THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY ADVENT WEEK #4

THE SHEPHERDS

SCRIPTURES LUKE 2:8-20

Abraham was a shepherd, often moving about to find pasture and water and to avoid hostile tribesmen. Jacob slipped away in the night to a shepherd kinsmen after cheating his brother Esau. Jacob shepherd sheep for 14 years. The prophet Amos, humbly claimed that he was just a poor uneducated shepherd. King David, the most famous shepherd of all, worked as a boy with fathers flock. 

Ancient Israel was not a land of cattle ranches or pig farms. For pork was forbidden. Yes that would include Bacon. Jewish Law.

The practice of agriculture was scattered- some grain was grown in Galilee, along with some vineyards and fruit trees. But especially in the southern region of Judah, sheep and goats dotted the landscape. 

The rocky hills from Jerusalem to Hebron and Bethlehem housed constantly migrating sheep and goat. The soil was so shallow, the rocky hills abundant, the rain so occasional, the grass was so sparse, and that the sheep and the goats moved continually.

So in ancient Palestine, shepherding was prominent essential. Sheep were the mainstay of the inhabitants livelihood. Sheep provided wool, meat, clothing and material for tents.  Lambs were regularly laid on the altar in Jerusalem’s Temple as a sacrifice.

In springtime, during the day, shepherd and families who owned the sheep had much to do. They worked hard, assisting in the birthing of new lambs, caring for those little ones. Amid strong winds and spring rains, they sheared the sheep, harvested the winter wool and readied the ewes and bucks for simmer weather.  The butchered young males and castrated other for later meat supply.

The firstborn lamb was taken to the Temple as a sacrificial thank offering. As David, these shepherds had to be alert for wild animals, foxes, beats and even lions.

Summertime it was more laid back. However wintertime is different. The sheep would be fed little hay..maybe some grain. They move the about . At night the pastures were cold. There was little to do. Build a fire, sing to help quiet the sheep and keep animals away. The hired hands were called shepherd, their main jobs was to bed down the sheep. Sometimes in a cave, often around a fire, then go to sleep leaving one fellow to stay awake and watch. The owners were in their homes.

So these nighttime winter shepherd were the poorest of the poor. They owned nothing, couldn’t get a decent-paying daytime job and often had neither home nor family. In this day and time, these shepherds were considered the bottom of the social ladder.

Sometimes, these people could have very well had a bad reputation. The shepherd were not allowed to given testimony in the courts in those days; they were usually considered unreliable…So why would an angel come first to the shepherds.

These humble night workers got to baby Jesus before the Wiseman did. It has been said that uneducated, simple people come more easily to faith than wise people and scholars who have to work through a lot of thought problems before they come to the Lord. Do you think that is true?

God chose to have the angels sing to these humble folks, these shepherds, the weakest of the weak, the loneliest of the lonely, the poorest of the poor.,

The angel first words was “Do NOT BE AFAIRD: because they were terrified. IT wasn’t a lion or bear but host of angels singing.

Martin Luther said the greatest miracle of Christmas was that when the angel told Mary she was to bear a child, the Savior “MARY BELIEVED”. The shepherds believed They said, lets go NOW to Bethlehem and see this thing…and they went in haste. 

While some people hear an angel speaking and keep on tending the sheep. Some of us hear heaven singing and we throw another stick on the fire.

READ LUKE 2:20. No verse in Scripture is more exciting, more fulfilling that “The shepherds returned glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.

Our God has a special heart for the humble. Those who are poor are not blocked by prestige or wealth but are often open to the eternal. Stripped of everything earthly.

Historically great Christians revivals movements have started amount the poor; Saint Francis going to Italy, John Wesley’s preaching to the peasants and prisoners in England; William Booth’s offering to Christ and started the Salvation Army.

A miracle of Christmas is that the angels sand first to the shepherd. That they hurried to the manger, and that they believed and returned to the fields glorifying God.

Even in today’s society, the poor is separated. All societies. Upper class, Middle class, the poor and indigent. I could be a migrant worker at a chicken plant, a young person at fast food restaurant behind the counter, the person that sleeps under the bridge, these are hard for US to reach for Jesus. We are often aloof and distant with them, they are sometimes suspicious and defensive. But JESUS went to the poor and the outcast.

READ Luke 14:13-14 When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrections of the righteous.

