Elizabeth George's Blog, page 18

Commitment and Courage

Fleeting moments of excitement and waves of humility overcame Jim and I as we celebrated a dear friend’s military change of command. The parade ground was packed with troops in formation; troops who had been standing there for well over an hour before the ceremony even began.

Flying high were the flags representing our nation, the State of Hawaii, and every unit that serves and deploys from this U.S. Army base. They were whipping in the trade winds that nipped at the miles and miles of acreage that make up the famous Schofield Barracks. The ragged peaks of the Koolau mountains reached majestically heavenward as the backdrop behind the parade grounds as a tropical sun beamed down on all present.

There we sat in reserved seats under one of the many awnings set up around the platform where four U.S. Army officers and commanders were coming and going, changing and receiving new responsibilities in 13 time zones, 9 countries, and 4 states.

I have to admit that I was overwhelmed as I read the biographies and intently listened to the introductions of each of the four officers, including my friend Patricia. Their lives have been spent in universities, specialized schools, training centers, and over multiple deployments. They’ve faithfully poured their time into study and training to equip and mature themselves for greater usefulness. Their families, who had sacrificed alongside them, were also present to proudly support them. Then there were their parents, siblings, grandparents, and friends who had gathered from around the world to celebrate and take part in honoring and supporting the commitment their loved ones have made to serve our country.

Sitting there in the visitor’s reviewing stands, I couldn’t help but be greatly convicted about my own commitments. These officers and their soldiers had committed themselves to giving their lives, if necessary, to defend our country. What was I committed to? And how seriously? How deeply? How fervently? What commitments could, and should, I be making for my Lord and His Kingdom program? What commitments could, and should, I be making to my family and friends? My church?

I had to ask myself, am I increasing in my study of the Bible, purposefully choosing to grow as I serve the Lord and His people? Am I competent? Am I faithful? Am I committed to keep advancing as a child of God? Is there any “sacrifice” involved at all?

You can probably tell by now that, when Jim and I walked away from that ceremony we came away thrilled with all of the tradition and proud of the determination of those troops, but also sobered with the reality of what it means and looks like to be truly committed to something, a cause, a creed, a country—a set of beliefs.

RESPOND:

Dear Lord, Thank you for each and every military veteran in this great country. Help me to learn to commit and sacrifice the way these mean and women do every day. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

If you wish to learn more life lessons from great leaders in the bible like Paul and Timothy, you will find a great resource in Jim’s book, A Leader After God’s Own Heart.

REFLECT:

What does an evaluation of how I spend my time reveal about my sacrifice, commitment, and dedication? What does it reveal about my purpose and focus? My goals?

REMEMBER:

How does seeing someone else display a fervent commitment inspire you to do the same?

Reflecting Christ During the Holidays

The holidays are a special time for family, friends, and faith. The faith part can be difficult when you share the family table with unbelievers, but it doesn’t have to be. God calls us to love (John 15:12-13). God is love (1 John 4:8) and we are made in his image (Genesis 1:27). We are to walk as Jesus walked (1 John 2:6) and Jesus is one with God (John 1:18).

Are you excited yet? Do you understand what that means?

We have a blueprint for ministering to the lost and broken. It is the Bible. This means we don’t have to guess how we should interact with those who do not share our faith. Jesus has already shown us.

We’re to be salt (Matthew 5:13). Think positive. That’s the kind of influence we are called to have on the world. We are to unbelievers what salt is to food. What’s true of any seasoning is true of us. If a seasoning has no flavor, it has no value, appeal, or effect. We must make every effort to live pure lives and witness to the world–to cause other to desire to know God’s Son.

We’re to be light (Matthew 5:14). Can you hide a city that’s lit up and sitting on top of a hill? Of course, not. Its lights can be seen for miles as a beacon to the lost or those needing a safe place. Likewise we’re to shine with the reflection of Christ, a radiance that emanates from the presence of Christ within our hearts. If we live for Christ, we’ll shine brightly and show the way to Him. God desires that we be beacons of truth in a dark and needy world.

We’re to make a difference (John 17:6-18). In His payer before going to the cross, Jesus asked our heavenly Father to give us protection as He left us in the world and sent us into the world. Christ wants us to make a difference in the world where we live.

We are Jesus’ ambassadors to the world. We are His witnesses to the ends of the earth. One of our jobs is to live a holy life and share the gospel of Christ so that others will know of Him. One of God’s jobs is to enable and protect us while we live righteously and share the truth with unbelievers. Our greatest challenge, then, is to live in the world and not be influenced by it.

