Serving in a "ME first" society

Philippians 2:1-8:

"Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. "

How well are we serving one another? Do nothing out of selfish ambition... Do nothing out of conceit (or vain conceit NIV)... in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself (or "in humility consider others better than yourself" NIV)... How well or how often do we do this?

"God's kind of serving love comes from choice, not coercion, from strength not weakness, from gladness, not guilt" (Jaynes 103).

Luke 6:38: "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put in to your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you".

1 Peter 5:5b: "Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (See also James 4:6; Prov 3:34)

James 4:10: "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up"

Humility requires a personal quality of dependence on God and respect for other people; it is a God-given virtue of holy living. The essence of the mind of Christ was humility and sacrificial love for others. Christ came as a humble savior, was obedient to God's will, which led to His death on the cross. Now that's humble serving!! To reflect God's love, we need to have this same heart of humility, of sacrificial love in our "me first" society!!

Matt 23:12: "And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (see also Luke 14:11, 18:14).

References:

All scripture from NKJV Women's Study Bible, unless otherwise noted

"Becoming the Woman of His Dreams" by Sharon Jaynes

Beauty and the Beast

The story of Abigail... an intelligent beauty and role model for the kind of wise, godly women we are called to be. Her story is found in 1 Samuel 25 and it is the true biblical story of "Beauty and the Beast".

Unlike the kind and gentle "Beast" in the classic Disney story, Abigail's husband Nabal was a wealth, foolish scoundrel who was harsh and overbearing.

1 Sam 25:3 "The name of the man was Nabal, and the name of his wife Abigail. And she was a woman of good understanding and beautiful appearance; but the man was harsh and evil in his doings".

Right from the beginning of the story we are told by the author the characteristics and personalities of these two individuals. After all, Nabal's name means "fool". Who names their son "fool" anyways? The same verse in the KJV uses the word "churlish" to describe Nabal, which is not found anywhere else in the Bible. It means "rude", "hard-hearted", "difficult to get along with", "mean", "vulgar" according to various dictionaries. It's hard to imagine having to be married to such a man that is defined by such terms, so much that he is the only man in the Bible to be described in such a way. On the other hand, Abigail had "good understanding and [a] beautiful appearance", or as the KJV describes, a "beautiful countenance". I imagine she reflected Christ and radiated a beauty in her appearance and behavior which only God can give; a beauty that no woman can have from within apart from Him.

(1 Samuel 25:4-13):

"When David heard in the wilderness that Nabal was shearing his sheep, David sent ten young men; and David said to the young men, "GO up to Carmel, go to Nabal and greet him in my name. And thus you shall say to him who lives in prosperity: 'Peace be to you, peace to your house, and peace to all that you have!! Now I have heard that you have shearers. Your shepherds were with us, and we did not hurt them, nor was there anything missing from them all the while they were in Carmel. Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let my young men find favor in your eyes, for we come on a feast day. Please give whatever comes to your hand to your servants and to your son David". So when David's young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all these words in the name of David, and waited.

Then Nabal answered David's servants, and said, "Who is David, and who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants nowadays who break away each one from his master. Shall I then take my bread and my water and my meat that I have killed for my shearers and give it to men when I do not know where they are from?"

So David's young men turned on their heels and went back; and they came and told him all these words. Then David said to he men, "Every man gird on his sword." So every man girded on his sword, and David also girded on his sword. And about four hundred men went with David, and two hundred stayed with the supplies.

Nabal lived up to his name in these verses. The presence of David and his men likely protected Nabal's men and flocks from attacks from robbers; making David's request not unreasonable. David was full of wrath and infuriated after hearing what Nabal had said.

1 Samuel 25: 21-22: "Now David had said, "Surely in vain I have protected all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that belongs to him. And he has repaid me evil for good. May God do so, and more also, to the enemies of David, if I leave one male of all who belong to him by morning light".

Meanwhile back at the house...

