‘Look,’ said Naomi, ‘your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods.Go back with her.’ Ruth 1:15 (NIV)
Have you ever tried to minister to someone and they kept pushing you away? You tried to take them to lunch, do errands for them, or provide food for their family. Maybe you are the one who has refused offers of kindness?
Naomi did this very thing. Repeatedly, she refused the kind offers of Ruth and Orpah to return home with her. It became a tug-of-war.
“Let us go!”
“No, you must return home!”
“Please let us come with you.”
“No, you must return!”
In this passage of Scripture, the Hebrew word ‘sub’ is translated 6 times. This word can be translated as ‘to turn back, to cease from evil ways, movement back to the point of departure, to recede.’ This word is translated in 2 Kings 20:9-11 as a shadow that moves backward 10 steps (The Key Word Study NIV Bible, page 1556). Naomi used this word as a plea to her daughters-in-law to return or go back to their homes and their people. The daughters-in-law persistedly pleaded with Naomi. Repeatedly Naomi refused Ruth and Orpah.
Commentaries think Naomi was embarrassed to take two Moabite women home with her. Ruth and Orpah would be a reminder to Naomi, of the bitter things that happened to her. In addition, they would be a reminder to all of Bethlehem of how Naomi’s family had turned their back on God and His commandments.
People in need are often like Naomi; they have varied reasons for rejecting your kind offers. Maybe they are embarrassed by their circumstances, maybe they are angry with God, or maybe they simply do not want to be a bother to anyone else. However, if God wants you to minister to them, you must be persistent, no matter how many times they tell you to ‘return home.’ Find kind ways to help them without embarrassing them or arguing with them.
If you are refusing offers of help, it is time to let people minister to you. Quit saying, “Return to your home” and say, “Yes.”
“He who despises his neighbor sins,
but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.” Proverbs 14:21
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:5-8
Friday, December 11, 2009
Life Stuck in the Corner
“When she heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there.” Ruth 1:6 (NIV)
One by one, all of the men in Naomi’s life disappeared: first her husband then her two sons. What once was a close-knit family of six quickly became a patchwork family of three. Naomi might have loved her daughters-in-law, but they were not her sons.
“Surely, the Lord has turned His back on me,” Naomi thought.
What once was a Hebrew, patriarchal family story becomes to a story of lonely women, women who must provide for themselves. In all likelihood, Naomi had never made any life-altering decision before. Imagine how she felt: abandoned, frightened, cornered, and hungry.
It is interesting that Naomi heard, “The Lord has come to the aid of his people,” without applying this to herself. She didn’t hear, “The Lord comes to the aid of Naomi.” We might infer that Naomi felt forgotten or dismissed by God. You can understand how she could’ve felt this way. Wouldn’t you?
Have you ever felt like Naomi? Have you ever felt forgotten by God? Felt as if God sat you in a corner and walked away? Felt as if you were the only One God did not love?
If you are feeling this way today, meditate on the following verses and ask the Lord to show you how much He does love you:
“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Isaiah 49:16a (NIV)
I love how the Amplified translates this verse.
“Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each
of My hands.” Isaiah 49:16a (Amplified)
“The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:
‘I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness.’” Jeremiah 31:3(NIV)
One by one, all of the men in Naomi’s life disappeared: first her husband then her two sons. What once was a close-knit family of six quickly became a patchwork family of three. Naomi might have loved her daughters-in-law, but they were not her sons.
“Surely, the Lord has turned His back on me,” Naomi thought.
What once was a Hebrew, patriarchal family story becomes to a story of lonely women, women who must provide for themselves. In all likelihood, Naomi had never made any life-altering decision before. Imagine how she felt: abandoned, frightened, cornered, and hungry.
It is interesting that Naomi heard, “The Lord has come to the aid of his people,” without applying this to herself. She didn’t hear, “The Lord comes to the aid of Naomi.” We might infer that Naomi felt forgotten or dismissed by God. You can understand how she could’ve felt this way. Wouldn’t you?
Have you ever felt like Naomi? Have you ever felt forgotten by God? Felt as if God sat you in a corner and walked away? Felt as if you were the only One God did not love?
If you are feeling this way today, meditate on the following verses and ask the Lord to show you how much He does love you:
“See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Isaiah 49:16a (NIV)
I love how the Amplified translates this verse.
“Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each
of My hands.” Isaiah 49:16a (Amplified)
“The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:
‘I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with loving-kindness.’” Jeremiah 31:3(NIV)
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Who is your refuge and shelter in times of trouble?
