Friday, December 13, 2013

2013 Jesse Tree: Ruth

Scripture: Ruth 1:6-18; Luke 18:18-30
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Event/Theme: Ruth
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Symbol we use: Grain or dried grass
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Meditation: Ruth didn't know at the crossroads exactly what lay in each direction. It would have been safe for her to assume, though, that returning home meant safety, a husband, children, and a good future for herself. Leaving her homeland with her mother-in-law probably meant hardship, poverty, loneliness, and a future turning especially bleak when her mother-in-law eventually passed away. Without knowing the outcome of her decision, Ruth made a sacrificial decision out of love for Naomi rather than a justifiable and logical decision for herself. She chose for Naomi and she chose for all that her mother-in-law represented: her homeland, her people, her God. Several years later she would be able to see the Lord's blessings on her for her choice, yet in the moment it was a decision for love despite the hardship.
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It is always difficult to choose for hardship, knowing it is the right thing to do but not knowing all that the decision will lead to. God doesn't promise us an easy road. Yet when we choose to follow Him, even leaving behind all that we have, He does promise to remain with us, to lead us, and to eventually reward us. So which way will you choose to go, the way of the Cross with Ruth or the easy road with the rich young man?
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Jesse Tree Week 1: The Patriarchs
Sunday: Root of Jesse
Monday: Creation
Tuesday: Fall of Mankind
Wednesday: Noah
Thursday: Abraham
Friday: Isaac
Saturday: Jacob
Jesse Tree Week 2: The Formation of a People Set Apart
Sunday: Joseph
Monday: Moses
Tuesday: Israelites at Mt. Sinai
Wednesday: Joshua
Thursday: Gideon
Friday: Ruth
Saturday: Samuel

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