Choices in Christian preaching highlight the power and responsibility God gives us to direct our lives, shaping our character and destiny through daily decisions (Deuteronomy 30:19). Illustrations often use images of crossroads, mazes, or contrasting paths to depict the weight and impact of these decisions, emphasizing faith and obedience as guides amid abundant options (Joshua 24:15).
At my parents' 50th wedding anniversary, my Dad was reminiscing about their courtship and marriage. “We didn't have much money,” he told us, “and I had to decide whether to buy a new tire for the car or a marriage license.” After a pause he continued, “I think I made a good investment, because the tire wouldn't have lasted 50 years.”
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[Original illustration at this number was deleted for being obsolete]
Understanding God's will and plan for our lives, especially in midlife. Many reassess themselves at that time.
1. God is near.
2. The desperate search for God's favor.
3. Holding on to an idealized past.
4. Love for the unlovely.
5. Faithful in the face of failure.
6. Is God a chess master?
Outline of article:
I. Question of God's will generates high interest: 62% want to know,
"Does God have a plan for my life, and if so, am I living it?"
A. Problem for many Christians.
B. Joan of Arc heard voices.
C. Approach is often youth-oriented.
II. Choices vs. evaluations.
A. Young people are interested in choices.
1) Whom do I marry?
2) What career should I choose?
B. Older people are interested in evaluation.
1) Have I made the right choices?
2) Have I done well?
III. Erroneous ideas.
A. Missing God's preferred choice in a situation by choosing some
other, but equally God-honoring and moral, path will lead to
spiritual ruin.
B. The special guidance given to apostles is the norm for us.
C. God's scriptuarl revelation of right, of wrong, and of
principles to live by is not sufficient information for us
to please God.
IV. How it affects our lives.
A. Older believers may give up on God, or turn to their subjective
impulses and claim God's blessing for the turmoil.
1) Give up on marriage, have affair, remarry, see God releasing
them from bondage and bringing them a blessing in the
guise of a new spouse.
2) However unwise our early choices, there is never an excuse
for trying to improve the situation by violating the
clear and inspired commands of Scripture.
V. The intimate God.
A. God has plans for some from conception.
1) Judg 13:5, Ps 139:13-15; Jer 1:5
2) He counts our hairs.
3) God wants good things for us. We are valuable to him.
4) Paul and Philip received direction from Spirit.
a) Acts 8:26-29; 13:1-7; 16:6-7,10
B. Does God map out our lives?
1) Not a necessary implication.
2) Parental love doesn't have to force its hopes on young.
a) Parents give guidelines for safety.
b) Parents try to impart good habits.
3) God gave Adam & Eve a few limitations and many possibilities.
a) In OT, a few moral and spiritual laws given.
b) In NT, free life in the Spirit.
1> God wants us to choose wisely.
VI. The search for God's favor.
A. Many want God to tell them exactly what to do.
1) They are unable to live with uncertainty.
2) They don't know how to handle freedom.
3) They may be desperate God will abandon them if they aren't
obedient at every juncture.
B. The crisis of midlife.
1) We hold to an idealized view of the past.
VII. God's character helps us make decisions.
A. God is characterized by covenant faithfulness.
1) He knows our weaknesses.
2) Yet he expects us to live according to conditions.
3) God is tolerant.
B. Christians should remain faithful to their covenants.
1) Hosea.
C. God brings victory out of failure. Gen 50:20, Rom 8:28
1) Christians must be creative when facing hard choices.
2) Follow Spirit, not flesh. Eph 5:1-2
Film maker Walt Disney was ruthless in cutting anything that got in the way
of story's pacing. Ward Kimball, one of the animators for Snow White, recalls
working 240 days on a 4-1\2 minute sequence in which the dwarfs made soup for
Snow White and almost destroyed the kitchen in the process. Disney thought it
was funny, but he decided the scene stopped the flow of the picture, so out it
went.
When the film of our lives is shown, will it be as great as it might be? A
lot will depend on the multitude of "good" things we need to eliminate to make
way for the great things God wants to do through us.
#1916
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How to teach teenagers to be discerning when it comes to rock music.
1. Avoid things that make Satan or evil look attractive.
2. Avoid things that promote sin.
3. Avoid things that blaspheme or debase God.
4. Choose things that nurture your relationship with the Lord.
We have to train our children, and then let them make their own decisions.
Former President Ronald Reagan says he learned the need for decision-making early in life. An aunt had taken him to a cobbler to have a pair of shoes made for him. The shoemaker asked young Ronald Reagan, “Do you want a square toe or a round toe?”
Reagan hemmed and hawed. So the cobbler said, “Come back in a day or two and let me know what you want.”
A few days later the shoemaker saw Reagan on the street and asked what he had decided about the shoes. “I still haven’t made up my mind,” the boy answered. “Very well,” said the cobbler.
When Reagan received the shoes, he was shocked to see that one shoe had a square toe and the other a round toe.
“Looking at those shoes every day taught me a lesson,” said Reagan years later. “If you don’t make your own decisions, somebody else will make them for you!”
The sovereign God has made us people, not puppets. We have His Word to guide us, His love to redeem us, and His assurance that we are capable of making choices.
Sermon in Fresh Look at Jesus series. Hebrews 12:2-4
BELIEVING IN THE DARK
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I. When is it hardest to believe?
A. For many, faith is simple and easy.
B. Others see faith as a struggle.
C. Hardest to believe when it doesn't seem to work.
II. Jesus knew what it was to struggle in faith.
A. Don't assume it was easy for him.
B. Evidence of Jesus' inner combat.
C. Jesus' struggle intensified at the cross.
III. Faith won out over fear.
A. In each struggle, Jesus kept his faith.
B. His final struggle was the hardest.
IV. Where we struggle.
A. Moral choices.
B. Life events.
C. Spiritual struggles.
V. Through the darkness to victory.
A. Crosses are great educational tools.
B. Maintaining our faith through the dark valley.
Sermon in Philippians series. Working Out Salvation. Phil. 2:2-13
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YA GOTTA WORK AT IT
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I. Getting through the pearly gates.
A. Works approach.
B. Grace approach.
II. God's part in changing me.
III. My part in changing me.
A. Obedience cannot be separated from faith.
B. We work OUT salvation.
C. Three areas to start working on.
1) Devotion to God.
2) Relationships with people.
3) Attitudes inside yourself.
IV. It's no joke.
A. Don't be afraid of God.
B. Power to change comes from God's power and our choices.
C. What do you need to change?
Martha's choices robbed her of fellowship with Jesus.
What can we learn from her mistakes?
How could Martha worry? How could anyone worry when the one who stilled
storms, cast out spirits, healed diseases, and multiplied food was there?
1. Martha's Hospitality. Luke 10:38-42, John 12
2. Martha's First Mistake. Luke 10:40
3. Torn in two. Luke 10:41
4. In a tumult. Luke 10:41
5. Lord, Don't you care? Luke 10:40
6. Demanding a Response. Luke 10:40
7. Choosing the Best. Luke 10:41-42, Mark 6:31, Mark 1:38
A corporate lawyer named Jill Natwick Johnston was about to be rewarded for 15 years of grueling work: She was offered a prestigious promotion where she'd enjoy double the salary and the freedom to write her own job description.
But Johnston turned down the promotion. As she explained in the Wall Street Journal, "There was no way I could take the job unless [I] wanted [my] children to be raised completely by the sitter and [my] marriage further stretched."
Johnston's decision is certainly praiseworthy. But it's one "woman's choice" that America's feminists are not likely to support.
In her book, "Feminism Is Not the Story of My Life," historian Elizabeth Fox-Genovese says that feminists have lost touch with the real concerns of everyday women. In particular, Fox-Genovese says, feminists tend to ignore the importance of children in the lives of most women.
