Welcome to our first week of Broken & Redeemed! I am so glad you are joining us and look forward to spending the next six weeks with you as we learn to remove our labels of brokenness and instead begin to wear a new label… that of Redeemed!
If you haven’t already done so, make sure to subscribe to our blog or download our #LoveGodGreatly app so you will have access to our corresponding blog posts on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays!
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My heart has always gone out to Naomi (or should I say “Niomi”?! Sometimes I truly don’t know where my Indiana/Ohio/Texas accent is going to take me when I shoot my videos!!! Sorry folks, I digress…).
How heartbreaking it must have been for her to return to Bethlehem without her husband and two sons. She had left home full of anticipation with each of them by her side. Step by step they walked together toward a new and more hopeful future. A new life was waiting for them just around the corner… or, so they thought.
Now years later Naomi returns home with neither her husband nor her sons by her side. A woman who had left home whole was now returning broken and ashamed.
And she wondered if she had heard God wrong.
Why had He allowed so much pain to enter her life? Why so much loss? Did He really have to allow her husband and both of her sons to die? What had she done to deserve this punishment… this affliction?
“Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.” – Ruth 1:20-21
Though we may not have experienced the loss of our husbands and children, I think all of us can relate to the questions and emotions of feeling as though God has left us. We wrestle at night in our beds when no one else is awake, staring at the ceiling and wondering what we have done to upset God so much that He would leave us and take His blessings with Him. We feel lonely, abandoned, and bitter in the heartbreak that surrounds us… almost unable to breathe. And last thing we want to do is go home in this condition. And yet, going home to people who love us – for many of us – is always the best option when we are broken.
Because the truth is… we live in a broken world that is stained with loss, pain, and heartbreak.
YET…
We are not alone.
In our pain, our ears and hearts begin to listen to whispers of doubts:
“You are broken.”
“You are not loved.”
“You are abandoned.”
“You are not good enough.”
“You are a mistake.”
“You are not _______.”
Like Naomi, we allow our emotions to dictate truth to us instead of God’s Word. We allow our emotions and our hurt to cloud our eyesight and we fail to see how God is providing for our needs in the midst of our pain.
Naomi felt alone. She felt broken, empty, and afflicted.
YET…
God, in His mercy, had given her Ruth.
She had a companion to join her as she traveled back down the road she had taken previously with her husband and sons. She did not travel back home alone and empty like she felt. Ruth was with her, as was God.
And in the midst of her heartache, God was using her in a powerful way. For it is because of Naomi that Ruth learns about God, trusts God, makes Naomi’s God her own… and eventually becomes the great-grandmother of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
God used Naomi’s brokenness.
Friends, I want to encourage you with this today: no matter what you are going through, no matter the pain, the heartache, or betrayal… God is at work.
I pray you are encouraged by Naomi’s story today and are reminded that God can always bring good out of any pain. He is always working in our lives, and He will redeem our broken pieces for His glory.
Our identity does not come from our brokenness, but from who God says we are.
I am complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10)
I am a child of God. (Galatians 3:26)
I am chosen. (1 Peter 2:9)
I am redeemed. (Gal. 3:13)
I am justified. (Romans 5:1)
I am an overcomer. (Rev. 12:11)
I am forgiven. (Eph. 1:7)
I am firmly rooted, built up, established in my faith and overflowing with gratitude. (Colossians 2:7)
I am greatly loved by God. (Romans 1:7; Ephesians 2:4; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4)
I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ to do good works. (Eph 2:10)
God is always with me. He will not leave me. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
God is my Comforter. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
I have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16)
I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
I have the Greater One living in me; greater is He Who is in me than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
It is not I who live, but Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20)
Love God Greatly!
Week 1 Video:
(Can’t see the video? Click here.)
Week 1 Challenge: Print off and place this printable somewhere in your house so you can look and memorize God’s truth when you hear the whisper of labels being put upon you.
Week 1 Reading Plan:
Week 1 Memory Verse:
TODAY begins Week 1 of our Broken & Redeemed study! Grab your favorite beverage, crack open your Bible, and together let’s rejoice with the broken and redeemed of God.
You can grab a copy of our Broken & Redeemed journal on Amazon here or download it at this location.
