We live in a world of instant gratification. Fast food, microwaves, text messages. We want instant answers, instant responses, instant guidance. Waiting is hard. But waiting on the Lord is harder.

The book of Ruth is full of people in waiting. Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz all waited on God's Will from different perspectives. Boaz waited to determine God's Will. Naomi waited to discover God's Will. Ruth waited to do God's Will. But they all waited, and it wasn't easy.

Are you waiting on the Lord? Are you seeking answers to prayers? Are you searching for His Will? You can learn a few lessons from from this family on the Art of Waiting.

Tonight we celebrated the graduation of six of our children and young adults. We had three Kindergarten graduates and three college graduates. We congratulate each and every one of them and pray that God richly blesses their lives!

From all of us at Valley View Baptist Church, congratulations, and God bless!

Naomi had spent ten long years away from Bethlehem. A lot has changed in those ten years. Her husband and both of her sons have died. One of her daughters-in-law has left her. Only Ruth remained by her side. They had received word that the famine was over, and Ruth and Naomi make the decision to return home.

The city moved around about them, amazed to see Naomi return home. But she's different. She's changed. It's been a hard ten years, and Naomi asks them to no longer call her by her name which means pleasant and beautiful. Instead she wishes to be called Mara, which means bitter.

Instead the city welcomed them back home, back where God was, back where she belonged, and refused to call her Mara.

Isn't it comforting to know that God will welcome us back home the exact same way!? When we've been living in the world, and the hard living has taken it's toll, and we finally return home to God He opens His arms, and welcomes us back home!

Just before Jesus ascended into Heaven, he left one, last commandment for the Apostles. To go and preach the Gospel all over the world, to every creature. That commandment didn't have an expiration date. It's still a commandment for us today. Take the Gospel to every creature all over the world.

But, do you take it seriously? Does your church? When is the last time that you bowed your head in prayer specifically for a missionary?

Tonight Pastor Justin showed us how God intends for us make missions a major priority of our church and our heart. But how can we? And what would it mean for the Kingdom of God?

Mother's Day means different things to different people. For most, it's a day of joy, honor, and happiness. For others, it's a day of sadness because their mothers have passed away, or because they long to be parents themselves but are unable. Some find themselves facing the struggle of motherhood along. Some juggle one or two or even three jobs to provide for their children. Whichever group you find yourself in, we want to wish you all a happy Mother's Day, and pray that God would provide you that which you need today.

This morning we celebrated Mother's Day by taking a

look at one of the Characteristics of a Godly Mother. In 2 Kings we find what the Bible calls "a great woman." This was a woman who was barren, blessed with a child for her dedication to the man of God, and faced the death of that boy she had waited so long for. She was a Godly woman, a faithful woman, who knew what it was to have God's Grace poured out on her.

Regardless of which category of mother you find yourself in this morning, or perhaps you're not a mother, or your children have grown and moved on, may this message be a blessing to you today. Take these truths and apply them to your life to become "a great woman."

Tonight we had a visiting missionary from Argentina, Bro. Shawn Bateman, and his family join us to present their work and preach a soul-searching message on Christian Service. Bro. Shawn presented to us three women (two of which were widows), who served the Lord where they were with what they had. One served with her prayer life, another served with what little money she had, and the third served by serving others.

Ask yourself, how are you serving God? Just serve where you are with what you have, and God will acknowledge it.

If you would like to follow Bro. Shawn and his family on their mission journey, you can find his blog at https://batemansinargentina.com/