So let’s remember the shepherds at Christmas. They represent the poor, the lonely and the outcast. The angels came to them first. The poorest of the poor. Maybe never forget the poor, in our town or country or the world.

THE GOOD, BAD, AND THE UGLY ADVENT WEEK #3

JOSEPH

SCRIPTURE MATTHEW 1:18-25, 2:13-15, 19-23

What do we know about Joseph? Other than being Mary’s husband and the earthly father of Jesus? Other than being a carpenter? Let’s see what we can learn.

I all of Scripture not a single word was recorded from Joseph’s mouth. He was a quiet man. You might say he was the strong and silent type. Generally those men that work hard, say very little. My dad was one of those men.

These type of men are seldom, head of committees, but they serve faithfully. People respect them and their judgement, even if it only as smile or a nod of the head. They are men of integrity. Their word is their bond. A handshake is better than a signed contract.

Just because Joseph words were never recorded in the Bible doesn’t make him less important in the Christmas story. His role in the birth and upbringing of Jesus was indispensable.

We know that Joseph obedient to the Lord. He listens the he acts. God speaks to him in dreams and he responds. When he planned to not go with the marriage of Mary because she was pregnant, an angel came in a dream and told him to take Mary as his wife, and he did.

Just as he did after Jesus was born. An angel came to him in a dream and told Joseph to get up and leave with Mary and the child. This was when Herod was planning to killed the male children.  After Herod died, an angel came again in his dreams and told him to take his family to Israel. And he did.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all could be as obedient and quick about it?

Mary and Joseph both were obedient to God. The observed the Mosaic rituals and civil laws. The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem was about a 90 mile journey.  It would take 8-10 days. They circumcised Jesus on the eight day as part of the law of Moses. (Leviticus 12:3)

Then Joseph took Jesus and Mary to Jerusalem for “purification” after waiting thirty-three days for Mary to finish bleeding (Leviticus 12:1-8) Luke 2:21-24. Joseph dedicated two turtledoves (does that sound familiar) because he was poor. The upper and middle class were required to dedicate a lamb while the poor were required to dedicate two turtledoves.

Then Joseph, with Mary, parented Jesus so that he grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. Every year they would take Jesus back to Jerusalem as required for the Passover. When Jesus was twelve, he held the rabbis and priest captive with His understanding and His answers. (Luke 2:46-47)  

After this we never hear of Joseph again in the Scriptures. There was no mention of him at the wedding feast in Cana.  He was not there with Mary and the other children when they begged Jesus to avoid controversy in his ministry and to come home.

We have always heard and think of Joseph as a carpenter. Interesting that the Greek word the Bible uses is ‘tekton” which means “artisan” or “builder” or “stone mason” . The King James Translation in 1611 used the word carpenter to describe Joseph and so it has been ever since.  Trees in Israel are of short supply. When Solomon imported the “cedars of Lebanon” to build the Temple in Jerusalem.  The Houses in Galilee were built of limestone.  But furniture, and yokes for oxen had to be built somehow.

Carpenter knew how to use a hammer, chisel and a plumb line and a level. Everything has to be straight. Close your eyes and picture Jesus working side by side with Joseph.  Listen to what Joseph is saying “ Son, it has to be perfectly straight and that’s the way God wants us to be with one another” or talking about how someone who is building their house on sand saying “ when the storms come, that house is going to fall. It needs to be level and build on a solid foundation, just like the way our lives should be built on God” Jesus even taught that in Luke 6:46-49

We don’t know how long Joseph lived but you have to wonder what role he played in helping Jesus understand God as God of all humanity. Jesus must have learned much from his strong, quiet hardworking father. At time we see when Jesus shows this quietness Himself.

REFLECTION

Think of what kind of man you think Joseph was? What traits do you see? Imagine a scene between him and Jesus and Joseph explaining the things of life to him.  Plan to share for discussion next week.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. ADVENT WEEK 2

THE WISEMEN

SCRIPTURE READING MATTHEW 2:1-12

In the Bible there are three books that are referred to as “wisdom literature”; Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes.

So who were these wise men? Where did they come from? In ancient times, the areas around the Mediterranean were circle of secular wisdom. In Egypt, look at the pyramids. It took some brilliant engineers to design and accomplish building those.  There were great philosophers in Greece; Plato, Aristotle and Socrates. Then there was the study of the movement of planets and starts that originated in Mesopotamia, Babylon and Persia.

