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<v SPEAKER_00>Good morning, and thank you for beginning your day with us.

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<v SPEAKER_00>This past Sunday, we began a brand new series through the book of Nehemiah.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Pastor Aaron walked us through the first two chapters to see how Nehemiah and also us are called to trust and obey God.

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<v SPEAKER_00>The last point that Aaron made was that we need to see the provision given by God throughout this whole story.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And it's so cool that he mentioned that because that's exactly what we've been talking about in student ministry as we've been walking through the story of Ruth.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You see, Ruth had lost everything, she came back bitter, and it was hard for her to see all that God was doing.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But then Ruth goes out and she's gleaning in the field that is taking up what's left behind after the harvest, which is even a part of God's law.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You see that in Leviticus.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But what you see is her come across the field of Boaz, who's a kinsman redeemer for her, and Boaz begins to look out for her and watch over her.

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<v SPEAKER_00>She comes back to tell Naomi everything that had happened, and that's what I want to read to you this morning.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Ruth chapter 2, starting in verse 20.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Naomi also said to her, The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It is so cool to see Naomi go from angriness, bitterness, and frustration to blessing God, saying his kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead.

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<v SPEAKER_00>What Naomi didn't understand at the time, and what I think that we often struggle to remember, at least I do, maybe I'm just talking to myself here, is that all I can see sometimes is the circumstance that I'm in.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And I may not understand what God is doing, but God is orchestrating all things for his glory and our good.

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<v SPEAKER_00>You see that in Ruth, you see that in Nehemiah, and I know that we see that in our lives today.

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<v SPEAKER_00>So my encouragement to you this morning is to stop and look at God's provision in your life.

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<v SPEAKER_00>No matter what your circumstance might be, look to see how God is providing in the midst of that circumstance.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Because I promise, if you stop to look, you will see exactly what God is doing.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Even if you don't always understand it.

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<v SPEAKER_00>That's all that I have for you this morning.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I hope that it was encouraging to you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>May we strive to magnify Christ and to share the gospel in our homes, the Wimberley Valley, and beyond.