New Year Notes.

As Christians we are bombarded, like insects under the onslaught of Doom, by negativism.
It appears that problems of all sorts and varieties can be laid at our door without expectation of reprisals. If one weak Christian can be identified, all will fall under condemnation for whatever atrocity has been committed.
We need at all times to be on our guard, giving honour to God in all we do and say. Be careful! Watch out for attacks from satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart. (1Peter 5:8)
As we look to the New Year with all its possibilities, we should join with Paul in his 2nd letter to the believers in Thessalonica when we pray for each other.
May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you rich blessings and peace filled hearts and minds. (2 Thess 1:2)
Do not be disheartened if you suffer and are punished or persecuted because of your faith, for God will give you rest … when the Lord Jesus appears suddenly from heaven in flaming fire with His mighty angels, bringing judgment on those who do not wish to know God and who refuse to accept His plan to save them through our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thess 1:7,8)
But – what about the coming again of the Lord Jesus, the subject for which we are so often ridiculed and reviled? What is it about this event which we await with patience, but also with fear for our loved ones who do not look to Him for hope and answers?
That day will not come until two things happen: first there will be a time of great rebellion against God--- do you see it now? --- then the man of rebellion will come – the son of hell.
He will claim that he is God --- this man of sin will come as satan’s tool and will trick everyone with strange demonstrations, and will do great miracles. He will completely fool those who are on their way to hell because they have said no to the Truth ---
Don’t just take my word for it – read 2 Thessalonians from which I have quoted in The Living Bible.
I pray that in the coming year Truth, Peace and Joy will fill your hearts and minds so that you live in contentment and partnership with the Lord Jesus Christ.

From Blindness to Seeing the Light

A man, blind from birth! Can you imagine it?
In my darkest fears I would dread losing my sight. Perhaps this is because I have seen beauty, have learned to read and write, know colours, have watched a sunset, and a sunrise in different venues, and have seen the magnitude and the splendour of God’s creation all around me. If I had not known these things, how would life appear? Drab? Colourless? Flat? Yes, I could learn to reaf Braille, and perhaps come to understand in a limited way something of colour, and height and depth, distance and perspective, beauty that I would read of. Nevertheless my inner vision would be incomplete, as I understand it now, but perhaps under the circumstances, as far as my mind could understand, it would be complete.
Relate this to spiritual blindness.
How do we become Christians? By acknowledging our sinful state and need of a Saviour! We believe, and accept in faith, that Jesus paid a price for us. We receive Him and ask that He take over in our lives: in effect we ask that He would become Lord of our lives. Consequently He begins a work in us, and we become less while He, in us, reveals more of Himself through the working of his Holy Spirit. The more He works in us, the more we see and understand. Like the alphabet we progress –
A – Acknowledging our need
B – Believing that Jesus Christ meets that need
C – Confessing our
D – Dependence on Him and
E – Expecting His
F – Forgiveness of our sin, by
G – Grace giving us His
H – Holy Spirit to
I – Indwell us, thus bringing us
J – Joyfully into the
K – Kingdom of God.
L – Love, seeded from the father
M – Moves our hearts and Motivates us;
N – Nurtures love in us,
O – Opening doors of Opportunity,
P – Pointing us in Preparation,
Q – Quietly giving us a Quest to
R – Repeat what we have learned, and
S – Seeing others receive Salvation and
T – Teaching them hitherto
U – Unknown truths about the
V – Victory available in Christ,
W – Wonderful release from bondage
X – through the Cross of Christ
Y – Y? Because he loves us all and wants us to join Him in His Kingdom work, and to gain the crown He promises when we live with him in heaven! He who began a good work in us will continue it and bring it to completion – to
Z – Z – end. Completion in Christ Jesus our Lord, and then – Every eye shall see Him, and every tongue rejoice --! Every tongue will confess Jesus Christ as Lord! For some it will be too late!
They thought they could see, but it was only in their own mindset, incomplete, and unwilling to be healed! For the rest? Fulfilment! Promises kept! No more blindness. SIGHT!

Writing Encouragement

Preparation for our monthly Writer’s Group meeting is completed, and as always the Lord’s guidance was needed. I am constantly aware of our need to commit our all to Him, and the choice for our devotional confirmed this.
I am completely discouraged – I lie in the dust. Revive me by your Word. I told you my plans and you replied. Now give me your instructions. Make me understand what you want; for then I shall see your miracles. I weep with grief; my heart is heavy with sorrow; encourage and cheer me with your words. Keep me far from every wrong; help me, undeserving as I am, to obey your laws, for I have chosen to do right. I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can. Lord, don’t let me make a mess of things. If you will only help me to want your will, then I will follow your laws even more closely. Psalm 119:25.32 TLB.
Sometimes we are bound to be discouraged by our writing problems. They creep up on us unawares, and no matter how keen we are, the days arrive when either the tide or the time is against us. The tide washes flotsam and jetsam our way, and frustrations arise; doubts in our abilities, questions about being in God’s will, criticisms that make us stumble, and, you name it, you know the sorts of things that happens. And of course time is always a piece of popular procrastination reasoning. It is not there for our convenience, it is there to use conveniently, and that means fitting our priorities into our time.
Having gone through the ‘nanowrimo’ project, I can speak with a little more authority on the need for personal accountability, so this passage will be a constant prayer.
Having got the Writer’s Group going, I am wondering about taking on another challenge – one more Writers Blog! Anyone else interested in joining in, to connect with each other and share news and views? Come, Glorify the Lord with Me!
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV)

Perseverance Towards a Goal

Isn’t it great when the end is in sight? Having just completed an experience that will be repeated, I am looking back with relief, forward in anticipation and watching my husband consider the whole ordeal with dread!
The month of November was introduced to me as National Novel Writing Month, and participants from all over the world join in for a ‘writeathon; 50 000 words in 30 days. The result is the first draft of a novel, options covering many genres. So I embarked on the 8th of the month, already way behind the optimum average of 1666 words per day. By the end of the first week I had a gratifying 10 000 words, and it felt so good. The average short story contains 3 – 5000 words, and that had been fine up until now. The only problem was that the other participants were mostly hitting the half way mark.
Paul said, “Press on towards the goal - ” and I look at that passage again and I see the goal is to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)
Now I know that many people have to persevere in trying circumstances, but I think of a son preparing for a triathlon, and I know he will be asking the Lord’s help for the keeping on when the going gets tough, just as I did in my less physically active effort.
Trusting in the Lord is an essential in any endeavour, and my desire is to awaken the knowledge of the glory of God in young hearts, yet feeling so often unable. “Who am I?” I thought, “that You should give me such a challenge/” I received the words of the Psalmist, "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him. You made him a little lower than the angels, (heavenly beings) and crowned him with glory and honour.” (Psalm 8:4,5)
That is awesome – He cares for us, and we are valuable to Him!
I don’t know whether He wants to use my efforts only to encourage me, to show that I can achieve a dream, or does He intend to use my efforts to encourage others? He knows – He is God – and I continue, one step at a time into a long stretch of editing, cutting, adding, pasting, tweaking, and whatever else that needs to be done.
I press on, and praise my Lord for his Presence, His whispering, “Keep on, for I am with you, I will never leave you, ‘nor forsake you …

