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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I Need My Shepherd | Kim Chipman
S~ The idols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd. Zechariah 10:2 (NIV)
O~ I think this can absolutely speak to believers and unbelievers alike. Idols are deceivers, they give comfort in vain. When we follow them we are oppressed, not free. We are not following our shepherd: Jesus. Just because we believe in Him doesn’t mean we are always following/pursuing/focused on Him.
A~ I know this is true for me, and I think a lot of my idols are of comfort/pleasure. Food, drink, leisure, distraction. They take my focus away from You, my true shepherd. Then I reap the fruit of my lack of discipline. I don’t live feeling free, even though that is available to me.
P~ Lord, help me to keep focused on You. I don’t want to live like an oppressed sheep for lack of a shepherd – I have You! Help me to come to You for my comfort and guidance FIRST. I trust You and love You!
God’s way is backwards | guest post
S~ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. ~Jesus in Luke 22:26 (NLT)
O~ Jesus was celebrating Passover with His disciples, preparing for His suffering. Everyone was sitting around the table talking, but then it turned into arguing. The disciples were arguing about who would be the greatest among them. The verse is Jesus’ response to the worldly thinking of being the greatest.
A~ Isn’t Jesus’ words the exact opposite of what the world says? It’s definitely different than how our government/ military work. I picture Jesus’ way as the greatest leaders stepping out of their high rank and coming into the crowd that follows them, and than that great leader serving those around them.
Then those people around the great leader learn and grow, and they start to look and act a little more like that great leader. Then those people being served get a little higher in rank and become great leaders themselves. And so it continues, those new leaders step into a servant role and serve those around them as the original leader did.
Jesus says that among believers, it will be different – leaders are servers. Maybe Jesus is saying that servant leaders grow more leaders? I would say that is true in my own life. I have had three servant leaders minister to me and they have impacted me greatly! They answered hard questions, gave me lots of grace, prayed for me, and encouraged me.
P~ Lord, thank You for those servant leaders You have placed in my life! God, I love the way You have designed leadership and how You reach people! I Love You! In Your Name! Amen!
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