Lesson 2: Mary - Mother of Jesus

We remain constantly in the spotlight, where the life we've resolved to live will either champion or denote the beauty of biblical femininity (Shirer 2011)

Hello Everyone, 

I hope you all enjoyed last week's lesson on Mary.  I pray that you all have chosen a tradition that you can implement to your holiday festivities that will honor our Lord and Savior.

Let's welcome our new readers from Malaysia!  Over 30 people in Malaysia logged on and joined us for the study of Mary last week.  Our international reader just solidifies the message of Christ, that we are all His children.

I wanted to open with the most profound statement I've read in a long time.  To remain constantly visible, living a Godly lifestyle out loud, renders a responsibility to practice biblical femininity to reference God.  It is impactful to acknowledge and be responsible for the biblical femininity we portray.  

As we discuss Mary, Jesus' mother, we have to recognize that she embodies biblical femininity.  She worshiped while waiting on God and willingly followed His lead ( Wolgemuth 2013).  A biblical woman is submissive to the will of the Lord.  Mary has shown us the characteristics necessary to operate in the biblical femininity through obedience, humility, and faithfulness. 

Resource

Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” 24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, 25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.[a] And he called His name Jesus.

biblical - of or pertaining to the nature of the bible; in accordance to biblical precedence and proportion.

femininity - the trait of typical womanhood

Lesson

The scripture text listed above communicates the same events as the depicted in Luke 1:26-38, that we referenced last week.  However, it is from the perspective of Joseph.  The Gospels mainly cover the same events in different perspectives. The miraculous purposeful planning of God works so well on our behalf. He honored the necessity of hearing both sides of the story. 

Joseph's vantage point mostly mirrors Mary's.  Nevertheless, Matthew's interpretation of the events reveals Joseph's desire to hide Mary's pregnancy (Matthew 1:19).  This was not God's plan.  God resolved that Mary's biblical femininity would champion an example for our behalf. Mary submissively and boldly walks in the calling that God has called her to (Luke 1:38).  Mary is submissive to God's will for her life and bold in her obedience.  More than capable, but willing to yield (Shirer 2011).  She represents the nature of biblical womanhood at the highest expectation; wife and mother.  The most prominent positions a woman can hold.  Would we know Mary otherwise, if she wasn't the mother of Jesus and the wife of Joseph?

A man who finds a wife finds a good thing (Proverbs 18:22).  Women are for His good in all of their capacity. Women serve purpose to the Kingdom of God as much as a Godly men.  God made women smart, wise, capable, equal in worth, secure in herself yet content in the God given role, purposefully feminine (Shirer).  Once Mary was made aware of her God designed position, she played it eloquently; like a lady.

Every design has a position.  Women are designed by God to operate in their biblical femininely defined positions.This is not based on the tormented antiquated ideas of the social opinion framed by the 1960's.  This is not the array of pendulum injustices that has held women captive and robbed them of the value in which their gender uniqueness God's design provides (Shirer 2011).  This is the celebration of truth that holds merit and weight in the eyes of the creator, who made woman and said it was good.  A helpmate, meaning necessary. 

To operate in humility, obedience, faithfulness, boldness, and yes submissiveness, is the Godly image of biblical femininity.  A Godly woman, who wears the badge proudly, must resolve to go against the tide and stand firm on what she believes based on the confidence given to her by God delivered through His eternal truth (Shirer 2011).  

My grandmother, Nana, once told me, "It takes more strength to keep your mouth closed than to open it."  We regularly equate strength with boisterousness.  The most quiet, meek, humble, obedient, faithful, and submissive soul carries the most strength.  These attributes require more self-discipline than the other characteristics we hold so dear.  God acknowledges the meek, humble, obedient, faithful, and submissive.  It is written throughout His word.

Could you imagine the conversations between Joseph and Mary if Mary had not practiced biblical femininity upon his accusations of her?  Mary is a symbol of biblical femininity.  We must ask ourselves: What kind of woman of God will we resolve to be? (Shirer 2011).

Application

We will continue the application assignment from last week.  However, as we are implementing Christ into our modern day Christmas, remember Mary and her practices of biblical femininity.  Bless your family with a woman of humility, obedience, meekness, grace, faithfulness, and SUBMISSIVENESS! Honor our creator by exhibiting the behaviors that exemplify His design of biblical femininity.  

Closure

I pray that you all will have a glorious holiday season.  Remember, we will not reconvene until the new year.  So, enjoy your families, good food, fellowship, and fun!

Be blessed,

T. Carter

References

All Bible verses were retrieved from the Bible. New King James Version. YouVersion. App Store 2013

Allen Th.D, Ronald B., House Th.D. J.D., H. Wayne, Radmacher Th.D., Earl D. (1999). New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Thomas Nelson Publishing. Nashville, Tennessee

Mears, Henrietta (1999). What the Bible is All About. Regal Books Publishing. Ventura, CA

Shirer, Priscilla (2011). The Resolution for Women.  B&H Publishing. Nashville, Tennessee

Wolgemuth, Barbara, & Wolgemuth, Robert (2013). Couples of the Bible. Zondervan Publishing. Grands Rapid, MI

Lesson 1: Mary - Mother of Jesus

Hello Everyone,

I pray that your Holiday Season has been a blessing thus far.  My family and I actually traveled over Thanksgiving.  It was a fun experience for all.  We ate too much, played games, watched football, and prayed; a great time for all.

