The story of Ruth is one of the greatest redemptive stories in the Old Testament. Ruth exemplified in her actions a loyal love that few ever show. Though Ruth was a foreigner, she was willing and insistent on returning to the native land of her mother-in-law Naomi. Her willingness to serve, work, and show kindness to Nomi challenges us to be better people.

Ruth 1:14 “And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi.”

The story of Boaz and Ruth also illustrates the love that Christ has for us. Attributes of Christ can be seen in Ruth’s loyal love as well as the redemptive act of Boaz her kinsmen redeemer.  Living a life of loyal love allows us to look past the faults and challenges we may face with our loved ones. God has placed us on this earth in the family in which we wants us to develop. This familial bond is the most important relationships we have on this earth. Cherish those bonds.

Jesus Christ showed us this loyalty in spite of our sinful nature and often our unwillingness to change. Yet He was willing to give His life so that we could experience eternal life. Boaz paid for the right to redeem Ruth. In the same way Christ has paid for the right to redeem us.  Our Savior Jesus Christ was born into the house and line of David and therefore came from the line of Ruth. What an awesome story of love and redemption. Read all of Ruth today.

Strive to live your life as an example of loyal love.

Calvary Christian Center, Assemblies of God, Louisville, KY

So many people go through life wandering what greater purpose their life serves. Teens often ask questions about life as they move toward adulthood. These answers are never easy, but in God we find our greatest purposes. The call of the prophet Jeremiah illustrates God’s plan for us as believers.

Jeremiah 1:4-9 “The Lord gave me this message: ⁵ “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” ⁶ “O Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” ⁷ The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. ⁸ And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the Lord, have spoken!” ⁹ Then the Lord reached out and touched my mouth and said, “Look, I have put my words in your mouth!”

Several important points can be seen in this passage of scripture. First, we have to understand that knows us. He knows all about us and He desires to have a personal relationship with us. God told Jeremiah that He knew him before he was born. God knew you as well. He knew what you would look like and your personality.

Second, God tells Jeremiah not to say he is too young. The same is true for you. Age has no bearing on what we can accomplish for God. Some of the greatest acts for God have been accomplished by those who might be looked at as too young. Don’t let anyone tell you, you are too young.

Last, when God calls you He will equip you. God did not call Jeremiah than leave him to fin for himself. God gave Jeremiah the words to say and the places to go. God will call you to do great things for him. In this age He calls us to reach the lost, to be a witness, to be faithful to Him, to give with all our strength to things like speed The Light.

You can change their world. God will equip you. God will give you vision and creativity. Like Jeremiah you must be willing to accept the call that God places on your life. Always remember the declaration that God made to Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 29:11 “¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

God’s plan for your life is awesome. Trust in him to direct your life.

Calvary Christian Center, Assemblies of God, Louisville, KY

Hannah has forever influenced the life of believers around the world.  We find in Hannah the first act of child dedication to the Lord. Here story reminds us that living a life of dedication is important to our faith and development as believers.

As we read the account of Samuel’s birth we can see three areas where Hannah exemplified dedication to her faith and to her God.

Hannah was dedicated to prayer:

I Samuel 1:10-11 “¹⁰ Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. ¹¹ And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord, his hair will never be cut.”

Hannah was dedicated to honoring God:

1 Samuel 1:20 “²⁰ and in due time she gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel,^[f] for she said, “I asked the Lord for him.”

Hannah was dedicated to the fulfillment of her promise:

1 Samuel 1:24-28 “When the child was weaned, Hannah took him to the Tabernacle in Shiloh. They brought along a three-year-old bull^[h] for the sacrifice and a basket^[i] of flour and some wine. ²⁵ After sacrificing the bull, they brought the boy to Eli. ²⁶ “Sir, do you remember me?” Hannah asked. “I am the woman who stood here several years ago praying to the Lord. ²⁷ I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. ²⁸ Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” And they^[j] worshiped the Lord there.”

Hannah models the life of a virtuous and righteous woman. Honoring and keeping her promise to the Lord, she sacrificially gave her son to the service of the Lord. God honored Hannah’s dedication by giving her more children.