1 Samuel 25: 14-17:

Now one of the young men told Abigail saying, "Look, David sent messengers from the wilderness to greet our master; and he reviled them. But the men were very good to us, and we were not hurt, nor did we miss anything as long as we accompanied them, when we were in the fields. They were a wall to us both by night and day, all the time we were with them keeping the sheep. Now therefore, know and consider what you will do, for harm is determined against our master and against all his household. For he is such a scoundrel that one cannot speak to him."

Nabal was certainly no Prince Charming! He displayed no integrity or hospitality and rudely insulted the future king of Israel and his men. David reacted swiftly, with intent on vengeance. Abigail was intelligent enough to know her household was in danger and she moved with perception and precision to try to avert the extermination of the entire household. She intercepted David with humility and warm hospitality. She also knew the way to a man's heart- food!

1 Samuel 25:18, 23-24: "Then Abigail made haste and took two hundred loaves of bread, two skins of wine, five sheep already dressed, five seahs of roasted grain, one hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and loaded them on donkeys... Now when Abigail saw David, she dismounted quickly from the donkey, fell on her face before David, and bowed down to the ground. So she fell at his feet and said: 'On me, my Lord, on me let this iniquity be! And please let your maidservant speak in your ears, and hear the words of your maidservant".

Abigail was willing to intercede for her household and take responsibility for everything that had happened. She stood in the gap to protect them.

1 Samuel 25:25-31: "Please, let not my lord regard this scoundrel Nabal. For as his name is, so is he: Nabal is his name, and folly is with him! But I your maidservant, did not see the young men of my lord whom you sent. Now therefore, my lord, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, since the Lord has held you back from coming to bloodshed and from avenging yourself with your own hand, now then, let your enemies and those who seek harm for my lord be as Nabal. And now this present, let it be given to the young men who follow my lord. Please forgive the trespass of your maidservant. For the Lord will certainly make for my lord an ennduring house, because my lord fights the battles of the Lord, and evil is not found in you throughout your days. Yet a man has risen to pursue you and seek your life, but the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living with the Lord your God; and the lives of your enemies He shall sling out, as from the pocket of a sling. And it shall come to pass, when the Lord has done for my lord according to all the good that He has spoken concerning you, and has appointed you ruler over Israel, that this will be no grief to you, nor offense of heart to my lord, either that you have shed blood without cause, or that my lord has avenged himself. But when the Lord has dealt well with my lord, then remember your maidservant".

Abigail encountered the 400 angry men with wisdom, respect, and submissiveness. She reminded David that he was the Lord's anointed, fighting the Lord's battles, and under the Lord's protection. Abigail knew the Lord; her knowledge of Him is very evident throughout this passage. Her responsibility was to Him first. She uses the word "lord" several times, referring to David, showing submissiveness and respect of him. If David had carried out his mission, it would have caused David to sin against the Lord and His people. God preserved David from shedding innocent blood through the swift and wise intervention of this strong woman. David listened to Abigail's words as well as heeded her advice, both of which are admirable traits in this strong leader and wonderful man of God. Abigail knew the Lord so well that she was able to give a prophetic exhortation to David that he would recognize and realize that the Lord was speaking to him through Abigail.

1 Samuel 25:32-34: "Then David said to Abigail: 'Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, who sent you this day to meet me! And blessed is your advice and blessed are you, because you have kept me this day from coming to bloodshed and from avenging myself with my own hand. For indeed, as the Lord God of Israel lives, who has kept me back from hurting you, unless you had hurried and come to meet me, surely by morning light no males would have been left to Nabal!"

The conclusion of the story is amazing. "...the Lord struck Nabal, and he died" (1 Sam 25:38). God delivered Abigail from that awful place. David was relieved that he had allowed God to take the vengeance. He also wasted no time in asking Abigail to continue to bless his life as his wife. Her response, again, was very humble. "Then she arouse, bowed her face to the earth, and said, 'Here is your maidservant, a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord" (1 Sam 25:41). Now that is a very respectful response from a God loving, God fearing woman. I think most women if they were asked to be the king's wife would have responded with more of a "what should I wear?"Now that is a happy ending for the true Biblical story of "Beauty and the Beast"!

