Ruth 1:16-18
16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. NIV
In this Old Testament account, Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi have both lost their husbands. It was the custom of their people for the next of male kin to take care of a widowed wife. Naturally, if Ruth's husband had a brother, uncle or even a nephew of marrying age the male relative would have taken the widow into his family and cared for her.
Naomi has also lost her husband and sons and points out to Ruth there are no males left in the family who can take care of Ruth and give her children. So she urges her to return to her own people and gods. But Ruth is devoted to Naomi and refuses to leave her.
For me this story speaks of the relationship God has blessed us with as women. We're divinely connected by the very nature of our being. We bear children, bear the hardships (and joys) of raising children, we're sensitive to the unseen world (some call intuition,) to the needs of our children and husbands, and we're caregivers.
Women are drawn to one another because we share common needs and views. As Christian women, it goes deeper. Not only do we have a sharper perspective, as we view the world through the eyes of Jesus we more alert to the presence of evil, more discerning about what is or isn't acceptable for our families.
The women should come together in prayer, discussion, and for one on one counsel. Every woman needs a good friend for prayer and confidence. As a group, you must commit to one another that what is spoken between any of you must not be shared with anyone else. Gossip can destroy a person's life. When someone tells another something personal in confidence it's because they believe they can trust that person. What is told to you in confidence must remain in your heart alone. God is our final judge.
Talk to one another and share your concerns and questions about God's word and life. When we come to Christ in faith, everything changes. Everything. The past is gone, all things are new. What once made sense no longer does. There are a million questions and an insatiable hunger to know everything. God gives us what we can handle when we can manage it. He nurses us in the beginning, then spoon feeds us, then we get our own cup, bowl and spoon. Darling Sara, you hold the bottle and spoon for many of these women right now. You will pass this on to others in an ever undulating ring of growth out there in India. I'm excited for all of you! God is doing an amazing work through you! And remember, I'm here, just a few clicks away. write down any questions you have so you can remember to ask me when you're at the computer again.
Each of you should have a prayer partner. She can be (but doesn't have to be) the same person who is your confidant. It's best to meet on a regular basis - at least once a week if possible. The plan for this time is to Praise the Lord (let the Spirit take hold and guide you) just for who He is and nothing else. I sometimes use words of praise, sometimes sing, sometimes play a musical instrument. Next Thank Him for all He has done (the cross, forgiveness, salvation, etc.,) for all He is doing (what's He doing in your life presently?,) and will do (what are you waiting for with great expectation, including His magnificent return to take us Home?) Of course the Holy Spirit should always guide every step of your prayers. The next step is to confess your sins openly and sincerely. If you're not comfortable sharing your sins with the person you're praying with, your confession may be silent before God for He knows your heart. Just allow the Holy Spirit to move in you and do a thorough cleansing. Finally, make your requests known to God, again, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through you to pray according to God's will.
Sara, I'd like to get some feedback from you and others on these blog training sessions if possible. Please use the Follow Me link on the right side panel of the blog to follow this blog. it will automatically send you an update every time I add another lesson. But lessons are only as good as the students who receive and if I don't have any way to measure effectiveness, I have no way of knowing what you and your women need.
for instance, I don't know how much of the Bible you've read . If you have your own copy of the Bible or if you share one with Babu. Are all of you able to gather around a computer and read the blog together?
It would be very helpful if while you're reading the blog, if questions come up, you would make notes and send them to me in the comments section or through email. Also if something you read triggers a desire for a topic you would like me to blog on in the future you can let me know that as well.
One woman upholding another woman in faith brings double the protection and encouragement to both of their families. Just think what a whole village of one on one women of faith lifting each other up would do!
Heavenly Father we praise You Lord. We lift Your name on high. You sit in the highest heaven surrounded by the heavenly host singing hallelujah. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. You along are worthy of all praise. You are beyond our imaginations in glory and power. Who can measure You? Who can touch You? Who can create like You? Who is merciful like You? There is none like our God. There is none like You God. You are God alone.
I thank you for my "daughter" Sara in India, truly a girl after Your own heart~and mine. We thank you for bringing us together as only You can. We thank You for the price You paid on the cross so that we could be forgiven and receive salvation for which we are unworthy. Thank You for Your mercies that are new every day. Thank You for another day of life, for our families, the food we eat and the shelters over our heads. Thank You for those prayers that haven't yet been answered but according to Your promises we trust in faith You will. Thank You for Your promise to return for us Lord, we wait with joy!
