18 DEC 22 Sunday SOAPS Devotional

 18 DEC 22 Sunday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 24, 29; Isa.42:1-12; Eph. 6:10-20; John 3:16-21

The Fourth week of Advent

Are you evil? Do you do evil?

S- And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.  All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. John 3:19-20

O- The coming of Jesus brings light and life into the world like no other time in history.  Everyone who was and will be are born into sin and darkness.  We are darkness according to Paul and do evil continually.  What is evil? Brace yourself.  It is us.  In our core we are evil and our actions: lying, stealing, fornicating, murder, adultery, homosexuality, idol worship, etc are evil.  Jesus says we all have done these things and fall short of his standards.  We cannot change ourselves, only Jesus can do that for you.  This is why he came into the world.

A- I will rejoice in the Lord, creator of heaven and earth.  I will rejoice in my savior who loved me and demonstrated that by coming into the world, living a perfect life, and dying for me.  I will rejoice in his grace and mercy on my life.

P- Almighty and everlasting God, you are gracious to me and your love is unfailing.  Thank you Jesus for coming to save me, an unworthy evil person in my core.  I rejoice that you have made me new, making me holy and giving me your righteousness.  All praise, glory, and honor be your name forever more. Amen and amen.

S- all who have ears to hear.

8 DEC 22 Thursday SOAPS Devotional

 8 DEC 22 Thursday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 37:1-18; Isa. 7:1-9; 2 Thes. 2:1-12; Luke 22:1-13

The Second week of Advent

Are you focused on wicked and evil people?

S- Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.  For like grass, they soon fade away.  Like spring flowers, they soon wither.  Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.  Take delight in the Lord and he will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:1-4

O- God’s heart is for his people, period.  His love and care is shown to his people, but not the wicked.  The wicked and evil people are those that deny who the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is.  They are evil in their hearts, not just behaviorally.   God knows who is his and who is not and will deal with them in due time.  Ours is to trust in God and do good the works he has made us for.  

A- I will stay focused on the Lord and do his will despite the wicked.  I will rejoice that I will one day be with God forever.

P- Heavenly Father, you know that we are bothered to our core with the actions of wicked and evil people.  We fret when they succeed and gloat that no one can touch them.  Help us to pray for them and do good to them, for if they do not repent, they will perish.  We too were once evil and loved the darkness, but you in your mercy saved us.  Praise to you Lord Christ! Amen.

S- R, R

7 DEC 22 Wednesday SOAPS Devotional

 7 DEC 22 Wednesday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 38; Isa. 6:1-13; 2 Thes. 1:1-12; John 7:53-8:11

The Second week of Advent

Is what you are prompted to do, ultimately going to honor Jesus?

S- So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all good things your faith prompts you to do.  Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. 2 Thes. 1:11-12

O- Reading some of Foxes book of Martyrs, you realize that the church has endured many trials until today.  Persecution and death for Christians are actually higher than any time of history.  Yet, we can endure with joy.  Trusting in God’s word over our feelings and embracing the suffering gives way to faithful and impactful living.  What is God prompting you to do? Do it to his glory and Jesus will be honored.

A- I will do all that God prompts me to do.  I will faithfully abide in him and his word so that I can hear the cues.

P- Heavenly Father, reading your Scriptures and meditating on them brings me much joy and satisfaction.  Please guide me and use me in a manner that brings you glory and honor.  Today is a new day, help me to overcome sin and to endure the hardships that come from being your child. Shape me into the man you desire me to be.  Amen.

S- P, S

6 DEC 22 Tuesday SOAPS Devotional

 6 DEC 22 Tuesday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 26, 28; Isa. 5:13-17, 24-25; 1 Thes. 5:12-28; Luke 21:29-38

The Second week of Advent

S- See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.  Always be joyful.  Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.  1 Thes. 5:15-19

O- As a parent, we prepared our kids for the realities of this world and the expectations that God has on their lives.  As each one left to be on their own we reminded them of the path and the ways that were taught.  They can either have power for living or they can stifle the Spirit and suffer for it.  Paul says that if they are Christ’s, they are in his hands and he will faithfully steer them.

A- I will trust in the Holy Spirit’s faithfulness to give me an abiding spirit to help me through this life and live it abundantly.  I will leave my children and spiritual children in the capable hands of the Lord.

P- Heavenly Father, time keeps on moving into the future with no brakes.  I will either meet you through death or in the air when you return.  In this life, help me to be joyful, thankful, and faithful.  Help me to listen to the Holy Spirit and walk in your ways so that I bring you glory.  In your great name I pray, amen.

