How Goes It?

We come home from school and our parents want to know how the day went, we apply for a job and our spouse wants to know, what were the results. A wife returns from a visit to the doctor and her husband wants to know, what is the news. We all want to know what is going on when we expect "news".

Naomi was no different. She had instructed Ruth how to present herself so that Boaz would understand her willingness to be redeemed. Ruth obeyed and has returned... so Naomi wanted to know.

Ruth 3:16-18 16 When she came to her mother-in-law, she said, " How did it go, my daughter?" And she told her all that the man had done for her. 17 She said, "These six measures of barley he gave to me, for he said, 'Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'" 18 Then she said, "Wait, my daughter, until you know how the matter turns out; for the man will not rest until he has settled it today."NASU

Naomi heard good news in Ruth's report.

John wrote in 1 John 5 11-13 with that same thought in mind. God knew we would want to know if we truly had eternal life secured. Look at what is written.

1 John 5:11-13 11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life. ESV


So when you are asked, "Are you sure you are saved?" and have doubt, please know that you can be sure. God wants you to be sure. For an explanation on how to receive salvation and know that you will be going to heaven click on "two ways to live" button, now.

Please understand you can know if you will be going to heaven when you die.

Sincerely,
Pastor Ray Bertolet

Ruth Obey's

Oh the joys of raising children. They come back to remind us of our youth and the times we didn't obey our parents because we thought we knew better. So often our children have to learn that we do a thing or two about life. Each time one of our three kids reach the teen years we became "dumb" in their eyes. Thankful about the time the reach their twenties, we "got smart" again. Fortunately for Ruth she had wisdom from God and followed Naomi's instruction. She understood that God was in control.

Ruth 3:6-15: 6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did according to all that her mother-in-law had commanded her. 7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain; and she came secretly, and uncovered his feet and lay down. 8 It happened in the middle of the night that the man was startled and bent forward; and behold, a woman was lying at his feet. 9 He said, "Who are you?" And she answered, "I am Ruth your maid. So spread your covering over your maid, for you are a close relative." 10 Then he said, " May you be blessed of the Lord, my daughter. You have shown your last kindness to be better than the first by not going after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 "Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence. 12 "Now it is true I am a close relative; however, there is a relative closer than I. 13 "Remain this night, and when morning comes, if he will redeem you, good; let him redeem you. But if he does not wish to redeem you, then I will redeem you, as the Lord lives. Lie down until morning." 14 So she lay at his feet until morning and rose before one could recognize another; and he said, " Let it not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor." 15 Again he said, "Give me the cloak that is on you and hold it." So she held it, and he measured six measures of barley and laid it on her. NASU

We must understand that these acts are not inappropriate. They are simply acts to show her desire for Boaz to redeem her, her willingness to be redeemed.

Boaz expresses that he is willing but must settle the situation with another relative who has the "first right" of redemption.

These is a beautiful love story that is like Jesus' power to redeem us. We MUST present ourselves to be redeem and Jesus had to pay for our sins. He settle the sin issue..... now you must decide one issue.

Have you presented yourself to Christ for redemption?

(follow the link on the side if you want to know how to be saved.)

You too

What a wonderful weekend in celebrating the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. All across the world the message of hope and redemption for mankind was proclaimed. I couldn't help but reflect on the lessons we find in Ruth chapter 3. Naomi has gone from someone who is discouraged and without hope to one who has begun to see that God is working on a plan.

Naomi is about to instruct Ruth in the step she must take.

Ruth 3:1 Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek security for you, that it may be well with you? 2 "Now is not Boaz our kinsman, with whose maids you were? Behold, he winnows barley at the threshing floor tonight. 3 "Wash yourself therefore, and anoint yourself and put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 "It shall be when he lies down, that you shall notice the place where he lies, and you shall go and uncover his feet and lie down; then he will tell you what you shall do." 5 She said to her, " All that you say I will do." NASU

Here are a couple of steps that Naomi provided to Ruth.

• Recognize that Boaz has power to redeem.
• Prepare yourself.
• Present yourself as willing and available to be redeemed.

How do these truths impact us today.

1. We must recognize that Christ alone has the power to redeem.
2. Our heart and mind must be willing to follow the redeemers command. Yes we must come as we are but we must be willing to leave the past behind. We are never made new if we fail to depart from the past.
3. We must request redemption. Jesus has the power to save but we must confess our sins and ask Him to save us.

Are you willing to be like Ruth. Washing off the past and moving forward requesting salvation?

I will pray that you are willing.