Naomi has experienced a great deal of sorrow and loss in her life, and she is in a very dark place. She doesn't understand why God would allow all this tragedy to happen. Her losses seem to have no purpose, just pain. She’s lost sight of God’s Providential hand at work in her life.Choosing to not give in to bitterness and doubt is almost a daily battle during some seasons of life. Life in this bro...  Read More

Luke 8:16-18"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.  For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.   So take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, eve...  Read More

The decision to not return to Moab was a defining moment for Ruth. She shows incredible strength of character here by choosing to not take the easy way out. Ruth had no idea what was to come, but she steps completely forward toward a new future. She not only makes a commitment to honor Naomi, but she breaks from the pagan heritage of her past and places her loyalty with Jehovah God.Every day we ar...  Read More

A Prerequisite for Giving ThanksFor our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! (2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT)To give thanks, we must realize as Christians that God is in control of all circumstances that surround our lives, both good and bad.In 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 we are told, “For our present troubles are ...  Read More

Even in her bitterness, Naomi speaks a blessing over her two daughters-in-law. She prays that their lives will turn around and that God will extend grace to them because of their kindness toward her family. The word “kindly” here in the original Hebrew is “hesed,” which implies that a powerful person is merciful to someone weaker. This kindness is not out of duty, but springs up from a faithful lo...  Read More

Micah 7:1–10 (CSB)7 How sad for me!For I am like one who—when the summer fruit has been gatheredafter the gleaning of the grape harvest—finds no grape cluster to eat,no early fig, which I crave.2 Faithful people have vanished from the land;there is no one upright …Micah 7:18–2018 Who is a God like you,ajforgiving iniquity and passing over rebellionakfor the remnant of his inheritance?alHe does not...  Read More

Our sinful choices impact our whole family. Here Mahlon and Chilion followed the poor example of their father and chose to live like pagans. Rather than fear God and obey, they chose wives who did not follow Jehovah God. The famine that was in the land they had left now inhabited their hearts, and they lost their very lives. Naomi was left truly barren and empty.Sin leads to grief and sorrow that ...  Read More

Psalm 2:10-12Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;Take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the Lord with reverenceAnd rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,For His wrath may soon be kindled.How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!...  Read More

The book of Ruth begins by giving us the background story of how Naomi’s family ended up in a pagan land. The famine in the land was the result of disobedience, and Elimelech’s response to God’s discipline was to walk away from God, not toward Him. Rather than respond with faith in the character and provision of God, Elimelech took matters in his own hands and went the way of the world.Have you ev...  Read More

“And at mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come here, that you may eat of the bread and dip your piece of bread in the vinegar.” So she sat beside the reapers; and he served her roasted grain, and she ate and was satisfied and had some left. When she got up to glean, Boaz commanded his servants, saying, “Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not insult her. Also you are to purposely slip out for h...  Read More

Lessons From My GrandfatherGod will provide all that is needed for you to do His will.Deuteronomy 6:4-9Every society depends on its elders to pass down those things that help preserve its history and moral center. For this reason, parents and grandparents have the awesome responsibility of passing down biblical truths and principles.When I was 17, I decided to visit my granddad. I had an entire we...  Read More

3 Helpful Challenges in the Story of the Widow's MiteRev. Kyle NormanCrosswalk.com Contributing Writer 3 Helpful Challenges in the Story of the Widow's MiteTime and again, Jesus praises the faithfulness of those considered outside the realm of religious respectability. He praises the faithfulness of a Roman centurion, for example, and celebrates the saving faith of the “sinful woman” who poured pe...  Read More