Ruth 2:1-4:22 + John 4:43-54 + Psalm 105:16-36 + Proverbs 14:26-27
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Hi everyone! Brief post today. Back to a full post tomorrow!
Old Testament - In today's readings in Ruth we are introduced to the incredible man, Boaz, who is really a "type" of Christ figure. Also in chapter 4 verse 16 the name of David is first mentioned in the Bible! It is awesome to read today how David descended from Ruth, and of course ultimately Jesus descended from Ruth! Today in Ruth chapter 2 verse 10 we read - "Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. "Why are you being so kind to me?" she asked. "I am only a foreigner.""
And in chapter 3 verse 15 today we read - "Boaz also said to her, "Bring your cloak and spread it out." He measured out six scoops of barley into the cloak and helped her put it on her back. Then Boaz returned to the town."
New Testament - Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in John titled "Jesus Heals the Royal Official's Son" is at this link.
Psalms - Psalm 105's verses today give us a good Cliff Notes version of the end of the book of Genesis and beginning of the book of Exodus!
Worship Video: Today's readings in John reminded me of Casting Crowns song "Glorious Day:"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqrqPGt11bA
Is today a glorious day for you? Click here for Glory!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge." Proverbs 14:26 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you have a healthy fear of the LORD. Pray that the LORD is your strong fortress. Pray tht your children will find refuge in the secure fortress of the LORD.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
Ruth 2:1-4:22
Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. [Ps. 55:22.] (1 Peter 5:6-7 AMP)
Everything in today’s reading screams “humility.” The entire book is about love, the love not of the flesh or “love” that stems from lust, but love that is described in the thirteenth chapter of I Corinthians,
Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NET.)
Too often today, and probably yesteryear too, woman compete with each other, mother-daughter, mother-in-law-daughter-in-law, best friends and not so good friends. But here we are privy to a relationship that is not based on envy or self-serving, but true genuine love. Naomi didn’t ask Ruth to go into the fields, Ruth desired to go so that she could be a benefit to her mother-in-law. While she was out in the fields, Naomi was concerned for Ruth’s safety and health not her belly. While in the fields Ruth didn’t have an attitude problem looking for what “I deserve,” or “my rights,” she worked hard and long. She was respectful thus she became respected. Even before she went into the field, her love for her mother-in-law was well known and she was honored for that.
What I always marvel at when I read the Book of Ruth is God’s mercy and grace. His people, though they were not His people, like Ruth, can be anyone. Anyone that is who gives up, “And whoever has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:29 NET.)
May all who come to this site become a “whosoever,” one who leaves all to follow the King.
Ramona
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It amazes me the kind of love Ruth has for Naomi..wonder if she wasn't a teeny weeny bit scared.Yet she took no gods with her for protection.She was obedient to Naomi in spite of her
saying(I returned empty),she follwed Naomi to serve her with probably little expectations because Naomi didn't guarantee she'd get married again.When she was given food she thought of Naomi.Kinda makes me really look at my idea of serving God...do I serve him cos I want to be in His good books,think alot of the reward in heaven...have I truly given everything up or do I still hold on to things in my past(just in case....)I think Ruth paints a pretty good picture of what serving really is...Right now I really love grace cos I sure need it.
God bless you all
Anka
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Verses that stood out for me today:
Psalm 105
26 But the Lord sent his servant Moses,
along with Aaron, whom he had chosen.
Proverbs 14
27 Fear of the Lord is a life-giving fountain;
it offers escape from the snares of death.
Many times I try to explain to "non-believers" that I have fear of the Lord. Most of them are just so blind, and don't understand. I go to all our church-services weekly, I follow 3 bible-studies, I go out on the streets ... and they think I HAVE to do this. Well yes, I have to do this, because I WANT to do this, not because God will punish me if I don't. I do all this, because I love the Lord and because I fear Him. Doing all this makes me so much wiser, stronger, better ...
Mae
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What verse stood out to me today?
Psalm 105:19 Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph's character.
Hmmm... made me stop and ponder the difficult situations, especially ones that seemed to go on and on, that I've had in my life and try to see them from a different perspective. Joseph's story is so encouraging.