Peace? Goodwill? Christmas is Coming,

It is that time of year again. The time of rejoicing because our Saviour came!
It is also the time when satan is rampant with rage at the knowledge he is impotent against the Lord of Hosts. I do not advocate laying every adversity at his feet, for many troubles are unfortunately self inflicted, when wrong choices have been made and the consequences are devastating. We make many mistakes, and have to pay for them by the law of results and retribution, but the fact remains that Christmas is the time when so many people suffer unexpectedly, and heartbreak is the theme of the season. Satan is too willing to use his opportunity to raise those questions in the minds of the afflicted, “Why does God allow such tragedy? If God is so good, why could he not prevent this disaster?”
Coping with sudden tragedy remains a problem that is not easily solved, even those in a close relationship with the Lord finding the difficulties of acceptance of His will only within His Presence. His Word sheds some light on the ways to cope, but Christian fellowship remains a key for comfort.
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him, and he in God, 1John 4:15.
As a little boy so wisely said when someone helped him in a troubled time, “Jesus came, with skin on.”
Jesus came in the flesh, and was seen and touched by many.
A friend recently sent a message that they were at Larnaca in Cyprus where Lazarus supposedly lived and died after he was brought back to life by Jesus. He died again and his remains are said to have been found there.
An empty tomb proclaims my Saviour lives!
He knows our hurts and grief. He understands our pain. Already too much has been suffered in the prelude to the Christmas celebration, and I think He suffers too as He sees what is happening.
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. Psalm 56:8 (NLT)
Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until this violent storm is past. Ps 57:1 (NLT)
The NIV says I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
At this time of year many people need these verses as comfort, but how much sadder for those who do not know the One referred to as the help and refuge that is needed. Jesus Christ said, If anyone opens the door (of heart and mind, to accept) I will come in and sup (eat, drink, live) with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20.
Don’t wait! If you don’t know Him, meet with Him now!

Procrastinating Posting

With giving God the Glory being a priority, I yet do some weird things that become major boulders in my walk with Him.
I came across a web site that opens its doors to writers for the month of November, giving a challenge to write a novel of 50 000 words before midnight on the 30th! Well, there seems to be a lot of cricket going on, which keeps my other half occupied between DIY bouts, so although the month was already underway, and I was about to leave for a week-end conference, I took up the challenge.
The month was already a week under way before I got some notes together, and managed my synopsis, and now, on the 11th, having garnered more notes and scattered ideas, I have an unbalanced and shaky story underway. Without a LOT of editing it won’t be seeing the light of day in black and white for a long time, but the fun of new discipline is getting to me. It is not getting to others though, and my almost 16 000 words is not impressive to those who starve around me!
The idea is to teach Truth in Christian principles to young folk today who may be looking for help. Life is not getting easier for them, but we live in exciting times. I want them to know that God looks down from Heaven on the entire human race. He looks to see if there is even one with real understanding; one who seeks for God. Psalm53:2
Having enjoyed a great Baptist Women Conference, and heard so many ladies sharing on their concerns for their young families, I know I am not alone in the desire to see God’s Will being done. The knowledge that It is not His will that any should be lost, 2 Peter 3:9 keeps me hoping that many will hear His voice and turn to Him. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, says: I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:16
How great to know His grace and mercy works on, even in me!

Of Provision, Plenty and Prosperity.

When is enough, enough? And where does it all come from? When can adequate provision be called prosperity? What is the priority for gain?
All these questions I asked myself when considering the idea of enough but not too much! I was thinking of my riches, and indeed they are plenty, and considering how generous the Lord is in His provision, while realising how He measures prosperity. We have been prospered in ways I could not have imagined through my own prayerful requests, and not even recognised in some of the initial provisions. The realisation that A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions, Luke 12:15, brought me to an understanding of 4 specific blessings for which I need to acknowledge my indebtedness.
1) LOVE. God is love, and He showers His presence on us with such abundance that sometimes we only see it when it has grown, missing it in its infancy. Love is not some pleasurable emotion that sends shivers down our spine, palpitations to our heart and weakness to our knees. No, Love is hurtful, risky, yet rewarding. Love comes unbidden, and in many forms. Love can swell through the first sight of a new-born baby, through the breaking heart of rebellion, criticisms, accusations, arguments, pain and separation. Love can start with simple attraction, sympathy, empathy, mutual agreement, and progress through disaster, disagreement, differences and disorder. Love grows through persistence, and in spite of, rather than because of, behaviour, reciprocity or similarity. Love cannot be earned; it comes unbidden, and includes hurt, misunderstandings, betrayals, rejections, as well as pleasure, friendship, consideration and comfort. Only when we love, lose, suffer and survive, can we know what real love is.
I may speak in the language of humans and of angels. But if I don’t have love I am a loud gong or clashing cymbal. I may have the gift to speak what God Hs revealed, and I may understand all mysteries and have all knowledge. I may even have enough faith to move mountains. But if I don’t have love, I am nothing. I mayeven give away all I have and give up my body to be burned. But if I don’t have love, none of these things will help me. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn’t jealous. It doesn’t sing its own praises. It isn’t arrogant. It isn’t rude. It doesn’t think about itself. It isn’t irritable. It doesn’t keep track of wrongs. It isn’t happy when injustice is done, but is happy with the truth. Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up … 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 (God’s Word.)
Only when we are broken by the love that consumes us can we know the Father heart of God who says, ... Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you ... Hebrews 13:5 – for we cannot forsake the love He has given us from His own heart, to us and for us, as well as to others and for them.
My family is distant, some more than others, in physical distance as well as emotional, some having come and gone, all having made an imprint on my heart that cannot be erased. Some show no return of love or concern, but love cannot be erased, and is a gift of God. How grateful I am for the abundance of love the Father has given. I am richly blessed.
2) FAITH. In difficult situations despair can creep in and weaken our spirit. Sometimes situations seem interminable with solutions out of reach, but the trick involves keeping on in spite of circumstance. Faith is not built under the circumstances, but above the circumstances of our lives. So many times when things have seemed so low that release seemed a barren hope, survival and going forward has proved possible. When ‘Underneath are the everlasting arms’ is the knowledge to be clung to, then faith is confirmed and built upon. The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, 'Destroy him!' Deuteronomy 33:27.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39. (NIV) My faith has grown through the chapters in my life so that it is yet a treasure to be tapped to its full potential, but sufficient always for hope to triumph. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus and His faithfulness. On Christ the solid rock I stand – all other ground is sinking sand …

3) PEACE. How can life be understood without knowledge of God’s promises, and how can peace be found in the turmoil of life around us? The peace of God that passes all understanding is a promise that can only be understood in the light of our experience of God’s ways and. You will hear of wars and rumours of wars. Don’t be alarmed! These things must happen, but they don’t mean that the end has come. Nation will fight against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All of these are only the beginning pains of the end. Matthew 24:6-8. (God’s Word.) Wars and rumours of wars surround us. Unrest, weather anomalies, earthquakes, lawlessness, violence, immorality, lies – all signs of the times of Noah when God said “Enough is enough! No more!” and sent a flood of gigantic proportions, greater than any tsunami of today’s extent. Afterwards, He said, Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. As longas the earth endures, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease. Genesis 8:21-22. (NIV.)