As people traveled they would read each other’s scrolls.  And thus a new religious philosophy formed in Greece and Persia called Gnosticism. Instead of worshiping many gods, these spiritual intellects believed in just two; the god of spiritual matters and the god of physical matters. The Wiseman in the Christmas story could have very well been Gnostics, (until they witnessed the birth of the Messiah)

All we know from the Bible is that these wise men were NOT Jews. They were foreigners. Perhaps from Persians. Some scholars think they may have been from India, where they studied stars.  Wherever they came from, they paid special attention to the movement of stars.

THE GIFTS

So how many wise men were there?  We really don’t know, but because of the three specific gifts, people assume it was just three. By the fourth centry they were given names. Gaspar who was said to have brought the gold, Balthazar gave the frankincense and Melchior the myrrh.

The gift symbolism is powerful even overwhelming. Gold for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Frankincense is use for prayer in the temple. Jesus prayed all night in the garden and taught us to pray “ Our Father who are in heaven…”  No Myrrh, was an embalming spice, to suggest Jesus’ death on the cross. Remember on Easter morning, Mary Magdalene hurried to the tomb with spices to anoint Jesus’ body.

These gifts were no ordinary gifts. In biblical times, frankincense came from the sap of the Boswellia sacra tree grown in southern Arabia. These precious aromatics were brought to the seaport at Gaza and shipped to Europe and Egypt. Frankincense was used everywhere in worshiping of different religions. Arabia produced the finest quality of frankincense and myrrh in the known world.

What about the gold? Joseph was a carpenter and they traveled a lot those early years. They needed some monies of sorts to support them during this time. Maybe this gold was what they used. What else could it had been for? Something to ponder.

Over the centuries the images of “The Magi” changed. Painting had them representing the Gentile world. They had Gaspar being an old man, Balthazar a middle aged man and Melchoir as a younger man. Then they had their images change to represent the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa (Portraying Balthazar as having dark skin).

The spiritual symbolism was that these wise men represented the non-Jews. Supposedly their remains are in a golden shrine in the Cologne Cathedral in Germany.

You all  know the Twelve Days of Christmas song. Do you know how it came about? Many Christian churches celebrate Epiphany or Feast of Epiphany, which occurs twelve days after Christmas. Epiphany literally means “showing forth” and it signifies that Light has come into the world.  Those that visited Jesus after his birth, more than likely occurred during this time.

We shouldn’t underestimate the Gentile symbolism. Jesus in his ministry reached out to Gentiles. There are several small stories where Jesus interacted with Gentiles. The demon-possessed in Luke 8:26-33, the poor widow in Luke 7:11-17, even the Roman soldier at the foot of the cross Matthew 27:54. And the most familiar parable of the good Samaritan Luke 10:29-37, honors a man whose people were viewed as being Gentile and despised.

The Wisemen have being men of wealth and prominence and came from afar, where more than likely had a herd of servants and animals with them.  As powerful intelligent scholar-kings, they were humble. Humbly they followed the star, found their way to the Christ Child; humbly they knelt before the child with a young peasant mother and a carpenter father. Humbly and prayerfully they gave the precious gifts they had carried for hundreds of miles.

We need to keep the Wisemen in Christmas because they represent the people of the entire world. Red, yellow, black and white like the song goes. They teach us that NO ONE is too far away that they cannot “travel to Bethlehem”. No matter how poor or how rich, we all need a Savior.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY. ADVENT WEEK 1

As we begin the Christmas season, we seem to get overwhelm with all the worldly the things that are done at Christmas, and we put the true meaning on the back burner. As Christians, our faith requires that we focus on the birth of our Lord and Savior, during this time. Instead of Christmas trees and decorating, holiday shopping and cooking, and singing songs that are happy and fun it is easy to not have our focus on the baby in the manger.

Even if we focus on the birth of Jesus, there are people and events that encircle His holy birth that have a powerful spiritual message of their own. We will be looking at these people in a way that you may never had known or thought.

Let’s begin!!

KING HEROD. THE MAN WHO TRIED TO KILL CHRISTMAS

SCRIPTURE: Read Matthew 2:1, Matthew 7-8, Matthew 16-18

He is known as, Herod “The Great”. He was a bad man, cruel, and evil. Let me give you a little background.

