Namesake Week 3 Day 5: Revelation Kinsman-Redeemer

Today's Scripture: Ruth 2:19-20

In our society we start teaching our girls really young that they are princesses and need to wait for the hansom prince that will come and save them. Every Disney princess movie follows that plot, but where are the stories and movie about The One, God who is the ultimate savior. I never restricted either of my girls from watching princess movies or dreaming about romance that will come one day...BUT I am sharing more these days about how God is always there, he has our back and will always be there to save us from things threatening us.

Scripture that shows us where we need to place our hope: Isaiah 40:31 and Jeremiah 17:7-8

Friendships are also something that I'm trying to get my daughters (especially my oldest) to value. My oldest (a freshman in high school this year) is extremely boy crazy, she puts everything else including her school work and girlfriends on-hold for boys. I hate this, I know its normal but I really want her to get involved in school and get good grades and make strong friendships with girls in her class.

I want my girls to be independent and have bunches of close friendships, and trust in the lord. To rely on God to lead the way and help them. Ruth is a great example of a women working hard when she needs to, her close friendship with Naomi is a meaningful blessing to her life, a women not afraid to make her own fairy-tale. The story of Ruth should be a story that we tell our girls at night instead of sleeping beauty.

When Ruth set out in the fields to work she only had one thing in mind, providing for herself and Naomi. She didn't wait for a man on a white horse to come to her aid, she went out and worked hard. When Noami heard that Ruth and Boaz (the land owner) had met she told Ruth that Boaz could be a kinsman-redeemer based on Levirate law.


Kinsman-Redeemer: A man who would help out a family member in distress by "redeeming" them...responsible to redeem a relative who had fallen on hard times and needed rescue. And when a widow is involved this man can take the window as his wife.

Examples and definition of kinsman-redeemer Leviticus 25:25, Leviticus 25:47-49, and
Deuteronomy 25:5-10

A true gentleman would marry the widow of his closest male relative and give the shared inheritance with the children. Kinsman-redeemers are valued members of the family and also definitely instruments of God. God is the ultimate Kindsman-Redeemer, our rescuer and savior. Boaz is not the prince in Ruth's story, its God who works behind the scenes to be the real Kinsmand-Redeemer.

So lets kick Rapunzel out of the way and make room for the story of Ruth and truth that God is the only rescuer / hero we need!

Namesake Week 3 Day 4: Undercover God

Today's Scriptures: Ruth 3:1-18. Ruth 4:1-17, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 and Romans 8:28

In these final scenes of Naomi and Ruth's story we start to see both a change in Naomi and the undercover workings of God (working behind the scenes).

There are many examples in the bible of God's miracles (the big ones) parting of the red sea, Noah and the flood, the burning bush, but there are also many stories of how God worked in the background arranging a few small things that drastically changed the outcome. Do you ever feel like John did in John 20:24-31

"Unless I see...I will not believe."

Sometimes I pray to God and ask for little signs to show me my path, or if I'm on the right path. But I don't thing there has been a time where I have prayed for something miraculous to happen as proof that God is there, I just believe! Believing is seeing as in Luke 24:30-32.

When things start to fall into place people often think of fate or coincidence, but in most cases its the intentions of God working undercover to make things work out for you. When Naomi realized that God was working on her behalf it was a turning point, her bitterness and anger melted away and was replaced with excitement and hope. "We need both God's powerful action in our lives and our own initiative, joining with Him to work for good. He is at work for our good and He wants us to join Him." Namesake.

"We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and 

are called according to His purpose for them."

 - Romans 8:28

The incredible and happy ending for Ruth and also Naomi is Boaz ends up marrying Ruth and starts the lineage towards King David through the birth of Ruth and Boaz son Obed. God used Ruth and Naomi's circumstance and through His amazing plans accomplished something that no one could have imagined. Without Ruth being will to work along side God, and Naomi changing her attitude I don't thing the ending would have gone this way.

"God is at work in and around us all the time. 

We simply need to learn to see." 