I hope that you have enjoyed studying the women of the bible.  We have discussed the most obvious women in the bible, now we will learn more about the sometimes forgotten women of the bible.  We will start with the mother of our Lord and Savior, Mary.  Since it is the season of the celebration of His birth, it is most appropriate to discuss Jesus' mother, Mary.  There is no actual book of Mary in the bible, so we will use several different scriptures for the reference portion of this study.  At the end, we will know a lot more about Mary, which will provide more insight on understanding Jesus.  This study will only be for the next two weeks and then we will break for Christmas and New Years.  So, let's dive right in.

Resource

Luke 1:26-38

26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” 29 But when she saw him,[b] she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” 35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Lesson

Mary is known for her position as Joseph's wife, and most of all Jesus' mother.  These rolls are most honored by God.  Mary's life prior to her pregnancy is not discussed, nor are any details given about her life after giving birth to Christ.  The most significant points of Mary's existence were that she was a wife and a mother.

God specifically designed women for these two purposes.  In the Garden of Eden, God did not create woman first, He created man first.  We are designed to be the ultimate helper for man (Genesis 2:18).  While we all have a specific purpose to benefit the Kingdom of God, there are specified rolls for man and woman.  

Today's society views this as an antiquated identity.  We are constantly bombarded with images and messages that suggest a more dominant role for women.  God has entitled us with an empowerment to walk in His most heavenly design of us. God's design of woman is perfect, she is both strong and vulnerable, and powerful and tender (Shirer 2011).

God could have sent His son, Jesus, through any type of form.  He chose a woman, Mary, to bring forth this miracle through the traditional forms of womanhood.  So, to appreciate Mary, we must honor that she is a chosen "woman" of God and honor the distinctive rolls God has designed for man and woman. 

Many commentaries believe that Mary was thirteen when the angel of the Lord came to her during this passage in Luke. The timeline of her engagement to Joseph is in question for many scholars.  Mary was an ordinary Hebrew teenage girl, betrothed to a suitable and good man named Joseph (Wolgemuth 2013).  The common consensus is that they were already betrothed (engaged) prior to the angel's visit to Mary.  Joseph was supernaturally made aware of Mary's condition, and took her into his home (Easton 1897).  Other scholars believe that Joseph and Mary become betrothed after Joseph was made aware of the miracle that was to occur.

Nevertheless, Mary endured much during this time period; she was pregnant and not married (Luke 1:34).  Historical accounts specify that this is punishable by death.  Mary knew this and still was obedient to God's will for her life (Luke 1:38). 

What level of faith, obedience, and humility Mary had to possess in order to walk in her purpose.  No matter the exact age, we know that Mary was a teenager when this happened to her.  Some of us struggle with faith, obedience, and humility as adults.  God requires so little of us and yet we choose other things but Him (Deuteronomy 30:11-20).  Could you answer the call that God requested and required of Mary?  Could you operate in such a level of faith, obedience, and humility?

Every year at Christmas we are consumed by the commercialism and the expectations of gifts.  We have genuinely lost sight of the miracle of Christ and the journey of Mary.  We should honor and celebrate the birth of Christ and recognize the journey of Mary.

God has given us so many blueprints, it is a shame that we battle so much with choosing Him.  Jesus should be Lord over every aspect of our lives.  If we would have the faith, obedience, and humility of Mary, we would practice less skepticism when He speaks to us.  Faith, obedience, and humility provide us the ear to hear from the Lord.  We are more open to His plans for us when we deny our flesh, surrender to His will, and practice faith, obedience, and humility.

Application

During this Holiday Season, let’s operate with a different perspective towards Mary and Jesus.  Let us implement a more biblical approach to the season of Christmas.  Let's ask God for discernment on how we can personally apply a new tradition of acknowledgment for the birth of Christ.  Think about Mary and her spirit of faith, obedience, and humility.  We can step outside of our comfort zones and focus on the true purpose of Christ and Mary's journey as His mother.

I pray that you all will have a blessed week!

Please stop by my website and check out my new project:

project31film.com

Have a blessed week!

Be blessed,

T. Carter

References

All Bible verses were retrieved from the Bible. New King James Version. YouVersion. App Store 2013

Allen Th.D, Ronald B., House Th.D. J.D., H. Wayne, Radmacher Th.D., Earl D. (1999). New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Thomas Nelson Publishing. Nashville, Tennessee

Easton, Matthew George (1897).  Easton Bible Dictionary. Thomas Nelson Publishing

Mears, Henrietta (1999). What the Bible is All About. Regal Books Publishing. Ventura, CA

Shirer, Priscilla (2011). The Resolution for Women.  B&H Publishing. Nashville, Tennessee

Wolgemuth, Barbara, & Wolgemuth, Robert (2013). Couples of the Bible. Zondervan Publishing. Grands Rapid, MI

Lesson 8: The Book of Ruth Review

Hello Everyone,

It has been so awesome studying the Book of Ruth with you all.  I appreciate your patience in studying an over simplified book of the bible.  Ruth seems to get a bad rap in comparison to the complexities of other books of the bible.  However, its principles and precepts has just as much impact as other books of the bible.

