James 5:8
“Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”
 
No one likes to wait. 
Especially when what you are waiting on means so much to you.
 
Times of waiting are opportunities to strengthen our faith. 
 
Psalm 31:24
“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”
 
James connects this Truth to the coming of our Lord and Saviour.
To “stablish your hearts” refers to strengthening, or making firm, your faith.
 
What could strengthen our faith more than the comfort of knowing that He is coming soon?
 
1 Peter 4:7
“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.”
 
The fact that He is coming should encourage us to pray more. 
Pray for souls that still do not know Him.
Pray for fruit that may abound to your account. 
Pray for whatever the Lord lays on your heart.
 
Ephesians 6:18
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
 
In uncertain days…we can be certain.
In unpeaceful days…we can have peace.
In dark days…we can rest in the Light.
 
Psalm 27:14
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”
 
 
Bible Reading:
Ecclesiastes 1-2   |    Revelation 6

James 2:20
“But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”
 
The best way to get to know someone is to pay attention to what is important to them. 
 
A mother will much about her children, their day to day activities and moments.
A baseball fan will likely attend or watch many baseball games, and occasionally wear apparel from their favorite team. 
A mechanic will make many references to cars and their parts and can often be found tinkering with tools in a garage.
 
Would you know that someone was a mother if you never saw her with a child?
 
In order to be known as something, we must be found or known for actively taking part in various activities that correspond with that description.
 
How would someone know you are a child of God?
 
We are justified by our faith in His eyes.
Romans 5:1
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
 
Faith is invisible.
Only the Lord can see our faith toward Him.
 
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
 
The only way others can see our faith in Christ is by the works we do.
 
In the eyes of man, we are justified by our works.
James 2:17
“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
 
Have you ever taken a moment to consider what evidence there is that you are a Christian?
 
James 2:18
“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.”
 
Do something today.
Create some evidence so that others may see your faith in Him.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Job 41-42   |    Revelation 5

Jeremiah 18:3
“Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.”
 
If you have ever seen a potter at work, you know that it is not an easy task to make something beautiful out of what begins as a glob of mud. It is often a messy job as the potter molds the clay with his hands. 
 
The potter places the clay in the center of a wheel that spins around so that each side can be molded in the same way. 
 
Notice the verse does not say there is only one wheel, but rather “a work on the wheels.”
God always has multiple things in motion in order to bring His will to pass. 
 
Jeremiah 18:4
“And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.”
 
The clay was marred, it had blemishes and bruises from all that it had been through,
but it was in the hand of the potter. 
 
Now there was potential for something new to come out of the blemished clay.
 
It was then that Jeremiah began to see what the Lord had for him, and us, to learn from this picture.
 
Jeremiah 18:6
“O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.”
 
God is willing and able to mold us into what He has in store. 
We are the clay; He is the Potter.
 
Isaiah 64:8
“But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.”
 
We need only yield ourselves as a moldable vessel and allow Him to do a work in and through us. 
 
 
Bible Reading:
Job 39-40   |    Revelation 4

Jeremiah 18:1-2
“The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.”
 
Jeremiah had an invitation to hear the Word of the Lord at the potter’s house.
He just simply had to do one thing…
 
“Arise, and go…”
 
How many times in our lives has God has something prepared just for us, and He asked us to do one simple thing in order to receive it? 
 
So often this exact situation happens to us all, and we neglect to do what He told us. 
 
“Arise, and go…”
 
Sometimes it’s just a matter of sitting down and opening your Bible…
…or opening the door for a stranger and smile. 
…or walking across the street and invite your neighbor to church.
…or giving a tract to the cashier.
…or calling that friend who you know is lonely.
…or getting up out of bed and go to church like you know you’re supposed to do.
…or choosing to have faith instead of being consumed with fear.
…or ________________________.
 
Whatever it is for you right now, the Lord has something that fits in that blank space. 
There is no question that He has something in mind for each of us to do at this moment…otherwise He would have already called us home to be with Him.
 
What a glorious day that will truly be, however we still have work to do. 
That is why we are here…to glorify Him in all we say and do until that day when we see Him face to face.
 
Jeremiah 18:2
“Arise, and go…and there I will…”
 
Jeremiah went to where God had him to go, and he heard from the Lord in a special way. 
 
God did exactly what He told him He would do.
Jeremiah only had to obey what the Lord said in order to receive it.
 
What is your “Arise, and go…” today?
 
Please don’t let the devil talk you out of it. 
Whatever it is, God had a plan and a purpose for it. 
 
 
Bible Reading:
Job 37-38   |    Revelation 3

Isaiah 55:11
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
 
Have you ever walked outside during a summer rain and instead of rushing to seek cover, you took a moment to admire the droplets falling from the sky? 
 
Or when that perfect snow globe effect happens during the winter and the beauty of the snow-covered field just stops you in your tracks?
 
Each of these can be majestic reminders of a wonderful Truth about the Word of God.
 
Isaiah 55:10-11
“For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”
 
We have this promise that His Word will not return void.
 
The amazing thing is that not only will the Word never return void, but He also promises that His Word will accomplish what He pleases and will prosper if what He has planned.
 
God gave His only begotten Son because He loves us that much. 
Jesus gave His life for our sins because only He could pay the debt we owe.
He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 
 
The only condition to this promise is up to us. 
His Word must be spoken.
His Word must be given.
His Word must be sent. 
 
