“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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Whiny Israelite! | Kim Chipman
S~ Moses heard all the families standing in the doorways of their tents whining and the Lord became extremely angry. Moses was also very aggravated. Numbers 11:10 (NLT)
O~ The Israelites. They were brutally oppressed and enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. Now they are finally released and they are the grumbliest, whiny-est, most impatient, lukewarm people! They worship just about anything as long as it’s convenient. They have seen God’s mighty miracles displayed before their very eyes and moments later they return to complaining.
A~ Aloha, my name is Kim and I am an Israelite. A whining, complaining, comfort seeking Israelite. One of my facebook friends started a conversation yesterday about the possible impact of small electronic devices, social media, and technology. The discussion quickly turned to how our tolerance of being uncomfortable or waiting for anything is decreasing. We can have what we want, when we want it, how we want it, right at our fingertips. I often feel this takes away some of our joy…Ever tried to find a gift for someone who has everything…or someone who has been longing for an item? It is so much fun to give a gift to someone who has gone without, who has an unfulfilled desire and you can fill it. Such joy! But you have to actually WAIT for something you want to experience it!
It reminds me of the Israelites here, and countless other examples in the Bible…including Adam and Eve. No matter how much “stuff”…convenience, pleasure, comfort, riches, material blessings….are available it’s never quite enough. Too much is never enough. Unless my innermost desires are filled to the brim with You and You alone…and continually replenished because the world sucks it out at a consistent rate!…I will never, ever be contently satisfied. I will forever be searching, seeking, grumbling, complaining…frantically trying to fill an emptiness that nothing in this world can ever fill.
P~ Oh Lord I’m such an Israelite! You are here, present among me and within me….yet I often seek personal comfort apart from Your presence. Remind me where true satisfaction, joy, and peace are found…in You alone! Help my heart to focus with gratitude on all I have, not what I don’t have….on all I am that I can use to serve others, not my weaknesses….on YOU not ME. I love You~
God’s Kid | Kimi Miller
S~ If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare my this misery! Numbers 11:15 (NLT)
O~ The Israelites are grumbling for food – not just any food, but specifically meat. The LORD heard them and became extremely angry, and Moses became frustrated. And he let his frustration show to God. He didn’t hold anything back! If he had something on his mind, he shared it with God.
What a beautiful thing. What an example of authentic and real relationship with You.
A~ I have a friend, Megan, who is a pastor, and while she holds the title of “pastor” it’s her relationship with Jesus that gives her identity away. I don’t know that I have ever met anyone who models faith and love for Jesus like this woman (except maybe her mom! 😉 ). Megan LOVES Jesus. She loves everything about Him – all of His divinity and all of His humanity. Megan has a real relationship with a real person – Jesus. I know this because I see evidence of Him in her life. I know this because she talks about Him and where they are going…together. I know because she shares her frustrations with Him – just like Moses.
Megan isn’t afraid to be real with Jesus. She is okay letting Him know when she is frustrated, confused, and angry… even if it’s with Him. I love that! I love that she feels so loved, so safe, so secure in her relationship with Him that she can show her whole self to Jesus. She holds nothing back.
Because that’s how a relationship works when you know beyond a shadow of a doubt the other person loves you…no matter what – when you are completely comfortable to be your complete self with the other person.
“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine,” (Song of Solomon 6:3). Megan knows that. She knows it down to the depth of her soul and in the marrow of her bones. She is a true woman of God. I’m so grateful for her example.
The world needs more “Megans” – more authentic, real, true friends of God. Those that know they are a child of God. Those that know, no matter what, God never gives up on His children, and that He is a “safe” Father. A Father who knows what our hearts need more than any other person.
Megan knows her identity. She know’s that she is God’s kid. More of us need to get that figured out and settled in our heart and mind. I think I do, too.
P~ Thank you for Megan, Daddy. Thank you for who You made her to be, and for her example and friendship. Please continue to bless her, Father, and give her continued grace as she faithfully serves in Your house. I love you and ask this all in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
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Kim and Kimi, what great stuff to think about as I go to working this morning. Dear Jesus, may we all embrace our worth in You and rest in CONTENTMENT. Thank you for not deserting us when we are so prone to wander. We love You!