While feminists insist that they respect any lifestyle choice a woman makes, Fox-Genovese writes, "it's difficult to find much feminist support for women who decide that their commitment to family must take precedence over their commitment to work."
For example, a few years ago the National Organization for Women held a convention offering hundreds of workshops on every aspect of women's lives. Only one workshop focused on children -- and that had to do with lesbian motherhood.
But mothers understand something that sometimes career-obsessed feminists don't: Children are not simply small appendages to their lives, something to put on their after-hours "to do" list. As Fox-Genovese puts it, to bear and rear children "might well be the most important and rewarding thing that most women... do in their lives." In fact, several recent studies reveal that many parents are doing exactly what Jill Johnston did: They're trying to find ways to cut down on their work hours in favor of spending more time nurturing their children.
For example, a 1993 poll by the Family Research Council found that "most working people would trade even early retirement for more time to devote to their children."
Scholar Dana Mack writes in The Women's Quarterly that "growing numbers of families are [renouncing] second incomes ... for the sake of their children's well-being." And a study reported in the book, "Staying Home," found that women who left their jobs in favor of full-time mothering said they did so in order to rear their own children "with their own values."
Teaching their own values: That gets to the heart of why both mothers and fathers are longing to spend more time with their children.
Proverbs 22:6 instructs parents to "train up a child in the way he should go." The verse tells parents that THEY are the ones who are primarily responsible before God for their children's moral education.
When parents strive to arrange their careers so they can nurture their children, as Jill Johnston did, they are fulfilling a Biblical mandate.
So three cheers for Jill Johnston, and for all the courageous parents across American who have made hard choices to slow down their careers to cultivate a richer family life.
Well-nurtured children are a much better "reward" than that next promotion.
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Copyright (c) 1999 Prison Fellowship Ministries. Reprinted with permission. "BreakPoint with Chuck Colson" is a radio ministry of Prison Fellowship Ministries.
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There is a choice you have to make,
In everything you do.
And you must always keep in mind,
The choice you make, makes you.
Author Unknown
Cited in BITS & PIECES
The greatest power we have is the power of choice. It's an actual fact that if you've been moping in unhappiness, you can choose to be joyous instead and, by effort, lift yourself into joy. If you tend to be fearful, you can overcome that misery by choosing to have courage. Even in darkest grief you have a choice.
The whole trend and quality of anyone's life is determined in the long run by the choices that are made.
________
Norman Vincent Peale (1898 - 1993)
Clergyman
Cited in BITS & PIECES
Time was when you could run into the grocery store and pick up a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread and not give the matter a lot of thought. Not anymore! Now you must decide between whole milk, 2%, or 1%; and whether you want white or wheat, thin-sliced or regular, stone-crushed, whole-grain, or even mixed whole-grain! It CAN get confusing!
Everywhere we look, choices are proliferating! For example, the typical supermarket in 1975 had 9,000 products; today 30,000+! Produce selections (in 1975, 65; in 1992, 285). Kiwi fruit (once unheard of) has hit the top 20. The average household in 1975 got 6 TV stations; today more than 30. In 1980 there were 564 mutual funds; today nearly 3,500.
A new religious denomination forms EVERY WEEK! The 1980s brought us everything from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church to the Sernjase Silver Star Center (follows the Twelve Bids from Patule that were given by extraterrestrial space brothers to Edmond “Billy” Meier).
An old Calvin and Hobbes cartoon shows Calvin and his imaginary friend Hobbes, a stuffed tiger, coasting downhill in a toy wagon. Hobbes is pushing while Calvin shouts, “Faster! Faster!” Hobbes says, “The turbo is pooped,” and jumps into the wagon behind Calvin. Calvin says, “That’s okay, gravity just kicked in.” And you can see the wagon racing down a hill on a sidewalk.
The incline gets steeper as Calvin asks, “Ever notice how decisions make chain reactions?” And the tiger asks, “How so?”
“Well, each decision we make determines the range of choices we’ll face next.” In this panel there is more dust and we are looking at the two in the wagon past some rocks and trees. They are no longer on a sidewalk.
Calvin continues, “Take this fork in the road for instance. Which way should we go? Arbitrarily, I choose left.” He looks back at Hobbes with his hair standing up straight and shouts while pointing ahead: “Now, as a direct result of that decision, we’re faced with another choice: Should we jump this ledge or ride along the side of it? If we hadn’t turned left at the fork, this new choice would never have come up.”
In the next panel we’re looking up at the bottom of the wagon, and Hobbes is looking over the side and saying, “I note, with some dismay, you’ve chosen to jump the ledge.” Calvin says, “Right. And THAT decision will give us NEW choices.”
Now Calvin is in the air over the front of the wagon, which is tipping down, and Hobbes is hanging on to the back of the wagon with his legs in the air as he says, “Like, should we bail out or die in the landing?” With his arms out as if flying, Calvin says, “Exactly. Our first decision created a chain reaction of decisions. Let’s jump.”
Now lying in a puddle with just his head and feet out of the water, Calvin says: “See? If you don’t make each decision carefully, you never know WHERE you’ll end up. That’s an important lesson we should learn sometime.” And Hobbes, shaking water off his head, says, “I wish we could talk about these things without the visual aids.”
________
C. William Mosley
LIFE 101 - WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IT IS NOT ABOUT
Life isn't about keeping score. It's not about how many friends you have. Or how accepted you are. Not about if you have plans this weekend or if you're alone. It isn't about who you're dating, who you used to date, how many people you've dated, or if you haven't been with anyone at all. It isn't about who you have kissed. It's not about sex. It isn't about who your family is or how much money they have. Or what kind of car you drive. Or where you are sent to school. It's not about how beautiful or ugly you are. Or what clothes you wear, what shoes you have on, or what kind of music you listen to. It's not about if your hair is blonde, red, black, or brown. Or if your skin is too light or too dark. Not about what grades you get, how smart you are, how smart everybody else thinks you are, or how smart standardized tests say you are. It's not about what clubs you're in or how good you are at "your" sport. It's not about representing your whole being on a piece of paper and seeing who will "accept the written you."
LIFE JUST ISN'T.
But, life is about who you love and who you hurt.
It's about who you make happy or unhappy purposefully.
It's about keeping or betraying trust.
It's about friendship, used as a sanctity or a weapon.
It's about what you say and mean, maybe hurtful, maybe heartening.
About starting rumors and contributing to petty gossip.
It's about what judgments you pass and why.
And who your judgments are spread to.
It's about who you've ignored with full control and intention.
It's about jealousy, fear, ignorance, and revenge.
It's about carrying inner hate and love, letting it grow, and spreading it.
But most of all, it's about using your life to touch or poison other people's hearts in such a way that could have never occurred alone.
Only you choose the way those hearts are affected, and those choices are what life's all about.
Unknown
[The following could be adapted for a cute children's sermon.]
This short quiz consists of 4 questions and tells whether you are qualified to be a "professional." Scroll down for the answers. The questions are not difficult.
_______________________________
1. How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator?
[scroll down \/ ]
The correct answer is: Open the refrigerator, put in the giraffe and close the door. This question tests whether you tend to do simple things in an overly complicated way.
2. How do you put a elephant into a refrigerator?
Wrong Answer: Open the refrigerator, put in the elephant and close the refrigerator. Correct Answer: Open the refrigerator, take out the giraffe, put in the elephant and close the door. This tests your ability to think through the repercussions of your actions.
3. The Lion King is hosting an animal conference. All the animals attend except one. Which animal does not attend?
Correct Answer: The Elephant. The Elephant is in the refrigerator. This tests your memory. OK, even if you did not answer the first three questions, correctly, you still have one more chance to show your abilities.