He was born in the desert of Sinai, a descendant of Abraham, through Esau.  He and his people were known as Edomite Jews, because they were forced to convert to Judaism by the Maccabees who let a revolt that freed Judea from Syrian rule.

The world was in turmoil. In Rome, Brutus and Cassius had murdered Julius Caesar. Then in the struggle for power, Cassius was defeated by Mark Antony, who was killed by Octavian- who later became known as Caesar Augustus, the first ruler of the newly named Roman Empire.

Herod’s father, Antipater allied himself with the Roman leadership and was named ruler of Judea. Herod was a young soldier, charismatic, adept with a javelin and bow. He was sent to Rome to build friends among key Roman leaders. Later he was sent to become the governor of Galilee. He proved his alliance with Roman by brutally crushing a local Jewish rebellion. Herod became and expert and “playing both ends against the middle”.

After Herod’s father was poisoned, Rome named him the ruler of Judea. Herod had several wives to solidify political ties, but his favorite was Mariamne. He loved her insanely and was passionately jealous.  However he had her brother killed, after appointing him as high priest, which Mariamne asked him to do. Herold had him drowned within a year after the appointment. Mariamne then accused Herod of hilling both her brother and grandfather. Herod’s sister, Salome, told him that Mariamne was having an affair with one of his uncles, so he had her executed.

Herod was brutal. He wanted absolute control. He would pacify most of the Jewish people under his rule by allowing them to worship their God in the Temple, instead of worshipping Caesar. However in return, he pacified Rome by demanding a huge temple tax, then sending that vast wealth to Rome. He kept the international trade routes open.

Herod was also a great builder. He built a second Temple with a solid gold altar, imported marble walls and a beautiful “heavenly” blue ceiling.  The Temple was so magnificent that millions of Jews scattered all over the Mediterranean, returned to worship and admire. This is the temple that Jesus visited. It was destroyed along with Jerusalem by the Romans in A.D. 70. He also built a gold Roman eagle for Rome, and placed it at the temple entrance. Some of the Jews because angry and tor the eagle down because it was a sacrilege. Herod had these men captured, placed in chains, dragged thirteen miles from Jerusalem to Jericho, and burned alive. ( Is this where Clint Eastwood comes in?)

Herod was so full of himself, he even built a mountain. Yep, over two thousand feet high, near Jerusalem. Then he put a palace on top of it.  He also built the great Western Wall as part of the temple complex, the ruins of which today is known as the Wailing Wall. It was the size or 150 football fields and took 10 years to build.  Herod also built a huge seaport called it Caesarea. Many amphitheaters for Greek and Roman games and theaters.

Suspicion, fear, brutality and jealousy ruled Herod’s life.  At the age of seventy, and after ruling for nearly 40 years, he met the Wiseman.

We all that story. We will read more about that story another week.  At the time Jesus was born, Herod the Great was a mad plagued with illness and incessant family issues involving his ten wives and fifteen children.  According to Josephus, Herod’s illness grew steadily worse, complicated by high fever, intolerable itching and inflammation of the abdomen. However his temperament and ruthlessness intensified. Obsessed and paranoid, he had another son executed, Antipater, son of his wife Doris.

When he realized his own death was near, Herod ordered the arrest of all the leading citizens of all the villages. They then were to be slaughtered at the moment of the king’s death- thus tears would be shed and the nation would be plunged into mourning, even if not for him.  However his sister Salome countermanded the order and all were later released.

Historians say that Herod was a godless man, reckless, willing to slay young or old, relative, friend, or enemy and show no mercy.. Over the centuries Herod has become a symbol of evil.  We may rather want to forget that he is part of the Christmas story. But we need to keep Herod in Christmas to remind us how desperately we need a Savior in this evil world.

Ponder for a moment your knowledge of evil. Let you memory focus on history. 911 for example.  Thinks about evil in the world and consider the following questions.

REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1)    Where do you think evil comes from? How does it invade the human heart? What stimulates evil, increasing its power?

2)    Where, in your own life, have you experienced evil hurting you, damaging your health, your family, and your resources?

3)    In your inner life, where do Jesus the Savior and Herod the evil one do battle? Where are the secret seeds of sin in your heart that sometimes bursts forth like weeks in spring?

4)    How do you allow Jesus the Savior to help you defeat sin in your life? How do you make amends or obtain forgiveness? How does Jesus change a person’s heart from evil to good?

