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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.
Just Do It | Kim Chipman
S~ The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they approached the Lord. The Lord said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die. For I will appear in the cloud over the atonement cover. Leviticus 16:1-2 (NIV)
O~ 2 sons of Aaron DIED when they approached the Lord. Aaron had to spend tons of time preparing himself to meet You, and it was only allowed in certain circumstances. “he is not to come whenever he chooses”
A~ The past couple weeks I have been horribly inconsistent with my quiet time. I have been terribly distracted and constantly interrupted. I’ve been fighting for time with You but I haven’t been diligent enough in guarding it as vital and essential (which it IS!!)
Because of Jesus I can spend time with You whenever I want. I have full access at any time. Clearly I have taken this for granted. I don’t have to prep myself or wait for a specific time (lest I be struck dead! sheesh!). I have, however, clearly convinced myself that it isn’t as important as it really is or something somehow. On Sunday our pastor talked about self deception and this is totally it! I need to get it together and just do it because I know this won’t end well if I don’t. The thing is, I KNOW how amazing my time is with You. I love it! Why, why, why am I not pursuing it diligently?
I’m actually doing a study on spiritual warfare right now (Armor of God, Priscilla Shirer) so I get that there is an enemy that wants to pull me away from You. I need to do my part to stay alert and keep my armor on every day!
P~ Lord, help me to be diligent in approaching Your throne of grace each day. Your Word is my soul’s daily bread. What a privilege it is! I know I need You. I drift quickly and easily when I don’t practice my daily disciplines. Help me get refocused. Thank You for Jesus so that I can come to You at any time and not worry about being struck dead. I love You!
Stop Doubting | Luisa Penaherrera
S~ Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them still doubted! Matthew 28:16,17 (NLT)
O~ The disciples saw Jesus after he was raised from the dead and some still doubted. Even with Jesus right in front of them!
A~ I am no different. I can see God helping me and reminding me that he is here and he sees me, yet I still try and figure things out on my own.
P~ Father, thank you for loving me even in this state. Please forgive me for doubting. Help me be still before you.
To the Very End of the Age | Vicki Burns
S~ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and to the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
O~ This is The Great Commission. Jesus, Himself speaking. The disciples went to the mountain waiting, expecting to see Him. Their hearts were burning. All they had been through had already turned their world upside down. He was dead. Now He’s alive. He was with them, then He was not. These final words to them would be seared into them. Their power would see them through to the very end. Their final comfort, “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
A~ I suffer from an over-functioning forgeter. How alone and insecure I can be (feel). I think I’ve got to be careful to see everything, analyze everything correctly, like I can tell what correct looks like. But He is with me. Always.
“Alone” is a lie. It is a lie of the enemy. I know this because the awareness of the presence of Christ changes everything. EVERYTHING. I then, do not need to see it all, analyze it all or even really understand any of it. For my Shepherd is with me. He is leading me and loving me through every bend in the road, through every storm. And He teaches me His way around traps and through the tumultuous storms and onslaughts of the enemy.
The times I have forgotten Him and slipped into my “alone” state, well, it’s there the enemy has his way with me. The things I think and say only promote fear and despair. It wrecks havoc all around while opening the door to more of the same. It is not peace. It is the opposite of peace.
So this is how it is in general when I ignore Christ’s presence, but especially when I think of the future. I can be persuaded to yield to Him my past, sometimes. I often reluctantly surrender my fear in the present. But for me to surrender my fears of the future, oh my!
If He hadn’t said, “to the very end of the age” I would not have a leg to stand on in these crazy times. He will be with us to the very end!!! Our dear Savior isn’t going anywhere! What He had done for me in strengthening, guiding and sustaining, well, that’s going to be the plan to the very end! It’s settled. I can take that to the bank.
P~ Your Word is my life. I thank you for seeing my need and speaking directly to it in Your usual powerful and loving way. I deserve nothing of Your love. It is astounding.
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