We also have a corresponding kid’s Broken & Redeemed journal geared for children in elementary grades. You can grab a copy on Amazon at this location.
This is so for me I just lost a very sweet grandson 4 weeks ago who lived with me and his mother he was ot truely my grandson but he thought he was and that’s what I thought to.on a Friday night I had put him to bed as I often do he woke up a few hours early for a bottle and discovered he was very warm there was no indication he was sick .I rushed him to the hospital and he passed away a few days later we are devastated from this loss and miss him so much so as you can see this is a much needed Bible study
Oh Connie love, am so sorry about your loss. God is in control. We are happy you are studying God’s word at this time. May the peace and comfort of God be with you and your family at this time. Amen.
Oh Connie! I am so sorry for your loss! God is in control, and your precious angel is resting in the Arms of Jesus! I am praying for peace and comfort for you and this little boys momma.
I’m so sorry for your loss, I will pray for you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Connie I’m so sorry for your loss. We can never understand why, we can only try to find comfort knowing God has a plan. Prayers and hugs to your family.
Mondee -~LGG Encourager
Dear Connie, my heart breaks with yours. I lost a grandson in August (born prematurely with undeveloped lungs). He lived about 96 minutes and was held, loved on, talked to and sung to every minute of his precious life. I hold on to this and I know you have memories of playing with, talking to, feeding…just loving your precious boy. This has been an emptying for you, but may our Father of all comfort fill us both to overflowing…He is with us and will give us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness …that we might be trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified! (Isaiah 43:1-3a, 61:3) Praying for you…
I am so sorry for your loss. We had a grandson who lived for a week and left this earth and our hearts were broken. That bond is so special and you are in my prayers.
I am so sorry to hear this Connie. My heart hurts for your loss as I am a mother of 2 small boys and cannot imagine your pain. May God help you through this tough time. I am thinking of you and your angel.
I am so sorry for your loss
Always look forward to these videos – its the first thing I look at on Monday’s blog post! thank you for taking the time to encourage us!
We thank Paula. God bless you as you enjoy our study. Many blessings.
I look forward to them also! I’m so thankful for all the women who put together the studies. Glad your with us Paula!
Mondee~LGG Encourager
Naomi’s (and Ruth’s) story resonates with me. Although God has given me a Chapter 2, I also have experienced loss of husband and child. It’s the kind of pain that leaves you walking through life with a huge gaping hole in your chest. Broken. I learned, first hand, what our blog post stated, “no matter what you are going through, no matter the pain, the heartache, or betrayal… God is at work.” It is a good thing that our identity comes in Christ because if I had remained where I was during my time of darkness, broken and alone, I would have turned away from Him. But God! But God! He called me back, gently leading me towards Him again. I had a choice. Walk away from Him or draw closer to Him. I chose Him.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss, Dawn. It is so very encouraging to hear the rest of your story, though! Thank you so much for sharing about how God helped you come out of darkness into His light!
Father, thank You so much for your daughter, Dawn. Thank You for the strength and comfort You have given her. Continue to build her up and draw her closer to You as she seeks Your presence through Your word. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Dawn thank you for sharing your heart, your story, it brought tears of sadness and joy to my eyes. I love when you called out But God! And it touches me and I know others when you shared that you chose God instead of turning away. Prayers to you and a huge hug.
Mondee~LGG Encourager
Oh darling so so sorry about your loss. As m grateful to God that He called you towards Himself and you followed. God be with you honey. Amen.
Amen! 😍🙏🏼
Looking forward to another study with all of you! I love to read the comments that others leave. I also like to use this along with You Vision although I’m not seeing the study posted on there this morning. Is this no longer available or is it late getting posted? I have so many things I pray for but I am not seeing the answers and can find myself wondering why God answers prayers for some people and not others. It does help to know that God is working silently in those areas where I may not necessarily be able to see and I may never see it! I will always trust that He knows best for me and will always be with me no matter what!
Good morning Patti! I have to remember that my prayers will be answered in Gods perfect timing. It’s so hard and it can seem like nothing is happening, we just have to trust, and pray intentionally, and keep our eyes opened for blessings we are receiving and may not be seeing because we are focusing on other things. I know he is working silently and always guiding us. Glad your here with us!
