Heroes of the Bible - Ruth

My home church is doing a sermon series this summer on "Heroes of the Bible". Last Sunday we looked at Abraham - link to my blog post here>  Abraham Now this past Sunday we looked at Ruth as a hero of the Bible. Pastor Ben was our speaker and I thought he had a very good message and discussion about Ruth. 
I took notes as he spoke and so here is some of what he said:

When you plant a garden, you get what you plant. If you plant peas you will get peas. If you plant corn you will get corn and not lima beans. You get what you plant. This is also a Biblical concept that we see right through the Bible.
Galatians 6:7-8  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting

What you sow - you will reap - And what Ruth sows she ends up reaping. Ruth sowed kindness and that is what she ended up reaping.


Our text was Ruth 1 so please take the time to read it here below:

 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.

5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

6 Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread.

7 Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.

8 And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

9 The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

10 And they said unto her, Surely we will return with thee unto thy people.

11 And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? are there yet any more sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

12 Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;

13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.

14 And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

15 And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

16 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:

17 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.

18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

19 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi?

20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

21 I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?

22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

Widows were the most vulnerable people in that society. So Naomi and her two daughters-in-law found themselves in a desperate spot. ( All three of them were widows). They are in need of protection and provision. So Naomi wants to go back to Israel.

Ruth consistently does what is right with no regard for her own future. She wants to take care of the ageing Naomi. Naomi sees no hope for Ruth. Ruth ( as widow of Naomi's deceased son ) understands her responsibility to care for Naomi. That is how things worked in that culture. It was the adult children's duty to  provide for ageing parents - there were no retirement homes etc. So Ruth accepts the cultural responsibility to take care of Naomi.
Ruth is loyal - She demonstrates loyalty to Naomi. Ruth constantly chooses to do what is right.
Ruth goes to work in the fields. This is an extremely dangerous thing to do. She has no husband and no male protector. There were guys who would take advantage of her situation. She is a foreigner with no protector.

We see Ruth doing what is right, not worrying about the future. She is going to reap what she sows.

By Divine Providence she happens to end up working in the fields of Boaz. Boaz instructs his workers to leave extra grain for Ruth to pick up. He doesn't do this because she is pretty or trying to win her heart. Boaz shows kindness to Ruth because he has heard of her loyalty and kindness toward her mother-in-law Naomi. He has been told what she has done for Naomi - Boaz shows loyalty to Ruth because she has shown loyalty to Naomi.
We must remember that these circumstances began in tragedy - in the death of Naomi's husband and two sons Mahlon and Chilion. Tragedy and disasters strike because we live in a fallen and broken world.

The things we plant in our lives will grow and produce.

What are you sowing in your life? 
*honesty - develops character where you are trustworthy
*lies and gossip - no one will trust you

What are we hoping to reap and harvest in our lives?
* strong friendships, good family relationships, close walk with God
What are you planting in order to develop that?

This is not instant - a garden takes time to grow

We want something to grow - it takes faithfulness, steadfastness and perseverance.

If you plant bad things - it will take time to fix
*you may change but people will not instantly necessarily believe you have changed. People will watch and take a step back and wait to see if there is change.
But don't give up - show complete dedication!

Ruth kept on doing right, and did not worry about the future.
Keep working and planting!
We will reap what we sow!

Wild Flowers

Psalm 19:1-3 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

A wild rose

I find that wild flowers are just as pretty as garden flowers. God created both with love and care. We can see His love in all creation and wild flowers are no exception.
I took these pictures close where we live. There is such beauty in God's creation!!

wild flowers of some kind

Garden 2013 - Blog Diary

I decided that I want to document how my garden grows throughout the summer. So I will try to post regularly under the title Garden 2013 - Blog Diary

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June 21, 2013

Today is Friday June 21, 2013. I took another picture of my garden today. It is growing really nicely as we patiently wait for a nice rain.

my garden

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JUNE 8, 2013
Today is Saturday June 8,2013. I took some pictures of my garden and my flowers today! Enjoy!

FLOWERS




My iris is blooming



This is my another of my iris plants.

My peony plant

MY GARDEN

My garden today June 8, 2013

My garden today June 8 2013

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MAY 13, 2013




So yesterday May 13, 2013 I tilled my gardens and I planted  potatoes. It was sunny and very windy all day yesterday with the temperature reaching 30C. During the night we got a small rain shower and today it is very windy again! I planted one more row of potatoes today so potatoes are in the soil now for this year.




