Ruth study (part 3)

[kayte]

Ruth part 3
CHAPTER THREE
Here’s My Heart, O take and Seal it

Ruth 1:15-18
Ruth 1:15 And she (Naomi) said "Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law."

Is there anything more disheartening, more disturbing than to see someone we're close to turn back from following after God? The most difficult is when it's a husband, a child, a parent, a brother or sister. It is heart wrenching to watch loved ones pick up and play with other gods.

Orpah's choice was done in a monumental moment in her life. The question was put to her; she made her decision. She turned and walked away.

What do you think she thought of on the walk back? Maybe she told herself that she would continue to serve the God of Israel. Did she justify her choice? "I want a husband and children! It's only natural! God wants me to be happy!"

While Orpah lived under her husband's roof do you think she kept her other gods, merely adding the Hebrew God to her collection? Did she once have a strong faith in the Lord and suddenly make this decision? Or were there always things that popped up, stealing her attention, her devotion?

Hebrews 2:1 gives us warning. "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard lest we drift away."

We must guard our hearts and minds if we are to remain faithful to Him Who is faithful. The little daily choices we make will have a dramatic impact on whether we live in His will--His purpose, or whether we find ourselves out to sea, having gradually drifted farther and farther from the safe shore of our Lord. Storms will come and when they do we need to be standing on the Rock.

Ruth must have looked after Orpah with a sad heart. I think the possibility that Ruth longed to run after Orpah and beg her to reconsider, would have been very strong. Perhaps it crossed her mind to return with Orpah in order to keep the contact that might one day bring her around.

Yet we see Ruth straighten her shoulders, lift up her grieving heart and quietly speak to Naomi from the depths of her being. "Entreat me not to leave you, or turn back from following after you; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people." (You needn't tell me any more about the life I'll lose or the life I'll have. It doesn't matter.)
Ruth 1:16 "And your God, my God." (I will put nothing between God and myself. I will forsake all else. I will forget what I was and I will become His alone.)
Ruth 1:17 "Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried." (This is for keeps. Until death. Nothing will detour me from this. Nothing and no one. I have decided to follow Jesus. Though none go with me, still I will follow.)
Ruth 1:17 "The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me."

Ruth's words have often been repeated by brides in the marriage ceremonies. Rightly so. They are wonderful words, full of the depth of commitment that we must have in marriage to succeed.

They are simple and full. They encompass salvation and the burning desire to know and walk intimately with God. These are words that we can say to the Lord in dark hours in our lives. When we’re scared and feeling weak, when life has frightened us and something feels and looks insurmountable, let Ruth's words strike a chord deep in our hearts.

Let nothing separate me from You. Let nothing turn me back from following after You. When You lead me on paths that are surrounded by darkness and cause me distress and pain, I will trust in You and follow.

When You call me to self sacrifice and discomfort I will willingly live there because it's where You live.

When Your people hurt me I will love them and embrace them because they are Yours. You know them by name. You know their hearts. And You love them.

Everything You say God is, I will cling to and believe. I will not design my own idea of God and follow in comfort. And I will not secretly keep any other gods. I will lay aside anything that would be an idol and serve God only.

It will be my joy to spend my life dying to self and living to You. And when my time comes to die I won't be afraid because I am still following You. In life and in death You are with me and I am Yours.

Though all these things are in my heart, still I know that I am weak. You know all things, Lord, and if ever a day would come that I would part from You, let death come at once and rescue me.
#
I want to share part of an old hymn with you.
#
"Hitherto Thy love has blest me; Thou hast bro't me to this place; And I know Thy hand will bring me safely home by Thy good grace. Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, bought me with His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be. Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee. Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here's my heart, O take and seal it; Seal it for Thy courts above."
#
Ruth 1:18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.

The decision is made, it's final. Peace descends and they make their way to Bethlehem.
Let it be so.
#

Study Questions:

1. Orpah chose to walk away from Naomi and God. If you have watched a loved one walk away from God, were you tempted to follow them out of love? Where are you now?

2. We must guard our hearts and minds if we are to remain faithful to God. What little, daily choices do you make that keep you faithful to Him? What things pop up to steal your attention and devotion?

