Keep Me Burning!

Dear Reader,

I do hope that your sincere heart desire at the end of this post is to burn continually for Jesus.

Leviticus 24:2b & 4 – “…pure olive oil for the lampstand, so it can be kept burning continually. The lamps on the pure gold lampstand must be tended continually in the LORD’s presence.”

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This verse struck me with so much truth. The words/phrases that stood out to me the most were ‘pure olive oil,’ ‘kept burning continually,’ ‘tended continually,’ and ‘in the LORD’s presence’. From verse 2, what stood out to me is the fact that I am the lamp and if I must keep burning constantly, I need the ‘pure olive oil’ of God which is His Spirit, His anointing, and His Word. I am called to shine as light in a dark and perverse generation. The enemy is going to try hard to snuff my light out but His efforts, temptations and tactics are not strong enough to suppress the Spirit of God in me. Therefore, in order for me to keep burning for God, I need to be filled with His Spirit.

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In verse 4, a question arose in my heart; ‘how do I get filled with this ‘pure olive oil’ of His Spirit? Verse 4 instructs the people of Israel to tend the lamps continually IN the LORD’s presence. This struck me as well. The implication of this in my life is that in order for me to be filled with the Holy Spirit’s power to burn continually, I must continually remain in God’s presence. The Bible speaks of the Word of God and prayer. When I immerse myself in God’s Word and in prayer, I will be filled with the Holy Spirit of God which will be the oil that will keep my lamp burning continually for God. If I must serve God’s purpose, then I must burn continually, not sometimes, not occasionally, not when I feel like it, but CONTINUALLY. When I remain in God’s presence, the enemy will not be able to put out my light. I will only burn brighter and brighter.

Father, help me to immerse myself in Your Word and in prayer, continually. I want to burn always and only for you. “Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, give me oil in my lamp I pray. Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning. Keep me burning till the break of day…” Amen.

#selah

In Christ,
Shanpepe

Journeying Through Ruth: Part 4

Dear Reader,

Today brings us to the end of our journey through the amazing book of Ruth! For me, the journey has been worthwhile every step of the way. I hope that the lessons from this journey take root in your life.

Chapter 4 is the chapter of Boaz’s marriage to Ruth after the encounter of the threshing floor.
This chapter showcases the events that took place after Boaz and Ruth’s meeting at the threshing floor. Boaz is seen to be a man of his word. He keeps his word to Ruth and indeed meets with his kinsman redeemer concerning her, in the presence of many witnesses. This shows Boaz to be an honorable and dignified man. He doesn’t cut corners to marry Ruth. Instead, he goes by due process and tradition.

In vs 13, it is said that the LORD enabled Ruth to become pregnant. Casting my mind back to chapter 1, Ruth had been married for 10 years but had no children. However, we see God’s miracle of childbirth here. God is the giver of children. He is the one who makes the barren fertile. Naomi is blessed by the gift of this baby and her bitterness is turned to joy. Ruth’s decision to follow the one true God was the beginning of His great work in her life. Ruth was a blessing to her mother-in-law.

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Vs 15 highlights the words of people to her concerning Ruth. Am I a blessing to those around me? Ruth chose the path of God and He honored her. She became the grandmother of King David, and an ancestor of Jesus! Boaz’s act of redeeming Ruth reminds me of Jesus’ work of redemption for me on the cross. By His grace I have been redeemed.
#selah!

In Christ, 

Ishanpepe.