4. There is a river you must cross. But it is inhabited by crocodiles. How do you manage it?
Correct Answer: You swim across. All the Crocodiles are attending the Animal Meeting. This tests whether you learn quickly from your mistakes.
According to Andersen Consulting Worldwide, around 90% of the professionals they tested got all questions wrong. But many preschoolers got several correct answers. Anderson Consulting says this conclusively disproves the theory that most professionals have the brains of a four-year-old.
We may be known by the following, according to A.W. Tozer:
1. What we want most
2. What we think about most
3. How we use our money
4. What we do with our leisure time
5. The company we enjoy
6. Who and what we admire
7. What we laugh at
-- Michael Green
Sermon on developing moral convictions. Daniel 1:8-16
MAKING GODLY CHOICES
====================
I. We need convictions.
A. President Bush's firm moral vision.
B. Wheaton College's new moral code.
II. Gray in a black-and-white world.
A. The pressure to conform.
B. We must draw the line somewhere.
III. Making lifestyle choices where the Bible is silent.
A. Know where you stand with God.
B. Obey what you know.
C. Dig in the Bible.
D. Ask yourself seven questions:
1) Will it hurt me? 1 Cor 6:19-20
2) Will it enslave me? 1 Cor 6:12
3) Is it good stewardship? 1 Cor 4:2
4) Is it worth repeating? Phil 4:9
5) Will it hinder God's ministry through me? 1 Cor 10:33
6) Will it cause others to stumble? Rom 14:21
7) Will it glorify God? 1 Cor 10:31
IV. Seek wise counsel.
A. Mature Christians can give wisdom.
B. Bible studies offer many opportunities to "compare notes."
V. Just do it.
A. Know your weaknesses and prepare in advance.
B. Be prepared to swim against the current.
[Original illustration at this number was a duplicate of HolwickID #16768]
John Wesley Powell is a name not well recognized today - he was the one-armed, hero-explorer of American national treasure, the Grand Canyon.
Powell named a place on the Colorado River "Separation Rapid." This is where three men separated from the main party and attempted to walk out of the canyon by themselves.
What precipitated this separation? A major dilemma! The Powell party had earlier lost one of their four boats and over half their food to the river. The rapids they now faced were more menacing than anything they had previously encountered. Normally they "portaged" (i.e., carried) their huge wooden boats around such difficulty, but here it was impossible. Two choices were available to the explorers: (1) abandon the exploration and walk out, into uncharted and hostile territory; (2) face their fears and plunge headlong into the rapids, trusting themselves to make it.
Three chose the former, while the seven remaining men chose the latter. To everyone's surprise the rapids only had the appearance of omnipotence; within minutes they cleared "Separation Rapid," unscathed and with all their provisions. The three separators were never heard from again.
Commentary: Many times marriage presents seemingly impenetrable obstacles which in fact have only "the appearance of omnipotence."
In many cases it is true that the couple cannot "portage" their marriage around the obstacle. However, facing their fears and forging ahead, trusting in the grace of God [Matthew 19:26; 2 Corinthians 12:9], may bring a Grand Canyon-like surprise. Taking the "separation" route in marriage is fraught with danger, many have taken it to their great detriment.
When couples come seeking my counsel I remind them a marriage is similar to a front lawn, right out there in the public's eye: if it's nurtured and maintained it will serve them all the days of their lives, even though some must periodically be cut nearly to the roots; if ignored, abused, or trampled on it will die.
_____________________
Source/Attribution: John Gillmartin; SIEW
"To do two things at once is to do neither."
-- Publilius Syrus (c. first century B.C.), Greek writer, Bits & Pieces
"Not everything that can be counted counts. Not everything that counts can be counted."
-- Albert Einstein, scientist, Messages from the Masters, 2/1/02
"To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must cultivate our personal life; and to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right."
-- Confucius, Chinese philosopher, Quotes from the Masters, 5/3/02
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"The only thing that separates any one of us from excellence is fear, and the opposite of fear is faith. I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for, perfection is God's business."
-- Michael J. Fox
"Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives."
-- Willa A. Foster
"Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching."
-- Thomas Jefferson, QFTM 7/12/03
"Doing little things well is a step toward doing big things better."
-- Harry F. Banks, B&P 8/25/03
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The Road Not Taken
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-- Robert Frost
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Roads have long fascinated mankind, whether as metaphors for life, change, journeys, partings, adventure, etc., or simply as roads, with all their implications of 'here' and 'not here', and the fact that the two may not be as separate as one thought. This is probably why they, and all their attendant images, have permeated art, literature and song. They have also inspired some of my favourite poems, including Tolkien's "The Road Goes Ever On" and this one.
As for the poem itself, there are doubtless a multitude of meanings hidden below the surface - the main one, of course, refers to Frost's own life, and the decisions he made therein (see his biography). Personally I feel that the however many layers of meaning and allusion a poem contains, it is the literal, surface reading that determines much of its merit (and nearly all of its popularity). This poem certainly passes the test - it is nicely lyrical, and the last verse is one of Frost's most quoted.
-- EB
[The attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11, 2001, and the] horrific mass murder of innocent Americans leaves all rational people shocked, angry, grief-stricken, and numb. Our tears flow freely and our hearts carry a deep ache. How could this happen in our nation?
As mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, neighbors, and co-workers begin to share their stories of the horror, this tragedy will be become even more personal. As this tragedy becomes more personal, it will become more painful and as our pain deepens, so will the questions. Why does God allow evil to happen? If God is so great, and so good, why does he allow human beings to hurt each other?
The answer lies in both our greatest blessing and our worst curse: our capacity to make choices. God has given us a free will. Made in God's image, he has given us the freedom to decide how we will act and the ability to make moral choices. This is one asset that sets us apart from animals, but it also is the source of so much pain in our world. People, and that includes all of us, often make selfish, self-centered, and evil choices. Whenever that happens, people get hurt. Sin is ultimately selfishness. I want to do what I want, not what God tells me to do. Unfortunately, sin always hurts others, not just ourselves.
God could have eliminated all evil from our world by simply removing our ability to choose it. He could have made us puppets, or marionettes on strings that he pulls. By taking away our ability to choose it, evil would vanish. But God doesn't want us to be puppets. He wants to be loved and obeyed by creatures who voluntarily choose to do so. Love is not genuine if there is no other option.
Yes, God could have kept the terrorists from completing their suicidal missions by removing their ability to choose their own will instead of his. But to be fair, God would also have to do that to all of us. You and I are not terrorists, but we do harm and hurt others with our own selfish decisions and actions.
You may hear misguided minds say, "This must have been God's will." Nonsense! In a world of free choices, God's will is rarely done! Doing our own will is much more common. Don't blame God for this tragedy. Blame people who ignored what God has told us to do: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
In heaven, God's will is done perfectly. That's why there is no sorrow, pain, or evil there. But this is earth, a fallen, imperfect place. We must choose to do God's will everyday. It isn't automatic. This is why Jesus told us to pray "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."
The Bible explains the root of evil: "This is the crisis we're in: God's light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness...because they were not really interested in pleasing God." (John 3:19 Message Translation) We're far more interested in pleasing ourselves.
There are many other questions that race through our minds during dark days. But the answers will not come from pollsters, pundits, or politicians. We must look to God and his Word. We must humble ourselves and admit that each of us often choose to ignore what God wants us to do.
No doubt this weekend houses of worship across America will be packed. In a crisis we cry out for a connection with our Creator. This is a deep-seated, universal urge. The first words uttered by millions on Tuesday were, "Oh God!" We were made for a relationship with God but he waits for us to choose him. He is ready to comfort, guide, and direct us through our grief. My prayer is that you will attend a house of worship this weekend and reconnect with God. But it's your choice.
