November 8, 2023
Topic: HONOURING GOD IN THANKSGIVING IN OUR HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Text: Ruth 1:11-18
Memory Verse: Entreat me not to leave you or return from following you; for where you go I go, and where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God; where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if even death parts me from you.” Ruth. 1:16, 17.
Christians’ lives are interwoven because of the connection we all have with Jesus. Our mode of living and human relationships with others have impact on people either positively or negatively. We are familiar with the story of Naomi and Ruth. There were three funerals and two marriages, leaving Naomi, Ruth and Orpah as widows. After ten years of sojourn in Moab, Naomi decided to go back to Israel; Naomi bid her daughters–in-law farewell. Eventually, Orpah decided to part ways, while Ruth refused to part company with Naomi. The relationship was so close and cordial to the extent that Ruth refused to go away. Surely, a big impression must have been made on Ruth because of Naomi’s way of life. This led to Ruth’s statement as contained in our memory verse. Faith, good and godly human relationship changed the course of history. Ruth, a foreigner, born outside the boundaries of the covenant nation of Israel, was able to take her place in history, as the great grandmother of King David and an ancestor of the Messiah.
Also, the friendship and human relationship between David and Jonathan is another success story. Jonathan loved David as his own soul (1 Samuel 18:1) Despite Saul’s dislike of the friendship (1 Samuel 20:30,31), God used it to preserve David’s life.
No one knows what God can do when God is honoured in thanksgiving in our human relationships at NEBC. Let us try to improve the inter-personal relationships in our church, home fellowship groups and other organs of the church. Christian love, care and understanding among ourselves irrespective of our ethnicity, social standing or Christian maturity can be a strong vehicle for evangelism within and without. Let us oil the wheel of human relationships for our individual benefits and the good of spreading the gospel of Christ, so that God will be honoured in thanksgiving.
Prayer: Our prayer and desire is that your love will permeate our fellowship, so that we can be our brothers keeper to the glory of God, in Jesus’ name, Amen