Flavour Devotionals – Week Three
Day One
This week, we want to learn from some women who walked through a time of “winter” in their lives and found the destiny God had prepared for them. Let’s start by reading their story found in the Book of Ruth, chapters 1-4. You will quickly be engaged by this fascinating story that begins with a crisis and ends with a celebration.
As you read this book, write a “?” in the margin of your Bible whenever you come to something in the story that you don’t understand.This is a great habit to get in to when you are studying Scripture. It helps you to highlight things you may want to go back and study later. Throughout this week, we will address many of the things that you may have a question about.
After you finish reading the Book of Ruth, complete this statement…
Some of the lessons I can learn from Ruth and Naomi are:
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Thank God for including the story of these women in the Bible. Ask Him to prepare your heart for what He wants to teach you through their story this week.
Day Two
Read Ruth 1-2 again before we take a closer look at the relationship between Ruth and Naomi.
Ruth is an interesting woman. Even in this brief story, we gain great insight into her character and her faith. When she made the decision to go with her mother-in-law rather than remain in her homeland with her own family, she was not just making a geographical or relational decision. She was also making a spiritual decision.
Read Ruth 1:15,16.
Ruth and her sister-in-law, Orpah, were Moabite women. Their families worshipped their own gods. When they chose to marry Israelite men, they were also agreeing to worship the one true God. So, when their husbands died and they had to decide where to go, they were not only choosing where they would live and who they would live with, they were also choosing which God they would worship.
Now, stop for just a minute and think about what Ruth was facing. Her husband had just died and she was left without children or anyone to care for her. Can you imagine the overwhelming grief and fear she must have felt?
She had an important choice to make. She could choose to stay with her family and be cared for as a widow. Or, she could choose to go to a foreign land with her mother-in-law without anyone to protect or provide for them. Her world had been turned upside down, butRuth chose faith. She chose to go with Naomi and put her life in God’s hands.
When have you faced seasons of grief, confusion and fear?
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How did you respond to God during those seasons?
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Looking back, how would you respond differently?
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Naomi is also a very interesting character. She was a woman of faith, but when her grief consumed her, her faith faltered. That’s understandable! The winter seasons of our lives can leave us feeling cold, alone and numb.
Read Ruth 1:11-13 and 1:20-21
Naomi was now a woman who was defined by her bitterness. So much so that she wanted to change her name! She blamed God for her misfortune and began to believe that He had turned against her.
Have you ever heard a voice in your head saying…
“I don’t deserve any better!”
“God’s paying me back for what I did.”
“God’s just got it out for me!”
When we stop to think about it, there are some pretty negative thoughts that can slip into our minds without us even realizing it! The Bible tells us that these are all lies from Satan. Read the following verses and write out what the Bible says in response to these lies:
John 8:44
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Romans 8:28
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Romans 8:31-39
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Romans 5:8
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1 John 1:9
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When Christ died for us, He died so that we could be forgiven. The debt was paid. So, we no longer have to “pay God back” for what we’ve done. Although we may still suffer some of the consequences of the sinful choices we made or others have made, we will not suffer because God is punishing us. Instead, God tells us that He loves us and wants to bring good out of every situation – good or bad.
When difficult circumstances come which response is most instinctive for you?
___ Turn to God because I know I can’t do it on my own.
___ Turn my back on God because He has turned His back on me.
___ Turn against myself because I’m just getting what I deserve.
___ Turn to myself because if God isn’t going to help me, I’m going to have to
handle things on my own.
If you selected any response other than the first option, then pause for a minute and ask God to renew your mind. You have bought in to a lie and you need Him to help you recognize it and replace it with the Truth.
Now let’s talk a look at Ruth and Naomi’s relationship. In the winter seasons of our lives, our minds can become so clouded with despair, discouragement and disillusionment that we aren’t able to see our way out. That is why friendships are so important. We need to surround ourselves with people who will encourage us, speak truth to us, and lift us up. That’s what Ruth did for Naomi.
Read Ruth 2:19-20
Naomi eventually turned the corner. Instead of opening her mouth and pouring out toxic bitterness, her mouth overflowed with blessing for the man who God had brought to protect and provide for them. Naomi was finally able to see that God had not abandoned them.