Several generations ago, during one of the most turbulent of the desert wars in the Middle East, a spy was captured and sentenced to death by a general of the Persian army. The general, a man of intelligence and compassion, had adopted a strange and unusual custom in such cases. He permitted the condemned person to make a choice. The prisoner could either face a firing squad or pass through the Black Door.
As the moment of the execution drew near, the general ordered the spy to be brought before him for a short, final interview, the primary purpose of which was to receive the answer of the doomed man to the query: "What shall it be-the firing squad or the Black Door?"
This was not an easy decision, and the prisoner hesitated, but soon made it known that he much preferred the firing squad to the unknown horrors that might await him behind the ominous and mysterious door.
Not long thereafter, a volley of shots in the courtyard announced that the grim sentence had been fulfilled.
The general, staring at his boots, turned to his aide and said, "You see how it is with men; they will always prefer the known to the unknown. It is characteristic of people to be afraid of the undefined.
Yet I gave him his choice."
"What lies beyond the Black Door?" asked the aide.
"Freedom," replied the general, "and I've known only a few brave enough to take it."
The story illustrates the situation many people face each day-a choice between the known and the unknown. Few have the courage to come alive, to stop being engulfed in a sea of mediocrity-humbled and dulled by failure to recognize their own potential. They lack the fortitude to stop living their lives in a mentally-chloroformed condition in that ignoble mass of humanity... the uncommitted. The choice is yours ( Phi_4:13 ). "By grace ye are saved through faith" (Ephesians 4:28). "We live by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Paul Harvey is probably one of the most distinctive voices in American radio. His lively newscasts and his unique delivery have given him a special niche in the lives of millions of listeners. But he does more than news. He is also known for the true stories that he tells, often from American history. But he doesn't let you know who the surprising subject of the story is until the end. There's a trademark phrase that accompanies Paul Harvey's great stories. He concludes this way: “And that's...” - you can probably say the rest with me - “...the rest of the story.”
Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft, and I want to have A Word With You today about “How To Get The Rest Of The Story.”
You don't really have the whole picture until Paul Harvey gives you the rest the story. There are so many times in our lives when we have decisions to make and we wish we had the rest of the story - the whole picture. Every day we have to make choices based on what we can see - knowing that there's so much we don't know and we can't see.
But there's someone who does know the rest of the story, and who's willing and able to guide you in your decisions. He promised it in James 1:5, our word for today from the Word of God. God says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, (Man, that is me many times a day!) he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given him.” What an awesome promise from God - that if I go to Him in faith, asking for His wisdom regarding this person or this situation, I can download God's perspective - and He knows the whole story!
Solomon really models for us the way to be much smarter than we are. In 1 Kings 3, he has just become the king of Israel, following in the gigantic footsteps of his father, King David. His subjects have no idea how scared he feels - how inadequate he feels ... much like we often do as parents, as leaders, as people helpers, as teachers.
So Solomon goes to God, who has all the answers, all the resources he doesn't have. Solomon says: “Now, O Lord my God, You have made your servant king ... But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people You have chosen ... So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” (1 Kings 3:7-9) The Bible goes on to say that God made Solomon the wisest man of his time, a leader who was sought out by other leaders who traveled many, many miles to see him.
Here's what Solomon shows us as the steps to getting God's wisdom. First, humbly admit your ignorance and your powerlessness - even if you're number one where you are. Secondly, acknowledge, as Solomon did, that everything and everyone in this situation is God's - I'm “Your servant” ... these are “Your people.” Thirdly, desperately seek His wisdom. When you do, God will give you breakthrough insight into that situation, into that person. He will add to what you know all He knows and guide your heart to wise “no regrets” conclusions.
But you have to, as James says, “ask God.” We're often so entangled in trying to figure things out, we're so overwhelmed by trying to decide, that we neglect to go to God humbly for His wisdom. He's promised He'll give it - if we ask in faith believing.
What a gift from God - His wisdom, the God-given ability to look at a person or a situation through His all-knowing eyes. Is it any wonder that Solomon said, “Though it cost you all you have, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7)
________________
Copyright © Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, Inc., PO Box 400, Harrison, AR 72602. Used by permission. Written by Ron Hutchcraft. "Practical Answers to Real Life Issues"
*
This is about two 18-year-old men who both received the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior.
One was a professional drummer, the other a party loving football player.
John, the drummer, was introduced to Christ by a friend who played guitar in his band. Soon afterward, the band was dissolved, and John was left on his own. He attended church for a time. But within two years, John was heavily involved in drugs and immorality. Today, he continues to wander far from God.
Dick, the other young man, found his faith very exciting, but soon missed his drinking buddies and wanted to go out with them.
"Oh, no you won't!" objected the neighbor who had introduced him to Christ. "You will study the Bible, and you will spend your time with your new friends from the church," she insisted. "You aren't strong enough in the Lord to socialize with those guys."
The neighbor faithfully shared Scripture after Scripture with Dick. She encouraged him to pray, and introduced him to other Christians. As a result, when Dick graduated from college, he went on to seminary. Today, he pastors a thriving church.
Our Lord Jesus tells us about what happens when the seed of the gospel is sown: "Now here is the explanation of the story I told about the farmer sowing grain: The seed that fell on the hard path represents those who hear the Good News about the Kingdom and don't understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches the seed away from their hearts. The rocky soil represents those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But like young plants in such soil, their roots don't go very deep. At first they get along fine, but they wilt as soon as they have problems or are persecuted because they believe the word. The thorny ground represents those who hear and accept the Good News, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares of this life and the lure of wealth, so no crop is produced. The good soil represents the hearts of those who truly accept God's message and produce a huge harvest -- thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted" (Matthew 13:18-23, NLT).
We have found that discipleship helps nurture the soil where the Good News is sown. The difference between the above two young lives was a matter of discipleship, and a caring neighbor who was willing to devote her time to her friend.
About to open wide, with the menacing drill lowering toward his mouth, a man humorously pleaded with his dentist, "Careful, doc, I can stand anything but pain."
We Americans are especially notorious for avoiding pain at all cost. By nature, every one of us is inclined to take the path of least resistance. The dentist usually injects us with Novocain to keep us from feeling any pain, but we don't like the injection needle because of its momentary sting.
We look for easy exercise programs that won't make us perspire too much or get too tired. Students shortcut their assigned reading by reviewing study notes.
And diets? There always seems to be a new fad for shedding weight without hunger or exercise! Liquid diets, banana diets, carbohydrate diets, protein diets, grapefruit diets, and the list goes on and on and on.
When it comes right down to the basics, we do not like hard work. Even in those areas that we recognize are in our best interest, such as with exercising, dieting, and studying, we avoid developing disciplines to help us.
This is especially true when it comes to the spiritual discipline of prayer. We desperately need prayer, yet many desperately avoid it. What a paradox! All of us would acknowledge the critical importance of regular fellowship with God. But as I travel around the world and speak to Christians everywhere, I meet very few who express a natural inclination for prayer.
That is probably because prayer is not natural, at least for our fleshly, or sinful, nature, even though our spirit, wooed by the Holy Spirit, yearns for communion with God. "The Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict" (Galatians 5:16, 17, NLT).
That translation speaks of "your choices." That is where the battle lies. By faith, we must "choose" to pray. By faith, we must choose to fast. By faith, we must choose to obey God, even though our natural selves may not "feel" like it.
The Bible says, "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature" (Colossians 3:5, NIV).
We must not be governed by our feelings, which are deceiving. By faith, we must choose to obey God's Word and pray -- not only pray, but let us "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 6:17, KJV).
