United We Stand

Today as a nation we pause to remember all of those that have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Memorial day IS the honoring of sacrifice and of standing together for a common cause~ our liberty. These men and women stood together in a effort of unity to defend, protect, and provide for our nation and our families here in  ONE nation, that USED TO BE UNDER GOD,  indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I started thinking about this and how the Lord has blessed our nation as a whole. Our past PROVES we have been blessed whenever God was worshipped, exalted, and depended upon to FOUND this nation. We have since fallen away from this. Our nation has become weakened to an anemic state spiritually. Sadly, it is not just our nation  collectively speaking, but the church as a whole as well. Divided by conflicts, strife, and worldliness, we have become weak and are not standing as we should. There is a price that is being paid for this. 

Ephesians 4:4 says of the church that “There is ONE BODY..”.
As a church, we HAVE TO STAND TOGETHER as ONE BODY! Our forefathers KNEW this face to “be self-evident.” “ A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Mark 3:25. Several years back when my son was little, I was feeding him breakfast one morning. I had cooked him some eggs and was sitting down to cut them up. They had just come off of the pan and were “smoking hot.” I noticed within just a few minutes, after being divided, that they had cooled off considerably, and were now almost cold! I was amazed at how fast they had gone from being so hot, to now being cold! The Lord spoke to me through this. As a church we cannot be on fire for the Lord as long as we are divided! We will become COLD AND INDIFFERENT! We have to stay, or stand together as a whole, in unity as ONE BODY,  in order for there to be retention of heat! Just as soldiers fought fervently for the physical liberty of our nation as a whole, how much MORE should we stand as a whole for the eternal SPIRITUAL LIBERTY of people’s souls?

Ephesians 4:4 then goes on to say that there is “ONE SPIRIT.” This we know is the Holy Spirit. If we are all following a different way or spirit, it IS NOT OF GOD! Soldier have ONE LEADER they follow; if not there is confusion on orders. “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” I Corinthians 14:33. If there is not unity, there is someone or something that is NOT OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD! God will not lead us to EVER do anything that is against HIS OWN WORD! He cannot deny HIMSELF! (II Timothy 2:13.) We are to TRY THE SPIRITS ! “Beloved, believe NOT every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone our into the world. Hereby know ye the Sprit of God; Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is NOT OF GOD… hereby know we the spirit of error.” I John 4:2-6. The Bible tells us that we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices! He knows that the only way he can divide the church is from the inside! May we strive through the help of God to not let the devil get an advantage of us. “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every EVIL WORK.” James 3:16. We need to “WATCH YE, stand fast in the FAITH, quit you like men, be strong.” I Corinthians 16:13.

Lastly, just as our soldiers fought for ONE HOPE of liberty from victory, we CAN STAND UNITED for ONE HOPE FROM victory! The end of Ephesians 4:4 says, “ye are called in ONE HOPE of your calling.”  He IS OUR HOPE! (I Timothy 1:1)The Lord has called us to defend the faith and rescue the perishing. We cannot do so without hope! He has ALREADY WON the victory on Calvary. We stand on this hope and fight from it, NOT FOR IT! The gates of hell cannot stand against the advancement of the church, Matthew 16:18. As a whole, the church has to stand until THE BLESSED HOPE, the Second Coming of the Lord takes place!

May the church of the Lord stand united as ONE BODY, IN ONE SPIRIT, AND ONE HOPE! May we “endure hardness as a good soldier,” II Timothy 2:3.  “For it is GOD WHICH WORKETH IN YOU both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputing; that ye may be blameless, the sons of God, without rebuke, IN THE MIDST OF A CROOKED AND PERVERSE NATION, among whom ye shine as light in the world.” Phillipians 2:13-15. God give us the help we need to be “United as ONE”, for divided as a church, we will fail to bring THY LIBERTY to our nation once again!