Becky
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John 4: 50 open my eyes the importamnce of having faith in Jessus's word he told the father your son is alive without asking how ? he went and on his way he realised once Jesus told him your son is alive and he believed he was alive .sometimes we dubt the promises within the bible especially when we are really facing giants in our life that we fall in anxiety,fear ,worry that these giants tried to keep away from God and forget that Gosd is in control of everything in your life. i pray for myself first and to others to have this simple faith on JEsus word and promises . the key to overcome Giants in your life is getting nearer to God's feet asking, believing ,and then you will receive answers from the holy one from above. Amin
Nasser
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This speaks to me! Ruth my fave story. I live this story .. my DIL remains with me. We have that bond but only God orchestrated this. 11 years ago there was a gap but God drew us together and our relationship is strong! To God be the glory!
Jane
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The book of Ruth is ALL about having FAITH in a LOVING and compassionate GOD. Ruth had the faith to LEAVE her homeland, her old religious beliefs, the customs of her people, in order to take a LEAP of FAITH to follow the prompting of GOD. 16And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: When they arrive in Israel, Ruth goes to work in the fields to get food for her and Naomi to eat. GOD sends Boaz to look after Ruth in the fields. Naomi has hope for the future when Boaz becomes her kinsman redeemer. All of HUMANITY is blessed through Ruth and Boazes offspring. JESUS is Ruths great descendant. Jesus is the KINSMAN REDEEMER for us ALL.
Raeann
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Oh yes! I love the book of Ruth. Especially after reading thru the book of Judges, it is so satisfying to see God's hand at work right in the midst of everyone doing what was right in there own eyes. Ruth, who is a picture of the church, "just so happened" to find her way to Boaz' field. Boaz the redeemer is a picture of Jesus. It is no accident that any of us found our way to Jesus. Ephesians 1:4 says "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world," There's something to chew on for awhile.
The key verse in the passage from John for me today is verse 50, "the man took Jesus at His word and departed." He believed Jesus AND he acted on it. I also liked the part where this man made an inquiry into the exact hour of the healing. A true miracle will stand up to an investigation and the result brings glory to God, it says that his whole household believed. From reading our psalm today I also saw the importance of recording in writing the miracles of God. Our memories are frail at best and subject to manipulation. Proverbs mentions our faith being a refuge for our children. This is only true if we let them know the basis of our faith which is all the amazing things God has done.
Terriann
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I agree with all of the above. All the bible readings today showed us;
1.God's LOVE & MERCY to those who put their trust in Him.
2.The RENEWAL of Ruth's FAITH in God. She was bitter & depressed on yesterday's readings. Naomi a faithful and selfless daughter-in-law showed Ruth love beyond self by sticking with her and working hard on the fields gleaning left over barley to feed the 2 of them
3.Boaz actions of following & honoring the law with regard to KINSMAN REDEEMER.
4. FAITH of official in Galilee that his son would be healed.
Orr memory verse Proverbs 14:26 is a reminder for me that we should teach our children to take refuge on God. I pray everyday that God be my refuge, my children's refuge, my country's refuge and the world's refuge.
Lily
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When I read Ruth, a Hebrew word called “hesed” sticks out for me. It is difficult to translate and yet is a key theological concept which echoes what Ramona says and her reference to 1Cor 13:4-7. It is a word that embraces a number of attributes such as love, mercy, grace, and kindness. Look at Ruth 1:9, 2:11, 2:20 or 3:10. It is a single, one-way action for the benefit of someone else without considering what we gain out of it. I like to think of it as a characteristic I would like to practice more. Its as simple as washing the dishes for my wife, for nothing more than an act of kindness. We are given a lot of examples like this in Ruth. Isn’t wonderful she was included in the Lords genealogy.
Bob
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Mike and everyone,
Mike, I continue to be very thankful for your ministry!
Coming to this blog every morning, reading God's Word in the Old and New Testaments is such a blessing in my life.
I am tasting more the sweetness in God's Word,
am more eager to share His Word with others,
and am just very blessed in my personal life and my family because of reading, meditating, and trying to follow His Word.
Thank you Mike!
Thank you everyone who are in this journey together!
May God bless each of you!
Joyce
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I absolutely love the book of Ruth. Always reminds me of my mother n law and the bond of a daughter n law to a mother n law. John..the healing of a Centurian man's child and that God does what he says he will do. Psalms today giving remnants of Gen to Exodus today. Proverbs The fear of the Lotd is strong confidence! Amen
Dee