4) JOY! In all these things I have abundance of JOY! Prosperity is moot. May I share some wisdom gained through years of prayer in petition, praise, and thanksgiving.

a. Do not inflict me with love for money Psalm 119:36b
b. Don’t give me either poverty or riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise I may have too much and disown you and say ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God. Proverbs 30:8,9
c. Honour the Lord with your wealth … Proverbs 3:9
d. When God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work – this is a gift of God. Ecclesiastes 5:19.

Lamentations and Gilad Schalit

Jerusalem cries bitterly at night with tears running down its cheeks. Out of all those who love the city, no one offers it comfort. All of Jerusalem’s friends have betrayed it and become its enemies. Lamentations 1:2 (God’s Word edition)
The world in general turns its back on Israel but the faithful remnant bring hope.
Reading from the Book of Lamentations and following the story on the release of Gilad Schalit in exchange for 1,027 Palestinian terrorists, made me think of the old adage, what goes around comes around.
Coinciding with the Feast of Tabernacles celebrations, there was great jubilation amongst the pilgrims from all over the world, showing solidarity between Jews and Christians. ICEJ (International Christian Embassy of Jerusalem) Executive Director Dr. Juergen Buehler said, "We share the relief and joy of the Schalit family and all Israel that Gilad has come back alive. We also share the pain of so many that the price for his return has meant having to set ruthless murderers free.”
MK David Rotem, chairman of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus, said in a speech at the conclusion of festivities, that all over the world there were people trying to take part of Jerusalem away from Israel, "but your presence here is because you know that the covenant between God and Abraham is real and no one can work against this covenant." (ICEJ News)
How true this is will be seen in future events, as another 4000 terrorists await their release. A lesson still to be learnt is the one the psalmist wrote. "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes." (Psalms 118:8,9)
We need to stand with Israel - the Lord is at work there!

The Significance of Sincerity.

We were at a church camp, years ago, and the visiting preacher gave us a challenge after the opening evening meeting. “Don’t go to sleep,” he said, “until the Lord has given you something you did not know before.”
I can’t remember how it happened, but before I went to sleep, I had memorised Jeremiah 33:3 Call on me and I will tell you great and wonderful things that you have not known. And I know without a doubt that any wisdom of worth must come from Him! Another WOW!
So when our Cell Group suggested they would like to study Malachi as our next theme, I started looking for fresh insights. Who was Malachi, besides being the last link between the Old and New Testaments, with a gap of 4 or 5 hundred years between? He must be another one like those I mentioned when we looked at the story of Ruth. Like Elimelech, Mahlon and Killion, the names were given to show meaning and Malachi means My Messenger! It follows that his message must be extremely important.
The message came to a disgruntled and disillusioned people. They had been restored to their land of Israel after 70 years of exile, living under Babylonian rule. They had resumed temple sacrifices and professed to be again worshipping Yahweh, the one true God. But where was He? Long, long before this time, when God had first brought His people into the Promised Land, Joshua had said to them, Now therefore fear Yahweh, and serve him in sincerity and in truth. Put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, in Egypt; and serve Yahweh. Joshua 24:14
Time and time again, the people had disobeyed, and each time the Lord called them back. Their history was littered with attempts to run things their way! Now, here they were again, having seen God’s provision through the generosity of a Persian king, Artaxerxes, and the God given wisdom of Ezra and Nehemiah to resettle them in their land, taking matters into their own hands. “Where is God?” they asked. Who knows what they expected? Did they look for a new, charismatic prophet, or did they want further evidence of God’s presence and provision? They had begun farming again, and were secure within city walls, in rebuilt homes and with a restored temple in which to offer sacrifices. Did they want miracles? Were they hoping for riches and acclaim? Was their expectation in a moderately worshipful life, trouble free ease and plenty? Whatever they wanted was not received, and gradually they fell back into exploitation of the weak and poor, shortcuts in worship and sacrifice, intermarriage with surrounding pagans, yet complaining and unreasonable in their demands. Why did God not respond to their prayers they wondered? Then God’s Messenger came to them.
It sounds so familiar. How is our world today? How is my worship and praise? Oh, within the right circles all may look well. But how is my heart before God?
Last night we enjoyed an evening celebrating 70 years of service of the Union Bible Institute in our city. More than 2000 alumni have gone out from there into the harvest fields, and the sincerity of those present was tangible. Eyes were shining, dimples were twinkling, mouths were smiling, and hearts were rejoicing, with voices raised in jubilation. Why then, outside and back in ‘the world’ do we have so many pessimistic remarks? Why such dull attitudes and questions bandied about as though cheeks are padded with wads of lemon segments? Why the negativism? Is it because things are not going as we think they should? Is God not doing as we think He should? Do we deserve better?
I was reading Psalm 90 … Return, Lord! How long …? Change your plans about us, your servants. Satisfy us every morning with your mercy so that we may sing joyfully and rejoice all our days. Make us rejoice for as many days as you have made us suffer, for as many years as we have experienced evil. Let us, your servants, see what you can do. Let us your children see your glorious power. Let the kindness of the Lord our God be with us. Make us successful in everything we do. Yes, make us successful in everything we do. Psalm 90:13-17 God’s Word
Do we have the right so to pray with the psalmist?
Malachi challenged the people about their insincerity. He said they were only going through the motions of worship, and sacrificing blemished animals while keeping the best for themselves. He challenges me to be sure that I don’t worship out of habit, or with distractions, or just because I like the tunes!
Malachi said God would visit His people, and they should be prepared. God expected his people to wait patiently. When He next spoke to them it was through Jesus.He came then as a baby.
We are waiting for Jesus to come again? He will come as He has promised in the book of Revelation Are we ready?
Are we sincere in the promises we make to our Lord?

What is a Shiggaion? An impassioned plea!.

