(June 26, 2020) “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.” – Revelation 14:12 I clearly remember that I used to dread the moment when high school swim practice was about to begin each day. I knew that it would be utterly exhausting. It required a lot of endurance. But the endurance was necessary [...]
(June 24 ,2020) “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place...” – see Luke 11:1 Isn’t the above verse interesting? It feels so intentional. Jesus was praying in a “certain place.” That is, Jesus was praying very specifically and exactly, uh, “somewhere.” This sort of verse is not rare. But why is it so “specifically vague”? To be sure, [...]
(June 23, 2020) Psalm 40:5 “Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us— none can compare to You— if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.” Years ago a child (not my child) was being tucked into bed by her [...]
(June 22, 2020) From Ruth 1:4 “…the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth.” There are many, many people in the Bible, yet have you ever noticed that little to nothing is said about people’s appearances? We tend not to know anyone’s eye color, build, height, and so on. [...]
(June 19, 2020) From Matthew 1:5 “…Boaz the father of Boaz, whose mother was Ruth...” Deuteronomy 23:6: “Do not seek a treaty of friendship with [the Ammonites or the Moabites] as long as you live.” Yet, we have seen time and again that not only does “Ruth” mean “friend;” but also that Ruth was a [...]
(June 18, 2020) Ruth 4:17 “Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him.” It is often said that people do no like change. But I think this statement is only half right. Change is not the thing that we really mind; the thing that we do not like is loss. For [...]
(June 17, 2020) Ruth 4:17 “The women living there said, ‘Naomi has a son!’ And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” The Book of Ruth ends in a beautiful and poetic way. Ruth and Boaz get married, settle down and have children. Now, as with anytime a [...]
(June 16, 2020) Ruth 3:11 “…don't be afraid. …you are a woman of noble character.” One of the most pervasive and unwritten deceits in the church goes something like this: we must work really hard in order to be a “good Christian” so that others will then think well of us, and God will accept [...]
(June 15, 2020) Ruth 3:11 “And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.” We left last time with Ruth’s [...]
(June 12, 2020) Ruth 3:9 “He said, ‘Who are you?’ And she answered, ‘I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.’” Read Ruth 3. Now with the scene fresh in your mind, [...]