Handling Authority

Now behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said to the reapers, “May the LORD be with you.” And they said to him, “May the LORD bless you.” Ruth 2:4

Almost every time I turn on the news, I hear a story about how a boss has abused his authority. Those under him cry out for better leadership. But here’s the catch: If we want better leaders, then we need to be better leaders, right where we are. Continue reading “Handling Authority” →

Don’t Rebuke!

When she rose to glean, Boaz commanded his servants, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not insult her. And also you shall purposely pull out for her some grain from the bundles and leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.
Ruth 2:15 and 16

Sometimes we have too high expectations of new Christians. We forget that we were new…once. Continue reading “Don’t Rebuke!” →

The Second Man

Now Naomi had a kinsman of her husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. Ruth 2:1

Throughout the Bible, we are confronted with two choices, two examples, two paths…. And as we compare the two, which will we choose?

In Ruth chapter one, verse one, we meet a man named Elimelech. In Ruth chapter one verse one, we meet a man from the same family. His name is Boaz. Let’s compare the two. They are both Jews from the same family. Their family originates in Bethlehem. Now, that’s where the comparisons end. In the face of famine. Elimelech turned aside and took his family to Moab, a country that had, historically, been Israel’s enemy. Continue reading “The Second Man” →

No Coincidences

…She happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz… Ruth 2:3

While I’m sure there is such a thing as a coincidence, I think they are fewer than most might think. Our God, the one who works out everything for His purpose, has a way of weaving seemingly unrelated things together. Continue reading “No Coincidences” →

Starting Over

…She happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz… Ruth 2:3

While I’m sure there is such a thing as a coincidence, I think they are fewer than most might think. Our God, the one who works out everything for His purpose, has a way of weaving seemingly unrelated things together. Continue reading “Starting Over” →

Promise of Harvest

And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest. Ruth 1:22b

Just as the prodigal son returned to his father during a time of plenty, Naomi and Ruth returned to Israel at the beginning of the barley harvest. Can we embrace the wayward when we have been toiling? Continue reading “Promise of Harvest” →

Call Me “Mara”

“…the Almighty has afflicted me.” Ruth 1:21

I’ve experienced grief to the point where I have had no more tears to cry. However, grief from my own choices had an intensity and tang all its own.

The whole first chapter of the book of Ruth deals with the consequences of bad choices. At the end of the chapter, Naomi and Ruth come home to Bethlehem. Naomi beats her friends to the punch. In verses 20 and 21, she says, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has witnessed against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?” Continue reading “Call Me “Mara”” →

The Other One

Then they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” Ruth 1:14-15

Many people shut down when yelled at. That considered, why do we often try to strong-arm people into salvation?

I have sat through more than my fair share of fire and brimstone sermons. I have heard preachers (and other Christians) use all sorts of tactics trying to convince people of their sin: insults, shouting, guilt-trips… How often does this bring about true repentance? Less than we may think. Ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit and the Word that draws a person to the Savior. (Jonathan Edwards never yelled, but whispered his sermons.) Pretty simple. Continue reading “The Other One” →

Even When I’ve Blown It

Ruth 1:7 “So she set out from the place where she was with her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.” Ruth 1:7

The media has perpetuated a bad stereotype of mothers-in-law for years. The relationship between Ruth and Naomi flies in the face of all that.

Before I ever met my husband, I was scared to death of ever having a mother-in-law. Shows, such as Everybody Loves Raymond certainly didn’t help. What I did get, I didn’t expect. Not only did I acquire a mother-in-law, I got a friend. I have been so blessed in that department. While I know that isn’t true for everyone else, I got a good one. Continue reading “Even When I’ve Blown It” →

Bitter Blessing

She had heard in the land of Moab that the Lord had visited his people in giving them food. Ruth 1:6b

The topic I hear the most about from other Christians is how to hear from God. Just walk into any Christian bookstore and there is book after book and Bible studies galore. Some of the answers God has for us are simple and available at our very fingertips. James 4:17 says, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. Continue reading “Bitter Blessing” →