Blended Not Shaken Ministries and Publications

Christian step/single parent and blended families ministry.

Becoming a Woman of Excellence – Part 2

Lessons from Ruth

Last month, I looked at the character of Ruth and attempted to ask the question- How can I become a woman of excellence? highlighting the diligence, hopefulness and integrity of Ruth from the scriptures and offered readers passages from the Bible that showed that pursuing excellence in all we do requires righteous action and positive attitude on our part. This month, I’d like to continue the theme of the pursuit of biblical excellence by looking at

1. The costs associated with this pursuit and

2. The prize promised.

Apart from the scriptures, I will reference the two books I also have read and used in my April and May blogs. They are-

* W. Wiersbe. “BE Commited, Doing God’s Will Whatever The Cost” commentary on Ruth and Esther

* C. Heald. “Becoming a Woman of Excellence”

There is so much to learn from Ruth’s life and indeed from the entire 4 chapters of the book of Ruth but the focus verse again needs to be from 3:11…

‘Now, my daughter, do not fear. I will do for you whatever you ask, for all my people in the city know that you are a woman of excellence.’

The Costs of Excellence

1. Surrender

The more we commit our lives to serving Him and delving into His Word, the more the Holy Spirit will show us the need to surrender our lives to Him. John the Baptist said ‘He must become greater and greater and I must become less and less.’ ( John 3:30) John was, of course, was referring to Jesus.

To surrender is to “let go, relinquish, yield,abandon,submit,give up my rights”.

Ruth showed an attitude of surrender in her heartfelt words to Naomi.. ‘Where you go, I will go, and where you will lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.’ ( Ruth 1:16). Ruth willingly abandoned her rights and any desires or plans for a life in Moab as she was adamant to align herself with her mother-in-law’s God as well as to serve her. That is a picture of surrender.

“There is only one thing God wants of us, and that is our unconditional surrender.” Oswald Chambers

Jesus showed He was surrendered to His Father’s will in going to the Cross and spoke many times to the disciples about counting the cost and taking up their cross to follow Him. As Christians, we must to come to the realisation we need to live our lives God’s way, not our own way.

“When Jesus refers to self- denial, He was focussing on the importance of renouncing self as the centre of our life and actions. In other words, self- denial is the decision of each of His followers to give over to God his/her body, career, money and time. A true disciple is willing to shift the spiritual centre of gravity in his/her life. Self- denial is the sustained willingness to say no to oneself in order to say yes to God…The cross..is the symbol of mission, essence of purpose…whatever mission God gives me is my cross.” Bill Hull By looking at Ruth, we need to ask ourselves- how different would her life have had turned out if she had chosen to stay in Moab? Her faith would not have grown, she would not have married Boaz and her family would not have secured a place in Jesus’ lineage. I think the same of my life. How different my life would be without the Lord. I shudder to think of a life without Him!

2. Obedience

Obedience is submission; a yielding to authority and for Christians,that authority is God. Those who obey God, love Him. So true obedience is motivated by our love for God.

In Psalm 40:8 David says ‘I take joy in doing your will my God,for your instructions are written on my heart.’

“If we have surrendered our lives to God, then we will naturally want to yield to His authority, to obey His commands and to please Him by living His way.” C.Heald

We make the choice to obey and it certainly isn’t something that comes naturally to humans prone to sin and selfishness. Again, we see Jesus as the ultimate example for us to follow. God desires us to become like Jesus. Scripture tells us that ‘Jesus learned obedience from the things which He suffered.’ ( Hebrews 5:8)

Just as Jesus was tempted and suffered, we can also grow strong in our faith by being challenged in the same way. “How we respond to various tests reveals whether we have a heart to obey.” C.Heald

And Warren Wiersbe makes this comment about trials “No matter what the trials may be on the outside…or the temptations on the inside…through faith in Christ we can experience victory. The result of this victory is spiritual maturity.”

Looking again at Ruth, we see a daughter in-law willing to obey her mother in-law Naomi. She listened to her advice regarding Boaz as well as heeding the words Boaz spoke to her. She shows herself in the scriptures to be submissive and obedient and willing to come under the authority of Naomi and Boaz.

