Day 98

Ruth 4:13-22; 1 Samuel 1:1-8; 1 Chronicles 2:9-55; 4:1-23.  “Unfamiliar Names”

         Professional golfer, Karen Permezel, hails from Yackandandah, Australia.  Finding that name to be a mouthful, writers sometimes ask Permezel where the town in located.  Permezel is happy to be of assistance.  “It’s near Mount Murramurrabong, not far from Tangambalanga,” she replies. (Sports Illustrated)
         Today’s passages list off plenty of names for us.  Some of those names we’ve never read before in Scripture and may not read of again.  Several of those mentioned did great things and walked with the LORD wholeheartedly, and yet much of their life may not be elaborated on.
         Consider the names you would have if you listed every member of your genealogy in the past 200 years.  Although you may have a long list of names you would not have the tremendous deeds and characteristics of many on that list.
         Many less-known people have done marvelous things and have lived exemplary lives.  If the tradeoff is receiving the praise of men here on Earth or instead receiving the rewards of God in Heaven (Matthew 6:1,4,5,18), I am sure we would take the latter.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?

Bible Discussion Guide:
Psalm 139 discusses the knowledge God has of each of us and each moment being laid out by Him.  It also tells us that through His marvelous workmanship He uniquely made each of us.  Have you ever questioned how God made you?  Have you ever wondered why God took you through Course A in life and not B?
How does your contentment (or discontentment) with what you are and where you are presently at in life affect your service and ministry?
 
Paul’s second letter to Timothy explains how we can best serve the Lord and minister to others.  The emphasis is not on credentials, looks, or strength, but on faithfulness, work, honorable words and character, etc.  “If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for His purpose.  Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21).
Do you presently have some priorities flipped around?  Are you working harder on your image with others or your identity with God?  How are you serving God?
Are you living up to your potential?  This touches on more than gifts and abilities.  It also addresses self-discipline and work.
Thinking things through before you do them is more important than it sounds and also more difficult.  We struggle with it from the age of 5 to 85.  Discuss this point.
From life and Scripture, illustrate the effect of one’s sin on others.
What grabbed you the most from the book of Ruth?
Personal application:  Are you content with being a “behind the scenes” person?
Why does God love to use the simple to do the splendid?