We face a multiplicity of choices in the maze of life. Whether big or small, highly impactful or uneventful, the decisions that we make form who we are. And inversely, how we are designed, how we are wired will effect how we make decisions.
Our decision making styles and abilities vary greatly — from choosing what we think is best in the moment to stewing over the choices for far too long. Some of us even try to put off making decisions as long as we possibly can.
Christ, though, showed a perfect balance of patience, trust, forgiveness, obedience and decisiveness in choosing his actions and behaviors. The choices he made reflected the way God wants each of us to make decisions today. But how do we do this? How can we reflect Christ in what we decide?
Every time a decision presents itself, we should ask ourselves the same questions that Christ asked himself – some of which are macro questions, others are micro questions. We have to ask ourselves if our decision follows the guidelines of God’s written word, if our decision reflects God’s love, and if our decision is on God’s agenda. After answering these macro questions, we need to ask some micro questions — is the decision the best possible choice considering our past decisions, present conditions and future aspirations.
This week, run your decisions through the macro and micro funnels of the right questions. As you ask yourself these questions, your decisions will filter down to reflect a perfect balance of what God wants – a balance of the decision making styles that Christ reflected. And as you discover the answers that God has in store, you will be much better equipped to negotiate the maze of life.
C.S. Lewis once wrote:
"People often think of Christian morality as a kind of bargain, in which God says that if you keep a lot of rules I will reward you, and if you don't I will do the other thing. I do not think that is the best way of looking at it. I would much rather say that every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part that chooses, into something different than it was before.
"And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices all your life long, you are slowly turning this central thing either into a heavenly creature or into a hellish creature; either a creature that is in harmony with God, and with other creatures and with itself, or else into one that is in a state of war with God and his fellow creatures and with himself. Each of us at each moment is progressing to the one state or the other."
________
C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, p. 92.
Years ago, when I ministered in Scotland, there were two elderly sisters in the congregation. Both of them had been members of the church all of their lives. One of them lived on a farm, which had a large acreage and in the past it had been very productive. The other sister lived in a modest condo, which she kept immaculately clean.
The sister on the farm was widowed and had lived a hard life. She was weary and very needy. She didn't go out much and as the years sped past, she almost became a recluse. Her sister, on the other hand, was very outgoing, had a wonderful husband, and a lot of joy in her life.
To look at both of them, you wouldn't think they came from the same home, but they did. In fact, they were both brought up on the same farm. When their father died, they were due to equally inherit the family farm, but one of the sisters managed to get her father sign over ownership to both her and her husband before her dad died.
The other sister was left with nothing, and so she quit the farm and went to live in public housing in the nearby town. Throughout her life, she didn't have very much financially, but the riches of her life were a loving husband, great children, and a joyful disposition.
On the other hand, her sister had all the riches of the farm, which she and her husband squandered over the years. She ended up with a bad marriage, estranged children, and a guilty conscience for the rest of her days. The beautiful thing is that in her last few years of sickness, her loving sister visited her and cared for her each day on the farm. One was rich and had lived a lie. The other was poor, but showed unfailing love.
Every day we make choices and decisions: the question we must ask ourselves is this - are we only choosing to fulfill our desires and deceive ourselves, or are we willing to share our blessings and show unfailing love?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we all suffer injustice in our lives, and trouble never seems far away. Sometimes we bring this on ourselves because of greed, insecurity or ambition. Help us to remain true to You in all that we seek to do this day. Keep us free from guile and deception. Enable us to show compassion and care, even to those who hurt and disappoint us. In Your Holy name, we pray. Amen.
________
By John Stuart, traqair@aol.com, http://www.erinpresbyterian.org
Rev. John Stuart is a native of Scotland, he and his wife Evelyn became US citizens in the summer of 2001. Rev. Stuart grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, and served several small churches in S.W. Scotland before accepting the call to Erin Presbyterian Church.
*
Today we have all kinds of options and choices about how to spend our time, about the kind of career to be involved in, about where to live and hobbies to take and on and on. I think the greatest little image for that is from the movie, “Moscow on the Hudson”, in fact, I think I showed this video clip some years ago in one of our services. “Moscow on the Hudson” is a movie about a guy who was an emigrant from Russia. In fact, he was a defector from Russia. He grew up in Russia in the 60’s and 70’s. It was a difficult era to be living there then, a lot of suffering in a lot of ways: deprivation, people would stand in line for hours and hours just to get the single basic necessities of life.
And so he comes from that environment of want and scarcity and defects now to the United States and it shows him trying to adjust to the new life here in this country with all this stuff. One day, he goes out to buy coffee, he wants to pick up some coffee. So he goes to a grocery store and he says, “Where’s the coffee?” and the person just sort of points to an aisle he goes to this aisle and the whole aisle is filled with all kinds of different coffees. And as he stands there, he’s repeating, “Coffee, coffee, coffee...” and he gets overwhelmed and he actually has a panic attack and faints because he’s so overwhelmed by all the choices.
Well, that’s the dilemma today. Not just buying coffee, not just the choices of things we can have, but the choices of things we can do, the choices of things we can be. And we feel overwhelmed by all these options. And we are sometimes maybe even paralyzed or limited because we feel like if I choose this, then I have to reject that and how do you know what’s the right way? How do you know how to spend your time, how to focus those priorities?
1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1
The Beauty of Ruth
The Character of Three Women
– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -
A. Today we continue the story of Ruth
1. There are two books in the Bible named after women
a. Esther, a Jew who married a Gentile, and was the instrument of God’s deliverance of His people.
b. Ruth, a Gentile who married a Jew, and became the ancestress of God’s Deliverer from sin, the Lord Jesus Christ
2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2
Review of what has happened
A. In a time of famine in the land, Elimelech has left Bethlehem-Judah with his wife, Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, to live in the Plains of Moab
B. This was in the time of the judges, a time in which every one did what was right in their own eyes
C. Though this was not what God wanted for His people, we can sympathize with Elimelech in his natural desire to provide for his family
– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -
A. Paul told Timothy, and through him, told us that “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NAS)
1. Sometimes in the Old Testament, there is specific indication as to whether a given act is good or evil; whether it should be imitated or not
2. But probably, more often, the story is told, without moral comment, and we are left to learn the lesson from it and the rest of Scripture
B. Such is this story found in the Book of Ruth
1. No judgements are pronounced, no commendations are given
2. But we are left to study the incident and to learn lessons for ourselves from it
3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3
Review of events, continued:
A. Yet the outcome was not particularly happy
1.Elimelech died
2.His sons took Moabite women as wives
3. The sons died within a few years
B. And Naomi is left
1. In a foreign land
2. Bereft of husband and children
3. With two foreign daughters-in-law
4. About ten years after her husband’s death
5. Which is where we start today
– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -
A. It is consistent with the Bible and with what we read in Ruth to use this history as illustrative of the dangers of disobeying God and of God’s grace in what comes to pass. By the way, it would have cost them each a dowry to take these wives.
B. This week, in studying this book, I was surprised to find in one sermon, Naomi described as disobedient and as seeking to cover up her mistakes by sending her daughters-in-law back (Kerux sermon 18040). This is inconsistent with the history:
1. Elimelech may have been disobedient, but his wife had little, if any, say in the matter
2. Naomi never shows any sign of covertness; indeed, she is open to her daughters-in-law and to her neighbours when she returns; moreover, she openly confesses that what has happened to her is from the LORD, not an admission of guilt but of His sovereignty
C. Let’s see what you think as we read the next part of this history
4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4
Ruth 1:6-9 —Naomi decides to leave
– - – - – slide above (graphic: walled city), notes below – - – - -
A. 6 And she arose, she and her daughters-in-law, and began to return from the Plains of Moab; for she had heard in the the Plains of Moab that Yahweh had visited His people in order to give to them bread. 7 And she went out from the place where she had been, and both her daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the road in order to return unto the land of Judah. 8 Then said Naomi to both her daughters-in-law, ‘Go; return each of you to the house of her mother; may Yahweh deal mercifully with you, just as you have done with the dead and with me. 9 May Yahweh grant to you that you may find a restingplace here, each of you the house of her husband.’ And she kissed them and they lifted up their voice and they wept.