“Now it came about in the days when the judges governed, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the land of Moab with his wife and his two sons.” Ruth 1:1 (NASV)
The times Elimelech and Naomi lived in were troubling indeed. The famine in the land was likely the result of a judgment from the One True God as the Israelites had turned to worship other gods. Elimelech, I am sure, wanted to protect his wife and children. His sons were sickly and continually in poor health. In fact, Vernon McGee translated Mahlon’s name as “unhealthy” and Chilion’s as “puny.” Imagine Naomi's pleading as she watches the grain stores shrink and her sons grow thinner by the minute. Imagine the shrillness of her voice as she argues for Elimelech to do something-- Anything so their sons will not die!
Elimelech did act. He journeyed to Moab for his answer.
Psalm 108:9 refers to Moab as 'a washpot' or 'a washbasin.' This pot was used for washing soldiers' feet. Some commentaries compared Moab to our present day 'trash can.' How ironic that Elimelech traveled from 'the house of bread' and 'praise' (the meaning of Bethlehem and Judah) to the 'washpot' of Moab. He traded the provisions of God for the food stores of a godless land. Elimelech’s family might have had full stomachs but their spirits were empty. (McGee, Vernon, Ruth, p. 15)
What do you do in your stressful times? Do you run to your 'trash can’ gods? You know what I mean: those small tiny gods that make you feel good for a moment but then plunge you into shame and sin. What is your Moab?
I am so thankful that God forgives and cleanses us as we turn from our ‘trash can’ gods to Him. Confess any 'trash can’ gods that you run to for comfort. Talk to Him about your troubles. Let Him be your refuge and stronghold.
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 (NIV)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and
purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
The times Elimelech and Naomi lived in were troubling indeed. The famine in the land was likely the result of a judgment from the One True God as the Israelites had turned to worship other gods. Elimelech, I am sure, wanted to protect his wife and children. His sons were sickly and continually in poor health. In fact, Vernon McGee translated Mahlon’s name as “unhealthy” and Chilion’s as “puny.” Imagine Naomi's pleading as she watches the grain stores shrink and her sons grow thinner by the minute. Imagine the shrillness of her voice as she argues for Elimelech to do something-- Anything so their sons will not die!
Elimelech did act. He journeyed to Moab for his answer.
Psalm 108:9 refers to Moab as 'a washpot' or 'a washbasin.' This pot was used for washing soldiers' feet. Some commentaries compared Moab to our present day 'trash can.' How ironic that Elimelech traveled from 'the house of bread' and 'praise' (the meaning of Bethlehem and Judah) to the 'washpot' of Moab. He traded the provisions of God for the food stores of a godless land. Elimelech’s family might have had full stomachs but their spirits were empty. (McGee, Vernon, Ruth, p. 15)
What do you do in your stressful times? Do you run to your 'trash can’ gods? You know what I mean: those small tiny gods that make you feel good for a moment but then plunge you into shame and sin. What is your Moab?
I am so thankful that God forgives and cleanses us as we turn from our ‘trash can’ gods to Him. Confess any 'trash can’ gods that you run to for comfort. Talk to Him about your troubles. Let Him be your refuge and stronghold.
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2 (NIV)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and
purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Thursday, April 23, 2009
God is like Maui
Driving from the airport to West Maui, you encounter the city of Kahului and all the buildings that a modern city would develop-K-Mart, Krispy Kreme (yes, really) and all the fast food places. However the further you drive, the more wild and untamed the island becomes.
On the ocean side of the very curvy road, there are resorts and condos. Most of these were built after 1970. But on the other side of the road, undeveloped land rises up to one of the extinct volcanoes on Maui. Looking at the volcano, especially at night, you don't feel very safe. The landscaping is not sculpted or manicured like Disney World. It is just the way the volcano left the land.
Lately, I've been impressed how God is like Maui. He is wild. We can not tame Him. We try to put Him in our manicured 'Disney-like' plans but He will not stay where we put Him. We make our own plans and then we try to squeeze this GREAT, WILD GOD into them. And He will not be squeezed.
In Biblical History, the people God put in our paths to study were people that listened to God and did risky things He called them to do. He didn't listen to their plans and fit His Kingdom around their plans. He called them out to take risks and let Him develop the plan.