I hope that these lessons have resonated with you as much as they have with me.  God is truly stretching and growing me in many areas of my life; specifically in relationships.  Studying the Book of Ruth has brought new light in some relationships in my life and confirmed the status of others.  As we all strive closer to be more like Christ, we must honor the principles that Ruth applied in her relationships and her life.

The Book of Ruth is God's grace (Mears 1999).  Evidence that God's grace is sufficient enough to sustain us through any situation (2 Corinthians 12:9).  Ruth did not start as a believer, but she walked in the principles of God through her mother-in-law Naomi.  God's grace sustained Ruth through this time.

REVIEW

Lesson 1 - The Right to Choose (Ruth 1:1-22)

• God gives us free will
• Choose to serve and worship the Lord
• Practice humility towards His will

Lesson 2 - Humility (Ruth 2:1-3)

• Submit to the authority that God has placed over you
• Surrender to God's will for your life
• Heed the word of the Lord

Lesson 3 - God's Favor (Ruth 2:4-23)

• Honor the Lord's principles
• Practice obedience in His word
• Humble yourself to His will

Lesson 4 - Obedience to Positioning (Ruth 3:1-5)

• Honor God's plan for your life
• Release control to the Lord
• Walk in His plan for you

Lesson 5 - God is Faithful (Ruth 3:6-18)

• Apply the precepts of the bible to your life
• Live in obedience
• Display consistent obedience

Lesson 6 - Positioning to Favor (Ruth 4:1-2)

• Seek God first
• Apply God's plan to your daily walk
• Infuse God's word into your daily routine

Lesson 7 - God's Rewards (Ruth 4:13-22)

• He is faithful to those who live for Him
• Infinite possibilities
• Our lives are evidence of His faithfulness

God is so faithful to us despite our unfaithfulness. However, just imagine how much more glorious life would and could be if we would practice the principles found here in the Book of Ruth and throughout the bible.  Imagine, if you can, having the peace that Ruth had through it all. That comes from applying these simple principles to our lives.

I pray that you will take the time over this holiday break to review the lessons of Ruth, Esther, and the Virtuous Woman of Proverbs 31 and implement some of the principles practiced by these women of the bible. God has great things in store for all of us if we would just accept His plans for our lives in His word.

I pray that you all will have a blessed Thanksgiving!!! 

Please don't forget to check out my documentary at:

http://project31film.com

Enjoy the break!

Be blessed,

T. Carter

REFERENCES

All scriptures were extracted from the Bible, New King James Version - YouVersion

Mears, Henrietta (1999). What the Bible is all About. Regal Publishing. Ventura, California

Lesson 7: The Book of Ruth - God's Rewards

Hello Everyone,

I pray that everyone is well today. God has kept us for another week.  That in itself is enough to rejoice about.  God is able to keep us (Jude 1:24-25).  I am excited to know that He is keeping me!

I hope that you all found time this week to work through the questions from the application last week. Additionally, I pray that the exercise allowed you to examine your relationship with Christ and consider how you can better position yourselves for His favor.

I am on a leadership team for a midday bible study at me church.  We meet once a week during the day to study the word of God together.  We are currently going through the Book of Deuteronomy.  The verse we have chosen to memorize is Deuteronomy 6:23 "Then He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in, to give us the land of which He swore to our fathers".  This verse leads right into our lesson in the Book of Ruth for this week.  He brought Ruth out of the land of Moab to bring her into her land of blessings and rewards.

RESOURCE

Ruth 4:13-22
13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! 15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. 17 Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “There is a son born to Naomi.” And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David. 18 Now this is the genealogy of Perez: Perez begot Hezron; 19 Hezron begot Ram, and Ram begot Amminadab; 20 Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon;[a] 21 Salmon begot Boaz, and Boaz begot Obed; 22 Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.

Rewards - a benefit resulting from an action; an act performed to strengthen approved behavior; reaping rewards; virtue is its own reward

LESSON

Now we have labored over Ruth's journey for six weeks.  We have discussed Ruth's right to choose, loyalty, humility, obedience, and positioning.  These seem to be common characteristics among the women highlighted in the bible.  We talked about these same characteristics in Esther and in discussing the Proverbial woman.  (Feel free to go back and review these lessons. They are all listed on this blog page).  There has to be something severely significant about these specific characteristics that God would highlight them so much throughout the bible.  

These characteristics draw us closer to God.  There are so many other scriptures to support this notion.  I have listed a few for you to review, just in case you require reassurance.

1. Humility - 2 Corinthians 7:14, Psalm 25:9
2. Obedience - Romans 2:13, Job 36:11
3. Positioning - 1 Peter 2:15, Philippians 2:13
4. Loyalty (Faithfulness) - Hebrews 10:23, Deuteronomy 6:5
5. Choosing - Romans 12:2, Proverbs 3:5-6

These scriptures listed here are just a small amount of the vast quantity of scriptures that support God's inherit plans for us. 

