6 JUN 22 Monday SOAPS DEVO

 6 JUN 22 Monday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

...having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. Ephesians 5:26

Reading Plan: Psalm 56, 57; Eccles. 7:1-14; Galatians 4:12-20; Matthew 15:21-28

S- Oh, my dear children! I feel as if I’m going through labor pains for you again, and they will continue until Christ is fully developed in your lives. Galatians 4:19

O- The more you invest in others, the more you will understand Paul’s words.  There is a certain pain in helping others to develop into maturity in the faith.  We see disobedience as “the” factor for not becoming who God desires them to be.  It is the proof in the pudding.  The other pain is being lead astray by false teachers and worldviews.  

A- I will stay faithful to those that I am investing in despite the pain of development.  I will save myself some pain if they prove not to be interested or disobedient for a season, then let them be until they are ready.  I will avidly defend them from false teachers and worldviews.  

P- Lord, the pain that comes from investing in others is great at times.  The interaction exposes the genuineness of their faith and the endurance of mine.  Lord, help us to stay faithful and help our disciples to develop maturity and invest in others as well. Amen.

S-L, M, M 

5 JUN 22 Sunday SOAPS DEVO

 5 JUN 22 Sunday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

...having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. Ephesians 5:26

Reading Plan: Psalm 118; Deut. 16:9-12; Acts 4:18-21, 23-33; John 4:19-26

S- “who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his anointed.”  Acts 4:25-26

O- Jews and Gentiles alike used their intersectionality of sin to unify against Jesus and send him to the cross.  It would have been a gross injustice and example of mob rule if it were not God’s plan to do so.  The greatest evil in the world was done to Jesus, but God intended it for our victory.  Jesus beat sin, evil, and death so that we could be free in Christ.

A- I will remember that my sin put Jesus on the cross and he paid the price so that I could be free.  I will gladly and eagerly follow his ways and serve him forever.

P- Lord, we see the world still unhappy with your sovereign rule and rebelling against you and your people daily.  Empower us by your Holy Spirit to love radically those who hate us and to boldly proclaim the good news.  Please give the increase to your church, amen.

S- F, F

4 JUN 22 Saturday SOAPS DEVO

 4 JUN 22 Saturday SOAPS DEVO

...having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. Ephesians 5:26

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 107:33-43; Ezek. 36:22-27; Ephesians 6:10-24; Matthew 9:18-26

S- Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18

O- It is important not to listen to the world and its ways that say, don’t pray because it is worthless.  Do something else.  Stop praying is more harmful to us and to the world because our prayers bring eternal change to people’s lives and brings down strongholds and cause demons to flee and healing to happen.  It gives power for living and overcoming sins of all flavors.  

A- I will keep praying to my Lord and Savior for all kinds of reasons and seasons of life.  I pray for those that say don’t pray or curse me for following God.  I will trust the one that created everything seen and unseen and holds everything together.

P- Lord, I give you thanks for who you are and that you want to be in a relationship with me. I’m glad that you want to hear from me and that our communication lines are open.  Forgive me for not talking to you more for the topics and situations are endless. Bless those that don’t know you by sending your Holy Spirit on them to change that.  Amen.

S-Ks, DBS 

3 JUN 22 Friday SOAPS DEVO

 3 JUN 22 Friday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 102; Jeremiah 31:27-34; Ephesians 5:1-20; Matthew 9:9-19

S- Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.  Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Ephesians 5:1, 3

O- God calls us to a higher standard that cannot be accomplished without his help and power.  We are to live like him and imitate him.  That means living a holy and loving life.  He lets us know what should be a part of our lives and what should not.  Sexual immorality, impurity, and greed plague all humanity and are our most troubling and common sins.

A- I will live in a manner that reflects my Savior and Lord.  I will lean on fellow brothers in Christ for accountability to live holy and loving.  I will repent of any sexual immorality, impurity, and greed so that I might not hinder or grieve the Holy Spirit’s work in my life.

P- Lord, while I see the sins mentioned here in the world, they are also in me.  Cleanse my thoughts, and desires, and renew my mind to conform to your ways and will.   May my life bring you glory and give me the will to be steered by you and not sin.  Amen.

S- J, K

 

2 JUN 22 Thursday SOAPS DEVO

 2 JUN 22 Thursday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 105:1-22; Isaiah 4:2-6; Zechariah 4:1-14; Matthew 9:1-8

S- Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand. Zechariah 4:10

O- We can get discouraged at how small or slow the process of disciple-making or church planting takes.  The size and fruitfulness are determined by the Spirit of the Lord and not by our own energy, plans, or tools.  The Lord is pleased by our faithful proclamation of truth and investment in others.  We can have joy in the little things and new beginnings too.

A- I will remind myself of the word of God when I get discouraged when things are not progressing the way that I like.  I will remember that while I labor, he gives the increase and makes things come to life and multiply.

P- Lord, thank you for your encouraging words.  I get discouraged from time to time and need both affirmation and assurance in the things you have me doing.  My courage and determination are strengthened by your wisdom.  Thank you for the new beginnings you give, amen.

S- R, Ks