A Women Who Doesn't Quit - Wrap-up

Well ladies, this is the end of our study on “A WOMAN WHO DOESN’T QUIT 5 HABITS FROM THE BOOK OF RUTH”. I hope each of you have gain something through this study. I know I have. It was the perfect study for me at this time and I thanks God for that.

Here is are the 5 Habits to overcome quitting again.

1.  SHES ACCEPTS THE ASSIGNMENT OF REFINEMENT

2.  SHE FOLLOWS THOUGHT DESPITE HOW SHE FEELS

3.  SHE STAYS OPEN TO THE MOVEMENT OF GOD

4.  SHE GIVES OTHERS WHAT SHE NEEDS

5.  SHE MOVES FORWARD IN FAITH

We all will face decision whether or not to give up on someone or something, but something special happens when we decide to persevere in face of problems and pain. Perseverance is one of the greatest skills but the hardest lesson to learn in our lifetime. Why? Because of what we have to go through. You can’t learn perseverance if you don’t have trials and tribulations.

In this world today, we are encouraged to live life based on how we feel, but honestly, most days we don’t feel like doing anything challenging. But when the opportunity comes, embrace it. It’s an assignment of refinement. Save your Quit Quitting Verses and used them. Here are some more:

For the time you want to quit because you think much has already been lost: Joel 2:25

For the time you want to quit because it looks hopeless. Titus 3:7

For the time you want to quit because you don’t feel smart enough to make the right decision. James 1:5

For the time you want to quit because you think you’ve fallen too far. Proverbs 24:16

For the time you want to quit because something else looks better John 15:16

For the time you want to quit because your efforts and formulas are not turning out as hoped: Isaiah 55:8

For the time you Aare about to quit because you are going for what you want rather than what you need Philippians 4:19

For the time you want to quit because you aren’t sure this is worth it Galatians 6:9

Ask yourself these 5 questions.

1.     Have I accepted my assignment of refinement?

2.  Am I able to follow through despite how I feel?

3.  But have I stayed open to God’s movement?

4.  I don’t have what I need, but am I giving others what I need?

5.  Truthfully, have I moved forward in faith?

REMEMBER NOT QUITTING IS A HABIT

5 HABIT BIBLE STUDY WEEK 6

WHAT TO READ THIS WEEK: RUTH 4:1-22

QUIT QUITTING VERSES:

      DAY 1 HEBREWS 6:12

      DAY 2 PHILIPPIANS 3:12

      DAY 3 MATTHEW 6: 3-4

      DAY 4 2 TIMOTHY 4:7

Moving forward in faith is the root of Ruth’s story. Ruth first stepped in faith to follow Naomi to Bethlehem, then in faith she looked for work. That faith led her to Boaz. Ruth had faith in Naomi’s guidance and she is now having faith in Boaz as to getting the “redeemer” issue cleared up. Even though this situation of moving forward in faith, is waiting.

Sometimes, when our moving forward in faith, we are waiting, standing still. Nothing is happening. We are a people that like to see things in motion. When we have to “wait”, we can get tired and that lead us to the temptation to quit.

But what really causes us to be tired.  There are three areas in which we can get tired: 1) Physically, 2) Emotionally and 3) Spiritually.

So the first step to overcome this “I am tired” excuse is to determine what the source of our tiredness.

1. RULE OUT REASON

If we are physically tired, our bodies are trying to tell us something. To slow down, get more sleep or something is wrong with your health.

Try to keep yourself physically healthy and that included with annual physical exams if you have no medical reason for going to see a physician. Just get a checkup, especially if you have some, what you may call, minor signs or symptoms. And to those of us nurses, we have a tendency to not to address minor issues without physical health. You know I am right. I am not the only one.

Next step. Get some rest.

2. REST

Do you every get snappy? Getting upset about thinks that never really mattered to you before. Do you feel like you are just going through the motions of life?

Rest is incredibly important to your emotional health and it allows you to produce more and more effectively. Slow down. Take a break. Get “unplugged” from this world and life in the “now”. Turn off the phones, the TV and the computer. Enjoy reading a good book. Enjoy family and/or friends. 

Refueling doesn’t necessary mean taking a nap, or a “slobber nap” as bother calls it. Be around with Godly people is a great way of refueling, like a revival. And I don’t mean your visits to church on Sundays.

Before mother got so sick that I had to move in with her, I was an active part of our Emmaus community. We met once a month for a meal, singing, worshipping and communion. It always made me feel uplifted. I am so looking forward to getting to return to those “gathering” especially since I feel “emotionally tired”.

And our last step is take time for yourself.

