“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.
Printable reading plan: Discover One Thing Reading Plan
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All I Need | Kimi Miller
S~ The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. Psalm 23:1 (NLT)
O~ Because You watch over me – because You love and care for me – I have all I need.
A~ I am learning how to simply “be.” Having been a doer for as long as I can remember, this season is foreign to me. I haven’t ever really been in the moment; I’ve always been planning ahead, accomplishing one thing, so I can move to the next. Planning, preparing, executing – wash, rinse, repeat. Lining things up, to make sure bases are covered.
And now, I find myself in this season of “be.” A season of rest. Learning to rest requires effort – or rather, surrender. Surrendering of myself and my plans. Trusting and believing that You love me, and care for ALL my needs.
I have ALL I need, because You are my shepherd.
P~ Thank You, Jesus, for watching over me – for caring for me, and giving me all that I need. I love you.
Rest | Kim Chipman
S~ He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name. Psalm 23:2-3 (NLT)
O~ I could select this entire Psalm today. Packed with deliciousness.
A~ I watched a sermon series online a few months ago about the 23rd Psalm. (Part 1, Part 2) Oh, what a breath of fresh air! I’m a DO-er. I get caught up in my list of tasks and performing duties. I do believe that this is a gift from You, sometimes. I feel energized by accomplishing things, getting organized, cleaning, planning, serving, DO-ing! This CAN be used to glorify You. But the evil one can twist and contort this gift into over-scheduled legalistic exhaustion. I know this because I have been there. Many times.
The promise…the privilege (He LETS me!)…is REST. Following You and trusting You can lead to rest! You let me do that! I’m pretty sure You don’t need me to singlehandedly run the planet. You can do it without my help. I do have a part to play, but You WILL lead me to rest, peace, renewed strength. In You I can be certain of balance in my life and schedule. In me I take on way too much every time and then often get distracted from the one thing I need to be doing – spending quiet, unrushed, soul nourishing time at Your feet being renewed and refreshed…allowing You to lead and guide my steps. This brings honor to Your name!
P~ Thank You for Your promise of rest. Thank You for being all that I need, providing me rest, renewing my strength, and guiding me…I love You.
Small Acts | Marisa Hartman
S~ Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. “How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:30-31 (NIV)
O~ The text of Isaiah would have been written in a language that wasn’t native to the Ethiopian. As he was sitting “reading” the text he was merely saying words he did not understand.
Phillip was God’s instrument to bring that man and eventually his household to Christ.
A~ One small conversation can have a huge effect. By listening and obeying God’s prompt, Phillip changed the lives of the Ethiopian official and those in his household. One seemingly small action can set off a ripple effect that creates great change.
What small things can I do that will point others to Christ? What easy conversations can I be on the lookout for? God will present the opportunities if I am listening and watching for them.
I recently became an ambassador for a company that uses jewelry and accessories as a means to bring people out of poverty. The small act of buying a cute pair of earrings or a necklace creates a world of opportunity for the artisans around the world. These beautiful souls are given a living wage and shown the love of the gospel. Entire villages are being changed because one woman saw an opportunity to reach out in love.
P~ Father, continue to keep my ears open to Your prompts. Thank You for using someone like me to play a small part in Your kingdom. Thank You for the lives You will touch through me. Your heart is my heart. Empty my mind of all that does not glorify You. Amen.
Saul’s Transformation | Joni Tyner
S~ Meanwhile Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. Acts 9:1 (NLT)
O~ Saul was a Roman citizen that was very religious and knew the Bible well. He believed that the new Christians were dangerous to the Jewish faith and actively persecuted them. Jesus sought him out and transformed him into a man that spent the rest of his life professing the gospel and bringing people to Jesus.
A~ I love the transformation story of Saul. Who would have thought?? In verse 26, it states that the believers were all afraid of him and Barnabas needed to intercede until they believed he was sincere. Jesus does that, he changes people and transforms their life—he seeks out the lost and uses them for His glory. This song brings tears to my eyes, I love the lyrics, “leaves the 99” (that is a reference to Jesus leaving his safe flock of sheep and searching for the lost one ( Matthew 18:12 and Luke 15:4), all the lyrics are great, here is some more—
There’s no shadow You won’t light up
Mountain You won’t climb up
Coming after me
There’s no wall You won’t kick down
Lie You won’t tear down
Coming after me.
Take time to watch the video! I just love this song!
P~ Dear Lord, please help me see people as future Kingdom builders. I desire to give others grace when they are prickly or step on my toes. Thank you for seeking me out. I love You.
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