5 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5
Ruth 1 :10-14 —Orpah & Ruth respond
– - – - – slide above (graphic: 3 women), notes below – - – - -
A. Don’t let this picture add things in your mind that are not in the text!
B. 10 Yet they said to her, ‘With you will we return to your people.’ 11 But Naomi said, ‘Return, my daughters; why should you come with me? Have I still sons in my womb that they should be husbands for you? 12 Return my daughters; go; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, “There is hope for me,” also, “I am married this night,” and also, “I shall bear sons;” 13 therefore, would you wait until they are grown? … therefore, would you restrain yourselves so as not to be married? Not so, my daughters, for it is very bitter to me on account of you, because the hand of Yahweh has gone out against me.’ 14 Then they lifted up their voice and wept yet again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth stayed with her.
6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6
Ruth 1:15–18 —Ruth’s Decision
– - – - – slide above (graphic: Naomi & Ruth), notes below – - – - -
A. 15 And she said, ‘Behold, your sister-in-law has returned unto her people and unto her gods; return after thy sister-in-law.’ 16 And Ruth said, ‘Do not entreat me to forsake you in order to return after her; for wherever you shall go, I shall go, and wherever you shall lodge, I shall lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God; 17 wherever you shall die, I will die, and there I shall be buried; Oh that God may deal thus with me and more also, surely death only shall separate between you and me.’ 18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, then she ceased to speak unto her.
B. Let’s go back and look at Naomi and her words …
7 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7
Ruth 1:6-7 – They set out for Judah
A. What were the immediate and underlying reasons that Naomi arises to return to Judah?
B. According to their actions and Naomi’s testimony, what were her two daughters-in-law like?
C. Read these verses to yourself in whatever version that you have. Do you get the impression that both daughters-in-law intended to go to Judah?
– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -
A. Now Naomi hears that the famine in Israel is over. The word to visit when applied to God can mean both to visit with judgement or to visit with blessing. If we understand Judges and how God worked with His covenant people, Israel, then God had been visiting them with judgement, and, now after a presumed repentance by the nation, there comes renewed blessing.
B. They both showed a measure of faithfulness to her, for when she sets out they accompany her with the intention to go to Judah; moreover, she considers that they had acted in an admirable fashion to her sons and to herself. Sometimes unbelievers act with a kindness, goodness and generosity that should cause us shame who name the name of Jesus Christ.
C. Some translations make it clearer than others but the Hebrew puts the intention to return to Judah primarily upon Naomi: “She arose … she began to return” with the daughters-in-law accompanying her to the way or road (the “highway” as it were) in only an incidental fashion, but not necessarily committed to going all the way.
8 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8
Ruth 1:8-9 – Naomi’s words to them
A. What possible motives could Naomi have in sending her daughters-in-laws back? Which do you consider the most likely given the entire conversation?
B. What things are revealed as being important to a woman in those days and in that place?
C. What do you think the relationship with their mother-in-law was like for these women?
D. How would you evaluate Naomi’s spiritual condition in these verses?
– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -
A. Naomi may have sensed some reluctance or doubt in the minds of her daughters-in-law. She could understand how they might feel … she, herself, had been in the same position some 10 or so years before and she had had husband and sons with her then … but now they had not even husbands. She could have been acting in care or kindness. She could have acted in self-pity, thrusting away even those who cared for her.
B. Being in their home (“house of her mother”, “a resting-place”), having a husband (“house of her husband”)
C. There appears to have been genuine affection, love for her (and she for them); desiring to be with her, weeping in coming to parting from her.
D. Medium-high? She invokes a blessing of the true God, Yahweh, upon them; she returns believing Yahweh is dwelling again with her people.
9 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9
Ruth 1:10-14 – The conversation (1)
A. How did the daughters-in-law respond to this apparent parting of the ways?
B. What is Naomi’s argument for them to return?
C. Why was it ‘very bitter on your account” or, “more bitter for me than you” for Naomi?
– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -
A. Here they together explicitly express their intention to accompany her to Judah and to her people. The comment of Leah and Rachel that they no longer felt they were Laban’s daughters: Gen 31:14–15 – they may have not had much to which to return.
B. Naomi’s argument is based upon the Levirate marriage, that of a brother-in-law to take the widow to giver her children that the inheritance be carried on. This was general in the middle east where possessions would otherwise revert to the tribe. Deuteronomy 25:5ff makes this a duty of love.In Naomi’s words you can hear the Hebrew form of expression … “So I should still have hope! … so I should marry this night! … so I should have more sons! … so, would you wait?”
C. They still had the possibility of fulfilment with a family, but, to her mind, she did not nor could she partake in their fulfilment.
10 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10
Ruth 1:10-14 – The conversation (2)
A. What was Naomi’s “Christian” testimony like to these Gentiles?
B. How would you evaluate Naomi’s spiritual condition in these verses?
C. What distinguishes between Orpah and Ruth?
D. What gospel lesson is in this?
– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -
A. What she says, and the way she says it, is not a particularly good advertisement to the one true God, Yahweh. Her words are not devoid of selfpity.
B. Medium-low: she, in her bereavement, only sees a frowning Providence, with no possibility of blessing; yet she still tacitly acknowledges His right in bringing this affliction upon her
C. Both had tremendously good intentions; only one persevered.
D. Not every seeker continues; the parable of the sower and the seed (soils) gives evidence of this. One mark of saving faith is perseverance (Matthew 10:22)
11 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11
Ruth 1:15-18 – Ruth’s Decision
A. What sad truth do Naomi’s words to Ruth concerning Orpah convey?
B. What happy truths do Ruth’s words to Naomi convey?
C. How did this speech affect Naomi?
D. Any lessons for us here? …about witnessing?
– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -
A. Though they had spent 10 years together with Jewish husbands and motherin- law, apparently Orpah and Ruth had not left their pagan idols to turn to Yahweh. Even though Moabites were descendants of ‘just Lot’ they worshipped a horrible, heathen God, Chemosh.
B. Ruth gives evidence
1. Though now Naomi was spiritually down, she had shown spiritual witness in times past
2. Naomi’s life made Ruth desirous of sharing it
3. Ruth’s character was not only one of kindness and mercy, but also of faithfulness
4. Ruth had spiritual discernment – she did not want to return to her past life
C. Naomi ceased arguing; even her best reasons that Ruth should go back fell before Ruth’s words
D. Lives can be far more convincing than words. What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you are saying!
12 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12
[Hold] on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. –1 Timothy 1:19
Sebastian Junger’s book The Perfect Storm tells the gripping story of deep-sea fishermen caught in monstrous seas. Billy Tyne captains the Andrea Gail, a swordfish boat making a risky late-season foray into the unforgiving Atlantic. They have a hatch full of fish, a failing ice machine that threatens to spoil the catch, and a crew bent on getting home–circumstances that combine with three converging, howling storms to spawn a disaster.
The Andrea Gail’s problems were compounded by an ever-narrowing set of choices. Deceptively calm weather lured the veteran captain into a gathering gale. By the time he realized he was sailing into the heart of the Perfect Storm, he was out of options.
