THE DARK SIDE OF CHRISTMAS

“Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” Jeremiah 31:15b

While we usually focus on the joyous and tender aspects of the Christmas story, there is a darker side. The other part of the Christmas story is nothing short of terrifying.

At Christmastime, we focus on the joy of Christ’s birth. He is the star of this true story. After all, He came to save us from sin. But there is another part of the Christmas story that is just devastating. In Matthew 2, the wise men seek the King Who is promised in the stars. King Herod receives them in a visit and asks that he be notified when they find this King. He said that he wanted to worship Him. What they did not know at the time was that Herod’s intentions were evil. He wanted to destroy anyone who would threaten his reign. It did not matter that the threat was an innocent child. Continue reading “The Dark Side Of Christmas” →

THE DARK SIDE OF CHRISTMAS

“Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” Jeremiah 31:15b

While we usually focus on the joyous and tender aspects of the Christmas story, there is a darker side. The other part of the Christmas story is nothing short of terrifying.

At Christmastime, we focus on the joy of Christ’s birth. He is the star of this true story. After all, He came to save us from sin. But there is another part of the Christmas story that is just devastating. In Matthew 2, the wise men seek the King Who is promised in the stars. King Herod receives them in a visit and asks that he be notified when they find this King. He said that he wanted to worship Him. What they did not know at the time was that Herod’s intentions were evil. He wanted to destroy anyone who would threaten his reign. It did not matter that the threat was an innocent child. Continue reading “Why We Need a Christmas” →

THE PAIN OF OBEDIENCE

“…a sword shall pierce your own soul…” Luke 2:35
Have you been obedient to God only to find yourself disappointed in the outcome? Have you tried with everything to honor Jesus only to find yourself dishonored?

At Christmastime, we focus on the lights, the presents, and the baby. We sing songs about the awe and fear that Mary felt when she held her firstborn son, the firstborn of creation. What God asked Mary to do was an honor but the dishonor she would experience from her own community would be heartbreaking. I’ve wondered if this is why she accompanied Joseph for the census. What would have happened if she stayed? Who would believe that she was pure? The sin of fornication was punishable by stoning. She was told by Zachariah when she and Joseph took baby Jesus to the temple that a sword would pierce her heart. What a burden for a young woman to carry. Continue reading “The Pain Of Obedience” →

AN INSULT AMONG BROTHERS

So when the redeemer said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself,” he drew off his sandal. Ruth 4:8

Our God resurrects dead things. Have we experienced enough of God’s love and forgiveness to bring life to others?

Ruth chapter four opens with a scene that is much more shameful than meets the naked eye. Boaz approaches the nearest relative about redeeming Naomi’s husband’s property. The relative jumps at the idea, that is until he discovers that he has to marry Ruth, the Moabitess. When we read this story, we instantly get excited (at least I usually do) that Boaz, the hero, gets to marry Ruth. But we miss something in between. It was a great shame in Israel and Judah for a man to refuse to redeem. In order for a man to redeem, he would have to marry and impregnate the dead man’s widow. The baby would then carry on the family line for the deceased. This was God’s way of ensuring that no line would end. For this man to refuse to take on this responsibility was a terrible thing. The relative basically admitting that he was selfish. He didn’t want to jeopardize his own inheritance. Continue reading “An Insult Among Brothers” →

THE HOLY TRAP  

Then Boaz said, “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.”  Ruth 4:5  ESV 

There is often a misconception in the church that we need to be wise as doves and innocent as serpents.  The Bible teaches quite the opposite.

I grew up being taught that if anyone asked me a question that I had to answer them.  It didn’t matter how inappropriate the question was.  If an adult inquired, then I would have to go out of my way to tell them everything that they wanted to know.  It wasn’t until a few years ago that I realized that not only did this belief turn me into a victim, it was not even biblical.  We don’t have to display all our cards at once.  There are secrets that are OK to keep.  For example, there are things that a husband and wife should never share with anyone.  They are holy and private.  The same goes for timing.  There is a time and a place to reveal information.  It’s never a good idea to allow others to bully us into giving up things that either we shouldn’t or that it is not the right time to show. Continue reading “A Holy Trap” →

HE TRUSTED GOD

“So I thought to inform you…” Ruth 4:4

It can be hard to trust God, especially when the stakes are high. Our emotions tell us that we can control situations if we worry enough. But in the end, that always leads us astray.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve caught myself worrying. My sin nature tells me that if I worry over a situation, then it will get fixed. I’ve found myself stewing and obsessing when I should be praying and trusting. It’s not something that comes naturally to me. This has been an area where I’ve had to discipline myself, remember to take every though captive. And all of this requires supernatural help. Continue reading “He Trusted God” →

Continue reading “At The Gate” →

THE MAN WILL NOT REST

The she said, “Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today.” Ruth 3:18

Are you someone who tends to stew over situations? Do you find yourself marinating over life at night instead of sleeping? Continue reading “The Man Will Not Rest” →

He Never Leaves Us Empty Handed

“You must not go back empty-handed to your mother-in-law.” Ruth 3:17

If you are in a time of waiting, please know that while you may have to endure passivity, God is active. I believe that God wants us show us today that while we may feel hollow and brittle, He has never left us empty handed.

When Ruth returned to her mother-in-law after visiting Boaz in the middle of the night, she walked into their dwelling place with six measures of barley in her arms. They had provision as they waited. When we are in the thick of difficult circumstances, we can feel burned out and at the end of ourselves. We may feel that we have nothing to offer anyone. Maybe we can’t even help ourselves. But here’s the deal, were we ever really able to help ourselves? If God orchestrates every heartbeat, every breath we take, then are we the ones who are in control?

When Ruth walked in with that barley, Naomi knew that everything would be OK. We are in the same position both corporately and personally. Corporately, we, the church, the body of believers, are waiting for Jesus to come back for us. I often think about the heartbreak the disciples and other believers must have felt as Jesus ascended. But He promised the Holy Spirit. He never leaves us empty. Though we are empty, in and of ourselves, there is all the more room for His power to work through us. On a personal level, we wait for God to intervene on our behalf. We wait for healing. We wait for deliverance. As we give ourselves over to God’s will, He is able to use us. His Word says that “God chose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise…” (1 Corinthians 1:27) He will equip us for the future.

Dear Heavenly Father
Forgive me for not fully submitting to the trials that You have for me. I choose You because You chose me first. My life is yours. You didn’t hold back Your Son, I won’t hold back anymore. In Jesus Precious Name, Amen

The Man Listened

“…The man will not rest but will settle the matter today.”

Almost everyone I’ve talked to has felt invisible at some time or another. This usually goes hand in hand with not feeling heard.

After being in ministry for years and talking to many women, I’ve found that most women struggle with not feeling heard. This issue looks differently to each person. Back in school, when I was being bullied, I shut down. I stopped talking. I stopped raising my hand. I would sit towards the back and quietly do my work. Continue reading “The Man Listened” →