So therefore, no one of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions Luke 14:33 Not Give Up – This is certainly one of the “hard sayings” of Jesus. For that reason, it seems to be universally ignored. It goes against the human grain. Did Jesus really mean that…
Therefore, the LORD your God commanded you to observe the sabbath day Deuteronomy 5:15 Therefore – Have you ever thought about why God commanded the Sabbath rest? We know that it is a play and rest day. That’s its purpose. But why did God set up such a day? It’s not because we aren’t capable…
but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, Deuteronomy 5:14 Work – What does the Sabbath mean to you? Of course, if you’re Christian, you’ve moved from Saturday to Sunday. Actually, you moved from the Sabbath (the only day named by God) to…
You have by Your power redeemed Your people Psalm 77:15 Redeemed – Boaz is a kinsman-redeemer, a go’el. But he is not the most important kinsman-redeemer. That role is played by Jesus. Jesus, our kinsman, born as one of us, is the ultimate kinsman-redeemer. He buys us back from bondage. Isaiah 52:3 tells us that…
“A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth and does not know that want will come upon him.” Proverbs 28:22 Want – Cindy Lauper vocalized the culture’s mantra: “Money fixes everything.” If you allow the world to prescribe your antidote to want, you would certainly believe her. Everywhere we look, this world bows down…
Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD who has not left you without a redeemer today ” Ruth 4:14 Redeemer – You are the living canvas of the pictures of God’s character. Saint Francis of Assisi told us to “preach the gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” He understood…
Why have I found favor in your sight that you should take notice of me, since I am a foreigner? Ruth 2:10 Favor – The story of Ruth is the story of the effects of compassion. Ruth leaves all her security behind in order to provide for her mother-in-law. She turns her back on her…
And she happened to come to the portion of the field belonging to Boaz Ruth 2:3 Happened – This world believes in serendipity. That’s the “happy accidents” perspective. In general, we have forgotten what every believing Jew knows is at the core of existence. The truth is that God is in charge. Therefore, there are…
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 Elimelech . . Boaz – Naomi takes the name Marah, a play on the Hebrew word for “bitter”. Then we find that she has a kinsman, a moda’, within her husband’s…
“Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.” Ruth 1:20 Mara . . Bitterly – Do you know why Naomi gives herself a new name? That is quite unusual, even in our own day. When someone decides to take a new first name, it usually signals…
