TOPIC: True Christian Loyalty
Fire Scripture
Ruth 1:1-8
Elimelech’s Family Goes to Moab
1 Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges [a]ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to [b]dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion—Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. 3 Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they [c]dwelt there about ten years. 5 Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.
Naomi Returns with Ruth
6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the Lord had visited[d] His people by giving them bread. 7 Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 8 And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each to her mother’s house. The Lord deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me.
Memory verse
Prov. 21:21 – “He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness and honour.”
MFM Devotional 11th March 2021 Outline
Loyalty is a virtue. It is living a life that honours God. It shows that we value a relationship and God will reward our faithfulness. It is faithful and unswerving allegiance to God. Unfortunately, loyalty is losing its appeal today. Many people do not see it necessarily as a good thing. Today, marriages are breaking up because spouses do not want to keep their commitments to stick together “for better for best”.
Loyalty is to stay devoted or faithful to a person or a cause. In our text today we see the story of Ruth and Naomi, which we are going to learn today. A family of four (father, mother and two sons) left Judah because of famine. Remember Judah was their home town and they came to Moab. The two sons later married women from the land. After some years, they die, leaving behind their wives.
When Naomi lost her husband and her two sons, she decided to return home. She told her two daughters-in-law to return to their native land (Moab). Ruth refused. She was very brave and faithful, but Orpah, the second daughter-in-law, returned to Moab. Ruth decided to serve Naomi’s God. She said, “Where you go, I will go. Where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God shall be my God” (Ruth 1:16). Ruth was a Moabite but that didn’t stop her from worshipping the true God. She is a perfect example of true loyalty.
Although she belonged to a race often despised by Israel, she was blessed because of her faithfulness. She became a great-grandmother of King David and a direct ancestor of Jesus. What are the challenges you are facing today that your loyalty is zero to your Maker? Is it because of your race or background? Is it because of money, illhealth, and so on? Ruth faced early widowhood. Despite this, she stood firm and courageous.
There is nothing that should hinder your loyalty to God. Nothing must come between you and your sincerity with Him. I advise you to beware of anything that will compete with your loyalty to Christ. Trust in Christ alone for salvation. You must die to self and conform to the image of Christ.
Motivational Quote
Loyalty is not a word. It’s a lifestyle.
Prophetic Word
Even when there is trial, the Lord will go before you and compensate your loyalty, in the name of Jesus.
HYMN – Who is on the Lord’s side?
1. Who is on the Lord’s side?
Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers,
Other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world’s side?
Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord’s side?
Who for Him will go?
By Thy call of mercy,
By Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side,
Saviour, we are Thine.
2. Not for weight of glory,
Not for crown and palm,
Enter we the army,
Raise the warrior psalm;
But for love that claimeth
Lives for whom He died;
He whom Jesus nameth
Must be on His side.
By Thy love constraining
By Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side,
Saviour, we are Thine.
MFM Mountain Top Life Devotional 11th March 2021 PRAYER POINTS
MORNING
1. Father, help me to be loyal to You to the end of my life, in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. I shall not turn away from following the Lord, in the name of Jesus Christ.
3. Holy Spirit, empower me to give my whole heart to God all the days of my life, in the name of Jesus Christ.
EVENING
4. Father, when my faith in You is tested by tribulations and persecutions, grant me the grace to be loyal to You, in the name of Jesus Christ.
5. O God, help me not to be disloyal to You all the days of my life, in the name of Jesus.
6. I receive abundant grace to stand for Christ alone, even at the risk to my life, in the name of Jesus Christ.
7. Take my life, O Lord, and let it be consecrated to You all the days of my life, in the name of Jesus.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Deut. 1-2
MFM Devotional 11th March 2021. The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) is a Pentecostal denomination founded in Yaba, Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria in 1989, now with churches in several countries. It was founded by Daniel Kolawole Olukoya.