2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 – “Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? 6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.”  NASB

Through the years, the church has branded various world figures as “The Antichrist” only to be proven wrong.  Some have insisted that Barack Obama, the former president of the United States was the “Antichrist” but again, they are wrong.  “The Man of Sin, The Lawless One, or the Antichrist” is probably alive today somewhere on the planet.  Regardless of your belief as to who he might be or where he might come from, the fact that He will come should be foreboding. 

The former President Obama moved to allow a UN Resolution that would return Israel to Pre-1967 borders and effectively cripple the nation’s ability to defend itself.  I believe that any such action would not be in the best interest of Israel or the Free World including the United States of America.

The Door to Lawlessness is open in today’s world and it has largely resulted from Silence by the Church on too many fronts.  Paul advised or prophesied in our text that this one will not ascend to his ultimate position of power Until or Unless there is widespread ‘apostasy’ in the church and the world.  I have contended for a long time, based on my understanding of the Bible and observation of human nature, that when the Church is silent evil grows strong and often prevails.  When the Church is a strong force in voice and demonstration of purity, righteousness, and holiness evil is suppressed. 

The Antichrist, the Man of Sin that Lawless One, cannot find acceptance without the Church drifting from its biblical and moral mooring.  Tragically, too often, that is visible in today’s world.  Deception cannot prevail when there is diligence in prayer and commitment to God, His Kingdom, and His Word.  When the Church’s voice is strong, society, as a whole, resists deception, suppresses selfishness, and maintains moral sensibility.  That is not a breeding ground for the devil, so he has worked tirelessly to erode our commitment, tarnish our convictions, and encourage us to adopt the worldview of ‘tolerance.’  

Tolerance is a biblical concept but only to the degree that it does not violate the core principles of God’s Word and Righteousness.  The Bible is not Tolerant of Sin!  We are tolerant of sinners but not sin!  We are tolerant of differing views but not the Core Foundational Principles of God’s Word.  Jesus is the Door to Salvation.  Jesus is the Messiah who gave His life a ransom for whosoever will.  Jesus is the only begotten, sinless Son of God. 

There are not many roads leading to heaven and there is no other name under heaven whereby we can be saved but the Name of Jesus.  Trying to be inclusive at the expense of conviction is not inclusive it is destructive.  Therefore, the coming chaos is coming because the Church has opened the door.  The Spirit of Antichrist is and has been at work in the world and it is high time that we The Church, Believers, members of the Family of God, and the Body of Christ stand firm and “seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.” 

God, bless you as you dedicate, rededicate, and anchor your hope in God through His Son, Jesus Christ.  

Jonah 1:1-3 – “The word of the LORD came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.” 3 But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.”  NASB

The story of Jonah is more than a little interesting and informative.  The word of the Lord came to Jonah giving him the assignment of going to a major city in Nineveh and decry their wickedness.  He was to go pronounce judgment on that wicked city.  There are any number of possible reasons that Jonah found this assignment less than desirable and among them could be fear and his desire to not be identified as a naysayer. 

Rather than doing what God told him, he booked passage on a ship to Tarshish.  During his journey the ship he was on came under siege from the elements and those aboard recognized that this was the hand of God, therefore they sought to determine who was the culprit.  In the process, they determined that it was Jonah.  Jonah instructed them to throw him overboard and they would be spared.

Had God relented of His call to Jonah that would have been the end of the story, but it was not.  The great fish God had prepared swallowed him and for three days and nights, he was in the belly of that beast.  Then, after such a time and Jonah realizing he had been spared, repented, and prayed.  God then prompted the fish to vomit him onto the shore and at that point, the Spirit of God came to Jonah a second time instructing him to go to Nineveh.  This time he obeyed and preached the impending judgment on the city.  To Jonah’s chagrin, they repented! 

That should have been his hope but after his pathway to obedience, he now considered this a slap in his face, that he had preached judgment and no judgment would come.  He got angry with God and complained about the long-suffering nature of God and lamented, “This is what I feared would happen.”  What a man of God!  Rather than having redemption as his end view, he had the accuracy of his word as the most important element.  Preaching hell without a broken heart is a tragedy.

