“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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I’m just a temp! | guest post
S~ The land must never be sold on a permanent basis, for the land belongs to Me. You are only foreigners and tenant farmers working for Me. ~ God in Leviticus 25:23 (NLT)
O~ God was instructing His people on the laws of owning land. So very different are God’s laws of owning land vs. our laws today on owning land. The land ultimately belongs to God, He reminds us that we are just working for Him.
A~ The land is the Lord God’s. The Creator of Heaven and Earth owns it. It’s all His. Everything else is His too! My house, my car, my computer, my kids even.
I am a temporary worker doing God’s work with the stuff He owns. Oh no, if I think of my house as God’s house, then I wonder what He would say about my housekeeping……(side note, really not my point about this verse 🙂
The verse talks about land and working the land, but really God is the permanent owner of everything and I’m the temporary worker. My time on Earth is temporary, this is not my home. I get a set amount of time to do His work here, then He’ll take me to my permanent home with Jesus **** CELEBRATION HERE ****
Another thought for me: All my work is really for the Lord. Even my nursing stuff (the job). Every day I can think of Him as my boss and do my ‘work’ work stuff as if I’m working for Him.
P~ I LOVE YOU! Help me see all of my work, possessions, everything as Yours! In Your Name! Amen!
You Don’t Remember – Why Should I? | Kelley Deases
S~ Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, O Lord. Psalm 25:7 (NIV)
O~ David’s faith, as reflected here, is forward-looking. He is pleading that God, and probably himself (David) too, not dwell on past sins and failures. But instead, he wants God to look upon him through His lens of love. The cry of David’s heart was accomplished when Jesus came to earth. His life, death, descending, and ascending made it possible for God to no longer look upon our sins, but remember us according to His love.
A~ I can get bogged down, even paralyzed, by the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” ‘s. Past sins that aren’t even in my life anymore, missed opportunities to share God’s love, failure to show kindness and patience with my husband and kids. Dwelling on these shameful moments keeps me stuck. And useless. Just where The Enemy wants me. But when that conviction becomes a catalyst for change in my own life or a ministry opportunity toward others, I am participating in the power of the cross.
P~ Father, Every morning Your mercies are new. You look upon me according to Your love. Help me to see myself in the same way, as “holy and pleasing to God.” (Romans 12:1)
My Sanctuary | Joni Tyner
S~ I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where Your glorious presence dwells Psalm 26:8 (NLT)
O~ I have two observations. First, “You are my sanctuary, Lord”. Yes!! YES!! He is where I can get away from the weariness of life, He is my refuge. I have this picture in my mind of me being like a little child. My head is down, my face is red from the tears I’ve been crying. I feel sick, misunderstood. I look up and see Him, my beautiful Jesus—He is gently looking down at me, there are tears in His eyes too. They are welcoming, they speak that He “gets me”, He is pained that I’ve been crying. His arms are outstretched to me. And I begin to run into those loving arms. The tears come more freely now, the comfort of His arms surrounding me. I release my fears, my worries as I know, my Father has this.. It’s going to be okay. He is my sanctuary.
Second observation: “Where Your glorious presence dwells.” I think we, as humans, cannot really understand the scope of His glory. I think there are moments when we see sacrificial love or the splendor of His creation that He gives us a glimpse of all He has in store for us, but there is so much more to come!! I love to worship my King. I feel Him during worship. Sometimes my worship is strong and confident and I raise my hand to identify myself with Him. Other times my worship is weeping in brokenness and I fall to my knees, the words i sing fade in and out. I want to feel Him but it’s so hard. I just keep trying to hold on. The tears are my shame, fear, sadness, I give them to Him. And the tears represent my hope in Him, so I sing and cry for the joyous ending with Him. There are other times my worship is fun– I begin to dance and clap and I smile and joyfully raise my hands. I’m happy, it’s where I most want to be—singing, dancing and loving His presence. I love my King. This is a taste of the Big Party we will eternally experience in Heaven. (Oh, I so can’t wait, make sure you are going too!!!)
A~ Although we always go to church on Sunday to be in His sanctuary, I don’t always make the effort to find Him during the yuck-muck of my week. This is when I need Him the most!!! He is there—His arms are outstretched, He has tears in His eyes, He’s waiting for me to surrender to Him. He is my sanctuary. I can find Him in the reading of His Word. I find him in listening to worship music. I see Him in a beautiful sunset or cloud formation. His glorious presence dwells all around me, I just need to lift me eyes and see it!!
P~ Oh sweet Jesus, I need you to always be my sanctuary. It comforts me and sustains me. Thank you for not deserting me when I’ve neglected You. Help me to seek Your presence over earthly substitutes. They will never, ever satisfy. YOU ARE IT.
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Joni, thank you for this beautiful imagery. It is exactly what I needed today. Thank you, sweet friend, for this encouraging reminder of His tender compassion and love for us.