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Choices. \u00a0Doesn\u2019t it seem like we are making choices constantly from the time we get up, until the time we go to bed? \u00a0What\u2019s for breakfast? \u00a0What to wear? What route to take to work? \u00a0Meet that friend for dinner? \u00a0All day long we are called on to decide. \u00a0Many of these decisions are not life changers. \u00a0We don\u2019t fall to our knees and ask God if we should have raisin toast or Cheerios. \u00a0Thankfully, most choices we make are based more on preferences than facing a real consequence.<\/p>\n
In our book, we see a difficult life changing decision that Ruth had to make. \u00a0Should she stay with \u2018her people\u2019 or does she follow God and go with Naomi? \u00a0As we know, Ruth made the decision to follow God, and we see the blessings she received because of it. \u00a0How did God reward Ruth\u2019s choice to follow Him rather than the \u201cdo whatever you want\u201d, hedonistic society she came from? \u00a0He provided her with a godly husband, a son who would be King David\u2019s grandfather and inclusion in the lineage of Jesus Christ. \u00a0Not a bad deal!<\/p>\n
As single women in our society, we have to decide to break from the \u201cAmerican way\u201d constantly. \u00a0Sometimes this is not easy. \u00a0I know personally there are times when I am tempted to take the easy way out. \u00a0Why not have a few drinks? \u00a0I will be more relaxed. \u00a0Why not watch those movies? \u00a0I\u2019m not hurting anyone. \u00a0Why not let that guy in even though I know he isn\u2019t the right one for me? \u00a0I\u2019m lonely. \u00a0Why not sacrifice my purity? \u00a0Girls, I know these are not easy decisions, and these scenarios are just a few that we face. \u00a0Our friends may treat us differently when we make the right choice, we may even lose some of those friends.<\/p>\n
We may face lonely weekend nights because we have nowhere to go. \u00a0We may be made fun of, or looked down on. \u00a0I was actually told by a male friend that I would never have the chance to get married because I won\u2019t have premarital sex. \u00a0Now I KNOW that is not true, it isn\u2019t God\u2019s truth, but don\u2019t you know that during those times when the nights are long, and hope is fleeting, the enemy uses those words. \u00a0I have wondered if maybe my friend was right, and I will never find someone because I don\u2019t follow the way of this world. \u00a0These are the times I need to cling to Him, and His truth and have faith that that is what is real. \u00a0And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world\u2019s corruption caused by human desires. (2 Peter 2:4)<\/p>\n
But why? \u00a0Why bother following His ways when the other ways seem to be so much more fun, or seem to have a better pay off. \u00a0I say to some trusted friends all the time, \u201cI don\u2019t understand, why do I have to be \u201cperfect\u201d for God to give me someone? \u00a0This Christian here is messed up, that one over there is messed up, yet God gave them someone to love them. \u00a0Why am I different? \u00a0Why not me? \u00a0Does God think I\u2019m not good enough? \u00a0Is he punishing me?\u201d<\/p>\n
Girls, the reality is that God is not punishing us in our singleness, and we are definitely worth it. \u00a0He has amazing plans for us, if only we put our trust in Him. \u00a0Look what He says in Matthew 19:29: And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. Ruth received her 100 times. \u00a0She found her godly husband and all that went along with that. \u00a0Is that God\u2019s plan for all of us? \u00a0I can\u2019t say it is. \u00a0What I do know is that the rewards for following Him are far greater than any temporary pleasure that come of following the ways of this world. \u00a0Stay strong girls. \u00a0You are worth it!!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Let\u2019s Pray<\/strong> Your Assignment<\/strong>
\nFather God, we ask you to give us strength. \u00a0We want to stay strong in your promises. \u00a0Some days the temptation of worldly sin seems so strong. \u00a0We don\u2019t know if we have what we need to overcome it. \u00a0But we know that when we don\u2019t have what we need, you supply it. \u00a0In Your strength we can conquer anything and make the choices that are best for us. \u00a0We know you have amazing plans for us. Even when we don\u2019t know exactly what they are, we rest in the promise that they exist. \u00a0Thank you Lord for being there for us in our weakness. \u00a0In Your Name we pray. Amen.<\/p>\n
\nPlease leave a comment below sharing your struggles with obedience. \u00a0Is it hard to resist the temptations of this world? \u00a0If you don\u2019t struggle, what are some of the strategies you use to avoid these feelings? \u00a0How can we pray for you?<\/p>\n