RUTH DAY FOUR
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[start with a moment to step out of your thoughts and life and into the presence of God]
Lord, as I enter your presence now I take a moment to pause and to be still….
….to breath slowly and to re-centre my scattered thoughts and senses upon You.
…. Speak to me I pray, and fill me with your Holy Spirit afresh this day.
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Take time to read through and reflect on the passage. Don’t rush it but be open to God speaking to you as you read.
What did God say to you through this passage? Why don’t you pop it in the chat to encourage others?
Devotional reflection: God puts people in our lives for a reason. Some of our friendships are for life and others are just for a season. True friendship wants the best for the other person. It is a commitment to seeing the other person become all that God wants them to become.
I was really struck by the open-handedness of Naomi with her relationship with her daughters-in-law. She was so committed to the well-being of her daughters-in-law that she gave them the freedom to choose to go back home. She wanted what was best for them and yet balanced that with what was best for her. In Naomi’s case Ruth ended up choosing to continue on in her life while Orpah returned to Moab. Naomi didn’t compromise what she felt God was calling her to but it meant giving up at least one close relationship the for a time had been a source of kindness and support. This doesn’t make Orpah a terrible person and I don’t believe there was animosity between Orpah and Naomi for the decision Orpah made. It was just a recognition that life was moving on and they were going in different directions.
Today I think about my life and where God has called me to go in this next season. Who are the companions God has called me to travel with? Are there people in my life that I need to graciously release to pursue God’s call for them even if it means a change in our relationship and closeness?
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Prayerfully reflect how this passages applies to your life. Ask God to speak to you now
GROW people prayer: Holy Spirit, thank you for those you have placed in my life. Help me to be a good friend. I want to seek their best. I think of what You have called them to in life and today I pray you help me to know how to best support, encourage and inspire them to pursue this with all their might. I pray for them now.
Also, where I feel like You are asking me to be more open-handed with my relationships I pray you will help me to let go and to bless. Give me wisdom and grace to honour and release others into what You have called them to. I don’t want to hold them back from all that you have for them.
GO People prayer: Lord, today I think about those that are lonely and struggle to have close friendships. Be with them today. I pray that our church community would help them feel loved and that they would find the support and encouragement they need.
Lord, help our church community be an example of love for each other. May our love and kindness to each other draw those of our world into a relationship with You.
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Take a look at the passage again. Take time to see if there is a word or phrase that the Holy Spirit reveals to you as a focus for your day today.
What has the Lord revealed to you? What will you take into your day today? What action is He asking you to take? Take a moment to pray a yielding prayer along these lines to the Lord today.
Prayer for today: Lord, thank you for speaking to me to day. Give me courage to obey your word and yield to your Holy Spirit. I take seriously your leading today and seek to put your word into practice in my life through action today. Amen.