The Book of Acts ~ Study Six

"Words to Speak"


Acts 2:1-4 (NLT) When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.


Pentecost, what does that mean to you? Do you understand the significance of it? The Bible tells of the three main feasts (celebrations) that each Hebrew was expected to attend in Jerusalem. The First was Passover (Pesach), remembering how God had freed the Israelites from death and from their slavery to Egypt. Jesus was crucified and resurrected over the Passover week. Do you see them parallel? He freed mankind from the grips of death and from the slavery to sin. The second, was Pentecost (Shavuot) and the third was Sukkot (Tabernacles). followtherabbi.com


Exodus 12:21 (NLT) Moses assembled all the elders of Israel. He said, "Select a lamb for your families and slaughter the Passover lamb. 


John 1:29 (NLT) The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!


Now, it was Pentecost (Shavuot), 50 days after Passover. The faithful gathered on the Temple Mount to worship and to celebrate. It is here that the disciples and followers of Jesus met. Most folks think they were still in the upper room but because they were Jews they would be at the required festival of Pentecost located on the Temple Mount. Here thousands of people were present from many nations. Many languages were spoken. 


Biblical scholars think the followers of Jesus met on the great Southern Steps of the Temple Mount or in the massive outdoor malls that Herod built. The importance of where they were is that many people were around to witness this great event. 


"As the offerings were presented and the sacrifices were made, portions of the Bible were read. According to Jewish history, those portions were Exodus 19:20 (the story of God's presentation of the Torah,including the Ten Commandments, to Moses on Mount Sinai) and Ezekiel 1:2 (Ezekiel's vision of God appearing in fire and wind). The fact that these activities occurred around 9:00 in the morning had great significance for the celebration the year Jesus died and was raised." (See Follow the Rabbi.) 


Now that we have a little history behind this time and celebration (and there is tons more), we can almost see where the followers of Jesus were when the Holy Spirit descended and entered those who believe in Jesus.  Here's a replica of the steps to the Temple: Jesus taught here many times. So it would be logical His followers would meet here on Pentecost after the morning sacrifices. 

God appeared to  Moses and Ezekiel in fire and wind. Now He was appearing in the same way but the difference is that the presence of God alighted on each believer and remained. His Spirit didn't just rest on them, it entered into them. It now enabled each believer to speak in many languages so that the people celebrating Pentecost could understand the Gospel in their native tongue.

God hasn't changed the rules about the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. We are still capable to share the good news of our Savior Jesus. He places us all in areas where we can touch lives we encounter. Why do we ever doubt that He will enable us? Just like Moses who claimed he couldn't speak and was provided with a speaker (his brother Aaron) we too are provided with a speaker, the Holy Spirit of God.


We will continue on with this amazing story, true in every aspect, in our next study. Now by faith go out and use your gift to bring others to Him.

The Book of Acts ~ Study Five

"Determined Steps"

In the last Study we focused on Judas and how He never really accepted Jesus as His Lord. He only saw Him as a "Rabbi." Judas desperately wanted Jesus to be more of a military conquerer and never understood  what Jesus came to earth to do. He died before He could see the resurrected Jesus. Who knows what would have happened if He had.

Today we move forward in the second half of Acts 1:15-26 and observe what happened next.

Acts:1:21-26 (NLT) “So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus—from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.”

     So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. Then they all prayed, “O Lord, you know every heart. Show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs.” Then they cast lots, and Matthias was selected to become an apostle with the other eleven.

There were 120 people present during this meeting. There had been 12 disciples and now since Judas had betrayed Jesus and killed himself, his spot needed to be filled. This was very important. Two men were considered because they had been with Jesus from the beginning. (Justus and Matthias) They followed Jesus from His baptism to His resurrection.

The first thing they did was pray. They acknowledged that God knew the hearts of these two men and believed that God would show them who He wanted as a replacement for Judas. Now this gets me: "Then they cast lots." (Anyone else confused by this?)

Why in the world did they cast lots? To understand this we need to look at the history behind casting lots. It was common in the Old Testament and in the customs of the people of Jesus' time. 

Leviticus 16:8 (NLT) He is to cast sacred lots to determine which goat will be reserved as an offering to the Lord and which will carry the sins of the people to the wilderness of Azazel.

