Keeping The Flame

KEEPING THE FLAME

How many of you have heard the parable of the Two Farmers?

“It seems there was a severe drought in the land and things were getting desperate. There were two farmers that depended on the rain to grow their crops or perish.

The farmers were both men of faith, so they prayed fervently to God for rain. After much prayer, both farmers went back to their farms and waited for the rain to come, but only one of the farmers began to dig out the dusty ground in the smoldering heat.

Both prayed, but which one really expected an answer? Was it the one who went home and did nothing, or the one who went home and prepared for rain?”

I love this parable because it illustrates how many of us operate our faith so vividly! We ‘ALL’ have a measure of faith; God says that in His Word, but we don’t always “exercise” this faith. What we pray for and what we expect are often two different things.

The Word says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6), but Scripture also says, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 14:26)

So basically, even though you may have faith; if you don’t ‘act’ on that faith, it’s dead, useless.

This reality is applied to spiritual matter because we are to “Let Our Shine In The World” (Matthew 5:16) But since we need faith in all things, should it not also be applied as you Wait On Your Boaz?

Is you light flickering in the winds of life? Has it blown out? Or are you keeping that flame alive and glowing bright as you wait? Patience is the great revealer of strength and commitment. It is so much easier to give up on things we truly desire because it does not come quickly or easily.

….but then, if we give up, how truly did we actually desire it?

God never gives up His love for us. Why? Because He desires us! Even when we don’t desire Him.

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!”

Isaiah 49:15

If your God loves you enough to NOT give up on you, don’t you owe it Him and yourself NOT to give up on what He has for you? Don’t you desire your Boaz to NOT give up while you Wait On Your Boaz? Don’t you have faith enough NOT to go back and do nothing, but to PREPARE for your blessing?

Another parable comes to mind:

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

Five of the virgins were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish ones took their lamps, they did not take extra olive oil with them. But the wise ones took flasks of olive oil with their lamps.

When the bridegroom was delayed a long time, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is here! Come out to meet him.’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’

‘No,’ they replied. ‘There won’t be enough for you and for us. Go instead to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

But while they had gone to buy it, the bridegroom arrived, and those who were ready went inside with him to the wedding banquet. Then the door was shut. Later, the other virgins came too, saying, ‘Lord, lord! Let us in!’

But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I do not know you!’ Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour”

(Matthew 25:1-13).

Again, the scripture is clear: If you want it bad enough and have faith strong enough; you will be patient, vigilant, prepared and steadfast.

Your Boaz should be more than just finding a ‘good’ man. It should be about finding the “right” man! The man from God who will journey through life with you. One who will love and support you; lift you up and not tear you down; dry your tears from your eyes when you cry…and not cause them.

Your Boaz, should be a man who come to ‘complete’ your life. A man who helps make you better, stronger, more faithful. A man who displays the character of Christ and lives and leads by example, not pretense. He should be the man “YOU” have prayed about and prepared for, a gift from God. If he doesn’t match up with your prayers and preparation; he’s NOT the one.

So go and prepare your field…and keep the flame lit.

waitonboaz.com

Friends Of Wait On Your Boaz

Danielle Faith: Sponsor Feature Edition #8: Hey What's Up CupCAKE!? Danielle Faith Presents... Sponsor Feature Edition #8 05-04-13 This Christian Website was created t...

Redemption and Blessing

Redemption and Blessing

Finally, at the end of the Book of Ruth, Boaz marries Ruth. The scriptures do not go into big detail about how everything turned out between them, but from what it does say, we can ‘glean’ the fruitfulness of their union.

Ruth became pregnant and gave birth to a son, thus ensuring that the family line would continue. This was a huge deal, especially given the position of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz.

Naomi remember, had lost her husband and her only two sons. She had no family to carry on the family name. Ruth was alone and an outsider, so her prospects were low in this community for finding a husband. Boaz had no children and he was getting older; nearing the age when he would not be thought of husband or child rearing material.

In short; although Boaz was called, “the kinsman redeemer”, it seems redemption had come to all three. This was God’s stamp of approval of the union of Ruth and Boaz.

When you find your Boaz, will it bring redemption and blessing or loss and curses? I cannot express enough, the careful patience, prayer and observation; you need to practice while waiting on your Boaz.

The right choices bring right consequences, but wrong choices bring wrong consequences. Do not be quick to rush into something or someone and blind yourself to the realities before you.