"Ruthless" Attitude Poem

"Ruthless" Attitude 

An attitude that is “Ruthless”, free from sin and self to be, 

Living for God and others, 

Lord, help them THY goodness to see.

Nothing for Salvation could I have worked or done.

It is thy Mercy and Grace, and ONLY THINE ALONE!

Following Thee wherever Thou may lead, 

Trusting Thy Word as promised, To meet my every need.

Serving Thee humbly day by day, helping point others to Thy Holy Truth and Way!

Never myself to lift up in pride, or to seek attention, in Thee I WILL HIDE!

Considering others along the way, Stedfastly determined in thy Will I will stay!

Coming to Thee with each supplication and care, Knowing from Thy Word, You will ALWAYS be there!

Resting in Thee as You work from Thy throne, Until You take me to my heavenly home!

My Kinsman Redeemer, that purchased me in love,

Help me to be like Thee with Power, Grace, and Mercy from above!

~Marcie Hudgins

"Ruthless Attitude" Part 2

This lady of God had “Ruthless“ Consideration of others.  To be selfless in service, we HAVE TO THINK OF OTHERS FIRST! Ruth had every right according to this world’s eyes to be focused on only her needs. She seemed to have to fend for herself. But, she was trusting in her Lord to supply each and everyone. Putting her trust in the LORD first to supply them and leaving her concerns there, she then turned her attention toward the needs of others.  The Lord used  Boaz to provide for Ruth’s needs. He  had called her to eat at his table at mealtime, Ch.2:14. She was comforted, spoken friendly to, and PERSONALLY fed until she could eat no more!!( 2:13&14. But, even in this great blessing, Ruth did not forget the need of her Mother-in-law. She wanted to share the blessings of God with her. Verse 18 tells us that Ruth “..gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.” She had enough and to spare from the blessing of the Lord, and gave her abundance to Naomi. Is that not what we are supposed to do? Our abundance should supply someone else’s lack. II Corinthians 8:14 says “but by an equality that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, ..).  Ruth could have “pigged out” on the buffet without a second thought of Naomi!  But she chose not to. She gave from a heart of love.What do we do with our blessings? Do we stingily hold on to them, hoarding them, or let the over flow go to others?   I John 3:17 says “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” The Lord provided enough to meet Ruth’s needs AND SOMEONE ELSE’S!  We can ALL BE“sufficed”. God’s supply pantry is NEVER EMPTY! Someone else’s lack MAY be because of our sin of indifference or inconsideration. Physical or spiritual! May the Lord help us to always consider the needs of others. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men,  especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10.

Ruth was “Ruthless“ in her Supplication: Naomi saw Ruth’s need in return. She knew she needed a husband, being a young woman. 3:1. “Shall I not seek rest for thee?’ She told her Boaz was a near kinsman, and instructed her in how she needed to approach him concerning this.  Older saints NEED to instruct the younger in the things of the Lord.  Instruction in prayers, seeking God’s face, and what to do in time of need. Naomi did this for Ruth. Ruth instructed her in the way of approaching Boaz about redeeming her,  Chapter 3:3-5.  She told her to anoint herself, and  put on raiment. In essence, she was to ”Clean up” from work in the world. Here again, Boaz is a type of Christ. We need to be “clean” spiritually when coming to the Lord. We have to first confess sin to have a clean heart when entreating the Lord. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” Psalm 66:18. We need to come discreetly and humbly, in our prayer closet, without anyone else knowing, not blowing a trumpet as the Pharisees did. (Matt. 6:5 &6) She obeyed Naomi’s command vs. 6. She could have refused and said, “I want a young, good looking man!” I don’t want him! But, she wanted what THE LORD WANTED FOR HER!  She died to self, becoming “Ruthless”.  But, God’s Will became her desire. Vs.9 “I am Ruth thine handmaiden.. “ she had seen the kindness of Boaz and his favor and she had given herself  and heart to Him! She said I am thine! Oh that we would do the same in God’s choice for our life, and in giving our hearts to Him! She confessed he was her kinsman. Kinsman simply means, “redeemer!” She brought her supplication to the only one that could help her and that loved her~_Her REDEEMER! In saying this she confessed he was the only one for her. Boaz had loved Ruth from the start-Ch 2 5-12. Now, she “loved him because he first loved us! “ I John 4:19. Bring your supplications to the One who can supply them. Boaz KNEW SHE HAD A NEED FROM THE START! He has been waiting in love to work in HIS TIME to supply the need! Matthew 6:8 says, “..for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of , BEFORE ye ask Him.”  He knew who she was, that he was her kinsman, and that lawfully SHE NEEDED REDEEMING, which was her need.  He sent her away with a little piece of what was to come vs. 14, 15 & 17., in assurance that He would meet her need.  The Lord will send us away from prayer in ASSURANCE too, by giving us peace that passes all understanding, that He will meet the supplication and need as Boaz was going to Ruth’s!

