The Christian life is intended to get stronger and stronger and stronger with time. Unfortunately, this hasn’t been the experience of many believers in the modern era. But that isn’t because it isn’t God’s pattern, it’s because often modern Christians are lacking the key ingredient of persistence in their walk. They give up at the first sign of challenge—they give up when they reach the first obstacle. Ancient Christianity is built on the premise that when you are knocked down you get up, and you keep getting up after every single knock down until finally you breakthrough and knock out your opponent. William Wilberforce is an amazing picture of this indomitable perseverance.

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» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Eric, Leslie, Nathan, and the team at Ellerslie in one of our upcoming discipleship programs – learn more at: https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/

» Receive our free “Five Keys to Walking Through Difficulty” PDF by going to: https://ellerslie.com/subscribe/

» For more information about Daily Thunder and the ministry of Ellerslie Mission Society, please visit: https://ellerslie.com/daily

» If you have been blessed by Ellerslie, consider partnering with the ministry by donating at: https://ellerslie.com/donate/

» Discover more resources, books, and sermons from Eric Ludy by going to: https://ellerslie.com/about-eric-ludy/

In a desperation for food, Ruth decides to glean in the fields of Bethlehem. Not knowing where she is going, she “just so happened” to find herself in the fields of Boaz. This miraculous meeting becomes the avenue for God to showcase His lovingkindness (hesed) to Ruth and Naomi, providing far more than they could ever have hoped or imagined. In this study of Ruth 2:1–23, we discover that even when it feels that God is distant or not doing anything, He IS at work and He has not forgotten us—for His lovingkindness endures forever.

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» Take these studies deeper and be discipled in person by Nathan, Eric, Leslie, and the team at Ellerslie in one of our upcoming discipleship programs – learn more at: https://ellerslie.com/be-discipled/

» Receive our free “Five Keys to Walking Through Difficulty” PDF by going to: https://ellerslie.com/subscribe/

» For more information about Daily Thunder and the ministry of Ellerslie Mission Society, please visit: https://ellerslie.com/daily

» If you have been blessed by Ellerslie, consider partnering with the ministry by donating at: https://ellerslie.com/donate/

» Discover more Christ-centered teaching and resources from Nathan Johnson that will help you grow spiritually by checking out his website at: https://deeperchristian.com/

There are two particular behaviors that are strangely missing in many Christian lifestyle patterns today. The first is sharing the Gospel with the lost. And the second is sharing one’s resources and time with the poor and needy. For many in the Western Christian culture, these behavioral functions (though theologically highly esteemed) have been relegated to an almost mythical fictitious status—as if they are something to intellectually believe are correct but are not practically expected to be implemented in the Christian life. Ironically, these two behavioral functions have been deemed two of the most important throughout Church history and, therefore, getting them back into our behavioral arsenal is of the utmost importance.