We continue in our evening series in the book of 1 Peter.

The second part in our Sunday evening series in 1 Peter on the important subject of holiness in the life of the believer.

The first in a new Sunday evening series in the letter of 1 Peter. We see that, just like these 1st-century believers, we are both elect (chosen by God) and exiled (strangers in this world).

This week for Women’s Bible Study we will be looking at Ruth chapter 4:13-22. If you are able to read or listen to the fourth chapter of Ruth first, please do! It will help you get the most of the study. We have reached our last week in Ruth.  What a great book it has been to study! There is so much in here, more than we were even able to touch on in the study.  I hope that you have been challenged and encouraged through studying the book of Ruth.   This week we spoke of leaving a legacy.  The people in this story, Naomi, Ruth and Boaz were all normal people who lived in faith and hope of their God and this spoke volumes of who they were, who their God was and affected history. What a legacy!  Kelly Minter puts it: “Faithful obedience and love to God during our earthly years can affect things long after we are gone.”  I would love for you to spend some time looking through this book and thinking about what has changed, encouraged, challenged by this book of the Bible.  Take time to journal about this! It helps instill things in our hearts and minds!    Resources Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011 Minter, K, 2009, Ruth: Loss, Love and Legacy, LifeWay Press, Tennessee  

This week for Women’s Bible Study we will be looking at Ruth chapter 4:1-12. If you are able to read or listen to the fourth chapter of Ruth first, please do! It will help you get the most of the study. I hope you were able to listen to the talk on Ruth and below you will find further questions and thoughts to help you dig deeper into some of the things talked about.  Why not ask a friend to do the study with you and talk about these things?   Kinsman-Redeemer This week we talked about how Boaz became Ruth and Naomi’s kinsman-redeemer. Remember a kinsman-redeemer needed to be: someone near the kin, able to redeem and willing to redeem. We saw that Naomi and Ruth’s nearest relation, was near kin, able to redeem but not willing to redeem. Which was a blessing really as it allowed Boaz to become their kinsman-redeemer.   This makes me think of our own redeemer, Jesus Christ! He chose to become a man, making him like us, he was able and willing to redeem and he did!   Romans 5:6-8 says: You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us How does Christ’s willingness to redeem you further impact your understanding of His love for you?    John 10:14-15 I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I love the fact that Jesus knows my name. That He is our shepherd, who guides us, cares for us, protects us and was willing to die for us because we are his! It helps me give myself to him when I remember this! Remember his care and love for me.    Blessings One of the other things we see in this passage is the women of the city speaking a blessing over Ruth, Naomi and Boaz.  It doesn’t seem that we often speak blessings over one another today.  We say prayers, wish and hope for people but it’s not very often we speak blessings over them. Spirit-led, biblical words that implore the power of God over your life in a purposeful manner.(2)    My challenge for you is to speak or text a blessing over someone today.  Here are a couple of examples from the bible for you:  Numbers 6:22-26 The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” 1 Peter 5:10-11 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.   May God bless each of you today, may you be filled with the knowledge of his love for you and may God instill in you a heart of grace and love for one another that you may become more like Christ each and every day.       Resources Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011 Minter, K, 2009, Ruth: Loss, Love and Legacy, LifeWay Press, Tennessee Iain M. Duguid, Esther and Ruth (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing Co., 2005), 173  

Click here to listen to Ruth chapter 4.

This week for Women’s Bible Study we will be looking at Ruth chapter 3. If you are able to read or listen to the third chapter of Ruth first, please do! It will help you get the most of the study.   This week, we’ve a bit more of a personal reflection with the Lord. So I’ve planned 3 short meditations for us to consider. Each meditation is about 10 minutes so you might want to do just one or all three, but grab your bible, some paper or post-it notes and a drink and get ready! Ruth taught us about the characteristics of trust, self-control and patience. As we think about these today, let’s listen to a song based on Psalm 130. “I will wait for you” (Psalm 130) [LIVE] by Shane & Shane https://youtu.be/l8pCbtLeXzc PART ONE There is something both dull and draining about waiting. But when I look to God and look to him for strength, I find him.  Isaiah 40:31 Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. When you’re weary of waiting, God will give you strength. Take a moment, to think about your weariness and then what it means to Soar, Run and Walk. Remember a mercy God has shown you when you’ve been waiting, where he has strengthened you. Thank him for that mercy.  If you can’t think of anything right now, ask God to open your eyes to one way he surrounds you today. On separate post its or scraps of paper, write down the things that most challenge you today/ at the moment. Things that you’re waiting for now.  Now in turn pray into each challenge, the situation people and timing of it. Ask God for strength. Give the challenge to him. Now tear each one up. They are His not yours. PRAY Lord God,  you whisper hope to me even though I wait for answers. Please open my  eyes to your presence around me. Strengthen me and give me endurance as I wait. Thank you for your faithful love. Amen Now listen to  “Eagles Fly” taken from the album ‘Joanne Lunn sings Prom Praise Solos’ by Joanne Lunn © Christian Focus ISBN5028519012128   PART TWO Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.   To trust on my own is impossible, the key is to lean on God.  When I remember how great He is I can trust in God. After all He is King of the universe! Take a moment to praise God for the wonders you can see as you look around right now, (you may want to wander into the Garden and feel the sun on your face). Now, come and sit or kneel before Him and confess the things you’re trying to control.  Remember He is patient and loving.  In your heart, what are your hopes right now? Give these things to God.  As you sit, open and lift your hands to God. Picture yourself giving the hopes to Him.  Remember He is in control.   PRAY Heavenly Father, you are the one who sets the earth on its axis, you are the one who orchestrates everything, big and small. It’s so difficult  to wait for answers, but You are the one true King who uses all things for good. You waste nothing. Let me lean on your understanding, I submit to you. Amen   Now Listen to  “Lord you have searched me and know me” © Joel Payne / RESOUNDworship.org, RESOUNDworship.org, Administered by Jubilate Hymns Ltd –  https://youtu.be/F5fN7JvdfUE  PART THREE The Lord is enough.  It’s the most beautiful truth that gives all trial, all weakness, all waiting purpose. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12 :9 My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.   Take a moment, close your eyes, bow your head and breath. Be still. Think. Breath. If your mind has wandered, come back to your thoughts. Feel the rhythm of your breath Is there something you want right now that seems to eclipse God? Tell him about it. Ask him to teach your heart that He is your portion today and every day.   PRAY Lord God, You are grace and glory, You are my daily bread. Take my hopes and take my heart,  sustain me and give me what I need to live well today. Let me persevere with true joy, so that Your power is made perfect in my weakness. I love you Lord. You are enough for me. Amen.   Now listen to  “What a faithful God Have I” by Heavenly Worship https://open.spotify.com/track/2YPxTLRAJfEKjarKIo6jce?si=fWB8HA7WRwOI1i-K1UXs0Q  PRAY Finally, Give thanks that God has done everything we need through Jesus. Thank God for your breath Thank God for your passions and desires Thank God for your family Thank God for the cross Thank God for his love Thank God for his Grace Thank God that he holds us and sustains us. Today, Every Day. Without Fail.  Listen to  “Grace Awaiting Me” by Emu Music https://open.spotify.com/track/0Tbs7QhLdhXBGV6SbHlAJH?si=DGLqCzypS3S2wcyt2d3vvg   

