"Lighting the Beacon"

"The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart". ~Helen Keller

Did you know that we use our eyes more than any of the other five senses? This is probably why billions of dollars are continually spent on 'image' advertising. Between movies, TV, the Internet, billboards, commercials, etc., we are constantly being saturated with a social media view of what showcases the ideal life image-wise. (If you have ten minutes, I suggest you view the trailer for the new documentary film, Miss Representation. View it through this link here: http://vimeo.com/28066212)

I see photos and ads of people having a great time, and they definitely look appealing. The people for example are usually sexy and beautiful, and they look happy. The images are designed to appeal to all the senses; their enchanting, enticing... The media (as you will see in the Miss Representation trailer) is a huge influence on what we know in this world. Sex sells for example—we see it in the movies we watch, the stories we read about, even in the news. Image is everything it seems. Image is who you want to be—image, has become who you are. Who wouldn't want to look like a supermodel, or acquire tons of money to do whatever we wanted with? We humans are usually willing to do just about anything as long as we are socially accepted. Yet sadly few of us will stop to consider the implications and responsibilities that will accompany every decision…

Course, if you're a devoted Christian you would tell me you wouldn't want that life because you have God who fulfills all your needs. And maybe you truly mean that. But, even I will humbly admit the tempting offers of those portrayed lifestyles. Most of us know what such lifestyles lead to and/or entail; often times being cool for the wrong reasons can still leave you feeling alone and empty inside. Yet such projected images are what most of us will still go for anyway. Is it because the risk is worth even fifteen minutes of fame? Do we so long for attention that this exploited picture of our society is truly what we are painting for ourselves?

This demeaning nature we are employing on our livelihoods is creating suspicions that we humans are becoming less and less interested in truth, value, knowledge, and the like, and more interested in the external image, and the fluff that accompanies it. Are these lifestyles rapidly becoming our only realities, our only truths? "The media portrays a world of surface shine with nothing but emptiness beneath," wrote Chicago resident, 57, in our survey. "Unfortunately, this is how people are becoming, maybe without being aware of it: beautifully painted and clothed with an empty mind". ~The Narcissism Epidemic, by Jean M. Twenge and W. Keith Campbell

We all know that someday, when we leave this place, all that we know will not last nor accompany us. So why do we spend so much time investing in it? I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 Some of it of course helps to show who we are while we are here. Stuff, image, doesn't have to be bad. But if our motives behind it are not to ultimately pursue God, then we need to reevaluate. One could argue we are becoming less interested in pursuing Him and more interested in everything else. "People say they love truth, but in reality they want to believe that which they love is true." ~Robert J. Ringer

It seems we are devaluing ourselves every day no matter who we are. If we say to love others for example, why does our 'Godly love' seem more of a 'tolerable love' only? Is it because we are showcasing a Christian image only (void of depth and meaning), and part of that image means showing love as we were commanded? Have we become Christ-followers in order to be accepted by the Christian community, or are we because we want to know the truth and long to have God first in our lives?

As for Titus, he is my partner and co-worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it. 2 Corinthians 8:23-24

I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Philemon 1:6

Most of those who attend church are good and wonderful people to be sure. But, at the same time I wonder if they only go because that is what they have always done—tradition for the sake of tradition. The images of tradition and routine aren't necessarily bad. But they can become an obstacle in our growth if they lose their meaning. This is when I say it is a really good idea to question our motives—why do we do these things? What do these things mean to us? Are they beneficial, and if so why?

Most of us probably don't take the time to do our own research. Instead we often will develop biases, or dogma beliefs based on certain kinds of authority (like Oprah, Dr. Phil, Jillian Michaels, etc). Jillian Michaels looks physically great, and even though she doesn't have a degree, we feel we can trust her. Her name connects us to image results—with advertising products, would you buy a treadmill with no known endorser, or a Jillian Michaels treadmill? Not all of what we see and hear should be taken so literally at its word, even when it seems legitimate, and yet it's so enticingly easy to do so…

All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Ecclesiastes 1:8-9

It always seems easier to go with what we see at face value; and I know how that is, because I like what's easy too. But easy doesn't always mean "better". That doesn't mean Jillian Michaels is necessarily wrong--either way it is still a good idea to determine the meaning in your own life (we are all different after all). This is when we should ask our "why" questions. Why doesn't have to be seen as negative—if it means it will help our growth in a positive way, then asking such questions is a very good idea. Always assess your motives in all that you do.

