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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Listen and DO! | Kimi Miller
S~ Jeremiah said, “If I tell you the truth, you will kill me. And if I give you advice you won’t listen to me anyway.” Jeremiah 38:15 (NLT)
O~ In Jer. 37:2 we see that, “neither King Zedekiah nor his attendants nor the people who were left in the land listed to what the Lord said through Jeremiah. And yet Zedekiah continually sends for Jeremiah to hear what he has to say. And then he doesn’t listen!
How many times do I do that very same thing, Lord? How often have I sought your counsel, and then not listened. Your plans for me are good. Your plans even for Zedekiah were good (38:20). But my part is obedience. And I have to do my part if I want to see how Your plans will prevail.
About a year ago, You told me to leave my job and to pursue my studies at Grace University full time. Fear and doubt kept me paralyzed for several months. Eventually, I responded, but not how You had asked me to. I dropped my hours from 40 to 20 a week, but I was quickly reminded that You asked me to leave “everything” and follow you. Finally, surrendered completely to Your will and left my job completely.
Since that time You have been faithful and good to me and my family! You lined up an amazing opportunity to intern at my church for the next twelve months, and also opened doors for me to share my story with other women.
A~ Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves, DO what it says! (James 1:22 NIV – emphasis mine) When I ask God for direction – His will – and He responds (as promised in Jer. 29:13) I cannot chose to ignore Him or allow fear and doubt to paralyze me; I must be obedient. I must LISTEN and ACT according to HIM – for He knows the plans He has for me!
P~ Oh Heavenly Father, How gracious You are to me! How blessed I am that I can come before You and seek Your wisdom and know You will provide. Thank you. I love you and am forever grateful for your faithfulness, patience, and love. Amen.
Fear or Faith? | Kim Chipman
S~ Jeremiah replied, “You won’t be handed over to them if you choose to obey the Lord. Your life will be spared, and all will go well for you. Jeremiah 38:20 (NLT)
Because you trusted me, I will give you your life as a reward. I will rescue you and keep you safe. I, the Lord, have spoken!’” Jeremiah 39:18 (NLT)
O~ The Babylonians were going to take over Jerusalem. God has given multiple warnings to the people about how to be spared. Here Jeremiah is speaking to Zedekiah, king over Jerusalem. God told him to surrender to the Babylonian officers, but he is afraid to. God wants him to surrender and obey.
A~ You want that from me, too. “If you cling to your life, you will lose it’ but if you give up your life for Me, you will find it.” Matthew 10:39
Here in Jeremiah…’if you choose to obey the Lord your life will be spared’…’because you trusted me I will give you your life as a reward.’ You want me to trust You and surrender to where You are leading me. Sometimes this is really HARD. I want to , but just like Zedekiah sometimes I’m afraid! Sometimes what I see doesn’t make much sense and it’s scary. My head knows what You want me to do and I’m afraid to DO IT. But I cannot choose from fear AND faith. I need to pick one. They cannot coexist.
P~ I have to make a very difficult decision over the next few days. My heart knows what You want from me, but I’m afraid. Please help me to obey and surrender to You. Help me to honor You in how I handle this predicament I am in so You will be glorified. I love You!
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