When I read Psalm 7 earlier this week, I did not realise that the train of thought begun by the introduction of the psalm would become so meaningful.
The word shiggaion is used at the start of the Psalm, and it intrigued me, but only after a series of events challenging me to prayer, did I again look for the meaning.
The Psalm is described as a Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning the slanderous words of Cush, a Benjamite.
In Habbakuk 3:1 we read, A prayer of the prophet Habbakuk; according to Shigionoth. In verse 2, Habbakuk goes on to say, Lord, I have heard the report about you. Lord, I fear your work. In the course of the years, renew it. In the course of the years reveal it. In all this chaos remember to be merciful.
Yes, in the course of the years all will be revealed, and God will emerge triumphant in the lives of all concerned. Meantime, chaos erupted with a phone call from a daughter, “Mom, please pray.” In a foreign country, with language an additional problem, a grandson was being victimised, and slanderous comments were being made. This is doubly depressing when a child is involved, and his faith is being challenged. “I don’t feel like reading my Bible,” he said, “or talking to God. He doesn’t seem to be listening.” This from an 11year old. As adults we know how easily a comment or action can be misunderstood, but a child expects fairness in authority, and is doubly disappointed when such is not given. It makes me think seriously of Matthew 18:6,7!
With David, we can pray a paraphrased version of his words. O Lord my God, we have taken refuge in you. Save me and rescue me from all who are pursuing me. Psalm 7:1. Knowing that we have the victory in Christ we can proclaim I will give thanks to the Lord for His righteousness. I will make music to praise the name of the Lord most high. Psalm 7:17
Our prayers come as a shiggaion, which is an impassioned plea, or a lyrical poem composed under strong mental emotion; a dithyrambic ode. (A usually short poem in an inspired wild irregular strain : a statement or writing in an exalted or enthusiastic vein)
Much writing has gone back and forth within the family and between countries since the original reading of the Psalm, and many questions have been raised about the abilities of teachers who fail to recognise potentially dangerous repercussions from ill-considered perceptions and pronouncements to a child in their care. But our God is faithful, and he brings wisdom to the situation in His perfect ways.

For my child I pray that he will grow in wisdom and that this temporary setback will teach him wisdom and perseverance. May he know the strength of prayer and the shiggionoth (plural) of our impassioned pleas.
Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your path smooth. Proverbs 3:5,6

Running the Race.

It is a matter of self discipline, an area where I have difficulty, and where I battle to sort out priorities. This morning I asked the Lord to direct me, and to rebuke or confront me in those areas where I am failing Him. If I need to be challenged or reminded - a constant necessity - then I wait His guidance. In my book, it is an encouragement even to receive censure for then I know He hears and responds. I want to know I am in His service and that He still has something for me to do, weak and wilful though I am with my own agenda. I reviewed my plans and asked for His leading, then turned to my Daily Light reading. I might have guessed! The lead verse was from Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is …patience.

It was followed by: Everyone who competes in the game goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27.

 If I have that right my responsibility is to get on with the important things in life today – preparation for Writer’s Club meeting, following instructions regarding our Church web-site, preparation for Cell Group meeting, being light and salt to those around me, keeping my house in order, sharing this insight with my Blog readers , getting in touch with family with answers to queries they have laid before me, contacting those friends and family who think I don’t care, oh, and planning meals, shopping, fulfilling an urgent  order for rusks  … I forgot to ask my Lord for order of action! Isn’t life wonderful? Certainly never boring, and the Lord’s sense of humour keeps us on our toes! Running!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Where in the World is Bougainville?

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God….

Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world. 1 Corinthians 1:18,20

I started this morning with a comparison between looking at the world through secular eyes, via Webster’s Universal World facts, a recent addition to my library, and Operation World, a prayer resource.

Being blessed with a couple of editions of Writer’s Forum, courtesy of a friend returning from a holiday in England, the September edition contained the free Webster’s so it was with anticipation that I looked through it for ideas. Looking to Operation World for the countries designated for today, I found, at the tail end of various pages about Papua New Guinea, a place I confess was unknown to me, Bougainville. With an interesting history of political struggle and instability in a fight for independence, the challenges for prayer were numerous. Problems between the Papua New Guinea government and the islanders in their desire for independence, as well as an ongoing unsteadiness of the economy, majority sub-standard income being from subsistence farming, made me realise how volatile is the existence of small communities or countries.  Together with Buka, a sister island, Bougainville is culturally and geographically a part of the Solomon Islands, but politically a part of PNG.

In Webster’s mention of this same place, all I learnt was that it is the easternmost island belonging to Papua New Guinea and that it is a part of, though politically separate from the Solomon Islands.

Where are my thought taking me, you may ask. Well, it is the difference between worldly understanding and Spiritual understanding. The information from Webster’s gives no encouragement for further thought, and the world shows little concern. But the knowledge of spiritual paucity, material poverty, and political insecurity from Operation World has my thoughts and prayers focussed on specific needs, and a desire for God’s good and perfect will to be made known to the Melanesian and Polynesian peoples of this 9,300 square acre blob in the South Pacific. I didn’t know about them but God does! They don’t know about the people who use Operation World as a prayer guide, and will be praying for them today, but God does. Before I can make myself out to be better than I am, I must say that Operation World is not a regular, but more of a sporadic tool, so I am no great intercessor, but Christ is!

Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. Luke 22:31. This is a  verse that has been an encouragement through the years. The people of Bougainville have great spiritual needs. There is little evangelical presence, and revival is needed in the church. Genuine faith in Christ is called for, and Jesus Himself is praying for them, just as He prays in intercession for you and me.  It is good to be reminded of small places, as well as the other mighty needs of the world, and to know the God who is in control.

Abandoned? Or Redeemed!

How amazing are the deeds of the Lord! All who delight in Him should ponder them. Everything He does reveals His glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. Psalm 111:2,3. (LB)

Why, then, do people fall away? How can anyone who has known His grace, set it aside and choose their own will against His? Is it because they have not recognised His grace, but choose instead to see it as refusal to bow to their will?

I continue in my musings on the apostate compared with the apostle. An apostate is one who abandons a belief or principle, and in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians he addresses this matter in chapter 5 when he writes of “anyone who calls himself a brother”. By this he appears to accept that once having called on the Name of the Lord, and therefore having expressed allegiance, but having since fallen back into sin, that person may still call himself a brother, but is not to be accepted in the fellowship. I see hope in this in that the Lord does not abandon His children, but estrangement must occur within the church family until repentance brings the brother back into the fold.

What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. Expel the wicked man from among you. 1 Corinthians 5:12,13. (NIV) Hard words indeed, which are difficult to swallow when on the receiving end of such judgment, and prone to feel persecuted and unloved. Yet the main reasons for such judgment appear to be clear and uncompromising.  But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 1 Cor 5:11.

In conversation with people who have suffered this indignity, it is difficult for them to see the need for strict observance of God’s law, and it is easy for them to say, “Well, if that is how the church feels, then I will have nothing more to do with them.”  And so begins the need for a special ministry in helping a lost sheep back into the fold.

Many years ago I was excommunicated from the Anglican Church, and told I could no longer take communion, or serve as lay preacher, because I was considering re-marriage after divorce. In their eyes, my sin was not divorce but the prospect of adultery. Fortunately, because of my strengthened relationship with the Lord, and through Godly counsel, I was not permanently damaged spiritually, and I recognise that God’s grace is sufficient, and His forgiveness complete. He knows my innermost heart, and ministers to me daily by His Word and constant love. But what of those whose need is a fresh perception and deeper understanding of His Agape love?