May 13,2013 - I tilled and planted potatoes

I finished planting my garden on May 17, now just waiting to get a few transplants yet.
We got 1.8 inches of rain weekend of May 18-19. Looks like it will be a good year!

Jesus is Arrested in the Garden - Easter Week in Pictures ( Series )

Friday 

They laid their hands on Him and took Him
( picture from s196photobucket.com ) 

 And they laid their hands on him, and took him.

 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?

 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

 And they all forsook him, and fled.

 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:

 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

Garden of Gethsemane
( picture from mondaymorningreview.wordpress )

Jesus Prays in the Garden of Gethsemane

Thursday

Jesus prays in the Garden
( picture from childrenschurch.wordpress )

And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

The disciples sleep as Jesus prays
( picture from biblessonsite.org )

And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

My Birthday Hyacinth ( picture )

Ecclesiastes 3:11- He has made everything beautiful in its time.

My Birthday Hyacinth gift

Back in October, my sisters and my Mom surprised me with a 50th birthday party. On that day my sister gave me a hyacinth bulb kit. It contained the appropriate glass to grow the plant in, the bulb itself and of course instructions on how to grow it. So after waiting for 4 months for the bulb to grow and to blossom, I am now happy to say that I have a beautiful hyacinth plant blooming happily for me! Thank-you sister!

If anyone is interested in reading my two posts describing my surprise 50th birthday, link to posts here:

http://sharingthefaith-northernsparrow.blogspot.ca/2012/10/yep-im-turning-50-part-1.html

http://sharingthefaith-northernsparrow.blogspot.ca/2012/10/turning-50-part-2.html

Pictures from Around my Garden.....

God has really been showing his Hand at work in my garden as it is growing and maturing through the summer. The Bible says our lives are like the grass and flowers.  God gives us our alotted time here on earth and then we pass away to our eternal home.

Psalm 103: 15-16 says As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.  For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

Please enjoy these pictures from around my garden. May God Bless you with joy.

Flowers - God has given us so many different colors and kinds of flowers to enjoy:

The Vegetable Garden

Isaiah 40:8

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever

A Rose as a reminder of God's Love!!

The red rose has always been a used as a sign or description of love. I think it is fitting to remember how much our heavenly Father loves us when we see a beautiful red rose.  John 3:16 says  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. The rose bush in my garden is blooming now so I took these pictures to remind me of God's love for me.   

      

May I suggest that you also be reminded of God's great love for you when you see a beautiful rose, where ever that happens to be - maybe while you are out shopping or perhaps visiting a park etc.

In Psalm 91:14-15, the Lord tells us how he returns good to us when we set our love upon Him.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

My Vegetable Garden - Sowing and Reaping

I enjoy having a garden and seeing it grow. This picture here is of my vegetable garden. Among other things I planted potatoes, tomatoes, peas, beans, corn and onions. My garden doesn't look quite as good as I had hoped since we got frost here about two weeks ago and it damaged a lot of the plants. Then last Sunday we got a big rain mixed with hail so the garden is now regrowing from both the frost and the hail. I am hoping to get a better picture of my garden in a couple of weeks or a month when the plants have had time to mature. The Bible says our lives are somewhat like a garden and that we will reap what we sow.

 Galatians 6: 7-10 says :
⁷ Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
⁸ For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
⁹ And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
¹⁰ As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

If I make the comparison to my garden, I can expect that in the later part of summer I will be able to pick peas from the peas plants, beans from the beans plants, and tomatoes will grow on the tomato plants. I do not expect to harvest any beets or zucchini since I have not planted that kind of seed in my garden.
If we sow good seed in our lives, that is we walk in the Spirit, we fill our minds with Scripture, truth, pure and lovely things, we will reap, the fruit of the Spirit.  Galatians 5: 22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

On the other hand if we fill our minds with evil and with things of the world, that is we live in the flesh and fill up on the sinful desires of the flesh, we will reap pain and misery like it says in Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption

Galatians 5: 19-21  Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery,  fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,  idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,  envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 The works of the flesh can respresent weeds, the unsaved person which Jesus says will be reaped at the end of the world.
 Good seed represents the people saved by the blood of Christ, those who will reap life everlasting with God in the heavenly kingdom. ...but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Matthew 13:38-40
³⁸ The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
³⁹ The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
⁴⁰ As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.



I added a picture of my garden today July10, 2012. It has been really dry and hot out here for quite some time now.