Christ is no longer physically present on earth, but you reflect Him—His light— to those in darkness as you bear the fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truthfulness. You are blessed as a child of God! God says, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

RESPOND:

God, I want to follow You. I want to be a true reflection of you. I want to be a person who lives their life in You and for You. I know that I don't have it all together, but I will walk in the steps of the one who does. Thank you for giving us the example of Jesus and thank You for giving me Your strength so that I too become love. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

In A Woman Who Reflects the Heart of Jesus, Elizabeth asks, "Where better can we learn about right character and conduct than Jesus Himself?"

There is much we can learn from this perfect life example: His generosity in caring for the needs of others, the abundance of His kindness and forgiveness even to His enemies, His persistence in watching over His own, and His willingness to give His all even though He had nothing.

REFLECT:

What type of objections have you experienced when sharing the Gospel with other people? What answers do you find most useful to help overcome someone’s skepticism?

REMEMBER:

Your assignment from God is to pray, to keep on praying no matter what, and to trust God.

A Memorable Thanksgiving

Holidays should be a time of joy accompanied by family and friends. There is really no need to stress over the details. It’s a time to be thankful and celebrate peace. We can eliminate most of the busyness of the holidays by simply planning ahead, and not taking on too many major projects. Here are a few tips to help in your holiday planning.

Think Ahead: Start by planning out the menu your family prefers for the holiday. Choose only one item for the feast that will take up a good portion of your time on that day. The remainder of the menu items can be prepared a day or two in advance or choose items that are easy to put together that morning. If you have volunteers, take advantage of the opportunity to delegate responsibilities to other family members. You’ll also want to keep in mind a head count so you can prepare accordingly.

Decorating: Beautiful decor is a reflection of natural elements mixed with a touch of the unexpected. Keep things simple. Find one item to use as inspiration. Shop from within your home and expand upon the colors, texture, and theme of the inspiration item.

Entertaining: You can make your guests feel extra special with just a few warm tokens of love. Using something as simple and easy as a name card at the table will show your guests that they were thought of beforehand and thoughtfully considered when it came to preparations. Other small things such as placing a candle, hand lotion and mints in the restroom will help the guests to feel at home.

Baking: Cakes, cornbread for dressing, cookies, and pies can all be baked and made one to two days before the feast. Gather all recipes 3-4 weeks ahead of time and purchase all ingredients 2 weeks prior. Schedule a baking day and get the majority of your baking out of the way.

Chop, Dice, Measure, and Store: Vegetables and fruits can be cut the day before. This frees up so much time and will prevent having to do so much cleaning the day of your dinner party. Some tips I’ve learned over the years are to brush fruits with a bit of lemon juice and soak potatoes in water to prevent oxidation. Chop up onions, garlic, bell peppers, celery and other seasonings and freeze or refrigerate for use later. If a recipe calls for a specific list of seasonings, measure it all and store it together in a plastic baggy or a food container then label it. This will save you hours of prep time on Thanksgiving or Christmas Day.

Don’t get so caught up in the details that you forget the bigger picture. Remember what the holiday is really all about and reflect on that. Spending time with loved ones and catching up on life’s recent events is much more memorable than the holiday turkey that was or wasn’t a hit.

RESPOND:

Lord, I’m ready to create a “to do” list of joy and peace. I lift up my needs to You and trust in You. You calm my fears. You guide my steps. You lead me to Your presence. I am rejoicing in You! Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

Check out our collection of THANKSGIVING PRINTABLES that honor the Lord and add beauty to your home!

REFLECT:

Think back on some of your most memorable family holiday gatherings. What made them so memorable? Focus on that.

REMEMBER:

Thanksgiving is a time of gratitude. In all the hustle and bustle, don't forget to be thankful for the blessings of family and friends!

Growing Together

 

Over the years I’ve encountered many life changing verses of scripture during my time of bible study. In particular, Luke 1:5-6 has really challenged me in my own spiritual growth:

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly”

I’m sure you’ve read the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. They were the parents of John the Baptist, the one who would be the forerunner of our Savior, Jesus Christ. John was so in sync with the spirit of our Lord that when a young and pregnant Mary met up with his mother, Elizabeth, her still unborn son, John, lept inside of her womb and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Luke 1:41). Meditating on these verses in Luke, I noticed an immediate application for me: God desires for myself and my wife to be growing spiritually. As with all things, if we do it together and encourage each other individually as well, we are much more likely to succeed.