The Prize of Excellence.

According to Cynthia Heald’s wonderful book ‘Becoming a Woman of Excellence’, she outlines that the Prize of excellence is multi-faceted. In this book she says that women of excellence are exemplified in these ways:

She is –

1. Molded by a disciplined body, mind and emotions
2. Guarded by discretion
3. Made precious by a gentle and quiet spirit
4. Perfected by purity
5. Proclaimed by wisdom

WOW!! In brief, a woman of excellence is disciplined, discreet, gentle and quiet, pure and wise! I see Ruth that way. From the time we are introduced to her in the first chapter of the book of Ruth right until her story ends for us at the end of chapter four, God had His mighty hand on Ruth ( and Naomi for that matter) and everything the scriptures choose to reveal to us about her can help steer us towards a life of submissive obedience and surrender.

The quality traits listed above are a study all of their own so they will form the theme of June’s blog next month.

I trust you have been both challenged and encouraged by our look at Ruth and in becoming a woman of excellence for the glory of God.

Blessings…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Free Gift With Every Purchase

TESTIMONIALS

What people say?

My Two Houses was one of my favourite books as a younger person. It helped me understand how I was feeling about having two homes. I feel as though Karina’s books have simplified a confusing situation, in a way for all ages to understand.

Charlotte

There is affirmation and encouragement to single dads and mums through “Let’s shout out to single dads” and “Sing a song to single mums”, anchoring their value, peace and endurance in the Word of God.

Librarian

Clear, fun explanations in “My family bush” of hard to decipher terms like half-brother and half-sister, full brother or sister, step-parent and how they connect to the relationships within a family.  Relating that to Jesus’ own family could be a revelation to children that their own family structure is not so different after all, that families who love and care for each other are part of God’s plan, no matter how they are made up.

Librarian

One step at a time: a step family journal“ is an honest, humorous yet life and faith affirming read for those approaching and in middle years. The use of illustrations in the text make it appealing and engaging.

Librarian

Karina’s books are very helpful when you struggle to relate to a child of separated or divorced parents when you haven’t experienced this yourself. I have quietly read or given time for a child to read one of the books and then wait for their responses. I find Karina’s books extremely helpful in my ministry to children.

Chaplain

I am often in awe of God’s amazing timing! My morning began with feelings of despair over a family relationship that had broken down. I poured out my heart to the Lord, seeking His comfort and guidance. A short time later there was a knock on my door and the postie handed me a package. It was Karina’s book “Sing a Song to Single Mums”. As I read, I came across a page that spoke directly to my situation!

Even down to the illustration! My day ended with renewed hope in God’s promise that He works all things… good things and bad things… together, for the good of those who love Him. I am so thankful to Karina for writing such a beautiful book and for the Lord’s timing in delivering it into my hands precisely when I needed to read it!

Single Mum

Caught in the Middle is one of my favourite books because, whenever I read it, I feel close to God.

River

I read My Two Houses with my entire Year 5 class. They loved it! It began a wonderful conversation which allowed many students to be vulnerable enough to be open about their feelings and situations at home as well as to a better understanding of what some of their classmates go through with divorced parents.

Primary Teacher

I have used My Two Houses with a 13-year boy during one of my sessions with him. He loved that he could relate so well with the book, stating, “That’s just like me” and I could see a change in his demeanour and body language in his knowing that there are other kids out there, just like him.

School Counselor

As a nuclear family, we love that the books contain so much scripture in teaching our children God’s word.

Ces, Father of 5, Pastor

Karina’s books give children permission to have their feelings validated and provide comfort and healing to their souls.

Tania

When it comes to blending 2 families together or doing it by yourself there are a number of unique issues.  If you find yourself in a role as a single parent, stepparent or trying to help siblings navigate their new situation it can be very tough.   

We at Focus on the Family Australia, want to help relationships and families  be as healthy as they can be.  We know it is not an easy task unifying 2 families or doing it solo.  

We highly recommend Blended Not Shaken Ministries to help provide some tools to cultivate a loving, blended or single parent home to achieve a sense of unity in your new family. 

Brett Ryan, CEO Focus on the Family Australia