Meat for the Hungry

https://pixabay.com 229117 Wisdom . Have you ever contemplated this word and its meaning? No, of course not. Why would you waste time thinking about something humans gain with study, life experience, or just seem to possess? Still, as wasteful as it may seem, lately I’ve been pondering wisdom . It’s true, wisdom abounds. There’s academic wisdom, science wisdom, business, sports, etc. Yet, this is acquired wisdom – knowledge gathered and expanded over years of study, trial and error. When knowledge in any subject is learned, wisdom usually follows. Wisdom applies the knowledge and these two fit together like a nut and bolt. Isn’t it interesting we even have the capacity to develop wisdom? How do we do it? And why is our amazing brain able to take in all we learn and experience and then produce wisdom ? The explanation can only be God .

Recently I was privileged to watch a pre-release video of “man on the street” interviews entitled, The Atheist Delusion , by Evangelist, Ray Comfort. Then, last week I heard an intriguing comment on the Moody Radio program, In the Market with Janet Parshall. Her “man on the street” interviews, created to segue into the next portion of her show, caught my attention. In one of the interviews a woman made this statement:  “We don’t need religion to know right from wrong or to treat people the way you want to be treated.” Pondering this remark caused me to ask why. Why do all humans have an innate understanding of right and wrong and desire to be treated fairly? From where did it come? And how do humans measure right from wrong? What standard do we use? And from where did we get that standard? I mean, we have a conscience, but what would have caused a conscience to develop if we are only evolved and not created? Clearly, the atheist and scoffer have no answers. Yet in arrog...

www.listenlearnmusic.com Are you thankful for your family, your home, your job, your health, or countless other items? We have so much, and in this season of Thanksgiving, we do see “thankful” people. In fact, there was a TV program Thanksgiving night called “Thank You, America”, where Robin Roberts and Jimmy Kimmel, surprised ordinary citizens who have done much to help their community and those in need. I must admit, I did not watch it. I’m only going on the Network’s advertisements.

Change is in the air – can you feel it? A change of season approaches with cooler nights and shorter days. Our flora and fauna change – fall flowers wear deeper hues and trees sport orange , gold and red leaves. Animals grow thicker coats instinctively preparing for winter. Change is part of our world. Genesis 8:22 says, “While the earth remains, seedtime and h a r v e s t , cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease.” Nobody experienced more change than Noah and his family. The global flood changed the face of the earth. Nothing remained the same except for those on the ark. They must have felt as though they were stepping out on an alien planet. Nevertheless, Almighty God was there with His covenant and rainbow. He was their one u n w a v e r i n g constant who says, “ I am the Lord, I change not .”

Two weekends ago, I had the privilege of attending the Franklin Graham Festival of Hope in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with my aunt and cousin. As volunteers, we arrived very early and the arena’s immensity stunned me. All I could say was, “Lord Jesus, fill this place with Your Spirit.” After receiving our assignments, people began filling the seats. Soon the entertainment started with music of every genre, mostly appealing to the younger crowd. There was Rap, Grunge, Alternative, etc, and for us ole-folk, earplugs. What a joy to see the kids having such a great time moving to the music of these Christian artists and then intently listening to their testimony. Each artist gave details of their life and the lies they believed until someone introduced them to Jesus. And as He does with everyone who calls upon His name to repent, believe, and receive Him as Savior and Lord, Jesus turned their lives around. They are new creations, who now sing for Him. Each evening, Jesus Christ was...

American Flags - www.wikipedia.org As we begin our second week of breaking free, consider your initial reaction to the thought of a physical, emotional, or spiritual prison . Did you think it too harsh an analogy, or did you have an epiphany and say, “Yes, that’s exactly the way I feel”? Last time, we focused on physical prisons constructed of materials beyond our control. This time, we are discussing an emotional penitentiary built by someone else:  A verbally abusive spouse, a domineering friend or family member, a child’s drug addiction, etc. Many factors can cause emotional incarceration and we may feel these are also beyond our control, but are they? Although we cannot really control another person, or how they treat us, we can do something about our reaction and emotions. So, what can we do?

www.sarahbmartin.wordpress.com The morning sun was mid-sky when Boaz acquired the sandal from the nearer kinsman. In this crowded, open-air courtroom, Boaz held the sandal high and shouted, "You are witnesses to this transaction. I have bought all that was Elimelech's and his sons. In addition, Mahlon’s widow, Ruth, will become my wife and I will raise a son for Mahlon, so neither his inheritance is lost nor his position at the city gate.” www.anewdaywithchrist.blogspot.com “...All the people…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.’” What an amazing and grand blessing. This very wealthy, prominent Israelite would marry a Moabite, and they were excited about it. Nevertheless, what did their blessing mean, especially since they referred to Rachel and Leah building the house of Israel?

www.sarahbmartin.wordpress.com Ruth 4:1-10 Ruth waited, Boaz confronted, and the nearer kinsman declined. But why? Why was Boaz, the near kinsman, able to redeem, where the nearer one could not? Quickly assessing the opportunity, this closer relative realized having Ruth for a wife, would ruin his inheritance. He would be spending his own money to purchase something his children would not inherit. Elimelech’s field would accede to the child he fathered for Mahlon, and he was unable or unwilling to share his inheritance. Therefore, today we come to the most important lesson of this series.

sarahbmartin.wordpress.com Emerging from her hiding place, Ruth carried out Naomi’s instructions to the last detail. While Boaz slept, “… she came softly, uncovered his feet, and lay down . Now it happened at midnight that the man was startled, and turned himself; and there, a woman was lying at his feet.” ( Ruth 3:7-8) When we study the book of Ruth, we must remember the symbolism our great God has built into this amazing true story. Ruth, as we have seen in past lessons, represents the church, the bride of Christ, and Boaz, our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, where we find Ruth in relation to Boaz is important. She is at his feet. This is a place of submission, a position of humility, and an attitude of surrender and expectation. Ruth, helpless and vulnerable, looked to Boaz for hope and a future.

sarahbmartin.wordpress.com “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?” (Ruth 3:1) The barley harvest was over and now only winnowing remained. The evening breeze was perfect for winnowing and Boaz along with his reapers and workers headed to the threshing floor. For days, they reaped the harvest in the hot sun, but tonight, the cool wind gusts would drive away the chaff and lighten the mood. Throughout the grueling days of harvest, everyone looked forward to this night. There would be laughter, merriment, and the satisfaction of a job well done. Naomi’s friends had shared stories from the threshing floor, so she was familiar with the evening’s activity. Tonight, they may have to work until midnight, since the Lord had blessed with such an abundance of grain. The exhausted men would just sleep among the piles of grain, but not only because it was late and they were tired. Their presence o...

O Lord my God, by reading, two hearts gather in the name of Jesus Christ. Because we believe Your Holy Word, we know this moment You are in the midst of us and we trust Your promise for the prayer of a righteous man to avail much. As You, O Lord, said to King Solomon, if we truly humble ourselves, turn from our wicked ways, pray and seek Your face, then will You hear from heaven, forgive our sin and heal our land. (II Chronicles 7:14) Lord God Almighty, our land, our nation, does need healing. Nevertheless, it is the hearts of the people that need changed the most. Some of us honor You with our lips, but our hearts are far from You. Other hearts are clothed in filthy rags and don’t even know it. Most go about doing that which is right in their own heart, not realizing this end is the way of death and destruction.