Latte for Life E-Book

Renae Brumbaugh Green

• Herausgeber: BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Seitenzahl: 151

Beschreibung

Drama. Romance. Intrigue. The Bible contains all the elements of a blockbuster movie, and the book of Ruth is one of the best. Latte for Life: 45 Devotions from the Book of Ruth studies the life of Ruth as she marries, loses her husband, follows her mother-in-law to an unknown land, and finds love again.   Each reading includes: - Scripture from Ruth and life-infusing commentary it—just like that delicious first taste of coffee in the morning. - Daily reflection and conversation with God that will sweeten your life. - Other relevant Scriptures that leave you craving for more. - A final quote to be savored like that last drop of coffee.Sacrificial love and happy endings aren't always fictional. God has already written a beautiful love story for you. All you have to do is accept it.

Leseprobe

Endorsements

Author Renae Brumbaugh Green enjoys her real-life romantic comedy life or endures it (depending on how much coffee she’s had)! Her latest book, Latte for Life: Ruth, inspires us to see how the almost fairy-tale yet true account of Ruth and Boaz is similar to our own love story with the Prince of Peace—complete with happy ending. If you love Rom-Coms, coffee, grinning, and Jesus, this book’s for you.

—KATHY CARLTON WILLIS, speaker, women’s ministry director, and multi-book author, including Grin with Grace

Author Renae Brumbaugh Green has penned a book that mirrors her tender and committed heart. A deeply devoted woman of God, Renae brings spiritual truth to the surface in a way that enables women everywhere to relate and apply that truth. These short but powerful readings will bless and change your life!

—KATHI MACIAS (www.kathimacias.com), best-selling author of more than fifty books, including the 2011 Golden Scrolls Novel of the Year, Red Ink

Latte for Life is a heavenly brew of wisdom and wit. You will discover how to drink deeply of God’s presence, and you will come away inspired and invigorated for another day. Highly recommended!

—ANITA HIGMAN, award-winning author of more than forty books

BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC

Racine, Wisconsin, USA

BroadStreetPublishing.com

LATTE for LIFE: 45 Devotions from the Book of RUTH

Copyright © 2016 Renae Brumbaugh Green

ISBN-13: 978-1-4245-5366-2 (hardcover)

ISBN-13: 978-1-4245-5367-9 (e-book)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without permission in writing from the publisher.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright © 2000; 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked MEV are taken from The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked NCV are taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NET are taken NET Bible® copyright ©1996–2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NIVUK are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture quotations marked NIRV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®. Copyright © 1996, 1998 Biblica. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of Biblica. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188, USA. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NLV are taken from the New Life Version, copyright © 1969 by Christian Literature International. Scripture quotations marked NRSV are taken from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked TLV are taken from the Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society. Scriptures marked CEV are taken from the Contemporary English Version (CEV), copyright © 1995 by the American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Stock or custom editions of BroadStreet Publishing titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, ministry, fundraising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail [email protected].

Cover design by Chris Garborg at GarborgDesign.com

Interior by Katherine Lloyd at theDESKonline.com

Printed in China16 17 18 19 20 5 4 3 2 1

Contents

Foreword

Fairy Tale

1Treasure to Trash

2What’s in a Name?

3Legacy

4Going Home

5The Mother-in-Law

6The Solution

7The Decision

8No Turning Back

9I Pledge Allegiance

10It Gets Easier

11Homecoming

12Temper Tantrum

13Harvest Time

14Working Girl

15Who’s That Girl?

16A Good Name

17Staying Close

18Finding Favor

19Blessable

20Humble

21Fairy Tale

22What If?

23Spilling Over

24Who Did This?

25Rescued

26Dreamboat

27Matchmaker, Matchmaker (Part 1)

28Matchmaker, Matchmaker (Part 2)

29Pounded

30Long Night

31Spread Your Wings

32Proving Them Wrong

33A Man in Love

34When Morning Comes

35Rewind

36The Waiting Room

37Doing It Right

38Love Story

39The Significance of Sandals

40Mr. So-and-So

41Best Wishes

42Gift from God

43My Famous Father

44The End of the Story

45The Bigger Picture

About the Author

Foreword

I usually don’t find Christian literature very interesting, but by some sort of divine arrangement, I was invited by the author to write this foreword. From the moment I started reviewing Latte for Life, I could not drop it because of the combination of humor and the use of Disneyland fairy stories to explain Scriptures in the most simplistic, fascinating, and straightforward manner that I have ever come across. This devotional got me glued to the few chapters I was privileged to read.