Lord Jesus, we humbly ask You to forgive us now for the things we've done or failed to do that have caused You grief. You bore our pain because of the words that shamed You, actions that blamed You, inaction that denied You, excuses that spat on You. For me Father, I ask forgiveness for my venomous attitude toward one of my foster children who has been hurtful to me. Circumcise my heart for that child Lord, then plunge it into Your Refiner's fire to cleanse me of all iniquity. We are deeply sorry for our sins Lord and seek the Holy Spirit to be our ever present reminder when the temptation is near at hand to stop and think so the enemy cannot get a foothold. You are ever gracious and merciful O Lord and we thank You again.
We bring our requests before you for the women of East Godavari who desire to learn more about You Jesus. Bibles Father, we need Bibles. We ask in faith with our eyes glued to Jesus. Would You provide a Telugu Bible for every woman in EG, even those not in faith because we are praying in faith that every woman there would hear the gospel and seek Your Face Lord Jesus! Yes we are! Jesus, You are King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Almighty God, Counselor, Creator of all things. You created every one of those women. They are all daughters of the King whether they know it yet or not. So we ask for Bibles for every woman. Father I also ask for illustrated Bible story books for the children. Finally Abba, Sara and I are of the same heart that I would come to India. You know my health, my situation with the foster children, and the bigger picture. Do I desire it with all my heart? You know I do. Does Sara desire it with all her heart? I can tell it in her pleading every time she writes me. I know yearning isn't enough. Yet Father, why would You give us such yearning if it weren't Your will and if it's Your will, then no matter what's happening with foster children You're going to work it all out. We know "with God all things are possible" (Mark 19:26) and we also know from Romans 8:28 that if You have designed something to happen, all things work to the good of those who love You and are called to Your purposes. We wait patiently Father, albeit excitedly. We know that however You work this out it will truly glorify Your name because neither of us have either means nor resources to make it happen so our total trust is in You for this amazing journey. Thank You for hearing us Lord, for Your love of two humble daughters on opposite sides of the globe. We ask these things in the marvelous name of Jesus, amen.
All my love,
Mama Anne
16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. NIV
In this Old Testament account, Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi have both lost their husbands. It was the custom of their people for the next of male kin to take care of a widowed wife. Naturally, if Ruth's husband had a brother, uncle or even a nephew of marrying age the male relative would have taken the widow into his family and cared for her.
Naomi has also lost her husband and sons and points out to Ruth there are no males left in the family who can take care of Ruth and give her children. So she urges her to return to her own people and gods. But Ruth is devoted to Naomi and refuses to leave her.
For me this story speaks of the relationship God has blessed us with as women. We're divinely connected by the very nature of our being. We bear children, bear the hardships (and joys) of raising children, we're sensitive to the unseen world (some call intuition,) to the needs of our children and husbands, and we're caregivers.
Women are drawn to one another because we share common needs and views. As Christian women, it goes deeper. Not only do we have a sharper perspective, as we view the world through the eyes of Jesus we more alert to the presence of evil, more discerning about what is or isn't acceptable for our families.
The women should come together in prayer, discussion, and for one on one counsel. Every woman needs a good friend for prayer and confidence. As a group, you must commit to one another that what is spoken between any of you must not be shared with anyone else. Gossip can destroy a person's life. When someone tells another something personal in confidence it's because they believe they can trust that person. What is told to you in confidence must remain in your heart alone. God is our final judge.
Talk to one another and share your concerns and questions about God's word and life. When we come to Christ in faith, everything changes. Everything. The past is gone, all things are new. What once made sense no longer does. There are a million questions and an insatiable hunger to know everything. God gives us what we can handle when we can manage it. He nurses us in the beginning, then spoon feeds us, then we get our own cup, bowl and spoon. Darling Sara, you hold the bottle and spoon for many of these women right now. You will pass this on to others in an ever undulating ring of growth out there in India. I'm excited for all of you! God is doing an amazing work through you! And remember, I'm here, just a few clicks away. write down any questions you have so you can remember to ask me when you're at the computer again.