Naomi’s change of heart came from a change in her circumstances. But what brought the change in her circumstances? It was the faith and obedience that Ruth lived out.
Throughout this story, Ruth never condemned or criticized Naomi. She just trusted God to lead them and followed Him in obedience. Her faith gave her the strength to move forward and, in the process, she was able to hold Naomi up until she could stand on her feet again.
Who are some “faith-full” friends God has placed in your life?
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What qualities do you need to have to be a “faith-full” friend for someone else?
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Describe a time in your life when God has used this kind of friend to hold you up until you could stand on your feet again.
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Thank God for the friends you listed above. Ask Him to open your eyes to the people in your life who may need this kind of friendship from you – whether you walk with them for a moment, a lifetime or anything in-between.
Day Three
I’m no different from most women – I love a great love story! That’s what makes this story of Ruth and Boaz one of my favorite stories in Scripture. But, a whole new dimension is added when we understand that this story also paints the picture of how God loves us. Let’s take a closer look…
Read Ruth 2:5-9.
Don’t you love it! Boaz sees Ruth and she immediately catches his eye. But, he doesn’t play coy and hard-to-get. He makes the first move and offers to provide the grain she needs and to protect her from any men who might want to take advantage of her. I can almost picture him riding in on his white horse to save the day!
Read Ruth 2:10-13.
Ruth responds with humility and gratitude. She also gains some insight into this handsome stranger. He doesn’t comment on her beauty, instead he commends her for her character. He had heard about her commitment to Naomi and he saw the faith that she was living out.
Read Ruth 2:20-23.
When Naomi heard that Boaz was the gentleman who was showing such kindness to Ruth, she was overjoyed! He was one of their “kinsman-redeemers” and her match-making wheels started turning.
This is where the plot clots! Elimelech had to mortgage his family property when he took his family to Moab. Now that Naomi had returned, she could not afford to buy it back (redeem it) so the only hope she had was for someone to buy it for them.
Read Deuteronomy 25:5-6.
This passage is a description of a levirate marriage. It served as a basis for this custom of “kinsman-redeemer.” Since both brothers had died, the nearest relative was Boaz. If he was willing to purchase the land and marry Ruth, he could be their kinsman-redeemer. He would save the land from going to someone outside the family and he could save Ruth and Naomi from being destitute. They didn’t demand or expect this. But, out of grace, Boaz could offer it. He could rescue them and give them a new beginning.
Read Ruth 3:1-18.
In this culture, parents arranged marriages for their children. So, Naomi took on Ruth’s future as her personal project! During this time of year, there were great festivities surrounding the grain harvest. On this particular night, Naomi knew that Boaz would be at the threshing floor where they would beat the grain to separate it from its stalk. Then, they would throw it in the air so the wind could blow away the chaff and leave behind the grain.
Boaz was going to sleep at the threshing floor to protect his grain until it could be stored and sold. So, Ruth went to him. When she quietly uncovered his feet, she was showing that she was willing to marry him. When she asked for him to cover her with the corner of his garment, she was poetically suggesting that she was willing to step under his protection as her kinsman-redeemer.
Boaz was flattered by her kindness because he recognized that she could have chosen to marry someone younger than he was. He respected her character and integrity and was careful to protect it until all the proper arrangements had been made.
Read Ruth 4:1-10.
Boaz kept his word and stood before the other kinsman-redeemer and the leaders of their community. When the agreement was made, God’s plan was fulfilled and Ruth’s future changed forever.
Just like Boaz first reached out to Ruth, God has also taken the first step toward us.
Read Romans 5:8 and 1 Corinthians 2:9-12.
God first reached out to us by dying for us even before we knew who He was. He also takes the first step by opening our eyes so we will see our need for Him.
When did you first recognize that you needed God?
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How did you respond? Did you push back or reach out? Was it a process or a quick decision?
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How has God demonstrated His grace and love in your life?
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When Ruth responded to Boaz by sitting at his feet and placing herself under his protection, he was blessed by her kindness. It gave him great joy.
Use your imagination and describe God’s emotions, His reaction, when you choose to trust Him, obey Him and place yourself at His feet?