We need Abigail's humility to reflect God. We need to have that submissive and respectful attitude, regardless of who you are married to, to truly reflect God. We are to love God first and husbands second. Abigail displayed all these qualities if though she was married to such a foolish, harsh man. Her love for God was reflected in all she said and did.

1 Peter 3:1: "Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives".

Colossians 3:18: "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord."

Ephesians 5:22-23: "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body."

Proverbs 15:1a: "A soft answer turns away wrath"

John 13:12-17: "So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, he said to them, 'Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."

We have so much to learn about how to love and serve others! May God help us to reflect His love to others. May God give us a servant's heart, always willing to serve and wash the feet of others.

References:

All scriptures from NKJV Women's Study Bible, unless otherwise noted.

"Reflecting God" by Kay Smith

More lessons from Ruth

Blessings came upon the family...

Naomi trusted in God, Ruth depended upon God, and Boaz relied on God. When Ruth "happened" upon Boaz's field, he took on the support of both Ruth and Naomi and extended to them extra privileges (Ruth 2:14-16). "The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge" (Ruth 2:12). This brought joy and hope back to Naomi's heart, which had once been so overcome with bitterness and despair. "Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!" (Ruth 2:20). God's sovereign mercy and lovingkindness was being shown to these women through Boaz.

The theme of devotion and love continues in the lives of these two brave women. The older, wiser Naomi began to coach Ruth in the customs of the land and for securing a marriage partner (Ruth 3:3-4). Ruth obediently followed the instructions, securing a future for her and Naomi (Ruth 3:5).

Everyone in Bethlehem saw in Ruth's hard work her concern for her widowed mother-in-law (Ruth 2:11). As the landowner Boaz declared to Ruth, "all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman" (Ruth 3:11). "A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband" (Prov 12:4).

More comparisons between Ruth and the wife of Proverbs 31:10-31:

1. Devoted to her family (Ruth 1:15-18/Proverbs 31:10-12,23)

2. Delighting in her work (Ruth 2:2/Proverbs 31:13)

3. Diligent in her labor (Ruth 2:7, 17, 23/Proverbs 31:14-18,19-21, 24,27)

4. Dedicated to godly speech (Ruth 2:10, 13/Proverbs 31:26)

5. Dependent on God (Ruth 2:12/Proverbs 31:25b, 30)

6. Dressed with care (Ruth 3:3/Proverbs 31:22,25a)

7. Discreet with men (Ruth 3:6-13/Proverbs 31:11-12,23)

8. Delivering blessings (Ruth 4:14,15/Proverbs 31:28,29,31)

The blessing of a Godly, virtuous husband and his attributes:

Diligent- Boaz is described as "a man of great wealth" (Ruth 2:1), and we see him carefully and thoughtful overseeing his property.

Friendly- Boaz greeted his workers with warmth, and even welcomed the stranger named Ruth. (Ruth 2:4,8)

Merciful- Noticing Ruth at work, Boaz asked about her situation and acted on her behalf. (Ruth 2:7)

Godly- Boaz asked Jehovah to bless Ruth in return for her care for Naomi (Ruth 2:12)

Encouraging- Boaz pointed out Ruth's strong qualities and spoke of them to cheer on (Ruth 2:12; 3:11)

Generous- Although Ruth needed food and was wiling to work for it, Boaz gave her extra (Ruth 2:15)

Kind- When Ruth reported the considerate ways of Boaz, Naomi thanked God for His kindness shown to both of them through Boaz (Ruth 2:20)

Discreet- Boaz exhibited wise discretion by sending Ruth home before daylight (Ruth 3:14)

Faithful- Following through on his promise to Ruth, Boaz "went to court" to clear the way to marry her (Ruth 4:1)

The blessing of a grandchild:

Naomi received the blessing of a grandchild (Ruth 4:16), one that would continue the heritage of her dead husband (Ruth 4:17). This child was not only a blessing to his parents and grandmother, but was part of the lineage of our Savior! "[Obed] is the father of Jesse, the father of David" (Ruth 4:17). The family tree or "the book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David" includes these names: Boaz, Obed, Jesse, and David (Matt 1:1, 5-6).

