May 10, 2020

Today's Thought:

​The Demonstration of A Mother's Love

Scripture: Ruth 1:15-18
Points:
1. The relationship of a mother and daughter (in-law).
2. The relationship of a mentor & a friend
3. The relationship of being sisters in the Lord.

Happy Mother’s Day to All of the Women who have joined our Worship Service on today! We celebrate you and we honor you on today! 
-When you sit back and think about it, viewing your life in retrospect. How many of you are mothers or have been a prominent female figure of encouragement in someone else’s life. How many of you have been a naturing benefactor in someone’s life other than your own.
-Think about it! How many of you have been looked up to and bestowed with honor as church mothers, as matriarchs of your families, prominent female figures. Women full of longevity of life, bearing witness to the goodness of the Lord, sharing wisdom that God has bestowed upon you, full of knowledge on what it means to have faith beyond measure and walking by that faith and not by sight according to God’s Holy Word.
-Maybe you didn’t give birth to your own child but God has placed you in a position to be an adopted parent, a sister, an auntie, a godmother, a spiritual mom, a mentor, a surrogate, a caretaker , a confidante or even a best friend! In whatever role God has placed you in, in someone else’s life as a prominent female figure, you may be the only mother or “type of mother” that some of your families, peers, students, coworkers and others may see. You don’t know why; but yet and still, God has chosen you and placed you in a position to carry on the responsibility of being a mother. A mother who makes sure that all the ends meet, that every “T” is crossed and that every “I” is dotted many times at the cost of forsaking herself. God has chosen you to act as a parent and to make some tough decisions—some risky and heart-wrenching decisions to determine one’s fate, decisions that require faith, “Demonstrating A Mother’s Love!”

1. The relationship of a mother and daughter (in-law)
In our lesson today, we find the beautiful story about 2 women, a mother-in-law, Naomi and her daughter-in-law, Ruth whose relationship was birthed out of tragedy and devastation. Naomi and her husband Elimelech along with their 2 sons moved to Moab because of a famine in Judah. While there, the sons marry 2 Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other named Ruth. Eventually, Elimelech dies, then 10 years after his death, the 2 sons die leaving their mother, Naomi, with their wives Orpah and Ruth. Orpah returns to her homeland while Ruth stays with her mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth refuses to leave Naomi and so the two of them embark on a journey that transforms into a mother and daughter relationship. Naomi would teach Ruth all about her culture, her customs and most important her God, a new way of living. As mothers, we must do the same with those gifts (Psalm 127:3) whom God has placed in our care according to Proverbs 22:6. Ruth did just that! She trained up Ruth in the way of the Lord and advised her properly. In following Exodus 20:12, Ruth honored Naomi as her mother which will result in Ruth being blessed abundantly in the end. Our lead as mothers, should always be to Christ as we instill good morals and values in our children overall!  

2. The relationship of a mentor and friend
Naomi has now gained Ruth’s trust and devotion upon their return to Bethlehem. The relationship shifts into Naomi becoming mentor and friend to Ruth preparing her for the events that were to come. Ruth was obedient and because Naomi had become like a mother to Ruth a strong bond had developed. Who are we mentoring in our homes, our communities, our churches, our neighborhoods, our jobs and our friendships? Can we say that we have helped or hindered, mended or broken, fractured or fixed those we are mentoring in our words, actions and/or deeds? Have we set the example as given in Titus 2:3-5 in preparing the next generation to live a life pleasing to God? A bond of loyalty was birthed between Naomi and Ruth just as God desires a bond of loyalty with us through His son, Jesus Christ. God assumes full responsibility for our needs when we trust and obey Him. Psalm 37:3-6 

3. The relationship of being sisters in the Lord
Ruth came to know and to accept Naomi’s God. They have now become sisters in the Lord. The bond of sharing the same faith and the same beliefs, worshipping the same God allowed them to now become closer. Out of faith, Ruth walked in obedience to what Naomi instructed her to do and she was blessed. Because of Naomi’s demonstration of a mother’s love, Ruth was rewarded greatly. As a sister in the Lord, Naomi nurtured Ruth and played a major role in God’s master plan. The Lord, the God of Israel protected Ruth and Naomi and rewarded them both richly blessing Ruth with a son and Naomi with a grandson. As sisters in the Lord, they complimented one another. As sisters in the Lord, do we compliment one another or do we act like crabs in a basket pulling one another down! Do we come along side one another uplifting each other up in prayer? Do we follow James 5:16 and Ephesians 6:18?

Conclusion: In each area of their relationship Naomi demonstrated a mother’s love towards Ruth. When a child is conceived the relationship between mother and daughter starts at the time of conception in the womb. As with Christ our relationship with Christ begins immediately from the time we accept Christ as our personal Savior. Jesus becomes our mother and our father, our mentor and our friend!


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