1 Samuel 2:20-21 “Before they returned home, Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, “May the Lord give you other children to take the place of this one she gave to the Lord.^[e]” ²¹ And the Lord gave Hannah three sons and two daughters. Meanwhile, Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.”

In our lives God also honors our dedication to him. When we are faithful to dedicate our lives to prayer, honoring God, and fulfilling our promises God honors us. Make a decision today to honor God with a life of dedication as Hannah did.

Calvary Christian Center, Assemblies of God, Louisville, KY

From Exodus and Deuteronomy

Deut. 34:5-7

“So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, just as the Lord had said. ⁶ The Lord buried him^[a] in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place. ⁷ Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever.” (NLT)

The account of the life of Moses is detailed and lengthy. There are many aspects of his life and Godly character that one could choose to study. He was a servant, a hard worker, adopted into Pharos house, a devoted brother, humble, and willing to follow God.  While all of these are good one aspect of his life stands out, Moses was a leader. Even harder than that Moses was a fair, honest, Godly leader. 

When God called Moses He knew what kind of man he needed to lead his people out of bondage. Moses had the attitude, experience, and willingness to be used. He possessed many leadership skills. This week I want us to look 15 those skills.

1.      He was trained in Pharos house.

2.      He was willing to take wise counsel.

3.      He believed in his calling.

4.      He was able to correct those under his authority.

5.      He was willing to delegate.

6.      He knew his limitations.

7.      He was a mentor.

8.      He understood the value of face time with God.

9.      He was willing to serve in Pharos house or on the backside of the desert.

10.  He knew God would provide direction.

11.  He was not threatened by other leaders.

12.  He understood the importance of a support network.

13.  He was willing to risk his life to save those he was leading.

14.  He had integrity.

15.  He had an unwavering faith in God.

All of these areas that Moses was so successful in should be evident in our lives as Christian leaders. Too many followers of Christ are unable or unwilling to take their places as leaders. God has called us to shine the light of Jesus Christ in all that we do. Whether it is at work, church, family, or society Christians should be leading the way. With Moses as your example and Jesus Christ as your guide you can attain whatever you put your mind to and lead in an effective and Godly way.

Be a leader in whatever sphere of influence that God had placed you in.

Calvary Christian Center Assemblies of God, Louisville, KY

From Gen. 4 (NLT)

As you know by now our theme for 2010 is “Building Godly Character”.   We will be looking at the life of a different character from scripture each week.  We will strive to learn from their lives, both in what to do and what not to do. The purpose is to help you develop into a man or woman with a strong foundation and Godly character. So tonight we begin out year long journey with a story. 

Many years ago a young couple fell in love and married. Their love was the greatest and deepest love.  It was a love rooted in God.  They lived, worked, walked, and shared together.  As time progressed God brought two beautiful sons into their lives.  These two sons saw the example of love that their parents had for each other and were taught too love God in the same manner.  As the two sons grew the older son became a very successful farmer, the younger a successful rancher.  One day the two sons went to church.  As the offering plate was passed, grumbling the oldest son threw in a few coins from his wealth.  The younger son gave richly, generously, and happily, soon after God spoke to the two boys.  God was pleased with the sacrifice that the young son had given, but was disappointed in the selfishness of the older son.  This made the older son hate his younger brother.  One day the two were out in the field of the older son.  As they were standing there the older son killed his younger brother and buried his body.  Again God spoke to the older son saying “where is your brother”?  The oldest son replied, “Am I my brother’s guardian”?  And God said, “Your brother’s blood calls out to me from the ground”.  Because of his sin, God placed a curse on the oldest son and sent him away from His presence. 

This of course is the story of Cain and Abel.  Cain brought an offering to the Lord that was not a sacrifice, it was not his best.  Abel brought the better sacrifice because he brought his best as an offering to the Lord.  What we do for God must be our best.  It must cost us something.   It must take the best of our time and energy.  Too often we are satisfied with half worship, half prayer, half devotion, half commitment.  But is God happy with this, is He only worthy of half.  No, God is worthy of our best.  Strive to live a life of full devotion to our God.

HE IS WORTHY OF YOUR BEST!

Calvary Christian Center, Assemblies of God, Louisville, KY