A JOURNEY FROM EMPTINESS TO FULFILLMENT - Naomi was very familiar with loss. She had lost her husband and her two sons while dwelling in Moab, where her family had fled due to a famine in Bethlehem. Her heart was broken and filled with grief from the loss of family. But little did she know that, in the midst of her bitterness, God was planning her fulfillment and restoration. In her unmatched loyalty to Naomi, Ruth the Moabite chose the God of Israel, through whom she came to find much grace. In finding that grace, Ruth was blessed and became a great blessing! The years of bitterness and loss came to an end for Naomi! Through grace Ruth meets and they are married and have a child named Obed. This child becomes the father of Jesse, the father of David, and in the lineage of Jesus Christ. Naomi goes from empty to full as her family life is restored to her! You may be able to relate to Naomi, having lost those dearest to you. You may be grieving even as you read this. God can turn things around for you. He can restore all the years that were lost, bringing you into a place of fulfillment and blessing. The story of Ruth expresses the heart of God for all His children — He is the God of redemption, restoration and grace. He desires to fill all the empty places in our lives. Naomi was very familiar with loss. She had lost her husband and her two sons while dwelling in Moab, where her family had fled due to a famine in Bethlehem. Her heart was broken and filled with grief from the loss of family.

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A journey from emptiness to fulfillment

You may be grieving even as you read this. God can turn things around for you. He can restore all the years that were lost, bringing you into a place of fulfillment and blessing.

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Naomi was very familiar with loss. She had lost her husband and her two sons while dwelling in Moab, where her family had fled due to a famine in Bethlehem. Her heart was broken and filled with grief from the loss of family. But little did she know that, in the midst of her bitterness, God was planning her fulfillment and restoration. In her unmatched loyalty to Naomi, Ruth the Moabite chose the God of Israel, through whom she came to find much grace. In finding that grace, Ruth was blessed and became a great blessing! 

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The years of bitterness and loss came to an end for Naomi! Through grace Ruth meets Boaz (her kinsman redeemer), and they are married and have a child named Obed. This child becomes the father of Jesse, the father of David, and in the lineage of Jesus Christ. Naomi goes from empty to full as her family life is restored to her! You may be able to relate to Naomi, having lost those dearest to you. 

Debra Neybert, Training Specialist

Heartbeat International

 

“So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore 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.’

“’Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, ‘There is a son born to Naomi.’

“And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” - Ruth 4:14-17

 

The story of Ruth expresses the heart of God for all His children — He is the God of redemption, restoration and grace.

He desires to fill all the empty places in our lives.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day this month, we can all be grateful for the mothers who gave us life.

But for some the day may be bittersweet, perhaps because of the loss a beloved mother or the loss of children.

Naomi was very familiar with loss. She had lost her husband and her two sons while dwelling in Moab, where her family had fled due to a famine in Bethlehem.

There, in a land not her own, Naomi cried, "Do not call me Naomi (which means pleasant); Call me Mara (which means bitter), for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty.” (Ruth 1:20-21a)

Her heart was broken and filled with grief from the loss of family. But little did she know that, in the midst of her bitterness, God was planning her fulfillment and restoration.

When Naomi heard that the Lord had provided food for his people, she decided to return home with Ruth and Orpah, the women her sons married while in Moab.

On the journey home, Naomi insists that the women return to their homeland and their families.

Orpah went back, but Ruth would not be separated from her mother-in-law, saying, “Your people will be my people and your God my God.”

In her unmatched loyalty to Naomi, Ruth the Moabite chose the God of Israel, through whom she came to find much grace. In finding that grace, Ruth was blessed and became a great blessing!

Ruth and Naomi arrive in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning. This would have been during Passover, Israel’s constant reminder and promise of God’s redemption.

Ruth said to Noami, "Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor."

Ruth indeed found favor, as she was led by grace to the field of Boaz, who turns out to be a close relative — a “kinsman redeemer” of Naomi’s family.

Boaz treats Ruth with abundant kindness, allowing her to glean in his fields freely and without fear of harm.

