Wednesday Recap

What is God doing in your story? In our study this week at Thrive we looked at the life of one family that went through great loss. The book starts off letting the reader know that it was the time of the judges and there was a famine. Two things that are a setting for hard times. The time of the judges were marked by people following other gods and being turned over to the enemy as a discipline, and famine, well, you can imagine not being able to get food whenever you need.

Then we are introduced to a mother who loses her husband and two sons, leaving her two daughters-in-laws. One daughter in law goes back to her home, while the other follows her mother-in-law wherever she goes. When Naomi and Ruth moved back to where Namoi's family was from, they moved with loss and unknown, bitterness and strife.  

Ruth gleaned food for her and her mother-in-law and was seen and shown great respect by the landowner. Through a series of beautiful God orchestrated events, the family redeemer (Boaz) works it out to marry Ruth. God works through that situation, they get married, have a baby boy. The baby's name is Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David. 

So, an ungodly nation, a foreigner, a famine, and death to husbands, all lead two women traveling to a place named Bethlehem where God orchestrates the genealogy of the coming Messiah. 

Ephesians 1:7 tells us that "In him [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace."

The story of Boaz being the redeemer of Ruth and the history is a beautiful picture of what Jesus did as our redeemer bringing us to Him as His bride, receiving all the blessings that come with being in that relationship with Jesus - ultimately salvation and eternal life with Him.

When we read this story of Ruth and you think of all the things that happened, it is truly a God thing to see life in brokenness, and redemption and hope that can come as a result. 

Upcoming Dates

May 6 - Early Release at MidTown 11am-12pm

May 6 - Hot Topics - Thrive at MidTown

May 13 - End of the Thrive year party. "Can you Rescue Larry?" is the theme of the night. Plus opportunity to put Pastor Rob in the dunk tank if our goal of reaching $1,000 toward our mission project is met. We are almost there. This will be held at MidTown from 6-8pm. Food will be provided.

August 10-15 - Mission Trip to Hastings, MI. We will have a Q&A with parents following the morning services in room 204 on May 3 for those interested in learning more about the trip.

We will have dates during the Summer to connect as a youth group. Those dates are being planned, and we will get the information out to you as soon as we finalize details.