Adhering to His plans instead of implementing our own allows God the opportunity to reward us. Yahweh (God) grants immediate solutions to every problem presented through marriage and immediate conception after Ruth was barren for 10 years (Asbury 1992).   Ruth acquired the ultimate reward; a husband and a child.  In biblical pretense and the value system implemented by God, this was the ultimate reward for a woman.

Our value system today is corrupted by the societal impressions that material things are our just rewards.  However, while they are a blessing and God allows us to have them, they are not based on a value system pleasing to God.  God requires so much more.

He brought Ruth out of Moab, not to obtain a better piece of land and all the grain she could carry.  Ruth bore a son, through whom thousands and myriads were born to God; ans in being the lineal ancestor of Christ, she was instrumental in the happiness of all that shall be saved by him (Henry 1997).  God brought Ruth out of Moab to bare a supernatural and spiritual legacy.  He brought Ruth out of Moab so that she may discover true relationship with Him. That is the ultimate goal, the ultimate prize, and the ultimate reward.

When I think of all the time I wasted positioning myself based on my own earthly desires, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for God positioning me now.  He blessings and rewards reach beyond my expectations of worldly definition.  We cannot fathom the possibilities with our finite minds.  

In that seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed (Henry 1997).  Think if Ruth had gone back to Moab!  Where would we be?  The importance of one decision can change lives!

We must implement and practice the principles indicated in the scriptures.  Our legacy depends on it!

Application

This week we will meditate on the scriptures listed in the lesson in order to draw ourselves closer to the concept of practicing these behaviors daily.  Let's operate with the mindset of pleasing God and not ourselves.  

Announcement

I have been working on a documentary that highlights the modern virtuous woman depicted in Proverbs 31. God has called me to a higher responsibility of exposing the practical possibilities of living a Proverbial life in a modern world.  I am positioning myself according to God's plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11).  Your support would be GREATLY appreciated.   Follow the link listed below to see the trailer:

http://project31film.com/


I pray that you all will have a blessed week!

Be blessed,

T. Carter

All scriptures were extracted from the Bible, King James Version. YouVersion (2013)

Carpenter, Eugene E. & McCown, Wayne (1992).  Asbury Bible Commentary.  Wesleyan Publishing

Henry, Matthew (1997).  Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible.  Thomas Nelson Publishing. Nashville, Tennessee

M-W.com (2013).  Merriam-Webster Dictionary Web Version.  Retrieved from : App Store

Lesson 6: The Book of Ruth - Positioning to Favor

Hello Everyone,

I pray that everyone had a blessed week.  I hope that last week's lesson help to put many things into perspective.  God's faithfulness is so awesome; it is beyond our finite understanding.  We are faithful to an appointed destination.  God's faithfulness has no destination, it is continuously traveling throughout mankind despite our behaviors.

The glory of God has really shown through this study of Ruth.  He has made Himself known through the behaviors and characteristics of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz.  Boaz and Naomi practiced obedience to God, while Ruth practiced obedience to Naomi and Boaz, the authority that God placed over her, in order to glorify God.  

Our everyday actions contribute to the relationship that we will establish and nurture with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We must practice obedience to His word, precepts, and principles for our lives.  When we operate in God's placement for us through obedience, then we position ourselves for His favor.  

This week we will discuss positioning to favor.  Naomi instructed Ruth in positioning herself for the favor of Boaz, all under the orchestration of God.

Resource

Ruth 4: 1-12

Now Boaz went up to the gate and sat down there; and behold, the close relative of whom Boaz had spoken came by. So Boaz said, “Come aside, friend,[a] sit down here.” So he came aside and sat down. 2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, “Sit down here.” So they sat down.3 Then he said to the close relative, “Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, sold the piece of land which belonged to our brother Elimelech. 4 And I thought to inform you, saying, ‘Buy itback in the presence of the inhabitants and the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, redeem it;but if you[b] will not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know; for there is no one but you to redeemit, and I am next after you.’” And he said, “I will redeem it.” 5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate[c] the name of the dead through his inheritance.” 6 And the close relative said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it.” 7 Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything: one man took off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation in Israel. 8 Therefore the close relative said to Boaz, “Buy it for yourself.” So he took off his sandal. 9 And Boaz said to the elders and all the people, “You are witnesses this day that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, from the hand of Naomi. 10 Moreover, Ruth the Moabitess, the widow of Mahlon, I have acquired as my wife, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance, that the name of the dead may not be cut off from among his brethren and from his position at the gate.[d] You are witnesses this day.” 11 And all the people who were at the gate, and the elders, said, “We are witnesses. The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. 12 May your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring which the Lord will give you from this young woman.”.

Lesson

Ruth had done all that was fit for her to do (Henry 1997).  Naomi instructed Ruth to exhibit the behaviors of a virtuous woman in order to gain favor with Boaz.  Ruth not only gained favor with Boaz, she also gained favor with the Lord.  Ruth postured herself through faithfulness and obedience in order to receive a position of favor.

It is God's true desire to shower us with blessings.  Just as a parent wants to give their children everything, so does the Father want to give us every good thing (James 1:17).  Furthermore, just as a child must practice obedience and consistency, we must practice the same for our heavenly Father. 

