Reading for Today: 1 Samuel 1:1-7 and Romans 1:1-7

“To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints…” Romans 1:7
We are all saints if we believe in what Jesus has done for us.

Reading for today: Ruth 4:13-22 and 2 Thess. 3:14-18

“So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Ruth 4:13

The Book of Ruth begins with Elimelech’s disobedience, but it ends with Boaz’s obedience.  Elimelech’s sons perished in Moab, but Boaz’s son, Obed, lives as a testament to God’s grace in the genealogy of our Savior!

Reading for today: Ruth 4:1-12 and 2 Thess. 3:13

“Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” 2 Thess. 3:15

Paul’s instruction to the church at Thessalonica regarding addressing disobedience and bad behavior in the church is to recognize it and confront it with love.  A failure to apply verse 15 to correction within the church body may prevent restoration, bring about bad feelings and, ultimately, result in a poor witness to the world.  Christ continues to love the sinning Christian even as God applies discipline; shouldn’t we demonstrate the same attitude toward our brethren?

Reading for today: Ruth 3:1-18 and 2 Thess. 3:10-12

“And she said to her, ‘All that you say to me I will do.’” Ruth 3:5

Ruth certainly had a trusting, obedient heart.  Naomi’s instructions must have seemed odd to Ruth, who was not familiar with Hebrew customs, but she doesn’t ask for an explanation or suggest a different plan.  Instead she responds simply, “All that you say to me I will do.”  I wish I could say that were my response to God’s call and will in my life.

Reading for today: Ruth 2:18-23 and 2 Thess. 3:6-9 

Focus on: 2 Thess. 3:7b-8

Our faith has been given a bad rap because too many charlatans have taken advantage of Christianity for personal gain.  Our salvation is free, but Christ called His followers to walk a difficult road.  The world thinks of Christianity as wearing expensive suits paid for by the donations of simpletons.  We need to show the world by example that a personal relationship with Jesus is not about money and comfort, but about unselfish love: His for us, and ours for others through Him.

Reading for today: Ruth 2:1-17 and 2 Thess. 3:4-5 

“Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” 2 Thess. 3:5

Who is directing your heart?  Paul’s prayer to the church at Thessalonica was that they would allow their hearts to be directed by God.  This would require those people to be looking to God and listening for His voice, tuning out the noise of the world and abiding in the Word.  Hearing and understanding God’s direction for our lives is not a passive thing, but an active pursuit of Him.  Read, pray, fellowship with Spirit-filled believers and be open to His leading and direction in your life.  No matter the path God has for you, the destination will be His love.

Reading for today: Ruth 1:6-22 and 2 Thess. 3:3

Focus on: Ruth 1:11

Why do we limit God’s grace and power by comparing Him to ourselves?  Too often we look at a difficult situation and, because the solution is beyond our ability, we grow discouraged and lose faith.  Maybe we’ve brought a trial upon ourselves because of sin and think that God can’t step in and work in the situation, that we’re left to our own strength.  Not true!  The Bible is filled with stories of God doing the “impossible” in spite of mankind’s weakness.  We are finite, He is infinite.  He created the universe, parted the seas, brought men through fire, fed and watered a nation for forty years in the desert, and raised His Son from the dead to save sinful man.  He’s more than capable of helping you with your problem.

Reading for today: Ruth 1:1-5 and 2 Thess. 3:1-2

Focus on: Ruth 1:1

Leaving the land of God’s promise during a time of trial isn’t a great way for a story to begin.  Elimelech looks east over the border from Israel and sees that the land of Moab is not suffering and leads his family out of God’s will and into a place that seems more pleasing.  This decision has dire consequences for Elimelech and his two sons.  Mercifully, we know that God’s grace always trumps man’s failings, but how much better to live in His will even during trials, than to compromise for the sake of temporary comfort?

Reading for today: Judges 21:13-25 and 2 Thess. 2:16-17

“In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25

Without a strong leader, people often fall into sin because doing what we “feel” is right is different for everyone.  This is why we so desperately need a Savior who is the Truth; because there are absolute truths that do not change, and our Lord is the same, yesterday, today and forever.  Who is Lord of your life: you or the Lord you claim?

Reading for today: Judges 21:1-12 and 2 Thess. 2:13-15

“…because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.” 2 Thess. 2:13b

Why do we give thanks to God for our brothers in Christ?  Because God chose them to be His. Even if we do not understand or agree with everything they do, we are to give thanks for who they are in Christ Jesus.  This process of sanctification is a difficult journey that molds us into an image much more like Jesus and separates us from the sin of this world.  The prize is well worth the cost, but it only happens through the Holy Spirit and our believing.