Victory Life KY

Mother's Day

Episode Summary

So often we fail to see what God is doing in our lives when we’re right in the middle of Him doing it because it’s not always pretty.

Episode Notes

• Ruth 4, So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and the LORD gave her a son. Then the women said to Naomi, “Blessed be the LORD, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

• Boaz is the great grandfather of King David, who is the seed of our Lord, King Jesus.

• Ruth is a simple story, only 4 chapters, but this young women’s faithful, loyal heart brought honor to God and according to the prophet Samuel, “Those who honor the Lord, He will honor.”

• So often we fail to see what God is doing in our lives when we’re right in the middle of Him doing it because it’s not always pretty. 

• This side of Heaven we face a real enemy, not to mention this fallen world we live in, that we’re created to be light in, presents its own challenges.

• But Ruth’s heart brought honor to God. She was determined to honor Naomi, not leaving her, not letting things like selfishness, pride and fear distract her.

• Think about it, this everyday, average person lands in the Holy cannon of scripture.

• And it all hinges on the faithfulness of one individual, because of her faithfulness, loyalty, simply the honor she displayed toward her mother-in-law.

• This Mother’s Day, let the heart of this one humble, faithful individual inspire everyone of us to rise to our call, to fill our spot in the scope of the Kingdom of God. 

• And it all starts with the heart of the individual.

• 1 Samuel 16:7,NKJV- But the LORD said to Samuel, Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

• Here’s the thing, a humble, reverent heart alway brings honor to the Lord. What we have to realize is that honoring the Lord with a right heart positions us for honor.

• Once again, as with everything that pertains to God’s Kingdom, it always comes down to faith. It’s truly the only way a human accesses or functions within God’s kingdom. 

• Proverbs 3:5-6,NKJV- Trust in the LORD with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

• Some of the things Naomi told Ruth to do could not have been easy.

• In Thessalonians Paul reminds us that as we grow in our walk with God, not only does it bring honor to the Lord, but it impacts those that are around us that may not be there yet.

• When it comes to our life in God, He never gives us the complete picture because He created us to be people of faith and if He were to give us every detail, then no faith is needed.

• This is why Paul says, “The life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

• Here’s one of God promises that will help, He told us that if we’re willing and obedient we would enjoy the good of the land. But Ruth still had to go out and do the things that positioned her to encounter Boaz.

• Joshua told the people of Israel: “How long are you going to sit around, putting off taking possession of the land that God has given you?”

• Jesus makes it very clear that He’s got something wonderful in store for all those willing and faithful.

• Don’t think for a second the people that want nothing more from Jesus than to escape hell are going to be in the same class as those willing and faithful in serving Jesus.

• Remember, todays talk is all about the heart. Listen to Samuel’s words again, Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

• Here’s another mom lesson for all of us today about the heart;

• Matthew 20:20-23,NKJV-  “Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. 
• And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” 
• But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” 
• So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”

• Jesus repeatedly made this statement, “The greatest in the Kingdom will be a servant.” And possibly one of the most noticeable characteristics will be humility. Remember what Naomi told Ruth, “Go out into the field and pick up scraps.”

• Make no mistake, clothed in humility, God is absolutely looking for those willing and faithful people that will follow His leading.

• Remember it’s a heart thing. Stories like Ruth all point us to a life Jesus died that would could experience right now.

• Lets remember, even though Boaz is listed in the genealogy of Jesus, Ruth was the Kings great grandmother. And with the kind of faith she displayed in her life, make no mistake about the influence she had into her grandchildren’s lives.

• One thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s usually those closest to us that play the biggest role in shaping our dreams, beliefs, our lives.

• And without a doubt, mom’s take one the most significant places of influence for shaping humanity.

• And from Paul’s letter it’s obvious that he knew Timothy’s mother and grandmother. They actually met on his first mission trip to Lystra.

• And I’m sure, like most moms, and even more so with grandmothers, Paul heard plenty of bragging about young Timothy.

• 2 Timothy 1:5-6,NKJV- When I call to remembrance the GENUINE FAITH that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore I remind you to STIR UP THE GIFT OF GOD which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

• I believe the Holy Spirit highlights Lois and Eunice in His Book because some things don’t change,

• It was these two mothers that made sure Timothy went to church, learned about Jesus, made sure he was introduced to the life of faith.

• This is what Paul is doing in this letter to Timothy, reminding him to not only stir up his gift, but to stay genuine in his faith.

• What if we all practiced encouraging one another in our faith, helping each other stir up our gifts?

• Today’s talk is a simple reminder that genuine faith, like Timothy’s, like Ruth’s is most of the time the result of someone sowing into our lives.

• I believe just like with Ruth and Timothy, there are God ordained times of favor already in your path. Some God orchestrated opportunities.

• Both of these young examples displayed loyal hearts that brought honor to God and according to the prophet Samuel, “Those who honor the Lord, He will honor.”

• Here’s the thing, genuine faith is an attitude that chooses to accept what God tells us regardless of what circumstances are saying.

• Today, make room for this kind of faith in your life. Walk out of here expecting moments of God’s favor to find you.

• Remember, the steps of the Godly are ordered by the Lord.

• Regardless of where you currently are in your faith journey, I promise you God still has dreams, plans for all of us we haven’t considered yet.

• Ephesians 3:20,NIV- Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

• So go ahead, get your hopes up, right in the middle of uncertainty. Start imagining big, expecting big. Stir up that gift God has in you. Be genuine in your faith because it honor’s the Lord.

• Just like with Ruth, I believe God wants to do exceedingly, abundantly in our lives, but there will be times just like with Ruth that it doesn’t look like it in the middle of it.

• But Ruth’s heart brought honor to God. She was determined to honor Naomi, not leaving her, not letting things like selfishness, pride and fear distract her.

• Think about it, this everyday, average person lands in the Holy cannon of scripture.

• And it all hinges on the faithfulness of one individual, because of her faithfulness, loyalty, simply the honor she displayed toward her mother-in-law.

• Lets keep this in mind, Ruth was the Kings great grandmother. And with the kind of faith she displayed in her life, make no mistake about the influence she had into her grandchildren’s lives.

This Mother’s Day, let the heart of this one humble, faithful individual inspire everyone of us to rise to our call, to fill our spot in the scope of the Kingdom of God.