Year of New Beginnings-Part One" Things Die"

God is turning and churning the atmosphere. There is a stirring in my spirit, a stirring in my heart, and a stirring in God's kingdom. What is going on? Why do I feel so shaken up, turned inside out, and emotional? I cannot put it into words sometimes. God used the UnStoppable Conference in a Mighty, Mighty way. What started as a dream of Pastor Deanna and Pastor Tara has now went around the country and touched many, many people.

Funny how God knows His own timing. Last night He was stirring me again. It has not stopped, this newness, this beginning. What happens in the spiritual realm, mirrors the phyicial as well.

God has been bringing to my heart and mind the book of Ruth. There are several things He has shown me and I will as time permits me share those things with you.

Naomi-her name means pleasantness and bitterness.
Ruth-a follower.
Moab-a desert place, confusing, loneliness
Elimelech-my God is Kind
Mahlon-sickness
Chilion-finished, complete
Orpah-fawn
Judah-praised

1. Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. 2. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. 3. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dowelled there about ten years. 5. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. 6. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. . 7. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.

Here we see the beggining of the story of Ruth and Naomi, they are happily married, living together in a place of stability, or so they thought. A famine came into the land and struck everyone and everything living. Disease and death infested everyday life to the point that Naomi found herself alone. Her husband died..and in a way, she felt as if God's Kindness had left her as well. Her sons get married, and then they too get sick and die. Naomi's life is in a way for her completed. Her loved ones have passed on, leaving her bitter, lonely, and deserted. Ruth and Oprah join Naomi on her journey back to Judah, a place where she can find nourishment, and God's voice.



Word from the Word: Death, Sickness, Loss and Loniless can cause a person to become bitter. However, even in the feeling of bitterness and depression, one can set their face to the place of bread, the place of praise..God's Presence. A time of mourning is not a bad thing. It is a journey we all take, however we cannot stay there, but walk it out.

More to come...

~Jessica Smith