NEXT WEEK “LET'S KEEP THE WISE MEN IN CHRISTMAS”

A Women Who Doesn't Quit - Wrap-up

Well ladies, this is the end of our study on “A WOMAN WHO DOESN’T QUIT 5 HABITS FROM THE BOOK OF RUTH”. I hope each of you have gain something through this study. I know I have. It was the perfect study for me at this time and I thanks God for that.

Here is are the 5 Habits to overcome quitting again.

1.  SHES ACCEPTS THE ASSIGNMENT OF REFINEMENT

2.  SHE FOLLOWS THOUGHT DESPITE HOW SHE FEELS

3.  SHE STAYS OPEN TO THE MOVEMENT OF GOD

4.  SHE GIVES OTHERS WHAT SHE NEEDS

5.  SHE MOVES FORWARD IN FAITH

We all will face decision whether or not to give up on someone or something, but something special happens when we decide to persevere in face of problems and pain. Perseverance is one of the greatest skills but the hardest lesson to learn in our lifetime. Why? Because of what we have to go through. You can’t learn perseverance if you don’t have trials and tribulations.

In this world today, we are encouraged to live life based on how we feel, but honestly, most days we don’t feel like doing anything challenging. But when the opportunity comes, embrace it. It’s an assignment of refinement. Save your Quit Quitting Verses and used them. Here are some more:

For the time you want to quit because you think much has already been lost: Joel 2:25

For the time you want to quit because it looks hopeless. Titus 3:7

For the time you want to quit because you don’t feel smart enough to make the right decision. James 1:5

For the time you want to quit because you think you’ve fallen too far. Proverbs 24:16

For the time you want to quit because something else looks better John 15:16

For the time you want to quit because your efforts and formulas are not turning out as hoped: Isaiah 55:8

For the time you Aare about to quit because you are going for what you want rather than what you need Philippians 4:19

For the time you want to quit because you aren’t sure this is worth it Galatians 6:9

Ask yourself these 5 questions.

1.     Have I accepted my assignment of refinement?

2.  Am I able to follow through despite how I feel?

3.  But have I stayed open to God’s movement?

4.  I don’t have what I need, but am I giving others what I need?

5.  Truthfully, have I moved forward in faith?

REMEMBER NOT QUITTING IS A HABIT

5 HABIT BIBLE STUDY WEEK 6

WHAT TO READ THIS WEEK: RUTH 4:1-22

QUIT QUITTING VERSES:

      DAY 1 HEBREWS 6:12

      DAY 2 PHILIPPIANS 3:12

      DAY 3 MATTHEW 6: 3-4

      DAY 4 2 TIMOTHY 4:7

Moving forward in faith is the root of Ruth’s story. Ruth first stepped in faith to follow Naomi to Bethlehem, then in faith she looked for work. That faith led her to Boaz. Ruth had faith in Naomi’s guidance and she is now having faith in Boaz as to getting the “redeemer” issue cleared up. Even though this situation of moving forward in faith, is waiting.

Sometimes, when our moving forward in faith, we are waiting, standing still. Nothing is happening. We are a people that like to see things in motion. When we have to “wait”, we can get tired and that lead us to the temptation to quit.

But what really causes us to be tired.  There are three areas in which we can get tired: 1) Physically, 2) Emotionally and 3) Spiritually.

So the first step to overcome this “I am tired” excuse is to determine what the source of our tiredness.

1. RULE OUT REASON

If we are physically tired, our bodies are trying to tell us something. To slow down, get more sleep or something is wrong with your health.

Try to keep yourself physically healthy and that included with annual physical exams if you have no medical reason for going to see a physician. Just get a checkup, especially if you have some, what you may call, minor signs or symptoms. And to those of us nurses, we have a tendency to not to address minor issues without physical health. You know I am right. I am not the only one.

Next step. Get some rest.

2. REST

Do you every get snappy? Getting upset about thinks that never really mattered to you before. Do you feel like you are just going through the motions of life?

Rest is incredibly important to your emotional health and it allows you to produce more and more effectively. Slow down. Take a break. Get “unplugged” from this world and life in the “now”. Turn off the phones, the TV and the computer. Enjoy reading a good book. Enjoy family and/or friends. 

Refueling doesn’t necessary mean taking a nap, or a “slobber nap” as bother calls it. Be around with Godly people is a great way of refueling, like a revival. And I don’t mean your visits to church on Sundays.

