The Journal of Ruth

I heard this on KLOVE radio station and thought it is worth passing along. When life happens to us we start worrying with what ifs.  What if I lose my job?  What if it is a bad doctors report?  What if it can't be fixed?  What if I don't pass the test? What if I can't pay my bills? What if, what if, what if. What if we changed our ifs.  What if God shows up?  What if God heals me?  What if God works it out for my good?  What if God shows me another way?  What if God strengthens my faith? What if God provides? Whatever life is throwing at you today, I challenge you to change your ifs. Be blessed.

Psalm 44 Here in this world where we live or lives, terrible things may happen.  Even to Christians.  We are not immune to circumstances.  We may experience troubling personal circumstances that drag us down. We can feel empty of God's presence, bewildered, distressed, depressed and abandoned by God over these circumstances.  We are human.  Don't be afraid to face these circumstances even though you feel empty and alone. The secret to getting through these times is reliance on God.  Remember that His convent never fails. Remember what God has done for you in the past and hold on tightly to that. Write down the times that you have experienced God's love so when the tough times come into your life, you are prepared for the battle. Take them to heart, be encouraged, your circumstances will improve, and you will come out of it with stronger faith in God. Be blessed.

1 Kings 12:1-24 We make decisions everyday and sometimes we ask for advice. Then we have to make another decision whether or not to follow that advice. We need advice about following advice. Advice is only helpful if it is consistent with God's standards.  So seek advice from someone who is a mature, faithful Christian. Evaluate the advice - is it realistic, workable, and in line with biblical principles.  And of course, the best advice comes from the Lord and His Word.  Always pray and consult God about your decisions.  He will help you make the right decisions and keep you from going wrong and following poor advice. Be blessed!

1 Kings 11:38 NlT " If you listen to what I tell you and follow my ways and do whatever I consider to be right, and if you obey my decrees and commands as my servant David did, then I will always be with you." Why do we make this so difficult and complicated?  Following God is not that hard. Read the Bible, learn God's ways and commands, accept that Jesus made a way for you to be forgiven of your sins,  love all people, have compassion, be a moral person.  God will bless you for just trusting His ways and will be with you ALL the time.

Grow In The Right Direction Read 1Kings 11:1-13 A little sin can be the first step in turning away from God. It is the sins we excuse and pretend are ok that cause the most trouble. The Lord is interested in our attitudes and our actions. Are temptations creeping into your life?  Pray to grow in the right direction.

The typical New Year's resolution, to start exercising and working out to transform the flabby body into a physically fit one. You join a gym or start an exercise routine.  And it is hard.  The muscles are weak and the body is sore.  But if we keep at it regularly, the muscles become stronger and the workout becomes easier.  Our bodies become fit. The same principle applies to our spiritual life.  Are you spiritually fit or flabby? When we neglect spending time with God, being just lazy or prioritizing other things, we become spiritually out of shape.  At first the spiritual workout is hard, time consuming, and seems impossible.  But the more we stretch our spiritual muscles, the easier and more fulfilling it gets.  Set a goal to be spiritually fit this year.  Read a study bible, go to a bible study group, listen to Christian music and teachers, increase your quiet time, read a Christian leader's biography, sing praises to Jesus, and pray fo...

Bible study this morning (yes I am awake at 5 am on a Saturday). God is speaking to me this morning about friends. My study bible said that loneliness is everywhere and that we all need friends who will stick close, listen, care, and offer help when needed in good times and in bad. We lead such busy lives that we don't hang out with friends as much any more. We all need true friends not just acquaintances. If you are feeling lonely and need a friend, first Jesus is your best friend and you can turn to him anytime and second reach out, there are friends waiting to hear from you. Reach out to me. Maybe I will start a true friends facebook group,

This was in my study bible this morning. Proverbs 11:9. Your words make a difference! Every person you meet is either a demolition site or a construction site. With just words we can tear people down or build them up. Will your words be weapons of destruction or tools for construction today? Have a blessed and wonderful day today.

God is the creator of heaven and earth. God is your creator! Therefore, He knows all about you and can fix any problem you have. Look up, keep your eyes on Him and say thank you today! Have a blessed day today!

We make choices everyday. Sometimes we have a difficult time making the right choice. As a Christian, we have the guiding hand of God and the Holy Spirit. Put the choice in the discerning light of God. Will it accomplish His will for His kingdom and for us? Have a blessed day.

This is how much God loves us. Jesus was born into this world to save us from our sins and make a way for us to have eternal life in heaven. Jesus died to pay our debt. That is how much He loves us. Now is the time to remember that. Celebrate Jesus this Christmas.

Yes Satan is still in the business of deceiving us humans with anything that will take us far away from God. The big things are drug additions, alcoholism, and pornography. But Satan is sneaky. Satan will use anything to keep us out of church, from reading the bible, and from praying, spending time with God. Like working long hours, a hobby or sport we are consumed with, the Tv and video games. So just be aware and be vigilant. Take a look at the the things in your life and ask yourself if it is worth it to not spend time with God. Be blessed today.

Here is a question for you today. Do you believe this? In this scripture from the bible, Jesus is asking you do you believe in Him? Do you believe that He is your savior? Do you believe that He died to pay the price for all of your sins? Do you believe that He was resurrected from the dead and now resides in heaven? Do you believe that He is the only way to get to heaven and have eternal life? If you are not sure about any of these questions, let me assure you that Jesus is the only way to heaven, to have a blessed life, to have peace and joy. I am always available if you need help answering these questions.

Believing in Jesus Christ is the only way to be in the presence of God and to get into heaven. Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This was witnessed and recorded in the bible. Jesus IS the only way. Don't get distracted by other nonsense that people come up with. Stick with Jesus all the way!

Joshua 1:9 is one of my favorite bible verses. God is with us wherever we go. He will never abandon us. Never! So we do not have to be afraid of anything. God has everything in His control. God tells us to be strong and courageous everyday. We don't have to be beaten down and depressed. Have faith. God has got this! Be blessed today and walk in strength and courage!

Worry is just a waste of time and energy. Worry does not not solve any problems or change any situations. Instead of worrying about something, take the proactive approach and pray about it. There is a hymn that says Fix your eyes upon Jesus and the things of this world will go strangely dim. This is true. I have had to fix my eyes on Jesus many times. And you know what happened? That issue wasn't so big after all. Have a blessed and worry free day.!

Communication is important in most relationships, in your job, with your friends, and most importantly with God. God is with us always. We don't have to wait for a certain time to talk with God. Talk to Him while you are driving to work (this is what I do), while you do household tasks, while you are doing nothing. God is always ready to communicate with you and He is just waiting for you. Take the time today for a good heart to heart with God

The very first commandment from God is that we are not to have anything more important than God. Okay so we don't have a statue (idol) that we bow down to but we can have other "idols" that are the most important thing in our lives. Even more important than God. It may be a sport, a person, a hobby, a job, money, fame, power, or anything. Lets take a very careful look at what we have in our lives and make sure that we are not spending all of our time, effort, and energy on that and we are placing God before everything else.

It's Wednesday! Want to understand the bible better? Want to live the life God has in store for you? Want some answers? Want to know what God has to say? Go to a bible study and get into God's word. You will be better for it.

Yes you do have a talent, ability, skill, or special gift. God gave it to you. Some people have a very prominent talent, others abilities may seem minor, but God gave you your skill set for a reason. God created diverse abilities because there is much work to be done for His kingdom. If you are unsure about your God given abilities, pray and ask God to show you what they are and how He wants you to use them to glorify Him. You have the potential to make a positive impact for the kingdom of God. So get to using your talents!