Bible

Ruth

Sean Vickers

Hope, Love and Redemption

The book of Ruth in the Old Testament is a compelling story that contains hope, love and redemption.

During the time of the Judges, there was a famine in the land. The book of Ruth is the story of Naomi and Ruth making a pilgrimage back to the Promised Land where they encounter their Kindsmen-Redeemer, Boaz.

Elimelek, Ruth, and their two sons traveled to Moab to find food during the famine. While they were in Moab, their two sons married Moabite women named Orpah and Ruth. After the father and two sons die Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth are widows with a bleak future. Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem. During this journey Naomi tells her daughter’s-in-law to return to Moab where they can remarry and live out peaceful lives. Orpah decides to return, and Ruth refuses by expressing her commitment to Naomi and to her God.

Ruth 1:16-17 says,

16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.
17 Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”

This amazing confession represented Ruth’s commitment to her mother-in-law, Naomi, and a decisive rejection of the pagan religion of the Moabites. This is a bold statement of her faith in the God of Israel.

When they arrive in Bethlehem, Ruth begins gleaning in a field owned by Boaz. Ruth has a face to face conversation with Boaz which starts the most famous love story found in the Bible.

This love story becomes a representation of Jesus Christ and His relationship with His bride, the church. Like Ruth, we are lost and outside the covenant family of God. We are bankrupt with no hope of God’s mercy. But God took the initiative and provided a way for us to enter His family through faith in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Clear Application for Today

  • Commitment to family is valuable.
  • God blesses hard work.
  • God blesses His children in the midst of their circumstances.
  • God provided a Redeemer, His name is Jesus!

 

Judges 6-7 Gideon The Reluctant Warrior

Judges 6-7 Gideon The Reluctant Warrior

Sean Vickers

Judges 6 – 7  Gideon – The Reluctant Warrior

In Judges 6, the people of God are once again turning their backs on God. To chasten His people, God hands them over to the Midianites. The chastening of God is evidence of His love for His people. The Midianites pillaged the land and destroyed their crops. This causes the Israelites to cry out to God for help. God raised up another Judge to deliver His people from the Midianites. His name was Gideon.

No one would have picked Gideon as a leader. He would not even have picked himself. His decisions were uncertain, and his faith was shaky. However, despite Gideon’s shortcomings, God used Gideon to bring glory to Himself and victory to the people of Israel. Gideon is a great encouragement to anyone who struggles with accepting themselves and believing that God wants to use them in a significant way.

After “fleecing God”, Gideon assembles an army to attack the Midianites. God leads him through a process of reducing His army down from 32,000 men to 300 men. God was making sure He got the glory for the victory. Gideon defeated the Midianite army and once again restored Israel.

Be Encouraged with this Clear Application

  • God listens to the cries of His people.
  • God uses ordinary, even reluctant, people to do His work.
  • Victory is not found in skill or number, but in the power of God.
  • Strategy and focus are important.
  • God is not done with us even though we fail.

Last Words from a Great Leader

Sean Vickers

Joshua 24:14-25

God worked through Joshua’s life in a powerful way. His life and the journey of Israel to the Promised Land provides great insight into the character and strength of God and how we should respond to Him. In this passage, Joshua gives a farewell address and makes a charge to the people Israel before his death. Joshua 24:14-25

Think about these ideas about final words:

  • Final words are chosen carefully
  • Final words are focused on the needs of the audience
  • Final words from credible sources should be heeded

In the first part of Joshua 24, Joshua reminds the people of Israel about God’s powerful acts and His faithfulness. Then starting in verse 14, he charges Israel to fear God and serve Him with faithfulness. He also charges them to throw away the gods their forefathers worshiped beyond the river and in Egypt. Choosing to serve the Lord becomes the focus of verse 15. Joshua 24:15 is the most famous verse in the book of Joshua. It says,

“But if it doesn’t please you to worship the Lord, choose for yourselves today the one you will worship: the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.”

At the end of his life, Joshua challenged the people of God to follow his example by worshiping and serving God alone.

Clear Application for Today

  • Final words are important.
  • Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past helps us follow Him in the present.
  • Who we worship and serve is a choice all must make.
  • Fathers are the leaders of the family who can make this decision to honor God for the whole family.
  • God desires our worship, service, and allegiance.