One of the books I've been reading is In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson. He has challenged me to think about my life and the risks I ignore. I'm ashamed of the things God has called me to and I've ignored or pushed into a corner because of my fear. I want to choose the adventure God has for me rather than hold onto my fear.
How about you? How do you handle God? Or does He handle you?
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Devil Lives at Krispy Kreme
When you turn 50, there are many things that change, the most notable is weight gain over nothing. Look at a piece of apple pie-gain 5 pounds, eat a bowl of Edy's Birthday cake ice creme-gain 10 pounds. Therefore I've been watching my calories, drinking more water and walking more. Things had been going well so I was encouraged to even keep these disciplines during our vacation.
During our vacation that week, I had just enough calories left at the end of one day to eat one Krispy Kreme doughnut and a glass of cold, skim milk. So we pull up to a Krispy Kreme. The first thing we notice is the 'hot' sign is not on. Somewhat disappointed, we pulled through the drive-thru and ordered 1 cruller and 1 blueberry filled doughnut. We continued to pull up to pay for our late night snack when the young cashier hands us a small bag on top of a dozen hot Krispy Kremes and says, "Enjoy a free dozen of Krispy Kremes!"
The devil's headquarters that night was Krispy Kreme.
During our vacation that week, I had just enough calories left at the end of one day to eat one Krispy Kreme doughnut and a glass of cold, skim milk. So we pull up to a Krispy Kreme. The first thing we notice is the 'hot' sign is not on. Somewhat disappointed, we pulled through the drive-thru and ordered 1 cruller and 1 blueberry filled doughnut. We continued to pull up to pay for our late night snack when the young cashier hands us a small bag on top of a dozen hot Krispy Kremes and says, "Enjoy a free dozen of Krispy Kremes!"
The devil's headquarters that night was Krispy Kreme.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
<3
Look at the title for this blog. What does mean to you?
I had seen it many times on myspace and thought, "Less than 3. Interesting. Wonder what that has to do with their boyfriend?
Come to find out, it means 'heart' or 'love.' And if you turn your head to the right side and squint your eyes, you can see it is a heart.
Another thing learned. My day is complete.
I had seen it many times on myspace and thought, "Less than 3. Interesting. Wonder what that has to do with their boyfriend?
Come to find out, it means 'heart' or 'love.' And if you turn your head to the right side and squint your eyes, you can see it is a heart.
Another thing learned. My day is complete.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Check Your Joy
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. Esther 9:22
Sometimes life’s circumstances can suck the joy right out of you. A beautiful Jewish woman who God brought to power as the great Xerxes’ wife experienced this joy thief. Remember how she held the King’s heart in her hand. (And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vasht .Esther 2:17(KJV)) I can only imagine what she must have felt or experienced as the King’s favorite. To be at the center of the power of this great empire, stretching from India to Ethiopia, must have been heady.
Then, suddenly, her world and her very life were threatened. Don’t you think Esther, treasured queen, felt as if the joy had evaporated from her world as Haman plotted the destruction for the Jewish people? (This story of destruction is found in Esther 3.) Esther knew she and her people faced certain death. They all needed rescuing.
But follow the story further into the book of Esther and find how God intervened and rescued His people. Out of this rescue came the new holiday Purim. Look at their celebration in Esther 9:22 (See this verse at the top of the devotion.): What did their celebration look like? How did they celebrate this rescue? What emotions were involved? How marvelous is our God to rescue people out of certain death and turn their sorrow in to joy.
At some time in your life, just like Esther, you faced certain spiritual death and all your joy could have evaporated out of your life at a moment’s notice. However, if you asked Jesus to give you the marvelous gift of salvation, you were rescued from this certain death. And His joy was added to your life.
Do you have your own Feast of Purim? A time when you celebrate your rescue from certainty of spiritual death? Maybe you do this at Christmas or Easter or times you participate in the Lord’s Supper. Sometimes we forget to celebrate the good things or people in our lives, and as a result our lives become joyless. Are you bogged down by the circumstances of your life? Are you joyless?
Maybe this week you need to take a day, hour or moment to have your own joy celebration. Remember how you needed a Savior. Remember how Jesus rescued you. Finally, rejoice with someone else over your rescue. Joy turned from sorrow is a good thing.
Dear Jesus, Help me to make time this week to celebrate with joy how You rescued me. Thanks for reminding me of this fact. Amen.
*An interesting fact about Purim: the word Purim means lots. Haman (the evil guy in Esther) cast lots to decide the date of the Jewish execution. I’m glad God does not cast lots to see who He rescues.
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