LET GOD GET IN YOUR SHOES.

SERIES: WALKING IN THE F.O.G

TEXT: RUTH 4:3-17

Many believers want the blessing, the favor, the greater anointing, the 60 fold and 100 fold blessing but they are not willing to do what it takes to move up into the greater blessing.

In Ancient Near East (A.N.E), if a husband died and there was no man left in the family to inherit his land, the widow was to marry the next of kin, the next of kin would redeem the family inheritance.

Boaz was near kinsman, he had the right to redeem the land that belonged to Elimelech and Naomi.

Boaz called a meeting at the city gate and told the elders that if no one else was going to redeem the property of Elimelech, he would.

Sure enough, there was another guy who was closer in relation to Elimelech than Boaz and wanted the land-Ruth 4:3-6. But this guy was not willing to marry Ruth. He did not want to marry Ruth simply because she was a Moabitess. He wanted the land without the girl!! He therefore allowed Boaz, who was next in the line to redeem the land and marry Ruth-Ruth 4:7.

The ancient custom was that to complete (close) the deal there was the exchange of shoes. This exchange signified change of ownership granting privilege. It gave access to the property. \

• In Exodus 3:5-“Then He said, do not come near here; remove your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.
• The ground was holy and out of respect, Moses removed his shoes, but the other reason was the job Moses was being asked to do by God was too big for one man.
• God was telling Moses “get your shoes off and let me get into them! Let me walk in your shoes down to Egypt!!”
• 40 years later, God talked to Joshua in Joshua 5:15 “And the captain of the Lord’s host said unto Joshua, loose thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place where you are standing is holy and Joshua did so.”
• If we understand the law of exchanging a shoe, God was saying:-
• Joshua I AM about to give you this land, I AM redeeming this land for my people.
• Give me your shoe and I will give you authority to walk through the land to claim it for your people.
• We need to let God get in our shoes!!
• There are times when we need to try to do things that are bigger than we are.
• Things bigger than our ability, bigger than our budget, bigger than our faith.
• When you let God take over the situation and we declare, “The walls are bigger than I am, then I am able to scale, the enemy is stronger than I am but I have given my shoes to God!! God will go and defeat the enemy.
• Will you let God walk in your shoes?
• This act of faith will open closed door, it will give you privileges, you will access grants, it increases favor. Let God get in your shoes!! Let us lean:-

WHEN GOD GETS IN YOUR SHOES YOU EXPERIENCE BREAKTHROUGHS.

• Naomi and Ruth had been through hell. Lost husbands, identity, property/land, but now they are about to experience the greatest breakthrough in 10 years!!
• The land that belonged to Naomi and Elimelech’s family is to be restored, redeemed, and brought back with the exchange of a shoe and a wedding.
• Once God gets in your shoes, your circumstances will change.
• Once Boaz married Ruth, the lady who once worked at the corner of the field will be exalted to the position of owner (landlady), prominence.
• The entire city knew who Ruth was.
• Almost instantly the men and women of Bethlehem began to pronounce prophetic blessings on her life.
• She now has favor with God and people-Ruth 4:11-12.
• Ruth was famous in Bethlehem.
• In this world people seek for fame, wealth, power and pleasure-Ruth got it all through God’s grace and favor of people.
• Ruth did not chase Boaz across the barley field, flirt with him, romance him-she just worked in the harvest.
• Ruth focused on God and God brought her a man.

RUTH’S WEDDING WAS A BIG DEAL, BUT RUTH NEVER FORGOT NAOMI.

• It was Naomi that put her in the position to meet Boaz.
• It was Naomi who gave advice, council and instructions-Ruth and Naomi were connected.
• When Ruth and Boaz got a son called Obed, Ruth did not forget Naomi her mother-in-law-Ruth 4:14-16.
• Ruth was to Naomi more than seven sons!!
• Naomi became Obed’s nurse or maid!!
• Imagine what stories Naomi told Obed as he grew up!!
• Never forget the people who brought you to your position of success in your field.
• May be it was your mom/dad/grandparents/wife/husband who helped you become the person you are today.
• Some people said you wouldn’t make it, but God send destiny helpers your way and now see what God has done.
• God puts the right people in your path at the right time-never forget them!!
• Connections are very important, appreciate your destiny helpers and forget your destiny destroyers.
• Never dwell on the past, but always appreciate those who pulled you out of MOAB (the past) and bought you into the place of blessing BETHLEHEM (The house of bread).

WHEN GOD GETS IN YOUR SHOES HE WILL LEAD YOU INTO YOUR DESTINY.

• The first verses of Ruth are filled with manic depression and death, but it ends in victory, success and life.
• Bi-polar disorder in the church today-James 1:8.
• In the medical profession there is a disorder known as Bi-polar disorder.
• In this disorder the person experiences mood swings from extreme highs (manic) to extreme lows (depression).
• They don’t know when one of these swings will take place.
• Manic depression disorder is brought by chemical imbalance in the brain.
• Manic depression disorder in the Bible is also called double-mindedness.
• Ruth and Naomi went through highs and lows but now God has healed them.
• Now, the people of Bethlehem put a prophetic blessing on Boaz and Ruth (to be famous in Bethlehem).
• Ruth has a son called Obed, Obed has a son called Jesse, Jesse has a son called David.
• Years later, Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord is born.
• When trouble comes to you in Moab and God moves you across the Jordan to Bethlehem, it is not just about you-God is seeing Boaz, Obed, Jesse, David, Jesus Christ.

SEVEN PRINCIPLES THAT APPLY WHEN WE MOVE INTO BLESSINGS AND GOD’S FAVOR.

1. You must enter little doors before you can enter large doors.

• God does not raise champions from champions but from among the sheep (Moses, David etc).
• Don’t just run to highly visible ministry where you are noticed, but door obscure ministries, clean the church, bathrooms, wait tables, do dishes, trash, teach children, pray etc.
• God is waiting to see what you will do with the little doors before he will open the big doors.

1. God uses people to give into your bosom-Luke 6:38.

• People can help open doors for you.
• God’s ravens still fly!!

1. Not all open doors are from God!!

• God gives a person a vision and Satan gives visions.
• Anything with two visions is division.
• God’s vision will always agree with His word, giving the receiver peace.
• If anyone gives you a prophecy it must complement what God has given you and His word.

1. A kingdom connection is looking for you.

• God connects people Ruth/Boaz, Elijah/Elisha, Paul/Timothy for purpose of kingdom connection.
• That is why you must be at the right place at the right time and connect to the right people.

1. God’s timing is key to God’s plan and destiny for your life.

• Watch and pray-wait upon God.

1. Obedience releases the blessing.

• God requires action before a miracle e.g hit the rock, build the ark, go show yourself, take up your bed and walk-Mark 2:5.

1. A series of blessings follows favor and obedience.

• Sow your seed, give yourself to others, be patient, God sees you in the corners of the field.

CONCLUSION.

• Everyone starts at 30-fold blessing, start in the corner.
• Let God walk in your shoes.
• No one can go beyond the grace and favor given. Life is favor limited, ask for more grace and favor.
• Grace comes from God, favor comes from people who God has touched to touch you.