Ruth 1:21

I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and Almighty has afflicted me. 

Heavenly Father, I thank You for all Your promises that are yes and Amen. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but You Lord deliver us from them all. You redeem the soul of Your servants and none of us who trust in You Almighty will be condemned. So, Father, we will bless You at all times, even more in the trials. Praise to You will continually be in our mouths. May our souls make boast in You so the humble will hear of it and be glad, even in the midst of their own afflictions. We pray Your church would come together in unity of the Your Spirit and magnify You and exalt Your name together. As we seek You, we trust You will hear us and deliver us from all our fears. As we look upon You, we are radiant, and our faces are not ashamed. Let not a bitterroot spring up among us as not to defile or trouble others. May we conscientiously look after each other so none of us fail to receive Your grace. I thank You Lord that love covers of multitude of sin and is a herbicide that eradicates all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking. May You use us Lord to bring comfort to those who are suffering, enduring tribulations and troubled. We thank You Lord for strengthening and helping us, upholding us with Your righteous right hand as we seek You. Oh, that we would taste and see You are good. Bless all of us who trust in You Lord, for our good and Your glory, Amen.

2 Corinthians 1:20, Psalm 34, Hebrews 13:15, 1 Peter 4:8. Ephesians 4:31-32, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 and Isaiah 41:10 

John 12:3

Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.

Dear Heavenly Father I come before You today rejoicing in answered prayers! Thank You so very much, Your loving kindness is vast as the ocean. It is amazing how one action of love can fill the atmosphere with a sweet aroma. Your beautiful Son Jesus selfless, obedient act of laying down His life for the sins of the world is beyond belief for some but for me it is the greatest gift I've ever received. Thank You Lord. Many have been motivated by "What's in it for me" when they strategize the outcome of a deed, work or doing a favor, but Jesus You have said those with a pure heart (motivation) will see You. I pray this day to serve You and be glad in it. Your word says, if anyone serves You, they should follow You and where You are there we will also be. Let me live by Mary's example of devotion, give all that I have to You. The custom of her time was to anoint the head of a guest as an act of honor, but anointing Your feet was a display of devotion. I pray my actions, deed and words are also a display of devotion to You Lord Jesus and leave a fragrant aroma of love wherever we go together. Jesus be magnified in my life so those who have not yet met You will today. May You now and forever receive all the glory do Your great name. Amen. 

John 12

Ruth 1:18

When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her. 

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come Your will be done. It is not always easy or comfortable Father to surrender to Your good and perfect will, even when we believe you do us no harm. I am reminded of Jesus words when He went again a second time to pray, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done." Father, I pray for those who are facing various conflicts with loved ones. It is so difficult to change the minds of ones who are determined to do something, especially when we do not know the outcome. Was Naomi just relinquishing giving in to the notion her words held no value. Forgive us for thinking we know best in someone else's life before seeking You in prayer and trusting You with the outcome. We fight so hard for what we think is best for others, that accepting the feelings we have lost the fight is at times even harder. And again, I'm reminded of Jesus withdrawing to kneel and pray, saying "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me, nevertheless not My will, but Yours be done." Father, I believe You will send Your Holy Spirit to strengthen Your children who are being pressed, stretched and tested. Calmness and confidence will make us strong; may we wait for Your help, wisdom and courage. You have instructed us even though quiet can be a struggle it is a good virtue to have. For there is a time to keep silent and a time to speak. For even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. May we remember when they won't be persuaded, we cease speaking and rest in the knowledge the will of You Lord be done. You have declared our thoughts are not Your thoughts neither are our ways Your ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are Yours Father. Thank You for loving us through all our trials and tribulations. Forever grateful, Amen. 

Matthew 6:10, Matthew 26:42, Luke 22:42-43, Isaiah 30:15, Ecclesiastes 3:7, Proverbs 17:27-28, Acts 21:14 and Isaiah 55:8-9

Ruth 1:16

But Ruth said: "Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. 

