“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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Hope | Joni Tyner
S~ Praise the LORD who did not let their teeth tear us apart! We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap. The trap is broken, and we are free!! Psalm 124:6-7
When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! Psalm 126:1
Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest. Psalm 126:5-6
O~ Today’s reading contains two Psalms that speak of God’s faithfulness to bring glory and joy from the depths of despair.
A~ Today is Christmas Eve and I am reminiscing over past Christmases. I smile as I look at our tree and see ornaments I have purchased over the years. Such great memories!!! There are also two unique ornaments that bring a lump in my throat remember a particularly rough Christmas. It was a time when Christmas caused great pain in my heart, I didn’t want to decorate, put up a tree or even celebrate Christmas. Our son had been struggling in his substance abuse for a couple of years and things had went from bad to worse. I was sad and depressed and just wanted to take a pill and make everything go away. I was disappointed in God and felt abandoned as everything in my life seemed to be turned out in a way I didn’t like. The first ornament was made by Andy and it is ugly and bizarre and not at all what a “pretty Christmas tree” should have on it.
The other is a beautiful ornament with the word “Hope”. It was a gift to me (and each of the ladies) at a church dessert party where Teri Schenzel was the guest speaker. (her husband Ty founded the Hope Center) I still remember the message she gave of having hope when life is dark and circumstances are swirling out of control. Her message that night touched me and began the long process of healing so that I could really have hope in my own life. These two ornaments represent something much more than trendy version of a Pinterest, they remind me of why Jesus came for me at Christmas.
P~ Dear Lord, my prayer this evening is for reader that is entering this Christmas with a broken heart. I don’t know their circumstances, but You do. You know every detail and hold every single tear they cry . I pray that this scripture will breathe fresh hope into their weary bones and they will once again sing with joy. I pray that each person would have a renewed understanding of the Hope that came that first Christmas morning.
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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i just saw this article this morning.
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-grieving-people-wish-you-knew-at-christmas