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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.
A HOT MESS! | Michelle Myers
S~ How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? Psalm 13:2 (NIV)
O~ My thoughts are so powerful. The more I wrestle with them, the more it leads to me, wrestling with my flesh. The less I focus on You and do what You are telling me to do, the more confused, frozen, frustrated, and miserable I become by the junk swirling around in my head.
A~ This whole mind thing, is always going to be a challenge. I need Your help in just doing what You are telling me to do. I need Your help in recognizing what the next “right step” is, and then just doing it…….regardless of how I feel or what I want.
P~ I am so thankful for Your guidance. On my own, I am just a big, hot mess. Even with Your guidance, if I choose not to listen, I am still one big, hot mess. Please just help me choose You over myself.
Your Unfailing Love ❤ | Luisa Penaherrera
S~ How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart everyday? How long will the enemy have the upper hand?
But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he has been so good to me. Psalm 13:2, 5, 6 (NLT)
O~ The Psalmist is struggling with how he is feeling but he commits himself to you; to trusting in your unfailing love; in rejoicing for what you have done for him; and chooses to sing to you because you have been so good to him.
A~ I will do the same.
P~ Father, you have been so good to me, so graceful, merciful, patient, gentle, loving, comforting and strong for me. Thank you. Thank you.
Hearing the Holy Spirit | Joni Tyner
S~ Suddenly there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. Acts 2: 2-4 (NLT)
O~ This is the backdrop of what is happening in Acts 2. There are many people from several nations gathered in Jerusalem for the Festival of the First Harvest. It has been 50 days since Jesus was resurrected and many of the new believers are gathered together. The Holy Spirit sweeps in like a roaring wind and then each of the believers have a flame of fire settle on their head. After this occurs, they find themselves able to speak in all sorts of different languages. My Bible notes say this was necessary because God wanted them to witness to the international visitors that were in Jerusalem for the festival. God made His presence known that day in a very impressive, spectacular way—and this is not typically the case with believers in modern day.
A~ This is a challenging scripture and it can divide strong believers over how it is interpreted. I’m not a Bible expert and I certainly don’t know all the background of the Jewish culture. What my Bible notes say is that the Holy Spirit can come to us in dramatic ways, but often it is more a quiet nudging of the heart. For me, I feel like an idea pops in my head and then I think, whoa, where did that come from? And then my mind will frequently go back to that thought. Sometimes, I might hear a song on the radio later in the day that might confirm the thought, or perhaps have a conversation with someone that is similar to the thought. It also happens when I read the Bible. I may see something and “boom” my thoughts are drawn to that passage and how it applies to me. Another time I feel the Holy Spirit prompt me is when I have sinned and I am completely unsettled about it and stay unsettled until I confess, often to the person involved with the situation. I haven’t ever audibly heard God’s voice or been stopped by fire or physical signs, but I do have frequent nudging by God—more so when I am seeking to be more Christ-like. When I am consumed with my own agenda, God seems much more quiet and my thoughts are much more centered around what I want for me.
P~ Dear Lord, I pray for an increased sensitivity to Your Holy Spirit. I desire to have a Spirit led life. Please give me a hunger for Your Word and the discipline to read it consistency. I pray for discernment in my free time, transform my mind so that I am alert to Your work. I pray I will be a useful vessel for the Kingdom. I want to hear You speak to me!
Perspective is Everything | Kelley Deases
S~ “… we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.” Acts 2:11-13 (NIV)
O~ There will always be scoffers. To those who had eyes to see and ears to hear, they were absolutely amazed at this supernatural bestowing of the ability to speak in languages they did not know. It confirmed their faith and was a testimony to the power that accompanied the Holy Spirit’s arrival. Others acknowledged what was happening, but were too dumbstruck to offer any explanation. Still others dismissed what they saw with their own eyes, calling it drunkenness. How could people who are intoxicated speak intelligently in a foreign tongue? The accusation is more outlandish than the truth itself — that God’s Spirit was present in their midst. What we see and what we hear depends on our point of view.
A~ At this stage of my Christian walk, I delight in hearing testimonies — stories of how God revealed Himself in the midst of some circumstance. But in my earlier days I would have cocked my head to the side and sneered, “Really?” thinking in my mind the person imagined what they saw or was prone to imagination.
P~ Father, I am so grateful for where You have brought me, both literally and in my spiritual maturity. You have brought me to a healthy church which spurs me on in living out my faith. You have brought me to a workplace where faith and prayer and Your Word and sharing testimonies is interwoven into the culture. You have brought some dear women to be a part of my tribe, to bolster my faith and encourage me not to grow weary. You have given me a husband to gently lead me and refine me so we both might reflect Your image more and more. I thank You that I can receive all of these things for what they truly are: gifts from Your hand.
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