Life can be more vicious than the nastiest nor’easter or Gulf Coast hurricane. While we’re young, it seems we have an inexhaustible set of options. We can play, work, and watch stupid TV shows. We can squander our money and still get fed. We can choose a bad set of friends, acquire destructive habits, and take the easy way out every time. But eventually we’ll find our options narrowing. And somewhere out there, ominous weather patterns are forming, which will soon test our integrity and batter our beliefs, for we’ll be on our own.
The story of Samson shows us the result of making all the wrong choices. You can read his entire story in four brief chapters (Judges 13-16). Because of his supernatural strength, Samson thought he was invincible, so he ignored God. He willfully violated every vow he had taken and brought disgrace to his family. But Samson’s bad choices led him into the hands of the enemy. It cost him his eyes, his dignity, his freedom, his magnificent strength, and his life. What a pathetic end!
What’s ironic is that Samson, for all his gross foolishness, is still held up as a hero of the faith who “administered justice, and gained what was promised” (Hebrews 11:32-33). That’s God’s incredible grace! Still, no one wants to become a tragic hero like Samson.
Perhaps you’re struggling with a disturbing pattern of bad, or merely less than good, choices. Don’t lose heart. With the Holy Spirit’s guidance, you can do the right thing, starting right now. Before the storm hits, learn now to rely on the One who gives us perfect peace. –TG
REFLECTION
• What primary principle governs my decisions? Maximum fun? Materialism? Power? Or serving God?
• Do I squander my time, or invest it in a God-centered future?
Wise choices now bring good results later.
One day an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget. As he stood in front of the group of high-powered over-achievers, he said, “Okay, time for a quiz.”
Then he pulled out a two-gallon, wide-mouthed pickle jar and set it on the table in front of him.
Then he produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, “Is this jar full?” Everyone in the class answered, “Yes.”
Then he said, “Really?” He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar, causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the space between the big rocks.
Then he asked the group once more, “Is the jar full?”
By this time the class was on to him. “Probably not,” one of them answered.
Good!” he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand into the jar and it went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question.
“Is this jar full?” “NO!” the class shouted.
Once again he said, “Good.” Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim.
Then he looked at the class and asked, “What is the point of this illustration?”
One eager student raised his hand and said, “The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard, you can always fit some more things into it!”
“No,” the speaker replied, “that’s not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don’t put the big rocks in first, you’ll never get them in at all.”
What are the “big rocks” in your life?
Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you may never get to them.
So when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question: What are the “big rocks” in my life? Then put those in your jar first.
"The only thing that separates any one of us from excellence is fear, and the opposite of fear is faith. I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for, perfection is God's business."
-- Michael J. Fox
"Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives."
-- Willa A. Foster
"Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching."
-- Thomas Jefferson, QFTM 7/12/03
"Doing little things well is a step toward doing big things better."
-- Harry F. Banks, B&P 8/25/03
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1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1
The Beauty of Ruth
The Character of Three Women
– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -
A. Today we continue the story of Ruth
1. There are two books in the Bible named after women
a. Esther, a Jew who married a Gentile, and was the instrument of God’s deliverance of His people.
b. Ruth, a Gentile who married a Jew, and became the ancestress of God’s Deliverer from sin, the Lord Jesus Christ
2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2
Review of what has happened
A. In a time of famine in the land, Elimelech has left Bethlehem-Judah with his wife, Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, to live in the Plains of Moab
B. This was in the time of the judges, a time in which every one did what was right in their own eyes
C. Though this was not what God wanted for His people, we can sympathize with Elimelech in his natural desire to provide for his family
– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -
A. Paul told Timothy, and through him, told us that “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NAS)
1. Sometimes in the Old Testament, there is specific indication as to whether a given act is good or evil; whether it should be imitated or not
2. But probably, more often, the story is told, without moral comment, and we are left to learn the lesson from it and the rest of Scripture
B. Such is this story found in the Book of Ruth
1. No judgements are pronounced, no commendations are given
2. But we are left to study the incident and to learn lessons for ourselves from it
3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3
Review of events, continued:
A. Yet the outcome was not particularly happy
1.Elimelech died
2.His sons took Moabite women as wives
3. The sons died within a few years
B. And Naomi is left
1. In a foreign land
2. Bereft of husband and children
3. With two foreign daughters-in-law
4. About ten years after her husband’s death
5. Which is where we start today
– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -
A. It is consistent with the Bible and with what we read in Ruth to use this history as illustrative of the dangers of disobeying God and of God’s grace in what comes to pass. By the way, it would have cost them each a dowry to take these wives.
B. This week, in studying this book, I was surprised to find in one sermon, Naomi described as disobedient and as seeking to cover up her mistakes by sending her daughters-in-law back (Kerux sermon 18040). This is inconsistent with the history:
1. Elimelech may have been disobedient, but his wife had little, if any, say in the matter
2. Naomi never shows any sign of covertness; indeed, she is open to her daughters-in-law and to her neighbours when she returns; moreover, she openly confesses that what has happened to her is from the LORD, not an admission of guilt but of His sovereignty
C. Let’s see what you think as we read the next part of this history
4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4
Ruth 1:6-9 —Naomi decides to leave
– - – - – slide above (graphic: walled city), notes below – - – - -
A. 6 And she arose, she and her daughters-in-law, and began to return from the Plains of Moab; for she had heard in the the Plains of Moab that Yahweh had visited His people in order to give to them bread. 7 And she went out from the place where she had been, and both her daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the road in order to return unto the land of Judah. 8 Then said Naomi to both her daughters-in-law, ‘Go; return each of you to the house of her mother; may Yahweh deal mercifully with you, just as you have done with the dead and with me. 9 May Yahweh grant to you that you may find a restingplace here, each of you the house of her husband.’ And she kissed them and they lifted up their voice and they wept.
5 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5
Ruth 1 :10-14 —Orpah & Ruth respond
– - – - – slide above (graphic: 3 women), notes below – - – - -
A. Don’t let this picture add things in your mind that are not in the text!
B. 10 Yet they said to her, ‘With you will we return to your people.’ 11 But Naomi said, ‘Return, my daughters; why should you come with me? Have I still sons in my womb that they should be husbands for you? 12 Return my daughters; go; for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say, “There is hope for me,” also, “I am married this night,” and also, “I shall bear sons;” 13 therefore, would you wait until they are grown? … therefore, would you restrain yourselves so as not to be married? Not so, my daughters, for it is very bitter to me on account of you, because the hand of Yahweh has gone out against me.’ 14 Then they lifted up their voice and wept yet again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth stayed with her.
6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6
Ruth 1:15–18 —Ruth’s Decision
– - – - – slide above (graphic: Naomi & Ruth), notes below – - – - -
A. 15 And she said, ‘Behold, your sister-in-law has returned unto her people and unto her gods; return after thy sister-in-law.’ 16 And Ruth said, ‘Do not entreat me to forsake you in order to return after her; for wherever you shall go, I shall go, and wherever you shall lodge, I shall lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God; 17 wherever you shall die, I will die, and there I shall be buried; Oh that God may deal thus with me and more also, surely death only shall separate between you and me.’ 18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, then she ceased to speak unto her.
B. Let’s go back and look at Naomi and her words …
7 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7
Ruth 1:6-7 – They set out for Judah
A. What were the immediate and underlying reasons that Naomi arises to return to Judah?
B. According to their actions and Naomi’s testimony, what were her two daughters-in-law like?
C. Read these verses to yourself in whatever version that you have. Do you get the impression that both daughters-in-law intended to go to Judah?
– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -
A. Now Naomi hears that the famine in Israel is over. The word to visit when applied to God can mean both to visit with judgement or to visit with blessing. If we understand Judges and how God worked with His covenant people, Israel, then God had been visiting them with judgement, and, now after a presumed repentance by the nation, there comes renewed blessing.