If our Bibles remain closed, His Word is not going in us. 
If we keep His Word to ourselves, His Word is not going out to others. 
If we stay silent, His Word will not be heard by someone else.
If we refuse to plant the Seed, what harvest are we missing?
 
Rain and snow water the earth where Seeds are planted. The Lord gives the increase and allows for the Seed to come forth and bud as He pleases.
 
Our only responsibility is to plant the Seed of the Word.
Allow the Lord to take care of the rest.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Job 35-36   |    Revelation 2

Ruth 4:8
“Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.”
 
This Jewish custom may sound strange to us, but it was used as a symbol of redemption. 
 
Ruth 4:7
“Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.”
 
The transaction had been made, and Boaz was now able to redeem Naomi and make Ruth his wife.
 
This is a beautiful picture of how Christ has redeemed us.
 
Colossians 1:14, 20
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins… And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”
 
Romans 3:23-25
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”
 
If you have been redeemed by His blood, take time to thank Him today. 
 
Redemption gave Naomi and Ruth a new life. 
The baby that Boaz and Ruth had was Obed, the grandfather of King David…directly in the lineage of Jesus Christ.
 
Read Matthew 1:5-17
That baby was born for one purpose.
 
Matthew 1:21
“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
 
Redemption required the life of Jesus Christ.
Redemption made salvation possible.
 
Redemption changes everything.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Job 33-34   |    Revelation 1

Ruth 3:18
“Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.”
 
Ruth had told Boaz he was a near kinsman, and he graciously comforted her that he would do what needed to be done, one way or another.
 
Ruth 3:11
“And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.”
 
There was a nearer kinsman, and Boaz must go to him first to see if he would redeem them. Ruth returned to Naomi and explained what had occured.
 
Naomi then spoke words of wisdom to Ruth.
Ruth 3:18
“Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall…”
 
They had done what they could…and now all they could do was wait.
Ever been there? Waiting is not fun.
 
Instead of pacing the floors in worry or fear, Naomi told Ruth to sit and to sit still.
What wise advice that we could all glean from!
 
The best way we can sit still is to allow the Word of God to still the waters of our flesh.
 
Psalm 37:5
“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”
 
Isaiah 26:3-4
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:”
 
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God…”
 
Choose to sit still today.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Job 31-32   |    Jude

Ruth 2:3
“And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.”
 
Some believe in fortune or fate.
Serendipity means a fortunate accident…a happenstance.
 
There are no accidents or coincidences with God.
He orders our steps even when we do not realize it at the time.
 
It was not by chance that Ruth ended up in the part of the field that belonged to Boaz.
He was the kinsman redeemer that she and Naomi needed.
 
“And she went…”
God gave her the faith to go.
 
“And she went, and came…”
God directed her steps of where she should go.
 
“And she went, and came, and gleaned…”
God provided exactly what she needed, when and where she needed it.
 
Ruth found grace in the eyes of Boaz.
He knew who she was, and had heard of how she had left her people in order to stay with Naomi.
 
Ruth 2:12
“The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.”
 
Boaz commanded his servants to leave behind just what Ruth needed.
 
Ruth 2:16
“And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.”
 
It was those handfuls of purpose that revealed Naomi that the Lord had led Ruth to their kinsman redeemer. 
 
There was no happenstance in Ruth’s life. 
 
God ordered her steps, and He is willing and able to order yours.
 
Whatever your situation is today, God can direct you to just where you need to be in order for Him to meet your need. 
 
He has handfuls of purpose waiting for you to glean from His Word.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Job 29-30   |    3 John

Ruth 1:18
“When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.”
 
Have you ever met someone who was so fixated on something that they refused to give in or change their mind?
 
Some may call it stubborn.
And yes, sometimes that term most definitely apply to people acting like a fool. 
 
But the Bible uses a unique phrase to describe someone who is strong, alert, courageous, brave, bold and determined.
 
“…she was stedfastly minded…”
 
What are we stedfastly minded about?
 
Naomi pleaded with her daughter-in-law to return to her own people, but Ruth refused.
 
Ruth 1:16-17
“And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.”
 
She was stedfastly minded.
 
God had a purpose and a plan.
If Ruth had given in to Naomi’s request, she may have never met Boaz.
 
If we give in to the pressure of others, we may miss God’s will for our lives.
 
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
 
Joshua 1:9
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
 
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
 
May we too be stedfastly minded in pursuit of all He has prepared for us.
 
 
Bible Reading:
Job 27-28   |    2 John ​

John 15:5
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
 
He is the Vine.
We are the branches.
 
There can be no fruit but that which is given and supplied through Him as we yield ourselves to Him for Him to work through us.
 
In this chapter we see four categories of fruit bearing spoken of by the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
No Fruit
John 15:2
“Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away…”
 
If we neglect to allow Him to work through us, we will have no fruit and be left empty handed. 
 
Fruit
John 15:2
“…and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it…”
 
As we bear fruit, we can expect Him to cleanse us in order for us to be able to be more fruitful.
 
More Fruit
John 15:2
“…that it may bring forth more fruit.”
 
The result of us being purged is always worth it, for He knows what is best.
 
Much Fruit
John 15:5
“… He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit…”
 
The ultimate goal of our walk with Him is to bring forth much fruit for His glory.
 
Abundant fruit. Plenteous fruit. 
John 12:24
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
 
Fruit that remains.
John 15:16
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
 
Which category are you in?
Seek to be fruitful today and every day.
 
Colossians 1:10
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
 
 
Bible Reading:
Job 25-26   |    1 John 5