I don’t know about you, but it brings me great joy to see my wife progress and succeed in all things; especially the things of God.

Show Some Initiative

Once husbands grasp this reality and start growing, we can then begin to assist our wives in their growth. Our assistance may be as simple as:

Having a daily Bible reading schedule.
Coming together at the end of the day to compare Bible study notes.
Studying through a book of the Bible together.
Using the same Bible in a Year or Devotional and talking about it at the end of the day.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17

There are so many resources available today that we can use together as a couple. We as men just need to take the initiative to have a more active role in leading our family spiritually.

Encourage Your Wife

Encouraging my wife in her spiritual growth doesn’t always mean that I have to personally be a part of the growth process. At times, I only need to be a “spiritual cheerleader.” My role is cheering her on in her growth as she studies the Bible on her own or as she participates in a woman’s Bible study.

I am still fulfilling my role as the spiritual leader, even though I don’t personally teach my wife. I’m there to give her encouragement and direction. Ask God to give you a fresh commitment to grow yourself. Then ask your wife how you can best help her grow.

Think back and remember your wedding day. You made a vow to nurture your wife. That involves both the physical and spiritual areas of life. The first step is asking God to give you a fresh commitment to grow yourself. Then ask your wife how you can best help her grow.

RESPOND:

Dear Lord, please give me the wisdom and passion to encourage my wife's spiritual growth. I long to love my wife, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25). Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

A Couple After God’s Own Heart—Enrich your marriage and learn the essentials for enjoying life together by developing better ways to communicate. This book for couples will help you draw upon God for unity and strength.

Take the Husband Communication Quiz!

Download your free copy of 5 Ways in 5 Days to Be a Closer Couple

REFLECT:

How about it, men? What are some of the ways you’ve helped nurture your wife’s spiritual growth? (Ladies, feel free to share examples of what your husband has done, too.)

REMEMBER:

You and your wife are individuals, but you are one as well. As she grows, you grow.

Parenting In His Image

 

I'm sure you too have had days when you’ve wondered what in the world you’re doing as a mom? Take heart! God goes straight to the heart of the matter and packed these verses with clear communication to us parents. Even so, I’ve had days when I felt a bit overwhelmed by it all. That’s when I found comfort in these verses.

She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

Proverbs 31:27-29

I hope the faithfulness, energy, and vigor of the Proverbs 31 woman inspires you too. The Lord knows the value of the work He has given us and what it takes mentally and physically to accomplish it. And believe me, if you are a parent, he has given you a valuable work indeed. He has also given you one more gift – His creativity.

Do you know you’re created in the image of God? I want it to sink into your heart and mind that you are a creative and intelligent person! You are a reflec­tion of God’s glory. You reflect Him to other people, especially to your children. Every time you reach out in love, perform a deed of kindness, and show forgive­ness, patience, and faithfulness, others experience the character of God through you.

Why not plan a special night for your family? Give everyone plenty of notice, especially if teens are involved. When the time comes around, prepare a festive meal, go out to dinner, or order pizza!

Later, gather around and have everyone share a testimony of what God has done in their life over the last few weeks. Encourage each person to share a goal or dream…and be supportive. Dreams aren’t always based on current reality. Talk about the childhood antics of the kids, how you and your husband grew up, met, and married, what your parents did, where your grandparents lived. Share your faith experiences…and let others share theirs. End your time together by drawing each other’s names out of a hat and committing to doing two nice things for that person during the week. This will strengthen your family’s bond and you will grow much closer together.

In addition, resolve to continue spending time with God on a daily basis through prayer and the study of His Word. As we die to self, we come alive in Him – in His image! Draw inspiration from God’s heart and let the Creator help you parent through the hard times and the sweet moments. Rejoice in the strength He gives for each day, and the hope He offers for every day!

RESPOND:

“Lord Creator, You are with me every step of the way in this parenting job. I am excited to share You with my child by living out Your goodness. When I need a boost, a creative idea, or an attitude adjustment, Your ever-present hope brings relief and renewal.”

RENEWING RESOURCES:

 

A Mom After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George is fresh help for you—a busy mom!—to make God an everyday part of your child's life.

 

REFLECT:

How does the one command to “love the lord God with all your heart” simplify the many parenting concerns that you might have?

REMEMBER:

If you are a sold-out, on-fire, hot-hearted, committed-to-God Christian, you will be infinitely further down the road to being the kind of parent who, by His grace, can raise a son or daughter after God’s own heart. Because all your love centers upon God, and because you follow Him with all your heart, you will qualify to lead your children to follow God too!