Mondee~LGG Encourager
He answers honey and like Mondee said we have to trust His timing. In those areas where He seem quiet, He is working behind the scene to bring to pass His counsel for our lives. Hold on and trust Him.
About the study on YouVersion Version we are sorry it’s coming up late. It should be coming up by noon. So sorry again.
You are know by Him and He is working love. Amen.
I find myself in a season like Naomi. In the last 3 months, I have had a miscarriage and lost my father-in-law. I have found myself detaching from my husband and children through my grief, bitterness, and anger. I read Ruth 1 and can completely relate to Naomi’s feelings, and I find myself asking “How can I be more like Ruth?” Who chose to walk away from what was comfortable and go to her mother in laws home… faithful, loyal, and worship the one true God. I then read your post Angela, and one thing struck me. Where Naomi felt abandoned, she was not, because God gave her Ruth. So now I have changed my inner questioning to “Who is my Ruth?” It could very well be this study that God has placed in my life during this time.
Awww Misty honey, so so sorry about your loss. Praise God you ran to His word and close to Him.
I pray that every “Ruth” God has ordained for this your season will come to you in Jesus name.
We thank God for this study at this time in your life. You are more than victorious my dear. Blessings.
I too just had a miscarriage and am very broken. It would have been my first child. This study truly spoke to me. I can relate so much to Naomi. I know our God is greater than any tradegy that comes my way.
I too just had a miscarriage and am very broken. It would have been my first child. This study truly spoke to me. I can relate so much to Naomi. I know our God is greater than any tradegy that comes my way.
I only got as far into the study as the verses of Ruth 1:20-21 when the Lord began to speak to my heart. I began to write and although it’s a bit different from what this study was about, I think it’s still good enough to share. It’s about getting in the Word and letting the Lord speak in our lives, right? Hope it’s alright to share this here. Thank you for this study, I needed this word from the Lord today in my own life. Blessings~
Naomi came home from years of being away and everyone still called her Naomi! Yet, in her state of life, from her perspective, she saw herself only as afflicted, empty, broken, and bitter. Mara.
http://itcrossedmymind.blogspot.com/2017/03/renewed-perspective-naomi.html
Thanks a lot dear for sharing that with us. May we all grow in Him oh s knowledge daily. Amen.
Wow that was really good. Gave me a lot to think about. How can I live the fullness of my name ( which means song). For me it means being an encourager. Can I give someone something to sing about. Thanks Steffanie for sharing.
Seven years ago, my 17 year old daughter passed away after a brief and unexpected illness. Throughout the entire experience, God showed me a side of Himself I had never experienced. In my time of grief, He also revealed to me who the Ruth’s were in my life. He didn’t just send me one, He sent me several Ruth’s! How is that for overflow and abundance? Seven years later, I can openly and apologetically testify to the grace and mercy of God!
Oh oh dear. Am so happy for this testimony of yours. So happy that you can talk about it. God our great healer. Continue strong my dear. Blessings darling.
Thank you for this study. I am excited to be doing it. I have recently moved and really feel the loss of a good group of sisters to study the Word with. So this study comes at a perfect time!
We are so glad that you have joined us, Heidi! God is always so faithful in His timing. May He bless the time you spend drawing nearer to Him through His word!
Hi! Looking forward to this new study! Will it be on Youversion again as well? I searched for it today, but couldn’t find it. Thanks for all you do!!! ?
Dear, we are happy this study meets you at the right time. I know you will enjoy God and the study. And yes it will be on You Version. You should check again, it should have been uploaded. Much love.
it’s On you version but there was a mistake. It was called walking in wisdom but it had broken and redeemed content and image. So sorry for the mix up.
I’m feeling a lot like Naomi right now. My son passed away 9 years ago suddenly and unexpectedly. Now my husband passed away 2 weeks ago suddenly and unexpectedly. I still love God greatly, yet I’m not sure what His plan is for me. I have 3 daughters that are extremely broken as well.
Oh Patty am so sorry. I can’t begin to imagine what you and your daughters are going through.
Dear Lord, your daughter needs Your direction. At times like this we are clueless on what to do but Your word says you are close to the brokenhearted. Lord may her and her daughters feel Your presence. Please help them through this time. To You Glory. Amen.
What a great start to this series as it is exactly the encouragement I needed! I am going through a state of brokenness myself right now and the reminder that God will use my brokenness for his glory is incredibly reassuring.