Before mother got so sick that I had to move in with her, I was an active part of our Emmaus community. We met once a month for a meal, singing, worshipping and communion. It always made me feel uplifted. I am so looking forward to getting to return to those “gathering” especially since I feel “emotionally tired”.

And our last step is take time for yourself.

3) TAKE A DAY FOR YOU

Being spiritually tired is the most threatening one for someone who is tempted to quit.

Get away from it all! Social Media, work, family and friends. Focus on YOU and reflect on the vision you have for your life.

When the demands of our lives, drive us to “passionless” steps, it’s time to do something. To pull back. To rewind. When we get caught up with the demands of life, we want to quit every time because we have forgotten who we are and what drives our passion.

Learning to move forward in faith is going to require some energy and effort on our part. Faith is not about determination. When we have faith, especially with God’s promises, usually there is a process.

We ask God to move our mountains, but sometime, well most of the time, God wants us to go around that mountain one more time. Like Joshua did with the city of Jericho. We may not understand, we may think is it senseless or even have doubt. BUT, with faith you need to have some “footwork” too. That means, you NEVER stop taking steps to help our faith grow.

We just need to remember “One mountain at a time, one lap at a time, “one day at a time”, no matter how many laps/days it takes, just keep taking the next step.

Let get in the Word:

When we started the book of Ruth, it began with three funerals, but now it closes with a wedding/marriage. There was a great deal of weeping in the first chapter as well, but there is overflowing joy in the last chapter. Psalms 30:5 says “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy something in the morning”. Words to give us hope when we go through trials and tribulations.

Kinsman-Redeemer. The purpose of the kinsman-redeemer was to preserve the name and protect the property of families in Israel. God owned the land and didn’t want it exploited by rich people who would take advantage of the poor and widows. This law which can be found in Lev. 25:23-34 and Deut. 25:5-10, made sure that a deceased man’s family name did not die with him and that his property was not sold outside the tribe or clan. Unfortunately this did not always happen.

Not everyone could perform the duties of a kinsman redeemer. To begin with, he had to be a near relative/kinsman. (Lev 25:25). This was Boaz obstacle. There was another that more closely related. Then the kinsman-redeemer also had to be able to pay the redemption price. Fortunately Boaz was a wealthy man and able to do so. Then the other thing was that the kinsman-redeemer had to be willing to redeem. They may have the money but not the motivation.  He we see that the man that was the closer relative was afraid it would jeopardize his present family’s inheritance.

The city gate was the place where the official courts did their judicial business in the presence of elders.  The other kinsman wanted the land, but he didn’t want Ruth as part of the deal. So he backed out. Boaz was more that glad to accept the position of kinsman-redeemer. He took the risk of God’s calling, accepted it in faith and his name in written down in Scripture and with honor.  John 2:17 “He who does the will of God abides forever”.

Now this shoe thing is kind of strange. The custom of taking off the show relates to the divine commandment to walk on land and take possession. (Gen. 13:17, Deut. 11:24, Josh. 1:3)

Many scholars state that Boaz the picture of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is OUR Kinsman-Redeemer. Jesus came to earth in a human body to become RELATED to us. He needed to do that before He could REDEEM us. He paid the REDEMPTION price for us.

Like Boaz, Jesus wasn’t concerned about jeopardizing His own inheritance; instead He made us a part of His inheritance (Eph. 1:11, 18). Like Boaz, Jesus made is plan privately, but paid the price publicly. And like Boaz, Jesus did what He did because of His love for His bride.

What wonderful changes came into Ruth’s life because she trusted Boaz and let him work on her behalf? Can we do the same without Kinsman-Redeemer?

After their marriage, God blessed them with a child that would be a source of blessing to many.

He would be a blessing to Naomi. He would bring blessing to Bethlehem. He would bring blessing to Israel in King David. He would bring blessing to the whole world in the Messiah.

Q.U.I.T strategy.

Q – QUESTIONS WE NEED TO ASK AND ANSWER

     How are you going to keep moving forward in faith?

U – UNDERSTANDING THE WORD

     What was the ultimate result of Ruth’s obedience?

I – INTO THE PROMISE

     Which of the Quit Quitting verses did you identify with the most this week?

T – TURN SOMETHING AROUND

     We looked at so many different ways of moving forward in faith., is God asking you to sit still or make movement right now? Write down what this looks like for you.

