What is Your Moab?

For those of you that know me, I really enjoy looking through the book of Ruth.  It is short, but in those 4 chapters I feel that I hear something new and fresh every time I dig into it.

A good friend sent me a link to a sermon series by a man named Ed Moore, so I will not take credit for most of this wisdom...however there is something that he didn't touch on that spoke to me while I listened to him speak.

First though, I want to ask you all a question:  What is your Moab?

If you don't know the story behind Ruth, don't only read through it, but also read through Judges.  The context of Ruth is better explained through the continuous roller coaster that the Israelites go through.

To give you a brief summary of where I am coming from with this, the book of Ruth starts off with a man named Elimelech.  (meaning "God is my King"...I know...Ironic...you will see why).  Elimelech disobeys God by leaving the Promised Land for "greener pastures".  Verses 1-4 explains the progression of him and his families intentions:

In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years,

At first, they sojourned...meaning it was a little jaunt, intending to come back.  They were dipping their feet into Moab.  Then, they remained there.  And THEN they lived there. 

If/When you search through Judges, you will see a common phrase that pops up regularly: "And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord."  Another way to look at this is "They did what was right in their own eyes."  Elimelech led his family into Moab, because in his own eyes he thought it was right.  He intended to travel there briefly because the grass was greener.  However, we see he not only stayed in Moab, but his family decided to live there and establish connections with Moab.  

I will give you a representation here....The promised land (which Elimelech left) represents God.  Elimelech and Naomi represent us, in my opinion.  We tend to find greener pastures away from God, and what goes from an innocent testing of the waters may turn into a full commitment to something pulling us from God.  I am reminded of the phrase "Sin will take you farther than you want to go."   

So, I will challenge you all to think of what your Moab is.  Pray about it.  When God reveals it to you, escape from it.  Flee to the Promised Land.  Elimelech may have been looking out for his family and wanting the best for them, but he failed to understand that the best thing for them was God and to stay in the Promised Land, no matter the circumstance.  

Times get tough, but don't stray from God friends.  Stay in Him.  It truly is the best place to be, no matter what it looks like in our eyes.  Remember, we are still clouded and can't see as God sees.  That's why we need to trust.  

I love you all. 

Lent/Community

Ash Wednesday was yesterday, which means the 40 days of Lent begins until Easter.  As many of you know, this is a time where some Christians give up something for these 40 days.  Many times it is some sort of food, like pop or candy…maybe running through the fast food line between shifts.  

For me last year, I took away something and then I added something else to my routine for these 40 days.  This year, I want to post this to be held accountable.  As hard as it is, I see that my biggest struggle where I am is making unnecessary purchases on impulse.  So, my thing I am going to give up, is spending money that I didn’t plan to spend (if I can help it).  This does not include necessities like gas, rent, etc.  Instead, these are those times where I have the impulse to drive through McDonalds cause I don’t want to cook, or shop for clothes that I don’t need.  This also means I only get what I planned to go out and get and keep myself from adding anything else to my cart.  By doing this, I hope to give more to my church and live more on necessity rather than want.

In turn, I am going to use my SendOutCards subscription and challenge myself to send out one card of encouragement every day.  Here is why my heart set on this: 

It is crucial that we don’t live in a vacuum.  

John 17 hints at how Jesus desires us to be one in spirit

The writer of Hebrews exhorts his readers in Hebrews 3 to live in community

I know that I get prideful, thinking I can live this life alone without anyone helping me.  But the reality is, I need you guys.  I REALLY need you guys.  I need you to tell me how I am doing.  I need you to be honest and real with me.  I NEED you to encourage me, and tell me I am doing all right.  I need your love.  I don’t always admit it, but I know I need you.  And you need me.  I want to know how I can help you. 

Jesus wants this of us.  He desires it because in our unity in spirit, he is shown to be the authoritative and beloved Son of God.  Our changed and joined lives is a witness of who Jesus is and his purpose for living among us.  

Satan doesn’t want it…in fact it is very easy for Satan to creep in discouragement and bitterness among communities…and we don’t even realize it.  How many times have you heard someone around you say something that offended you…and they didn’t realize it did?  Do you just brush it off most of the time?  We wish we could, but many times those innocent offenses build up and create this hardness in our hearts toward that person.  We don’t mean to be offensive, or disrespectful…but that’s how it sounds, comes off…that’s how it is received.  The more it happens, the more people shut off to us.   And what stinks is we are either to scared or too prideful to approach it and abolish it at the core.  

So when we approach each other in love and encouragement, approach each other in honesty.  And friends, your hearts may be innocent, but please watch how you say the things you say.  I know I speak with a tone that can pierce someone’s heart and completely offend them without meaning to.  I see and overhear people talk about offenses behind backs, but never approach the person themselves.  We all do it.  I am guilty of it too.  Satan smirks as he slowly watches the close, loving community drift apart, and when we aren’t in community, we are more vulnerable to attacks from the evil one.  

Hold fast.  Take heart.  It’s hard, but I pray that God can continually show me what my roles in my communities are.  I am not perfect, and often find myself hiding alone and refusing to show anyone my deepest vulnerable states.  

Let us pray like Jesus did, and seek that community so that the Son may be glorified and the evil one unable to penetrate.  

I love you all, and Happy Valentine’s Day. 

Mime Prayer

I've gone through more of John 17, and the last few nights I have come across a few verses that I want to share.  It has given me not only a way to pray, but it is perfect timing for how I can pray for my friends who are giving their time and energy for a production that my church is putting on for Easter.

Jesus shares an attitude in his prayer for his followers that I want to have developed more in me, and I want to focus especially on those that are sharing in the ministry of our church mime production.  I love all of you and wanted you to know I was praying for each of you individually and a whole.

14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

 Jesus has given us a great opportunity to present his Truth.  He has for years, and this year isn't any different.  Jesus prayed to not take us from this world, but to protect us from the evil one.  I pray that my focus isn't to be so quick to leave this sinful place, but to be protected from the evil one while I am still among temptation and trials.  We are still here, may our thoughts and prayers be more on the fight now rather than fleeing to our final destination with Jesus.  We don't fight alone, but when we are called to fight let's stand our ground knowing who is on our side.  We are still here on earth...let's give it everything while we are still called to do so.  

Jesus has won, and he is on our side.  He prayed for us to be filled with truth, and he says "your word is truth."  Be in the Bible.  Study, spend time with God.  Pray continuously.  Spend time with each other and encourage each other.  Seek the good in everything.  This is truly what Jesus wanted of our lives, because this is what he prayed for us before the cross.  Jesus has given us what we need, and we know that not everyone will accept that in us...and that's okay.  We are sent by God into the world, and Jesus is praying for us.  We should be praying for each other in this same manner.  

I wanted you to know that I am praying for you all like this.  We are not of the world, but called to spread the word in it.  We need to pray for protection from the evil one while we are still here.  Be in the word...I pray you find delight in it as you dig more into the characters you will be portraying to the community.  

You guys are all great, and I am so thankful for the encouragement you are to me.  Sorry this post is more seclusive to a group of people, but I really wanted to let you all know how much I appreciate you and want you to be encouraged through the words of Jesus.  

I love you all.