Questioning can also help us from becoming too insensitive about the world we live in and who we are. (Caring makes up a large part of what it means to be human). I'm afraid we are becoming too addicted to what is considered easy—technology has helped with that—so we need to realize and understand what all is occurring in our society.

I don't always take the time to consider others and their accomplishments due to my often being caught up in my own world and attentions. Yet I become frustrated when few take interest in mine. Are you like that? When we become so caught up in what we want ourselves to be like (i.e. want attention), we often forget about more important things (i.e. like building relationships). We must be careful we do not become too selfish in such ambitions. Ask yourself: who are you becoming and why? Why do you do the things that you do? Or as philosopher Socrates once said, "The unexamined life is not worth living".

Hard questions I know, but necessary ones. I do not want to see us lose what little of our originality we have left. Who are we placing first in our lives? God created us in His image—are we honoring that by seeking out these 'images' over meanings?

"You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them…" Exodus 20:3-6

Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. 3 John 1:5-8

What if there's a bigger picture
What if I'm missing out
What if there's a greater purpose
I could be living right now

Outside my own little world

~Matthew West, Song "My Own Little World"

Stop. Think. God gave us brains so that we might have the ability to reason. By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death. Hebrews 11: 17-19

Who are you becoming in God's presence?*

It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:3-4

"Be not simply good; be good for something." ~Henry David Thoreau

Lighting the Beacon,

Whitney

"A Tape For Al Jazeera"

The following article is taken out of the March 2009 edition of the Voice of the Martyrs magazine.

I have found it to be an inspiring account of God working to protect His people even in the most dangerous of circumstances as we seek to reach out and glorify His name. I hope you find it the same!

A Tape for Al Jazeera

In Chapter One, Article 2 of the Constitution of Afghanistan it states, "Followers of other religions are free to exercise their faith and perform their religious rites within the limits of the provisions of law."

But for people like "Farid," that promise of religious freedom rings a bit hollow.

It was just before dawn, about 5 a.m., when Farid and five other Muslim background believers gathered in his home for praise and prayer. Their small house gathering was typical of most secret Christian meetings in Afghanistan today. As they worshiped, sitting in a circle on the floor, a knock on the door interrupted them. Six men armed with Kalashnikov automatic rifles and a knife stormed in.

Pointing rifles at the group, the men forced Farid to the floor. Using a strap, they tied his hands behind his back.

"When they put the knife to my neck I thought God had appointed this time for me to die," Farid told our VOM workers. "And then I prayed, 'God if this is the time for me to die, these people who want to kill me, I forgive them.'

"I didn't want my blood to be on their hands. I wanted God to forgive them and I wanted them to come to Christ as a result of my death."

Farid said he heard God's voice instructing him to stand up and leave the room.

When he stood up he noticed his hands were no longer tied. The straps had fallen to the floor. As he walked toward the door, two armed men stood in the way and told him he could not leave.

"One of them men shot at me with his Kalashnikov, but his gun jammed - it didn't fire. It jammed twice, then fired after I left the room."

Farid escaped while bullets whizzed in his direction. he remained unharmed. The leader of the terrorists, however, was shot in the confusion. The terrorists fled the scene and when the police arrived they made an amazing discovery.

"They went to the room where we were praying and found a bag there. When they opened the bag they found an Al-Quaeda flag, two swords and a video camera inside the bag," explained Farid. "The police told me the terrorists were going to behead us Christians, videotape it and show it on Al Jazeera."

The terrorists knew Farid was winning Afghan Muslims to Christ. They intended to broadcast the video throughout the Middle East to warn missionaries, evangelists and former Muslims they would be killed if they converted or attempted to convert Afghans to Christianity.

"This is a Muslim country and it's been for more than 25 years that they've been fighting for Islam and they don't like non-Muslim people people coming in to preach. In the Quran it is written that if somebody rejects Islam, you must kill them."

Farid remains steadfast despite this violent threat. His desire is to see Muslims in every corner of Afghanistan surrender their hearts to Christ. One way we help evangelists like Farid spread the gospel is by providing Bibles translated into Dari and other indigenous languages.