The structure and the style of writing allows for easy reading and understanding, even for the younger generation who may be like some of us—not patient enough, finding some books too academic or boring. But Green’s writing is the complete opposite, as it is not only entertaining but stimulating, stirring up the inner being and opening the eyes of our understanding.

Latte is coffee, a beverage to be enjoyed or a stimulant to keep one alert. Like its coffee namesake, Latte for Life is both enjoyable and stimulating. The author uses the step-by-step approach of making and taking coffee, with cream and sugar for smoothness and sweetness, with an extra serving of a second cup, to the last drop. Verse by verse, Renae Brumbaugh Green gives an excellent narrative of the story of Ruth and brings the Scripture to life.

As a writer and teacher of the Word, Renae gives a good account and representation of the life of Ruth even before she was married into the family of Elimelech, through the period of the marriage, and after she became a widow. The reader is brought to an understanding of what led to God’s favor upon Ruth—to have been the great-grandmother of King David—and subsequently to the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord.

It is said by our people in Africa, that in humor the truth of a situation can be ascertained. Latte for Life captures that very essence, describing what we like to call “from grace to grass” (but here aptly put as treasure to trash). The readings address everything from the meaning of legacy, to the role of a mother-in-law, the benefits of pledging allegiance, to having a good name and doing things right. The book of Ruth encourages us to live life as a true love story, and Renae helps us understand the bigger picture that is always present with the things of God.

I strongly recommend Latte for Life: Ruth to everyone, as it explains how our actions or inactions can bring about blessings or curses to us and even to those around us, and possibly to generations unborn, even to the complete wipeout of a family lineage. It also gives understanding to those who are either having challenges or always in a hurry to make life-changing decisions due to temporary situations. Finally, this book allows people to truly appreciate who they are and what is expected of them under a God-ordained covering.

Blessings!

—His Royal Majesty Oba Dokun Thompson

The Oloni of Eti-Oni, Osun State; the first traditional ruler in Nigeria to be installed in the Church according to the Scriptures by the pouring of oil

Fairy Tale

Do you remember the story of the Frog Prince? The poor frog had the chore of trying to get the princess to fall in love with him. Or at least, she had to kiss him. It was easy for him to love her. She was beautiful, pure, and sweet. But the frog? He was ugly. He had slimy skin and a croaky, raspy voice. Why in the world would she love him?

But in the end, she did. In Disney’s version of the popular fairy tale, the story gets turned around a bit. The coveted kiss turned the girl into a frog, but eventually it all worked out. The prince’s love for her turned her into a princess, and they lived happily ever after.

I wonder if Ruth felt like the frog in that story. In her homeland, she was considered quite a catch. But when she found herself in the land of God’s chosen ones, she was an outcast. A foreigner. Her skin was dark; her hair was coarse. She spoke with a funny accent. In this land, she was a frog with no hope for anyone to love her.

Yet unlike the frog in the story, Ruth didn’t depend on trickery or magic to win her prince. Boaz saw Ruth and thought she was beautiful. He fell in love. He pursued her, cared for her, and brought her special gifts. In the end, he paid a high price to make her his bride. Boaz was a wealthy bachelor, a prince among men. Surely he could have had any woman he wanted, but he chose Ruth.

Many days, I feel like that frog—croaks and all. You certainly don’t have to look very far to find my faults; they are right on the surface. Why would a prince ever want me?

Yet the Prince of Peace does. Like Boaz, He looked at me and fell in love. He pursued me. He cares for me and gives me special blessings. He even paid a very high price to make me His own. He gave His life for me.

The story of Ruth has a fairy-tale-like quality about it. The wealthy bachelor fell in love with the poor widow. He pursued her. He rescued her and they lived happily ever after. They had children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, until one night, many generations later, one of their descendants named Mary gave birth to the true Prince. But the really great thing is, this isn’t a fairy tale! It’s a true story.

Thank you for choosing to go on this journey with me—a journey of love and romance and happily-ever-after. Fire up your coffee pot, add your freshly ground beans, and grab your favorite creamer. Here is what you can expect in the coming pages:

1.God’s Word Says: This is a verse-by-verse study of Ruth, so each entry begins with Scripture.