S- J, C

5 DEC 22 Monday SOAPS Devotional

5 DEC 22 Monday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 25; Isa. 5:8-12, 18-23; 1 Thes. 5:1-11; Luke 21:20-28

The Second week of Advent

Have you repented and trusted Jesus? What are you waiting for?

S- For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.  When people are saying, Everything is peaceful and secure, then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin.  And there will be no escape.  1 Thes. 5:2-3

O- As believers we look forward with great expectation for the best day of our earthly lives seeing Jesus face to face.  Paul gives a stark reality to those that do not know Jesus, that is to say, that are not among the elect.  It will be a terrible day for the lost.  Jesus will come unexpectedly, so don’t delay in repenting and trusting Jesus.  

A- I will live with an expectant heart to see my God and king face to face. I will share the gospel with those who don’t know Jesus. 

P- Lord Jesus, during this advent season our minds and hearts are warmed for the first Advent when Jesus came as a baby. We look forward in anticipation of his second coming as a mighty king gathering his people to himself. It is a joy to the world of believers, but a horror for the world of lost sinners. Even so, come Lord Jesus come. Amen

S- P, C

4 DEC 22 Sunday SOAPS Devotional

 4 DEC 22 Sunday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 148, 149, 150; Isa. 5:1-7; 2 Pet. 3:11-18; Luke 7:28-35

The Second week of Advent

Are you more concerned about climate change or the second coming?

S- Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along.  On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames.  But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised,  a world filled with God’s righteousness.  2 Pet. 3:11-13

O- Peter prepares his readers for the future that Jesus said will happen.  When Jesus decrees something, it will happen.  There are people consumed with saving the earth and changing everyone else’s behavior to hopefully make an impact.  The earth’s destruction will happen, not by us, but the hand of Jesus.  The change we need to make is repentance and trusting in Jesus which guarantees our future.

A- I will continue to trust in Jesus for my salvation and future.  I will adjust my life to his will and his plans.

P- Righteous judge, you are good and merciful.  Your judgments are right, faithful, and good for me.  I’m thankful that you hold the future in your hands and life is worth living because you do.  Empower me to live for you and not myself, having an eternal impact on those around me.  Amen.

S- J, A, S

2 DEC 22 Friday SOAPS Devotional

 2 DEC 22 Friday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 16, 17; Isa. 3:8-15; 1 Thes. 4:1-12; Luke 20:41-21:4

The first week of Advent

Are you fulfilling your purpose?

S- For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.  For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality, that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God. 1 Thes. 4:2-5

O- Until Jesus returns, we have much to live for and a purpose to fulfill.  Our lives can be pleasing to the Lord.  Paul encourages this church to live a life of holiness, honor, and self-control.  This will bring us happiness, and fulfillment, and testifies to God’s presence in our lives.  He also warns against sexual immorality which damns every society in history, ours included.

A- I will stay the course of a life pleasing to God.  I will seek and strive for a life marked by holiness, honor, and self-control.

P- Lord God, we see in every society across our world plagued with sin and strife.  You are our path to salvation and hope in order to free us from the chains of sins and death.  Help us, Lord, not to return to the sins that condemn us to hell but to embrace a life of holiness, honor, and self-control.  May this life we live be pleasing to you.  Amen.

S- M, J

1 DEC 22 Thursday SOAPS Devotional

 1 DEC 22 Thursday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 18:1-20; Isa. 2:12-22; 1 Thes. 3:1-13; Luke 20:27-40

The first week of Advent

For hell's sake!

S-And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.  And the idols shall utterly pass away. Isa. 2:17-18

O- When the Lord returns, it will be the best day ever for believers.  It will be the worst day for those that do not belong to him.  The reality that Jesus is real and they have denied him will be the most humiliating and painful realization.  They will be sick with grief as they now anticipate their ultimate judgment and face the fires of hell for eternity.  For hell’s sake, we should be faithful to Jesus's mission and share the gospel with everyone.

A- I will seek the lost and share the gospel until Jesus returns.  I will look with great anticipation at the coming of Jesus like a child awaiting Christmas morning.

P- Mangnificant Christ, I pray this morning for your return.  Our nation and the world have strayed so far away from you and we are morally bankrupt and evil.  Empower your people to be faithful in sharing the good news until you return so that many might be saved and not have to face your wrath.  I look forward to Jesus’ return of that blessed second advent. Amen.

S- L, M