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!
Attitude Check! | Tara Wiley
S~ So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ Luke 17:10 NIV
O~ Jesus gives the example of a servant who follows his master’s command, even after a long day of work – not giving up at the end, but continuing through the evening to serve his master, with a humble attitude that is revealed in verse 10.
A~ I have to confess I’ve been battling a certain amount of resentment lately at the amount of effort life is requiring of me. By the time I get to the kitchen to make dinner, then have to return to clean up, I just want to sit down. And so, in my heart, I grumble. At this moment, I’m looking at the week ahead and I am already battling a serious case of ‘don’t wanna.’
But here’s the deal: Everything I do can be done for the glory of God. Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17 And here in Luke, I’m reminded that everything God asks of me, I should do with a humble heart, remembering that I am just His servant, doing my duty. Every act of love – every act of service – everything in my life! – can be done with this attitude. And I know it makes a difference.
P~ Lord, forgive me for my bad attitude. I want to serve with a generous and humble heart. Help me be more like You. Continue to remind me of the promises of Your word, that nothing I do in Your name will be forgotten by You. Help me grow in character today. I will choose to give thanks in every opportunity I have to serve.
Thy Kingdom Come! | Robin Laney
S~ “…nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” Luke 17:21 (ESV)
O~ The Pharisees are asking Jesus when the Kingdom will come. In their limited, human perspective they are imagining an earthly kingdom, one with geographical boundaries. Jesus is trying to convey to them that they should not be looking for physical attributes. The Kingdom of God is a spiritual one and He, King Jesus, was already among them. In the near future, the Kingdom of God would be IN them by the Holy Spirit if they chose to follow Jesus. Many of them missed Him because they were looking past Him for a Savior of their own imaginings. The Kingdom was right there among them and they were looking for it in another form.
A~ Still today, we sometimes look for the Kingdom in the physical – churches, organizations, godly people. We look to others we perceive as better equipped, more knowledgeable, closer to God to solve issues. We pray for Jesus to return for our salvation from the evils and temptations of this world. We look forward to the time when the Kingdom is in full swing and there is no more pain or sadness or hate. I believe that Jesus is saying the same thing to us as he said to the Pharisees almost 2,000 years ago, “Behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you!” We who trust in Jesus have the Holy Spirit living in us and, if we allow Him, living through us. He may not change our outward physical condition but He changes our hearts and lives. He changes the proud to humble, the greedy to generous, the hateful to loving, the sorrowful to joyful. And, because we are changed, the world should look different, better. We do not need to look to others to change the world. It starts with Jesus in us and our choice to live out our faith fully.
P~ Lord, Your Kingdom come! Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Life | Kim Chipman
S~ Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it. Luke 17:33 (NIV)
O~ Jesus is talking about the gravity of taking things seriously right now. Noah, Lot…people were doing their own thing until time ran out and judgement arrived. People were eating and drinking and going about their lives without much urgency to tending to spiritual things – their sin. They were clinging to THEIR life. They hadn’t truly given their lives to God.
A~ I’ve been clinging to MY life. No urgency. Procrastinating. I know clearly some things you want me to do and I’ve been putting them off. After this thing, at a more convenient time, not right now…when did I become so lukewarm? You could come back at any time. Why am I not feeling urgency?
John 13:17 No that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
The blessing doesn’t come from just KNOWING, the blessing comes IF I DO. Not in a legalistic, rule following, don’t step out of the lines of you’ll be struck by lightning sort of way, but in an…I believe Your way is best, I trust You love me, I accept that my view is limited and I will do what You show me and follow where You lead me because of that.
Not trying to keep MY life…but with open hands…take Your hand…so You can lead me…
P~ Lord, I acknowledge that I have totally been clinging to my life. Pushing off obedience until I feel like it. Oh, this is painful to acknowledge. Thank You for Your gentle, patient way with me. Help me to be just as gentle and patient with the people around me. Thank You for Your Word. I love You!
Our team would love the privilege of praying for you! Please share how we can lift you in prayer at prayer@DiscoverOneThing.com
Discover One Thing 