~ Jessica LaGrone

Examples of God working undercover:

 John 20:13-17
 Luke 24:30-32
 Matthew 24:31-40
 Hebrews 13:2

Namesake Week 2 Day 3: More Than Enough

Today's Scripture: Genesis 27:1-13, Genesis 27:14-17, Genesis 27:18-40, and Philippians 4:11-13

I will be okay when ________ happens. I think I say this all the time, do you find yourself saying something along those lines? Or do you look at others and wonder why God has provided them their hearts desire and mine is unfulfilled?

Complete this sentence: I'll be happy when ___________________________ (my answer: we move and get settled).

In Genesis 27 we read about how Jacob lived his life based on the motto of "I'll be happy when". Jacob's downfall was basing his life on what his brother had (things that we wanted, that he ended up taking). When Isaac had finally come to the end of life, he told Esau to go and hunt for wild game, to prepare a meal for him and he would give Esau his blessing (his birthright has the 1st son). Once Esau had left Rebekah had a plan to use Jacob and deceive Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing of the 1st son.

Rebekah had Jacob bring her two goats which cooked into a tasty meal, she dressed Jacob in Esau clothes and covered his smooth skin with the skin from the goats. She gave Jacob the meal and told him to take it to Isaac. Her scheme was to steal the birthright and blessing from her older son and have it given to the younger son Jacob.

And so Isaac gave the blessing to Jacob. Esau soon returned and also cooked a meal for Isaac and when he brought it in to him was told that the blessing had already been given wrongfully to Jacob. Esau was saddened and in deep despair. Esau begged his father Isaac for a blessing, there must be some blessing that Isaac could bestow on Esau? But no he said the blessing will stand as it was given.

The lesson that can be learned from Jacob is our discontentment with what we have can damage the relationships with those around us. It can also damage our relationship with God. If we spend our lives wishing for what others have we can't see the life that God intended for us. Jacob wanted what his brother had, so not only did he do everything in his power to get it, but he basically told God I'm not happy with the life you have given me, I want to switch with my brother.

In 1 Timothy 6:6-10 it says that being content brings godliness and happiness, "let us be content with what we have" and praise God for our many blessings. Being discontent may lead us into temptation, to become trapped by foolishness and end up in sorrow.  We as humans will always want more, but its important to thank God for the blessing we receive and to always work to find contentment in our lives.

"Knowing the love of our heavenly Father means 

knowing there will be more than enough to go around" 

- Jessica LaGrone 

Namesake Week 1 Day 4: Waiting On God

Today's scripture Genesis 18:15, Genesis 8:6-12, 1 Samuel 1:1-22 and Luke 2:25-35

Additional reading about waiting Psalm 27:14, Psalm 130:5-7 and Isaiah 40:31

In this chapter Jessica talks about her trials to conceive a child, all the doctor appointments, tests, and waiting. I can completely understand it has been three long years of trying to get a diagnosis and treatment for my lower back pain and come to find out just this year that I also have MS (Multiple Sclerosis). That phrase "Hurry up and wait" is exactly how things have gone these few years and it has been one of the most trying times in my life. Just like Abraham and Sarah I have spent countless hours of worry, waiting, hoping, praying and praying some more.

Letting God be in control and trusting him can be the hardest thing we have to do sometimes. God's promise of "I Will" (from chapter 3) means that God is responsible and He has our lives in His hands, and not in our own. Learning how to wait well is a really important skill because we will always be waiting on or for something. Waiting on the blessings can sometimes be a blessing in disguise because we have to rely on God more than ever.

Have thin own way, Lord! Have thine own way!

Thou art the potter, I am the clay.

Mold me and make me after they will,

while I am waiting, yielding and still.

                                           -Adelaide A Pollard

I am a control freak often times, I try to think of and plan for everything. I worry, over analyse, and try to plan out my own future. All of this OCD craziness ends of making me stressed and in the end disappointed. Waiting strips us of the illusion that we are the ones who make things happen and it forces us to acknowledge that God is the one in control. We know that God has dreams and has made us promises, but he never delivers a timeline. We must learn to trust in God's plan of "I Will" and simply wait. We have to release control to God. In the last week of this home buying situation I prayed and gave all the stress and worry over to God. 

