RUTH DAY NINETEEN

• PAUSE

  [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. 

• REFLECT

  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: Ruth’s character shines through. Her plan could have easily been misinterpreted by Boaz as dishonorable—turning up at the foot of his bed in the middle of the night. But Boaz praises her because of her known character.

  When Ruth and Naomi first entered the town in chapter 1, the whole town was stirred—they didn’t know Ruth or her intentions. But by chapter 3, Boaz can say that everyone knows Ruth as a woman of noble character.

  Character makes room for us. What we are known for is shaped in the small and big decisions we make each day. Every decision either moves us toward or away from our values.

  What decisions do I need to make today? How can I make choices that reflect Godly character?

• ASK

  Prayerfully reflect how this passages applies to your life. Ask God to speak to you now

  GROW people prayer: 

  Holy Spirit, show me clearly who You want me to be today. Help me make choices that align with that vision. I reflect now on the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Help me grow in these today.

  GO People prayer:

  Lord, help me live out Your values. I want my life to demonstrate the way You want us to live. May people see something different in me—and may it spark conversations about You. Let my actions speak volumes for the glory of Your kingdom.

• YIELD

  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.