Shattered Dreams
I encourage everyone to take the closing day of the year to plan how you are going to read the Bible in the new year. Don’t leave it to chance. One of the main reasons we don’t read God’s word is that we don’t plan to.
We must not only be “hearers” of God’s Word, but “doers” also. When God brings someone to mind, be sure to follow through with whatever He tells you to do for that person.
“Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead…”James 2:17
So-Thank you for providing such generous support this past year. As you have given, you have had a part in every life that has been changed, every soul saved, and every family strengthened through the touch you have provided.
In the coming year, we also want you to know that we will be here for you and your loved ones . . . to strengthen, to teach, and to encourage you to love Jesus more deeply and to serve Him more. It is a privilege for us to be connected with you.
“The Hope Connection”
Our web: movingforwardwithhope.com
How many of us can honestly say we are living the life of “spiritual abundance” God promises in His word?
* “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.”John 10:10
It’s extremely important not to judge a person by what they say or do. God is the only One who truly knows the human heart, so He is the only righteous JUDGE.
* “…for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
Satan’s greatest weapon is deceit.
Anytime Satan’s oppression is present, God’s presence IS there too (Heb. 13:5).
It’s just a matter of where our focus is. Focusing on the devil is a trick of the devil. Choose to focus on God!!!
Paul’s IDENTITY was not based upon himself, but upon the person of Jesus Christ. Each and every day we must remind ourselves: It’s not I…but Christ.
*”For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20
The apostle Paul was one of the most mature Christians who ever lived, yet he wasn’t ashamed of his human frailties. He knew God loved him no matter what, and He understood that confessing his weakness was essential to walking in God’s Strength.
** “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses…for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10
“Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years. Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.” -Ruth 1:3-5
Naomi’s life was going well (read Ruth 1:3-5). A great husband. Two fine sons who had two wonderful wives. Then the unthinkable happened. Her husband died. A little time later both her sons die. Her and her daughter-in-laws find themselves in the midst of shattered dreams. This isn’t how life was supposed to be.
How did Naomi react to her situation?
“…for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me!” (Ruth 1:13)
Ah, we see her true feelings about the situation. “How could a loving God let this happen?!”
“Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” (Ruth 1:20-21)
Mara means bitter. She knew where she was. She was bitter toward this so called God of love. “How can I possibly reconcile this?!”
No life insurance. No widow’s fund. “What is going to happen to me and my daughters?”
The Bible says the rain falls on the righteous and the unrighteous. Naomi and Ruth move to a community where some of her relatives lived. Ruth goes out to work in the fields to put food on the table. She just so happens to work in the field of a wealthy farmer named Boaz.
When Ruth tells her this the first ray of hope penetrates her bitter heart. Even she can recognize the hand of God.
So she told her mother-in-law with whom she had worked, and said, “The man’s name with whom I worked today is Boaz. Then Naomi said to her daughter-in law, ‘Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!'” (Ruth 2:19-20).
Hebrew custom was for the next in kin to care for the widow in the family.
Boaz was to be this man. He would eventually marry Ruth. She would bare a son, Obed. He would be the father of Jesse, the father of David. Jesus would come from the same lineage.
Shattered dreams often lead to a world-impacting destiny. But getting there is often a process where we must work through honest feelings before we can see the God who redeems even the most devastating shattered dream.
** I have learned, a true follower of God is one who just sticks to the word. Read it, study it, meditate on it, then speak the WORD.
** I was not placed here to debate, but to speak the Holy Spirit inspired words of God.
** Anyone who is looking for Truth will see God’s word is Truth.
** Everyone else, to speak and debate with them is like throwing pearls before swines.
* Let us follow Christ on ‘the narrow road which leads to life’(Matthew 7:13-14).
The fulfilling of God’s dreams involve our actions – primarily serving God in all circumstances.
* The choice is ours. You can allow other things to become more important than spending time with God.
Don’t be ‘too busy for the “One” thing that is more important than anything else – listening to God’s Word (Luke 10:41-42).
Once again, thank you so much for all you have done and all you continue to do. May 2012 be a year of break throughs in Jesus for you and me while giving Jesus ALL Praise and ALL Glory!
Amen