God, I give it all up to you. I know this is not in my control. If its your will that my family and I get this house then please let it be. Please Lord take away our stress and worry. Help us find comfort in the fact that you have your hands in this and be satisfied with the results. I know that if its not in your will you will help us find our way. Amen

If we hope and search for God He will listen, answer and turn to us. He will not leave us alone for He hears our cries the most when we truly need His help. All of the waiting in the past three years has molded me. Its made me appreciate and be more thankful for what I have. It has made my relationships with everyone stronger and richer, and although I'm still learning - it has been me understand that I have to slow down. 

I have made a promise over the next few weeks that when I am in a situation of waiting that I will put down my phone, turn off the TV, or whatever else is a distraction and look around. Listen, talk to people and fully be present in the waiting. I'm sure there is a message or lesson that can be found in the waiting, otherwise wouldn't God just make what I'm waiting for instantly happen?

Namesake Week 1 Day 3: Promises, Promises

Today's Scripture: Genesis 17:1-8, Genesis 17:6, 15-16, Galatians 3:26-29, and Romans 9:8

The following passages show God's Promises,

Numbers 23:19 - God doesn't lie, fail to act, or change his mind. He is not human and so he always carries through

Joshua 23:14 - Every promise God makes comes true.

John 14:1-2 - Trust in God for he will always make room for you.

2 Peter 3:9 - God is patient and wants / waits for everyone to repent and find Him.

Abraham and Sarah grew up in a polytheism (the belief in multiple gods) families. They had no experience with God and his promises. They were not used to a God who only wanted their love in return for the promises and fulfillment of a great life / future. God sought out and fulfilled every promise that He made to Abraham and Sarah without the need for sacrifices or manipulation. 

There are three promises that God makes to his people

1. People - God came to Abraham and Sarah and promised them not only a child that they so desperately wanted, but he also promised them a family as plentiful as the stars. He promised them "People" a family line. (Galatians 3:26-29)

2. Place - In Genesis 17 God promises "The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you." In the days of the Bible a persons wealth was determined based on your offspring and the land you owned. By God promising Abraham and Sarah a nation and giving them a beautiful and fruitful land. He gave them a "Place".

3. Presence - God offered Abraham and Sarah and ALL OF US one of the greatest things he can - he offers us His presence. The greatest promise of all someone to walk beside us and guide us. A covenant to be our God forever and to be the God of our children and their children and on and on. "His commitment to walk with us as His children." Jessica LaGrone Namesake

Additional passages about God's presence 

Psalm 16:11, Psalm 41:12, and Acts 17:28

God's blessings in my life:

God has blessed me by providing people that bring me joy - My husband, my daughters, friends that come and one and my sister. These are the people besides my parents and in-laws that bring laughter and joy to my life.

God has blessed me by providing places that I treasure - The ocean, the mountains, my past homes and the beach houses where we have vacationed.

Namesake Week 1 Day 2: Small Changes, Big Impact

Today's Scripture: Genesis 17:1-5, 15-22, Genesis 17:4-6, Genesis 17:15-16, And Galatians 5:22-23

The message in today's study is that sometimes we wait for God to make huge changes that we will change our whole life's, but often the biggest changes come from the tiniest of adjustments. When God changed Abrams and Sarai names He only changes them both by one letter, the Hebrew letter "Hey" (H) Abram became Abraham and Sarai became Sarah. God changed the whole course of their lives just by giving them both a letter H.

When God changed Abraham and Sarah's names and told them of the child they were to have, God painted a clear picture of what the future was going to look like. As with many things in our lives we sometimes only have sight for the big changes, but we shouldn't underestimate the value of small changes.

 "God works powerfully, but for the most part gently and gradually." John Newton

The story of Nicodemus is a great example of the changes that God can make in our lives. The story of how Nicodemus can be found in John 3 and John 19. "Nicodemus' faith developed in a way that many Christians can relate to. I know that when I decided to recommit to God and my faith in 2010 that these steps are exactly how I felt.

