22 JUL 22 Friday SOAPS DEVO

 22 JUL 22 Friday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 40, 54; Joshua 9:22-10:15; Romans 15:14-24; Matthew 27:1-10

S- My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else.  Romans 15:20

O- Paul has the heart of Jesus in that he desires to seek and save the lost at any cost.  Several years ago my son and I stood atop a fort overlooking the city of Ankara.  The lostness of millions hit us in our hearts that the gospel must be proclaimed in this country where it once thrived.  We can get comfortable in a place that has a church on every corner, but there are places that have not heard the gospel once.

A- I will still seek the lost and equipped the saved wherever the Lord sends me.  I will rejoice in the passion Jesus has put in my heart to find his lost children and develop disciples.

P- Lord, it is in tears that I give thanks and ask that you make your servants fruitful in their endeavor to proclaim the gospel in the darkest places.  Thank you for the work you have done here in Maryland, those that have come to saving faith, and those that were equipped as disciple-makers.  Give them the passion and boldness to take the baton that was passed. Amen.

 

21 JUL 22 Thursday SOAPS DEVO

 21 JUL 22 Thursday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 50; Joshua 9:3-21; Romans 15:1-13; Matthew 26:69-75

S- Repent, all of you who forget me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you.  But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.  If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.  Psalm 50:22-23

O- There is a call to repentance when God exposes the sin in our lives.  He knows us better than we know ourselves and we cannot hide our sin from him.  His plan is to bring salvation to those whom he chooses.  The expectation is that we conform to his plans and respond with thanksgiving.  He is worthy of it.

A- I will give thanks to the Lord for he is merciful and gracious.  I will gladly follow his wisdom and ways to the glory of his name.

P- Lord, I give thanks to you with words and in the way that I live.  I’m sorry for sinning against you in thought, word, and deed.  For not loving my neighbor as myself and not doing the things you have commanded me to do.  Help me to walk in your ways to the glory of your name. Amen.

S- J, M, E

20 JUL 22 Wednesday SOAPS DEVO

 20 JUL 22 Wednesday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 119:49-72; Joshua 8:30-35; Romans 14:13-23; Matthew 26:57-68

S- So let’s stop condemning each other.  Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.  So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. Romans 14:13,19

O- Church discipline is the fine art of building each other up and correcting problems.  The goal is harmony and holiness for the entire body of Christ.  We can go too far with our judgment toward condemnation, especially for things that are not sinful to do.  Setting the plumbline of right living is important while lovingly shaping and guiding the community toward glorifying Jesus.

A- I will love and guide those in the flock toward a life that glorifies God.  I will be patient with those who God is shaping and encourage them in their faith.  I will correct those in love that are in sin and set the plumbline of expectation that Christ has for all of us.

P- Lord, you are the head of the church and your expectations are clear about how you desire for us to live.  Help us encourage and build each other up so we can grow in your likeness and be pleasing to you.  Our faithfulness and love toward one another will be a testimony to the outside world.  Help us to live well.  Amen.

S- M, J, T, G

19 JUL 22 Tuesday SOAPS DEVO

 19 JUL 22 Tuesday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 45; Joshua 8:1-22; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 26:47-56

S- Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid or discouraged.  Take all your fighting men and attack Ai, for I have given your the king of Ai, his people, his town, and his land.”

O- God gives strategy, plans, and victory to those who trust and obey him.  Joshua finds that God knows how to route an enemy and his will cannot be thwarted.  Today we work and live from a position of victory.  We are not trying to obtain it.  We need to live in his ways for they are trusted and true.

A- I will trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus.  I will seek Him for daily wisdom for the trials I face and follow his ways.

P- Lord, I praise you this morning knowing that you have secured the victory.  I rejoice in your goodness and love toward us as you show us how to live into your will and ways.  Empower us with your Holy Spirit to do what you have called us to do and bring you glory and honor. Amen.

S-M, H

 

18 JUL 22 Monday SOAPS DEVO

 18 JUL 22 Monday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 41, 52 Joshua 7:1-13; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 26:36-46

S- Because we belong to the the day, we must live decent lives for all to see.  Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.  Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ.  And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.  Romans 13:13-14

O- Our relationship with Jesus calls us to live as models and examples for our fellow believers and light bearers in an evil and dark world.  We deny our own evil desires and embrace God’s ways with the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is the difficult narrow road that brings God glory.

A- I will with God’s help put on the shining armor of right living and cast of my dark and evil clothes.  I will embrace a lifestyle of love and holiness to the glory of God.

P- Lord, reading this passage this morning not only reminds me of the society we live in, but who I was before I met Jesus.  Help me to lay down my own evil desires and put on the ways of love and holiness.  Grant that my life will be a model and blessing to others. Amen.

S- New Five, S, A