Christian Paradigm Shifts

Greg Olsen The story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman has always fascinated me. It is one of my favorite Bible passages. It fascinates me for several reasons.   Jesus met this woman where she was. (John 4:6). He will meet us where we are, too. Jesus was a Jewish rabbi who was not supposed to speak with a Samaritan, let alone a woman (v.9). Jesus is a friend of sinners who will speak to us and call us to Himself. As women, we can trust that he wants us to know Him. He wants us to know theology.   Jesus met her need for salvation (v. 10-15). He will save us when we call upon Him.   Jesus knew "all about" this woman (v.17-18). He knows all about us as well. There is nothing hidden from his sight (Hebrews 4:13). If we have repented and put our trust in God this should not make us fear. It should comfort us. We serve a God who notices us and cares for us through all of life's joys and trials.   Jesus answered her questions about wo...

Ruth 2:1-16 Christian Image Source Yesterday, I introduced the concept of God's sovereignty in our lives. According to Romans 8:28, God works all things for our good. In Psalm 139:16 NKJV - Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, t he days fashioned for me, w hen as yet there were none of them. God was working in the lives of Naomi and Ruth. He had a plan for them although they might not have been able to see it. At the beginning of chapter 2, Boaz is introduced as a kinsman of Naomi. He was a mighty man of wealth from the family (clan) of Elimelech. In verse 2, Ruth asks Naomi for permission to go glean in the field of him in whose sight she would find GRACE . Naomi tells her to go. In verse 3 it seems as if it was by pure "luck" or "happenstance" that Ruth came upon the field of Boaz. In God's economy there is no such thing as luck. Everything is done through God's sovereignty. It's kind of...