God came to Jonah and used a worm and a plant to communicate His grace and remind him of the value of forgiveness and the power of love.  If you have ever experienced the Holy Spirit prompt you to deliver a message that you knew would not be well received, you know a little of Jonah’s plight.  If you have watched those you considered wicked receive God’s mercy you have tasted Jonah’s plight.  God is not a man, does not operate according to the ideology of man or in the timing of man.  God’s ultimate desire is for us to be reconciled to Him and if He sends forth a word of judgment and repentance takes place we should rejoice in His mercy and the restoration. 

I have uttered warnings that were heeded, and repentance brought about restoration and I have uttered warnings that were scorned and ignored and watched the impending destruction that ensued.  I know what it is to rejoice in restoration and weep in destruction. I know what it is to hear a word from the Spirit of God and find the assignment so troubling I resisted and suffered in my heart, mind, and spirit Until I repented and fulfilled my assignment. 

In nearly all those cases my desire was to see the restoration, even when I did not fully trust those appearing to repent.  I was simply the messenger not the judge and trusted God enough to respect His assessment of the situation.  If you have or are running from your assignment, I call upon you to find a place to pray and repent before God for your rebellion.  Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you forth into the pace of obedience and rejoice in what God does.  You bring needless pain and suffering to yourself and those you were assigned to minister to in your disobedience.

God, bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!

John 8:31-32 – “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ” If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”  NASB

My purpose is not to start a firestorm of religious argument, but to call attention to both the requirement and promise of our LORD to those of that day and us today.  He was speaking to Jews who believed Him or believed in Him.  They believed He was who He claimed to be, “Messiah”.  They believed that He had the words of eternal life.  They recognized Him as a great prophet and knew that His message was completely other than that of the religious leaders of their day.  The believed!

Jesus then said something troubling for many.  He said, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will now the truth and the truth will make you free.”  There are many facets of what He said that need to be considered, observed, and accepted if we are to find, have, receive, and walk in the Abundant Life He Promised and become the Glorious Church He came to build. 

First, they were believers!  However, Jesus indicated that just believing was not enough to enter into that fullness He taught there had to be Continuing as well.  That continuing meant obedience to His words, precepts, and teachings.  It is only in continuing that we become genuine disciples not simply one that professes a belief that He is who He declares Himself to be. 

The profession of faith is the first step, not the entire race.  It is the beginning, not the conclusion.  If we stop there, we fall so far short of what God has for us we will be tormented by the enemy of our souls and never fulfill the words of Isaiah’s promise in 40:31 – “…They that wait upon the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up like the eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and to become weary.”  We will not find ourselves in the place of Psalm 91 nor will we truly embrace and experience the promise of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30.  So, Continuing is a necessary ingredient in our spiritual development and life.

Next, Jesus promises that If we Continue and become genuine disciples, two things will happen.  We will Know the Truth and that Truth that we know will make us free.  I said the Truth that you know not just truth.  Yes, God’s truth is what makes us free but if we do not know that truth, we will not exercise faith with regard, to it nor will we walk in that truth, and being made free requires both knowing and obeying therefore it is The Truth that You Know that makes you Free.  Not your own definition of truth but God’s Truth.  God’s Truth becomes part of your being, part of your consciousness, and shapes who you are.  So, continuing in His Word in obedience leads to Freedom. 

It is not enough to give mental assent to the truth we must continue in it.  It is not enough to express the belief that Jesus is the Christ we must continue in His truth and as we embrace that truth, walking it out in our lives that Truth liberates us, empowering us to stand in the face of all temptation and in the midst of any storm of life. 

God, bless you as you continue in His Word and Follow Him fully and freely!

Luke 6:46-49 – “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?  47 ” Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like:  48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.  49 “But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”  NASB

I have witnessed the disparity between what a person says and what they live in and outside the church.  That is a natural reality in life that people say one thing and do another.  However, when it comes to a relationship with God, just saying you are a Christian does not make you one.  Let me state, clearly, that I refuse to be anyone’s judge, and if anyone professes, they are a believer I will evaluate the fruit of their life, contrast their life with their declarations, but leave the determination of whether they are or not to God. 