God rewarded Ruth for her loyalty to Him by giving her an honored place in the community of faith (Allen, House, Radmacher 1999).  God elevated Ruth from a widowed destitute woman to a woman of wealth.

We are His most beloved and God, so much that He sent His own son to die for us (Romans 5:8).  It is His plan to bless, if we would only practice obedience and position ourselves to be blessed (Galatians 6:9).

Ruth's journey proves positive to the faithfulness of God.  Ruth exemplifies triumph through circumstance, obedience, faithfulness, humility, and faith.  She practiced Godly principles necessary in positioning to favor.  God's favor is glorious (Deuteronomy 7:9)!

Ruth gives us much more reason to cast our cares on God, because He has promised to care for them (Henry 1997).  It is laughable that we attempt to resolve things in our own might.  God's plan is ever more glorious than what we can conceive.  Our strength is to sit still (Henry 1997). His outcome breeds favor (Isaiah 40:29-31).

The power and favor of God is beyond our understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Application

After experience the faithfulness of God through the reading of this passage in the Book of Ruth, I am inspired to diligently heed the word of God through obedience to position myself for favor.  This week ask yourself these questions:

1. In what area of my life am I struggling to operate in obedience?

2.  What skills have I acquired to practice obedience in this area?

3.  Am I open to a more Godly approach to this area of disobedience?

After you have answered these questions, reread the Book of Ruth chapters 3 & 4.  Imagine what favor you are holding back from yourself from practicing disobedience.  Get into position for favor!

I pray that you all will have a blessed week!

Be blessed,

T. Carter

All scriptures were extracted from the Bible, King James Version.  YouVerse (2013).

Allen, Ronald B., House, H. Wayne, & Radmacher, Earl (1999).  New Illustrated Bible Commentary.  Thomas Nelson Publishing.  Nashville, Tennessee

Henry, Matthew (1997). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishing.  Nashville, Tennessee

  

Lesson 5: The Book of Ruth - God is faithful

Hello Everyone,

I pray that everyone had a blessed week last week. I know personally, God has truly been challenging me in my life. Not only through these lessons, but through my church bible studies, personal bible studies, life challenges and faith walk.  The more I delve into the word of God and strive to walk closer with Him, the more challenged I am to make pertinent changes in my own life.  How could I possibly post this blog weekly and broadcast the word of God to all of you if I am not willing to grow in it myself?

Lately, the attacks of the enemy have been centered around my physical body and spiritual development.  It is mind boggling how the two will go together.  Both parties work harmoniously for you or against you.  If your body is weak, it starts to affect the mind which can sometime determine the spiritual health, and vise verso.  However, God is a God of faithfulness (Psalm 91:3-6).

This week we will discuss God's faithfulness. God is an ever present help (Psalm 46:1).  We cannot assess with our finite minds the level of faithfulness God has towards us.  We practice unfaithfulness as often as we can based on God's definition of faithfulness.  God was faithful to the Israelites despite their griping and complaining.  God was faithful to David despite his adulterous and deceitful ways. God was faithful to Peter, Paul, and even Judas.  Do we have the faithfulness of our Lord and Savior?

Ruth did, and God sent her Boaz.

Resource

Ruth 3: 6-18

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law instructed her. 7 And after Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was cheerful, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down. 8 Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet. 9 And he said, "Who are you?" So she answered, "I am Ruth, your maidservant. Take your maidservant under your wing, for you are a close relative." 10 Then he said, "Blessed are you of the Lord, my daughter! For you have shown more kindness at the end than at the beginning, in that you did not go after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not fear.  I will do for you all that you request, for all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. 12 Now it is true that I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I.  13 Stay this night, and in the morning it shall be that if he will perform the duty of a close relative for-good; let him do it.  But if he does not want to perform the duty for you, then I will perform the duty for you, as the Lord lives! Lie down until morning". 14 So she lay at his feet until morning, and she arose before one could recognize another.  Then he said, "Do not let it be known that the woman came to the threshing floor."  15 Also he said, "Bring the shawl that is on you and hold it." And when she held it, he measured six ephahs of barley, and laid it on her. Then she went into the city.  16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, "Is that you, my daughter?" Then she told her all that the man had done for her. 17  And she said, "These sixephahs of barley he gave me; for he said to me, "Do not go empty-handed to your mother-in-law." 18 Then she said, "Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man will not rest until he has concluded the matter this day."

Faithfulness - fidelity; steadfastness; allegiance; loyalty

Lesson

The definition of faithfulness alone sparks a conviction of my own inapt attempt at faithfulness.  When the definition is combined with the biblical context, it creates a new level of desire for God's help; God's help to practice faithfulness.

Ruth practiced humility, she exhibited obedience and she was faithful.  She was all of these things to God that she hardly knew.  We know God and we have trouble practicing these characteristics.  Because Ruth was honoring her mother-in-law, a servant of God, then Ruth was honoring God.  She practiced faithfulness out of obedience and humility.