Now that's a blessed ending to the story of these two remarkable women!!

Messages to take away: "Look for the kindness of the Lord extended to you though the good deeds of others". "Extend the kindness of the Lord to others through your own good deeds".

References:

"The Remarkable Women of the Bible" by Elizabeth George

Scriptures taken from "Woman's Study Bible" NKJV

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"... Such a famous sentence from Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, as well as an accurate depiction of the different seasons of life we all encounter. Further studies into Ruth's life also show many other lessons to be learned from Ruth and Naomi.

The Best of Times...

Naomi, her husband and two sons moved from Judah, where a famine had struck their hometown, to Moab, where there was food (Ruth 1:1). Times were good- they were able to feast and each of Naomi's sons found a mate in Moab. It was a season of joy and of plenty.

The worst of times...

Soon after though, a dark season of pain and despair reared its ugly head. A triple blow hit this once joyful woman: her husband and two precious sons died (verses 3 and 5). How could life go from being so beautiful and sweet- a season of blessings, to so dark and grim- a season of great loss and pain? It is in the later seasons that we must remember and cling to God's amazing promises to us:

Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope".

Romans 8:28- "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose".

It is by living and walking in these promises that our Father leads us straight in to the discovery of His good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2)!

So Naomi decides to leave Moab to return to the land of Judah after learning that the famine was over. Both of Naomi's two daughters-in-law started out with her on this journey. She urged both of them to return to their mother's house and kissed them goodbye; Orpah returned home, but Ruth stayed with her:

Ruth 1:8-14- "And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, 'Go, return each to her mother's house. The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. The Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband'. So she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. And they said to her, 'Surely we will return with you to your people'. But Naomi said, 'Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? Turn back, my daughters, go- for I am too old to have a husband... No, my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of Lord has gone out against me!' Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her".

Life never unfolds the way we predict it will. It is through these unexpected circumstances that come into our lives that we learn to trust God more- through unexpected people, tragic events, and difficult situations. Naomi had depended upon her husbands and sons, now she had to depend on Ruth, a young and widowed daughter-in-law. Naomi now had to trust that God would work through the tragedy of the deaths of the men in her life. Naomi also now had to head back to Bethlehem without her husband or sons- it was a long road home and she would have to trust God the whole way.

Naomi was returning to Bethlehem a widow with only one daughter-in-law from a foreign land. Naomi and Ruth walked the 70 dusty miles back to Bethlehem (verse 19). Naomi's friends greeted her upon entering the city asking "Is this Naomi?" (verse 19). Naomi's name means "pleasant". However, upon entering the city, Naomi replies, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara [which means "bitter"], for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty" (verses 20-21a).

God works in and through every aspect of our lives. However, as followers of Christ we are not to become bitter (Heb 12:15- "looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled"). The way we respond to suffering determines whether that hurt makes our hearts bitter or better. We are commanded to:

Eph 5:20: "... [give] thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ". It's impossible to be bitter and thankful at the same time.

1 Thes 5:16-18: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you". Pray through the tears, for God hears our cries (2 Chronicles 7:12; 1 Kings 9:3).

2 Cor 1:3-4: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God".

Teachings from Paul: Phil 4:11-13: "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".

