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.
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Remain | Nikki Metzger
S~ If you remain in Me and My Words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. John 15:7 (NIV)
O~ Jesus is teaching about the vine (Him) and branches (me). He shares the word ‘remain’ over 11 times in the first part of John 15. Remaining seems to be a posture or placement to be connected to His Power and Life.
The chapters before this, Jesus has been revealing how He has remained in the Father; saying what the Father God has said, doing the miracles that Father God has given Him to do, basically Jesus has revealed my Father in heaven by remaining in Him.
A/P~ Father, I confess that I attach my true power to work, the behavior of my kids, my busyness…….all things that cause my fruit to die because I’m not remaining in You. Teach me to remain in Jesus. Teach me to put His Words in me. Grow and stretch my ability, desire, automatic-ness to remain in Christ, please! I pray this in Jesus’ Name!
Loving | Michelle Myers
S~ ‘This is my command: Love each other.’ John 15:17 (NIV)
O~ It has taken me a long time to realize that loving someone, doesn’t always necessarily mean doing for them, giving to them, or even keeping in contact with them. It is taken me along time to understand that I have to love myself well.
A~ The other day my daughter was waiting for me to go shopping. I had to get my physical therapy exercise in and eat lunch. As we were leaving she said, “I have been waiting along time.” I said, “Well, I had to do my exercises and eat. I have to take care of myself, before I can take care of anybody else.”
Hmmmm…that is an interesting concept. It is going to be an on-going struggle. Life will happen. My kids will need my time and energy. My husband will need my time and energy. Plus, some activities I have to do, to take care of me, are work. There are some days, I just don’t feel like doing the work. Yet, I have to, if I want to be able to love others well, and glorify You.
Also, by not responding to my extended family’s unhealthy, irrational, and impossible behavior, I am loving myself well and loving them well. There is no point in trying to get them to see, understand, or behave rationally. There is also no point in putting myself through the trying process anymore. Nor, is there any point in putting myself through the verbal junk, accusations, and constant criticism. Staying away and keeping quiet, appears to be the best way to love them well, at this point.
P~ Thank you God for showing me and healing me, so that I am able to see that l have to take care of myself, so I can take care of my own family. In order to take care of me, I have to be very wise, stable, and firm with the boundaries I have with my extended family. Please just continue to give me wisdom and strength, when it comes to taking care of me and my own family; and in dealing with or not dealing with my extended family.
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