Todays Bible Reading - Ruth 2 & Acts 27 Ruth 2 details Ruth and Naomis first days back in Bethlehem, with Naomis family. They arrived during the Barley Harvest - certain things happened during the Harvest: - Reapers (most of us are too young to know what a Reaper is... Ever see a picture of a Grim Reaper? You know - tall guy in black, hood with no face, a long tool with a blade on the end? The Scythe in the Grim Reapers hand is the tool the reapers used to cut down the stalks of barley and wheat when they were harvested). - as the fields were harvested, Israelite law commanded that the corners of the field not be cut down, and any grain dropped on the ground was to be left - these were left for the poor to pick it up (gleaning)... This was Israels form of welfare. - since she was a widow with no means to provide food for herself or Naomi, Ruth went into the fields to glean. APPLY - Ruth was poor and a widow... Instead of sitting at home and waiting on God to provide for her, she took the initiative and went to work... We should all realize that, as we pray for things from God, we must do what we can to help ourselves... Gods plan may include us stepping out in faith. Ruth was noticed by Boaz, the landowner, as she was gleaning in his field... Boaz told Ruth to only come to his field to glean (for her protection), and to remain close to his maids... Boaz asked his workers to watch after her, leave her extra grain on the ground before her, etc. Ruth asked Boaz why she found favor with him, and he told her that he was aware of her faithfulness to, and sacrifice for, Naomi. When Ruth returned and told Naomi what had happened, Naomi informed Ruth that Boaz was a close relative... Ruth continued to glean from Boaz field until the completion of the harvest. Acts 27 - Paul, due to his request for an appeal before Ceasar, is sent to Rome. It was decided that Paul would travel to Rome by sea... The waters were very rough due to the time of year, and Paul warned the Roman Centurian that the voyage would end in disaster, loss of the ship, and the possible loss of life. - the Centurian decided to proceed toward Rome, but a violent storm hit, and the ship was tossed around for a number of days... - during the storm, Paul admonished the Leaders, reminding them that he had warned them not to proceed... But, Paul also told them that the angel of The Lord came to him in a vision, and told him that not a single man would die during the voyage (there were 276 men on board) since Paul was pre-ordained to stand before Ceasar... But, Paul did declare that the ship would run aground... - the ship did run aground on a reef, and those who could swim were instructed to swim ashore... Those who couldnt swim were told to float to shore on planks, boards, etc. APPLY - Paul was ordained to be in Rome, before Ceasar, and nothing in this world was going to prevent this from happening... Gods plan is being accomplished, and He uses some or all of us to accomplish His work... I pray that I will do my part when called, and that I will have the faith to act. May God bless you and your family! And, please pray for those who have requested prayer, our military, and our country.
Posted on: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 04:26:25 +0000
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