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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Just For Us | Kim Chipman
S~ After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child…but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. Luke 2:17, 19 (NLT)
O~ Jesus was born! The shepherds told everyone…but Mary kept all these things in her heart…
A~ Sometimes the events of my life are to be shared – by me or by someone else – sometimes not. For Mary, the events of Jesus’ birth were not for her to tell, but for her personal treasure. There are times and seasons for both. There are times an event or lesson may just be for You and I to share, other times others need to hear my story.
P~ Help me to discern this, Lord. And thank you for being so personal that some things are just for us…I love You!
Obedience During the Journey | Joni Tyner
S~ When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him. Luke 2:39-40 (NLT)
O~ Luke, the author of this book, was a doctor that was a close friend of Paul’s. He was also a Gentile Christian. It is thought the book of Luke was written about A.D. 60. In chapter 2 Luke describes the preparation and birth of Jesus by his parents. They traveled to Bethlehem for the census and when he was 8 days old, they took him to Jerusalem to be circumcised. (Jewish custom). Later in chapter 2 it covers the family traveling to Jerusalem for the Passover and losing Jesus for 3 days.
A~ There was so much going on in Luke 2 and I’m pretty familiar with many of the passages. What stuck out this morning, for the first time, was that Mary and Joseph were faithful to keep walking forward in being faithful with the everyday life “stuff”. They had both heard very specifically from God that Jesus was the Messiah and they were a part of His perfect plan, yet it was going to take time, life didn’t radically change the moment the angel came. They were obedient and patient to wait for God’s leading and continue to do what needed to be done. They still had to do all the things required of them for living out life over a period of about 30 years while Jesus grew up and began His ministry. They lived out their faith by keeping Jewish customs and responding to God’s direction as along the way.
I wonder if maybe we are so programmed in the 21st century lifestyle to expect instant results? Mary and Joseph were faithful for 30 years!!!!!—that’s a long time. Mary and Joseph probably didn’t see weekly or monthly signs from God. They saw lots and lots of everyday life as Jesus grew. Yes, I’m sure they absolutely knew He was different because He was sinless, but he still was human and required food, laundry done, supervision to be safe, on and on. I think they had to have had many hardships along this blessed journey, probably questions too? Yet, they kept moving forward and were obedient in what God was calling them to do. Mary and Joseph were obviously a part of God’s perfect plan for saving the world and they were faithful in their assignments.
P~ Dear Lord, thank you for another Biblical example of faithful obedience when the journey is confusing. Please help me to stay on course with what You want me to do. Thank you for Jesus!
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