17 NOV 22 Thursday SOAPS Devotional

17 NOV 22 Thursday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 105:1-22; Mal. 2:1-16; Jam. 4:13-5:6; Luke 17:20-37

Are you chasing after your desires or God’s?

S- Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make profit-yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.  What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:13-14

O- We are designed with the purpose to do the will of God and enjoying him forever.  We chase after a desire that is outside of the will of God and we know it.  We are consumed by it, forgetting that God is sovereign and can end us at any time.  Happiness and satisfaction are not found outside of God and his will.  All other pursuits are a fool's errand.

A- I will repent of the parts of my life that I strive after that are not in alignment with God’s will.  I will focus on living for him and not myself.

P- Gracious Lord, you are sovereign and hold the keys to my future.  Forgive me for chasing my own will over against yours.  Help me to align my life with your will and seek my satisfaction in you.  Grant that my life will bring you joy.  Amen.

S- K, L

16 NOV 22 Wednesday SOAPS Devotional

 16 NOV 22 Wednesday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 101, 109:20-30; Mal. 1:1, 6-14; Jam. 3:13-4:12; Luke 17:11-19

Are you friends with the world?

S- You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4

O- Culture, Ideology, and politics are the ways of the world and craft a view of God that is false and insulting.  The world promises to deliver on some need or desire but always fails, leaving people dissatisfied.  James doesn’t want followers of Jesus to get sucked into the world’s ways because it is detrimental to our relationship and our mental health.  God views friendship with the world as spiritual adultery.

A- I will examine my life to determine if I am aligned with the world’s culture, ideology, or politics. I will align myself with the Lord,  his mission, and his vision for my life.

P- Heavenly Father, examine my heart and help me not to offend you and harm our relationship.  Is there a part of me that has adopted the world’s ways or grown dependent on their solutions? Forgive me.  Give me the wisdom to discern and to live in a manner that is pleasing to you.  Amen.

S- R, R

15 NOV 22 Tuesday SOAPS Devotional

 15 NOV 22 Tuesday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 97, 99; Hab. 3:1-18; Jam. 3:1-12; Luke 17:1-10

Why do you serve?

S- Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you are commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ Luke 17:9-10

O- We can approach serving God with wrong motives to either gain something or do our duty.  We expect praise for doing something we ought and yet the majority don’t even do that and still expect praise or reward.  It comes down to the fact that our heart is not in it.  We obey Jesus because we love him. (Jn 14:15) The opposite is true too, plain and simple.

A- I will repent for not serving with the right heart.  I will give thanks that Jesus desires for us to be about the Father’s work and  I get to do this.

P- Heavenly Father, I give thanks that you hear my prayer and desire a close relationship.  Forgive me for not always serving you with the right motives and intentions.  Help me to remember that obedience is a reflection of my love for you. Thank you for allowing me to serve you.  In your matchless name, I pray. Amen.

S-C, M

14 NOV 22 SOAPS Devotional

 14 NOV 22 Monday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 89:1-18; Hab. 2:1-12; Jam. 2:14-26; Luke 16:19-31

Is there enough evidence to convict you of having a relationship with God? 

S- You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God.  Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.  How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? James 2:17-18

O- Is there enough evidence to convict you of having a relationship with God? How you live your life is important because it demonstrates your relationship and love for Jesus.  James knows that people will be quick to say they believe, but deny Jesus or live like hell.  He says, the demons believe but have no relationship with God.  Quit putting on a front and prove it!

A- I will live in a manner that demonstrates my love for Jesus and testifies to my relationship.  My walk will match my talk.

P- Lord, I need you to work in and through me daily.  Let my life be a testimony of who you are to me and my love for you.  May there be more than enough evidence to convict me of being your disciple.  In your great name, I pray.  Amen.

S- A, D

4 NOV 22 Friday SOAPS Devotional

 4 NOV 22 Friday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 75, 76; Proverbs 4; Rev. 17:1-18; Luke 13:31-35

S- You stand up to judge those who do evil, O God, and to rescue the oppressed of the earth.  Human defiance only enhances your glory, for you use it as a weapon.  Psalm 76:9-10

O- It is a great comfort and praise that God doesn’t let evil go unpunished whether Satan or mankind.  His will is done and his kingdom comes.  Even sin, evil, and the rebellious are like a vessel made for dishonor that serves to amplify and glorify his justice.  

A- I will give thanks and praise for God’s ability to do great things and make things come to be.  I will rejoice that he can use the evil actions of his foes against them and still accomplish his will.

P- Heavenly Father, you are great and your will cannot be thwarted.  Even sin, evil, and the rebellious ultimately bring you glory by amplifying your attribute of justice and holiness.  May this grow our amazement and fear of you.  In your matchless name, amen.

S- T, R