Then, Ruth had a “Ruthless“ Vacation!  Ruth returned to Naomi in the morning. Naomi asked “Who art thou my daughter?” Wanting to know what Boaz had told her. She told Naomi  the blessing he had sent with her. Naomi let her know this was a promise that He was at work! He had supplied what the two women would need until His work was done to supply the bigger need at hand! All of the work Ruth was supposed to do was finished. He waited for her “working” to be done, so she could fully depend on him. When she finally stopped “working” and came to him, THEN he gave assurance and began to do what ONLY he could do!”Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him” Psalm 37:7. She had obeyed and now was to REST, OR TAKE A VACATION, until the Lord moved. She left the burden with Boaz and rested in his provision! Leave your burden with Jesus! Stop trying to “work” it all out by yourself. Even if it is in good intentions!  Let Him bear the load we cannot! Rest in His love, waiting to see how the matter will fall into His plan. Rest in the assurance He provides us in our heart from His word, and promise in prayer! Jeremiah 33:3 says, “Call unto me, AND I WILL ANSWER THEE, and shew thee GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS, which thou knowest not!” He is at work! He wants us to rest! Only HE CAN WORK ALL THINGS FOR OUR GOOD!

Lastly, there was her “Ruthless” Redemption!  Ruth was not left without help or hope! She was in debt to creditors and those in possession of her late husband’s land and property, thus needing to be redeemed according to law. She could not redeem herself. She had come to the one that could do so though!  Boaz first had to confront a ‘NEARER” KINSMAN than he. This kinsman by right, or the first in line, had no THOUGHT to redeem Ruth. He was only concerned with the advantage of gain, and self promotion. This is exactly way Boaz set him up the way he did. He propositioned him appealing to his pride. By law he was not REQUIRED to marry Ruth because he wasn’t her bro in law. BUT, if he wanted the right to the Land for his gain, HE WOULD HAVE TO MARRY HER! This nearer kinsman was only concerned with self gain. He wanted this great opportunity for self advancement until he found out that she was a Gentile! He could not redeem her to “mar” his own inheritance, Ch4:6. This man was claiming the law of rules for his righteousness and holiness, INSTEAD of receiving the law of God‘s love! “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, having not submitted themselves unto the righteousness Of God.” Romans 10:3. He confessed Himself in vs. 6 unable to redeem the debt “for I cannot redeem it, lest I mar mine own inheritance.” Romans 3:21 says the same thing. Self righteousness ALWAYS strives for keeping self pure and holy in their own eyes-does not see the need to help others OR see themselves IN need of help oF a Saviour. Is this not what the young rich man did when He confronted Jesus about eternal life? He proclaimed his own goodness in keeping the law, UNTIL Jesus hit him at the heart of the matter! When he told him to go sell ALL that he owned and give to the poor-it flat out GRIEVED this man! Romans 13:18 says that”love IS THE FULFILLING OF THE LAW!” “For God soooo loved the World, that HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON…” John 3:16.  Boaz had openly showed that the first kinsman, the law, could not redeem Ruth because of his own interest of self holiness and goodness, but most of all HE DID NOT LOVE HER! BOAZ DID!  The Law COULD NOT SAVE, BUT A LOVING REDEEMER DID! “BUT BEFORE FAITH came, we were kept under the law, shup up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified BY FAITH. BUT AFTER THAT FAITH IS COME, WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER A SCHOOLMASTER.“ Galatians 6:23-25.This is exactly why he set the other kinsman up this way, to make it an open show of what was as plain as the nose on his face! Colossians 2:14-17tells us that Jesus did the same thing! Boaz loved Ruth first, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. “WE love him because He FIRST LOVED US!” I John 4:19. He gave up the throne of Glory for a while, came to this filthy earth, to save sinners. Not Jews only, but Gentiles as well! “BUT …The Gospel of Christ…is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and ALSO TO THE GREEK!” Romans 1:16.  