“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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There’s a Hole in the Bucket | Kim Chipman
S~ In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 2 Corinthians 1:9
O~ Paul is talking about troubles he endured in Asia – troubles that he thought he would never endure through – which resulted in relying on God alone and not himself.
A~ I’m beginning to understand this in my own life. You are much more concerned with my character than my comfort. You desire continual communion and connection ~ and I have to continually choose it. But my heart is like a bucket with a hole in it ~ it needs to continually be filled by You ~ relying on You alone ~ because the world continually drains from the bucket. You will allow circumstances which test the boundaries of my trust so it will grow. The bigger the bucket, the larger the reserve before I’m in the danger zone. I still need to remember there’s a hole in the bottom (or many holes!) and keep filling regularly.
P~ Thank you Lord for the challenges You put in my life (I never actually thought I’d say that!) so that I grow in trust and I have many opportunities to choose You. I love you!
Delivered from the Crushing Waves | Tara Wiley
S~ Indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves, so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by may persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many. 1 Corinthians 1:9-11 (NASB)
O~ A peril of death. The darkest of nights. Despair. I’ve been there. I know that crushing sensation. In Psalm 42, David so eloquently describes it: “All your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me…” (Ps 42:7, NASB)
A~ During one summer at the beach in my childhood, I grew cocky and swam past the sea wall. The waves looked tame, the water was fairly shallow, and I relished the solitude away from the crowded beach. In no time at all, I was yanked underwater by a rolling breaker. Each time I struggled upwards, I was yanked down again by an undertow so strong I could not fight it. I choked on saltwater. My lungs burned. Panic overwhelmed me. I could not see top from bottom, sea from sky.
The next thing I knew, a strong arm wrapped around my chest and drew me to the surface. I struggled to gain control as he yelled, “Stop thrashing! Trust me!” The lifeguard deftly maneuvered us back to calm waters. His stern reprimand was unnecessary; I would never be so foolish again.
Trust. Hope. Prayer. These are our strong lifesaving tools in the middle of crushing trial. We can thrash against the pain, kicking and screaming in bitterness, losing sight of sea and sky until all is death around us. Or we can ‘trust in God who raises the dead’ (vs 9) and ‘set our hope’ (v 10) on Him. We can humbly call on our Christian friends to help us through their prayers (v 11), knowing it will be a blessing for them and for us when we rejoice on the other side.
One other strong tool is referenced both in 2 Corinthians 1 and more directly in Psalm 42: Remember. Paul says God delivered us (past). God will deliver us (presently). God will YET deliver us (future). David says, “My soul is crushed…therefore I remember.” When hope and trust begin to shatter under the weight of trial, we can regain our footing by remembering God’s past faithfulness, knowing He will never change. He WILL deliver us.
P~ Lord, you know this thorn in my flesh, this cycle of illness. You know how easy it is for me to get dragged down again in fear when just a hint of a flare arises. Today, instead of focusing on the rolling waves (the stiffness, the body aches; the throbbing sensation in my head – the threat of another painful season) I choose to focus on You. I trust You and hope in You because You have delivered me before, You will deliver me now, and You will deliver me yet again. Thank You for a team of warriors who rejoice with me for every deliverance and carry me with their prayers. You are our Great Deliverer. Today I choose to trust, hope, pray, and remember.
Prayer | guest post
S~ And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety. 2 Corinthians 1:11 (NLT)
O~ Prayer works! Prayer changes things! Prayer helped save Paul from physical death!
A~ Discover One Thing (DOT) blog is to encourage others to get in Your word – for lives to be changed. For God’s Glory!
P~ Father, I lift up every single person who has had any contact with the DOT journey. Draw each one closer to You! Prepare their hearts for Your Word! Start a new work in each person, put a new song in their mouth! Grow their trust in You and let them depend on You more and more every day. Comfort, encourage, and give everyone hope that You are ALL that matters! Let the Holy Spirit teach each and everyone that You want to talk to them daily! Help everyone find time to sit at Your feet and hear Your voice. Change us to be more like Jesus and give You all the Glory! THANK YOU! I LOVE YOU! I pray this in Jesus’ Name! Amen!
Our team would love the privilege of praying for you! Please share how we can lift you in prayer at prayer@DiscoverOneThing.com
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