The Lord Wants Us to Be Fruitful - Ruth and Luke 8:1-25
The book of Ruth is a beautiful love story, and it teaches a profound truth about the kinsman redeemer. However, when we step back and look at the overall theme, it has to be fruitfulness. When the book begins, we have three widows. This is a picture of barrenness. The situation is so discouraging that when Naomi and Ruth return to Bethlehem from Moab, Naomi tells people to call her Mara, which means bitter. I am glad this is not the end of the story. I praise God that we can rejoice with Naomi and Ruth, as God works through Boaz, the kinsman redeemer, to bring about restoration and fruit. In the end, Naomi has a grandson, Boaz and Ruth have each other and a son, and the little boy turns out to be the grandfather of King David, and thus in the family of Jesus. This is the ultimate in fruitfulness. How did this come about? It happened, because God used the faithfulness of all three people, Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. He blessed their patience, and He made them fruitful. This is what He wants for all of us, but some of us fail to believe and others fail to persevere.
That is the meaning of the parable of the Sower or the Soils, isn't it? God's Word goes forth, and it lands in every life. The only difference is the condition of the soil of the hearts. If there is a mixture of faith and patience, then, there will be fruit produced by God. If there is unbelief or a lack of perseverance, the seed will not produce the desired results. Even the accounts of Jesus' family coming and the storm at sea back up this truth. God wants us to stick together with those who are doing His will to encourage each other as family, and He wants us to rest in Him by faith. He is the Lord of all, even the wind and the waves. He can keep us safe and produce fruit in our lives, if we trust Him. So, how is your life, barren or fruitful? If it is barren, what is missing? Have you received Jesus and His Word by faith? Are you following Him steadily, or do you give up easily? Are you resting in Him to produce the results in your life? This is a good lesson for all of us to consider. The Lord wants all of us to bear fruit.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 1-3 and Luke 8:26-56.
That is the meaning of the parable of the Sower or the Soils, isn't it? God's Word goes forth, and it lands in every life. The only difference is the condition of the soil of the hearts. If there is a mixture of faith and patience, then, there will be fruit produced by God. If there is unbelief or a lack of perseverance, the seed will not produce the desired results. Even the accounts of Jesus' family coming and the storm at sea back up this truth. God wants us to stick together with those who are doing His will to encourage each other as family, and He wants us to rest in Him by faith. He is the Lord of all, even the wind and the waves. He can keep us safe and produce fruit in our lives, if we trust Him. So, how is your life, barren or fruitful? If it is barren, what is missing? Have you received Jesus and His Word by faith? Are you following Him steadily, or do you give up easily? Are you resting in Him to produce the results in your life? This is a good lesson for all of us to consider. The Lord wants all of us to bear fruit.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 1-3 and Luke 8:26-56.