Joshua 18:10 (NLT) And there at Shiloh, Joshua cast sacred lots in the presence of the Lord to determine which tribe should have each section.

Proverbs 18:18 (NLT) Flipping a coin (casting lots) can end arguments; it settles disputes between powerful opponents.

So why did the disciples resort to casting lots, flipping a coin, etc.? Before they were filled with the Holy Spirit the Israelites would cast lots and believed God would bless the decision. This is why they prayed first. Notice that the promised Holy Spirit had not descended into man's hearts yet and they responded the way they had always made hard decisions. 

We will see in the next chapter that the Holy Spirit comes and indwells the Believer. It will no longer be necessary to rely on outside signs to hear God's voice. He speaks directly to us.

God knew where each disciple was spiritually and knew they were casting lots by faith and by tradition and so He directed them once again through this outside means. Soon things would change because the Holy Spirit would indwell each believer.

How do you know you are hearing the will of God? Do you wait until you know for sure? Do you act on faith that God will honor your efforts and lead you in His will? God does indeed know our motives behind each action, just as He knew the disciples' hearts and answered them through the casting of the lots, directing them to choose Mathias.

Acts 17:30 (NLT) “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him."

Remember how we learned about "The Next Step?" The next step is always prayer and seeking God's will. The second step is waiting on Him. The third step is stepping out in faith that God will give us His direction.

Proverbs 16:17 (NLT) We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

I think that it all comes down to this. We should first pray and seek God on which steps He desires for us to take. We wait on Him and respond by stepping out in faith. He knows our true motives and acts accordingly. We must lay our wills down for His. We must search the reasons and motives of our actions. Most importantly we must act in faith. Hopefully, this helps us as we truly seek to follow our Leader Jesus. 

May the Lord determine your steps 

and may your heart be 

responsive 

to His perfect will.

The Book of Acts ~ Study Four

"Hero or Savior"


Acts 1:15-26 (MSG) During this time, Peter stood up in the company—there were about 120 of them in the room at the time—and said, "Friends, long ago the Holy Spirit spoke through David regarding Judas, who became the guide to those who arrested Jesus. That Scripture had to be fulfilled, and now has been. Judas was one of us and had his assigned place in this ministry.
     "As you know, he took the evil bribe money and bought a small farm. There he came to a bad end, rupturing his belly and spilling his guts. Everybody in Jerusalem knows this by now; they call the place Murder Meadow. It's exactly what we find written in the Psalms:
     Let his farm become haunted So no one can ever live there. "And also what was written later:
     Let someone else take over his post. "Judas must now be replaced. The replacement must come from the company of men who stayed together with us from the time Jesus was baptized by John up to the day of his ascension, designated along with us as a witness to his resurrection."
     They nominated two: Joseph Barsabbas, nicknamed Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, "You, O God, know every one of us inside and out. Make plain which of these two men you choose to take the place in this ministry and leadership that Judas threw away in order to go his own way." They then drew straws. Matthias won and was counted in with the eleven apostles.


Ten verses today, yes ten verses! This portion of scripture is one most people read only to get through to the next part. Maybe because it has a sad end to a life that had walked alongside Jesus. It also has the subject of casting lots to make a decision. (Why is this in the Bible?)  How can either one of these issues be relevant to our lives? I've thought the same things and have come to believe wholeheartedly that every part of scripture is relevant. (See 2 Timothy 3:15-17 )Today I'm going to try to put a few thoughts together about these two often skimmed-over passages.


This lesson will divided into two days because of the content we need to study. So first let's look at Judas. He was a follower of Jesus and put himself in charge of the treasury of the "talmidim" the followers of "Rabbi Jeshua" ~ Jesus. 


John 12:2-8 (NLT) A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.
     But Judas Iscariot (emphasis mine), the disciple who would soon betray him, said, “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself.
     Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”


Judas was never sold out for Jesus. He followed Him as a student of His but not as a believer. He called Jesus "Rabbi" (teacher) but never called Him "Lord" (Master). Judas was a zealot who thought that the Messiah should be a military victor over the nations that held Israel down. 


