Tag Archives: hope

Those Who Mourn

Posted on January 19, 2020 by Don Merritt

Most of the time, we don’t associate blessing with mourning; maybe we should rethink this… Matthew didn’t actually say what those blessed ones are mourning; it could be the loss of a loved one, it could be the loss of … Continue reading →

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Some Final Thoughts

Posted on January 18, 2020 by Don Merritt

Thinking about the story of Ruth, it’s hard to come away from it without the sense that God really does work in the lives of His people. He certainly did so in ancient times, and maybe we sometimes feel like … Continue reading →

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Lord of the Sabbath

Posted on January 17, 2020 by Don Merritt

Mark 2:23-28 Parallel Texts: Matthew 8:1-8; Luke 6:1-5 Mark has shifted the scene to the countryside. Jesus and the disciples, and apparently some Pharisees, are walking through grain fields on the Sabbath. They are hungry and the disciples pluck a … Continue reading →

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Naomi, Ruth and Boaz Have Much to Teach Us

Posted on January 17, 2020 by Don Merritt

Looking at our adventure in the book of Ruth, it should be obvious to anyone that this story has much to teach us. I’m not going to say that the things I mention about them are an exhaustive and encyclopedic … Continue reading →

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Being Religious, Fasting and the attitude of Jesus

Posted on January 16, 2020 by Don Merritt

Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not?” Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom fast … Continue reading →

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Endings and Beginnings

Posted on January 16, 2020 by Don Merritt

Ruth 4:13-22 After the scene that takes place in verses 1-12 of chapter four, Boaz and Ruth are married. There is not a single word in the text about their life together; other than they had a son named Obed. … Continue reading →

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Jesus, the Spirit and Religion

Posted on January 15, 2020 by Don Merritt

Yesterday, I wrapped up my post with a question: What part of following Jesus Christ, or if you prefer, following the leading of the Holy Spirit, can be confined to a man-made religion? I mentioned that I’d be interested to … Continue reading →

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Boaz Acts

Posted on January 15, 2020 by Don Merritt

Ruth 4:1-12 After Ruth left Boaz and returned to the place where she and Naomi were staying, Boaz went to town. He stopped at the town gates where the Elders were to be found, which was a customary place for … Continue reading →

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Religion: Back to the Basics

Posted on January 14, 2020 by Don Merritt

If a comparison is to be made between following Jesus Christ and Religion, the first logical step is to define the terms, and thus we go back to the basics. To follow Jesus Christ is to have a relationship with … Continue reading →

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Ruth Acts

Posted on January 14, 2020 by Don Merritt

Ruth 3:6-18 Naomi gave Ruth some unconventional advice in the first 5 verses of chapter three, now Ruth takes her advice and acts upon it. After the harvest is complete, it is winnowing time, and after the winnowing is complete, … Continue reading →

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