In this passage, Jesus identified this problem vividly. His words should resonate with us and provide sufficient cause for us to carefully examine our own lives.  Jesus asked, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”  Clearly, it is not our own declaration that makes His Lordship a reality in our lives it is the fruit of our lives that reveals the true condition.  No, I am not offering a justification for becoming judgmental and self-appointed fruit inspectors.  Jesus gave an analogy that is valuable for us as individuals in the self-examination of our own lives.  Let’s examine his comparisons and see if we can glean benefit.

If we Hear, the Words of our LORD and act on them in obedience, Jesus said we could be compared to a prudent and competent builder.  That builder would dig a deep and solid foundation going to bedrock ensuring that if the floods or violent winds came the house would be strong.  In short, “having done all to stand, able to stand.”  The person that Hears, the Words of Christ but does not act or obey them is like the person that ignores the foundation and erects his structure.  It may look wonderful on the outside but has no stability and will easily be destroyed. 

Obedience involves an investment of time and energy in allowing a solid foundation to be built. This is the work of the Holy Spirit with our cooperation as we “study to show ourselves approved unto God, rightly handling the Word of Truth.”  This is allowing the Love of Christ to be shed abroad in our hearts and a commitment to obedience.  This is a love relationship that is not interested in simply looking right or sounding right but being right.

Just because one professes to be a follower of Christ does not mean the fruit of their lives will validate that claim.  When trouble comes, we find out what we are made of.  When the enemy comes in like a flood, we need a foundation that can withstand his assaults.  We must make Christ our Rock and upon that Rock build our lives, otherwise, it is the shifting sand of will-power and nothing more than rain on a tin roof.  Noise but no substance.

God, bless you as you seek Him in all things and at all times! 

Romans 12:3-8 – “For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. 4 For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; 7 if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching; 8 or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”  NASB

1 Corinthians 8:1-3 – “Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But the man who loves God is known by God.”  NIV

This might be a good devotional for Valentine’s Day but I’m offering it today.  We will not focus on Romantic Love but one of the greatest needs among humans today, LOVE!  More specifically I want to address AGAPE LOVE! I have observed through the years of ministry and Christian service as well as through studying God’s Word that Disunity is the most destructive thing that the New Testament Church faces today.  I believe that even a cursory reading of the New Testament reveals the Unity is one of the greatest needs of the church and can only be realized through a manifestation of AGAPE LOVE! 

I believe it is impossible to read the New Testament without realizing that God has a unique plan for every believer.  God desires that every believer is a functioning member of the Body of Christ and in so doing be a Member of the Family of God which lends itself to being a part of a local congregation.  In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians (4:15-16) he addressed this issue of Body Ministry and Love. 

Repeatedly the New Testament writers exhorted believers to engage in specific activities to enable the Body of Christ to function the most productively and thereby grow spiritually.  Frequently they used a word that described that mutual and reciprocal process:  Allelon – “one another”.  You find that word 58 times in the New Testament and Paul used it 40 of those times.  You find it a common thread in his letters and lists 12 significant actions that Christians are to take toward “one another” to build up the Body of Christ.

Love is the more excellent way according to 1 Corinthians 12:31 and 13:13. In fact, “Love one Another” occurs more frequently than all the rest.  Of the 48 references to ‘one another’, eleven times we are told to love one another.  If you add the direct commands of Jesus from John’s Gospel that list climbs to fifteen times.  Therefore, without question Love is the most significant issue for the believer in the New Testament.  

Colossians 3:14, “Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.”  1 Peter 4:8, “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” 

When you consider the directives of our Lord to His disciples it comes as no surprise that He would place an emphasis on Love.   Remember His commandment in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give you: LOVE ON ANOTHER.  As I have loved you, so you must LOVE ONE ANOTHER.  All men will know that you are my disciples if you LOVE ONE ANOTHER…” (Emphasis Mine).

In truth, all the actions we are enjoined to take toward ‘one another’ are simply Love in Action commands.  That was the basis of Paul’s prayer in Philippians 1:9-11, “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in the knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.”  

