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
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Spirit Lead Me | Joni Tyner
S~ The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness where He was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of Him. Mark 1:12-13 (NLT)
O~ 1st observation: Jesus was obedient to the will of the Father and was baptized by John.(see the preceding verses 9-11) God was pleased with his son. “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” (v. 11)
2nd observation: The Holy Spirit was with him and still he led Jesus into the wilderness
3rd observation: God didn’t do the tempting, but He did allow it to happen.
4th observation: He was out among the wild animals, I’m guessing this means He frequently faced difficult challenges.
5th observation: The angels took care of Him.
A~ I’m getting teary eyed as I think about this scripture. I’m thinking about how much God loves His son, yet He, in His perfect plan, allowed,( –the NLT version says compelled) Him into the wilderness.
Wow.
I know God loves me and yet I tend to have the misguided attitude that since I’m a Christian and God loves me He’ll bless me with what my heart’s desire is. (especially if my prayers align with what I perceive is God’s will) This scripture is reminding that there may be seasons in my life where He loves me and yet He leads me into the wilderness. I am comforted that He will not desert me but will protect and care for me. I love the lyrics in this worship song—
“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders,
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever you may call me. “ Hillsong United
P~ Dear Lord, I’m so sorry I’ve had an entitled attitude that I am somehow “owed” a life that includes everything I want. I don’t like tough times and I’m pretty impatient about waiting on answers for my prayers—please forgive me for questioning Your ways and pouting when things aren’t going my way. I’m also sorry that I have questioned Your love for me because of difficult life circumstances. Please help me embrace the wilderness season with a grateful heart that You are protecting and caring for me.
What Was I Doing? | Michelle Myers
S~ Jesus replied, ‘Let us go somewhere else—-to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.’ So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons. Mark 1:38-39 (NIV)
O~ Jesus clearly knew His purpose, and he was focused on that purpose.
A~ Ha! There are many times, sometimes in one day, that I walk into a room, a store, etc. and forget what my purpose was for going there!
P~ Thank you God for Jesus, and His perfection. If Jesus were to forget His purpose, I have no idea where we would all be. Please just help me focus my mind; when I am struggling with not feeling feel, not sleeping well, and am being pulled by life, in many different directions.
Who needs a doctor? The sick. | Nikki Metzger
S~ Healthy people don’t need a doctor – sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners. ~Jesus in Mark 2:17 (NLT)
O~ The Pharisees just accused Jesus of eating with scum. This is His response.
A~ Sometimes my feelings get hurt when people don’t come to bible study. There are a million reasons why people can’t make it, one being, we meet at a crazy time. But I don’t always think of their reasons not to come. I usually jump to believing the lie of: they don’t like me.
But maybe they just aren’t ready yet? Jesus says that He came for the sinners, not the ones who think they are righteous. I can remember walking along with Jesus and thinking I was righteous, when I was just really self-righteous. I wasn’t ready to be honest with Jesus during that season.
P~ Father, I love Your Word and how You speak to my heart! I love how You designed community! Lord, please bring the sick to my home so we can be healed and changed and transform into the people You have designed us to be! And please keep me humble! Keep me in a state of desperation for the Great Physician!
Love Rules | Robin Laney
S~ And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27 (ESV)
O~ The Pharisees questioned Jesus’ disciples’ obedience to the Law as they picked grain on the Sabbath. Jesus points out that the needs of people are more important than the Law, using David and his companions’ needs and solution as an example. The benefit of the Sabbath goes to those who honor it. God did not make the law because He benefits from our resting. He made the law knowing that we are better off when we are renewed in our bodies and spirits.
A~ How easy it is to judge myself and others on our ability to follow the rules. It’s easy to lose sight of the benefits of living within God’s Law and simply turn it into a list of do’s and don’ts, shoulds and shouldn’ts. God doesn’t place us in boundaries to steal our joy or oppress us. He draws lines to protect us physically, spiritually, and emotionally. When we get too focused on keeping the Law and forget the benefits of its keeping, we become judgmental, unforgiving, ungracious, and condemning towards ourselves and others. When we point fingers, He is not glorified. When we condemn, people do not experience grace and mercy or learn about abundant life.
I heard one of our pastors teach on the Law as given in Exodus 19 & 20, this morning. He stated that God gives us the Law for His glory and our good. God gives us, his people, the law to shape us and form us as his own treasured possessions so that we can be his representatives here on earth and to set us apart, unique because we belong to him.
Pastor Doug Stevens explains HERE
When we follow His law, we are not stifled but set free in a way that gives glory to God our Father , shows others how amazing is our God, and allows us to live the abundant life that Jesus came to give us. We, as followers of Christ Jesus, are not perfect under the law but live under grace and so are not condemned by our breaking of the law. But oh, how sweet a place it is to abide in Jesus, to be like Him in our words and deeds, to live in a way that brings glory to our Father and life and health to ourselves and those He puts in our path.
P~ Thank you, Father, for Your law. Thank You for showing us clearly what it is to live Godly lives for Your glory and for the benefit of ourselves and those around us. Thank You for giving us the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us, constantly molding and shaping us more into Your likeness. I pray others see You through me and come to know You as their loving Father and Savior.
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thanks for the encouragement, we always enjoy hearing from readers, we would love to hear from you if you ever journal.
I have been up earlier than usual today and find that I have arisen to a glorious breakfast banquet of God’s word in each shared contribution to this blog. Each reading has caused me to reflect over the last week of my journey drawing out Jesus so much more than I saw at first. The table has been set abundantly for my spirit this morning and I am grateful for the humility of you who have been obedient to prepare the banquet not even knowing why. And it causes me to wonder how many other unknown hearts are also deep into the blessing of the food for our spirits that is set before us. Father, thank you for loving your children so much, for feeding us so well.
Hugs, Karen 🙂 God’s Word is a FEAST!