It is our response to our circumstances, not the circumstances themselves that determines our joy. In the life of God's children, there is no such thing as coincidence. "There is only the great sovereignty of God Almighty, who watches over His children and guides their steps, sometimes quite obviously... and other times not so obviously" (George 147). Ruth went out in search of grain without a guide. She was alone except for God, who directed her steps to one particular field. Ruth just "happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz" (Ruth 2:3, emphasis added). She "happened to" come to the field of the man that would become her husband (Ruth 4:13)- isn't it so interesting and amazing how God works?

If we believe in our sovereign God, then we must trust that His hand is at work in all of the events, tragedies, coincidences, blessings, luck, and flukes of life. All that happens, is Him at work once again in us and through us. Times are often difficult and hard, just as they were for Naomi and Ruth, yet God was and is present, faithful, and at work in the details of their and our daily lives.

References:

"The Remarkable Women of the Bible" by Elizabeth George

All scriptures taken from "The Woman's Study Bible" NKJV

A prayer from 1 Corinthians 13

A different take on 1 Corinthians 13:

If I teach Bible study classes, volunteer for women's ministry, and sing in the choir, but do not love my husband, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal, If I have a college degree, high-paying job, and successful career, but do not love my husband, I am emotionally and spiritually bankrupt. If I have faith that can move mountains, am quick to pray for those in need, and even have half of the Bible memorized, but do not love my husband, I am disobedient and do not please God. If I keep a spotless house, maintain a well-manicured lawn, and prepare nutritionally balanced meals, but do not love my husband, it is all for naught. Hired hands can do as much.

Lord, help me to be patient. Help me to be kind. I pray that I will not envy others who have seemingly happier marriages and husbands who are more helpful around the house or thoughtful or romantic. I pray that I will never try to lift myself up by putting my husband down. lord, I pray that I will not be a proud woman who refuses to listen to her husband, who always has to have the last word, who always thinks her way is best. I pray that I will not be rude to my husband with curt comments, disregard his needs or be ungrateful for all he does and is, but treat him with respect and honor that the king of a castle deserves.

I pray that I will not be self-serving, always thinking about what is best for me, but thinking of what would be best for my husband. I pray that I will not be angered easily, not hold a grudge, not keep a record of wrongs, not plan ways to retaliate, and not use my tongue as a weapon to cause pain. I pray that I will not rejoice and say "I told you so" when things don't work out the way my husband hoped.

Lord, above all, I pray that my husband will see me as his chief cheerleader who desires to rejoice with him in his victories, both big and small. That he will see me as one who longs to protect our marriage and out love. Help me to create a warm and loving environment in which he feels safe, wanted, and revered. I pray that You will give me endurance when things get tough. Help the word "divorce" to never enter my mind or cross my lips as an option. Lord, I know that love never fails and that You never fail. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit to give me the endurance to stand up under trials and love my husband as You would have me love him-till death do us part.

In Jesus' name, amen.

"Becoming the Women of his dreams" Sharon Jaynes pages 31-32.

Remember November 5th

Needed to hear this today from Streams in the Desert

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" Gen 18:14

This is God's loving challenge to you and me each day. He wants us to think of the deepest, highest, and worthiest desires and longings of our hearts. He wants us to think of those things that perhaps were desires for ourselves or someone dear to us, yet have gone unfulfilled for so long that we now see them as simply lost desires. And God urges us to think of even the one thing that we once saw as possible but have given up all hope of seeing fulfilled in this life.

That very thing, as long as it aligns with what we know to be His expressed will- as a son was to Abraham and Sarah- God intends to do for us. Yes, if we will let Him, God will do that very thing, even if we know it is such an utter impossibility that we would simply laugh at the absurdity of anyone ever suggesting it could come to pass.

"Is anything too hard for the Lord?" NO, nothing is too difficult when we believe in Him enough to go forward, doing His will and letting Him do the impossible for us. Even Abraham and Sarah could have blocked God's plan if they had continued to disbelieve.

The only thing "too hard for the Lord" is our deliberate and continual disbelief in His love and power, and our ultimate rejection of His plans for us. Nothing is impossible for Jehovah to do for those who trust Him.