3. Have you, like Ruth, chosen to give up the life you had before Christ? What are some of the things you have had to sacrifice? Are you secure in the choices you’ve made? Why or why not? What does this tell you about your relationship with God?

4. God uses distress, pain, and darkness to teach us. What are you learning from these things now, and where do you see God in them?

5. Is Jesus your Rock or have you drifted out to sea? If you are out to sea, how are you reaching back to the shore?

6. What separates you from God? Are there little tempting idols or secret sins that you carry?

7. God calls us to sacrifice self. In what ways do you do this? Is it a joy or a chore?

8. What do you think motivates Ruth to go with Naomi, love or duty?

[Momof5]

Wow, Kayte, once again I am searching deep within. Thank you for the time spent bringing this study :hug: This part will require a lot of prayer and meditation on the Word.

[BarbaraKonkle]

WOW! Your first question made me think about my family. My Mother and I are Christians, however my dad and brother are not. Now my parents had another child who is now 4, who is kind of in the middle not quite understanding the concept of God yet but goes to Sunday School and he does say prayers. We are praying he will come to God at an early age, my dad is not standing in the way of this. In fact he says he wishes he could believe. My brother is now saying that this summer he is going to read the Bible and he is thinking about going to church with friends. My husband and I told him he has an open invitation to come with us although he still says he will not go. I have also talked to my dad, but not as an adult. What would you do in this situation? At this point do you win without a word and pray because that is what we are doing....is there more we can do? Thank you for your post it made me think a lot about the choices we make.
Barbara

[kayte]

That's a hard one Barbara.. knowing how and when and what.. when trying to help someone know Jesus. For sure you're doing the #1 best thing you can do.. prayer. :)
When your dad says he wishes he could believe.. has anyone asked him what the things are that hold him back from believing? (When someone says something like that.. I kind of take it as an invitation to talk more about it.. LOL .. I'm sure those that say those things don't see it that way. ;) )

Sounds like the Lord may have sent your brother some friends that are believers. That's wonderful! So often, where family can't say things.. friends can.

Am praying for you and your family today. :pray: :pray: :pray:

[BarbaraKonkle]

Thank you so much for your prayers! My mom and I have talked to him, he just thinks that things in the Bible are to farfetched, he went to a church when he was young and the day he went he was surrounded by a bunch of members and they said you are a sinner and just kept going, so he just thinks that that just point fingers and ask for money. We have tried numerous times over the years but he says that he could even prove to the pastor that there is no God. He acts interested at times and others he gets a little hostle about the subject. I am hoping that if my brother comes to the Lord then my dad will follow, they are two peas in a pod. I have thought about writing a letter to him answering questions I have heard him ask over the years about God, in hopes that he will one day read it...does this sound like a good idea, that way he is not being approched and if he does not want to read it he won't. Plus he will not feel like we are ganging up on him, which from his past experiance I am wondering if that is what is going on..what do you think about this?
Barbara

[DeniLee]

Study Questions:

1. Orpah chose to walk away from Naomi and God. If you have watched a loved one walk away from God, were you tempted to follow them out of love? Where are you now?

I watched my older daughter Sarah walk away from all she had known and believed in. It broke my heart to see her turn from her belief and turn to the dark things of this world. I let her go, and keep her in my heart and prayers. Constantly praying that God will bring her back to Him.

Every day I become a little stronger in the Lord, I try to be a living witness to the greatness that He is. I want the Lord's Glory to shine through me.

2. We must guard our hearts and minds if we are to remain faithful to God. What little, daily choices do you make that keep you faithful to Him? What things pop up to steal your attention and devotion?

Prayer keeps my feet steadfast on the path to God. I pray a lot for a pure heart, and for God to make me holy.

Sometimes it is hard at work when I hear the other girl's joking around in an ungodly manner, it is really hard not to join in.

3. Have you, like Ruth, chosen to give up the life you had before Christ? What are some of the things you have had to sacrifice? Are you secure in the choices you’ve made? Why or why not? What does this tell you about your relationship with God?

What I have given up is nothing compared to the spiritual riches I have gained. My sins were as filthy rags.

Yes, I am secure, I know that the life I lived before I had Christ was all a dark deception and only lead to death.

God has guided me out of despair and emptiness, He fills me with peace and love that I could not find anywhere else. His promises are not empty and false like the promises of the world.


