12 OCT 22 Wednesday SOAPS Devotional

 12 OCT 22 Wednesday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 119:1-24; Jonah 1:17-2:10; Acts 27:9-26; Luke 9:1-17

Are you cultivating a life for God?

S- Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord.  Joyful are those who obey his laws anad search for him with all their hearts. Psalm 119:1-2

O- Before any ministry outside of yourself, nurture a growing relationship with God.  Out of that deep and abiding relationship flows power, peace, love, and food for others.   The joy and peace that comes from knowing God will carry you the storms of life and enable you to carry others.

A- I will rejoice in the Lord for he is good and faithful.  I will seek Him in his word daily enjoying the wonderful truths I find.

P- Heavenly Father, I rejoice in who you are and your care for me.  As I open your word, incline my heart to your will and ways.  Empower me to obey and to find my satisfaction and joy in you.  Sow your word in my heart and cultivate a life that is worthy of your name. Amen.

S- NG, C 

11 OCT 22 Tuesday SOAPS Devotional

 11 OCT 22 Tuesday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 5, 6; Jonah 1:1-17a; Acts 26:24-27:8; Luke 8:40-56

Do you get what you deserve?

S- Then they cried out to the Lord, Jonah’s God.  “O Lord,” they pleaded. “Don’t make us die for this man’s sin.  And don’t hold us responsible for his death.  O Lord, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.”  The sailors were awestruck by the Lord’s great power and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him.  Jonah 1:14, 15b

O- All weather events are governed by God for his good reasons and ordained to fulfill his plans.  A group of sailors came to faith in God and Jonah was redirected back to his mission.  What we perceive as harsh judgment had a great upside.  Mercy was extended where it wasn’t deserved.

A- I will thank God for showing mercy and not giving me what I deserve.  I will remember that God works in the midst of disaster, fulfilling his will, and nothing can thwart him.

P- Lord, thank you for this passage of Scripture where a ship of sailors comes to faith even when your messenger is disobedient.  You are faithful Lord and your plans are sure.  Help us to trust you through the storms of life that your will is completed and your ways are good.  Amen.

S- A, S

10 OCT 22 Monday SOAPS Devotional

 10 OCT 22 Monday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 1, 2, 3; Micah 7:1-7; Acts 26:1-23; Luke 8:26-39

Are you telling people what Jesus has done for you?

S- The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him.  But Jesus sent him home, saying, “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.  Luke 8:38-39

O- How long should a person wait until they share their faith? A year? After seminary or Bible college? We find in the Scriptures an immediate response to share is typical.  The man known as Legion was freed from the bondage of demons and restored to a new life.  Jesus would not let him follow (another article), but gave him a mission to go and tell.  Jesus gave us that mission too.  Are you telling people what Jesus has done for you?

A- I will thank God for saving and freeing me from the bondage of sin and death.  I will accept the commission to go and tell every day I live.

P- Lord, thank you for the honor and privilege to serve you with gladness and singleness of heart.  Give me the opportunity each day to testify to others of your goodness and grace in my life.  Connect me with people to invest in and develop into disciple-makers.  Amen.

S- T, C

9 OCT 22 Sunday SOAPS Devotional

9 OCT 22 Sunday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 146, 147; Micah 6:1-8; 1 Cor. 4:9-16; Matt. 15:21-28

Are you seeking God's lost sheep?

S- Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep-the people of Israel.” But she came and worshiped him pleading again, “Lord, help me!” Matthew 15:24-25

O- Jesus came to seek and to save that which were lost.  Initially, he came for Israel, but we see here Jesus filtered this Gentile woman as well as Legion, the Centurion, and the woman at the well.  While they all seem random, Jesus intentionally sought these encounters.  He was reaching people that were not of the Jewish Fold.  As Jesus said, I have other sheep not a part of this fold. I must bring them also.

A- I will continue to seek after the lost sheep of God no matter the race, tribe, or tongue.  I will trust that He has chosen and prepared them to receive the invitation and rejoice with the angels when one is found.

P- Lord, thank you for intentionally seeking after your lost sheep.  Empower us to faithfully share the good news and trust that you will bring all that you desire into the fold.  Help us not to filter by anything, but the gospel.  May we find all that is around us.  Amen.

S- K, M, R

 

7 OCT 22 Friday SOAPS Devotional

 7 OCT 22 Friday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 140, 142; Micah 3:9-4:5; Acts 24:24-25:12; Luke 8:1-15

Do you understand the mystery of faith?

S- His disciples asked him what this parable meant.  He replied, “you are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God.  But I use parables to teach others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: When they look, they won’t really see.  When they hear, they won’t understand.”  Luke 8:9-10

O- Jesus uses the gospel as a filter to find the people that belong to him.  Based on the parable that is about 25% of hearers will turn to God in faith.  The main point is that eyes to see and ears to hear are gifts from the Holy Spirit. (Prov. 20:12) They are only opened by the will of God and the abilities of man alone fall short of understanding.

A- I will pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to bear fruit from my faithful witness.  I will pray that people will be given the eyes and ears of faith.  I will trust him for the outcome.

P- Lord, I thank you for the lesson you gave to your first disciples and how that helps your disciples today.  Salvation is an awesome wonder that demonstrates your amazing sovereign grace.  Bless the people in my life and sphere of influence with the eyes and ears of faith.  Make their hearts good soil so that they become true followers and not false converts. Amen.

S- S, S