What an amazing story of God's grace, provision and protection! I hope you find this as encouraging as I do and can rest in the knowledge that God is in control of any and every situation; if it is His will for us to remain alive and spread the Word, nothing in this world (or in the next) can stop us!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2

For Further Study - Read Acts 7:54-60

• Unlike Farid we read about today, Stephen the Martyr was not miraculously delivered from death. Why do you think this was so?
• God, obviously, did not intervene. But He did provide Stephen the strength and encouragement that he needed to cope with going through his own execution. How did God do this? (vs. 55, 56)
• How can we be encouraged to go through our own struggles when we, like Stephen, look to heaven and focus our eyes on Jesus Christ? (Hebrews 12:1)

Read Acts 8:1.

• How might Stephen's death have impacted the heart of the man (Saul) who would later go on to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles and ultimately pen much of our modern day New Testament?
• Notice how God used Stephen's death, a terrible occurrence, to bring about His purposes. How can this give us hope when bad things happen to us? (Genesis 50:20)

Blessings in Christ,
Andrew

"Jesus Freaks"

A message from the band dc Talk:

"You have heard it said unto you...but I say unto you..."

From the beginnings of His public ministry, Jesus set the record straight: "I have come to change the world." He had come to change people's thinking. He had come to revolutionize their paradigm–the way they saw the world and had comfortably settled into it, following their own desires, ignoring those around them who needed help, and figuring that was the way to do it because everyone else was doing pretty much the same thing, and they fit in with that.

Then came Jesus. "You have heard it said...but I say unto you..."

We often think we have arrived spiritually because we have memorized a bunch of rules and regulations, or a list of do's and don't's , and built them into our culture and lifestyle. If you just wear your Christian T-shirt once a week, make sure your radio is always tuned to the local Christian music station, don't do drugs or drink, go to church on Sundays and Bible study one night a week, take part in the summer missions trip, and don't have sex until you are married, then you are a real witness to those around you.

But Jesus came and shattered man's perception of the world. He taught about a kingdom that was more powerful than man could ever comprehend. This kingdom, however, didn't always make common sense. He taught that the kingdom of heaven is more than clothes music, Bible studies, and what you do on the outside. The kingdom of heaven is spiritual. The kingdom of heaven is peace. The kingdom of heaven is the narrow road of following Jesus day by day. You can't be like everyone else and follow Him. His sheep hear His voice and chase after Him; they don't just roam with the rest of the herd and think that is going to save them.

The path He has for you is very different, very special; it is unique in all of human kind. He came to change the world. How can those who truly follow Him have any less of a goal in life?

Jesus came to comfort the afflicted, but He also came to afflict the comfortable.

Throughout history true followers of Christ have been revolutionaries. As the trends of society have been dictated by the herd mentality, these men and women of God have stood up and said, "Hey wait a minute. That's not right!" They reached out their hands to people the rest of the world walked by without a glance, they spoke out when shutting up may have saved their lives, they distributed Bibles when others were passing out ammunition, they took God places others called "God-forsaken", they picked up their crosses and followed Christ when others cried "Lord, Lord" but did nothing. And for this they were called "Freaks".

People often look up to us because we are in the public eye, but the people in this book are the true heros. They are the ones people should look up to.

The freedoms we have today to own a bible, believe what seems right to us, go to the church we want, and follow God as completely as we want are all because to the Jesus Freaks who came before us. If only we had yet done enough to earn such an honored title among the rest of these "Freaks".

Proverbs 1:32 NIV tells us "the complacency of fools will destroy them." Are we too comfortable in our lifestyles to truly be following Christ?...

...We hear the word martyr a lot these days. People who feel sorry for themselves because others have been inconsiderate to them are said to be "playing the martyr" to get the attention of their friends. People are called "martyrs" on the evening news because they have suffered even slightly for some cause. People use the word as a political tool to try to spark a revolution and conform others to their way of thinking. They try to manipulate others with this word to get what they want.

All true martyrs are revolutionaries, but not all revolutionaries are true martyrs.

Those who rise up and kill themselves to kill others are not martyrs at all. They have lost sight of the truth and have been sucked into a lie. They have never experienced the true power of love. The kind of love God is. The love that cannot be defeated, though you beat it, you torture it, or you shoot it with guns or stab it with knives. They try to accomplish their goals through fear and intimidation. They do not understand that true martyrdom is being a witness for the Truth. It is not defined simply by dying for some cause; it is defined by living for the freedom of others. Freedom from fear. Freedom from prejudice and persecution. Freedom from hatred, bitterness, and jealousy. Freedom to be forgiven and to forgive.