3) TAKE A DAY FOR YOU

Being spiritually tired is the most threatening one for someone who is tempted to quit.

Get away from it all! Social Media, work, family and friends. Focus on YOU and reflect on the vision you have for your life.

When the demands of our lives, drive us to “passionless” steps, it’s time to do something. To pull back. To rewind. When we get caught up with the demands of life, we want to quit every time because we have forgotten who we are and what drives our passion.

Learning to move forward in faith is going to require some energy and effort on our part. Faith is not about determination. When we have faith, especially with God’s promises, usually there is a process.

We ask God to move our mountains, but sometime, well most of the time, God wants us to go around that mountain one more time. Like Joshua did with the city of Jericho. We may not understand, we may think is it senseless or even have doubt. BUT, with faith you need to have some “footwork” too. That means, you NEVER stop taking steps to help our faith grow.

We just need to remember “One mountain at a time, one lap at a time, “one day at a time”, no matter how many laps/days it takes, just keep taking the next step.

Let get in the Word:

When we started the book of Ruth, it began with three funerals, but now it closes with a wedding/marriage. There was a great deal of weeping in the first chapter as well, but there is overflowing joy in the last chapter. Psalms 30:5 says “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy something in the morning”. Words to give us hope when we go through trials and tribulations.

Kinsman-Redeemer. The purpose of the kinsman-redeemer was to preserve the name and protect the property of families in Israel. God owned the land and didn’t want it exploited by rich people who would take advantage of the poor and widows. This law which can be found in Lev. 25:23-34 and Deut. 25:5-10, made sure that a deceased man’s family name did not die with him and that his property was not sold outside the tribe or clan. Unfortunately this did not always happen.

Not everyone could perform the duties of a kinsman redeemer. To begin with, he had to be a near relative/kinsman. (Lev 25:25). This was Boaz obstacle. There was another that more closely related. Then the kinsman-redeemer also had to be able to pay the redemption price. Fortunately Boaz was a wealthy man and able to do so. Then the other thing was that the kinsman-redeemer had to be willing to redeem. They may have the money but not the motivation.  He we see that the man that was the closer relative was afraid it would jeopardize his present family’s inheritance.

The city gate was the place where the official courts did their judicial business in the presence of elders.  The other kinsman wanted the land, but he didn’t want Ruth as part of the deal. So he backed out. Boaz was more that glad to accept the position of kinsman-redeemer. He took the risk of God’s calling, accepted it in faith and his name in written down in Scripture and with honor.  John 2:17 “He who does the will of God abides forever”.

Now this shoe thing is kind of strange. The custom of taking off the show relates to the divine commandment to walk on land and take possession. (Gen. 13:17, Deut. 11:24, Josh. 1:3)

Many scholars state that Boaz the picture of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is OUR Kinsman-Redeemer. Jesus came to earth in a human body to become RELATED to us. He needed to do that before He could REDEEM us. He paid the REDEMPTION price for us.

Like Boaz, Jesus wasn’t concerned about jeopardizing His own inheritance; instead He made us a part of His inheritance (Eph. 1:11, 18). Like Boaz, Jesus made is plan privately, but paid the price publicly. And like Boaz, Jesus did what He did because of His love for His bride.

What wonderful changes came into Ruth’s life because she trusted Boaz and let him work on her behalf? Can we do the same without Kinsman-Redeemer?

After their marriage, God blessed them with a child that would be a source of blessing to many.

He would be a blessing to Naomi. He would bring blessing to Bethlehem. He would bring blessing to Israel in King David. He would bring blessing to the whole world in the Messiah.

Q.U.I.T strategy.

Q – QUESTIONS WE NEED TO ASK AND ANSWER

     How are you going to keep moving forward in faith?

U – UNDERSTANDING THE WORD

     What was the ultimate result of Ruth’s obedience?

I – INTO THE PROMISE

     Which of the Quit Quitting verses did you identify with the most this week?

T – TURN SOMETHING AROUND

     We looked at so many different ways of moving forward in faith., is God asking you to sit still or make movement right now? Write down what this looks like for you.

5 HABITS BIBLE STUDY WEEK #5

WHAT TO READ THIS WEEK: RUTH 3:1-18

QUIT QUITTING VERSES:

      DAY 1 LUKE 6:38

      DAY 2 PROVERBS 4:23

      DAY 3 PROVERBS 23:19

      DAY 4 MARK 12:31

      DAY 5 HEBREW 12:2

In our study this week, we read about Emotional Generosity. What is it? Let’s look at the definition of generosity first. According to Dictionary.com, generosity means: freedom from meanness or smallness of mind or character.

