28 SEP 22 Wednesday SOAPS Devotional

 28 SEP 22 Wednesday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 101, 109:1-30; Hosea 4:11-19; Acts 21:15-26; Luke 5:27-39

S- I will sing of your love and justice, Lord.  I will praise you with songs.  I will be careful to live a blameless life-when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my home. Psalm 101:1-2

O- David lists a number of “I will” statements committing his life and ways to God because he loves the Lord above all else.  It becomes an easier and more joyful task to die to ourselves when the object of our worship is God. As we love him and obey him, He is working in us and giving us the desire to do what pleases him.

A- I will follow David’s example and commit my life daily to the will of God and enjoy Him all of the days of my life.

P- Lord, this is the day that you have made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.  You are too wonderful for words and your love for me is great.  Help me to love you like David and to conform my life to your will and ways.  May the joy of the Lord give me strength. Amen.

S- K, M

27 SEP 22 Tuesday SOAPS Devotional

 27 SEP 22 Tuesday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 97, 99; Hosea 4:1-10; Acts 21:17-38; Luke 5:12-26

Are all religions the same?

S- For you, O Lord, are supreme over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.  You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked.  Psalm 97:9-10

O- The world believes that all gods are equal and valid.  Eventually, they will all lead to heaven. The truth claims of the Bible say differently.  That our God is supreme above all gods and he has no equal.  All that follow after other religions, idols, or ideas will perish, but “his” godly people he rescues and protects.

A- I will glorify the Lord because he is worthy of praise and is supreme above everything in heaven and earth.  I will testify to his preeminence over all religions amid a pluralistic society.

P- Lord, I thank you for your word and how it reveals who you are and what you are like.  To know you is everything and I find my satisfaction in you alone.  Bless me as I abide in you and walk in your ways.  Help me to love what you love and hate what you hate.  Allow me the honor of serving you today and every day you give me.  Amen. 

S- T, D

26 SEP 22 Monday SOAPS Devotional

 26 SEP 22 Monday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 89:1-18; Hosea 2:14-23; Acts 20:17-38; Luke 5:1-11

S- I never shrank back from telling you what you needed to hear, either publicly or in your homes.  I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike-the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus.  Acts 20:20-21

O- Paul was singularly focused on the mission given to him.  He shared the gospel with everyone without filtering for personal bias.  He encouraged and challenged believers and disciples to new levels of relationship with Jesus.  He did not hold back correction, setting the standard, or holding people accountable.  He was a great model leader that we can strive to be like.

A- I will strive to share the gospel with everyone without filtering, encourage, and challenge believers to a new level of relationship with Jesus.  I will correct and hold people accountable.

P- Lord, thank you for giving us leaders and practitioners like Paul to model ourselves after.  Empower us to stay focused on the mission you have given us and not be afraid to share with people the gospel or set the plumbline for what is right.  Amen.

S- 7peeps

23 SEP 22 Friday SOAPS Devotional

 23 SEP 22 Friday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 88; Esther 8:1-17; Acts 19:21-41; Luke 4:31-37

Do you know God can override the will of his creation?

S-Once when he was in the synagogue, a man possessed by a demon-an evil spirit-cried out, shouting.  Go away! Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are-the Holy One of God! Luke 4:33-34

O- The power of God over the will of creation is tough to grasp.  He is all-powerful and is not limited in any way.  A demon has overpowered a man and is controlling his very life.  The demon recognizes Jesus and is upset that he is about to be destroyed or at least permanently removed from the host.  With a word, Jesus changed the life of the demon and the man.

A- I will trust in the Lord to do all he desires and change the hearts of those I share with.  I will give thanks that he can do far more than I can think, imagine, or understand.

P- Lord, you are an awesome wonder.  We cannot process the magnitude of what you can do.  We object to your ability to override our will, but without it, we would never come to know you or do your will.  Thank you for changing those that you have drawn to yourself and helping us to be all that you desire us to be. Amen.

S- M, L, K

22 SEP 22 Thursday SOAPS Devotional

 22 SEP 22 Thursday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 83; Esther 7:1-10; Acts 19:11-20; Luke 4:14-30

S- But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you? Acts 19:15

O- Who knows that you belong to Jesus? Jesus knows who belongs to him and who doesn’t.  The devil and demons know this as well.  Someone who thinks they are a disciple because they go to church, do church activities, or are baptized doesn’t make them His.  Any more than standing in a garage, makes you a car.  There are plenty of these false converts in church.

A- I will remember the high calling of Jesus on the lives of his people.  I will give thanks for choosing me and allowing me the honor of glorifying him with my life.

P- Lord, it is sad to know that there are people who believe they are yours and are not.  It is painful to know that some use the church as a cover for profit or power.  Ultimately, you know who belongs and who does not.  You have said the wheat and the tares grow up alongside each other and for us not to worry, but to leave them to you to sort out.  Help us to stay faithful and obey, amen.

S- V, A