4. God uses distress, pain, and darkness to teach us. What are you learning from these things now, and where do you see God in them?

I was a tough one, and God had to totally break my heart to bring me back to him. I learned my lessons hard, but I found out that God never left me, He was always there even in my darkest hour. I wouldn't want to repeat the heartbreak I went through, but now I can see that it was worth the pain for I have gained Jesus.

5. Is Jesus your Rock or have you drifted out to sea? If you are out to sea, how are you reaching back to the shore?

I now stand on the Rock. I pray that my feet are firmly planted.

6. What separates you from God? Are there little tempting idols or secret sins that you carry?

Everyone has little temptations and sins that they carry, we must stand firm against them and let the Holy Spirit help us deal with them. If we fail Him, then we must take it immediately to God and repent of it. My temptations and sins are getting easier to struggle against the closer I get to God.


7. God calls us to sacrifice self. In what ways do you do this? Is it a joy or a chore?

I think the hardest thing was to be submissive to my husband, I felt I was sacrificing myself to so this. But God has convicted me and taught me to give with joy. I was sacrificing myself, but with a wrong attitide. Now I give in Love and joy.


8. What do you think motivates Ruth to go with Naomi, love or duty

Just from Ruth's words, I feel that she loved Naomi and was not willing to be parted from her. She may have felt a sense of duty towards Naomi not wanting to leave her to fend for herself. But I think she was more motivated out of love. If she was just doing it out of duty, I think she would have shown signs of resentment, but she did not.

[Katydid]

kayte,

Well done. Very thought provoking questions. Gives us much to ponder, study, and pray about.

Thank You

[kayte]

Wow DeniLee! I'm so glad you came and posted. Your answers are uplifting and encouraging.. and real. :)

DeniLee Study Questions:

1. Orpah chose to walk away from Naomi and God. If you have watched a loved one walk away from God, were you tempted to follow them out of love? Where are you now?

I watched my older daughter Sarah walk away from all she had known and believed in. It broke my heart to see her turn from her belief and turn to the dark things of this world. I let her go, and keep her in my heart and prayers. Constantly praying that God will bring her back to Him.

Every day I become a little stronger in the Lord, I try to be a living witness to the greatness that He is. I want the Lord's Glory to shine through me.

This is the kind of pain I was trying to get across in the study. And look at you! You responded like Ruth and grow in the Lord daily. :hug:

Thanks for sharing DeniLee

[DeniLee]

Oh, Umm:blush: , I just wrote what I felt in my heart. But I am glad my words were encouraging.

[Stacey Blue]

1. Orpah chose to walk away from Naomi and God. If you have watched a loved one walk away from God, were you tempted to follow them out of love? Where are you now? My sister has walked away, but she respects me enough to listen to me about the consequences of her choices. I pray that she does not die before she comes back to Him.

2. We must guard our hearts and minds if we are to remain faithful to God. What little, daily choices do you make that keep you faithful to Him? What things pop up to steal your attention and devotion? I pray during the little times: in the car, in the grocery store, etc. What steals my attention from Him is my selfishness.

3. Have you, like Ruth, chosen to give up the life you had before Christ? What are some of the things you have had to sacrifice? Are you secure in the choices you’ve made? Why or why not? What does this tell you about your relationship with God? I've never not had a life without Christ; however, I've sacrificed much to follow Him. I've moved 600 miles from my home to obey His calling. Yes, I'm secure in my choices because He's validated our move in big and little ways every week during the past 6 months. God would have put roadblocks in our path otherwise. What this tells me is that He cares about me in the big things and the little things of my life and has a plan for it all to work for His glory. I wouldn't have it any other way even though I can be impatient to see the end result.

4. God uses distress, pain, and darkness to teach us. What are you learning from these things now, and where do you see God in them? Like Naomi, I had little hope of future generations in my family. I was infertile for nearly 6 years. Infertility creates grief with no closure, so it took a long time for my hurts to heal. God had His plans for me to grow and mature during that time. I came to understand that my highest value was being His child and that His grace was sufficient for me. I was content in my infertility. Then, out of the blue, I became pregnant. God is good.