Naomi directs Ruth, in the custom of the day, to humbly go and present herself to Boaz. She does this by lying at his feet during the night.

When Boaz awakens, Ruth requests that he spread the corner of his garment over her.

This was a culturally relevant way to say, “I am a widow. Take me as your wife and fulfill your role as kinsman redeemer.”

The years of bitterness and loss came to an end for Naomi! Through grace Ruth meets Boaz (her kinsman redeemer), and they are married and have a child named Obed.

This child becomes the father of Jesse, the father of David, and in the lineage of Jesus Christ.

Naomi goes from empty to full as her family life is restored to her!

You may be able to relate to Naomi, having lost those dearest to you.

You may be grieving even as you read this.

God can turn things around for you.

He can restore all the years that were lost, bringing you into a place of fulfillment and blessing.

By Debra Neybert, Training Specialist

Heartbeat International is the first network of pro-life pregnancy resource centers in the U.S. and the largest and most expansive in the world. Since 1971, Heartbeat has supported, strengthened and started pregnancy help organizations, including pregnancy medical clinics, pregnancy resource centers,  maternity homes, and adoption agencies all over the world. Currently, Heartbeat serves over 2,800 affiliate locations on all six inhabited continents to provide alternatives to abortion.

We are a nonprofit, interdenominational Christian association of faith-based pregnancy resource centers, medical clinics, maternity homes, and nonprofit adoption agencies endorsed by Christian leaders nationwide.

Heartbeat's Life-Saving Vision...

...is to make abortion unwanted today and unthinkable for future generations.

Heartbeat's Life-Saving Mission...

...is to Reach and Rescue as many lives as possible, around the world, through an effective network of life-affirming pregnancy help, to Renew communities for LIFE.

https://www.heartbeatservices.org/a-journey-from-emptiness-to-fulfillment

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Song Of Ruth 

(Wherever You Go)

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WORMWOOD, A BITTER HERB - The Wormwood star’s name in Revelation identified that its effects were judgment on mankind for idolatry and injustice. Idolatry is blind or excessive devotion to something or someone - the calamity and sorrow associated with contamination of one-third of the world’s freshwater supply will be a consequence of mankind turning from God to idol worship - When Old Testament authors referred to wormwood, they wrote about bitterness and poison. Old Testament events are presented as lessons for those of us living today. An episode that named wormwood was a prophecy and called mankind to repentance. The prophecy described a future sign which would occur near the end of the age. In Revelation, John described a vision in which seven angels, each with a trumpet, stood before God. The angels were ready to sound trumpets, initiating judgments on the earth. The third trumpet signaled a blazing star to fall on the earth. This blazing star was called Wormwood. If a sufficiently-large meteorite enters the earth’s atmosphere and doesn’t disintegrate, it hits the earth’s surface. A huge cloud rises. Dust and particulates in the cloud spread around the globe moved by winds and the rotation of the earth. Wormwood will contaminate one-third of the earth’s fresh water or somehow release pollutants from the earth’s crust that contaminates one-third of fresh water sources. Many people will die from the contaminated water.

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Wormwood, A bitter herb

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The Wormwood star’s name in Revelation identified that its effects were judgment on mankind for idolatry and injustice. Idolatry is blind or excessive devotion to something or someone - the calamity and sorrow associated with contamination of one-third of the world’s freshwater supply will be a consequence of mankind turning from God to idol worship

Carolyn Roth

Bible References: Deuteronomy 29.18; Jeremiah 9.15, 23.15; Lamentations 3.15, 19; Amos 5.7; Revelation 8.1-11.

When Old Testament authors referred to wormwood, they wrote about bitterness and poison.

Most illustrated punishment from God because of Israelites’ behaviors.

Old Testament events are presented as lessons for those of us living today.

In the New Testament, an episode that named wormwood was a prophecy and called mankind to repentance. 

The prophecy described a future sign which would occur near the end of the age.

In Revelation chapter eight, John described a vision in which seven angels, each with a trumpet, stood before God.

The angels were ready to sound trumpets, initiating judgments on the earth.

The third trumpet signaled a blazing star to fall on the earth. This blazing star was called Wormwood (absinthŏs in  Greek).