What Makes a Woman Beautiful in God’s Eyes?

 

There are few questions I’m asked more than, "What makes a woman become beautiful in God’s eyes?"

The simplest answer is devotion and time. Nothing that grand happens overnight. It takes daily surrender and making God’s Word your highest priority. You are a diamond in the rough. And you gain the power of character and begin to more clearly reflect your heavenly Father’s face as His Word smooths and polishes your character. As you spend time gazing into God’s Word, the light of His truth brightens your motivation to live your life for His glory. When you read the Word of the Lord, He uses it to scrub and scour away your fears, your laziness, your doubts, and your sinful ways.

God uses His Word to transform you into a woman of divine power who reflects His beauty. This is what makes a woman beautiful in God’s eyes.

Once you begin to see your transformation taking hold, other aspects of your life will be different. Those who are close to you will comment on your loving, Godly marriage because they see God reflected so vividly in yours. Your children will rise and call you blessed! This is what happens when we surrender our hearts to God. He transforms us from the inside, out and that is what true beauty is all about.

Another very sweet and special change takes place when we begin to be transformed by our loving Father, we’ll also be motivated to take better care of ourselves. Over the years, there are four things I’ve strived to do each day to show Him how much I cherish the vessel He’s given me.

Dress up—Queen Esther, chose to wear her royal robes into the presence of her husband, the king (Esther 5:1). The Proverbs 31 woman wore silk and purple (Proverbs 31:22). These women dressed with a touch of class, wearing what was right for the occasion and proper in her day and time.

Fix up—You can make an effort to create a pleasing appearance. Think about the people who fill your day. What will they see? Fresh face, hair, and makeup? Clean, wrinkle-free, spot-free, odor-free clothes? A bright smile and a little color here and there?

Clean up—Proverbs teaches that “ointment and perfume delight the heart” (27:9). Both are pleasant and heartwarming and indicate that someone has gone to the trouble to spruce up. Plus, the Bible mentions washing oneself over and over again.

Look up—Throughout your day look up to the Lord. Pray to Him, think on Him, serve Him, worship Him, do all unto Him, obey Him, and love Him with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27). As you are consciously aware of His presence, His beauty will shine through your efforts. And then He is glorified (Matthew 5:16)!

RESPOND:

Dear Lord, Scripture tells us what true beauty is—to love and revere You. Help me be a woman of strong, godly character … a woman who is beautiful in Your eyes. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

In Beautiful in God’s Eyes, Elizabeth George guides women through the popular Bible verses in Proverbs 31 to show how God defines beauty and reveals His plan for a woman’s success.

REFLECT:

God uses His Word to transform you into a woman of divine power who reflects His beauty.

REMEMBER:

Write down one piece of truth from God’s Word that you read each day this week. Then, commit to let it polish your character.

We All Fall Short

 

Teens, trust us when we say we feel the gravity of our obligation to God when raising you. We realize that we are shaping your life, your future, and your eternal destiny. Through you, we’re shaping the world. That’s a lot of responsibility, but one we've gladly accepted.

We fall short sometimes.

We'd prefer if you didn’t notice those times, but we’re glad that you do. You see, God didn’t make any of us perfect. We will all fall short. What matters is what we do in response to those shortcomings. We pray daily that the Lord will allow you to see us stand up, dust off, and keep marching forward toward the goal He has for us.

So that you are aware, here’s a brief list of a few of our priorities as they pertain to raising you. One day we hope that this same sort of list will provide you with the grace and wisdom you need in your day to day life. When we fall short, we come back to this list and use it to get back on track again. It reminds us of what is important.

Love your spouse—God designed parents to be partners, and a key essential to caring for your children is showing a godly love for your spouse.

Take your family to church—The simple act of getting your family to church is a giant step toward boosting the spiritual growth of your family.

Grow spiritually—A parent after God’s own heart constantly desires to grow spiritually, always striving to be where he or she needs to be.

Spend more time with your children—This one’s obvious. A closer relationship with your children comes only with time. Give it to them. Be present when you do.

Make a commitment—Commit yourself afresh to make every sacrifice necessary to point your children toward God. Do all you can. Don’t procrastinate! Do your part and point them toward God.

RESPOND:

Lord, help me to always see my parents as the most godly influence in my life. Help me to seek and develop relationships that are healthy, godly, and meaningful to both my life and theirs.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

Find more encouragement for your teen in our books, A Young Man After God’s Own Heart and A Young Woman After God’s Own Heart.