I have watched so many women make excuses for all kinds of behavior of the man they have fallen for. Many times, it’s a matter of her rushing in and then doesn’t know how to get out or is too afraid or ashamed to be alone again.

God does not want you to live a life of curses; physical, sexual and verbal abuse, neglect, poverty, unfaithfulness, selfishness, emotional and mental anguish at the hands of a man you ‘love’.

God does not send you a mate to make you sad, lonely, angry anxious or fearful. You man should not put you down or make you feel worth-less than who God says you are. There should be no confusion and insecurity; no bitterness or regrets.

1 John 4:18 says “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

If any of you have a man with the qualities above or are considering a man who displays such actions, remove yourself from the situation before if brings you a lifetime of pain and regret.

Wait on your Boaz! Wait for what God has to give you and a union that He will truly use to redeem you of all your past hurts and future problems and bless you!

Don’t settle for less because you fear being alone. Don’t overlook those “imperfections” because you are impatient. Don’t accept fear and anxiety as a part of “love”….it’s not love!

God has a beautiful plan for your life and it did not include you being beat up, cheated on, put down or neglected!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

This is one of my most favorite passages in the Bible. God loves you! God adores you! God is crazy in love with you!

He does not want you see you fail in love…but fall in love…with the best He has to send you. Start by seeking God and preparing for blessing yet to be revealed to you.

Wait On Your Boaz!

Lastly, Ruth and Boaz’ son, Obed grew and also had children. The last verse in the Book of Ruth, leads Obed’s genealogy straight to King David, from which the Messiah, Jesus Christ was born.

Not only did God bless Ruth and Boaz with each other and a son, He also used their union to help bring about Hid great purposes! Isn’t that what God wants for you? The full package?!

The choice is yours.

SILENCED

I'm tired of seeing Christians being marginalized and kept quiet while the world welcomes anything 'else' with open arms. I came up with a T Shirt idea to convey my feelings. So comment and tell what you think and which is better? 

Standing Up

Standing up can be a dangerous proposition, especially when knowing you can easily be knocked down. Many are content to “sit” things out and not take action or get involved for fear of failure, ridicule, un-acceptance or the like.

It takes strength of character and integrity to make a stand. Ever heard the term, “He’s a stand up guy.”? This is where it comes from. People recognize and honor people of principle, integrity and character. Even if one personally does not like such a person, they will respect his/her stance.

Boaz was such a man. In chapter 4 of The Book of Ruth, Boaz goes before the community to negotiate for Naomi’s land and Ruth’s hand in marriage. He knows there is a relative closer than he that may redeem the land. Being a man of integrity and honesty, he give this man the opportunity to be the “kinsman redeemer” and buy back what Naomi has lost.

The gentleman agrees until he learns that he has to take on Ruth, the Moab outsider who is not a virgin. He views this a disgrace to his lineage. Apparently, Boaz has no such worries; or simply doesn’t care what others in the community thinks.

Boaz seals the deal in front of witnesses of the community and takes hold of the land and Ruth as his wife.

It is obvious that doing so was a risk to ones reputation, given the reaction by the first relative. Boaz had that which the other lacked; ‘character’.

Ladies, is the man you have your eye on, a man of character? Or is he the type of person who is concerned what others think, even to the point where he is willing compromise who he is ‘supposed’ to be?

I say ‘supposed’ to be, because we all know that one can be any way one chooses to be and be perfectly honest. To be what God wants you to be is another matter. This is the man you want in your life; not a cheat, a liar, an adulterer, a thief, murder or criminal. You don’t need a prideful man, or an arrogant man, nor should he be too ambitious to the point it excludes you. You need a man of God! For when God is in the man, the man will treat you like God wants ‘you’ to be treated.

So, I am not speaking of the ‘jerk’ who is simply ‘keep’n it real’. I’m speaking of the ‘man’ who is ‘keeping it real’ with God, with you and with himself and others….in that order!

Yes ladies; go for the full package and the one with parts missing or some assembly required. Make sure your Boaz is a “Stand Up Guy’ who will stand up for God and you. Make sure he is man of character, honesty, integrity, principle and most important; a man of great faith.

You deserve the best that God has to give you. Why would you settle for anything less? The wait may be long or lonely or even painful, but giving yourself to the wrong man will be more lonely, more painful and if you marry; unbearably long.

Wait on your Boaz.

waitonboaz.com