The importance of loyal love is evident in the Book of Ruth (Allen, House, & Radmacher 1999). Loyalty is a characteristic of faithfulness.  Ruth practiced a level of faithfulness without the prospect of reward.  She left her own homeland in Naomi's time of need (Allen, House, & Radmacher 1999).  Ruth's faithfulness was evident in the eyes of God.

Not only does this passage reveal Ruth's faithfulness, it also brings light to what type of woman she was and what type of man Boaz was.  In verse 11, Ruth is described as a virtuous woman.  Many commentaries describe a virtuous woman based on the Proverbs 31; which in many translations she is married.  However, when the original scriptures were translated into English the description was diluted through the translation.  Therefore a virtuous woman as depicted in Proverbs 31 does not necessarily have to be married; verse 11 of Ruth supports this notion.  Ruth was clearly widowed (single) and is denoted as a virtuous woman in verse 11 of Ruth.  The relevance of this is that she is practicing the principles of the virtuous woman; she is positioning herself to receive her blessing.  This part is for you single women! Furthermore, she is positioning herself, unknowingly, to a Godly man; Boaz!  By staying humble, practicing obedience and exhibiting faithfulness to the authority that God placed over her, Ruth positioned herself to receive Boaz!!!

Ruth's faithfulness brought her Boaz, a Godly man, unwilling to tarnish her existing identity as a virtuous woman (verse 14).  Not only does he honor her as a virtuous woman, he introduces a closer walk with God (verse 12) and covers her (verse 13), then blesses her (verse 15).  Hallelujah!!!  Oh the glory of God through our faithfulness!!!  These are the characteristics that will identify your God sent Boaz single women!!

Could you imagine the overflow of blesses that God would release if we would just practice some faithfulness!!  I am overwhelmed at the possibilities of God's greatness!!

While this message carries a strong baring to single women, it is definitely universal to areas of all lives.  We all have areas where we could be a little more humble, obedient and faithful to the avail of God.

Application

This week we will pick one area of focus in our lives where we strive to be a little more faithful.  I charge us all to take that extra step of inconvenience to ourselves in order to practice faithfulness.  Make the sacrifice and bless the kingdom of God through your faithfulness in one area.  I would love to hear some testimonials.

I pray that you all will have a blessed week!

Be blessed,

T. Carter

References

All scriptures are extracted from The Bible - New King James Version. YouVersion (2013)

Allen, Ronald B., House, H. Wayne, & Radmacher, Earl (1999). New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Thomas Nelson Publishing.  Nashville, Tennessee.

Henry, Matthew (1999). Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible.  Nelson Publishing. Nashville, Tennessee.

Lesson 4: The Book of Ruth - Obedience to Positioning

Hello Everyone,

I pray that you all have had a blessed week. Have you been practicing humility and expecting God's favor? Last week's lesson really helped me reflect on all the many times God has graced me with His favor. Just the fact that I am here living out Lord for Him is evidence of His favor. 

Additionally, focusing on humility has definitely challenged me. Placing the mirror on myself and really seeing my own pride has caused me to make some necessary changes to the blind spots of pride in my life.  This walk with Christ is a process and we should be ever changing and growing in Him. He doesn't change, BUT WE MUST CHANGE, to become more like Him (Hebrews 13:8, Malachi 3:6, Psalm 102:25-27). We are born into to sin and through redemption in Him we are saved (Psalm 51:5-6). That redemption is a source of change (Galatians 2:20, Colossians 1:14, Ephesians 1:7-14).

This redemption, this change, can only come when we open our hearts to the Lord, our Savior.  To be open to Him is to have a teachable spirit, open to changing, submissiveness, humility, and obedience. That brings us to what we will discuss today, obedience to positioning. We will see how Ruth humbled herself from last lesson, practices humility and positions herself in this lesson.

RESOURCE

Ruth 3:1-5

Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? Now Boaz, whose young women you were with, is he not our relative? In fact, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. Therefore wash yourself and anoint yourself, put on your best garment and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. Then it shall be, when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies; and you shall go in, uncover his feet, and lie down; and he will tell you what you should do.” And she said to her, “All that you say to me I will do.” 

Obedience - dutiful or submissive behavior with respect; the trait of being willing; pleasing behavior

Positioning - putting something/someone in a certain; to be in line or in position; emplacement

LESSON

So many sermons and bible studies focus on the loyalty of Ruth to her mother-in-law; it is definitely the claim to fame for this book of the bible. However, there is so much rich content in this book and it has so many more of God's principles to offer to us. The deeper we go into the study of the Book of Ruth, the greater the possibility to learn God's purpose for us in regards to its content.

Here we see Naomi exhibiting the qualities of the woman depicted in Titus 2 (Titus 2:3-5). Naomi is practicing obedience to the Lord our Savior, by teaching and guiding Ruth towards positioning herself. The obedience started with Naomi. Her wisdom projected these things for her daughter (Henry 1999).  Naomi was obedient to God and to the laws of the land (Romans 13). Naomi was mindful of the authority that God placed over her; she honored the present laws in place and approached them in a meek, modest, and humble manner. She instructed Ruth in accordance to the laws of the present time and guided Ruth to her God ordained position.  Naomi set the foundation for Ruth's obedience (Titus 2:7).  