Betty, isn’t it awesome how God gives us exactly what we need to hear at just the right time? Praying for you as you put feet to your faith and keep moving forward during this season. Blessings,
Lyli, LGG Encourager
Was the week 1 challenge supposed to be in printable link format?
I’m wondering the same. I’m not able to print it.
What type of device are you using? i.e. Laptop, iPad, etc?
I can’t find this study on you version. Please help? Thank you.
Sorry about that, Linda. There was actually a slight issue with the title of the plan. It has since been corrected, so you should be able to find it if you search for Broken and Redeemed.
I can truly relate to Naomi’s loss of identity she feels in the death of her husband and sons. She was a wife and mother, then she wasn’t. This summer I lost a student I was very close to and to whom I had worked very hard with to build a positive relationship. I had so many plans this school year on how I was going to continue to build the positive bond but when I found out he died, I was lost. I was empty as Naomi says. I truly believe I was put on this earth to help young people and when part of that purpose was taken away, I was bitter. Selfishly, I didn’t want to create another bond with a student. I didn’t want to pursue my purpose. But, God finds a way and though I don’t have a profound relationship like I did last year, I’ve worked to build bonds with my students who need that bond more than anything.
Katie, praying for you this morning. I worked with teens for two decades, and your story grabbed this teacher’s heart. May God comfort you and give you courage to stay at it. You are making a difference in those young lives. Hugs
I have always loved this story. Can’t wait to read more over the next 6 weeks!
For those of you unable to find this study on YouVersion:
This study, which is on YouVersion, is misnamed. Instead of being under Broken and Redeemed, you can find it under the name of our last study, which was Walking in Wisdom. The name is wrong, but the content is right. It’s a little confusing, and it took me a minute to find it, but it is there! Yay!!
Thank you, Linda!
Thank you, Linda, for helping with this! The title and description have been updated, so you should be able to find it by searching for Broken and Redeemed now.
I have not started the study, I only start next with my Afrikaans group. But I decided to read the blog. After finish reading the blog I started to read the comments, and I had not yet even finished reading the first comment and I was in tears. We lost our grandson last September he, was only 25 days old. And it has been very hard for me. We never saw our grandson (but we do have a lot of photos) and the night that Adriaan phoned us to tell us there were problems I dreamt that I was holding him in my arms, and I think that is what it makes so difficult is that I will never be able to hold in my arms. I really think that this study has come at the right time, for me and my daughter in law (she believes in God and does not blame God for what happend but is still hurting very much, but she does not spend time in His word, and I want to share this with her.) I know that we are all broken, but God walks with us every day and we will get through this.
Praying for you and for your family, Velia. May God surround you with His supernatural comfort and strength. Hugs
I have ordered & am looking forward to getting the journal for this study. I really don’t even know what to ask to be prayed for..I just know that myself & my family would greatly appreciate prayer for healing, second chances & restoration.
Father, I lift Brenda up to You. You know what things she has need of before she even asks. Thank You, Lord, for drawing her near to You as she reaches out to You in her study time. Lead her, guide her, show her things in Your word that she may have never seen before. Thank You for Your daughter and her family. Thank You for drawing them closer to each other with each passing day. Help their hearts to be softened towards one another so that restoration and peace abound. In Jesus’s name, amen.
I was online looking for bible study guides and stumbled across this site. My heart jumped a beat when I started reading comments below in the blog. I too have had tragic loss. My husband and I lost our 20 yr old son to tragic accident 3 years ago this month. And it is the most painful thing to live with. You see, the day I knew my son was already passed (on life support), I told him to make a path, and that mama would find him, and thats the I decided to commit my life to our Lord. My son was baptized a few months before accident, which I am so very thankful, and he had a bible on him in the accident, so I believe his father in Lord was strong. I dug deep and believe when we were deciding to take him off life support, the Lord told me to lean on him, and it’s what my son would have wanted. It”s a struggle everday, but from the will of God, I truly believe he is by our side. Otherwise, I would have gone crazy by now. We need something to hope in going through difficult times and I believe the Lord enters our lives, guides, and comforts us at the perfect time. So with that said, I’d like to thank the beautiful women that put these tools together and that we may strengthen our faith and wait for our Lord and Savior to come. And that when the day comes, when the Lord comes, we’ll be waiting and always be watching for him to take us to God the Father.
