RUTH DAY TWENTY THREE
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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: Ancient city gates are where people did important business deals. This is where legal matters were settled and people bought and sold things in the front of witnesses. The practice that Boaz engages in here is familiar to its time. In Mosaic law it doesn’t specify how many people but Boaz chooses a large amount. Ten people to oversee this transaction. This is smart on Boaz’s part. He knows that he needs some leverage and social pressure to make this transaction a success. Not only that he chooses elders of the town. This would have put pressure on the guardian-redeemer to do the right thing.
I like that Boaz went above and beyond to do the right thing. Sometimes it is not just enough to do the right thing, but instead we are called to go beyond. In 1 Timothy 3:2, Paul tells Timothy that overseers of the church are to be “above reproach”. Jesus encourages His disciples to not just do what is required but to go the “second mile”. For us, it is not just ten elders watching on. It is the world around us. They are looking at our actions and judging our God. It is not just enough to do the right thing. The Bible says to Samuel of David in 1 Sam 16:7 “…The Lord does not look at the things people look at. The people look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” It is true that we must look at our heart and have it right before the Lord. However, let’s also keep in mind that we are called to reach people. The world judges by the outside appearance. We must keep our heart with all diligence AND at the same time deal with character and integrity with those in the world. It is this combination that God will use. Genuine Christianity both inside and out.
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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 reveal to me where my heart is out of line with You and give me the courage to change it. In the same way, please show me how my actions are seen by others. If there are areas of my life that I need to take my character to the next level, help me to change. I want to be close to You and effective in how I relate in my business and relationships with others that You may get all the glory.
GO People prayer:
Lord, thank you for using me to reach people for your kingdom today. Please take away anything of me that would hold people back from seeing You. Less of me and more of You, I pray. May my dealings and interactions with people leave them with a sense of your Spirit today.
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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.