I have learned and observed that when there is a sufficient flow of Agape Love in the Body, all divisive factors shrink and diminish.  Agape drives the devil back into darkness because Love brings Light, and the devil cannot stand the Light.  Increasing Love will cover all the differences concerning the nonessentials and bring oneness to the Church in a most powerful manner.  Therefore, I believe that one of the singular greatest needs of the church is Agape Love!  We are family and 1 Corinthians 12:27 declares, “Now you are the Body of Christ, and each of you is a part of it.”

Let me conclude with three specific things the church needs to understand:

1. No Individual Christian Can Function Effectively by Himself.
2. No Member of Christ’s Body Should Feel He is More or Less Important Than Any Other Member of That Body.
3. All Christians Should Work Diligently to Create Unity in the Body of Christ.

There is no difficulty that enough Agape will not conquer.  There is no disease that enough Agape will not heal.  There is no door that enough Agape will not open.  There is no gulf that enough Agape will not bridge.  There is no wall that enough Agape will not pull down.  There is no sin that enough Agape will not redeem. 

Love defeats the devil-like nothing else will or can.  So, as you put on love and walk out into your world today, go with God and He will go with you. 

Blessings abundantly are my desire and prayer!

2 Samuel 9:2-5 – “2 And there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba. So when they had called him to David, the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” He said, “At your service!”  3 Then the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?” And Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.” 4 So the king said to him, “Where is he?”  And Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar.”  5 Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar.”  NKJV

Here is a beautiful picture, that I suggest is an example of the ministry of our Lord Jesus for all who are ‘weary and heavy laden’ and lonely and living in lack.  The servant of Saul’s house informed the king that there was a descendant of Jonathan, Saul’s son.  The descendant, Mephibosheth was lame and unable to fully care for himself.  David sought to demonstrate kindness in fulfillment of his promise to Jonathan and his honoring of the fact that Saul had been God’s anointed leader. 

Where Mephibosheth was dwelling is of importance it was Lo Debar or Lodebar which means “a place of no pasture” and indicates ‘loneliness and lack’.  Some historical suggestions are that this city was a forgotten place where those dwelling there were largely the outcasts of society ignored by those outside.  It was a PLACE OF LONELINESS!

David sought out Mephibosheth and that is exactly what our Lord does for us.  He has sought us and seeks us out to restore us and bring us out of our Lo Debar.  I love the words of David to Mephibosheth when he was brought before the king.  David called to him calling him by name and Mephibosheth responded, no doubt with trepidation and trembling for kings in those times usually executed the surviving members of families of prior kingdoms. 

David immediately said, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; you shall eat bread at my table continually.”  WOW!  Did you hear that?  I am going to show you ‘checed’ or kindness.  That’s what God does for us.  Then he said, I am going to restore to you all the lands of your grandfather.  God is a God of Restoration and will restore all that has been stolen from us.  Then, he said, “…you shall eat bread at my table continually.”  HALLELUJAH!  We have a seat at the Master’s Table CONTINUALLY!

I don’t know what you are now experiencing or have been experiencing.  I don’t know if you are in a state of loneliness and lack but I know the Lord’s Promise and heart for you.  Remember Jesus’ words in Luke 12:32, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”  In Matthew 6, Jesus spoke to the disciples and followers and to all of us now assuring us that WE DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY! 

Jesus uses the illustration of flowers and their beauty and the grass of the field that is temporary but clothed in majesty by the creator to remind us that if God takes that kind of interest in grass what will he do for His children.  Then in Matthew 6:33 we come to a most powerful word for God, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  As the song says, “I don’t worry, I don’t fret, God’s isn’t finished with me yet.” 

You may be in a place of no pasture, feeling a castaway and forgotten by society but God has not forgotten you and will bring you out of nothingness to plenty.  Just lift up your heads and lift up your eyes knowing your redemption is near!

God bless you as you embark on today’s leg of life’s journey.