2.First Cup: Like that delicious first taste of coffee in the morning, this section includes life-infusing commentary about the passage.

3.Cream and Sugar: Just as that flavored creamer adds sweetness and enhances our coffee experience, daily reflection and conversation with God enhances and sweetens our lives.

4.Second Cup: A great cup of coffee leaves us wanting a little more, and God’s Word, when studied consistently, leaves us craving more of Him as well. This section provides a few more relevant Scriptures as food for thought.

5.The Last Drop: A pithy quote, to be savored like that last drop of coffee.

I wonder if God included this story in His Book just for fairy tale lovers like me. I suppose so, for He wanted me—and you—to know that sacrificial love and happy endings aren’t always fictional. He has already written a beautiful love story for each of His children. All we have to do is accept His love, and the story will be about us. And one day, we will live our happily-ever-after for all eternity with the King of Kings.

 1 

TREASURE TO TRASH

God’s Word Says

In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons. (Ruth 1:1 NRSV)

First Cup

This first verse of Ruth is kind of like a news report. It tells the who, what, when, and where. The days of the judges were dark times in Israel’s history. Israel had been led out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. You’d think they would live in gratitude to God for rescuing them, but think again. During this time, the Israelites pretty much did whatever they wanted and left God out of the picture. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

This verse becomes even more interesting when we understand the meaning of some of the names. In Hebrew, Bethlehem means “house of bread” and Judah means “praise.” And you’re not going to believe what God’s Word says about Moab. In Psalm 108:9, God says, “Moab is my washbasin.” In other words, God called Moab the dirty water that is left behind after someone has bathed. Moab was the disgusting, smelly, filthy leftover garbage. It was a place filled with pagan worship, including child sacrifice, idolatry, sin, and perversion of every kind. God had made it clear, time and again, that the Israelites were to stay away from that place.

So, this man took his wife and two sons, left the house of bread and praise, and went to a garbage can. Why would he do such a thing?

We don’t know, really. But it sounds to me like he didn’t trust God. He was like many of us, claiming a loose relationship with God; after all, he was a Hebrew. But when things got a little rough, he tucked tail and ran. In his blind, unspiritual state, he thought he’d be better off in a garbage heap than in the will of God.

Sound familiar? It should. It’s a story that’s been repeated over and over again throughout the history of God’s people. We play at being Christians. We play at going to church. But we still live our lives pretty much the way we want. Then, when the heat is turned up, when we have to make the choice between walking in faith or jumping headfirst into the sin and garbage of this world, many of us will jump.

But there’s good news. In Luke 15, Jesus shares the story of the lost son—the son who had it all and gave it up to go live in a pigsty. In the end, the son returned to his wealthy father, and the father welcomed him back with open arms. That father is God, and that reckless son is every one of us. We are foolish to ever leave the shelter of God’s arms, but we have a free will, and most of us, at one time or another, will exercise that free will and leave our Father.

The world, which promises great things, seems more attractive to us than a life of faith. But unlike God, the world seldom delivers on its promises, and we eventually realize that we’ve left God’s riches for a garbage can. Still, we can always go home. And our Father, who loves us more than we will ever comprehend, will always welcome us back with open arms.

Cream and Sugar

How have I traded in God’s best for something less?

Dear Father, I’m sorry to say I recognize myself in this foolish Hebrew family. Please forgive me for the times I’ve left the shelter of your perfect will, seeking to find something better in the world. Thank you for always forgiving me, always welcoming me home. Amen.

Second Cup

Moab is my washbasin, on Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph. (Psalm 108:9)

When he came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.” … But while he was still a long way off, the father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. (Luke 15:17–18, 20)

THE LAST DROP

To disbelieve is easy; to scoff is simple; to have faith is harder.

—Louis L’Amour

 2 

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

God’s Word Says

The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there. (Ruth 1:2 NLT)

First Cup

In ancient Hebrew society, names were of great significance. This is why the author includes them. Elimelech means, in Hebrew, “God is my King.” Ironic, isn’t it? A man whose very name reflected total trust and allegiance to his God, didn’t trust God to provide for him and his family. He thought he could do a better job in a place that was known for its hostility and rebellion toward God. So he packed up his wife and sons, and they left God’s country.

Naomi, it seems, was more aptly named. Her name means “pleasant, delightful, lovely.” As we’ll see in future verses, Naomi was indeed all these things. The names Mahlon and