Jesus, our Boaz, did what the law, good works, and false religion could not do! He saved us and brought us to Himself, making us His own! Just as Boaz went and paid the price for Ruth, so has Jesus for us! I find it interesting that the other man’s name is not even recorded. He wanted so bad to be recognized for his holiness, that the Lord didn’t even think it was worth honoring him to record his name. BUT, praise God he not only recorded Ruth’s name as a righteous person, writing it in the Lamb’s Book of life, but he put her into the bloodline of Christ! Only Christ could do this! He has done the same for us! Boaz then took Ruth to be with him. One day  our kinsman redeemer will take us, His Bride, to be with Him forever. Our redemption is an actual event to take place , not a fairy tale love story! Someday our “Prince of Peace’” is coming. Just as Boaz, he has already given us the promise! Luke 21:28 Our Redemption draweth nigh.

Until that day comes, may the Lord help us to have a Ruthless Salvation, Relocation, Vocation, Recognition, Consideration, Supplication, and best of all Redemption!

"Ruthless Attitude!" Part 1

When we think of the word "Ruthless", we think of someone that is evil, selfish, and lacking mercy. If I could, I would like to use this, as a play on words, to describe a famous lady in the Bible~Ruth. The name "Ruth" itself means, kind, beautiful, and friend, or friend of God. She lived  her life true to her name's meaning. How then can this lady be described as "Ruthless?"  She lived a life for the Lord that was full of kindness and mercy to others, and completely SELFLESS. Since she was selfless, she was 'Ruth' -less!(Get it?) This woman was a great example to us from God's Word of how we should live a selfless life, and have a selfless, or "Ruthless Attitude."

First of all Ruth had a "Ruthless Salvation."She was from the pagan country Moab, and married into a Hebrew family that worshiped the only true God, Jehovah.She saw something different about this family.When Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem, after the death of her husband and two sons, Ruth had a decision to make. She saw that He was the only ONE that could save her. ( Ruth 1; 7&8) She had a choice to make. Would she turn her life over to the God of Israel, cling to her Mother-in-law and follow her to a new land? This was Ruth's time of decision (vs8). Would she accept the Lord as her God now, as her Saviour, and  go, or return to her old life as she knew it? (vs. 14&15). She had to decide THEN! The Lord says, ”TODAY is the day of salvation” II Corth. 6:2.We are not promised tomorrow, just as Ruth was not.  Her only chance to be saved, leave her old life,  and start living a new life was then at that moment! How about you friend? Have you come to that point in your life? If you never have, NOW IS THE TIME! This could be your last chance on this side of eternity to accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour! Just as Ruth could not save herself from Moab, we cannot save ourselves from Hell! Jesus is the ONLY ONE that can bring us out, cleanse us from our sin, and put us in His Family to serve Him! Please call on Him while He is near! Ask Him alone to forgive you of your sin! Will He? Yes!!! "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord SHALL BE SAVED!" Romans 10:13.Ruth chose to go with God. Chapter 1:16 &17 says she told Naomi, "thy people shall be my people, and thy God, my God...the Lord do so to me and more also, if ought but death part me and thee.” She called Him LORD and showed she had accepted Him to save her and now serve Him with her life. Her salvation was free from self. WE can NEVER be selfless, or have this attitude, without the Holy Spirit living in us. We must first have Christ as our Lord and Saviour to do so.