1 Samuel 1:24-28 – “Now when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bulls, one ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh. And the child was young. 25 Then they slaughtered a bull and brought the child to Eli. 26 And she said, “O my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the LORD. 27 For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition which I asked of Him. 28 Therefore I also have lent him to the LORD; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the LORD.” So they worshiped the TLORD there.”  NKJV

The words leap off the page at me when I read, “…as long as he lives, he shall be lent to the LORD.”  Imagine a mother whose heart was so heavy because she had no children praying a fervent prayer that resulted in a prophetic word and a miraculous work of God.  God answered her prayer and provided that child, a son, she had so desired.  Now, imagine that mother being willing to totally dedicate that son to God and giving him physically as well as spiritually to the LORD. 

I have had people tell me they thought less of Hannah because she gave up the child but remember her vow in v.11, “…O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”   Her vow was her covenant with God and the life that was produced in Samuel is nothing short of extraordinary.

She kept him in the early formative years of his life before taking him to Eli, the priest.  That calls to mind the words of Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  Her vow indicated that Samuel would act and serve as a Levite but would be raised as a Nazarite or one who willing dedicates himself to God. This was signifying that he would be totally dedicated to God and I am convinced that is the message she conveyed to him in those formative years. 

She taught him God’s covenant and instilled in him the importance of keeping vows made to God and in pursuing God’s purposes in life. She taught him through her words and actions that God was supreme above all things.  Then when she takes him to Eli he has been saturated with the Word of God, Prayers, and the impact that his godly mother would have the rest of his days.

Of course, that is only one side of the equation for we dare not omit personal responsibility and personal commitment.  Samuel could have resisted and rebelled, but he didn’t.  He didn’t because the method and message of his mother resonated in his heart.  She had kindled in him a desire to serve God and while I’m sure that her leaving him with the priest was somewhat traumatic or would have been for most children.  I’m sure her heart was torn from her chest as she walked away.  I’m equally sure that God saw both their hearts and through His Spirit, Power, and Love provided a balm of peace in their hearts.  Samuel had to decide to fulfill the vow of his mother and he did.

Would Samuel have become the mighty prophet of God and man of the hour had she not made that vow and kept it?  Probably not!  Would Samuel have become a strong pillar in Israel had his mother not instilled in him from his birth the purpose of his life and the purpose of God?  Probably not! I cannot emphasize the value and importance of godly parents in raising children.  One of the most significant problems in our world today, especially in America, is the lack of two-parent homes and the lack of godly parenting.  Thank God for those who view their role and responsibility as parents as a ministry and mandate from God to fulfill the first part of Proverbs 22:6 so that the latter part can become a sure reality.            

If you have children, they are your responsibility, and you are accountable to God for the training and example they receive.  You are their role model, not Hollywood, Athletes, or Entertainers.  YOU ARE!  Your value in the shaping of their lives is almost incalculable.

God bless you as you fulfill your purposes for this day in Jesus!

Ruth 1:16-17 – “16 But Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.  17 Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The LORD do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.”  NKJV

The incredible power of devotion and faithfulness is seen in the Book of Ruth in both Ruth and Boaz.  However, for it to have reached the place that Boaz could take Ruth as a wife, there had to be the commitment of Ruth in making covenant with Naomi.  Ruth’s husband was dead, and Naomi had no other sons and no prospect of having sons that could marry Ruth and raise up seed in the name of his brother.  Ruth was released by Naomi as was Orpah, but Ruth refused to desert her mother-in-law and her covenant vows are seen in these verses.

Naomi was moved by Ruth’s commitment and selflessness but more importantly, God took note of her heart which produced her actions.  When they returned to Bethlehem, they were destitute and among their relatives was a rich man named Boaz.  Ruth requested Naomi’s permission to go to his field to glean so they could eat.  There is no evidence that Ruth had a plan to get Boaz to marry her simply she was seeking to care for her mother-in-law. 

It was the custom of the Jews to allow strangers to gather the corners of the fields and even glean the trampled down grain so when Ruth came to the field the workers honored the custom and allowed her to glean.  Boaz took note of her and upon inquiry realized who she was and was, no doubt, moved by her devotion to Naomi.  He invited her to continue day by day gleaning in his fields and instructed the workers to drop handfuls on purpose for her so that she would be sure to have a goodly amount to sell and for Naomi and her to eat.