8. What do you think motivates Ruth to go with Naomi, love or duty? Love, devotion and faithfullness. Duty would not have caused her to stay with Naomi after Naomi insisted that she return.

[Momof5]

1. Orpah chose to walk away from Naomi and God. If you have watched a loved one walk away from God, were you tempted to follow them out of love? Where are you now? I watched my oldest daughter walk away from serving God. She is making her way back now. We talk about Him a lot now and discuss Bible verses and she has been coming to church again when she doesn't have to work. She is 27, a nurse, unmarried and 8 months pregnant. She is seeing the consequence now of her sin. But God is faithful and I trust Him to safely bring her back to the fold.


2. We must guard our hearts and minds if we are to remain faithful to God. What little, daily choices do you make that keep you faithful to Him? What things pop up to steal your attention and devotion? To speak in love and try to hold my tongue when I am angry (does not always work). I have to pray and study. Sometimes busyness steals my attention and devotion.

3. Have you, like Ruth, chosen to give up the life you had before Christ? What are some of the things you have had to sacrifice? Are you secure in the choices you’ve made? Why or why not? What does this tell you about your relationship with God? I gave up living in another state when God led us here. I gave up a good income when God called me to stay at home with my children. I am secure in the choices because I know they are from God. This tells me that I am His child!

4. God uses distress, pain, and darkness to teach us. What are you learning from these things now, and where do you see God in them? One of my adopted children is very troubled from a horrible background. God had to work on me a lot about judging other people (his bio family) and unconditional love before I have just recently been able to break thru my son's barriers a little bit.

5. Is Jesus your Rock or have you drifted out to sea? If you are out to sea, how are you reaching back to the shore? Absolutely my Rock!

6. What separates you from God? Are there little tempting idols or secret sins that you carry? Worry sometimes separates me. Of course I sin and sometimes I carry a sin before I realize it is there and can ask forgiveness.

7. God calls us to sacrifice self. In what ways do you do this? Is it a joy or a chore? I give a lot of time to my church teaching children, taking our turn cleaning our church, doing what needs to be done, by being home with my children all the time. Years ago I would have considered it a chore, but now it is pure joy.

8. What do you think motivates Ruth to go with Naomi, love or duty?It had to be love or she wouldn't have done it. Duty only extends so far before we quit.

[Cilla]

........ I have thought about writing a letter to him answering questions I have heard him ask over the years about God, in hopes that he will one day read it...does this sound like a good idea, that way he is not being approched and if he does not want to read it he won't. Plus he will not feel like we are ganging up on him, which from his past experiance I am wondering if that is what is going on..what do you think about this?
Barbara
Hi Barbara!
As you have thought about it then I would advise you to go ahead and write it. I guess that is God planting the seed of thought into your mind. It can do no harm. He need not feel pressurised in any way, and no doubt he will feel very loved knowing you have cared enough to write.
I know our prayers and the way we act count for a great deal. But there are times when we need to speak out. None of us know what the next day holds. If you do not try then you may forever regret it.
I'd suggest pray that God will give you the inspiration as to what to write ........and then write it. :hug:

[BarbaraKonkle]

I have felt for awhile that this may be the way, but I am so glad that you mentioned that God is probably trying to plant a seed because I kept thinking that I was just taking the easy way not confronting him again, and I think now that this is what God wants! I am going to put a lot of prayer into this, Thank you!
Barbara

[kayte]

Father, thank You so much for leading all of us here and using this unusual means of reaching out.
I just want to lift Barbara up to You this morning and ask that You would give her wisdom concerning her dad and brother. You know her dad and brothers hearts, Father. You know the things that hold them back. The fear, the doubt, the anger, the misunderstandings they have concerning You. I ask that You would set their hearts and minds to seek You. That it would begin to burn within them to know the truth. Make them hungry and thirsty Lord.. and then fill them.
Lead Barbara as she prays for them. Show her what You would have her write in the letter. Settle these things within her and give her peace.
Thank You so much for giving her a heart of obediance. Bless her as she goes about her work for You. Light her path.
In Jesus most precious Name.. amen
:pray:

[BarbaraKonkle]

Thank you so much Kayte for the prayer this morning! You all are such wonderful and uplifting women! I am so happy to have met you all!
God Bless!
Barbara