Each of you should have a prayer partner. She can be (but doesn't have to be) the same person who is your confidant. It's best to meet on a regular basis - at least once a week if possible. The plan for this time is to Praise the Lord (let the Spirit take hold and guide you) just for who He is and nothing else. I sometimes use words of praise, sometimes sing, sometimes play a musical instrument. Next Thank Him for all He has done (the cross, forgiveness, salvation, etc.,) for all He is doing (what's He doing in your life presently?,) and will do (what are you waiting for with great expectation, including His magnificent return to take us Home?) Of course the Holy Spirit should always guide every step of your prayers. The next step is to confess your sins openly and sincerely. If you're not comfortable sharing your sins with the person you're praying with, your confession may be silent before God for He knows your heart. Just allow the Holy Spirit to move in you and do a thorough cleansing. Finally, make your requests known to God, again, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through you to pray according to God's will.
Sara, I'd like to get some feedback from you and others on these blog training sessions if possible. Please use the Follow Me link on the right side panel of the blog to follow this blog. it will automatically send you an update every time I add another lesson. But lessons are only as good as the students who receive and if I don't have any way to measure effectiveness, I have no way of knowing what you and your women need.
for instance, I don't know how much of the Bible you've read . If you have your own copy of the Bible or if you share one with Babu. Are all of you able to gather around a computer and read the blog together?
It would be very helpful if while you're reading the blog, if questions come up, you would make notes and send them to me in the comments section or through email. Also if something you read triggers a desire for a topic you would like me to blog on in the future you can let me know that as well.
One woman upholding another woman in faith brings double the protection and encouragement to both of their families. Just think what a whole village of one on one women of faith lifting each other up would do!
Heavenly Father we praise You Lord. We lift Your name on high. You sit in the highest heaven surrounded by the heavenly host singing hallelujah. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna in the highest. You along are worthy of all praise. You are beyond our imaginations in glory and power. Who can measure You? Who can touch You? Who can create like You? Who is merciful like You? There is none like our God. There is none like You God. You are God alone.
I thank you for my "daughter" Sara in India, truly a girl after Your own heart~and mine. We thank you for bringing us together as only You can. We thank You for the price You paid on the cross so that we could be forgiven and receive salvation for which we are unworthy. Thank You for Your mercies that are new every day. Thank You for another day of life, for our families, the food we eat and the shelters over our heads. Thank You for those prayers that haven't yet been answered but according to Your promises we trust in faith You will. Thank You for Your promise to return for us Lord, we wait with joy!
Lord Jesus, we humbly ask You to forgive us now for the things we've done or failed to do that have caused You grief. You bore our pain because of the words that shamed You, actions that blamed You, inaction that denied You, excuses that spat on You. For me Father, I ask forgiveness for my venomous attitude toward one of my foster children who has been hurtful to me. Circumcise my heart for that child Lord, then plunge it into Your Refiner's fire to cleanse me of all iniquity. We are deeply sorry for our sins Lord and seek the Holy Spirit to be our ever present reminder when the temptation is near at hand to stop and think so the enemy cannot get a foothold. You are ever gracious and merciful O Lord and we thank You again.
We bring our requests before you for the women of East Godavari who desire to learn more about You Jesus. Bibles Father, we need Bibles. We ask in faith with our eyes glued to Jesus. Would You provide a Telugu Bible for every woman in EG, even those not in faith because we are praying in faith that every woman there would hear the gospel and seek Your Face Lord Jesus! Yes we are! Jesus, You are King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Almighty God, Counselor, Creator of all things. You created every one of those women. They are all daughters of the King whether they know it yet or not. So we ask for Bibles for every woman. Father I also ask for illustrated Bible story books for the children. Finally Abba, Sara and I are of the same heart that I would come to India. You know my health, my situation with the foster children, and the bigger picture. Do I desire it with all my heart? You know I do. Does Sara desire it with all her heart? I can tell it in her pleading every time she writes me. I know yearning isn't enough. Yet Father, why would You give us such yearning if it weren't Your will and if it's Your will, then no matter what's happening with foster children You're going to work it all out. We know "with God all things are possible" (Mark 19:26) and we also know from Romans 8:28 that if You have designed something to happen, all things work to the good of those who love You and are called to Your purposes. We wait patiently Father, albeit excitedly. We know that however You work this out it will truly glorify Your name because neither of us have either means nor resources to make it happen so our total trust is in You for this amazing journey. Thank You for hearing us Lord, for Your love of two humble daughters on opposite sides of the globe. We ask these things in the marvelous name of Jesus, amen.
All my love,
Mama Anne
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