1st bible study for women : RUTH/ Ruth chapters 1-5

I can't type all of Ruth on here, but read the book of Ruth, there's only 5 chapters.  I want to focus on a few scriptures and what God has given me, and please feel free to leave comments, thoughts, and what God has given you.

We know that Ruth was married to one of Naomi's sons.  The sons and Naomi's husband were killed leaving her with her two daughters in law, one of which went back to her family.
Ruth however, made this statement found in Chapter 1: 16
And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and wherever thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.
In vs 19 it tells us that Ruth and Naomi left and went into Bethlehem, and when they got there it was the beginning of the barley harvest.

Naomi had a kinsman by the name of Boaz and Ruth went to glean in his field.  Boaz came to his field and ask who this woman was that was gleaning in his field.  He told her in vs 8 & 9 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: vs 9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. 

Boaz could have kept Ruth from gleaning in his fields.  I believe that because Ruth had forsaken everything for God, then God showed favor on her by having Boaz to find favor in her, and as we know Boaz and Ruth married.
How many of us will forsake everything for God?  Is He number one in our lives?  Above our husbands, children, boyfriends, family or friends?  Do we put His will above our own? 
When there were other fields Ruth could have gleaned in, I believe God directed her to Boaz's.  Not just because he was Naomi's kinsman, but because that is where God wanted her to be.  God took her from a place where she was a widowed to a place where she became loved and cherised, where people found favor in her.  The other women looked well upon her because of her devotion to Naomi and her willingness to put everything behind her and go with Naomi and to serve God.  We can also look at vs 16 as Entreat me God, that wherever You lead me, I will go, whatever You want me to do, I will do.  I will lay it all down God, just to be in Your will!  Are we willing to do that?  In the footnotes in the study bible, it makes this statement about Ruth.  (Her firm commitment "thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God" brought a rich reward to the family, nation, and ultimatley all mankind.)  When we do what God tells us to do, wants us to do, the way He wants it done, it will bring blessings upon us and our household.  We should not just do it for the benefit of the blessing's though, we should do because He is God and He is worthy.
Are we devoted to God the way we should be?  Are we being the woman that God wants us to be? 
See, God revealed to me a few months back, that being a Godly woman wasn't just about the ministry but it was about being a Godly woman in our everyday lives.  In our marriage, as a mother, as a daughter, a friend, co worker, etc.  Not only are we going to look at women in the bible through this bible study, but we will also look at what the bible has to say about marriage and being a mother.  You can be a Godly woman even if you are not a singer, teacher, preacher, etc. 
Read the book of Ruth, the whole 5 chapters, and let me know what God showed you.  There's some more in the book that I didn't go into, and God may show you something that He didn't show me....so read it, and post your comments.  I look forward to it...that's what this bible study is for!
Be blessed & Be encouraged
Evang. Patti Smith

God can use you!

So have you ever had anyone tell you that God can't use you because you're a woman?  Well, my sisters out there, that is wrong!  God CAN use YOU and He wants to use You!  All throughout the bible, God uses women.  The most obvious thing He used them for was to give birth, but He also used them in other ways....the woman at the well, once Jesus had forgiven her of her sins, she went into the city telling of Him and what He did for her.  Esther was a handmaid, put into the position of queen, so God could get done what He wanted done. 
Yes the bible says that we are to submit to our husbands and that they are the head of the house, so I'm not telling you to begin to think you are over your husband because that would be wrong.  All I'm wanting you to understand is that God can use you too.
For example, my husband and I work in the ministry together.  He preaches, I sing and do some preaching too, and God sometimes uses me in other ways too.  Now you are probably saying, well what if I can't sing, play an instrument, preach, or anything like that?  God can still use You!  You can be a witness, you can teach a class, you can testify, you can reach out to other women, you can be a listener...what if you're not called to teach....God can still use you. You can PRAY!! Yes, God needs more prayer warriors out there, He needs more people to tell of His goodness and love.
Through these bible studies we are going to look at all the women in the bible, we are going to discuss what it's like to be a women today, and we're going to learn how to step up and be who God wants us to be.  I may not get one posted everyday but I'm going to try my best.  We will stay on each woman til God says it's time to move on.  Please feel free to post your comments, you're thoughts, you're feelings, your ideas...this is a bible study, open discussion...just because we're not in the same room, doesn't mean we can't do a bible study together.  If you have prayer request, post them and we will pray...there will be no judgemental words on here, just what the bible says...and we will show love and prayer....I will post the first lesson either later today or tomorrow, I wanted to post this first so everyone would know about it.
May God bless you all, look forward to doing bible study with you!
Workin for the Master
Evang. Patti Smith