REFLECT:

What godly characteristic have you seen God grow in your parent’s lives? What characteristic of yours do you need to lay before God?

REMEMBER:

Make a list of character development examples that are modeled in your home. Put them in a place where you can visibly see them each day

Becoming a Godly Wife

 

There is so much wisdom to be found in the book of Proverbs. One I’ve pondered often is, “Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good” (Proverbs 14:22). Sharing his insights into this verse, a visiting preacher at my church pointed to Adolf Hitler, the Nazi leader who masterminded the murder of six million Jews. He noted that Hitler “devised evil,” that he planned evil, as meticulously as a bride plans her wedding.

So, how do you become a Godly wife?

A Good Wife Plans Good You and I can choose to plan for good or plan for evil, but as God’s beautiful women we are called to do good! So, make it your goal to set sail every day on a course of doing good toward your husband all day long.

Practice Your Plan Don’t be content with merely planning to do good. Follow through on those good intentions! Put your plan to work. I read somewhere once that a goal without a plan is just a hope without priority. When we write things down and place intention behind our goals, that's when we enable our selves to act on carrying them out.

Put the Plan in Place

If you need help with putting a plan in place, the book of Proverbs can help with that too. The last chapter of Proverbs begins with a young prince learning from his mother what should characterize his reign as a godly king. This godly and wise mother gave him a description of the kind of wife he should look for. She asked, “Who can find a virtuous wife?” This mother points out that such a woman is rare but explains how finding such a woman is worth both the time and effort it takes.

God clearly gave us a plan in these verses. Every part of our life can easily be mapped out by utilizing this as inspiration:

Marriage — Proverbs 31:10-12 This amazing woman demonstrated impeccable loyalty to her husband and earned his trust and confidence. Because of her thrift and industry, she added to her husband’s wealth and reputation and her family’s comfort.

Work Ethic — Proverbs 31:13-24 This enterprising lady was compared to a merchant ship that travels to distant lands to seek clothing, food, and items to be bought and sold for profit. She was a “realtor” who bought, improved, and sold land. Her physical strength and endurance seemed inexhaustible as she rose before dawn and worked far into the night caring for her family and household, which were her foremost priorities.

Character — Proverbs 31:25-27 This magnificent woman was said to be clothed in “strength” and “honor,” which described her character. Her inward character gave her the outward confidence to face the future with its unexpected challenges. She took what she had learned and passed it on to others with wisdom, all the while displaying a heart of kindness.

Family Life — Proverbs 31:28-29 Because of her unfailing love and ceaseless energy, the Proverbs 31 woman was highly respected, not only by her community but most importantly by her family. There is no greater joy for a mother than for her children to grow up to praise her as a source of the wisdom that made them godly. But her highest praise came from her husband who said, “You excel them all” (v. 29).

Spirituality — Proverbs 31:30-31 The book of Proverbs begins with a reference to the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom. As the book concludes, this same quality is again seen in the life and heart of this exceptional woman. She may have been hardworking and an exceptional businesswoman, but her true source of power was her devotion to God.

RESPOND:

Dear Lord, I’m relying on Your grace to show goodness to my husband—and then to others—as I go about my day. Thank You for Your Word and Your Spirit that guide me. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

In Beautiful in God’s Eyes, Elizabeth George guides women through the popular Bible verses in Proverbs 31 to show how God defines beauty and reveals His plan for a woman’s success.

REFLECT:

What characteristics of the Proverbs 31 woman do you see in yourself?

REMEMBER:

God says, "A woman who fears the Lord shall be praised!"

Boundaries and Promises

 

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

Children thrive when they are raised in a home that implements structure; so do we. Sure, rules give guidance and instill boundaries, but they also bring freedom. It’s all about perspective. God’s Word teaches us this.

Many people tend to view God’s commandments as restrictions as if they are confined by them or will lose out if they obey. That isn’t what they are at all. The definition of “sin” is “to miss the mark.” Simply put, it isn’t His best for us. We miss out when we don’t obey. So where is the freedom?

Freedom can be found in the peace that can only be given by God. When we follow His word and His commandments, we are promised certain things. Exodus 20:12 tells us, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” By honoring our parents, we are promised a long life.

This same principle was used during the time of castles and medieval wars. Thick, stone walls were built around the kingdom creating a fortress. It wasn’t to keep the inhabitants inside. It was to protect them. Once they walked beyond the castle walls, the security that watched and waited inside, within the towers, and along the top of the wall, were unable to offer them the protection. They were on their own and could likely face consequences.