Many times our happiness is challenged by the people we encounter each day, It could be someone on the phones, a teller at the bank, someone driving, a co-worker, spouse, friend or anyone else you may encounter. These encounters are often negatively draining our positive emotions. However, we cannot avoid them, but we can keep our own happiness and reduce the negative emotions that come from these encounters, if we respond with Emotional Generosity.

What is your default reaction when something negative happens to you? How do you react when you are offended? Mistreated? Life goes bad?

Emotional Generosity is the quality of being kind, welcoming and understanding of others, even with all of their flaws, mistakes, quirks, and imperfections without being judgmental. In other words, “cut them some slack”. Give them the benefit of the doubt. They are still accountable for their actions, but you will give them Emotional Generosity.

This is about you taking ownership of your own emotions and reactions, to feel more peace. However emotional generosity is one of the HARDEST forms of kindness to give.

When we offer emotional generosity to others, we create an atmosphere for God to do something powerful IN us and THROUGH us.

We may not WANT to give others what we need. We may often give others what we think they deserve. Snappy comeback. A nasty look. A unforgiving heart. Then is becomes really easy to GIVE UP. QUIT.

When we give others what we need, we are sowing good seed.

So how can we do this you ask? Here are 4 steps that will help with showing emotional generosity.

1) Each day, ask whose life can I bless today? Pray for God to let you be a blessing to someone. It could be from a kind gesture, a smile, a gentle touch or even withholding your tongue .

2) See people in their innocence instead of their guilt. If people say or do something that hurts you, acknowledge that it may not have been intentional. The pain is still there, but the negativity around it is gone.

3) Be willing to consider they might be right. For example when arguing with others, about she said, he said, they said, etc…say the words “ I am willing to consider that you might be right”. This will take the intensity down to a calmer level.

4)  Cut YOURSELF some slack. Stop being your own worst critic. Accept that we ALL make mistakes and NO ONE is perfect.

ARE YOU EMOTIONALLY GENEROUS? Here are some questions to ask yourself.

Does seeing other people happy remind you how unhappy you are?

Do you see people who are pursing the same goals as you as competition?

When you have an idea, do you keep it to yourself?

If someone else is praised for something you do too, do you feel resentful?

Do you feel discontent when others experience the same successes in life you have?

Did you feel unhappy the last time you heard someone get something you wanted?

Do you find it difficult to give others compliments?

Emotional generosity is something we all have to learn and the more we experience being emotionally generous to others, the more we will desire it.

Let get in the Word:

Ever since Boaz came into Ruth’s life, Naomi has been a different person. She is no longer bitter or concern for herself. We see here that she is concerned about Ruth and Ruth’s future. It’s when we serve others that we ourselves receive the greatest joy and satisfaction.

Naomi knew that Boaz would be at his threshing floor that night, guarding his grain that had recently been harvested. Naomi told Ruth to wash, put in perfume and her best clothing. She was actually telling Ruth to act like a bride preparing for her wedding. Then she learned how to present herself to Boaz.

Ruth’s preparation and presentation is like when we come before the mercy seat of Christ. We wash ourselves from our sins, the perfume is like anointing oil that speaks of the presence and the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Salvation is pictured as a change of clothes in Luke 15:22. And being at the feet is when we come to the foot of The Cross.

If Ruth had decided to not lie at Boaz’s feet and done something of her own, Boaz would have been confused and the entire plan would have failed. Isn’t that what we do sometimes? We alter the way that God wants us to do things.

To spread one’s mantle over a person meant to claim that person for yourself. And that is what Ruth was asking Boaz to do. However, Boaz had to handle one little complication. There was another kinsman-redeemer that was a closer relation with Naomi than Boaz. Boaz didn’t want to give Ruth false hope so he explained and told her he would “handle it”.

Naomi and Ruth believed that Boaz would accomplish what he said he would do, they waited patiently. Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He will do it”.

Waiting is difficult. But God tells us in His Word to “Sit still” (Ruth 3:18 NJKV), “Stand still” (Exodus 14:13 NJKV) and “Be still” (Psalm 46:10 NJKV).

Our human nature get nervous and wants to help God out and when we try, we only make matters worse.

Q.U.I.T strategy.

Q – QUESTIONS WE NEED TO ASK AND ANSWER

     Moving forward, how will you choose to be emotionally generous? Who will challenge you the most as your live emotionally generous?

U – UNDERSTANDING THE WORD

     Why was Boaz at the threshing floor? What was the purpose of Ruth’s visit?

I – INTO THE PROMISE

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

T – TURN SOMETHING AROUND

     That person whose name you wrote down above, go ahead and plan out a way you are going to be emotionally generous with him/her this week. Write down what his/her reaction was.