5 HABITS BIBLE STUDY WEEK #5

WHAT TO READ THIS WEEK: RUTH 3:1-18

QUIT QUITTING VERSES:

      DAY 1 LUKE 6:38

      DAY 2 PROVERBS 4:23

      DAY 3 PROVERBS 23:19

      DAY 4 MARK 12:31

      DAY 5 HEBREW 12:2

In our study this week, we read about Emotional Generosity. What is it? Let’s look at the definition of generosity first. According to Dictionary.com, generosity means: freedom from meanness or smallness of mind or character.

Many times our happiness is challenged by the people we encounter each day, It could be someone on the phones, a teller at the bank, someone driving, a co-worker, spouse, friend or anyone else you may encounter. These encounters are often negatively draining our positive emotions. However, we cannot avoid them, but we can keep our own happiness and reduce the negative emotions that come from these encounters, if we respond with Emotional Generosity.

What is your default reaction when something negative happens to you? How do you react when you are offended? Mistreated? Life goes bad?

Emotional Generosity is the quality of being kind, welcoming and understanding of others, even with all of their flaws, mistakes, quirks, and imperfections without being judgmental. In other words, “cut them some slack”. Give them the benefit of the doubt. They are still accountable for their actions, but you will give them Emotional Generosity.

This is about you taking ownership of your own emotions and reactions, to feel more peace. However emotional generosity is one of the HARDEST forms of kindness to give.

When we offer emotional generosity to others, we create an atmosphere for God to do something powerful IN us and THROUGH us.

We may not WANT to give others what we need. We may often give others what we think they deserve. Snappy comeback. A nasty look. A unforgiving heart. Then is becomes really easy to GIVE UP. QUIT.

When we give others what we need, we are sowing good seed.

So how can we do this you ask? Here are 4 steps that will help with showing emotional generosity.

1) Each day, ask whose life can I bless today? Pray for God to let you be a blessing to someone. It could be from a kind gesture, a smile, a gentle touch or even withholding your tongue .

2) See people in their innocence instead of their guilt. If people say or do something that hurts you, acknowledge that it may not have been intentional. The pain is still there, but the negativity around it is gone.

3) Be willing to consider they might be right. For example when arguing with others, about she said, he said, they said, etc…say the words “ I am willing to consider that you might be right”. This will take the intensity down to a calmer level.

4)  Cut YOURSELF some slack. Stop being your own worst critic. Accept that we ALL make mistakes and NO ONE is perfect.

ARE YOU EMOTIONALLY GENEROUS? Here are some questions to ask yourself.

Does seeing other people happy remind you how unhappy you are?

Do you see people who are pursing the same goals as you as competition?

When you have an idea, do you keep it to yourself?

If someone else is praised for something you do too, do you feel resentful?

Do you feel discontent when others experience the same successes in life you have?

Did you feel unhappy the last time you heard someone get something you wanted?

Do you find it difficult to give others compliments?

Emotional generosity is something we all have to learn and the more we experience being emotionally generous to others, the more we will desire it.

Let get in the Word:

Ever since Boaz came into Ruth’s life, Naomi has been a different person. She is no longer bitter or concern for herself. We see here that she is concerned about Ruth and Ruth’s future. It’s when we serve others that we ourselves receive the greatest joy and satisfaction.

Naomi knew that Boaz would be at his threshing floor that night, guarding his grain that had recently been harvested. Naomi told Ruth to wash, put in perfume and her best clothing. She was actually telling Ruth to act like a bride preparing for her wedding. Then she learned how to present herself to Boaz.

Ruth’s preparation and presentation is like when we come before the mercy seat of Christ. We wash ourselves from our sins, the perfume is like anointing oil that speaks of the presence and the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Salvation is pictured as a change of clothes in Luke 15:22. And being at the feet is when we come to the foot of The Cross.

If Ruth had decided to not lie at Boaz’s feet and done something of her own, Boaz would have been confused and the entire plan would have failed. Isn’t that what we do sometimes? We alter the way that God wants us to do things.

To spread one’s mantle over a person meant to claim that person for yourself. And that is what Ruth was asking Boaz to do. However, Boaz had to handle one little complication. There was another kinsman-redeemer that was a closer relation with Naomi than Boaz. Boaz didn’t want to give Ruth false hope so he explained and told her he would “handle it”.

