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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God Glimpses | Kelley Deases
S~ And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power? Job 26:14 (NIV)
O~ Job is acknowledging the unfathomable breadth and depth of God’s might, and at the same time, our minuscule grasp of what it all means. In our arrogance and power plays and self-importance and selfish ambition, this is a notion we should consider more often.
A~ God has revealed Himself to me in some pretty amazing ways. I recall one time, probably thirteen years ago now, when I was in terrible distress. My ex-husband had just informed me he had gotten a young woman pregnant and so he planned to marry her. I was greatly concerned (and turns out, I had good reason…) over the unstable situation to which my young son would be subjected. On this cold, winter’s day, I was out shoveling snow in my driveway and kind of crying and venting and praying to God beneath the roar of the wind and the layers of coats and scarves. I questioned why God would subject me and my little boy to the unwise antics of his father, which were rarely in the best interest of our son. Just then I felt what I can only describe as the sensation of being submerged in a warm pool of water. A peace came over me and what came to my mind and my heart was, “If God is for me, who can stand against me?” It was like He was assuring me of His Presence to help me carry on.
I treasure this, and countless other, testimonies He has given me personally and that I have heard from others over the years. But yet I know I have only glimpsed just a tiny sliver of His true power and glory!
P~ Father, I am so grateful for these glimpses of You and would never discount what You have shown me and taught me through them. But I do realize that my spiritual eyes are weak and my understanding is limited, so I can’t begin to fully grasp Your Greatness. Nevertheless, I will be content in the looking.
Remembering the All-Powerful Creator: A Vital Part of my Spiritual Emergency Kit | Tara Wiley
S~ These are just the beginning of all that he does, merely a whisper of his power. Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power? Job 26:14
O~ Just when Job seemed totally overwhelmed by his own tragedy, he turns his eyes to God and is overwhelmed by the enormity of Who he encounters.
A~ Sometimes, when all we seem to have in our hands is a bowl of broken pieces, the best thing to do is turn to the Creator and remember His power. Yes, all around us is brokenness. But above and behind and beneath and beyond us is an all-powerful, all-personal God who set this world into motion and will one day set all things right again.
When I am overwhelmed, the best thing I can do is meditate on God’s character. One of my favorite ways to do this is through worship. Just this week, I came across a powerful video (oh, the visual imagery is truly stunning) I have chosen to place in my spiritual emergency kit for those inevitable overwhelm-moments. (This fits alongside my SOAP box of crisis Scriptures, favorite worship playlist, and secret hide-out spot in my home – other items that fit in that category: my phone-a-friend option; time outdoors; and a NAP!).
P~ Thank You, God, for the gift of Creation. It points me to You, and helps me get re-centered on truth as I meditate on Your character. You are all-powerful. When I’m feeling weak, this is a potent encouragement to me.
A Clear Conscience | Kim Chipman
S~ I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity. I will maintain my innocence and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live. Job 27:5-6 (NIV)
O~ Job’s friends are still after him to admit he did something to deserve God’s punishment. Job was adamant that he was a man of integrity and his conscience was clear.
A~ There is so much peace in having a clear conscience. Ultimately, people may judge me but You are the only opinion that really matters. As long as I walk with integrity before You I can confidently live, love and serve You. When I mess up it is so comforting to know that I can always come to You in humble repentance, receive forgiveness, then carry on. You see me. you know my heart. You are my Audience of One.
P~ Thank You for my awesome friends. Thank You for making a way to live with a clear conscience. Thank You for forgiveness. I love You.
Action? ACTION! | Joni Tyner
S~ So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. James 2:17 (NLT)
O~ The book of James might as well have been written last week. It is so relevant to our lives that we live every day. The book of James is very straight forward and easy to understand—we need to live out our faith, not just talk about it!!
A~ The application is simple. We need to live out what the Bible teaches us. We need to love God. He needs to be first in our lives. We need to love His people. This means we should give to others. I heard it said once, “what good is it to be a lifeguard if you don’t know how to swim?” Well, what good is it to be a Christian, know things about the Bible, and not do anything with it? What good is knowledge without action?
P~ Dear Lord, I need want to please You. Please give me wisdom on what are the most important things that I should be spending my time, money and resources on. I want to live a life of faith in action.
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