City of Refuge

Sean Vickers

Joshua 20:1-9

Before the People of God crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land, God told Moses to set aside six cities to be known as Cities of Refuge. These cities were places that people who may have accidentally killed another person could flee to a city of refuge and be protected from the “avenger of blood” (family of the deceased) until the elders of the city could investigate the circumstances. If the person seeking refuge was found guilty, they were put to death. If they were found to be innocent, they could continue to live in the city of refuge without fear.

These Cities of Refuge can be seen as a picture of our salvation in Jesus Christ. We are all guilty (Romans 3:23), and there is an avenger seeking our souls. (John 10:10) There is a place we can run and find safety for our souls. The place is a Person, Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12) We must run to our Savior Who is our Refuge.

Has God brought you to a place where you understand you are guilty? Have you taken your guilt to Jesus and placed your faith in Him. He is our Refuge.

Growing in Faith

Sean Vickers

Each of us are known for:

  • Our families
  • What we do
  • Where we live
  • What we drive
  • The hobbies we have

Our online persona consists of:

  • facebook profile
  • twitter feed
  • our klout score

Of of all the things we can be known for, we need to strive to be known as people of abiding faith.

What does faith look like?

Faith Described –

Hebrews 11:1-2

  • This is not a definition, it is a description
  • Faith is more than wishful thinking
  • Biblical faith is not a blind faith
  • Faith is practical
  • Faith enables us to understand what God does
  • Faith enables us to see what others cannot see
  • Faith enables us to do what others cannot do

Faith is God enables us to know God, to please God, and to do what He has called us to do. Hebrews 11:6

Faith Demonstrated

Hebrews 11:22

Joseph was:

  • Sold into slavery by his brothers
  • Tempted by Potiphar’s Wife
  • Falsely accused of rape
  • Forgotten by his jail mate friends

Yet, Joseph continued to put his faith in God. Joseph looked forward to the Promised Land and longed for home. Hebrews 11:22

Faith Developed

Hebrews 12:1-2

Hebrews chapter 12 gives us clear instruction about developing faith that pleases God and changes our lives

Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that lay before Him endured a cross and despised the shame and has sat down at the right hand of God’s throne.

1. Learn from the faithful

2. Eliminate any barrier to Faith

3. Strive for endurance

4. Focus our life on Jesus

Faith is only as good as its object. The object of our faith is Jesus. He never fails.

Joshua 7 Defeat on the Way to Victory

Sean Vickers

God gave the people of Israel a great victory when He caused the walls of Jericho to fall. He was fighting for His people and giving them victory that they could not accomplish by themselves. Joshua 6:27 says, “And the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land.” As is the case after spiritual victories, defeat and discouragement closely followed.

In Joshua 6: 17-19, Joshua clearly instructs Israel that everything taken from the city belonged to God. He warned them to stay away from “devoted things.” He told them that failure to obey God would make the camp of Israel “liable to destruction and bring trouble on it.” (NIV) One of the soldiers, Achan, son of Carmi, disobeyed this clear instruction which led to defeat for the people of God.

The next nation to conquer in the Promise Land was the people of Ai. After Joshua scouts them out, he determines that the conquest of Ai will be easy for the army and only sends three thousand men to fight. They are defeated and embarrassed by the army of Ai. The victory of Jericho is quickly overshadowed by the defeat of Ai. It is important to understand what caused the defeat at Ai. It was the disobedience of Achan, which resulted is God allowing the Israelites to fight in their own strength, leading to defeat. Sin must be dealt with in the lives of God’s people for God’s presence and power to be experienced.

Joshua is broken over this defeat and seeks the face of God. God leads him to consecrate the people and search out the disobedient tribe. Achan is found out, and he and his family are judged and stoned.

After the sin of Achan is discovered and confessed, the conquest of Ai continues. With God once again fighting for His people, Ai is soundly defeated and taking possession of the Promise Land continues.

Clear Application for Today

  • God is the source of victorious Christian living. By faith we can be strong and courageous.
  • Knowing right from wrong must be followed by obedience. Achan knew what was right and chose his will over the will of God.
  • Seeking more knowledge about God is important, but not as important as obedience to what we already know.
  • Disobedience to God strips the power of God working in our lives.
  • If we want God to fight our battles and give us power to do what He has called us to do, we must be obedient to do things God’s way.
  • Like Achan, our sin affects our family.
  • Confession of sin leads to restoration and renewed spiritual power.
  • When you surrender to the Lord, no defeat is permanent and no mistake is beyond remedy.

Is there a spiritual barrier present in your life that must be dealt with before the power of God returns in your life?

