Okay, I went to the Simulcast this weekend and heard Beth Moore! Yeah! I am so glad that I was able to go. I really needed a fresh WORD! I just want to take a few minutes to tell you about some of what she ended with because it made me think of the last post I did earlier this week. One of the points she made was that we need to do good. She asked us these two questions: Who can we help? What good can we do? Here's the part that really got me. She was not talking about doing what is right. She was talking about doing some good! She brought up an interesting point. She said we get so caught up in doing what is right, and we think as long as we are doing what is right we are ok. (i am paraphrasing here!) We hear stories, see people, watch the news, and we think, "well, we are doing what is right". Just because we are doing what is right- if we do not do good- what good did it do? She brought up the fact that this is the reason so many people don't like us! They see us doing what is right but not doing anything good! There are people out there who are hurting, who are facing loss, who need our help. What good are we doing? We were studying Psalm 37:4 but the verse we were referring to here was verse 3. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. some translations say feed off of his faithfulness! Nursing Homes, Children's Homes, children in our church and schools who need mentoring, pregnancy crisis centers, hospitals, jail, neighborhood... these are just some suggestions... Here is the last statement I wrote down. God will deal with evil... we need to worry about doing some good. Feed off of His faithfulness...dwell in the land He has you in...enjoy safe pastures... and DO SOME GOOD! I want to thank the ladies at my church. You all mean so much to me and I love Bible Study and I love hanging out with you! You are all such an encouragement to me and I love each one of you. Can't wait till Tuesday! (BTW-we are meeting Tuesday night for a special time! you won't want to miss it!) LOVE YA!~

Chapter 1 ends with Naomi and Ruth arriving in Bethlehem at the Beginning of the Barley Harvest. Chapter 2 introduces a man named Boaz. In verses 1 and 2, what two things does it tell you about Boaz? (Add him to your family tree!) verse 3- Ruth begins to glean the fields. Look up Deut. 24-19-22. What is the purpose of gleaning? Why does God command it? (v.22) Now even if you know this verse, look it up and read it. John 15:22 What does it say? Now... What is the first and greatest commandment? What is the second? (HINT: Matthew 22: 37-39) God commands for us to love others and to help people in need! We must always remember that we were once slaves, held captive in our own Egypt, and he set us free! We must share God's love and grace to those around us. What are some ways that you can help others and love others this week? Read Isaiah 61:1-2 and compare it to Luke 4:14-21. WOW! The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him and then he says to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." Thank Him today for what he has done for you. Then get out there show some love!

Ruth Post 3

They arrive in Bethlehem. The people have gathered around and can not believe it! Naomi is back! Can this really be her! Yes it is. But look at Naomi's response in verses 20-21. Naomi changes her name to Mara, which means bitter. Naomi went away full but returned home empty. I'm sure we have all experienced a time of disappointment in our lives when we had expectations for something or someone, only to come home empty-handed. What about changing your name! Have you ever just wanted to change you name? I know I have told my kids before that if they called my name one more time, I was changing it! Sometimes, you just wish you start life over. Are you experiencing that time right now? Pray and ask God to help you through it. Allow Him to give you His strength and His comfort. Ask Him to send you some encouragement through a friend such as Ruth. Be willing to accept His love and His friendship. Ruth gave up her land, her people, her gods, and her life for her Friend. Christ gave his life for us and He calls us His Friends! Isn't that amazing! And you know what? When we give up our gods and give our life to Christ, he guides us, provides for us and he blesses us! As we continue to study the story of Ruth, we will see God's promises fulfilled in her life and in the lives around her. He is awesome, and I love Him! Have a great day!

Ruth Post 2

So, Naomi, Ruth and Orpah leave to head to Bethlehem, Naomi's home. How do you think Naomi felt as she was leaving to go back home?' Read verses 8-13 Naomi blesses her daughters-n-law and sends them back to their people. However, they plead to stay with her. Read Deut. 25:5-10 What is the responsibility of the brother-n-law when his brother dies? Naomi did not have any more sons for them to marry. She was older and pass the age of marriage herself. They were young enough to remarry and start over. Naomi's sons had married women from Moab. Read Gen. 19:30-38 Who were the ancestors of the Moabites? If you read Numbers chapters 22-25, you will learn that there was a deep hatred between the Israelites and the Moabites because the Moabites attacked and oppressed them after they settled in Canaan. It was against the Jewish law for them to marry women from foreign lands and of foreign gods. Naomi had good reasons for telling her daughters to go back to their people. *to find someone they could marry *the hatred between the Israelites/Moabites (they could have refused her in Bethlehem) *her own uncertainty for the future Verse 13, Naomi states that the Lord's hand had gone out against her. Imagine Naomi in a distant land, all alone, not knowing what her future holds. Women were not like they are today. They didn't have the same rights as we do. They did not even own property. She was much older now and there was no one to take her in and no one to marry her daughters-n-law and keep the family inheritance. Sometimes we feel alone and feel hopeless, just like Naomi. Then we get depressed, turn bitter and start trying to blame others. We might have friends and family trying to help us but we refuse because we think we deserve it or because we are afraid of getting hurt again and we don't want to step out on faith. Have you ever had an experience where you felt like you were having a hard time accepting help, or better yet, even their love. You turn away the people who care about you because you are afraid. Ruth and Orpah told Naomi they wanted to stay with her. But she told them no and urged them to go back. After much weeping and crying out, Orpah makes the decision to return to her home and to her people. She kissed her Mother-n-law farewell and was on her way. Ruth on the other hand, refuses to leave Naomi. Read verse 16 and 17. She gave up everything she had and everything she was. She gave up her people, her gods, and even her life. Ruth did not care that Naomi was bitter and was pushing her away. Ruth did not care if the people would accept her or not. She was committed to Naomi and vowed to stay with her till death. Ruth didn't give Naomi much of a choice did she! You'll read in verse 19, that the two went on to Bethlehem.

Ruth Day 1

This week in our Coffee, Chocolate and Conversation gathering at church, we discussed friends and what they mean to us. I gave them an assignment to read the story of Ruth. I will be posting "homework" to go along with the reading this week. As you study this, think about your friendships in the past, present and the ones that are developing. Also, what kind of friend are you? Do you consider God to be your friend? Read Ruth 1:1-7 Draw a family tree showing Naomi's family. (it's not that long! :) They left their home and family in Bethlehem, where did they go and why? Naomi's sons marry women from _____________, what were there names? Now add them to the family tree that you made earlier! Verse seven: "With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah." What happened to make her return to her home? Keep your homework in a safe place! I will post more tomorrow! Hope you have a great day! Love ya!