Martyrs die because they refuse to deny the Truth, they are unwilling to force their ways upon others, and they are unwilling to fight back when fighting back would deny the Love they are trying to show those hurting them. This is how martyrdom changes things: It stands up as a witness of the One who is Truth and Love, and the One who is Truth and Love can do little else but stand up and stand with His presence. And His presence changes things.

These are the true revolutionaries that have existed throughout history, starting at the Cross. These are the great cloud of martyrs–witnesses–that are seated in heaven watching the revolution for true freedom–spiritual freedom–rage on the earth. It is a revolution of words and hearts and helping hands. It is a revolution that turns the world upside right and lets God touch the heart with His love wherever the revolutionaries go, whether it be across the street, across the ocean, into a prison cell, or to the grave. These are the revolutionaries who were not willing to set aside the Truth for the convenience of being accepted or the privilege of living only by their own desires. These are the revolutionaries who fight for the spiritual freedom that is only found in Jesus and unwilling to let that freedom go for anything.

We have much to learn from such revolutionaries. We also have much to carry on for them–much to carry on for Him.*

Excerpt from Jesus Freaks Volume 2 by dc Talk and the Voice of the Martyrs

What Would Jesus Do?
Whitney

Our Daily Bread: "Answer the Call" 5-16-08

Hello Everyone

In light of "Testimonial Tuesdays", and of tying in "Jesus Man", I wish to share with you an experience I had some time ago. I was friends with a young lady who was not a Christian, and was going through some tough times. I was a sophomore at the time.

I will never forget this day, but I was sitting on the bus ride home, she in front of me. We were talking about all kinds of things, getting along real good.

Suddenly the Lord began to tug on my heart. "Speak to her, tell her about me."

But I ignored the feeling, figuring it would go away. You know the true feeling though? I was afraid.

Afraid of what? You might ask. Afraid of what she might think of me, or say, afraid to lose that friendship? Probably. Stupid you might think.

In reality we face similar circumstances all the time. Let me tell you, if you feel the Lord tugging you at the heart, you don't ignore Him. You do as He says.

I didn't. I let her go, and now she has moved away. I haven't seen her since.

And I have to live with that for the rest of my life. I vowed then to learn to become bolder in my faith. Because Andrew is right. Why seek the approval of man, when man will one day disappear? All of this on earth shall pass away, while Heaven is forever. Why when we are going to Heaven to live forever with Him? And when you arrive in Heaven, at the Bema seat of Christ, and you are asked the question of what you did. "Did you witness and tell others the good news? How many did you lead to Me?" And then we are left with the remembrance of not having done the simple favor God asked of us. Let that sink in.

Witnessing is not to gain more favor than anyone else, nor must we think it is simply the more you get the better. This is not a game folks; these are souls, lives at stake. It's either don't tell them, and leave then in the hands of the Devil forever, or give them the opportunity to live forever in Paradise. God gave us the ability to chose. So let us choose wisely.

The next time He calls you, Answer Him.*

19"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19

Answering the call,
Whitney

The Poor In Spirit - 3/24/08

Here is today's verse:

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:1-3)

As I reflected upon this verse this morning, I must admit, it had me a bit perplexed. It didn't seem to make sense. "Why," I asked God, "would you say the kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit, if there are people today who are poor in spirit, yet do not know You? Are they blessed, as this verse makes clear?" And then, as I was praying about it, the Lord brought me to this passage:

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them,"Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:18-21)

And then the answer hit me: yes, they are blessed, blessed beyond measure! Even those who are poor in spirit, yet do not know God, are blessed. This is because Christ has been anointed to preach good news to such as these - these broken, battered, poor wretches who have come to the end of themselves and realize their own poverty of spirit. Until we come to the end of ourselves and see the truth of who we are - sinners with no hope of righteousness apart from Christ - there is no hope of us becoming anything more. Being poor in spirit enables us to hear, understand, and apply the gospel which Christ has come to preach. Whether we end up doing so or not, it is not possible for us to cry out to Him without first being poor in spirit. See what is said of those who are not poor in spirit in the book of Revelation -