As I continued my thoughts on Apostasy, and why people turn away from their God, I was challenged by the thoughts of broken relationships within the family. How can God’s Word be applied in the worldly situations of break down in family relationships, when estrangement seems unsurmountable? Sing praises to God and to His Name! Sing loud praises to Him who rides the clouds. His Name is the Lord – rejoice in His presence! Father to the fatherless, defender of widows – this is God whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families; He sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But for rebels there is only famine and distress. Psalm 68:4-6

I was a rebellious teen, a rebellious wife, and a rebellious parent, wanting things to work out my way, but the Lord has shown His faithfulness. I try not to rebel anymore, for who wants famine and distress? Living in Joy is a great privilege and one I do not want to lose! I have learnt, like Evelyn Christensen, to say, “Lord, please change me” as there was no way I could change anyone else.  I must accommodate their differences. God has said “No” to me many times, and I have learnt to say, “Not my will, but Yours, Lord.” I don’t ask for changes in anyone else anymore. I have asked for patience, a dangerous request, but the Lord as ever is gracious. He gives lots of opportunities to learn it.

Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn’t jealous. It doesn’t sing its own praises. It isn’t arrogant. It isn’t rude. It doesn’t think about itself. It isn’t irritable. It doesn’t keep track of wrongs. It isn’t happy when injustice is done, but it is happy with the truth. Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up. Love never comes to an end. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (God’s Word)

Speaking from first hand experience I have learned that my constant prayer must be “Equip me, Lord, for I am weak.”

The glory of the young is their strength; the grey hair of experience is the splendour of the old. Proverbs 20:29 Therein lies hope!

Don't Let a Thorny Problem Keep You From The Promise!

I have been looking at the subject of Apostasy – the hows and whys – and in the midst of my musings we enjoyed our cell group meeting when the issue came up under another guise.

What was Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” allowed by God?

Paul is speaking of the wonderful ways in which God has taken him from unbelief, as a persecutor of the believers in Christ, to being an apostle – one sent on the mission of God, to proclaim the reality of Christ.

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of satan, to torment me. 2 Corinthians10:7.

There has been much speculation as to what the “thorn,” of Paul’s affliction was, but, as with Job, it appears to have been permitted as a satanic taunt, to keep him humble.

Verse 8 goes on, Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” In other words, in answer to fervent and persistent prayer, the answer was “NO!” And this is where many people battle, and don’t understand what Paul recognised. He had to depend wholly and completely on God and not on his own strength and abilities. The reminder stayed with him so that he would not become conceited and promote himself.

We are not all mighty preachers of the gospel like Paul but we all have a part to play in God’s perfect plan.

*He has called each of us by name. Isaiah 43:1; John 10:1-16

* He has a plan for us. Jeremiah 29:11

* He will equip us to do and be as he asks. Philippians 4:13

* He gives us free will, so we are at liberty to say “no” – and lose our rewards. John 3:16-21,36; John 6:35-40

Because we cling to our own selfish desires, and want to understand only in our personal sphere of perception, we lose opportunities to receive His provision in our lives. We ask, then cavil and complain when He says “No.” What we tend to disallow is that He is God and we are not, much as we would like Him to listen to our demands, and do things our way.

Andy Stanley says that our greatest weakness is God’s greatest opportunity – if we trust Him! His grace is given to us when we lean on Him instead of trying to stand alone.

In the Parable of the Sower, (Matthew 13:1-9 & 18-23) we read that some seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Our own discontent can choke our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, and our dissatisfaction with His provision can lose our security in Him.

Consider this God who calls us into a relationship with His Son. Isaiah 40:12 speaks of His being able to hold the waters of all the oceans in the hollow of His hand, and to measure the whole of the universe by the breadth of His hand – thumb to little finger! Of course we can’t envisage His fullness, but Jesus stands waiting for us. (Revelation 3:20) We can’t afford a thorn of discontent, or fear, or doubt, or lust, sent by the enemy, to keep us from acknowledging His Lordship. He paid for us, and He wants to provide for us.

Like many early Christians I wear a tiny anchor round my neck. It is a reminder that Christ came down from the cross, and lives to be my strength and guide. He is not only my anchor, but the rock I am anchored to!

Hebrew 6:19. Psalm 62:7

WOW! Wonder Of Wonders.

Through the years WOW has meant many things – Win Our World, Women Of Worth, War On Want, Window On Word, but this week it has been Wonder Of Wonders. We had a missionary friend staying with us, and when Rosie spoke to students at the Union Bible Institute on Acts 1:1-8, at a Chapel meeting, she changed their mindset. One student commented after the service, “I always thought the Holy Spirit would work in me to make me a better person. I never realised His intention is to empower me for His Glory. WOW!”

Rosie read: In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen. After His suffering, He showed Himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over forty days and spoke about the Kingdom of God. On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.”

So when they met together, they asked Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Then she spoke of how the disciples had lived with Jesus during His ministry before His crucifixion and death. Now, as their risen Master, He spoke to them about the Kingdom of God. They were still confused, but we know what happened to them after the Holy Spirit came upon them as Jesus had promised!

WOW! Wonder of Wonders! They were empowered. They were guided; given insight and abilities. They were equipped by the Holy Spirit and their lives were changed. Through them the world of their times was changed. The world of our times can be changed through that same power if we too will respond and allow the Holy Spirit full control of our lives.

Jesus lived with His disciples, but He was leaving them to go to His Father, and He promised to send the Holy Spirit to live in them. It is a promise for all believers today. Jesus wants us to have His same passion for the Kingdom of God, and make it our priority. He wants to use us to draw others into the Kingdom. The student had it right when he said, “It isn’t about me. WOW! Wonder of Wonders! It’s about what He can do in and through  me.”

Amen! What are we waiting for?

Rosie was on a short trip from the US and is presently ministering in North Africa where she is involved in the teaching and encouragement of evangelists. She took a short break to visit old friends, bringing a fresh breath of wisdom with food for thought, and while she is officially “retired” from the mission fields, she is happily continuing in her “retread” or “re-tyred” capacity, empowered by the Holy Spirit. WOW!

What a Wonderful Idea!

If you live by what I say, you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. (John 8:31b-32)

I was enjoying an early morning devotional time at a friend’s house, and sneaked a look at one of her devotional readings. It challenged me in a new way.

As a grandmother, I often wonder what will be remembered when we are long gone, and our grandchildren will be growing up in the mainly hostile world. Persecution of Christians will be escalating until the Lord comes again. New technologies, differing work opportunities, global travel, all will be much easier, but life in general will not be a walk in the park. As violence and general crime multiplies, and ethics and morals become terms that only the “fundamentalists” identify with, will our children and grandchildren have the necessary spiritual stamina to withstand the burgeoning temptations that will be before them, and cling to the faith we try to instil?

In those far away days when we “oldies” attended school, we had a morning assembly where a reading from the Bible, a hymn and a prayer were the norm, and even though Christianity was perhaps nominal, and understood as a birthright in a “Christian country”, seeds were sown that were later watered with the Living Water of the Lord. (John 4:14) Chances were that those teachings, even if largely ignored in childhood, resurfaced and gave direction to the  many paths opened up in adulthood. Like rays of sunshine, as opposed to dark shadows, thoughts would filter through, and scriptures come to mind, showing the presence of the Holy Spirit in lives that had been touched in the formative years.

Apparently, in the late 19^th and early 20^th century, it was a custom for many women in a part of the United States, to make a “Freedom Quilt” for their son’s 21^st birthday. This would be lovingly stitched, and given in acknowledgment that the beloved boy was now a man, and independent – free of his mother’s restraints. Scripture verses would be embroidered into the patches, in the hopes that wherever he went he would be reminded of the foundational teachings received at his mother’s knee.

