Worship

“Take You At Your Word” by Cody Carnes and Benjamin William Hastings

Ruth’s Example of Faithful Service

“So she set out and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers, and she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the clan of Elimelech.

And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem. And he said to the reapers, “The Lord be with you!”

And they answered, “The Lord bless you.”

Then Boaz said to his young man who was in charge of the reapers, “Whose young woman is this?”

And the servant who was in charge of the reapers answered, “She is the young Moabite woman, who came back with Naomi from the country of Moab. She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves after the reapers.’ So she came, and she has continued from early morning until now, except for a short rest.”

Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women. Let your eyes be on the field that they are reaping, and go after them. Have I not charged the young men not to touch you? And when you are thirsty, go to the vessels and drink what the young men have drawn.”

And at mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come here and eat some bread and dip your morsel in the wine.”” -Ruth 2:3-9,14a, ESV

Finding Biblical Truth in Ruth’s Story

Last week, as I was preparing a message for the Arise Luncheon in Dallas, I asked the Lord for Scripture to anchor the heart of what I longed to share. As I was walking through my bedroom, Holy Spirit prompted this question on my heart:

Where was Ruth when she met Boaz?

I had not read Ruth in a while, so I began to reread the book.

Ruth was in a harvest field when she met Boaz, her groom-to-be.

I believe with all of my heart that Jesus is coming soon. I don’t give that lip service because it sounds like a good idea. The Lord impressed on me in January to live this year like it’s my last. Just a few weeks ago, I wrote in one of my devotionals that I am seeing revival in the nations, but not here in America. And then Asbury University in Kentucky broke out on February 8.

Jesus will not forsake His Bride or the nations of the world. The revival we have been contending for for decades is upon us. The bowls of Heaven have been tipped as we have filled them with the intercession of the saints. We have been given a time and a season to glean this harvest field in preparation for the coming of our Kinsman-Redeemer. When Ruth came to Bethlehem (meaning “the House of Bread”) with Naomi, there was a famine in the land because of the people’s significant period of disobedience from the Lord, and the barley harvest was beginning.

Fifty years of the blood of the unborn covered our nation. God reversed that death curse over America and released a spirit of life that is touching our nation right now. The first wave of His refreshing hit with 21 college campuses, the release of the “Jesus Revolution” movie, and the beginning awakening of the Bride of Christ. We are in such a glorious jubilee season!

Understanding Biblical Refreshing

“‘Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus … .'” -Acts 3:19-20, ESV

Times of refreshing indicates relief. The Greek word for “refreshing” means a cooling or refreshing, a recovery of breath, and revival. According to the New English Translation, “The phrase implies relief from difficult, distressful or burdensome circumstances. It is generally regarded as a reference to the messianic age being ushered in.” It points to the return of Christ for His people.

The finish line of Christ’s coming for His Church will not be easy for God’s people. It will require patient endurance for the saints, Scripture says. Trials will come, and distractions and deception will ensue. In fact, many believers will abandon their faith. But He is coming for a glorious Bride who is longing for her groom and nothing else. This Bride will be holy and pure and deeply in love with her Jesus. She will be wide-awake and longing to meet Him in the harvest field when He comes, busy about His work, and establishing His Kingdom in the Earth.

A Picture of Christ and His Church

One week ago, my daughter got married. It was a very prophetic picture, and God’s timing was significant to me. The Lord was speaking many things to my heart, one being the reality that we are in a bridal preparation season. As I sat with my daughter and her bridal party, I spoke and prayed the words of Revelation 19:6-8 over her:

“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.'”

God has chosen the timing of the Bride being presented to Jesus and the generation who would see the return of Jesus. We are His inheritance, the reward of the Lamb for His suffering, a house and a Bride, and a temple and a sanctuary. Our wedding day is coming, and it’s coming soon. Are you ready?

There are three things I want to invite you to do with me:

• Dallas residents, our March Harvest Day is this Saturday! Join us to go out and share the gospel in Dallas from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
• I’m leading a 7-week “Xplore” study on God’s heart for the nations and the part you play.
• Journey with me to Israel this August 26-September 2 for a Covenant Tour and your commissioning. Cost is $5,000. Email me for more details. Husbands and wives are welcome! It’s the 75th anniversary of Israel becoming a nation, so it’s a significant year to go!

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