This is what God’s Word does for us. When we recognize it as a boundary, for our protection, then it tends to change things. We’re given the freedom to live within those boundaries knowing we won’t suffer the direct consequences of those sins.

Even still, there are times when we do all the right things and we still find ourselves in a bad place. These times are rare, but an opportunity to show great faith. God tell us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight,” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

We’ve heard of offering up a sacrifice of praise to the Lord in times of struggle (Hebrews 13:15), but also, I think of peace as a “sacrifice of trust.” And you and I make the sacrifice of trust when we face the painful and distressing realities of our life and then choose to trust God instead of panicking or falling apart. When circumstances in my life might tempt me to panic, feel terrified, become a nervous wreck, or be filled with dread, I can choose either to give in to those feelings or to trust in God and present myself to Him to be filled with His peace. And I must make this conscious choice each and every day whenever I see storm clouds looming ahead, whenever life’s confusions, bewilderments, and perplexities threaten to overwhelm.

And each and every day I do my best to walk within the boundaries He has given me.

RESPOND:

God, You are my reason for living, my salvation, my comfort, my provider, my love. I choose today to follow You every step of the way. When the way gets hard and I falter, encourage me and give the me faith to trust You.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

In Elizabeth George’s book, Finding God’s Path Through Your Trials, you will find more encouragement to seek His help for every difficulty you face.

REFLECT:

When we walk in God's ways He fulfills promises. What are some of the many blessings God has bestowed upon you?

REMEMBER:

Choosing to trust God causes us to experi­ence His peace… even in the midst of tremendous uproar.

Becoming a Godly Husband

 

Becoming a godly husband ultimately ends with leaving a legacy for your family. Meet Boaz; a man of character. He was a kind and conscious landowner who faithfully obeyed the law of Moses requiring the corners of every field to be left for the poor to glean. Boaz also faithfully followed the law when seeking Ruth’s hand in marriage.

Boaz exhibited in little and big ways the character and trust that all couples must foster and encourage in their marriage. Boaz had all of the qualities of a godly man and he took notice of Ruth, a godly woman. Because he was a man of character, he noticed Ruth, a woman of character. He was a godly husband, father, and he left a legacy for his family that we still talk about today. Here are just a few of Boaz’s character qualities:

Godly—He had a passion for God. Boaz asked God to bless Ruth (Ruth 2:12)

Diligent—He had a willingness to work. Boaz was a careful manager of his property. (Ruth 2:1)

Friendly—He had a desire to be friendly. Boaz gave a warm greeting to his workers and welcomed Ruth to his field. (Ruth 2:4,8)

Merciful—He had compassion for others. Boaz asked about Ruth’s situation and acted on her behalf. (Ruth 2:7)

Encouraging—He desired to contribute positively to others. Boaz pointed out Ruth’s strong qualities and spoke of them to encourage her. (Ruth 2:12)

Generous—He had a giving heart. Although Ruth was willing to work for the food she and Naomi needed, Boaz gave her extra. (Ruth 2:15)

Kind—He had a kind heart. Naomi thanked God for Boaz’s kindness toward her and Ruth. (Ruth 2:20)

Discreet—He had a desire to protect Ruth’s reputation. Boaz sent Ruth home from the threshing floor before daylight. (Ruth 3:14)

Faithful—He was a man who was true to his word. Boaz followed through on his promise to marry Ruth. (Ruth 4:1-10)

During your next Bible study time, open up and read the book of Ruth. It may only be four chapters in the Bible, but it’s a beautiful love story of two godly people who eventually married and went on to leave a lasting legacy all the way to Jesus Christ. Their love story is a genuine, godly example to follow.

RESPOND:

Dear Lord, help me remember my focus and goal is to please You all my days. Grant me the grace to become a godly man and a godly husband to my wife. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES:

A Couple After God’s Own Heart, teaches secrets to a great marriage by learning from biblical couples, such as Abraham and Sarah, Boaz and Ruth, Joseph and Mary, etc. Get started by taking our fun free challenge, “5 Ways in 5 Days to be a Closer Couple.”

 

REFLECT:

With Boaz in mind, create a list of character qualities that you pray to have. Use your journal or make a note on your phone or computer. Write it out. Pray it to God. Commit to it. For encouragement, ask your wife to check off the qualities she believes you already possess.

REMEMBER:

“Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.” (Proverbs 31:23)