(May 26, 2020) Ruth 1:4 “They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth.” As we read Ruth, one fact is inescapably clear: Ruth was a Moabite. The history of the origin of the Moabites is colorful. Genesis 19:30-38 tells us the story: simply put, Abraham’s nephew Lot lived in a cave with his [...]
(May 22, 2020) Ruth 1:1-5 “…the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. ... But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, [...]
(May 21, 2020) Ruth 1:3 “But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons.” So here we are in the unsettled times of the Judges, with a famine in Bethlehem. And it is heartbreaking to say that this Jewish family had to leave the Promised Land for a time [...]
(May 20, 2020) Ruth 1:1 “In the days when the judges judged there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah went to live for a while in the country of Moab.” I never imagined I would write more than two months of devotionals when I began them! I thought [...]
(May 19, 2020) Jonah 4:11 “And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?” Some of you have remarked to me how much can be gleaned in even a small Book like Jonah. Truly, [...]
(May 18, 2020) From II Kings 14:23-25 “Jeroboam became king in Samaria, and he reigned 41 years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord… He was the one who restored the boundaries of Israel… in accordance with the word of the Lord, spoken through his servant Jonah son of Amittai.” There is one [...]
(May 15, 2020) Today's reflection courtesy of Rev Mike Fleenor, FPC Parish Associate: O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Psalm 95:1 Sing to the Lord. Praise His name; tell of His salvation from day to day! Psalm 96:2 The Lord is become King, [...]
(May 14, 2020) Jonah 4:11 “And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?” I love God’s Word. It is so deep and rich. It can continually be mined for more. Witness the small [...]
(May 13, 2020) Jonah 4:9a “But God said to Jonah, ‘Do you do well to be angry for the plant?’…” Yesterday we saw the vine reminds us that we often hold tightly to things that never belonged to us in the first place. Let’s take it one step farther: Jonah was so focused on the [...]
Jonah 4:6a “Then the Lord God provided a vine…” The vine seems a bit odd doesn’t it? It literally came up out of nowhere. It sprang up overnight, and died the next day. We were not expecting it. Neither was Jonah. He did not plant it, water it, or nurture it—he simply enjoyed the shade. [...]