I read a theory about Judas that he was trying to get Jesus to fight when the Priest sent for Jesus to be arrested. (That the World May Know/ Follow the Rabbi.) For me that fits the scenario but it is not the point. The point is that Judas never really saw who Jesus really was until it was too late.


Jesus knew Judas' heart and taught him and loved him just like He did the other disciples. Judas saw the miracles and heard the teaching but never heard it from the standpoint of one who wanted to follow Jesus. He wanted to stand behind a victorious military leader for Israel. Instead, Jesus was on earth to beat our deadliest foe... DEATH.


This made me think about how I view Jesus. Is He my "Savior" or do I want Him to be my "Hero?" At first glance you may be thinking that these are one and the same. I use these two terms to make a point. "Savior" is one who is supernaturally superior over the darkness of sin and death and all the fears I face. "Hero" is one who rescues me from the daily enemies I face. Do I see HIm as a knight-in-shining-armor who rescues me from the wrongs of this life? (He does but not always the way I think He should or as quickly as I think He should.) Or do I see Him as my Savior who rescues me from the outcome of my sins which leads to death? Jesus is so much more than our human minds can comprehend. He is MORE!


Ultimately Jesus is victorious over all things. However, sometimes our everyday enemies seem to get the better of us. Does that mean Jesus isn't victorious? Does it mean that He doesn't care what happens to us? No, it means that this world is a failing sinful place that one day will be replaced by the Kingdom our Savior will bring.


What did Jesus say about our troubles? Let's look:
John 16:32-33 (CEV) The time will come and is already here when all of you will be scattered. Each of you will go back home and leave me by myself. But the Father will be with me, and I won't be alone. I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.


For a time (3 days)  it looked like the evil in the world had triumphed. The disciples and all those who followed Jesus thought that they were defeated. (There are many times when I think that I've lost the battle too.) And yet three days later Jesus proved that wrong. They got to see Him resurrected. Judas killed himself before he could see Redemption's King alive again. 


You see, it's how we view Jesus that matters. Do we see Him as "Savior" or just another "Hero?" My prayer is that Jesus will open our eyes to see Him more and more as He really is. He is God victorious!!


I John 5:4-5 (NLT) For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

Is He your "Savior" or are you justing hoping for a "Hero?"

The Book of Acts ~ Study Three

"The Next Step"


Acts 1:12-14 (NLT) Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, a distance of half a mile. When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying.
   Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James). They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.


I remember that right after my mother passed away our family wanted to be together all the time. It was probably the grief we shared but it was also the memories of Mom that we could talk about. We all had a common link and that was our relationship to her.


Jesus' mother Mary, his brothers, some of the women who followed Him and the remaining disciples had gathered in the upstairs room of the place they were staying. It was the place where those who had grieved the loss of their beloved Rabbi and son met. Now they were no longer grieving because Jesus had proved Himself to be alive. He proved Himself Lord. He had walked the earth for forty days after His death and resurrection and now had risen to sit at the right hand of God. Presently, those close to Jesus united in prayer constantly waiting for the next step.


What was this next step? How would they know what that next step was? Are you currently waiting for the next step in your life? Are you just walking around in circles?  


These dear people met together, held as one because of their common bond ~ "The Risen Christ." This same bond binds you and I together. He is the scarlet thread that wraps our hearts as one. Jesus had told the disciples to go to Jerusalem and wait. As they were waiting for this promised gift they prayed constantly.


The next step is always prayer. Some may think prayer is just a pat answer to the question of "What now?" It's not. It's the essential first step in our lives of faith. Not only are we to pray alone, we are to pray together.


Romans 12:12 (NLT) Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.


Prayer is our response to God. It is preparing for His will. The Greek words for "joined together constantly" (used in verse 14) is "eimi proskartereo" and means "to be present, to join, to be ready." Personal and solitary prayer is essential to knowing what God wants our next step to be. We must be ready to move when God says go. Our hearts must be in tune with His heart willing to follow His plan.


Colossians 4:2 (NLT) Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.


When we fall on our knees and acknowledge God and wait on Him, we are moving in the right direction. It is the position God wants us in because it tells Him that we are paying attention to Him and really want to know what His will is.


Those huddled together in prayer in this upstairs room patiently and faithfully waited on Him. And God answered their prayers in a big way. He wants us unified as believers, always wanting His perfect plan. Stay tuned to find out their next step.