What a wonderful idea!

Unfortunately freedom is often seen as a licence to do whatever pleases or attracts, and unforeseen consequences are frequently the result.

With the freedom that Jesus gives, comes self-confidence, spiritual strength, wisdom, peace and joy, and my prayer is that this freedom will be embraced and grasped whole-heartedly.

Words from wise people are like spurs. Their collected sayings are like nails that have been driven in firmly. They come from one shepherd. Be warned, my children, against anything more than these. Ecclesiastes 12:11,12.

Perhaps such quilting is a hobby to consider for younger fingers, which would leave a long lasting legacy of hopes, prayers, struggles and love, to bring warmth and comfort to hearts reaching out for Truth.

Who can find a wife with a strong character? She is worth far more than jewels… She makes quilts for herself… Her children and her husband stand up and bless her … Proverbs 31:10, 22, 28 God’s Word

Where are the hearers of the Good News in Yorkshire?

I was born in Kingston Upon Hull, or ‘Ull on the ‘Umber as Yorkshire folk may know it. The nearest seaside town where we as kids would play, was Hornsea, now the home of my brother and family. A little further away were the popular seaside towns of Bridlington, Scarborough, and Filey. Our next door neighbours came from Filey, and on our trips back to England, many fond memories of those spots have been fostered through the years.

A story in the latest Jericho Walls Prayer journal caught my eye, and caused a distinct desire to make Filey a place to visit on our next holiday in the region.

Pray until there is victory

The story of John Oxtoby’s prayers for the English town of Filey, remains an encouragement to us all. (Praying Johnny; 1767-1830).

Methodist circuit preachers, who usually travelled on horseback from town to town in order to preach the gospel, had a huge influence on villages and towns all over England, and America. These Methodist preachers or ‘circuit riders’, as they were known, followed in the footsteps of those Methodist giants, such as Wesley and Whitefield, and brought great spiritual change to Britain as a whole.

A story is told of an incident in the town of Filey, during the early days of Methodism, after many preachers had been sent, but to no avail. The town was a stronghold of satanic power, and each preacher in turn had been driven out, until at last it was decided to give up the town as a hopeless endeavour. The now famous John Oxtoby, or ‘praying Johnny’, as he was called, begged the Methodist Conference to give the town’s people one more chance, and to send him.

On his way thither, someone enquired of him whence he was going. “To Filey,” he replied, “where the Lord is going to revive His work.” Seeing the town from a hilltop, Oxtoby’s feelings were so intense that he fell upon his knees under a hedge and wrestled, and wept, and prayed for the success of his mission. A miller, who was on the other side of the hedge, heard a voice and stopped in astonishment to listen to it. He heard Oxtoby say, “Thou munna make a feal o’me! Thou munna make a feal o’ me! (You mustn’t make a fool of me!) I told them at Bridlington that Thou was going to revive Thy work, and Thou must do so, or I shall never be able to show my face among them again, and then what will the people say about praying and believing?”

Oxtoby continued to plead with God for several hours. The struggle was long and heavy, but he would not cease. He made his very weakness and inefficiency a plea. At length, he rose exclaiming, “It is done, Lord. It is done. Filey is taken! Filey is taken!”

He walked into Filey, arisen straight from the ‘Mercy-seat’ and started to sing as he walked through the streets: “Turn to the Lord and seek salvation.” A crowd of hardened fishermen flocked to listen. He preached with unusual power and hardened sinners wept, strong men trembled, and while he prayed over them they fell to their knees, and cried out for mercy and found it. When God’s children pray, He answers and does what He promised.

My heart aches for the country that sent out so many missionaries in the past, but now needs the message themselves. Pockets of Wonderful Churches are a real blessing to find, and we rejoice when we can enjoy good fellowship with Bible believing worshippers, but in general when we visit England we find more atheists, agnostics, and scoffers than receptive ears for the Good News of Jesus Christ.

As an “eccentric” who has “got religion” it will be a pleasure to walk around Filey, and find someone who understands my lack of religion, but echoes my living relationship with my Lord and Saviour.

Jesus said, You will hear of wars and rumours of wars. Don’t be alarmed! These things must happen but they don’t mean that the end has come. Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All of these are only the beginning pains of the end. … Many will lose faith … there will be more and more lawlessness, most people’s love will grow cold. But the person who endures to the end will be saved. This Good news about the kingdom will be spread throughout the world as a testimony to all nations. Then the end will come. Matthew 24:6-14 (God’s Word)

I looked up some statistics and found that the Joshua Project says that of 105 people groups in the UK, 29 are still unreached! That means that out of a population of 62,083,000 27.6% have not yet heard.
A Christian country or one that is losing faith?

By God’s Grace!

One thing I love about Bible reading is that the deeper one goes, the richer the yield. It’s like the Diamond Fields, where I used to live. The top layer gave some interesting stones, like agates, and quartz, sometimes rubies or chalcedony, but deep down were the diamonds. Even in their uncut state they would shine amongst the gravel in the sorting trays, reflecting the light of day, and gleaming, waterless, in the melee of multi-coloured pebbles.

Shortly after I wrote about Ruth, and the other characters Elimelech, Naomi and Boaz, in the Biblical love story of redemption, I was asked to speak at a United Churches Ladies meeting. No problem, I thought, in sharing on something so close to my heart. But speaking is a far cry from writing! For a start, it must be audible – and I have a Yorkshire accent. It must be alive, not boring, and everyone knows the story of Ruth. Ah well, there was plenty of time to add some oomph to what I had written, so I wrote down the basics, and read it back to myself to check on the time it would take to read about my 4X4. Four chapters, four characters, and if I linked four truths and four historical facts we would have a mnemonic of RUTH. Relationships, Understanding, Truths and History.  

A piece of pie, I thought, until I heard myself! That is always a mistake! I sound like I have a mouth full of plum pudding, sticky plum pudding, and I usually tell myself not to listen to myself, just go for it! Too late! If I was listening to a talk like that, I would wonder which part of the woodwork I had climbed out of. So out came my spade! This is my trusty digging tool, which involves prayer first of all, plus putting all the books together that I can find about my subject. Then I pop along to my favourite store, The Bible Centre, and see what else I can find. Then I check out the Internet, and what with Google, Web ferret, and all the other search engines, I check out things like Levitical Law, Levirite marriage, the times and methods for reaping the Barley Harvest, and general history for the times when the judges ruled. Ugh, very similar to our times! Lawlessness, immorality, robbery, violence, no ethical accountability. Everyone did as they saw fit.  Quite simply, history repeats itself. So I linked my information with warnings about the increase of lawlessness, the scoffers and false teachers who Jesus warned about and looked at what we may expect in the coming days.

I looked at the earthquakes we have experienced, and the famine that is being experienced in so many countries right now. How many people, like Elimelech and Naomi, are looking for a new land where their family can be fed and sheltered? How far would they have to walk? Only the more affluent can afford transport like cars, taxis, busses, trains or planes, none of which were available for Elimelech, Naomi and their two sons.