You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. (Revelation 3:17)

If we are never poor in spirit, then we never realize our own wretchedness, pitifulness, poverty, blindness, and nakedness; and thus, cannot cry out for the Savior to come in and heal our broken souls and restore us to a right relationship with God (Isaiah 6:10). I hope that we can all echo the words of this prayer here, finding completion in our brokenness and poverty through the greatness of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ:

"Here I am, at your feet,
In my brokenness complete." ~Unashamed, by Starfield

Blessings,
Andrew

Giving Your All - 3/21/08

The Christian Band Flyleaf wrote a song inspired by the Columbine Shootings. In the song, the chorus goes

"Do you believe in God?
Written on the Bullet
And Cassie pulled the trigger."

In other words, this girl Cassie was asked a simple, yet life-changing question: Do you believe in God? She said yes, and the gunman shot her.

In the Bible we read about Stephen, the first Christian Martyr. He was not afraid to proclaim his faith. He was willing to give up everything, including his life for Jesus. Cassie was too.

Now Stephen, a man full of God's grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. Acts 6:8-10

Read Acts 6:8-8:3

So think about this personal question for a moment: are you willing to give your all, even your life for Christ?

Many would not hesitate to say yes. But let me tell you, we here in America don't face the Christian persecution like so many other countries do. We take life for granted. So if we were asked the question knowing our life was on the line, what would we really say?

We are weak compared to those persecuted around the world. They are so Christ-focused they are willing to give their all, when we are afraid to share our faith openly with a non-Christian friend. We have no reason to be afraid. Yet we are.

So lets get back on track with Him, knowing in our hearts there's no need to be afraid, for we know where we are going once we die. Let me tell you, it's a much better place there than here! If you do not know where you are going, pray right now to Jesus.

"The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,"that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:9-13

Will you pull that trigger?

"And I will pull the trigger." (Cassie, Flyleaf)

Giving it all up,
Whitney

The Inward and Outward Appearance - 3/14/08

In the book of Ruth, let's focus on love, devotion, and trust, as well as the effects of a good role model (or the Inward and Outward Appearance).

Ruth impressed me by her love and faithfulness towards her mother-in-law Naomi in the first Chapter. We see this more in the following Chapters. Naomi loved Ruth as though she were her own daughter; she wanted what was best for Ruth. So she gave her advice, such as how to gain favor from Naomi's kinsman Boaz. And how does Ruth respond to this? "I will do whatever you say". She was willing to submit to Naomi's advice, because her mother-in-law knew best; they were Naomi's people, and they had certain ways of doing things that often differed from her own. To get right down to it, Ruth had a lot of love for Naomi, putting all her trust in her.

One day Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, should I not try to find a home for you, where you will be well provided for? Is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been, a kinsman of ours? Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Wash and perfume yourself, and put on your best clothes. Then go down to the threshing floor, but don't let him know you are there until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, note the place where he is lying. Then go and uncover his feet and lie down. He will tell you what to do." "I will do whatever you say," Ruth answered. So she went down to the threshing floor and did everything her mother-in-law told her to do. Ruth 3:1-6

Her mother-in-law asked her, "Where did you glean today? Where did you work? Blessed be the man who took notice of you!" Then Ruth told her mother-in-law about the one at whose place she had been working..... Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, "It will be good for you, my daughter, to go with his girls, because in someone else's field you might be harmed." So Ruth stayed close to the servant girls of Boaz to glean until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. And she lived with her mother-in-law. Ruth 2:19-23

It is interesting to me to see the noted line "And she lived with her mother-in-law." Perhaps this little line was added to further establish the relationship between Naomi and Ruth.

Now let's see about the qualities of Ruth.

Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband——how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." Ruth 2:11

(Also read Ruth 3:10-13)

Boaz, who we meet in the second chapter, is struck right away by the good qualities of Ruth. Everyone spoke very highly of her. This makes her even more of a good role-model; she not only had good qualities, she lived them too.....

This is how people tend to measure other people: by first impressions. What we see from a person, in physical appearance and by the way they act, forms what we think of them. Of course we ought to get to know them more, for one encounter is never enough to fully understand someone.

