Prayer-Father God we come to you now asking you to bless this workshop on today. We ask that you begin to touch our hearts and minds as we come together on one accord to learn from you about relationships. As we learn Father we pray that you would start to minister to us about, about our own personal relationships, and the company we keep in the name of Jesus. Help us to see those that are sent by the enemy and those that are sent by you. Give us discernment Father God, that we would know the truth from a lie and good from evil in the name of Jesus. For your sheep know your voice and another voice they will not follow. Lord break up the fallow ground within our hearts that would not carry, emotional baggage, ungodly soul ties, or pain from our past. Heal us in every area of brokenness, show us our worth, and it is our prayer that we see ourselves through your eyes. Now speak through me as I bring forth you word in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen!
Chapter One of the Book of Ruth: Ruth 1:1-6 “In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that he Lord had visited his people and given them food.
Introduction: As we see in this scripture Naomi and her family was facing lack, there was a lack of food in Bethlehem and so her family decided to go where there was food. In this time, Moab and Israel were enemies, but still her family went into enemy territory to bypass what was going on in there homeland. But we see as they traveled that, and came to settle in Moab. That Naomi’s husband dies, and ten years after that her son’s die. Naomi is left with just her daughter-in-law’s. She hears the famine is over in Bethlehem and decides to go back to her homeland.
Decisions- We all make decisions everyday, but it is best that before we decide anything to take it too the Lord in prayer. Nothing is too big or too small to take to the Lord in prayer. It is wise to seek the Lord for his counsel in any decision we make after all we want his perfect will for our lives. But even when we make a misjudgement, we have his grace and mercy. Our steps are ordered by the Lord, and he is working everything out for our good and his glory. But it is always good to keep in mind, “In all our ways we must acknowledge him and he will direct our path”. (Proverbs 3:6)
Consequences- I can not say that Abimelech made a bad decision in taking his family to Moab, nor can I say that he was outside of the will of God for doing so. We can look at the scripture, and what happened in his life and access that. The name Bethlehem means “The House of God”, Elimelech and his family left the House of God, and went into the enemy's territory. There reason for leaving was to go where there was food, but at what cost? They still suffered loss even though they were trying to avoid famine. As we spoke of earlier, we reap what we sow. For every action good or bad there is a consequence.
Death- One of the greatest losses to face is losing a loved one. As hard as it is to accept death is apart of life. But when we die that is not the end of our story. If we have accepted Jesus into our hearts we die to live again, however if we do not accept Jesus and choose not to be saved. Then the wages of sin or disobedience to God is death, that death plays out as an eternity separated from God in hell. I would rather die to my flesh now then for my flesh to take me to hell. God has given all of us a choice. To accept his son or reject him. Therefore one of the greatest relationships you can have is a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Soul Saving Grace: It is by the grace of God that we are saved. It is not by works or anything we could do or not do. It is simply the free gift of God. If you were to die today, right in this moment, would you lift your eyes in hell? Nothing in this world is worth going to hell over. Many times we judge people and think they use drugs, or they are prostitutes, or drunks. But who are we to judge anyone? He who is without sin let him throw the first stone? What about unforgiveness, lusts, jealousy, bitterness, hatred, are these not sins also? I am asking you on today, consider the condition of your heart. Are you carrying emotional scars? Have you been healed from past relationships? Is there any brokenness in you? Before we can even think about marriage and receiving our God ordained Husband or Wife. We must really consider, Do I have a personal relationship with Jesus?
Prayer of Salvation- (To Receive Salvation Pray Out Loud)-Father God, I come to you now and I admit that I am a sinner. I confess my sins before you and I repent of my sins. I accept that you are God and you sent your Son Jesus Christ of Nazareth to die on the cross for my sins past, present, and future. Jesus died on the cross and arose on the third day, and he is alive and well sitting on the right hand of the Father. Lord Jesus come into my heart, I resist the kingdom of satan and I confess that I belong to God in the name of Jesus. Save me Lord Jesus, come into my heart and I accept you as Lord over my Life in Jesus name Amen. If you have prayed this prayer, aloud you are now saved! Praise the Lord!