Then Ruth, being the of a humble spirit operated in the example of obedience that Naomi exhibited. Ruth did just as Naomi instructed in order to position herself for God's blessing. We must step outside of our own selves in order to receive what God has for us. He knows better for us than we know for ourselves (Luke 12:7, Matthew 10:30). Yet, we operate in our might and our own will (Zechariah 4:7).  We are looking for things from God but we are unwilling to operate in His purpose for us to obtain them. We have to believe God will do what He says He will do (Moore 2008). His promises are from everlasting to everlasting (Psalms 145:13). We must stand firm on His promises for our lives and act accordingly (Ephesians 5:17).

What does this look like in our lives? We must heed the word of God when He is speaking to us directly, through people that He has placed in authority over us, and who He has sent to give us wise counsel.  Single women, you can honor God by positioning yourselves through the wisdom of a Titus 2 woman for God to send your groom and/or build a ministry in you (Titus 2:4-5)  Married women, you can honor God by willfully submitting to the authority God has placed over you in your husband and watch God bless your marriage to be a blessing not only to you and your husband, but to others (Ephesians 5: 22-23). Men, submit yourselves to Christ and watch God pour out a supernatural blessing that you could not conceive (James 4:7&10).  All of these acts start with obedience; obedience to the word of God, obedience to the authority over your life, obedience to God's plans for your lives, and most of all direct obedience to God. Obedience positions us to God's blessing for us. 

APPLICATION

This week I want us to challenge ourselves to a new level of consciousness. When we studied Esther, we talked about obedience and we practiced obedience in the application portion of that lesson. This time we will add humility, meekness, and surrending to the word of God in order to find the level of obedience that God is requiring of us. The type of obedience that will position us to receive answers to prayers, changes in our situations, inconceivable blessings from heaven, and draw us closer to Christ. I challenge us all to rise early in the morning and seek God for the areas/situations in our lives that require this type of obedience that leads to positioning. Picture yourself being blindfolded and being lead by the awesome wondrous God! You have your life's blueprint of blessings to go by, in addition to God's word, faith, trust, and now obedience. How wonderful it could be!

I pray that God will reveal His many blessings for our lives to us on this journey.

Have a blessed week!

Be blessed,

T. Carter

REFERENCES

All scriptures are extracted from The Bible - New King James Version.  YouVersion (2013).

Henry, Matthew (1999). Mathew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible.  Nelson Publishing.  Nashville, Tennessee

Moore, Beth (2008). Believing God Day by Day. B & H Publishing. Nashville, Tennessee 

Lesson 2: The Book of Ruth - Humility

Hello Everyone,

I pray that you all had a blessed week this week.  I hope that you had a blessed time in the Lord discovering and assessing your many choices.  We are granted so many choices in life that we sometimes take for granted the freedom of choice that we experience everyday.  While God is the author and finisher of all, He still provides us with the opportunity to choose (Proverbs 16:9).

Ruth's choice spoke of her humility to serve.  She was not concerned about her own livelihood.  She was most concerned about her mother-in-law Naomi.

I pray that as we move from choices to humility that we all will assess our humility towards the choices we make.

Resource

Ruth 2: 1-3

There was a relative of Naomi's husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz.  2 So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, "Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor."  And she said to her, "Go, my daughter."  3 The she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers.  And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.

Humility - a disposition without conceit or pride; a lack of false pride


Lesson

Observe Ruth's humility, when Providence had made her poor, she cheerfully stoops to her lot (Henry 1997).  Ruth had lived a very comfortable life with her husband and his family.  It is alleged that she had not experienced any true labor and hardship until now.  However, she possessed the humility necessary to submit to her circumstance for survival.

Ruth practiced a good heart even though she was not truly familiar with the God of Naomi.  Ruth was a Moabitess and her people pagans; serving many gods and goddesses, but not the one true living God (Mears 1999).  Nevertheless, Ruth exhibits the principles of humility that God honors.  She is not too prideful to go work.

Some commentaries dispute the motives of Ruth, however, the common thread is that she worked in order to obtain a better circumstance, not just for herself, but for her family too, Naomi.  She left her homeland in order to be with Naomi in a time of need (Allen, House, & Radmacher 1999).  Therefore, her motives are exhibited from the initial introduction of Ruth in the bible.  She is gracious and humble from the start despite the devastation she has experienced in her own life.

We may not demand kindness as a debt, but ask, and take it as a favour, but Ruth was an example of industry and did not eat from the plate of idleness (Henry 1997). Instead Ruth exhibited humility and worked as hard as the men in the field which allowed Boaz to take notice of her.

There are so many areas in our lives where we have the opportunity to practice humility.  Silence is an act of humility; we don't always have to say what we are thinking (Shirer 2011).  Sometimes committing to the act of silence can be the grandest appearance of humility.  Christ has called us to practice humility in every area of our lives (Micah 6:8).

God wisely orders what seem to us small events; and those that appear altogether uncertain, still are directed to serve his own glory, and the good of his people (Henry 1997).   We cannot imagine His rewards if we would just practice humility and sometimes in the most smallest areas of our lives.