My conjecture is that Wormwood will be a meteor from outer space.

When meteors enter the earth’s atmosphere and start to burn, they are called meteorites.

In the United States, children call them “shooting stars.”

Most meteorites disintegrate by burning before they hit the earth’s surface. 

If a sufficiently-large meteorite enters the earth’s atmosphere and doesn’t disintegrate, it hits the earth’s surface.

A huge cloud rises. Dust and particulates in the cloud spread around the globe moved by winds and the rotation of the earth.

According to Revelation, the meteorite Wormwood will contain a contaminate that turns one-third of the earth’s fresh water bitter; or somehow release pollutants from the earth’s crust that contaminates one-third of fresh water sources.

Many people will die from the contaminated water. John’s description in Revelation sounds like a nail-biting science-fiction movie.

The plant wormwood is one of over 300 species of artemisia; appearance varies from plant-to-plant.

The artemisia that grew in Bible Israel is Artemisia arborescens, called the tree wormwood.

Erect branches can reach ten-feet tall. Leaves have fine hairs on their surface.

These hairs are thought to cool and defend the plant.

Many artemisia produce cinole which gives them a camphor-like aroma; however, don’t be surprised to find some artemisia smell acrid and unpleasant.

Artemisia are grown for foliage.

With the exception of rue, artemisia is the bitterest herb.

The bitter taste is due to thujone content in artemisia.

Artemisia leaves flavors stew and sauces; only small quantities of dried or fresh herb is needed.

Artemisia leaves are used in tarragon vinegar.

A. absinthium is a flavoring in alcoholic liquors, i.e., absinthe, campari, and vermouth.

Ancient medicine used artemisia in scores of concoctions.

In the Old Testament, often wormwood was used as a metaphor for

a) idolatry of Northern Kingdom (Israel),

b) calamity and sorrow, and

c) false judgments.

The Wormwood star’s name in Revelation identified that its effects were judgment on mankind for idolatry and injustice.

Idolatry is blind or excessive devotion to something or someone, i.e., money, prestige and degrees, charismatic individuals, and political parties and ideologies.

The calamity and sorrow associated with contamination of one-third of the world’s freshwater supply will be a consequence of mankind turning from God to idol worship.

It is so easy for me to look at others and identify their idols.

It is less easy for me to identify my own.

Yet, God expects me to continually assess myself and to make adjustments in my thinking and behavior so they are more in line with his.

Reflection: Several times previously in this book, you read how harmful plants were symbols of idolatry.

Given the number of times that idolatry appears in the Bible, God takes it seriously. Do you?

When did you last assess your thoughts and behaviors to identify man-made idols in your life?

Carolyn Roth Ministry (CarolynRothMinistry.com)

offers research, education, and consultation to individuals and organizations who want to deepen their understanding of the Bible. 

As the site editor, participants should know I am a spiritual woman with a deep belief in God. Many friends would describe my Christian perspective as orthodox. I believe in the inspired, written word of God. I live in Roanoke, Virginia.  I am a Virginia Master Gardener and a Tree Steward.

This website/blog glorifies God within the context of earth as His garden, describes Bible  and other growing plants, and applies them to our Christian walk in the 21st century. On Creation day 3, God created vegetation, e.g., trees, herbs, flowers. On this site, the word plant will be used to encompass all types of vegetation.  God created plants right after He created the heavens (Day 2) and before He created the sun, moon, and stars (Day 4). This creative order demonstrates that God valued and had a purpose for the varied flora in our world. Our response to this creative process should first be love for the Creator and second a reverence for this earthly garden.

If you would like to see a full-size picture of the plant in the story, click on it and it will expand to fill the page. The contents of this website including pictures are copyright. You may use the materials after getting permission from the editor. If you use the materials in your writings or presentations, properly cite the website.