Jesus, You have instructed Your followers to let them alone, those who our heavenly Father has not planted for they will be uprooted. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch. Yet my heart cries out to You to be merciful and gracious to call with Your loving kindness those who are being deceived by false leaders. Grant us keen discernment to know those who truly worship You the one true living God. There are many false Christ and anti-Christs in our midst even in Your house of worship. Protect those who are sincere and seeking truth, testing the spirit to see if there is a twisting of scripture. Guard our hearts. Lord, I pray for those caught up in false religions, pagan practices and idol worship to understand their instructors are causing them to err and sin against You Almighty. May they receive revelation that being led by such will lead to their destruction. You Jesus have come to give life and life more abundantly. Open the blind eyes to see the ones they are following after who think they are superior and consider themselves guides, lights, instructors and teachers are the exact ones You will judge for their deceptive actions and motives. Call to our lost loved ones beckoning them to come follow You Jesus. May You hear from heaven multitudes respond, 'Where You go, I will go, where You lodge, I will lodge, Your people will be my people and You are my God forever more." Amen.

Matthew 15:13-14, Isaiah 9:16, Proverbs 4:23, John 10:10 and Romans 2:17-22

Ruth 1:14

Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. 

Heavenly Father as I ponder the word in Proverbs "A Friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." I ask myself do I laud faithfulness to You and to others? There is a fickleness that runs through our society that deeply contrast those who are true friends. Ones who are constant are to be cherished. And how much greater to have a brother or sister who helps in times of stress. I desire to be just that but know in many ways and far too often fall short. I am reminded through my short comings there is One who sticks closer than a brother, my Lord and Savior and who is Your precious Son Jesus. So is it simply to have a friend one must themselves be friendly? I think not, for Christ example is to die to ourselves, for there is no greater love that one could give than to lay down their life for their friends. I praise and thank You Jesus for doing just that. As we go forth serving others, watching and learning from Your example You call us companions. It is so humbling a thought that the King of the universe would speak such kindness to our wretched souls. Oh, that we should desire to be as Ruth and cling to You always and forever. I pray we go forth this day loving one another and in doing we bring honor and glory to You, Amen.

Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 18:24 and John 15:9-17

Psalm 30:5

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. 

I will extol You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up, and have not let my foes rejoice over me, O LORD my God I cried out to You, and You healed me, thank You. O LORD You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. On this day I shall sing praises to You with the saints. With Your children I give thanks at the remembrance of Your Holy name Jesus. Your lovingkindness and tender mercies override Your anger that is for a moment. I thank You for giving me life and life more abundant and freer. My weeping has been many nights but certainly joy does come in the morning, great is Your faithfulness, Lord unto me. Father, I pray for those who are grieving, carrying heavy sorrows to experience Your goodness and peace as You turn their mourning to dancing, as I testify You have done it for me. I pray as the people of this world turn and put their trust in You, they will be greeted with deliverance. I thank You that you bow down Your ear to those who cry out to You the great I Am for healing, hope and wholeness Your amazing grace will resound in their lives bringing much needed hope and restoration. Lord, You hate useless idols so I pray for conviction in idolators heart and a swift, complete removal of such offenses. Redeem us O Lord God of truth. This is the day You have made let us rejoice and be glad in it. Amen. 

Proverbs 14:7

Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge. 

Heavenly Father this Proverb doesn't need much explaining so straight forward and yet at times can be so challenging to place into action. Such a powerful reminder to walk away from conversations that can very quickly turn for the worst. Grant me keen discerning ears to hear the lack of piety and to know the sound of corrupted speech. To keep company with this type of folly is dangerous and nothing good can be gained from it. Father, I pray Your Holy Spirit brings a strong resolve deep within me not to engage with those who bear false witness, scoff at truth, lie and have foolish talk, for there is a way that seems right to man but in the end lead to death. I thank You for Your word that is truth and blesses me to have life and life everlasting. I desire to be a wise person and build my house and refrain from foolishly tearing it down with my own hands. I pray to devise good and there I will meet with Your steadfast love and faithfulness. To draw near to You and You will draw near to me. Thank You for blessing me with a awe fear of You for it is the fountain of life. May my heart ponder how to answer the mouth of the wicked that pours out evil things. Thank You for Your promise that "The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. Thank You Lord for loving me so much not being satisfied to leave me the way You found me. I love You Jesus, Amen.