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
Want to walk through the Bible one book at a time? Head over to Discover One Thing Online Study!
Beach Epiphany | Kim Chipman
S~ “Concerning this Temple you are building, if you keep all my decrees and regulations and obey all my commands, I will fulfill through you the promise I made to your father, David. I will live among the Israelites and will never abandon my people Israel.” 1 Kings 6:12-13 (NIV)
O~ The purpose of the temple was for God’s presence to be with the Israelites all the time. God, through Solomon, gave one condition: obedience. If the Israelites pursued and obeyed God His presence would live among them.
A~ Recently we took a family vacation to Myrtle Beach, SC. I had a powerful revelation there.
Anyone who knows me knows I’m a lover of the ocean. I get oceanitis when I’m away too long. I usually feel deeply and intimately connected to Jesus there. I’d say, “He lives in the sand.”
This time, we had been there a couple days and I just wasn’t getting that feeling. I’m an early riser and would walk the beach a couple hours each morning at sunrise and pray the whole time, but it just wasn’t the same. I was beginning to get disappointed because I so look forward to feeling that connection.
Day 3 I woke up early and was brushing my teeth when I heard in my heart, “I don’t live in the sand, I live in My Word.”
I had, in the past, not been as active or walking but just sitting on the beach reading my Bible for hour upon uninterrupted, unrushed hour. THAT’s where the intimate connection came from. Not from the sand or the waves (although those are amazing) but from unrushed time in the Word and SOAPing.
Like the Israelites, Your presence will not leave ME when I spend time with You and look for how to apply Your Word to my life then You live powerfully within ME. I feel You deeply and intimately when I know and obey Your commands.
I do not need to go anywhere special, I can commune with You anywhere. I can have that deep, intimate communion with You wherever I am. The beach is special to me, it will always be, but the special thing is precious time with You and keeping Your commands.
P~ My brain knew this before, but this is an epiphany I needed. One day at a time I need to decide to pursue You. Period. The end. I commune with you in creation in a way that I love, but I do NOT need to go anywhere special to have access to You. Because of Jesus I can go to You and commune with You anytime, anywhere. I love You!
Our team would love the privilege of praying for you! Please share how we can lift you in prayer at prayer@DiscoverOneThing.com
Discover One Thing 
Reblogged this on Soaring with Butterfly Wings and commented:
What a great revelation my friend had and what an incredible gift God has given us: To be able to come into His presence and commune with Him no matter where we are!
That’s awesome Kim! And what great news that we can be anywhere even if it’s a place we hate and find that communion with Him! What a gift!
My brain knew this, but now my heart knows in such a fresh and powerful way. Praise Him!