TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?” Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge. Ruth 2:10-12
TODAY’S MESSAGE
This weekend, Pastor Jeff Manion kicked off a new series called HELPING WITHOUT HURTING. This series looks at how to help others in more lasting and meaningful ways. This week, we look at the story of Ruth and Boaz. Ruth was a Moabite who journeys to the land of Israel after the death of her husband. She travels with her mother-in-law, Naomi, intending to care for Naomi. Boaz is a noble man noticing Ruth and Naomi’s needs. Boaz provides for and protects them with wisdom and compassion.
We have a lot to learn from the character and choices of Boaz. He models genuine compassion expressed with wisdom. We each have daily opportunities to serve others, and we can approach each with wisdom and compassion. Parents have opportunities to serve their children, employees have opportunities to serve their bosses and coworkers, and neighbors have the opportunity to serve their communities. May God use this story this week to see opportunities to serve and move us toward serving others with wisdom and compassion.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Ask God to move in your heart this week and that you see places to show compassion. If you struggle to find words, pray with the words in Psalms 119: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law” (Psalm 119:18).
2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.
August is PRAYER. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