Click here to listen to Ruth chapter 3.

This week for Women’s Bible Study we will be looking at the rest of Ruth chapter 2. If you are able to read or listen to the second chapter of Ruth first, please do! It will help you get the most of the study. Below you will find a few questions to go along with the talk above. We hope they will help you to further explore the Bible passage for this week. Why not ask a friend to do the study with you and talk about these things? Question 1 ‘And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.’ 2 Corinthians 9:8 Complete the sentence: Today, God has given me….   Question 2 ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.’ (Joseph when forgiving his brothers, Genesis 50:20) List (share) examples of times when it was in looking back that you saw God’s providence in your struggles.    Question 3 ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.’ Philippians 4:6  How can thanksgiving and prayer help us combat feelings of bitterness and anger? What other things can we do to fight against the lie that God is against us?    Question 4 ‘At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favour in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?” Ruth 2:10 If you are able, try and take some time today to meditate on the awesomeness of Jesus. Why have we found such favour in his eyes that he notices us – mere sinners?! There are some links below to a few songs that may help you do this.    I Stand Amazed – Chris Tomlin – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ue8ZCAc9xQ8 Who Am I – Casting Crowns – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C53GgUJ6y-Y The Stand – Hillsong – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kV5iZBTNYrk How Can It Be – Lauren Daigle – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt5X91ciE6Y This is Amazing Grace – Phil Wickham – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPQKj2Zptr0 Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me – CityAlight – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwc2d1Xt8gM   Thank you for joining in with this week’s study! If you have any further questions, thoughts or feedback please get in touch.   References: English Standard Version Study Bible, Crossway, 2008 Ruth: Under the Wings of God, John Piper, July 8 1984 (accessed via www.desiringgod.org) ‘Can e-Harmony Beat This? Ruth 2’, Robert L Deffinbaugh, (accessed via bible.org)  

This week for Women’s Bible Study we will be looking at Ruth chapter 2. If you are able to read or listen to the second chapter of Ruth first, please do! It will help you get the most of the study.    Below you will find a few questions to go along with the talk above. We hope they will help you to further explore the Bible passage for this week. Why not ask a friend to do the study with you and talk about these things? Question 1 Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that sufferings produce perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.  As we saw in chapter 1, Ruth is definitely perseverant! Her character is constant in every aspect of her life and it is this integrity that earns her Boaz’s notice when she needs help. Some of the aspects of Ruth’s character we’ve seen over the last two chapters are:  Caring Initiative Loyalty Humility Respect Diligence  Is there a characteristic (listed here or not) that you would like to develop further in yourself? How can we help each other to do this?    Question 2 Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour. Boaz chooses to go beyond the requirements of the Law in order to show kindness to Ruth. He wasn’t simply concerned with what people could see, but with doing what was right and good. What are some practical ways that we could go beyond what is expected for our husbands? Our children? Our friends? Our co-workers, neighbours, teachers, acquaintances? People we pass on our daily walks, or who we see in the grocery stores or wherever else we may see others?   Question 3 Leviticus 23:22 And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, nor shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner. I am the Lord your God.’ Can you think of some creative ways we could practice ‘gleaning’ for those in need around us in modern times?    Question 4 Are we willing, like Ruth, to stay where God has called us and persevere even in the hard things, or, like Elimelech, are we always looking for the next comfortable thing? In what ways could we persevere in the field of lockdown and social distancing that we’ve been called to right now?      Thank you for joining in with this week’s study! If you have any further questions, thoughts or feedback please get in touch.   References:  English Standard Version Study Bible, Crossway, 2008 Ruth: Under the Wings of God, John Piper, July 8 1984 (accessed via www.desiringgod.org) ‘Can e-Harmony Beat This? Ruth 2’, Robert L Deffinbaugh, (accessed via bible.org)