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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Thankfulness | guest post
S~ For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving… 1 Timothy 4:4 (NIV)
O~ Paul is writing to Timothy, a young pastor. God has given us many gifts: anything good is a gift from Him. A gift shouldn’t be rejected, but received with thanks.
A~ I’m back from a high school church conference where we spent five days in worship, teaching, small group, and fun. One night the students were asked about a lie they believed about themselves. These are some of their responses:
unloved
not good enough
not qualified
unwanted
alone
unworthy
unforgiven
unfixable relationships
doomed to fail
a disappointment
hated
full of anxiety and depression
too broken
too far gone even for God
unimportant
numb
weak
a mistake
High schoolers are feeling this way! They are believing these lies! These students are created in God’s image and are gifts to the world! While I can speak truth and love into their lives, I should also receive them with thanksgiving!
So when I see them at church or small group, great them with thanksgiving and excitement and joy. Treat them as the gifts that they truly are.
P~ Thank You for Your Word and these students! Please speak into their lives about the truth of who they are. I love You and pray this in Jesus’ Name!
FIRST Things FIRST | Kim Chipman
S~…rather train yourselves to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7b-8 (NIV)
O~ There are so many parallels with physical and spiritual health and strength, but the spiritual takes precedence.
A~ I haven’t had physical fitness as a huge priority for much of my life. I ate pretty healthy and maintained a healthy weight. I was comfortable and felt good so it wasn’t a huge priority. I wasn’t a complete couch potato either, but working out wasn’t something I did consistently.
As I’ve gotten older (hello menopause!) I’ve started really disliking this growing, squishy body I live in. I can no longer do what I’ve always done and maintain. About a year ago I started working out regularly and I feel great! I’m best early in the morning so that’s when I usually work out.
Problem is that early in the morning is when I’m best so that’s when I usually have my time in the Word as well. For some reason it is very difficult for me to do both of these things consistently every day. I struggle to get both of them in. I haven’t found a rhythm that works well for me, it’s a struggle.
But here’s my arrow to the heart reminder today. I say reminder, because my word for 2018 is FIRST – and I’m clearly still struggling to implement it! Time with YOU – training for godliness – must come BEFORE physical training. It needs to be FIRST. Priority. Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for ALL things!
P~ Lord, help me! I want to be spiritually AND physically strong. Help me get my priorities in order so my life brings You glory. I love You!
Priorities | Joni Tyner
S~ Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 (NLT)
O~ Paul is writing a letter to Timothy, a young leader whom he mentored and loved like a son.
A/P~ Dear Lord, please give me discernment as I go through my day to not get distracted and spend too much time doing activities that may have value, but are of lesser importance than studying your Word. I pray for eyes to see the benefits that come from a life that pursues You and ask that you help me increase my confidence to know what my best “yes’s” are each day.
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