But hey! Moab could be seen from Bethlehem.  The hill where Bethlehem stands is not much further than a whistle blast away from the hills of Moab, about 30 miles, or 43 kilometres. The distance they were travelling was more the distance from God, than distance that could be measured in miles.

And so off they went to live in the country of Moab for a while. Elimelech, meaning “My God is King”, Naomi, meaning “pleasant”, Mahlon, meaning “sickness” and Kilion, meaning”death”.

Well, I was hooked on research! I ask you, would you name your kids like that? It seems that in many Biblical stories the names are given to characters to give richer meaning to the accounts.

Perhaps from the piles of books, reams of notes, and wealth of new information, I will bring out more for my blog readers! But I sure had to cut out a lot to get down to the version I shared today.

My prayer was that like poverty-stricken gleaners, seeking knowledge and insight from the harvest of God’s Word, we would be granted fresh insight on this well known book of Ruth. I am told new food for thought was given, and I continue to pray that God will be glorified as we dig deeper into His Word.

May we find ever more gems and may we be blessed as we walk the path set out for us by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Time and tides of thought.

I was always amused at the comment, “Where does time go?” because it seems an unalterable fact of being, that time flows in units of 24 hours, into which we are expected to put +- 8 hours to rest and recuperation. It seems so simple. Why then, is there such a battle to fit in 16hours worth of good, worthwhile input?

In the past couple of weeks, my thoughts have run on a visit from Jehovah’s Witnesses – shame two ladies who did not want to pray with me, or to read any materials I offered, yet they expected me to spend time on their literature – and various insights on Bible characters. I am busy working on a talk on Gleanings for our times from the book of Ruth, and, as always happens, what one thinks is known fades into near insignificance when deeper research is put to work. Then there have been a couple of studies on lesser know Bible characters, out of which came “What’s in a name?” when we examined the story of the nameless little slave girl who was instrumental in sending her master to Elisha for healing. And a favourite term when shocked or amazed, “Jumping Jehoshaphat” became personalised in a study of that character - without the jumps!

There have been happenings and incidents, thought provoking situations, and people filling the hours with insights and lessons so that time has rushed  like water over a waterfall, splashing into a vortex of activity.

One passage that has crept to the fore so often though is one that is slap bang in the middle of Jeremiah’s discourse on Israel,  ( and I am watching closely the affairs of this beleaguered nation.)

Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the father’s sins into the laps of their children after them.  

O great and powerful God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; you reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve. Jeremiah 32:17-19

All my thoughts are zoning in on the ways in which our God works. No matter what we do, or how we react to circumstances around us; regardless of the choices we make and the plans we form; over and above our beliefs and hopes, dreams and intentions, our God reigns. He is sovereign, and He sees all, working in every situation for the good of those who love Him – whether in this life on earth, or in its continuation in Heaven!

You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.  Such things must happen but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Matthew 24:6-8

I love people, and see so much potential in the young, but – oh what a pest of a word – but - I wish  many more would examine the important things in life and make sure of their destiny. Perhaps I must stop here, because my thoughts are tumbling over themselves again, and my heart aches for the lost and unsure. Folk who have crossed my path, and caused delays and distractions, unaware of their impact. May they know that God is God, and we are not!

Boaz and his bride.

Boaz did not have the advantages that we have in our Scriptures. We can read The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit Psalm 34:18, and imagine the Lord whispering to Naomi.

When Paul wrote the second letter to Timothy, it was in the knowledge that his ministry was coming to an end, and as he contemplated his death from his prison cell, encouraging his successor to carry the baton, his words could have been an echo from the past, when Boaz decided to take his problem before the elders of the town.

I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him …

Boaz had no need of help in understanding what was happening when he woke to find the young widow lying at his feet. She was showing that she was willing to offer herself as his wife. When Naomi advised Ruth as she did, it was not as a brazen or seductive act, it was a reminder of the law to a man who was law abiding, and who followed the commandments as laid down in Scripture.

If one of your countrymen becomes poor and sells some of his property, his nearest relative is to come and redeem what his countryman has sold. Leviticus 25:25. In fact, land was not to be permanently taken from the possession of the owner to whom it had been given when the tribes were allocated land after their possession of the Promised Land. In verse 23 God said to Moses, in His commandments, The land must not be sold permanently because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants...

(What does this mean to Israel today?)

Amongst God’s laws was the one we read of in Deuteronomy 24:19 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

In Deuteronomy 25 we can read of the need, after death, for the widow not to marry outside the family and the nearest kinsman to continue the family name. In Ruth’s obedience, she was asking Boaz to take her into his household, protect her and provide for her. Boaz, as the close relative of Naomi , was actually required by Israeli custom to marry a childless widow, and although other close relatives of Naomi could have been asked to fulfil this duty, he was chosen. In the time in which this love story was set, life was hard, and heroes were scarce. Even those we read of in those times. (the book of Judges) were badly flawed. Finding  a kind, gentle, God fearing and law abiding man like Boaz was a real bonus, and not to be ignored.

I wonder when his heart was first stirred by the young Moabite woman working in his fields. Was it the first day when he asked who she was? He was most probably old enough to be her father. My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here… Ruth 2:8

Was it later when he noticed how diligently she worked to support her mother-in-law?

Was it at the table when he saw how she saved food for Naomi?

He continued to watch her throughout the barley reaping season which lasted through the month of April, and maybe, just maybe she invaded his thoughts as he lay in the makeshift tent that he had erected at the threshing floor. Picture a large flat rock in an open space. This was where the farmer had his oxen trample out the grain, and then, with huge winnowing forks and the help of the prevailing winds which usually obliged in the afternoon, sort the grain from the stalk and chaff. Then he would lie down in his tent, often large enough to accommodate some of the workers, in order to guard and protect the crop from marauders during the night.

When Boaz sent Ruth back to Naomi with a shawl filled with barley, it was with the objective of sorting out the matter of inheritance without delay. The politics of the land were carried out at the city gates, where the wise men, or elders, sat and discussed the daily state of affairs, being called upon as judiciaries, character witnesses, and now, on this occasion, presiding over the legalities of redeeming property and taking a wife. There was to be no doubt about his intentions.

Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth, the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from the town records. Today you are my witnesses. Ruth 4:9,10

It was in the days when the judges ruled, when Israel had no king, and everyone did as he saw fit. Good men were few, but amongst them one stood out as being worthy of remembrance, and acceptable as an ancestor of Jesus;  Boaz, great grandfather of David. A man of integrity; a man to be trusted and emulated.

Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged; parents are the pride of their children. Proverbs 17:6

Like Ruth, Reaching out to Reap.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

For of Him and through Him and to Him, are all things… Rom 11:36 Rom 11:36

Nothing touches our lives but it is God Himself speaking. Do we discern His Hand or only mere occurrence? (Oswald Chambers)

Elimelech thought he was taking his wife and sons to a place where they would have better opportunities for survival and prosperity. He did not expect to lose his own life or that his sons would not survive for long after him. He could not have known that his death was a part of a saga of redemption for his family, and that his wife would become an ancestor of the Messiah.

