“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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Would You Rather? | Kim Chipman
S~ The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 1 Corinthians 6:7 (NIV)
O~ Paul is talking about believers taking other believers to court. I guess You would do that to prove you’re right, get revenge, or try to make things fair and even or something.
A~ So what about in my relationships? I had a pretty decent argument with my hubby a few days ago. In my mind I could judge and jury myself in to proving I’m right or retaliate somehow because I’ve been wronged and it isn’t fair.
But ultimately it isn’t about any of those things. It’s about loving him well, giving him grace, and honoring him (even if I decide he doesn’t deserve it or when I don’t think it’s fair).
“Why not rather be wronged?”
I wouldn’t want it to be fair anyway. I want grace so I should probably give it.
P~ Thank You for showing me that my heart is messy. I can honor You by not always needing to be right or heard and understood. You understand me. You see me. Help me to honor You with my life and my relationships. I would rather be wronged or cheated that dishonor Your holy name. I love You!
What to do | Kelley Deases
S~ “Everything is permissible for me” – but not everything is beneficial. 1 Corinthians 6:12a (NIV)
O~ Yesterday I had one of those days at the office where there were things to do, but nothing “on fire.” Last week was a little stressful as I was training to sub in for a coworker who would be out at a conference and had to learn a whole new job (or at least part of her job). Next week will also be intense as I will be completing a grant application which goes “live” online on Monday and is due by Friday. But yesterday I had broad discretion over how to spend my time. I could opt to do that which was permissible: clock in and be available at the office to field phone calls and emails and do busy work. Or I could do something beneficial to the organization: nail down and perfect my written responses to next week’s application, diligently research and reach out to new potential funders. I opted for the latter……….mostly 😉
A~ The position I was in yesterday really paints a picture of what Paul was trying to convey about my spiritual self. There are many things I could do with my time which are not strictly forbidden by God’s Word, but clearly do not constitute the best use of my time and talents. I can justify all day long about taking some down time, indulging in some “me” time, or that I have got to have time to relax. But am I living this life, this day, this hour, in service to Jesus, who gave up everything to come down from heaven for me? Am I really showing Him my gratitude and devotion by the way I spend my time?
P~ Father, Help me care more deeply about what is beneficial to Your Kingdom and less about what is permissible in mine.
You are not your own | Marisa Tomlinson
S~ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)
O~ You are a temple of the Holy Spirit. Picture an ancient temple in your head. Is it clean and beautifully decorated or is it full of cobwebs and dust? Most people when asked to picture a temple or church picture something beautiful and well maintained. Is your temple well maintained? Verse 13 suggests the Corinthians were struggling with sexual immorality,
“The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord…”
I think that this passage applies much broader. When thinking about honoring God with our bodies, everything we do matters. What we eat, what we wear, what we do… it all matters.
A~ If I focus on my body being a temple of the Holy Spirit, I treat myself so differently. A temple is something that is to be taken care of. A temple is a place of worship. A temple is a place to meet God- and I have it with me all the time! Taking care of myself is an act of worship. HE gave me this life, it’s my job to take care of it to the best of my ability. I’m working through the process of changing eating habits and focusing on health. Sometimes it’s HARD; I love me some food! Changing my focus to taking care of His temple makes some of those choices easier to make. I’m sweeping the cobwebs out with broccoli and quinoa.
My next challenge to tackle is rebuilding the walls of my temple that are crumbling from decay and neglect: time to exercise!
P~ Lord, thank you for choosing to dwell in me. It’s an awesome responsibility to house Your spirit. Forgive me that I’ve been taking that responsibility too lightly. Thank you for your grace that renews daily so that I can keep trying to get it right. I pray for gentle reminders as I live out my day to keep my focus on honoring you with EVERYTHING I do. Amen.
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