Prayer is ALWAYS the first next step.

The Book of Acts ~ Study Two

"No Distractions"


Acts 1:6-11 (NLT) So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”
     He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
     After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”


I can't imagine how I would react to the resurrected Jesus, having just eaten a meal with me, giving me some things He wants me to do and then seeing Him lifted up in the sky and eventually disappearing. It would take two men dressed in white to close my mouth and get my attention back here on earth. These men have been through a lot in the last couple of months. Let's give them a break. They were a tad bit distracted.


The Disciples were Jewish through-and through. They believed that the Messiah was sent to be a Savior for Israel. But their view of "Messiah" was one of a military defender. He would be one who would firmly reestablish Israel as a nation, defending her from all other nations. So the disciples still weren't sure that He wasn't going to set up His Kingdom now. This is the verse the Jewish Nation bases their belief of "Messiah" then and now:


Jeremiah 23:5-6 (NLT) “For the time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. And this will be his name: ‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’ In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety.


If you look at the question that the disciples asked, then you would see that they weren't thinking along the same lines as Jesus. They wanted to know when His Kingdom would be set up. He was telling them that they would receive the power of God through the Holy Spirit indwelling them. You see Jesus had already defeated the foe who wanted them dead. He defeated Satan and death itself. They were focused on the here and now. On the threat of other nations like Rome. Jesus' focus is always eternal and He has already defeated our foes.


Now don't be looking down on the disciples. We aren't any different. Our focus is generally on what's happening to us now and how God is going to get us through it. Do you find yourself thinking about the here and now instead of what has been given to us that is truly eternal? Do we understand that what God has placed within each believer ~ the powerful Holy Spirit ~ is an awesome gift He has given us? I forget. I really do forget all too often. What we have dwelling within us is God's Kingdom already here. It is here in our hearts and will one day be set up on the earth fully renewed.


Jesus gently redirects the disciples to what's important. He said, "The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know." He tells them what IS important: "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you..." 


Jesus gently redirects you and me to what is important too. Everyday we focus on what's wrong instead of what's right. We can't control the government, the news, our family issues,....But, we do have the power to overcome them and focus on what matters. What matters is that Jesus has not left us alone to fend for ourselves. He has given the gift of God in our souls ~ the promised Holy Spirit of God Himself.


2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NLT) It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.


Our heads need to come down from the distraction of the clouds and what may happen. Rather, we should concentrate on what has been given to us to defeat the distractions and problems that we face daily. Let's place our eyes on Him and what He has placed within us.


Hebrews 12:2a (MSG) Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in.


Let's keep our eyes on Jesus and trust that He has given us the power to focus on what really matters ~ the defeat of sin and death. 

The Book of Acts ~ Study One

"What's Next"


Have you ever watched a great movie or read a good book and wondered what the characters did next? The New Testament Book of Acts is just that. It begins at the end of Jesus' time on earth and begins with what the Apostles did next. It's an amazing book written by a Gentile physician named "Luke." (see Easton's Bible Dictionary) 


Luke 1:1-4 (NLT) Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write a careful account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.


The NT Book of Luke was Dr. Luke's first book. Acts is the second book. It's the "what-happened-next" book. Luke was a careful historian and a devoted follower of Jesus. So we can read this book with confidence knowing that he was dedicated, educated and caring. Luke is mentioned throughout the NT and followed the Apostle Paul on a few of his trips. 


Now that we know a little bit about the author and what this book is about let's begin:


Acts 1:1-5 (NLT) In my first book  I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.
     Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”


Dr. Luke wrote this book to a man named "Theophilus" who was a Greek and of important ranking in society. (See NIV Compact Bible Dictionary) He too was a convert to Christianity and appears to be a friend of Luke. Because Luke was faithful with writing the history of the early church, many have been blessed by what he wrote. 


What are you doing with the knowledge you have? Do you share it with others? Do you share your Christian faith with others in such a way as to point them to Jesus? Are you curious like Dr. Luke? Dr. Luke was faithful in doing just that; learning and sharing. We should all take a lesson from him. Thanks Doc!


