“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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Pain of Discipline or Consequences | Kim Chipman
S~ Then all who live in Egypt will know that I am the Lord. Ezekiel 29:6a (NIV)
O~ This section of Scripture (Ezekiel 29-32) is marked with the heading “A Prophecy Against Egypt” in my Bible. It’s interesting to me to think that even though the eEgymptians enslaved Your people for 400 years You still have a heart for them. You could have delivered Your people from slavery with the snap of a finger, but You chose quite a grand Exodus with plauges, the passover, and the parting of the Red Sea. You intentionally hardened Pharoah’s heart…”And the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring the Israelites out of it.” (Ex 7:5)
A~ There is so much about You that I just don’t understand, but one thing that is loud and clear is that You want to be known.
Lately, I’ve been less disciplined than I’d care to admit. By “lately” I don’t mean a month or so…but probably at least a year or so, maybe even longer. I’m starting to see signs of neglect of my mind, body, and soul. These are things that are important to me to not neglect. I feel like this is a reminder to me that Your ways are in place for a reason. I can choose the pain of discipline or the pain of regret and consequences. You want me to know that You are Lord.
I’ve started to really think deeply about the person that I want to be. Not just the person I want people to see me as, or even the person I see myself as, but truly the person I am. Who do I want that to be? I’m almost 50 years old, I might think I’d have this really nailed by now, but not really (sadly). I read this quote yesterday and I’ve really been chewing on it…
“The only thing that’s going to matter is what God says about you.” Deep breath. I really want to hear “well done, good and faithful servant” (Mt 25:21-23) and not “I never knew you” (Mt 7:21-23)
I need to not only KNOW Your truth but truly walk it out. Live it, think about it, meditate on it. When I choose self care of my body, mind and soul then I will know the truth that will set me free.
I will know that You are Lord.
P~ Father, help me to see You, to feel You, to follow You. Help me in each moment to choose the pain of discipline over the pain of regret or consequences. So that I will know You. I love You.
Embrace All | Joni Tyner
S~ Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them. “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and any who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.“ Mark 9:36-37 (NLT)
O~ Jesus wanted the disciples to remember what he said so he used a child in his example. I tend to remember conversations much better when I have a word picture in my mind to help recall what was said. I’m sure this child was cute and innocent and made a lasting impression on their memory.
A/P~ Dear Lord, it is my heart to serve You well. I like to do so many things and sometimes I wonder which assignment is from You. This is reminding me, once again!! that You ask me to love the vulnerable, the lost, and all people who are different from me. I ask for You to help me do this with kindness and gentleness. Please remove the constant tendency to criticize people or have a harsh attitude. It’s so easy for me to pick up a child and love and cuddle them, but, boy o’ boy, it’s much harder to give that grace to adults who are abrasive and annoying. Please help me love all people in a way that makes them feel like they have had an encounter with You.
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