Moments with God
The Story of Ruth
Sometimes the circumstances calling you into God’s story are the very circumstances that will cause you to trust Him more. While your situation may call for deliverance, the purpose for which He has called you may not be deliverance, but rather, His presence. Famine brought his family to her land. Mahlon’s father, Elimelek, moved Naomi…
Read More From Bitterness to Hope
Trudging along the road, Naomi and Ruth headed around the bend. Finally, the city gates! If only…but nothing could bring life back to her precious husband and sons. After seeking life in Moab during the famine, the return to Bethlehem should have been a joyous homecoming. However, Naomi only felt heartache and, if she was…
Read More A Willing Sacrifice
Her father had returned! Grabbing her tambourine, she ran out the door with a dance of joy. Rather than the return of joy and laughter, a mournful cry filled the air. Anguish tore through Jephthah’s soul as his strong grip tore at his clothing. “Oh, my daughter!” he cried out. “You have completely destroyed me!…
Read More Weak But Willing
Heading up the hill, Barak could see Deborah waiting for him under the palm tree. He assumed she had a message from God. After years of hard oppression under Jabin, king of Canaan and his army commander, Sisera, the people of Israel finally repented of their sin. Maybe God was ready to act. All he…
Read More An Active Faith
Rahab the Prostitute – almost all references in the Bible refer to her in this way – almost all except one. “And Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse,” Matthew 1:5 Here, simply called Rahab. Demonstrating her faith in God, Rahab the…
Read More Using What You’re Given
As the pillar of cloud ascended from the tent, Aaron glanced over at Miriam. He gasped in horror as he recognized the disease taking over her skin, making it snowy white. God’s discipline for her came in the form of leprosy. With a heartbroken cry, he begged for Moses to seek God’s help on her…
Read More Good from Injustice
She had had enough. Finishing a long day’s work at a department store, Rosa Parks had paid her fare in front of the bus, got off, and reboarded the bus at the back to sit in the black section. Settled in her seat, she gazed out the window as the bus made its way down…
Read More Seeking Love and Finding God
Unloved. When you feel like the most important people around you do not really love you, you feel unwanted, unseen, like you have no value. You seek to be loved and valued in any way possible. And maybe it is not the people but your circumstances causing you to feel unseen and of little value.…
Read More What Makes You Beautiful?
A spring of water drew Rebecca to Isaac, while a well of water drew Jacob to Rachel. The difference? Prayer. Coming to the spring, Abraham’s servant prayed for the woman meant for Isaac and their meeting at the spring gave the servant God’s confirmation. Arriving in his mother’s land, Jacob met shepherds at a well.…
Read More Trust in the Messiness
Hoisting the water jar onto her shoulder, Rebekah headed down to the spring to complete her daily chore. Lowering the water jar down, Rebekah heard a voice asking her for a drink. Quickly drawing the water out of the spring and turning to offer the cup, she noticed this man’s ten camels. Surely they needed…
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