1 JUN 22 Wednesday Soaps Devo

 1 JUN 22 Wednesday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 101; Isaiah 4:2-6; Ephesians 4:1-16; Matthew 8:28-34

S- I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.  I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them. I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.  Psalm 101:3-4

O- God is holy and he has expectations that we are to be holy too.  The psalmist is committing his life to love what God loves and hate what God hates.  Righteousness takes offense to evil and calls us to renounce it.  It also calls us to embrace the ways of God.  Starting with what the eyes see is a good place to start and the most difficult since we must intentionally stop feeding on trash visually.

A- I will commit to the practical way of not engaging in vile and vulgar media and setting up my profiles not to be exposed to such material.  I will pray for those that engage and promote perverse ideas and evil, and share the good news with them.

P- Lord, you call us to be in the world and not of it.  Help us to stand firm in our faith against vile and perverse things.  Help us to engage the lost where they are and help us not to affirm their ways, but shine in their darkness. Amen.

S- K, L, E

31 May 22 Tuesday SOAPS DEVO

 31 MAY 22 Tuesday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 97, 99; Proverbs 31; Ephesians 4:14-21; Matthew 8:18-27

S- Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.  Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31:8-9

O- This is a painful reality in our world that people who cannot defend themselves are treated badly.  Whether it is the murder of the unborn child or the homeless being beaten, there are evils that happen which can be protected.  We are called to stand up for the most vulnerable.

A- I will seek to do good to others and speak up for those that cannot speak for themselves.  I will support the work of those that are most vulnerable in our country.

P- Lord, we see where the brokenness is in our society.  Help us to love and support them through the spread of the gospel, basic needs, and as defenders.  Give us strength and boldness to do so, amen.

27 May 22 Friday SOAPS DEVO

 27 MAY 22 Friday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 85, 86; Proverbs 27; Ephesians 2:1-10; Matthew 7:22-27

S- Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring. Proverbs 27:1

O- We are not guaranteed tomorrow so how will we live today? The disciples in the new testament asked Jesus when he will return, but Jesus shifted their attention to the task before them.  If you knew that today was your last day or that Jesus was coming this week, would that change what you are doing now? We must keep that tension as a means of accountability and be about the Father’s work until he returns or we die.

A- I will remember to live in the moment trusting and obeying the Lord.  I will seek to do his will in my life and experience him afresh each day.

P- Lord, this is the day that you have made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.  This day has worries, struggles, joy, and purpose.  Help us to listen to you and do as you have modeled and commanded.  Let our lives bring you joy, amen.

S- S, J

26 May 22 Thursday SOAPS DEVO

 26 MAY 22 Thursday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 8, 47; Proverbs 26; Hebrews 5:2-18; Matthew 28:16-20

S- Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.  Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation. Proverbs 26:4-5

O- Proverbs have flexibility in usage due to situations.  At times we are told not to engage a foolish person and other times encouraged to do so.  If you think about it, you know what I’m saying.  We can trust God to give us the wisdom to understand what to do at the time and the situation.  

A- I will seek wisdom and discernment when engaging fools or difficult people.  I will trust in God’s word and obey what it says for his glory.

P- Lord, every day we engage people that need your wisdom and guidance.  We see fools and those that lack common sense.  We need your wisdom in order to determine whether or not we engage them or leave them to their own folly.  Help us to know the difference and trust that you will help us through it, amen.

S-M, H

25 May 22 Wednesday SOAPS DEVO

 25 MAY 22 Wednesday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 119:97-120; Proverbs 25; Ephesians1:1-10; Matthew 22:41-46

S- When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret.  Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation. Proverbs 25:9-10

O- As a chaplain, we are expected to keep absolute confidentiality with clients.  The information we hear doesn’t belong to us and needs to be protected.  If I leak a secret for any reason, I’m done as a chaplain.  It is the same for everyone who hears a secret.  If you share it, your name is now damaged and it is hard to be restored.

A- I will pray to keep the confidence of conversations safe for the sharer’s sake and my own.  I will stand firm in my resolve to be a person that can be trusted with other people’s information.

P- Lord, being able to keep the information confidential is a difficult task for many.  Give us the mental strength and awareness to honor neighbors and friends by keeping our mouths shut.  Thank you for those that you have placed in our lives to keep our conversations safe, amen.

S-DMG, J