These are a few of our SOAP notes from today’s reading. We encourage you to read and journal on your own first, then join us in conversation about what God revealed to YOU today. Click HERE to go directly to the daily reading if you wish.
Printable reading plan: Life Journal Reading Plan
Want to walk through the Bible one book at a time? Head over to Discover One Thing Online Study!
Be Glorified | Kim Chipman
S~ Human defiance only enhances your glory, for you use it as a weapon. Psalm 76:10 (NLT)
O~ Exodus 9:16 But I have spared you for a purpose – to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth
*This is from a message the Lord delivered through Moses to Pharaoh. The Lord reminded Pharaoh that He could have wiped all the Egyptians off the face of the earth by now, but spared them for a purpose…so God’s glory could be shown.
A~ You can, and do, use every little thing for Your glory. “Human defiance only enhances Your glory” – when I choose my way instead of Your way – pride – the root of so much sin – Your holiness is even more striking – and the distance between my sin nature and Your purity is even more obvious.
Pharaoh’s rebellion led to You hardening his heart even more so that You would be glorified.
P~ I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do with this today. Help me to see. Help me to maintain a soft, teachable heart and avoid defiance. I love You.
Refine Me, oh Lord! | Robin Laney
S~ In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6 (NIV)
O~ Peter wrote this letter to Jewish Christians who had been scattered into Asia Minor by persecution. In the verses before this one, he encouraged them by reminding them they had received a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, an imperishable inheritance waiting for them in Heaven, and a great gift of faith in which they were shielded by God’s power until the day of their salvation. In verse 6, he recognized that their faith journey had not been an easy one and he went on to tell them that there was a purpose in their trials – the refining of their faith.
A~ What a glorious hope we have in Jesus! What peace and joy come with knowing him as we do! Yet, he never promises that our walk will be easy. We are as foreigners in this land, set apart to be Holy as He is Holy. In that, there is bound to be trouble for us because we are called to be counter-cultural, to be in the world but not of it. Many people don’t understand and many are offended by the Truth of the Gospel and what it asks of them. An encounter with Jesus Christ requires a response and to follow requires a sacrifice many won’t offer, a full surrender of self.
The Christians who lived at this time, faced an emperor who demanded they worship only him. Pagan temples made their money off of the worshipers who frequented and with the spread of Christianity came a downturn in profits. Followers of Jesus did not subscribe to the immorality of the day and the ideals of power and self. They didn’t fit in and lived their lives out for the glory of God who was unknown and offensive to the pagans and so they were targets for ridicule and persecution. We, as the Church, are experiencing more and more of this in our days.
Peter’s letter, written to encourage our brothers and sisters so long ago, is a clear message to us as well. We should not expect our walk with Christ, here on earth, to be an easy one but we can be assured that each trial we face will serve to strengthen our faith and prove it genuine resulting in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. (v.7)
P~ Lord, thank You for the hope You give, the inheritance You promise, and the power of Your protection over my faith. Open my eyes to see each trial as a refinement of my faith which brings me closer to You, glorifies You and honors You so that the people around me can see You more clearly.
Our team would love the privilege of praying for you! Please share how we can lift you in prayer at DiscoverOneThingPrayer@gmail.com
Discover One Thing 