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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All Blessings Come From God | Kimi Miller
S~ …that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, “I am the one who made Abram rich.” Genesis 14:23 (NLT)
O~ Abram had just defeated King Kedorlaomer and his army, and rescued his nephew, Lot, and all that had been taken. On his return he was met and blessed by Melchizedek.
The Bible doesn’t tell us much about Melchizedek, other than what is written here and the mention of him in Psalm 110:4 and Hebrews 5-7 What we do know is that he was a king from Salem (Peace) and a priest of the God Most High. In verse 18 it says that Melchizedek brought Abram some bread and wine and blessed him saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, Who has defeated your enemies for you.” And Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.
Abram was just a man, yet he honored God with all he had and all he did to the best of his ability and carnal wisdom. He acknowledged and worshiped God (v. 13:4, 8), and here he is careful to guard God’s due glory. He is wise in how he responds to the king of Sodom. Even though this earthly leader gave Abram permission to take what he had “earned,” Abram knew he answered to a higher King.
A~ When things are going well, it’s easy to forget the God in charge of everything. It would be easy for me to “take” or “accept” what is “due me,” but Abram provides a different response. He guards Your glory and blessing over his life. He doesn’t allow anyone or anything to take credit from You. I wonder how his interaction with Melchizedek influenced his response. Here is another man – not even Hebrew – who acknowledges and worships the God Most High. How that must have blessed Abram and encouraged him.
This is why it is good for me to have community with other believers, so they can help me see things I might have missed otherwise. To help me from becoming prideful. To help keep me in check.
My relationship with You does this, too. Through Your guidance and direction, Holy Spirit, I am convicted and corrected. I am blessed and encouraged by Your presence and interaction and involvement in my life.
P~ Lord thank You for the blessings Your children and Spirit help me to see. Bless You, O God, and bless them for their love and presence in my life. Amen
Keep my eyes open | guest post
S~ Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. ~Jesus in John 4:35 (NIV)
O~ Jesus is speaking to the disciples about the eternal harvest of souls. There are people all around us needing Jesus and His Word.
A~ When I spoke to my non-believing family members about Jesus, faith, heaven – it didn’t go well. They weren’t ready to hear about sin or Jesus being the ONLY way to the Father. And the conversation was disheartening – made me want to give up about sharing Jesus with anyone else (maybe I’m a bit dramatic too).
Later, when I was alone, and started processing the conversation, God addressed some things in my heart. He showed me who I was: a strong, powerful warrior who had the ultimate weapon of truth in my hand and who was fighting for His Kingdom. My attitude after a conversation that didn’t go my way didn’t match up to who God says I am. He also revealed that I was going to have much more to do in His Kingdom and I needed to grow in strength and perseverance.
And it brings me back to today’s verse. Maybe with my family, I’m not a reaper; maybe I’m a sower. But if I look around at ALL the people in my life, the field is ripe for harvest. Who needs encouragement? Who needs to be invited to bible study? Who needs a church home? Who can I have coffee with to hear their story?
P~ Abba, grow me strength and perseverance! I love You!
Desperate Faith | Deanna George
S~ “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.” The man took Jesus at his word and departed.” John 4:50 (NIV)
O~ The man took Jesus’ word to be true. He had faith that Jesus was capable.
A~ Do I have immediate faith that God is capable? That he cares about my problem? That he will answer my call for help? This Dad came to Jesus because his son was dying. He wasn’t sure if he was the Messiah or what that exactly meant, but he knew he had to try. He choose to believe. He made the leap of faith. If this man was anything like this mamma bear, he was probably a bit desperate. Am I desperate with God. Do I make myself vulnerable to him? Do I let my heart jump head first into my faith and trust in him? In the little things as well as the big things? I need to choose to jump head first and embrace my faith as if my life depended on it.
P~ Lord Jesus, thank you for the Bible so that I may study it and learn how to jump right in. Thank you for reminding me that it can be a leap of faith that I need. Thank you for allowing me to come to you with anything and everything. This morning I am choosing you. I am choosing faith and trust in all that I do today. I want the faith of a desperate man. Help me to take that first step that can be so hard. I love you! I trust you! I have faith that you are capable and willing to help and guide me through this life.
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