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Thank God for loving you enough to reach out to you. If you don’t feel particularly close to Him right now, place yourself at His feet by choosing to follow and obey Him in this winter season. Then watch as He graciously provides for your every need.
Day Four
As this story comes to an end, we catch a glimpse of the much greater story that God was writing. This was more than a love story or a story of personal redemption. It was a story of how God used one faithful woman to carry out His plan for all of humanity.
Read Ruth 4:13-22.
Ruth was the great-grandmother of King David, from whom Jesus was a descendant. In fact, in Matthew 1, she is one of only five women listed in the lineage of Jesus. How is that for a woman who once faced a life as a destitute widow in a foreign land?
In the midst of our winter seasons, it’s hard for us to see the light that is at the other end of the tunnel. But, throughout Scripture, God promises that there is always hope. We play an important part in a bigger plan and He promises to show us the way.
Read the following passages and re-write them as your own words as if you are claiming them and praying them back to God. We’ve done the first one for you….
Psalm 30:1-5.
Thank you, God, for rescuing me from those who criticize and stand against me. I have asked you to give me health and you have done it! I praise you because your favor lasts much longer than your anger and you always bring back my joy when I feel like the crying will never end.
James 1:2-8
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Proverbs 3:5-6
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Psalm 18:25-36
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Psalm 27:1-3
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Hebrews 1:1
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Day Five
The longest highway tunnel in North America is a 3.5 mile tunnel that runs under the city of Boston. Imagine what it would feel like if you drove into this tunnel not knowing how long it was! You would have expectations, based on your assumptions and past experiences, about how long it would be before you exited the tunnel. When those expectations weren’t met, you’d probably start to wonder, and worry, about whether there was actually an exit point at the other end!
Many of us experience those same thoughts and feelings when we enter a “winter season.” We have expectations of how long it should last. But, if those expectations aren’t met, we begin to wonder and worry that we will never see the light at the other end of the tunnel.
Here’s the good news: The tunnel always ends. There will be a point when you will catch glimpses of light. You will start to notice that you can see a little more clearly than you could before. You will feel a soft breeze begin to blow as you near the exit. Don’t give up hope. The One who is leading you through the tunnel knows where the exit is and He will never let go of your hand.
Read Romans 5:1-8.
This is a great passage that describes the progression that happens for us when we choose to follow Christ and allow Him to walk us through the tunnel. Let’s walk through it together.
(Verse 1) When Jesus died on the cross, He offered to be our kinsman-redeemer. He paid the price so our sin could be forgiven. Have you laid yourself at His feet? Jesus paid the price for you. You can claim what He has offered you and finally be at peace because He is in control.
Describe the time when you made this decision.
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If you have not made this decision, you can make it right now. Find a volunteer at Flavour or tell your Influence Group Leader. We would love to celebrate with you!
(Verse 2) Because of God’s grace (unearned favor), we can stand with our heads held high rather than stooping under the weight of our guilt, shame and sin. We don’t ever have to wonder if our current suffering is some kind of retaliation from God. He has forgiven us and stands proudly beside us!
If someone were to suggest that your “winter season” is a result of God’s anger against you, how would you respond?
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If that “someone” is ever Satan, feel free to say these words to him, too!
(Verse 3) Our winter seasons are not wasted time. God can use them to develop perseverance and character which give us the strength to keep moving forward even when the tunnel is longer than we expected. As we become stronger, we will find that we are the ones who are able to hold up hope like a lantern that will give others courage when they don’t want to take another step.
When you hear the word “hope” who comes to your mind? Why?
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If it’s someone who needs hope, write them a note to encourage them. If it’s someone who is an example of hope, write them a note to thank them for inspiring you. If it isn’t someone you know personally, pray for them.
(Verse 4-8) Hope is not wishful thinking, it is confident assurance. We have hope that we will once again see the light because God has already proven that His love for us has no limits. He will use our circumstances to change our hearts and then we will discover that the Light we’ve been looking for has been walking with us all along.
Today we are praying for all of you who are facing a winter season. We are thanking God in advance for the strength He has given you, the hope He holds out in front of you and the beauty He is creating in you.