The book of Ruth is filled with wonderful examples of love, faith, and providence for us all to learn from. In the next few lessons we’ll examine some of these. In this first message we’ll consider how Naomi and Ruth faced the problems from cultural sources, problems caused by natural forces and problems that are a result of poor choices.

Two kinds of troublers exist. One for God, and the other against God. An example is Ahab’s and Elijah’s confrontation, “Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?”18 And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed the Baals.” (1 Kings 18:17-18). Another example is how Ahab hated Micaiah because he prophesied only evil against him (1 Kings 22:8). Men have always opposed those who call men back to the word of God. Throughout the ages, men have tried to deter the servants of God who were busy defending the truth against the assaults of unrighteousness. But it is never more troubling than when members react negatively to the preaching of the word of God. I hope you are a good troubler–for the body of Christ needs such.

We hear about this subject almost every day in our lives. We may know of people who tried to commit suicide and failed; we know of some who tried and were successful. We may know of some in our family who has tried to take their life. We may even hear some of our friends or family talk about committing suicide. In 2017 47,173 died by suicide. I am one who didn’t. I will tell you, that because He lives, I can face tomorrow, and so can you.

Many believe this world we live on is in need of salvation. Many think we must spend time, money and energy to protect this globe. Some believe that “Christians” are going to live on a reformed new earth. None of this is true and what is sad is that the same will spend time, money and great effort to save the planet, which was never meant to be eternal, all the while neglecting their own soul–which is eternal.

So many today are troubled. What should I believe they ask? My parents say this, my teachers say that, and my preacher says something else. So many voices in my head. I want to respect them all, but don’t know who I should believe. Jesus told the disciples that, “He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.” (Matt. 16:21) Then Peter took Jesus aside and said, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” (v.22) then something revealing happened. Jesus in verse 23 said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are [d]an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” In this if you listen you’ll see three voices–Satan–Peter–God. Only one is wise, the others think they are. Only one is worth listening too, that would be God. We know what He said, because it is all recorded for us in the Bible.

In 2 Kings 10:15-16 we read, “Now when he departed from there, he met Jehonadab the son of Rechab, coming to meet him; and he greeted him and said to him, ‘Is your heart right, as my heart is toward your heart?’ And Jehonadab answered, ‘It is.’ Jehu said, ‘If it is, give me your hand.’ So he gave him his hand, and he took him up to him into the chariot. 16 Then he said, ‘Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord.’ So they had him ride in his chariot.” After all has been said and done, the only thing that will count in the day of judgment is whether your heart is right with God—and that only happens when you have respected God enough to do whatever he says. Like Jehonadab, we must grasp hold of the mighty hand of the Lord our God—and never let go—trusting the Father to take us wherever He wants us to go.

Paul said, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14-15a). Are you listening to the news? Are you hearing much “good news”? Not likely! Politics, shootings, murder, all have filled the majority of air time. With all this, one must wonder if there is any good news left. With this in mind I’d like to spiritually challenge the common phrase we’ve all heard, “no news is good news” with the question “Is No News Good News?”

American television comedian Stephen Colbert coined the term truthiness in this meaning as the subject of a segment called “The Word” during the pilot episode of his political satire program The Colbert Report on October 17, 2005. Though the purpose may not have been to deny absolute truth exist, the devil is much wiser that those he influences and his goal is the subtle manipulating of the minds of individuals into believing that “just plain truth” doesn’t exist, but he is dead wrong. Truth exist, but the recipient of it will not always appreciate it.

“…the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14) What does this mean? It means there are those who don’t have the spirit from God. Therefore, they are incapable of discerning spiritual things. Like the old “Dick Tracy Decoder”, or like the old, “Decoder Rings”; You couldn’t know what was written without the decoder. In much that same way without the Spirit of God working in you—you can’t discern spiritual things. You can’t order the spiritual influence online—you must receive it from God—as a seal of your salvation and you can only receive this by being scripturally baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of your sins—just as those on the day of Pentecost did – Acts 2:38