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L.E.A.P
Live, means to conduct oneself in a manner of consistency. When you live a certain way, it becomes apparent by onlookers what kind of lifestyle one leads. Ruth was not from the land of Israel, but she strove to be a worshipper of The Most High. When something unfolds, it is easy to look back retrospectively and decipher why things happened the way they did. A family moves away to another land, practically everyone dies and then one woman from another place comes back to the land. One would ask the question, why? It is clear to see however that Ruth was trying to live a life for God.
Throughout the first few chapters in the book of Ruth we become aware of Ruth’s relation and faith in Almighty God (Ruth 1:6, 14, 16, 17). This relationships is also in contrast to that of her sister in law Orpah (Ruth 1:15). By chapter two, Boaz testifies of the fact that he knew all the good work she had done for her mother in law, how she left mother, father and land (verse 11). Boaz also highlighted that her devotion to God was now very visible, it was becoming clear that her lifestyle portrayed someone who loved God (verse 12). This is what it means to live for God, living a lifestyle which reflects his splendour.
Example is something all believers should be. Ruth must have come to know God by someone’s example. Due to the fact her husband and other male members of the family had died, I believe it must have been Naomi’s example. The Bible talks about women drawing there husbands to God, Peter stated that “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.” Added emphasis is mine, it does lead me to believe (although this specifically refers to married women) that Naomi’s example was what showed Ruth the ways of God. Ruth learned how to be a mother from Naomi, as well as a women of faith. Be an example.
Answer the question posed to you, at any given time of the day. Peter wrote “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” Phillip was ready to preach Jesus, and was ready to expound upon the scriptures of the Old Testament. When the question arose “Of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?” No script, no plan, just what he knew from his experience and life. You must always be ready to answer the question. So answer it, whether by actions or by word.
Protect what has been given to you, to the end of your days. God gave us what is known as the full armour of God. We are soldiers in a battle and every soldier needs his protection. God gives us the best weaponry and artillery to defeat the enemies. From Ephesians 6:13 onwards we can read of the various components which make up God’s armour. Protect the great gift of God.
LEAP for Christ
NINE ways to draw closer
This month’s blog chain topic for Christian writers is the number nine, I am choosing this opportunity and will discuss several different ways to draw closer to the king. There are many ways which I could discuss but I will choose a selected few and discuss briefly.
The first way I want to look into is prayer, to be prayerful is a clear way to move closer to God. The Bible says in Psalms that if we call on God in the troublesome times, then we will glorify him after he has delivered us. When captured by the town authorities in Philippi (Acts 16), at midnight Paul and Silas prayed to the king of heavens and rejoiced. This was a time when God’s followers needed help and may have been weary. I have learned that in times of need are somewhat the best times to worship God.
Secondly, fellowship is vital for growth in God. Hebrews 10:25 says we shouldn’t forsake the assembling of the brethren, this means we should be joyful and not shun meeting with likeminded believers. In the times of Acts, disciples loved to be with each other. In the book of Acts there was a specific time when they met together on the first day of the week and broke break. Now you don’t have to meet up on Sunday and you don’t even need to break bread but this is a clear example of a group who were willing and joyous to celebrate together.
The third example I want to discuss is worship, with no real specific example in mind, I highlight how many people offered up sacrifices in the Old Testament as an offering to the Lord. This was a sign of worship and humbleness. Abel was accepted because he was willing to worship the way God desired, Cain was only willing to show his worship through his own ways. What we do is vital to whether or not God accepts our worship, in Isaiah 1:11-15 shows us that we may be in motion of worship but God is not willing to accept it. One thing I have recently learned is that God does not need to accept our worship. The two examples above show us this truth and we must be mindful.
Studying is the next useful technique, Paul told Timothy to study to show himself approved (2 Timothy 2:15). The importance of study is vital in our salvation, I have seen so many people experience God’s goodness for them to walk away due to a lack of study. When people who oppose Christ question you, they invoke doubt if you have no knowledge. When someone imposes their belief in a calculated way you are vulnerable to being deceived. This is why Jesus told us to be watchful and beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15).
Waiting is also essential, whether this be for rebuke or praise. The example I love so much in regards to waiting, is the prophet Habakkuk (Habakkuk 2:1-3). The way in which Habakkuk was diligent to wait for his maker can show us how important waiting on God really is. . He knew that he was being reproved but still decided to show the right mentality. Many people can’t wait for God and choose to make rash decisions in life. To wait on God is essential. Psalms 37:7 teaches us to be patient and wait on the Lord. We should rest in him the Word says, to be a waiter is good at times.
To testify to others is more than we think it is. We give others wisdom which we have experienced so they do not need to make similar mistakes we did, we also make them better, earlier. One reason I feel Paul was chosen to be an apostle was the impact he could have through testimony. Being able to say you have killed a man, or woman or child, and then to say I’ve been reformed shows real ample example. To know someone can come back from that lifestyle shows the power of God and that we can change too.
The Bible says in Hebrews 11 (6) that Faith is what God looks for in us and that we should believe he is who he said he is and that he is rewarder of the diligent kingdom seekers. Believing in what you do towards God draws us closer to him, if we just go through the motions as you would have it, eventually we will realise that we are stagnant and have no real relationship. I was talking to someone recently and telling them how I believe in God unconditionally, no reason can startle me, money or success or not enough to sway me from my walk. Be a believer in what you’re doing not a faker.
To act is one of the most important components of growing closer. In James it says draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you. Action is how we draw closer, by doing things which move us closer to him and then God reacts and responds to this.
To be a guide is something we see throughout the Bible. God always wants us to have guides who can lead us and this is why God raises up people to lead his people. Paul said follow after him as he followed after Christ. Jesus wanted us to follow the Father by believing in his name, we must be guides for children, siblings and others in the world.
I want you to add one more, I want to allow you, the reader to choose something significant to you and post a comment with what you feel is important.
Israel Ikhinmwin's Site 