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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.
It is All From You! | Michelle Myers
S~ But Abram said to the King of Sodom, ‘I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ ” Genesis 14:22-23 (NIV)
O~ Everything I have is because of You.
A~ I have had to learn to go to You, before I accept any sort of help from another person. First, accepting help from anyone is hard for me. I was taught that needing help was a sign of weakness, stupidity, and lack of preparation on my part somehow. Second, when I did reach out for help, it was often given, but not gracefully and without strings.
I realize now that You designed people to need help from one another. We can’t do this thing called life alone. You have also shown me that I need to rely on You to show me, who to go to when help is needed. There is gracefulness in giving, when the giver realizes that they have the ability to give, because of You and the blessings that You bestowed upon them. It wasn’t because of their hard work, an inheritance, or choosing the right stocks. It is all because of You!
P~ Thank you God for this season of abundance that You have provided for me and my family. Please help me use the resources wisely, give gracefully, and remember that it is all from You.
Good Food | Robin Laney
S~ Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” John 4:27 (ESV)
O~ The disciples have just returned from gathering food and find Jesus talking with a Samaritan woman. Although they ‘marveled’ at the sight, I find it interesting that it is noted that none asked any questions about her. They were more concerned with dinner, it seems. Jesus was working on eternal things while they were focused on the temporal. He took the opportunity to teach them about the importance of the harvest.
A~ I think about all of the times I get caught up in the hows and whens and lose sight of the whys. The physical details become most important, sometimes blinding me to the spiritual ones. My flesh can stomp all over the heart matters of others if I lose sight of my purpose. Jesus says to the disciples, “Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” On days when I look at every interaction as a divine appointment, distractions and delays in my plans are easily accepted because they lead to opportunities to be used by him. When I get focused on accomplishing my goals for the day, I miss out on so much, but when I allow my tasks to be a vehicle that takes me where he wants me to be, his love and hope are shared and his name is glorified.
In this part of the story, I can just imagine Jesus staring after this woman as she heads towards town (even as his disciples are concerned with filling their bellies), anticipating with every step she takes the eternal impact that is to come through their short conversation at the well. His physical needs and plans for his afternoon pale in comparison to what had happened in her heart and what was about to happen in the hearts of her neighbors. If I imagine him watching my days, I can see him, some days, shaking his head at my missed opportunities and, on other days, celebrating as he looks on in anticipation of what’s to come of divine appointments I have kept.
P~ Lord, the harvest is ripe and vast. Open my eyes to see the opportunities you place in my days that are meant for your glory. Press hard on my heart and mind when I am focused on my physical needs above the spiritual needs of others. Let me be more concerned with the eternal than I am with the temporal.
Hear For Yourself | Kim Chipman
S~ They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” John 4:42 (NIV)
O~ “the woman” is the Samaritan woman at the well. Once she encountered Jesus she told people in her town and they urged Him to stay. “And because of His words many more became believers” v41
Job 42:5 My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.
A~ 2 things are rolling around in my mind…
- The power of sharing our stories. The Samaritan woman was just sharing her story – her experience. That made others want to know You, to meet You, to spend time with You. If I don’t share my experiences with You how will people know? Being transparent and vulnerable takes courage but You’re so worth it.
- I want this for my kids SO. MUCH. It makes my heart ache and my stomach hurt to think about how much I want them to know You. They need to come to a place in their own lives that they make the decision “we no longer believe just because of what you said”…”my ears had heard of You but nw my eyes have seen You” Oh, how I want them to be sold out, committed, searching, seeking, pursuing You. They need to hear for themselves and know. Help me to be genuine in my home so that you are glorified and my family wants to come to know You.
P~ Lord, help me to tell about You and my experiences with You in my ordinary life and give me the curage to be vulnerable and transparent so the people around me can see You. I love You!
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