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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Check ALL Leaders for an Evil Underbelly | Vicki Burns
S~ So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even upon him and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. :24 He stripped off his robes and also prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay that way all that day and night. This is why people say, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” I Samuel 19:23-24 (NIV)
Study Bible Note: Having set out to destroy David, Saul in chapter 19 has been repeatedly frustrated by Jonathan, Michal and Samuel. Now God himself frustrated Saul, as the Spirit of God overpowered him (v.24).
O~ Dramatic changes are what we all long for as we seek to be more like Christ. In my early Christian walk I used to say I wanted to be like Saul in I Sam. 10:9 where it talks of Saul turning and God changed Saul’s heart! Baam! Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could just flip a switch and have all the bad dumped and the good packed in our heart once for all?! Well, turns out things are not that simple. Saul went from almost obedient, to defiantly disobedient, to somewhat reasonable, to evil with murderous intent!
There’s a Biblical term I can’t seem to remember for one who is “partly cut off.” It speaks of people who kind of believe but never really get with the program. They like to associate with the church and may even consider themselves believers yet they do not show the fruit of love or progressive sanctification, cleansing from sinful ways. They do not thirst for the Word of God or hunger after righteousness or grieve over their own sin enough to actually change. There is a residual resistance to becoming holy…set apart for God. That’s not to say we’ll ever get there perfectly in this life but we can experience a progressive inclination toward righteousness over T I M E.
The heart of the matter: Turns out dramatic changes can’t always be trusted. A running theme of mine is the effect of T I M E on everything, God’s Word, prayer, human development, promises, etc. Saul’s heart may have changed in a flash…even by God Himself! Yet, the consent of the owner, his nature seemed to resist even divine intervention. The saddest concept in the Bible is the implication that even God runs out of remedies. Prov. 29:1, “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.” God warns and rebukes yet He allows free will to take us past feeling.Judgment aborts evil intent thus preserving the community. God’s concern moves from the individual to the community.
A~ I had a mother much like Saul. Most would swear she was a David sort of person. She bore a confidence and skill in the Word that could draw about anyone in. She too, was a leader. One who taught many, including myself, about love, generosity and service like no one I’ve met before or since. She preached powerfully and led worship with a beautiful singing voice. To top it off, she was attractive in appearance to most. Yet, if you stayed close enough, you’d see she had these wild Saul moments or seasons actually, where things crossed the Biblical line, betraying her warring loyalties…her sinful self, or God? She led a cult for too many years, of which me and my family were a part. We still pay a high price for this lack of discernment…muddied by other types of abuse. Healing is and will come. The story is not over. God redeems. Clarity comes slowly.
P~ I see how terribly wrong people who seem to have it all together can get things. The added distraction of followers reinforces the pitiful deceit. All who are entangled suffer. There is no one charismatic enough, in high enough esteem, beautiful, smart or holy enough to replace the Living God in all His glory. All men are but mere creatures and although we retain the glorious image of God, the creature can never replace theCreator God Who in love and mercy reaches down into our every day to plead and warn us to not trust what our eyes see but to freely bow before True Love, Who daily intercedes for me. Don’t allow me to harden my neck against Your rebuke, Your warning to repent. Let me wholly give myself to You for You alone are worthy of all praise and all glory!
Weary Bodies | Joni Tyner
S~ We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 2 Corinthians 5:2 (NLT)
O~ Chapter 5 teaches us about the transformation that takes place in our physical bodies after we die and go to heaven. This chapter is extremely encouraging to anyone who suffers with physical disabilities and sickness on earth. I encourage readers to read this chapter if they haven’t already done so!!
A~ I know many people that have physical and emotional issues that take over and consume their life. It makes them so weary. It. Makes. Them. so. weary. For some people, they pray for decades to have relief from their physical pain and sometimes they don’t receive the answer they want. I don’t know the why’s, but I have renewed hope when I read chapter 5. God isn’t going to leave anyone who believes in Him in their broken down, weary bodies. His is promising us that in Heaven, our bodies will be perfect, without sickness, disease or pain. (Philippians 3:21 and Revelation 21:4) And with that—I give an enthusiastic AMEN!!
P~ Dear Lord, thank you for this hope. I pray that You give special love to people today who are weary from their physical bodies. Help them find joy in the midst of their hardship. I pray that they receive encouragement from other believers to keep going!!! Help me be sensitive to other people’s needs and help me to be your hands and feet and words of encouragement to people who are weary. I also pray for healing. Dear Lord, let it be so.
** If anyone needs prayer, please know that the Discover One Thing team would love the privilege to pray for you. You can contact us at the link on the webpage.
My Gram | Kim Chipman
S~ Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (NIV)
O~ This life here on earth is temporary.
A~ Right now I am sitting in the lobby of a hotel in my hometown drinking coffee and sitting with You. Today is my Gram’s funeral. Gram passed a week ago, she was 92. She lived an amazing, full life. Her life was NOT easy but she always pressed forward, working very hard and loving very deep. Her joy was her family. I have many wonderful memories of cooking together and holidays and sleepovers at her home as a child.
(photo: Heidi Wagner Photography)
The great hope we have in the You, though, is that this isn’t the end. This isn’t the point. This isn’t all there is. Our confidence is in knowing that being home with You in heaven is going to be amazing! I am sad because I will miss her, but I am NOT sad for her! She gets to be with You!
P~ Lord, thank you for the confident hope we have in You! What a soothing balm to my sad heart. I can’t wait to be with my Gram again. I can’t wait to be with You…home. I love You!
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I’m sorry Kim! I know how much you loved her.
I’m sorry for your loss Kim.
Thank you Susan!
Kim, that was beautiful. I’m sure one of greatest accomplishments in living to 92 was seeing her kids and grandkids continue her legacy of love. The ripple effect she began continues through the vessels she poured into– the fruits of her labor of love will spread wide and far.
Thank you!