A Virtuous Example

I have a hard time choosing favorites when it comes to Bible verses, books of the Bible or men & women of the Bible.  I would have to say that the book of Ruth is really high up there.  I may even say it's my favorite (for now!) and I'm really encouraged by Ruth's testimony of love, obedience and hard work.  I'll not retell the story of Ruth here.  If you're not familiar with it, I encourage you to read it straight from the source.  The book of Ruth is only four chapters long.   Be blessed!

No doubt the Lord God is the hero of the Bible, and we should focus not so much on the people of the Bible, but rather on who God is and how he deals with those people.  We are called to be like Jesus (who is God) not like Bible characters (...be conformed to the image of his Son.  Romans 8:29).  However, I do believe they are there for an example and to be an encouragement to us.      

I love the following passage from Ruth.  

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:  Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.  Ruth 1:16-17

I also love what Boaz said to Ruth. 

And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.  And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.  Ruth 3:10-11

Majority Rule?

This past week during the B90Days reading we read the account of the twelve spies the Lord had Moses send to check out the land of Canaan.  I like this story...it reminds me that the majority is not always right, at least not when God is on your side.

I've had a couple of occasions to be encouraged by the testimony of Caleb & Joshua to trust in God's word.  Not that I'm a super christian by any means, but encouraged to stick to my guns none-the-less when I'm in the minority in certain situations.   

The Lord promised the Israelites that land, and Caleb and Joshua trusted him for it.  Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. Num. 14:9  They knew what God had said regarding posession of the land and they believed he would do what he said.  Plain and simple. 

Too bad the majority didn't agree.

B90Days Day 8

I'm right on schedule with my reading, at least as long as I complete today's portion before midnight. Sundays and Mondays are hardest for me.  They are  busy days for me with work at church.  But that's no excuse -I will perservere!

Well, I have to say that I love the Old Testament.  I've always enjoyed history, so I guess that's no surprise.  Genesis is probably my favorite book. 

It's always been said that no matter how many times you read scripture your bound to find something new.  Or maybe something you knew will hit you in a new way.  Something that keeps coming to mind the last week is the following scripture where God is speaking to Abram:

Genesis 15: 13-14 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

Now I've read it before, but didn't give it much thought.  God just out and out tells Abram that his decendants will be in bondage in strange land!  I wonder if that is information that Abraham passed on?  Did his sons and grandsons, etc. know what their extended family was headed for?  hmm

For Christians, one thing I'm sure of is that even when the bad happens in our lives it is for our good.  God has a plan.  We may not see or understand all the ins and outs of what is going on, but for certain in the end we will be better for our experiences.  It doesn't mean we have to like it, but we do need to trust in him throughout it all.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  Romans 8:28


A lot of people refer to God as the Potter and refer to us as the clay Jeremiah 18:1-6 -  Now I bet if clay had feeling it wouldn't always feel too good - oh at times I'm sure it would feel like a nice and realxing massage - but at other times to get spun around and manipulated and then thrown into the oven, not so much.  But I bet we would all agree the end result is spectacular!

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  James 1:2-3

Praise God for the good, and trust Him for good to come out of the bad.

B90Days Day 1

I'm happy to have started back on the Bible in 90 Days challenge today.  It was such a great experience last time and a neat feeling to have completed the challenge last summer.  I kept a few things in mind that help me get through the challenge that I'm hoping will help me again this time around. 

The first thing I did was set aside all other reading. Last week I checked out a book I've been wanting to read for a long time.  Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.  I got through the (very long) prologue last week and that was about it.  I just knew with B90Days starting in just a few days I wouldn't make it trying to read both.  I'll have to take it back to the library and check it out another time. 

Next, read before doing extra activities.  I love to craft, but no crafting until my reading for the day is done!

Also, read a little ahead when possible. Today, I finished my reading by about 4:30pm.  Tonight I will most likely read at least 2-3 chapters of tomorrows reading.  I don't always know exactly what the next day will hold for me.  So at any opportunity I'll sneak in a few extra chapters, or even just a few verses to get a little ahead.  If tomorrow turns out to be pretty busy, I'll have a little less to do in order to complete the days assignment.  And if for some reason I don't finish that days reading I won't be as far behind as I might have been.

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Righteous - that word stood out as I read today.  God told Noah in Genesis 7:1 for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.  God saw something in Noah that others didn't have.

I think about my righteousness, or lack thereof, and am grateful for God's salvation through Jesus Christ.  The Bible says that my righteousness "is as filthy rags" Isaiah 64:6 and that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23.  Praise Him for Jesus who is "the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" John 1:29.  Try as I might I can never be good or do enough good to be reconciled to the Lord God.  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast."  Ephesians 2:8-9

Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.  Romans 5:18

I'm so thankful that when God looks at me for righteousness - it's not me he sees, but Jesus.