DETOX

“Moving From Bitter to Blessed”
Pastor Crystal Heisel – May 12, 2024

The Story of Naomi (Ruth chapters 1-4)

Ruth 1:20-21 – “Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the LORD has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?”

Key Observation: The Toxin of Bitterness wants to control how you think and talk about yourself, your circumstances, and even God.

1. CHOOSE to come HOME and let God do something NEW inside you.
   
   Ruth 1:22 – So Naomi returned from Moab, accompanied by Ruth, the Moabite, her daughter-in-law. Arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning. Forgiveness is not only an act of obedience to God, but also the pathway to emotional and spiritual healing.
   
   Matthew 18:21-22 – Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’”
   
   Ruth 1:19 – When Naomi and Ruth came to Bethlehem, the entire town was excited by their arrival. “Is it really Naomi?”
   
   

2. ALIGN your actions with God’s Word, because His FAVOR is tied to them.
   
   Psalm 23:4 – Ye though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for though art with me. They rod and they staff they comfort me,
   
   Luke 6:28 – Bless those who curse you and pray for those who hurt you.
   
   Ruth 2:2-3 – Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor. Naomi said to her, go ahead, my daughter. So she went out, entered a field and began to gleam behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz.
   
   

3. Position your heart and hands for new BLESSINGS that will overshadow your past losses.
   
   Ruth 4:13-17 – So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the LORD enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. Then the women of the town said to Naomi, “Praise the LORD, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age. For he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!” Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast. And she cared for him as if he were her own. The neighbor women said, “Now at last Naomi has a son again!” And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.