“There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42 (NLT) The heart of this ministry is to inspire a love for God’s Word and encourage the discipline of daily Bible reading and SOAP journaling. 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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Intentional Traditions | Kim Chipman
S~ You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time year after year. Exodus 13:10 (NIV)
O~ The Lord gave His people festivals and ceremonies to help them remember Him. They wer to use them to remember what God had done for them and to tell their children – to pass the stories from generation to generation.
A~ This is something I would like to be better at. It doesn’t take long to share WHY we do the things we do and to bring You to the forefront.
When we lived in Hawaii I met an awesome gal that did this so well. Carrie had a few story books and traditions of food around everything to point her 5 kids to Jesus. They weren’t elaborate, but they were intentional. Their family has since moved as well as ours, but we stay in touch on social media. I continue to be inspired by her simple, intentional traditions to bring God into everything.
P~ Lord, help me to be more intentional in remembering and honoring You through traditions. This was commanded from the beginning. Thank you for my sweet friend Carrie and her example. I love You!
The Pillar of Cloud | Joni Tyner
S~ The LORD went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. And the LORD did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people. Exodus 13: 21-22 (NLT)
O~ 1. The Lord went ahead of them.
2. He paved the way through both the obvious obstacles and the unseen dangers. (guidance during day and night)
3. The pillar of cloud and fire stayed and gave guidance throughout their loooong journey. (40 years)
A~ I have journaled before about the constant presence of the pillar of cloud and fire for the Israelites. This once again reminded me that God goes before me, nothing surprises Him in my life. He is constant in my day to day life stuff that can often get discouraging—He is there and knows! He is also with me in the night, when the unexpected happens, when fear grips me and I am immobilized. I have His Word (the Bible) to comfort and guide me. I also have the Holy Spirit. I am never alone.
God went before the Israelites ( and me) because that is who He is. God’s faithfulness is never dependent on good behavior. God remained faithful throughout the Israelites constant grumbling, wandering and disobedience. I can be assured that God is with me and will guide and protect me.
P~ Dear Lord, thank you for going before me. I’m so sorry I often think You have put me on autopilot and I’ve got to figure it all out. Please give me eyes to always see the pillar of cloud and fire in my daily life.
This Little Light | Kelley Deases
S~ You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14 (NIV)
O~ The Bible I read almost every day is one I received over twenty years ago as a gift from my Grandma, who passed from this life into eternity with God shortly thereafter. Nearly every week since I have owned this Bible, I make a notation with each Sunday’s sermon marking which passage was taught, which church we attended, and who delivered the message. In that way, this Book, which is getting more than a little bit tattered and worn and requires a sturdy cover to keep its binding intact, is a chronicle of places I have been and sermons I have heard over all these years.
A couple of the notes I jotted down in the margin from a sermon I heard nine years ago on “Salt and Light — Being Engaging Influencers,” are: “If we are too busy to be the light, we are too busy!” and “Since we are the light in the Lord, rather than choosing to shine, we must merely choose not to hide.” Simple but profound insights as I reflect on what it means to be a light for Christ in this world.
A~ When I became a light of the world, it was because God put the light in me. Not only does this light illuminate my surroundings so I can more easily know where I am going and what obstacles lay before me, I light the space around me for the benefit of those who are in the dark.
P~ Father, Help me steward my light well and realize it is not primarily for me but to be passed on to show the Way to those around me.
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