When the eyes of Boaz were drawn to the young woman gleaning in his fields, he was not to know that he was looking at his future wife

Naomi, for all her wealth of wisdom through experience, was not aware of the repercussions awaiting her daughter-in-law Ruth, when she encouraged her to lie down at Boaz’ feet.

Full life in Christ was pictured in Ruth’s marriage to Boaz. No longer gleaning, but reaping, in abundance. An example of gleaning is a devotional reading, which is insight given to someone else, and which is available to the reader in order for his or her knowledge and understanding to grow. When we reap for ourselves, we understand from the Word of God a message He wants to impart, and we gain the strength of the Word. The Husbandman reaps the crops from what He has sown; we eat at His table, and the Word is rich, chewable. We progress from the milk, which we receive in our early days, and progress to the meat of the Word, by which we grow spiritually.

Growth must be grounded in our Personal responsibility. A tender shoot is dependant on others for its growth, (discipleship) but as the roots settle, it pushes down to find sustenance! So must we accept personal responsibility for growth. We will not be reaching into dry ground, but are assured of the Living water, if we ask for it!

If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water. John 4:10

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds. Can such faith save him? James 2:14.

Can we profess our faith without desiring to grow in it? Can we desire to grow in faith without commitment to our ongoing relationship with the One who feeds that faith? Can our faith grow without the gleaning from the Word? And then, once fed at the table of the Master, do we expect to be given only crumbs?

Ruth reached out expectantly in hope and trust, and received abundance from her kinsman-redeemer.

We too have a Kinsman-Redeemer, who invites us to eat at His table.

Reflections on Ruth and Relationship

Ruth 1:15 - 17 “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people, and her gods. Go back with her.”

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.”

Here we see devotion, learnt through what trials? What had Ruth seen in Naomi to make her feel so strongly about remaining with her?

In verse 13 Naomi said, “The Lord’s hand has gone against me.”

I remember saying, “Lord, if you love me ---” then, later, when I had not received the response I had hoped for, I said, “Lord, if you loved me, You would have ---” I thought His hand had gone against me.

Look again at Naomi, and her problems and needs as a widow. How can her experiences bring us to an awareness of our potential, and the need to be within the Will and Way of God? His plans and purposes will prevail, with or without our obedience and knowledge.

I lost husband and children, albeit temporarily, but in that loss found Christ as a reality, and as Husband! This experience brought about a whole new set of priorities in life, the main one being obedience – spiritually – to the One who is all in all to me, and who provides abundantly, meeting all my needs. I made a choice, but God remained sovereign. He never fails us. Whatever choice we make, His sovereignty remains.

Ruth ‘found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech’ Ruth 2:3. How did the Lord direct her steps?

When I left England for Africa, it was in partial rebellion. I had no idea of the Lord’s direction – I wasn’t even looking for it. I had backslidden from my youthful faith and built around myself a silent cynicism that remained for several years. Then the Lord used circumstances to make me look His way again, and looking back through the years I can see His hand of discipline, His directives, (not always followed), and His will being superimposed on my own.

Meeting with Christ marks the entering into the land of our eternal home as Bride, and starting to glean from the abundance of the wealth of our Husband.   

Ruth did not know, when she started to glean from the lands of Boaz, that he would become her husband. She merely worked according to her own and Naomi’s needs. She knew Naomi’s God, and had promised to follow Him and serve Him. Understanding what she was promising came as she grew in the faith. Gleaning in the lands of Boaz was part of the growing. After our profession of faith, we do not know what God has in store for us. He gives us His Word, though, and that should be used as a land from which we can glean, in order to survive. As we start out in obedience to that, we find that we are fed in abundance. Ruth was first asked to share at the table of the workers, and was able to save extra food for Naomi! She was given protection and offered clear water. Her work was recognized, her character was analysed, her loyalty was acknowledged; she was encouraged and offered continued support, besides being favoured by a blessing on her future by the man who would later become her husband.  What a wealth of provision accompanied her relationship with her mother-in-law.  

Becoming a Bride of the Groom brings wealth, and that wealth only starts to appear after the initial meeting. We don’t know what lies ahead, but God does! 

Naomi, the pleasant influence of a godly mother-in-law

“Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.” Ruth 1:20,21

When going through tough times, I am sure we can all relate to the feelings of Naomi. Depression seizes us in a stranglehold, and we see no way out. The far horizon, where the good times were, seems too distant to recall, and the present envelops us so closely that the future is hidden behind its dark clouds. Happiness and contentment are part of a dim and almost forgotten dream that will fade, never to be recalled. The “to do” list of each day is too heavy and lengthy to consider so it gets pushed to one side, adding to the ever increasing daily load. Don’t call me Naomi, for she is gone. I am another person now; Mara, bitter and disillusioned.

The name Naomi means ‘pleasant’, and looking at the relationship that has been built with her daughters in law, we can see that she was indeed a pleasant lady. A Hebrew, well versed in the knowledge of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, she would, as an obedient and caring wife, have submitted to her husband’s decision to escape the famine in Judah by going to live for a while in Moab. We can surmise that because they were living in an alien culture, the two boys were influenced by it, and after the death of their father they were unwilling to wait for an opportunity to meet women of their own culture, succumbing instead to finding wives from amongst the women of their acquaintance in Moab. A mother’s influence has far reaching effect though, and the wives were obviously willing to embrace the life-style of their mother-in-law. The fact that they were both willing to follow her after the deaths of their husbands shows a natural affection that had blossomed from her loving acceptance of them. What beautiful bonding, and how precious it is to have a loving relationship with one’s daughters, received not by natural birth, but developed, in devotion and approval of the choice of one’s sons.

We can see in Naomi a wife of noble character, whose husband, and later her sons, had full confidence in her, for she had cared for them and provided for them in such a way as influenced their wives to want to emulate her goodness. Used to hard work and well able to run her household with wisdom and thrift, yet, in the throes of depression after losing her loved ones, decisions had to be made, and it seemed expedient for her to return to the land of her origins, leaving behind those she had come to love in her adopted country. Selflessly, she ordered their return to their own families, with the hope that they would again find happiness and contentment with new husbands.

“Go back, each of you,” she told them, “to your mother’s home. May the Lord show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me. May the Lord grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” Ruth 1:8,9

She kissed them, and they wept. One at last agreed, but not without proclaiming her love for this woman who had shown her such respect and set such a good example of domestic strength and stability. Orpah returned to her people, perhaps better equipped for her future because of her mother-in-law’s influence.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30

Surely, these are qualities that shone through Naomi even in her distress, and encouraged Ruth to stay with her as support and comfort for her journey back to Judah.

Naomi proclaimed herself as Mara, bitter and bereft of hope, feeling abandoned by her God, and reliant only on her own initiatives. She was as yet unaware of what God had planned for her, as He watched over her, prepared the way, and gently influenced her spirit.

We have the benefit of hindsight, and can read Proverbs 31:31 in confidence.

Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gates.