“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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Knowing God’s Will for My Life | Joni Tyner
S~ Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT)
O~ Romans 12 is a well known chapter of the Bible. My Bible gives it the title, “Personal Responsibility”.
A~ Several years ago, I did a video Bible study on Romans 12 by Chip Ingram. Each week we would watch a video and memorize the scripture. At the end of the study, we had memorized the entire chapter of Romans 12. I remember this scripture but not completely understanding what it meant to know God’s will which is good and pleasing and perfect. This morning as I read it, I think God gave me a new piece of understanding what it means. This is my interpretation of Romans 12.
- Imitating other people’s behavior is not what God desires for me. (Joni)
- God wants my thinking to change which then will change my behavior. This is done through consistently making choices in my daily life that help me think on the things of God. (Some of these choices are reading His Word, journaling, listening to worship music, podcasts, Christian authors.) It also means making choices to NOT think/participate in activities that promote or encourage sin.
- The biproduct (result) of changing my thinking will be that I will understand God’s will for my life. When I am living within God’s will, He is pleased with my behavior.
P~ Dear Lord, thank you for leading my steps throughout the years. I remember being encouraged by that Bible study in Springfield Nebraska. The leader (Linda) was so excited about her faith and reading Your Word—she fertilized my faith and motivated me to try to memorize scripture. I pray this morning that I would have increased discernment as I make choices with my time. I ask for a hunger to be filled with the things of God and an unsettling and distaste when I wander and slip into activities that do not build up Your Kingdom. I love You.
Different | Kelley Deases
S~ Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
O~ Our lives should look different. Our choices should look different. Our relationships, schedules, work ethic, finances and priorities should look different from what everyone would call “normal.”
A~ I don’t always get this right, but there are a few large areas in my life where I know that I know I am walking in His “good, pleasing and perfect will.” I am confident that in His perfect timing, He orchestrated the meeting between my husband and me and that John is the one He had in mind for me to marry. I am confident that in His perfect timing He created my position at Heartland Hope Mission and He purposed for me to get the job and use my skills in this way during this season. I am also confident that He led me to love His Word through putting Wayne Cordeiro’s The Divine Mentor in my hands and prompted me to share this passion by starting a weekly Bible study in my home over these past four years. I also believe it was His Hand which blessed us with a new and beautiful home, presented to us in such a unique way, last summer.
P~ Father, I have been able to see with spiritual eyes Your hand guiding me into Your will for my life. Help me not to get too comfortable or complacent that I miss where You want me to move next.
Grace & Giftings | Kimi Miller
S~ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophecy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)
O~ As I was reading this verse I recognized the correlation between our gifts and God’s grace. A pastor, and good friend of mine would often say, “Grace is the supernatural ability to do the unnatural.” I love that – especially when it comes to our giftings.
A~ I sometimes feel guilty about not serving or giving as generously as others, but I’m reminded today, that I do not have the same measure of grace they do when it comes to those specific areas. It doesn’t excuse me from doing those things, but it does mean I need to stop comparing my gifts with theirs.
This passage also reminds me that I am to use the gift(s) God gave me to the best of my ability. For me personally, that means encouraging others. While this comes naturally to me, it’s probably more “supernatural” than I realize. I hope I’m able to see this part of myself as a gift, and I learn to give it away more and more.
P~ God, thank You for your good gifts. Help me to be wise in how I use the gift of encouragement You’ve placed inside me. May it always be a sign that points to You.
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