5 HABITS BIBLE STUDY WEEK # 4

WHAT TO READ THIS WEEK: RUTH 2:15-23

QUIT QUITTING VERSES:

      DAY 1 JAMES 4:8

      DAY 2 ISAIAH 43:19

      DAY 3 PSALM 103:12

      DAY 4 EPHESIANS 5:15

      DAY 5 JAMES 4:14

What does this mean?

To live a life of surrender and humility. Learning to stay open to the movement of God is hard. It requires a deeper sense of trust and belief in Him thank we may naturally have. Learning to stay open to His movement is one of the hardest lessons we will have to learn. But when we do, we will be close to Him and able to fulfill the assignments He has given us.

Learning to stay open to the movement of God is sometimes a very humbling place. We don’t always get it just right. Sometimes we may even feel foolish. However, remember Habit 2#? We have to follow through despite how we feel. When we make a mistake we may think it’s over or it’s ruined. But that is not true in God’s world

So what makes us put God’s movement on hold?

What are your excuses? Have you ever used the excuse “ I didn’t know”? or “There is not enough time”? I think time is the #1 reason why we quit. We have so many activities that steal our time like : social media, the computer, children’s activities, work, etc. What’s stealing your time?

We may come up with excuses when we don’t see what God is going in and through our situation. Sometimes we have to ask others what they see.

Let's get in the Word:

Remember when we left Naomi, she was bitter. She was a woman that was angry and shaking her fist at God. But then, something changed. Her heart changed drastically. Sometimes when our hearts take a sudden shift, we can be left feeling remorseful or bad about how we reacted toward God.

But one of the most powerful things about God is the grace He offers us through forgiveness.

Here we see Naomi’s bitterness is slowly leaving her and she is able to trust God again. This is what happens when we stay open to God’s movement in our lives.

After a long day out in the wheat field, Ruth comes home filled with excitement. Naomi was curious and wanted to know the details of her day. After hearing the details, Naomi heart changes. She speaks blessing from the Lord upon Boaz.

No longer is Naomi a bitter quitter. No longer is she shaking her fist at God. She has opened her fist to receive.

If your fist are closed toward the presence of God, you will often miss: the opportunity for God to bless you, the chance for God to use you, and the ability of God to expand your faith and trust in Him.

Naomi had felt bitter, but her faith in God was still alive and she praised God for Boaz’s kindness to Ruth. In her sorrow, she still trusted God and acknowledged His goodness.

We may feel bitter about a situation, but we must never despair. Today is always a new opportunity for experiencing God’s care.

God doesn’t meet us at perfection. He meets us where we are in our process towards receiving His promise.

Q.U.I.T strategy.

Q – QUESTIONS WE NEED TO ASK AND ANSWER

     Why is it important in your own life to constantly remind yourself of what God has done for you? Which of the habits so far are you finding you need the most? How is God asking you to stay open to His movement right now?

U – UNDERSTANDING THE WORD

     How does the change in Naomi inspire you to keep trying and waiting on God’s movement in your life?

I – INTO THE PROMISE

     Which of the Quit Quitting verses challenged you the most this week? Why?

T – TURN SOMETHING AROUND

     This week we looked at excuses that could keep us from experiencing the fulfillment of following all the way through. Write down what a typical day looks like for you. Fine a space in your day when you can set aside five minutes to rule out any excuses that could keep you from following through.