful privilege, not a chore; it is a joy, not a drudgery. To think that the Creator of the universe wants to spend some one on one time with me, and also wants to use me in His Kingdom. What an awesome God we serve!
Posted in Thoughts from Genesis by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
Just for Ladies – by Camille Stahl
Today’s Passage – Genesis 1 – 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)
(Second Milers also read – Mathew 1 – 2; Proverbs 1; Psalms 1 – 5)
Scripture Memoriztion for January – Philippians 3
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 51
Sapphira – A Woman Who Did Not Keep Her Promise To God!
“But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.” (Acts 5:1-11)
At the time of Sapphira, and her husband Ananias, the church was being persecuted. Many believers gave generously to support the church. But Sapphira and her husband had greedy hearts and desire money as they tried to look good in the churches eyes. So they vowed to sell their home and give the money to the church, as other did, but kept back some of the money for themselves. As a result of the couples disobedience, they both died and the church feared.
Today many of us are making “New Years Resolutions.” Some may be to stop smoking, lose weight, find a new job, stop drinking, to be more mindful of your money…. The list can go on and on. For others it maybe to be a better Christian. To start or increase your Bible reading, to pray everyday, to attend church regularly, to tithe, to serve more, to win souls….. All of these “Resolution” are good, but we must remember the example of Ananias and Sapphira. Keep our promise to God. Everyone will wake up today and read their Bible and pray. But will we still be doing it next week or next month? We may forget but God doesn’t. I’m not saying God will kill us, but we could suffer the consequences.
Let not just start the New Year off right, lets finish strong and keep our promises to God, to ourselves, and to each other.
HAVE A JOYFUL AND BLESSED NEW YEAR
Thank You
1 John 5:13
Posted in Just for Ladies by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
(No Title)
Read your favorite Bible passage today
(Second Milers also read – Proverbs 31)
Memory passage for the month of December – Luke 1:26 – 38
Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 48:1 & 2
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
The Press Towards “The Mark” – The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” (Revelation 13:16-18).
“And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.” (Revelation 19:19-21)
Good morning! Great news! Jesus is coming back soon! Each new day brings us closer to His coming! New technology is released daily that will help the antichrist to pretend he is a god. This new one comes from Google. If you want to see something interesting, do a Google Search on Google Wallet. This is a new app for your phone. All my credit card accounts are kept in the secure Google Cloud somewhere in cyberspace. To make a purchase in a store, all I need do is tap the back of my Android phone to the sensing device, and all the information is transfered for the credit card I wish to use. No more carrying around cash for thieves to steal. No more physical credit cards to lose or forget. Everything is right there in you smart-phone. Isn’t that great! If your phone gets lost or stolen you can lock your account remotely, and secure it.
Soon you will not even need a phone. You will not have to carry cash, or credit cards. All you need do is put your right hand, or your forehead, near the sensor and your account information will be transfered. That technology is here now, and has been. The implants that the vets put in our pets can be used on people too.
These are just signs of the times. Jesus said behold I come quickly. His is coming back soon. Are you ready? Do you know, that you know, that you know? Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Does Jesus know you? He is the only Way, the only Truth, and the only Life: your only way to Heaven is by and through Him. Call on Him. Ask Jesus to forgive your sins, and welcome Him into your heart, and He will save you. (Romans 3:10,23; 5:8; 6:23; 10:13). Jesus said, “…It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:6-8).
Peace! (Revelation 22:20-21).
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
God’s Perfect Plan – The Saturday Morning Post On Friday by Pastor Ted Stahl
A few days ago, Camille and I were reading our Bibles together. We went through the Book of Ruth. It was only four chapters, but I got a comforting thought from this Book. Just a few days before this was Christmas Eve. This would be our first Christmas without Melissa. Standing over the grave, Camille was weeping because she missed her daughter. I was weeping, because my wife hurt, and there was nothing I could do to comfort her except to pray that the Holy Spirit would give her the comfort she needed. Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, was going through it too. She had lost her husband. She had lost both of her sons. Her one daughter-in-law had gone back to her own people. Naomi had lost almost everything, but she still had Ruth. “And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law. 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. When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her. So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.” (Ruth 1:15-22).
Naomi asked to be called Mara, which means bitter. She had come back home empty. But God had a bigger and better plan. His plan was to bring Boaz and Ruth together. His plan was to bring comfort to a hurting Naomi. His plan started before time began, and this is only a small part of it.
“So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son. And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. ” (Ruth 4:13-17).
Ruth became the mother of Obed, King David’s grandfather. Obed was given to Naomi to replace the two sons, and husband, she had lost. Obed would be a comfort to her: a restorer of life, ans nourisher of her old age.
These are the thoughts I got out of the Book of Ruth…
1) God’s plan is perfect, and has been running perfectly since it’s start. God doesn’t make mistakes. We do. So don’t be too hard on yourself when you mess up. God already knew about it and placed it in His perfect plan. You cannot through a ‘monkey wrench into the works’, and derail God’s perfect plan. He already knows what we will do, and He took care of that. And God’s perfect plan will continue to run flawlessly forever.
2) God’s perfect plan is filled with happiness and sorrow for us. Naomi had to lose what she had in order to return to Bethlehem. God wanted to bless Naomi in her old age. God needed Ruth to meet Boaz. God’s perfect plan called for taking her husband, and sons, home to heaven.
3) God’s perfect plan can also bring happiness and sorrow to God. To understand this better, we need to step out of Ruth, and go to the shortest verse in the Bible: “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35). Why would Jesus weep? Why would God cry? He already knew that He would call Lazarus back from the dead. He knew that Mary and Martha would see their brother live again that very day. Why did Jesus weep? Our perfect God with the perfect plan has perfect compassion on His creation. That’s why He gave us verses like Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
Or John 14:1-3, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. “
And my verse, John 16:33, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
4) God’s perfect plan called for man’s salvation. I don’t know what part Melissa’s death played in God’s plan, but I do know that because of His love, we will see her again. John 3:16 tells us so: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
And one of my favorite passages: “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.“
Isn’t it great to stand on God’s Word, and know that He has a perfect plan that includes you? To know that you are saved, and will someday be in heaven and see those who have gone on before us? But maybe you’re not saved. Maybe you’re not 100% sure you’re going to heaven. When the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
They told him, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:30-31). “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13).
Heaven or Hell, the choice is yours. Your part in God’s perfect plan doesn’t have to end in sorrow, it could end in happiness.
Peace. (John 14:27).
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.