Joshua 2 Spies, Conquest and an Unusual Convert

Joshua 2 Spies, Conquest and an Unusual Convert

Sean Vickers

Forty years earlier Moses sent twelve spies into Canaan and only two came back with a faithful response, Joshua and Caleb. This time Joshua sent two spies into the city of Jericho to return with a report of the city before the armies of God would invade the city. These spies are protected by a prostitute named Rahab.

Only two women are mentioned in Hebrews 11, “The Hall of Faith,” Sarah, the wife of Abraham and Rahab the prostitute of Jericho. Rehab is also mentioned in the Genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:5. Rahab is known for her faith in God and the resulting actions she took to protect the spies. The most important thing about Rahab was her faith. She had heard the report about what the God of Israel was doing and choose to place her faith in Him. Rahab demonstrated her faith in God by helping the spies. James tells us that “faith without works is dead.” Rahab obedience gave evidence of a changed life marked by faith.

Rehab is concerned for her safety and the safety of her family and asks the spies to promise her protection. They grant her request. They instruct her to tie a scarlet cord in her window to indicate her location for the invading army. This is a reminder of the blood sprinkled on the door posts in Exodus 12. In Joshua 6, Rehab and her family are protected by the two spies and saved when Jericho fell.

This chapter focuses on the faith of an unlikely example. The faith of Rahab.

Clear Application for Today

  • Sometimes God uses unlikely people to fulfill His purposes.
  • The Promises of God extend to all who will trust Him.
  • Faith requires courageous responses to the circumstances of life.
  • Faith is demonstrated in actions, and those actions lead to obedience.
  • As a child of God we can meet the challenges of life with strength and courage.

What circumstance are you facing that you must put your faith fully in God and work it out with acts of obedience?

Joshua Courageous Living

Joshua Courageous Living

Sean Vickers

In Joshua Chapter 1, God commissions Joshua to take Moses’ place of leadership as the people of God move toward the promise land. God tells Joshua three times to be strong and courageous. (Joshua 1:6,7,9) The basis for this strength and courage is found in verse 5, where God tells Joshua that He will be with him like He was with Moses. God promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Again in verse 9 God shows Joshua where his strength and confidence should come from. “Have I not command you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Clear Application for Today

  • God will never call you to something He will not give you strength and courage to do. Joshua 1:5,9
  • The Word of God is essential in your life if you are to fulfill God’s calling. Joshua 1:8
  • God will involve others in the work as you fulfill God’s calling in your life. Joshua 1:16-17
  • Others involved in God’s work will encourage you to be “strong and courageous.” Joshua 1:18

 

Total Offering

Total Offering

Sean Vickers

In Mark 12:41-44 Jesus is observing people at the synagogue contributing to the offering box. Jesus, being the Master Teacher, uses this as a teachable moment for His disciples. He says,

“Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, by she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” Mark 12: 43-44

Challenging Observation from this Passage

  1. God cares how much we give.
  2. Jesus want to teach His disciples and us how to manage our money.
  3. The amount of the gift is not as important as the attitude of our hearts when we give.
  4. Jesus wants us to trust Him with everything in our lives.
  5. We exercise our faith when we give our all to Jesus and His work.

Father, help me today to give you all I have for all You are.

 

A Heart towards God

Sean Vickers

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”  1 Samuel 16:7

There is a fascinating account in the Bible in 1 Samuel 16. When it was time to replace King Saul, Samuel went to Bethlehem and called together Jesse and his sons. Each of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel and God would select a new King. As seven sons passed by Samuel there was no suitable replacement found. Samuel asked if all of Jesse’s sons were there. Jesse had one more son, David, who was tending the sheep. They called for David and he was the one and was anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel.

This compelling story raises the question: What was the difference between David and his brothers? 1 Samuel 16:7 demonstrates that it was a matter of the heart. We tend to look at the exterior and God looks and the interior, the heart. 2 Chronicles 16:9

What does God see when He looks at your heart?

  • Pride – Proverbs 21:4, Jeremiah 17:9
    Our hearts will naturally focus on me, myself and I.
  • Guilt – Matthew 5:19
  • Brokenness – Psalm 51:17
  • Emptiness – King Saul – 1 Samuel 13:14
  • Belief – Romans 10:10
  • Jesus – Ephesians 3:14-19

What should we do?

  • Examine our OWN hearts
  • Eliminate pride and sin by confession and repentance
  • Turn our hearts toward God
  •  Trust Christ to dwell in our hearts as Savior and Lord