It's important to know that Jesus proved that he had indeed risen from the dead. Jesus appeared to the disciples and proved he was alive to many during the forty days before He physically left the earth. Luke knew this and wanted others to know that Jesus was indeed alive and Messiah. It is evident in the books he wrote. Here is an educated man who had a career as a physician, laying all aside to testify to the resurrection of Jesus. 


Let's turn our focus to the words of Jesus found in verses 4-5. During a meal that Jesus shared with the remaining disciples He ordered them to stay in Jerusalem until God the Father sent a special gift to them. What was this gift? How would they know that it was the real thing?


Jesus reminded them of what John the Baptist had said at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. Now it was the topic of His last conversation with them on earth.


Luke 3:16 (NLT) John answered their questions by saying, “I baptize you with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."


We will see that God did send this gift of baptism of fire and the Holy Spirit. (Coming soon) I'm sure the disciples were full of questions and maybe a bit confused as what was coming next. This is not unlike what we experience in life. Do you ever wonder what's around the corner? Maybe you wonder if God will ever make His presence known. 


God is always faithful. He never breaks His word. We may think that He does when things don't go as we've prayed for them to go. The disciples were commanded to "stay in Jerusalem." The question I pose to you today is this, "What is your Jerusalem?" What has the Lord told you to wait for? Are you waiting? Or, are you pushing for God's timetable to move?


Isaiah 48:17 (NLT) This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow."


God does have blessing in store. He knows the best timing and the perfect path for us to follow. Let's put our hope in Him.

I pray to God—my life a prayer— and wait for what he'll say and do. 

Psalm 130:5

The Book of Ruth ~ Devotion Twenty-Two

"God's Design"


Today is the last day of our study of Ruth. I have enjoyed it immensely and I hope you have to. The last portion of scripture includes a "happily ever-after" ending. But, it also includes genealogy of Boaz and Ruth. Reading these lists of family generations is like watching paint dry. However, look closely and you'll see how God plans things to the last detail and it always results in the best.


Ruth 4:13-22 (NLT) So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!”
     Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.


This is the genealogical record of their ancestor Perez:
Perez was the father of Hezron.
Hezron was the father of Ram.
Ram was the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab was the father of Nahshon.
Nahshon was the father of Salmon.
Salmon was the father of Boaz.
Boaz was the father of Obed.
Obed was the father of Jesse.
Jesse was the father of David.


Boaz took Ruth home to be his bride and she gave birth to a son named Obed. Naomi was so happy about this little guy. And the ladies in town (the same ones who whispered about her when she came back from Moab) spoke a blessing over her. They were in awe of how God had restored Naomi back to better than before. (I'd bet she didn't go by "Mara-bitter-one" now!) She was now Grandma Naomi ("My Joy"). 


The moral of the story is that God will restore you even when you've hit the lowest of lows. Naomi and Ruth lost everything and were knocking on heaven's door from hunger. Ruth had to harvest someone's left-overs so they could survive. 


Instead of dying, they grew in humility and honored God. Boaz, their kinsman-redeemer, came along (not by accident) and ransomed them from their dire situation. A marriage took place and a baby boy was born.


What type of situation in your life have you felt totally at your wit's end? Did or do you see a way out? Maybe you are in that situation now? If so, be encouraged by this story, a true story, of Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi.


1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG) No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.


God takes the impossible and creates the best possible outcome. When we're in the midst of a situation it seems like it will never work out. God is able. He will follow through in ways that we never expected. 


Mark 10:26-27 (MSG) That set the disciples back on their heels. "Then who has any chance at all?" they asked.
     Jesus was blunt: "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it."


There is no chance at all if God isn't part of our lives. He has made it possible for us to have a Savior. In fact, Ruth is one of the links in the chain of Jesus' human ancestry. She was the great-grandmother to King David and David is in the line of Jesus.


Matthew 1:5-6;16 (NLT)  Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David.........Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.


I'm sure no one in the Book of Ruth thought that through their lives they would be ancestors of the Messiah Himself. 


God uses our lives to create future generations that love and serve Him. Who knows what the issues you and I are going through now will produce to the glory and honor of His greatness if we're only obedient and honor Him.


God is the best planner and executor of His plans. When we interfere the results are always subpar. Let's learn from Ruth that God's design for our lives far exceeds ours. 

May God richly bless you!

Stayed tuned for the next study.