contagious?

In 1 samuel 19 there's a mint story. David has fled from Saul and is with Samuel along with other priests and prophets. Saul sends some men to go and get David, but when they see all the prophets worshipping and prophesying, they end up just joining in. the same thing happens to the second lot of men Saul sends and then eventually to Saul himself when he turns up!

There was something so powerful and contagious about the behaviour of the prophets that the men couldn't help themselves but join in. In Acts we see thousands of people becoming Christians because they see how the disciples live and love each other.

Is my relationship with Jesus contagious? Or when people see me do I just blend in with the crowd? Unfortunately its more of the latter. I'm not living the risky, life on the edge of someone totally sold out for Jesus, I'm living like someone who's playing it safe and hedging their bets. People can pick up how much I love Lisa fairly easily when getting to know me, because its obvious. Do people pick up how much I love Jesus? If not, its probably because I don't love Him enough. If I don't love Him enough it's because I need to know Him more and recognise what He's done for me on the cross.

living generously

Am I generous?

In the story of Ruth, Boaz isn't required to redeem Ruth or even let her glean in the fields if he doesn't want to because she is a foreigner so even applying the law to her could be seen as a generous act. But he actually goes so far beyond what the law says - his generousity is ridiculous!

This got us talking last night about what generousity is. Is it generous to do something for someone that I should really be doing anyway? Does being generous have to cost me something? Why when I've done something that might have started out with a generous spirit, do I still find myself expecting something in return?

Sovreign AND good

Ruth chapter 1

God is both sovereign and good

God's sovereignty means that He can do what He wants and He will do what He wants. That sounds like its a result of a mean God, but He is also good - what He wants to do and what He will do are in our best interests!

At the end of chapter 1, Naomi (Mara) seems angry about how God has dealt her what she sees as a cruel hand. We don't know if her attitude changed before God blesses her and ruth by guiding Ruth to Boaz, but He does it anyway. Even if we come with a bad attitude, that doesn't stop God blessing us if He wants to (because He's sovereign) and He does want to (because He's good)