But you see, if we judge others this way, others will judge you this way. As Christians, we should live a Christ-centered life, both in our appearance and by our actions. People are constantly watching; let us shine Christ's love and compassionate qualities. Ruth did, and became an inspiration for those around her. She was spoken of highly, respected, and loved despite her being a foreigner. Her first impression was a good one, but instead of just ending it there, she made it a point to practice it all the days of her life.*

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7b

Will your actions reflect your heart for the Lord?

Whitney

"Role Models"

Ruth impressed me by her love and faithfulness towards her mother-in-law Naomi. Ruth was willing, after enduring the loss of her husband, to leave behind all that she knew to travel with Naomi to a foreign land. What courage! What faith! And after enduring all that she just went through.

Now Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. When she heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah. Ruth 1:3-7 NIV

Just imagine how Naomi felt. She herself lost both her sons, as well as her husband. Orpah she tells to leave her, and that she does. Perhaps deep down inside she really wanted her two daughter-in-laws now widowed to remain with her, but knew what she said was the best thing for all of them.

Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. May the LORD show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me. May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband."

Then she kissed them and they wept aloud and said to her, "We will go back with you to your people."

But Naomi said, "Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons- would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD's hand has gone out against me!" At this they wept again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her. "Look," said Naomi, "your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her." Ruth 1:8-13 (NIV)

It seems to me Ruth was searching, being guided by God to go in this direction, although she didn't know it. She wasn't content to stay with her people and to continue their ways, worshiping their gods. She needed change, and she was taking action.

But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. Ruth 1:16-18

She loved her mother-in-law so much, she was willing to give up what would have been a good life back home. After all, the people she knew were familiar to her, but Naomi's world? Very different. But despite this, she was willing to make a change, a MAJOR one at that. She was stepping outside her comfort zone. She was ready to grow.

Many of us can relate to Ruth. Maybe some drastic event has happened in your life, taking away something from you. Or maybe you have a big decision in front of you. Whatever the case, most of us have been at this point at one time or another. When these things occur, we often default with fear. But we don't have to despair. Ruth sure didn't. She clung to a faith so strong, and she didn't even know God personally at first. But she wanted to. "...and your God my God." Ruth 1:16

Now Ruth probably didn't have the purest of lives, so why is she then such an amazing role model? For one thing, she was a brave woman. And for another, this was a woman who was willing (she chose) to go forward rather than stay the same. She trusted in others she barely knew. Can you say the same?

So have faith, and trust in Him to see you through.*

Are you a Role-Model Ruth?

Whitney

The Glory of God - 3/4/08

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV)

Now, in context, this verse is talking about physically eating food coming from the table of an unbeliever who may have offered it up to idols without us knowing. But I would like to extend this into a broader sense - that is, literally having everything we do be done for the glory of God (which is still keeping within the original meaning). In every decision we make, every action we take, every word we speak, His glory must be at the forefront of our minds. Are we glorifying Him - or showing His greatness, in other words - to those around us by doing whatever it is we do?

Let me show you a story to illustrate this point. In Judges 7, there is the account of a man named Gideon who led the Israelites against the Midianites. Gideon's army was a mighty 32,000 strong, but rather than sending them in, God had other plans. See for yourself:

The LORD said to Gideon, "The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.' (Judges 7:2 ESV)

Do you see what is happening here? God says that Gideon's army is TOO BIG for the Lord to send into battle, in case they claim the glory for themselves, so He has to REDUCE the size of their army to such a small number that the only way they could be victorious is by the power of God, and He does just that. In the end, Gideon takes the entire Midianite camp - with 300 men. Surely after such a victory, every man, woman, and child who witnessed or heard of this great feat knew that surely, "there is a God in Israel!" Is this incredible or what?!?

So the people took provisions in their hands, and their trumpets. And he sent all the rest of Israel every man to his tent, but retained the 300 men. And the camp of Midian was below him in the valley. That same night the LORD said to him, "Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand.' (Judges 7:8-9)

So Midian was subdued before the people of Israel, and they raised their heads no more. And the land had rest forty years in the days of Gideon. (Judges 8:28)

Are you seeking the glory of God in all that you do? Do you feel like you are facing an army of thousands with a measly 300 men? If so, I would encourage you to take heart, for the smaller the odds of victory, the greater God is glorified in the end, and we know that through Him, "all things are possible."

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."(Matthew 19:26 NKJV)

Blessings,
Andrew