THE FORK IN THE ROAD

Fork in the Road

Series: “The Battle Within” part 5

Sunday, July 25, 2021

1. You are FREE to make your choices, but your choices will choose the CONSEQUENCES.

Ruth 1: 1-2, 8-10, 13-16 (CSB) —During the time of the judges, there was a famine in the land. A man left Bethlehem in Judah with his wife and two sons to stay in the territory of Moab for a while. 2 The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife’s name was Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They entered the fields of Moab and settled there. 

8 Naomi said to them, “Each of you go back to your mother’s home. May the Lord show kindness to you as you have shown to the dead and to me. 9 May the Lord grant each of you rest in the house of a new husband.” She kissed them, and they wept loudly. 10 They said to her, “We insist on returning with you to your people.” 11 But Naomi replied, “Return home, my daughters. Why do you want to go with me? Am I able to have any more sons who could become your husbands?

13… No, my daughters, my life is much too bitter for you to share, because the Lord’s hand has turned against me.” 14 Again they wept loudly, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. 15 Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. Follow your sister-in-law.” 16 But Ruth replied: Don’t plead with me to abandon you or to return and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people,and your God will be my God. 

● Bethlehem = HOUSE OF BREAD

● Elimelek = GOD IS MY KING

● Naomi = PLEASANT

● Mahlon = SICKLY

● Chilion = FAILING

2. CHOOSE wisely who you surround yourself with.

3. TRUST God and He will DIRECT your path.

      a. He directs you through…

           1. Wise COUNSEL (Proverbs 11: 14; 24: 5-6)

            2. The HOLY SPIRIT    ( John 16:13; 1 John 2:20)

             3. The SCRIPTURES (Psalm 119: 105; 2 Peter 1:19).

Romans 8: 5-6—For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. 6 Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.

BIG TAKE-AWAY

When you choose the path that HONORS God, He then chooses how your story ENDS.

Matthew 1: 1-2, 5—An account of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: 2 Abraham fathered Isaac, Isaac fathered Jacob, Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers…Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab, Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth, Obed fathered Jesse, 6 and Jesse fathered King David.

__________________________________________________

Are you ready to accept Jesus today?  

Just pray a prayer like this:

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name.  Amen

Did you pray to receive Christ today?  If yes, then let us know.  Text “NEXT” to 573-340-4037

You can also sign up to join a small group Bible study, register for baptism, or register for our Growth Track classes when you text.