DAY 1: Read Ruth 4:1-12; John 15:13
Ruth 4:1-12 (KJV)
1 Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
2 And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down.
3 And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech’s:
4 And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it.
5 Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance.
6 And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar mine own inheritance: redeem thou my right to thyself; for I cannot redeem it.
7 Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.
8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.
9 And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s, and all that was Chilion’s and Mahlon’s, of the hand of Naomi.
10 Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.
11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:
12 And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman.
John 15:13 (KJV)
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
When genuine revival happens, it brings restoration to those who are revived. In general terms, the normality of a relationship with God is restored. In more specific terms, a relationship of love is restored. The love of life is restored through a love for the things of God and a life that is devoted to Him. A heart that once was captivated by the world is now turned captive to God. By demonstrating sincere devotion and a willingness to sacrifice, those who are revived love God above self and everything else.
The words of Christ provide characteristics of the greatest love of all – a love that is demonstrated by laying down one’s life for another (John 15:13). Jesus went beyond words and demonstrated that great love through His actions when He laid His life down, dying on the cross, so that He could redeem those He loved.
This type of love was demonstrated in the story of Ruth as Boaz took action and made sacrifices to redeem Naomi and Ruth. There is no doubt that Boaz loved Ruth. His willingness to redeem her unto himself at any cost is evidence of that great love. He paid the cost and made the sacrifice necessary to redeem Ruth and have a personal, intimate relationship with her.
Love that leads to revival as a result of redemption comes at a cost. In today’s culture, love is often considered fleeting. That’s because it’s a superficial “love” that has little in the way of the great love that Christ demonstrated to mankind and that Boaz demonstrated to Ruth. It’s a love that runs deep below the surface. It’s a love that withstands the changing times. It’s a love that lasts. It’s the greatest love of all. And it costs.
We all search for the greatest love of all… If you’re honest, you’ll admit that you feel empty without it. As you search for it, think about what that means, what it might cost to fill that emptiness, and what you’re willing to do sustain that love. When you find that love, it will captivate you and you will be willing to lose yourself for it.
If you’re still searching, you can find that great love in a relationship with Jesus Christ. He’s already paid the cost and made the sacrifice to be your greatest love of all. Do you have a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus?
DAY 2: Read Psalm 119:25-32. In verse 25, what is it that the Psalmist believed will bring revival? In verse 31, how does the Psalmist demonstrate commitment? Why is commitment an important part of a relationship with God?
Psalm 119:25-32 (KJV)
25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
DAY 3: Read Proverbs 6:16-19. How does dishonesty hurt a relationship? Why is honesty in a relationship with God so important? Is it possible to live a double life and still have a sincere and devoted relationship? Why or why not?
Proverbs 6:16-19 (KJV)
16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
DAY 4: Read Isaiah 40:28-31. How does knowing God strengthen your relationship with Him? How can you have stronger relationships with those you love? What are the benefits that God promises to those who genuinely love Him?
Isaiah 40:28-31 (KJV)
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
DAY 5: Read Daniel 12:1-4. Why is it important to have a sincere personal relationship with God? How do you demonstrate your love toward God and His church? Do your actions show others that you have a relationship with God? Why or why not?
Daniel 12:1-4 (KJV)
1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
DAY 6: Read John 21:15-19. What is the question Jesus asks Peter? How many times did Jesus ask the question to Peter? Why do you think Jesus emphasized love in His conversation with Peter? When you think of your love for Jesus, does it motivate you to be obedient and to follow Him? Why or why not?
John 21:15-19 (KJV)
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.
DAY 7: Read Haggai 1:7-11. According to this passage what is an important characteristic of a relationship that pleases God? How willing are you to give God all that He asks, regardless of the cost? How does your willingness to give compare to what Jesus spoke of as the greatest love of all in John 15:13?
Haggai 1:7-11 (KJV)
7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.
9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.
10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.
11 And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.