Application

In your prayer and quiet time, make a list of some areas in your life where you can practice humility.  Take that list and try to implement those practices this week.  Ask God to give you strength and to help you accomplish a new level of humility as you attempt it this week.


I pray that you all will have a blessed week.

Be blessed,

T. Carter

All scriptures are extracted from The Bible - New King James Version.  YouVersion (2013).

Allen, Th.D., Ronald B., House Th.D., J.D., H. Wayne, & Radmacher, Th.D., Earl D. (1999). Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nelsons Publishing.  Nashville, Tennessee

Henry, Matthew (1999). Mathew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible.  Nelson Publishing.  Nashville, Tennessee

Mears, Henrietta (1999). What the Bible is All About.  Regal Publishing. Ventura, California

Shirer, Priscilla (2011). The Resolution for Women. B&H Publishing Group. Nashville, Tennessee

Lesson 1: The Book of Ruth - The Right to Choose

Hello Everyone,

I pray that everyone had a blessed week.  I hope that you were all able to gain better understanding of the book Ruth through the brief synopsis offered in last week's introduction in combination with your own quiet time with the Lord.  God has offered us many women in the bible as examples of how we should operate as women individually and as Christians collectively.

The importance of the Book of Ruth is it demonstrates the idea of loyal love (Allen, House, & Radmacher 1999).  Ruth is most known for her loyalty to her mother-in-law after the death of her husband.  However, the book of Ruth offers so many other key qualities that can render Christians examples of what God's expectations are for us.  There are some very interesting things to notice in this book (Mears 1999).  As we study the Book of Ruth, I pray that we will gain so much spiritual knowledge from this journey than the obvious.

Resource

Ruth 1:1-22
Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land.  And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his and his two sons.  2 The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the name of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion-Ephrathites of Bethelehem, Judah.  And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. 3  Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons.  4 Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth.  And they dwelt there about ten years. 5 Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband. 6 Then she arose with her two daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had visited His people by giving them bread. 7 Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 8 And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go, return to her mother's house.  The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 The Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband."  So she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. 10 And they said to her, "Surely we will return with you to your people." 11 But Naomi said, "Turn back, my daughter; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters, go-for I am too old to have a husband.  If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons 13 would you wait for them till they were grown?  Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands?  No, my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me!" 14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.  15 And she said, "Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law." 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 do to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me" 18 When she saw that she was determine to go with her, she stopped speaking to her. 19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem.  And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, "Is this Naomi?" 20 But she said to them, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me 21 I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty.  Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?"  22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab.  Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of Barley harvest.

Lesson 1

The Book of Ruth begins with a brief history of Ruth's in-laws.  It also distinguishes the blood line of Ruth and religious practices of her people, the Moabites.  The Moabites, the descendants of Lot, worshiped many gods and goddesses (Mears 1999).

Then we experience the death of Ruth's father-in-law, brother-in-law, and then her own husband.  During this time period, a woman was defined by her male counterpart.  A woman was considered lost without a man.  Therefore, Naomi, Ruth's mother-in-law, encouraged both Ruth and Ruth's sister-in-law, Orpah, to return to their own homeland and acquire new husbands in order to maintain their own livelihood.  Ruth refused.

While Ruth's loyalty is the main focus for this book, the experiences of Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth bring so much light to current lifestyle we live as Christians.  We are entitled so many freedoms and luxuries that they were not privy to.  Their entire existence was deemed necessary by who they were married to.

Today, we as women are allotted the privilege of maintaining our own identities in addition to our male counterparts.  While God specifically designed us to be a helpmate, (Genesis 2:20-24), He also has given us the vantage of acquiring our own purpose to this world (Proverbs 31:10-31).  Therefore we can exhibit gratitude and honor to God for His righteousness (Romans 3:24-26).

Ruth and Orpah's choices exhibits the liberties that God has given to us.  They both chose different paths, nevertheless, they both had choice as option to their situation.  Though Ruth was raised in paganism, and later converted, she made the Godly choice.   Orpah was not loth to part from her Moabitess roots for Naomi's sake, however, Ruth's resolution gained her good affection (Henry 1997).

We are blessed with many choices in life.  We can choose what to wear, what hairstyle we prefer, what peanut butter to buy, where to shop, what church to attend, what car to drive, etc....  The most important choice, that is life changing, is to serve God and how to serve God.  We must honor the one true living God that offers us such liberties (2 Corinthians 3:17).

Application

This week examine your choices; from the most minute choices that lead to the larger choices.  It only takes a small crack in the armor to defuse the forces (Ephesians 6:10-18).  Choose to gird yourself with the full armor of God, by reading His word daily.

I pray that you all will have a blessed week.

Be blessed,

T. Carter

All scriptures are extracted from The Bible - New King James Version.  YouVersion (2013).

Allen, Th.D., Ronald B., House Th.D., J.D., H. Wayne, & Radmacher, Th.D., Earl D. (1999). Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nelsons Publishing.  Nashville, Tennessee

Henry, Matthew (1999). Mathew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible.  Nelson Publishing.  Nashville, Tennessee

Mears, Henrietta (1999). What the Bible is All About.  Regal Publishing. Ventura, California