Secondly, she had a “Ruthless” Relocation. Ruth was “steadfastly minded” to GO WITH NAOMI! 1:18. She was trusting God with her life and died to ‘SELF’ that day. Gal 2:20 says, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Her salvation put her on a new road of life with a new destination. She hadn’t passed this way before (Ruth 2:11)-it was all new to her. She had a new family, new way of living ,and a new country to call home.She was willing to leave all she had know to serve her new Saviour. How about us? Are we willing to do the same? Ruth had just been saved only a few minutes and was willing to go to another country. Some Christians have been saved for YEARS and have not been willing to go across the street to tell someone about the Lord! Through the eyes of faith Ruth was willing to relocate and go Matt. 16:24 “… if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” . Do we have a “whither thou goest, I WILL GO” Attitude? Ruth 1:16?

Now, she had a “Ruthless” Vocation. Ruth 2: 2&3 tells us Ruth was ready to go and work! She didn’t wait on others to do what needed to be done. She saw the need, then she requested permission TO WORK, and went to it! We need to ask the Lord what HE wants us to do! WE need to have a willingness to work!- If you have a desire to work for the Lord He WILL GIVE YOU A JOB TO DO!! Where God guides He provides! Ruth 2: 5-7. Ruth headed to the barley fields to start reaping grain for their need of food. She was determined to take care of her mother-in-law. She had been working since early morning. She didn’t want to miss a thing, and was steadfast in work. Verse 17 of chapter 2 says she beat out an ephah of barley (35 lbs). Ruth worked hard!  Eccel. 9:10 says,:Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,do it with thy might."  You will get out what you put in! How about us in our work for the Lord, and getting what we need FROM HIM for our strength of spiritual food, as she selflessly reaped their physical food? What about our time in prayer? Bible reading? Witnessing? The Mercy drops are usually OUR FAULT, NOT THE LORD’S! We will reap what we sow! Just as Boaz blessed Ruth, so will the Lord for us!  Vs 7-10 says the Lord gave her Provision, in preference vs. 8, protectionvs9, and provision vs. 16. Boaz instructed his reapers to drop  "handfuls of purpose for her.." 2:16. The Lord will PURPOSELY PROVIDE in our work for Him and our personal needs, not withholding a thing! WE HAVE TO BE THE ONES TO WORK AND REAP!

She had  “Ruthless” Recognition:   Ruth didn't  draw attention to herself & what she was doing. Boaz recognized her and rewarded her for the work AND the  reason for doing so, vs. 11-16.When we have a Godly Testimony,others will see the Lord on us. They see when it is Him that is being uplifted and not our self. This brings blessings from the Lord. Here, Boaz is a type of Christ. He gave her honor and reward, Ch.2:12. He saw her labor and commanded her to, as we say, “stay by the stuff” vs.21&22. This was her place of service. We have a certain place the Lord wants us to work as well. We are to stay THERE until the Lord moves us elsewere. We need to work for the right reason while we are there~Work for the Lord-not the reward!  He knows why we serve Him, whether it is for self, or for Him! Heb. 4:12 says that His Word is"a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Let the Lord be the One to bring honor and recognition to your work for Him!

 Ruth was Selfless in her Salvation, Relocation, Vocation, and Recognition. We have to be Selfless in ALL of our work for the Lord as well. Tomorrow, part two of "Ruthless Attitude" will be posted. Praying you have a great "Ruthless" Day for the Lord!!!!