“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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Like no one I’ve ever known | Chelsea Horne
S~ This is what the Lord Almighty says: “It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?” declares the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 8:6 (NIV)
O~ “But I will encamp at my temple to guard it against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people, for now I am keeping watch.” Zechariah 9:8 (NIV)
Our God is a mighty God! Not only is He kind, compassionate and gentle. He is also passionate, strong, and steadfast! He is faithful with His Promises and what He says to and about His children. I often forget this. I often forget that He is not surprised by what I do. When I fall or slip one way or the other, He is not taken aback or caught off guard. He does not look at me with Eyes of painful betrayal after I have sinned; He looks at me with Eyes of Love and gracious understanding of my heart!
I have found that the world likes to hold grudges. Hold on to the pain that hurt them and never let go. But that also hurts the person that harmed them and everyone around them. Jesus has freed us from this prison that seeks to take us captive and destroy our relationships with others. He has promised to be with us, always. That He is “keeping watch” over our ways and the ones that we love. We are freed from the obligation to hold grudges, freed from the pain of keeping our own hearts safe from those that hurt us because Jesus’ Love and Forgiveness in our lives acts as a balm on our hearts for others.
A~ I can forgive those that harmed me because He has forgiven me for harming them. Opening my eyes to the truth of the situation, I can now see it from His Perspective and we both had a part in the hurt and harm that took place. I don’t have to guard my heart anymore, because I can trust that He will protect it, and me. The shame and pain of my past does not have to hold me back from sharing the Love that Jesus has given me! I can celebrate Christmas with them and just enjoy the comfort of their company in the safety of Jesus’ unfailing and unconditional Love for me!
Jesus is unlike anyone that I have ever known because He has always sought after me. Even when I push Him away because I feel that I am too dirty to come close to His Perfection, He pulls ME close and shares His Righteousness with me! How amazing is our God! He has freed me from my past and allowed me to dream about a future with Him as the woman that I have always dreamed of being. His daughter, rescued by Grace and defined by His Love!
P~ Father God, Thank You for blessing me with this revelation this morning! Thank You for helping me to truly let go of my past and take the first step in faith in this healing path with You! Thank You for protecting my heart during this time and for reminding me that Christmas is a time to love those that we maybe feel doesn’t deserve our love. I know I felt that they didn’t deserve mine! Thank You for healing our broken pieces and for mending our bond with Your Grace and Love. Thank You for hearing and for answering my prayers in regards to this and for giving me the patience to trust You! And this may seem a little redundant but, Merry Christmas, Jesus!! Haha! I love You, Lord!
In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen
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