I am looking forward to your responses to my blogs. I will try to initiate a new discussion about every other week.

https://godasagardener.com/2020/04/30/wormwood-a-bitter-herb/

THE NEARNESS OF OUR GOD - The strength of our walk does not originate from within ourselves. It comes from our relationship with Christ. It is nearness to Him in all things that produces our spiritual fruit. If we are honest, we will admit that, apart from the influence and work of God, there is nothing morally superior or remarkably virtuous about our lives. Our flesh has the same carnal passions as do people in the world; our soul carries within it the same insecurities and fears. Our virtue is that we have learned to prioritize seeking God. Our character is the offspring of our oneness with Jesus. Jesus is first on our list of priorities. His influence rules over all our priorities. He inspires love in our relationships. His voice becomes the conviction in our integrity.

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 God’s Nearness

The Nearness of Our God

It's only our relationship with the Lord that keeps us from fulfilling the lusts and desires of the flesh, for apart from Him we can do nothing 

.

It is the nearness of God that produces our good. The only thing that can sustain true Christianity is true union with Jesus Christ. It is nearness to Him in all things that produces our spiritual fruit. Our flesh has the same carnal passions as do people in the world; our soul carries within it the same insecurities and fears. 

,

Apart from the influence of Christ in us, there's no difference between Christians and non-Christians. The strength of our walk does not originate from within ourselves; rather it comes from our relationship with Christ. 

,

Not only is Jesus first on our list of priorities, but also His influence rules over all our priorities. He inspires love in our relationships; His voice becomes the conviction in our integrity - it is the nearness of our God that is our good.

Francis Frangipane

In the 73rd Psalm, the psalmist Asaph expressed a struggle we all might feel at times.

He questioned why the wicked seem to prosper while the righteous are chastened.

The whole idea was troublesome until he entered the sanctuary of God.

Once in the presence of God, Asaph realized his error.

As he compared himself to the unbeliever, he saw that, apart from the influence of God, he had nothing in which to boast.

He said, "When my heart was embittered and I was pierced within, then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You" (verses 21-22).

Finally, his soul brightened as he considered that God alone was his salvation, and his relationship with God was his strength.

He wrote, "Nevertheless I am continually with You. . . . You will guide me, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. . . . God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (verses 23-26).

The summary thought of Asaph's revelation, and the point of this message, is in verse 28.

He wrote, "But as for me, the nearness of God is my good."

Let's settle this truth once and for all: it is the nearness of God that produces our good.

Christianity was never designed by God to be sustained by nice people trying to appear good.

We're not that good.

We're not that clever.

And we're not that nice.

The only thing that can sustain true Christianity is true union with Jesus Christ.

It is nearness to Him in all things that produces our spiritual fruit.

If we are honest, we will admit that, apart from the influence and work of God, there is nothing morally superior or remarkably virtuous about our lives.

Our flesh has the same carnal passions as do people in the world; our soul carries within it the same insecurities and fears.

Apart from the influence of Christ in us, there's no difference between Christians and non-Christians (except that Christians, when living separate from God's presence, can be more obnoxious).

It's only our relationship with the Lord that keeps us from fulfilling the lusts and desires of the flesh, for apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).

Therefore the strength of our walk does not originate from within ourselves; rather it comes from our relationship with Christ.

Our virtue, if it can be defined as such, is that we have learned to prioritize seeking God; our character is the offspring of our oneness with Jesus.

By this I mean that not only is Jesus first on our list of priorities, but also His influence rules over all our priorities.

He inspires love in our relationships; His voice becomes the conviction in our integrity.

God has made "Christ Jesus" to be to us "wisdom . . . and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Thus the God-seeker desires to find the Lord's pleasure drawn to every aspect of his soul.

He also knows that, should an area of his heart exist in isolation from God, he will remain vulnerable to manipulation by the enemy in that area.

So let me underscore the psalmist's truth, and let us say with our own voice of conviction: it is the nearness of our God that is our good.

Oh God, You are the lover of my soul. Faithfully, have You extended Your hands toward me. Yet I have been, at times, a drifter and distant. Master, this day I acknowledge my most wonderful times are those spent close to You. When my heart is near to You, I am partaking of the nectar of life.

Adapted from Francis Frangipane's book, I Will Be Found by You, available at www.arrowbookstore.com.https://www.facebook.com/francisfrangipane/posts/10154349506543246