“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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Who do I Imitate? | Joni Tyner
S~ When you enter the land the LORD you God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. Deuteronomy 18:9 (NLT)
O~ Moses is speaking to the Israelites and giving instructions about how they are to behave in their new homeland. The Israelites have been keeping to themselves and basically been in a desert bubble for 40 years. Now, they will be neighbors and doing life with people who don’t believe in God.
A~ This is me being transparent. It’s a lot easier to “behave Christian-like” around my Christian friends. I’m not proud of that statement, on the contrary, it’s embarrassing and convicting to me of just how deep my sin nature goes. I work in a secular environment where almost everyone has different values about EVERYTHING! I get bombarded with profanity, gossip, and negativity, (and lots of other sin) I don’t like it—in fact it annoys me, yet I find myself getting more and more lax about my personal standards when I’m constantly exposed to their “customs”. I see this verse as reminding me to be CAREFUL!!!! Do not imitate them. It doesn’t say to not go there, but, again, … be careful!!! I need to continue to strengthen my faith and my knowledge of scripture to be prepared for this. I can have a defensive plan and physically move to another work area to avoid hearing the gossip. I can choose not to respond to comments that I know are derogatory . I can choose to walk the path of integrity.
P~ Dear Lord. Here I am again, L… feeling so convicted and so very, very messed up. Why do I always seem to end up doing things that I DON’T WANT TO DO!!???? –Okay, I’m sorry about yelling, but dog-gone-it, I do want to please You and live a holy life so, please help me!!! I want to be a person of integrity and live for You and imitate You. Please forgive me. I ask for the Holy Spirit to help me in this big weakness that I always seem to struggle with.
The Ultimate Fortune Teller – Robin Laney
S~ Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (NIV)
O~ One of the directives that God expressed to the Israelites, through Moses, was to keep from engaging in the religious practices of the Canaanites. They were involved heavily in the occult and God sought to protect His people by having them drive those who practice such things out of their land.
A~ Like the Israelites, I am sometimes curious to know what the future holds and I long to see and hear from those who have passed on from this life. Unfortunately, that is not one of my superpowers and God warns against concerning myself with things that are His business. Through Isaiah, He tells His people, “When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?” (Isaiah 8:19)
Satan is behind all that is the occult and he is the father of lies. He distorts the truth and plays on our heart desires and curiosity. God speaks to us through the Bible, His son and the Holy Spirit and tells us, through those sources, everything that we need to know. He alone is eternal and He alone knows the future. We can trust Him fully to guide us and comfort us.
God is the ultimate fortune teller and the maker of the very stars used in horoscopes. He is our best and only true source of life and peace, knowledge and wisdom and He cares about every detail of our futures. Oh, that we would seek Him for all our needs.
P~ Lord, thank you for the reminder that You are the source of all life and Truth. Thank you that I can come to You with my worries about the future and heartaches caused by loss. Help me to mind the boundaries of protection you have put up for me especially when my curiosity about the future and the aching of my heart get the best of me. I trust You, Father, to reveal things to me clearly when it is time and to guide me in the path You have chosen for me to carry out Your purposes.
No Judgement | Kim Chipman
S~ You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Romans 2:1 (NIV)
O~ One of my dearest friends often says, “If you spot it, you’ve got it”. It is so easy to see sin in others, but it needs to inspire introspection not criticism.
A~ I know this is an issue for me. It’s easy to be critical of others. I wish I weren’t that way. I need to continually reassess the position of my heart because pride is my default.
P~ Help me to have a heart of humility. Help me to not be critical of others, but compassionate. Help me to maintain a posture of humility. I love You!
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