As Pastor Bill continues his teaching series through the book of Ruth, he'll be challenging you to not settle for less than what God intends for your life. Boaz was a rich older man who could have gotten married very easily, yet he waited for the Lord to provide him with a wife. If you're single, make sure you only seek out a Christian for a spouse! You can't missionary date and try to change other people. Purpose to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and He will provide for you all that you need.

Ruth is a woman of godly character who is hardworking and a woman of her word. Today, Pastor Bill will be explaining how Ruth made commitments and kept her promise to Naomi, even though that meant leaving her family and becoming a stranger in a foreign land. Ruth focused on doing what she knew was right even though that meant her life may be a little harder. God took care of Ruth and provided for her as she focused on eternal matters. Ruth had faith that if she obeyed God, He would provide.

As Pastor Bill explores the book of Ruth today, he reminds us of the blessing that Ruth experiences as a result of her persistent love. After the tragic death of Ruth’s husband, she decides to serve her mother-in-law, knowing full well that this will not be beneficial to her. Out of love she stays with Naomi and gives up everything. But because of this decision, God brings immense blessing to Ruth by providing a husband for her; and through this marriage, she ends up in the genealogy of Jesus!

Before the profound, redemptive shift in her story, Ruth put herself in a vulnerable situation. She lovingly chose to stay with her mother-in-law, even though she seemingly had nothing to gain from it. Today, Pastor Bill shows us what we can learn from Ruth, who chose to live by faith rather than doing what appeared most convenient for her at the moment. He also looks at what we can learn from the other characters in her story and encourages us to follow God, recognizing that that is the best way in the end.

While ultimately a story of hope and redemption, the book of Ruth starts off with tragedy. As Pastor Bill explains today, the book begins with events that lead to the death of Naomi’s husband, leaving her a widow. Her two sons go on to marry, but eventually, both sons die as well, and she is left with no one. Furthermore, she is living in a foreign land, at a time when widows were absolutely dependent on their community. Naomi is helpless and heartbroken, but in that pain, God creates a beautiful story.

As Pastor Bill teaches from the book of Numbers today, he remarks on the importance of prayer and pursuing God’s instruction, but he also reminds us to carry out this instruction once we receive it. Seeking wisdom is vital, but if we don’t do anything with it then how valuable is it really? We need to be careful to listen to what God has to say, and not make excuses if we don’t like the answer we get. If God is calling us to action, then using prayer as an excuse for inaction is simply disobedient.

Today, as Pastor Bill teaches from the Old Testament, he points out that some of the Hebrews were commanded to marry only other Hebrews from their particular tribe. Under the New Covenant of Christ, we are not as restricted, but the Bible is still clear on the importance of only marrying and “being yoked” to another believer. While we are free to marry someone of a different ethnicity or culture, marrying someone who is not a genuine follower of Christ can lead to all kinds of problems.

When you’re faced with a difficult situation, where do you turn? Are there particular friends you turn to? Pastor Bill points out that it is good to have people in your life who will offer faithful counsel. But we should always turn first to God Himself because He loves us and He is in control. As Pastor Bill teaches from the Old Testament today, he reminds us that under the New Covenant we have the privilege of being able to come before God without a mediator – because our only mediator is Jesus Himself.

When the rain is pelting down on you, all you want to do is find a place of shelter, where you can get away from being wet. You long for a warm, dry place, that feels cozy and safe, out of the rain. Did you realize that on a spiritual level, Jesus is the One you can run to and be safe? He can protect you from the things raining down on you, the troubles of the world. He provides shelter from the forces of evil trying to push you around. In today’s teaching, Pastor Bill relays how Jesus is your place of safety!

Many things have a cycle, a pattern. Seasons go through a cycle from winter to spring, to summer, then fall. And then the cycle starts all over again. Well did you know that your spiritual life has a cycle or pattern too? You may have really fruitful seasons, followed by some dry spells. You might notice seasons of blessing, only to be followed up by a season of stretching and growing, even painful seasons. Today, Pastor Bill wants you to know that it’s normal. God’s using it in some way!