RUTH DAY SEVENTEEN
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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: Ruth’s obedience and submission to her mother-in-law are striking—especially to modern readers. In Ruth 1, she declared her loyalty, saying Naomi’s people would be her people, and Naomi’s God would be her God. She put aside her own desires and submitted to Naomi.
Ephesians 5:21 says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” But what does healthy submission look like? The word "submission" can be broken into two parts: sub (under) and mission. Healthy submission is connected to a godly mission. What is God’s mission in our world, and how can we align with it?
Ruth understood that God's plan for her life involved placing herself under Naomi’s godly leadership. Naomi wasn’t God, but God was using her. We aren’t called to blindly submit to every leader. People can fail us or have mixed motives. However, God does place people in our lives who can guide us. We must discern whether their direction aligns with God’s mission—then follow in obedience.
Who has God placed in my life for this season? How can I align myself with His purposes? How do I choose healthy submission today?
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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, please give me discernment today. I want to know Your mission for my life. Thank You for placing mentors, leaders, and friends around me who align with that mission. Help me to listen to them as You speak through them, and to have the courage to obey—even in the hard things.
GO People prayer:
God, awaken me afresh to Your mission today. Give me clarity of vision and purpose in all You’ve called me to do—for the benefit of Your kingdom.
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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.