B. They both showed a measure of faithfulness to her, for when she sets out they accompany her with the intention to go to Judah; moreover, she considers that they had acted in an admirable fashion to her sons and to herself. Sometimes unbelievers act with a kindness, goodness and generosity that should cause us shame who name the name of Jesus Christ.
C. Some translations make it clearer than others but the Hebrew puts the intention to return to Judah primarily upon Naomi: “She arose … she began to return” with the daughters-in-law accompanying her to the way or road (the “highway” as it were) in only an incidental fashion, but not necessarily committed to going all the way.
8 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8
Ruth 1:8-9 – Naomi’s words to them
A. What possible motives could Naomi have in sending her daughters-in-laws back? Which do you consider the most likely given the entire conversation?
B. What things are revealed as being important to a woman in those days and in that place?
C. What do you think the relationship with their mother-in-law was like for these women?
D. How would you evaluate Naomi’s spiritual condition in these verses?
– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -
A. Naomi may have sensed some reluctance or doubt in the minds of her daughters-in-law. She could understand how they might feel … she, herself, had been in the same position some 10 or so years before and she had had husband and sons with her then … but now they had not even husbands. She could have been acting in care or kindness. She could have acted in self-pity, thrusting away even those who cared for her.
B. Being in their home (“house of her mother”, “a resting-place”), having a husband (“house of her husband”)
C. There appears to have been genuine affection, love for her (and she for them); desiring to be with her, weeping in coming to parting from her.
D. Medium-high? She invokes a blessing of the true God, Yahweh, upon them; she returns believing Yahweh is dwelling again with her people.
9 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9
Ruth 1:10-14 – The conversation (1)
A. How did the daughters-in-law respond to this apparent parting of the ways?
B. What is Naomi’s argument for them to return?
C. Why was it ‘very bitter on your account” or, “more bitter for me than you” for Naomi?
– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -
A. Here they together explicitly express their intention to accompany her to Judah and to her people. The comment of Leah and Rachel that they no longer felt they were Laban’s daughters: Gen 31:14–15 – they may have not had much to which to return.
B. Naomi’s argument is based upon the Levirate marriage, that of a brother-in-law to take the widow to giver her children that the inheritance be carried on. This was general in the middle east where possessions would otherwise revert to the tribe. Deuteronomy 25:5ff makes this a duty of love.In Naomi’s words you can hear the Hebrew form of expression … “So I should still have hope! … so I should marry this night! … so I should have more sons! … so, would you wait?”
C. They still had the possibility of fulfilment with a family, but, to her mind, she did not nor could she partake in their fulfilment.
10 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10
Ruth 1:10-14 – The conversation (2)
A. What was Naomi’s “Christian” testimony like to these Gentiles?
B. How would you evaluate Naomi’s spiritual condition in these verses?
C. What distinguishes between Orpah and Ruth?
D. What gospel lesson is in this?
– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -
A. What she says, and the way she says it, is not a particularly good advertisement to the one true God, Yahweh. Her words are not devoid of selfpity.
B. Medium-low: she, in her bereavement, only sees a frowning Providence, with no possibility of blessing; yet she still tacitly acknowledges His right in bringing this affliction upon her
C. Both had tremendously good intentions; only one persevered.
D. Not every seeker continues; the parable of the sower and the seed (soils) gives evidence of this. One mark of saving faith is perseverance (Matthew 10:22)
11 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11
Ruth 1:15-18 – Ruth’s Decision
A. What sad truth do Naomi’s words to Ruth concerning Orpah convey?
B. What happy truths do Ruth’s words to Naomi convey?
C. How did this speech affect Naomi?
D. Any lessons for us here? …about witnessing?
– - – - – slide above, notes below – - – - -
A. Though they had spent 10 years together with Jewish husbands and motherin- law, apparently Orpah and Ruth had not left their pagan idols to turn to Yahweh. Even though Moabites were descendants of ‘just Lot’ they worshipped a horrible, heathen God, Chemosh.
B. Ruth gives evidence
1. Though now Naomi was spiritually down, she had shown spiritual witness in times past
2. Naomi’s life made Ruth desirous of sharing it
3. Ruth’s character was not only one of kindness and mercy, but also of faithfulness
4. Ruth had spiritual discernment – she did not want to return to her past life
C. Naomi ceased arguing; even her best reasons that Ruth should go back fell before Ruth’s words
D. Lives can be far more convincing than words. What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you are saying!
12 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12
"The only thing that separates any one of us from excellence is fear, and the opposite of fear is faith. I am careful not to confuse excellence with perfection. Excellence I can reach for, perfection is God's business."
-- Michael J. Fox
"Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives."
-- Willa A. Foster
"Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching."
-- Thomas Jefferson, QFTM 7/12/03
"Doing little things well is a step toward doing big things better."
-- Harry F. Banks, B&P 8/25/03
*
Several generations ago, during one of the most turbulent of the desert wars in the Middle East, a spy was captured and sentenced to death by a general of the Persian army. The general, a man of intelligence and compassion, had adopted a strange and unusual custom in such cases. He permitted the condemned person to make a choice. The prisoner could either face a firing squad or pass through the Black Door.
As the moment of the execution drew near, the general ordered the spy to be brought before him for a short, final interview, the primary purpose of which was to receive the answer of the doomed man to the query: "What shall it be-the firing squad or the Black Door?"
This was not an easy decision, and the prisoner hesitated, but soon made it known that he much preferred the firing squad to the unknown horrors that might await him behind the ominous and mysterious door.
Not long thereafter, a volley of shots in the courtyard announced that the grim sentence had been fulfilled.
The general, staring at his boots, turned to his aide and said, "You see how it is with men; they will always prefer the known to the unknown. It is characteristic of people to be afraid of the undefined.
Yet I gave him his choice."
"What lies beyond the Black Door?" asked the aide.
"Freedom," replied the general, "and I've known only a few brave enough to take it."
The story illustrates the situation many people face each day-a choice between the known and the unknown. Few have the courage to come alive, to stop being engulfed in a sea of mediocrity-humbled and dulled by failure to recognize their own potential. They lack the fortitude to stop living their lives in a mentally-chloroformed condition in that ignoble mass of humanity... the uncommitted. The choice is yours ( Phi_4:13 ). "By grace ye are saved through faith" (Ephesians 4:28). "We live by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).
"To do two things at once is to do neither."
-- Publilius Syrus (c. first century B.C.), Greek writer, Bits & Pieces
"Not everything that can be counted counts. Not everything that counts can be counted."
-- Albert Einstein, scientist, Messages from the Masters, 2/1/02
"To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must cultivate our personal life; and to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right."
-- Confucius, Chinese philosopher, Quotes from the Masters, 5/3/02
*
One day an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget. As he stood in front of the group of high-powered over-achievers, he said, “Okay, time for a quiz.”
Then he pulled out a two-gallon, wide-mouthed pickle jar and set it on the table in front of him.
Then he produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, “Is this jar full?” Everyone in the class answered, “Yes.”
Then he said, “Really?” He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar, causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the space between the big rocks.
Then he asked the group once more, “Is the jar full?”
By this time the class was on to him. “Probably not,” one of them answered.
Good!” he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand into the jar and it went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question.
“Is this jar full?” “NO!” the class shouted.
Once again he said, “Good.” Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim.
Then he looked at the class and asked, “What is the point of this illustration?”
One eager student raised his hand and said, “The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard, you can always fit some more things into it!”
“No,” the speaker replied, “that’s not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don’t put the big rocks in first, you’ll never get them in at all.”
What are the “big rocks” in your life?
Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you may never get to them.
So when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question: What are the “big rocks” in my life? Then put those in your jar first.
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