WHEN CHANGE COMES
(Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake)


I have been teaching through the book of Ruth in my home Bible study. I love this little book. Although very little of God is mentioned in the book, God is vividly portrayed throughout its pages.

A few years ago when Paul retired from District ministry, I also left my post as the DS wife. I remember sharing with the other pastors’ wives a devotional from this book. I used the acronym CHANGE for my message. Ruth was the perfect book for this as there were certainly many changes that took place in her and Naomi’s life. Let me share these thoughts with you.

C – Contentment. In the beginning of Naomi’s life (as well as Ruth) they were women who enjoyed contentment. They were content in their surroundings, their family, their relationships and where God had placed them. Life seemed to be good.

H – Heartache. Then they were asked to endure some heartache. First Naomi’s husband died. Then the husbands of Ruth and Orpah died; who were Naomi’s only sons. None of these women were prepared for this kind of heartache. Not only did they lose the love of their lives, they lost the men who provided them security.

A – Accepting a new plan. Alone and frightened these women had to make a choice that would drastically change their circumstances. Naomi was returning to her homeland. She encouraged Ruth & Orpah to return to their homeland as well. Naomi was insistent they do this. Orpah agreed; Ruth did not. She accepted a new plan for her life. Rather than return to Moab and the land of idols, she returned with Naomi to Bethlehem.

N – Nothing but God. Ruth had come from a very idolatrous country. Having lived with Naomi and Elimelech; being married to their son Mahlon, and being taught about the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, Ruth fell in love with their God. She had come to depend on him. Trust him. Love him. And when heartache entered her life, she confessed she wanted to follow him no matter where he took her. She said to Naomi, “Your God will be my God.” If God was enough for Naomi, God was enough for her and her future was safely in His hands.

E – Enjoying God’s blessings. Truly, with God in your life you have no need for anything else, and with God in your life, he keeps pouring out blessing upon blessing. This was true for Ruth. Within God’s plan for her life, she found the right field to glean barley in. When the owner saw Ruth working, he was taken with her character and showed her kindness. The field she chose was owned by a near relative (although Ruth did not know this). When confronted with the possibility of becoming her Kingsman-Redeemer, he did not hesitate. Ultimately Ruth and Boaz were married. A son was born to them. Naomi was overjoyed. God’s blessings continued throughout many generations. It was through their son Obed and the lineage to follow that our Savior, Jesus was born.

Does God have some changes taking place in your life today? You can trust him. Through heartache or joy, let God be at the center and He will see you through. Don’t run from CHANGE in your life; embrace it as an exciting adventure you and God will go on together.

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER ICE CREAM CAKE

4 cups rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies)
6 oz. semisweet Chocolate, chopped
¾ cup creamy peanut butter (not natural)
3 pints chocolate chip or other ice cream

Place cereal in bowl. In small pan, combine the chocolate and peanut butter. Cook over low heat, stirring until the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth (about 2 minutes). Add the chocolate-peanut butter mixture to the cereal and mix to coat. Spread into the bottom and 1-1/2 inches up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Freeze until set, about 10 minutes.

Let the ice cream soften at room temperature just until spreadable, about 10 minutes. Spread ice cream evenly into the chilled crust and freeze until firm – 4 hours and up to 2 days.