1. We become curious about Jesus but hesitant to do anything about it.
2. We watch other believers wondering what makes them so different
3. We decide that we want to get to know the Lord so we start reading His word - getting to know Him through the Bible and prayer
4. We hide our faith from others for fear of being judged
5. Then we go public - we make sure that everyone know we are Christians and we believe in God and Jesus Christ

"Public faith affects the way we treat others, the way we handle anger or disappointment and the way we choose to sacrifice for the good of others - showing the characteristics of Christ in our lives." - Jessica LaGrone, Namesake

The characteristics of someone transformed by God are often called the Fruit of the Spirit. There are 9 traits that grow as we live our lives surrendered to God.

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self-Control

Here is one of the questions asked in this series. What are some of the way that you've experienced over the years with God's help? How are you different now than 5 / 10 years ago?

Answer -

I value my marriage, my husband, and my family sooo much more! I know I need to put time into all my relationships and I have grown my relationship with God 10x's from 5 even 10 years ago. I have decided to make all of these relationships my priority. In the past I put work, friends, and material possessions before my family, marriage, children, and God. I am happy in my life, I am joyous and I'm working on growing the 9 traits of the fruit of the spirit, I am also always working on being a better mother, wife, and growing closer to God.

Namesake Week 1 Day 1: What's in a Name?

Today's scripture Genesis 12:1-4, Genesis 29:31-35, 30:1-12

Our names are not given as much thought these days as back when the Bible was written. Our names are given to us for many reasons, to tell a story, description of inner character, or to carry on a family name or tradition. But back when the Bible was written parents would invest a significant amount of time choosing just the right name, a name for their child to grow into, a dream to be fulfilled.

Here are the names of Abraham and Sarah's great-grandchildren and some words that came to my mind after reading the reasons for their names.

Reuben - Love shared between a husband and wife

Simeon - The loving bond shared between a mother and son

Levi - A son for a father to love

Judah - Praise to God for the last son

Dan - Vindication 

Naphtali - Struggles towards a win

Gad - Fortunate

Asher - Joy and celebration

Isaiah 43:1 "But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O israel, the one who formed you says, Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by names, you are mine."

I love this verse! The Lord created us, formed us, and ransomed us. He named us out of love and we're His.

I have always thought of God is a fatherly way, my father and teacher. It truly makes me happy to have such a close relationship with God, to be his child.

Act on It:

I never really have thought much about my name or why my parents chose the name they did. So I called my mom this afternoon and asked her. "Well....." I heard the name Lindsy somewhere, someone said it and I liked it. It was unique and wasn't very common at the time." I looked up the definition of my name after I got off the phone with my mom.  

Lindsy - Island of Linden Trees. Near the Island of Linden Trees. ( The linden tree is a large long lived tree that is also know as the lime tree for its sent.)

My middle name Marie - Loyal

I guess the name fits me better than I thought. I love water and all the colors of water. I consider myself to be a loyal person, hopefully those around me feel the same way.

What does your name and the names of your family members mean? It might give you a better idea of who you are, or rather who your parents dreamed that you might become. Who God is calling us to become.


The first step in the transformation to becoming Jesus' namesake is to trust in the Lord for he has a plan for us. Jeremiah 29:11 and Ephesians 3:20 are great examples of this plan. 

An Introduction to Namesake by Jessica LaGrone

I just received my copy of Namesake in the mail last week and I will be sharing my journey through this book with you, I hope you can follow along.

Namesake is a bible study aimed at helping us see God's dreams for us and helping us to make them a reality. Throughout this book we will read about the stories of Abraham and Sarah, Jacob, Naomi,, Daniel, Peter, and an unnamed women.

Each chapter of this book has two main themes, transformation and revelation.

Transformation - A true and remarkable change. God is a wonderful creator and so when things he has created (mainly Us) goes astray he gets down in the mess and does everything He can to transform the situation, and make it new. (Revelations 21:5)

Revelation - To have revealed something. God makes revelations throughout the entire Bible by showing himself and His character.

"When we know who He is, our understanding of who we are and what we are about shifts dramatically...to show us (reveal) who we are and change us into whom we are called to be." -Namesake

This study looks at the question "Who is God?" and "Who is God calling me to become?"

Each chapter there are five readings in the following segments:

Read God's Word

Reflect and Respond

Pray About It

Act on It

I hope that all of you can join along and get this book, it really is a wonderful read. The study can be done individually but is structured for as a group devotional study.