Hi guys, love the app. and I am trying to follow along from overseas. I truly appreciate these. Could i ask one small request, would you take into consideration working on not saying “umm” so much. I realize i am not used to hearing it in ENG from other places. I AM SORRY i don’t want to be rude. It is just super distracting. Again i truly enjoy the content and thank you for putting these out on the net!
I am no stranger to loving loss. When I was in my 20’s, I had a miscarriage at 5 months. When I turned 40, my dad died suddenly and totally unexpected. A year later, I found out my husband had been unfaithful. Goes helped me through all of those. In 2014 on Mother’s Day, I felt so blessed. We celebrated at my mom’s house with both of my children and all 8 of my grandchildren. (6 are biological and two of my daughter’s were just adopted from the DR.) After that celebration my daughter and her 6 children came to our house. When it came time for them to leave (they lived 2 hours away) my 5 year old grandson, Micah, asked if they could spend the night. They told him no and loaded everyone in the car. Little did I know that those would be the last words I would hear him speak. The next day, I received a call that my daughter and 4 biological grandchildren had been hit by an 18 wheeler while on the way to pick up the other two from school. Micah went to be with Jesus and the older two girls had traumatic brain injuries. The oldest also had broken bones from her face to her ankle and was airlifted to my city while the other granddaughter was kept at the hospital there. That was the longest 2 hour drive of my life. It was on that drive that I found out about Micah by searching news stories on my phone. Three years later, I am still struggling with this loss. I think it maybe more the loss of what was. I know Micah is in a much better place, but everyday I see how those TBI’s have stolen so much from the girls. I see the challenges my daughter faces everyday caring for them and fighting for the services they need in school. The two children they adopted have special needs and now she has two more with special needs. I pray daily for direction but just seem lost most days. I know God is working to make this storm work for His glory, but my heart still hurts so much. Mom’s are supposed to make things better, but this is a pain I can’t take away from her. I try to be there for her when she needs me to help, but being 2 hours away, working full time and also taking care of my mom who is in the early stages of dementia makes that challenging. God gives me strength to do what I can. I feel broken and am hoping this study will help heal that brokenness so I can find the joy I once had.
I’ve had this book since before the study began, but life kept happening and getting in the way. Now, I’ve just started the Broken & Redeemed study today 6/5…and I’m definitely alone. I’m married and have to married children, but because of hurts I’ve caused with my tongue, I’m only talking to one of my children. I’ve hurt my son and his wife deeply for voicing problems I’ve had with them. Though the things I said may be true, it wasn’t my place to confront them and now they don’t speak with me or allow me time with my 4 grandchildren and they’re both applying for jobs many hours away to get away from the family. So much more I could say about the brokenness of our family, but it’s deep and wide. I know nothing is too deep for the Lord, but it’s so hard to see past the brokenness right now. My heart is broken…
I needed this,…Thank you
Lost my daddy unexpectedly 2 weeks ago. It has been the most painful thing I have ever dealt with. I haven’t felt God in the midst of any of it until tonight. My mother in law said you need to get alone with God and in His word…find a devotion…and this one speaks to my soul. Thank you Jesus
Wow, all I can say this fits my life perfectly right now. I was in a car accident in June, 2 days after my 32nd birthday. I ended up with two fractures in my pelvis. I was out of work for a month and went back half time after that for another month until they let me go because i wasnt healing fast enough for them. I lost my health insurance and have not been able to get the care needed. I cannot find work. I am feeling abandoned and alone more now than ever. I feel like Naomi. I am just tired and ready to give up.
I am Sorry, I didnt mean to reply like that, I thought it was a forum on the devotion I read.
Connie, I am so sorry for your loss. I can only imagine. Ill keep you and your family in my prayers.
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Why do I have get the app or download something to get the stud on Broken & Redeemed?
Oh Naomi… this story makes me cry. I have not suffered loss as you have but I fell empty… I suffer from losses at my own hand. I believe in God but has strayed away. I have let my fear rule my life. I am on a long journey to getting back to loving Jesus… on a Journey to my homeland in faith… when firy passion burned for Jesus that has since died to embers….