When Ruth reported what had transpired to Naomi, her mother-in-law sensed the heart of God and knew the Law of the Kinsman-Redeemer, so she encouraged Ruth to return with specific instructions.  Her willingness to comply and her demonstrated virtue moved the heart of Boaz as God worked His plan looking down the road to the Christ being born.  Boaz sought to protect her reputation and took action to approach the Near Kinsman to enact the Kinsman-Redeemer rights.  The Near Kinsman declined for personal reasons allowing Boaz to fulfill the role and duty required by the Law.

Ruth and Boaz had a son.  The child was named Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David from whose line Christ was born.  In the life of Ruth and Boaz, we get a picture of the Kinsman-Redeemer Jesus and in the Book of Revelation Five, we find one of the elders told John that there is one that has earned the right to open the scroll in heaven and that one is Jesus our Kinsman-Redeemer. He, Jesus, has redeemed us, is redeeming us and will redeem us in the Last Days and seal forever our eternal place with Him in glory.

Two thoughts I want to leave you with.  One, the heart of a servant can clearly be seen in Ruth and the servant’s heart was rewarded by God.  Two, it was not enough just to serve but Ruth cut a covenant with Naomi, and God is a Covenant Making and Covenant Keeping God and honors His covenant forever.  Ruth, in my mind, gives us a picture of what we should be and can be in Christ!

God bless you as you embark on today’s leg of your life’s journey!

Philippians 3:7-11 – “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ  9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”  NKJV

            There is enough here to preach from for months and to write a book on, but one particular phrase leaps off the page for me.  The beginning words of v.10 scream for my attention, “…that I may know Him…”  Of course, there is more but where better to begin for without this reality none of the other has meaning.  That I may know Him is the cry of my heart and there is a hunger ever growing in my heart and spirit to KNOW Him! 

I don’t mean know about Him but to KNOW Him!  I have experienced the new birth, but I am talking about something that goes beyond that entrance into the Family of God.  I am speaking of the intimacy found in the biblical word KNOW.  In Genesis 4:1 we read, “…Adam knew Eve…”  The full meaning of the word KNEW is revealed in the following words, “and she conceived…”  He KNEW her in an intimacy that transcends knowing about but in becoming one in flesh and spirit. 

            I want to KNOW Christ with an intimacy where we are so completely one there is no distinction between Him and me.  I want to KNOW Him so intimately that His thoughts become my thoughts and the mind that is in Him becomes my mind.  In the natural, it is impossible to know someone on that level without spending time with them and investing yourself in them and in the pursuit of Knowing them.  But how can we KNOW Christ on that level? 

We know Him through the Holy Spirit.  We know Him through prayer.  We know Him through His word.  We know Him through obedience.  We know Him through service.  We know Him through His suffering.  We know Him through His resurrection power.  We know Him by being transformed and having done all to stand, stand and following the prescription Jesus gave in Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…”  We know Him by making Matthew 5:6 our life pursuit, “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” 

            If we want something badly enough, we will make or take the time to pursue it, invest whatever it takes to achieve it, and devote our energy to realize it.  In relationships where love is deep and true, it is a small thing to invest energy in learning the object of our devotion and affection.  In our spiritual relationship, too often, we seem to want to KNOW Jesus as this passage describes without the investment or divestment of ourselves as is required.  He must become LORD of All if He is to be LORD at all. 

Those who have trained in the martial arts tell me that it required and requires a total commitment for them to master the discipline and techniques to become proficient in their art.  Those who are successful in business tell me that it required a singular devotion and commitment to the pursuit of that business to succeed.  Those who have successful marriages and relations declare that they have invested themselves totally in the pursuit of KNOWING their mates and although it was an easy decision it was and is a continual process and requires a total commitment.  KNOWING does not just happen and there is no shortcut to the process of coming to KNOW!

            If you are hungry to KNOW Him, you can KNOW Him on that level of intimacy.  But it will not be easy, nor will it be without pain.  No one in their right mind would desire suffering but in KNOWING Him fully we must KNOW His suffering for it reveals His heart.  His suffering pulls back the veil of the Why of the Cross and the Power of the Resurrection.  May there be birthed in each of our hearts a craving and commitment to KNOW HIM!

            God bless you richly as you embark on today’s journey.