Naomi and Ruth believed that Boaz would accomplish what he said he would do, they waited patiently. Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He will do it”.

Waiting is difficult. But God tells us in His Word to “Sit still” (Ruth 3:18 NJKV), “Stand still” (Exodus 14:13 NJKV) and “Be still” (Psalm 46:10 NJKV).

Our human nature get nervous and wants to help God out and when we try, we only make matters worse.

Q.U.I.T strategy.

Q – QUESTIONS WE NEED TO ASK AND ANSWER

     Moving forward, how will you choose to be emotionally generous? Who will challenge you the most as your live emotionally generous?

U – UNDERSTANDING THE WORD

     Why was Boaz at the threshing floor? What was the purpose of Ruth’s visit?

I – INTO THE PROMISE

     Which of the Quit Quitting verses challenged you the most this week? Why?

T – TURN SOMETHING AROUND

     That person whose name you wrote down above, go ahead and plan out a way you are going to be emotionally generous with him/her this week. Write down what his/her reaction was.

5 HABITS BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 4

WHAT TO READ THIS WEEK: RUTH 2:15-23

QUIT QUITTING VERSES:

      DAY 1 JAMES 4:8

      DAY 2 ISAIAH 43:19

      DAY 3 PSALM 103:12

      DAY 4 EPHESIANS 5:15

      DAY 5 JAMES 4:14

What does this mean?

To live a life of surrender and humility. Learning to stay open to the movement of God is hard. It requires a deeper sense of trust and belief in Him thank we may naturally have. Learning to stay open to His movement is one of the hardest lessons we will have to learn. But when we do, we will be close to Him and able to fulfill the assignments He has given us.

Learning to stay open to the movement of God is sometimes a very humbling place. We don’t always get it just right. Sometimes we may even feel foolish. However, remember Habit 2#? We have to follow through despite how we feel. When we make a mistake we may think it’s over or it’s ruined. But that is not true in God’s world

So what makes us put God’s movement on hold?

What are your excuses? Have you ever used the excuse “ I didn’t know”? or “There is not enough time”? I think time is the #1 reason why we quit. We have so many activities that steal our time like : social media, the computer, children’s activities, work, etc. What’s stealing your time?

We may come up with excuses when we don’t see what God is going in and through our situation. Sometimes we have to ask others what they see.

Let's get in the Word:

Remember when we left Naomi, she was bitter. She was a woman that was angry and shaking her fist at God. But then, something changed. Her heart changed drastically. Sometimes when our hearts take a sudden shift, we can be left feeling remorseful or bad about how we reacted toward God.

But one of the most powerful things about God is the grace He offers us through forgiveness.

Here we see Naomi’s bitterness is slowly leaving her and she is able to trust God again. This is what happens when we stay open to God’s movement in our lives.

After a long day out in the wheat field, Ruth comes home filled with excitement. Naomi was curious and wanted to know the details of her day. After hearing the details, Naomi heart changes. She speaks blessing from the Lord upon Boaz.

No longer is Naomi a bitter quitter. No longer is she shaking her fist at God. She has opened her fist to receive.

If your fist are closed toward the presence of God, you will often miss: the opportunity for God to bless you, the chance for God to use you, and the ability of God to expand your faith and trust in Him.

Naomi had felt bitter, but her faith in God was still alive and she praised God for Boaz’s kindness to Ruth. In her sorrow, she still trusted God and acknowledged His goodness.

We may feel bitter about a situation, but we must never despair. Today is always a new opportunity for experiencing God’s care.

God doesn’t meet us at perfection. He meets us where we are in our process towards receiving His promise.

Q.U.I.T strategy.

Q – QUESTIONS WE NEED TO ASK AND ANSWER

     Why is it important in your own life to constantly remind yourself of what God has done for you? Which of the habits so far are you finding you need the most? How is God asking you to stay open to His movement right now?

U – UNDERSTANDING THE WORD

     How does the change in Naomi inspire you to keep trying and waiting on God’s movement in your life?

I – INTO THE PROMISE

     Which of the Quit Quitting verses challenged you the most this week? Why?

T – TURN SOMETHING AROUND

     This week we looked at excuses that could keep us from experiencing the fulfillment of following all the way through. Write down what a typical day looks like for you. Fine a space in your day when you can set aside five minutes to rule out any excuses that could keep you from following through.