3 May 22 Tuesday SOAPS Devo

 3 MAY 22 Tuesday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 26, 28; Proverbs 3; Exodus 19:1-16; Matthew 3:7-12

S- My child, never forget the things I have taught you.  Store my commands in your heart.  If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.  Proverbs 3:1-2

O- My mom has taught me many things about the Lord.  Frankly, I wouldn’t be here without her guidance and care.  She instilled in me the love for God’s word and encouraged me to read and memorize it from an early age.  Unfortunately, I didn’t understand that early enough and lived unsatisfying life for a season.  I understand now that God is my satisfaction and joy.

A- I will continue to read and memorize the Scriptures and remember the things that my mom has taught me.  I will be thankful that God has shown me how to be satisfied in him and find my true identity and purpose in him.

P- Lord, I thank you for the love of my mom to invest your wisdom in my life.  Thank you that your word took root in my life and that I have satisfaction in you.  Lord, help me to invest in others and encourage my children in your ways.  Amen.

S-M, D, R

2 MAY 22 Monday SOAPS DEVO

 2 MAY 22 Monday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 25; Proverbs 2; Exodus 18:13-27; Mark 1:1-17

S- So follow the steps of the good, and stay on the paths of the righteous.  Proverbs 2:20

O- The benefits of studying the proverbs help you chart the narrow path of holiness and righteousness.  There are times in life when you can barely tell how to proceed or are just blind.  It is given to you when you seek righteousness, and faith becomes your eyes as you walk through difficult times or decisions.

A- I will seek the wisdom of God so that it becomes light on my path.  I will trust it even though the world and culture around me think it foolish.  

P- Lord, life is difficult, filled with wicked and evil people, and there are difficult choices to be made every day.  Give me the wisdom to navigate this life and the faith to endure.  May you be glorified and I fortified.  In your name, Amen.

S- J, E, M, T

1 MAY 22 Sunday SOAPS DEVO

 1 MAY 22 Sunday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 148, 149, 150; Proverbs 1; Exodus 18:1-12; Mark 16:9-20

S- Come and listen to my counsel.  I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise. Proverbs 1:23

O- God is the initiator of our relationship and invites us to come and follow him.  He desires to share the depths of his heart with us in order to establish relationships and to give us wisdom and purpose for this life. This gives us insight into living and peace in the midst of uncertain and fearful times.

A- I will devote myself to the study of the Scriptures in order to discover more of God.  I will apply his word to my life and rest in his wisdom though I don’t always see the future outcomes.  I will obey his word no matter the consequences either positive to me or negative.

P- Lord, I thank you for your word and the wisdom you impart so that we can live abundant lives that glorify you.  Give me the desire to read, mark, and inwardly digest your word and apply it.  Give me a passion for those that don’t know you and share with them the hope I have in you.  Amen.

S- Mosaic, A, B (note: people’s initials or groups to share with)

30 APR 22 Saturday SOAPS DEVO

 30 APR 22 Saturday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 20; Proverbs 30; 1 Peter 4:7-19; John 16:16-33

S- First, help me never to tell a lie.  Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.  For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, Who is the Lord? And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.  Proverbs 30:8-9

O- I’ve been with very little, have had a lot, and everywhere in between.  Learning to be thankful at every point of the spectrum built gratitude and contentment. The writer here knows himself and the struggle with discontentment and sin.  Being open with God for your needs and trusting him to provide is an opportunity to build your faith and see Him move in your life.

A- I will continue to ask God to provide for my needs and help me to be content with all that I have.  I will build an attitude of gratitude through thankfulness and generosity no matter how little or much I have.

P- Lord, thank you for caring for our family all these years and the memories and strength we have from our ups and downs.  You have always been faithful to us and in that we give thanks.  Lord my satisfaction is found in you because everything else pales in comparison and leaves me wanting.  Please give us more of you in our lives. Amen.

S- M, L

Don't ignore affinity

Don’t ignore affinity

Much learning takes place in the Harvest.  Much of Jesus’ discipling of the twelve was on the road and doing “the stuff” as John Wimber says.  When we work in the harvest among the lost we are challenged.  We are tested.  We find out where our gaps in knowledge and sharing are.

This is where real learning and growth takes place.  It doesn’t happen in the classroom.  It happens in the everyday life.  God is teaching and developing us if we will let him.  He shapes us in to what he desires.  It brings him glory and draws us near to him.

Normally I would write about a theology idea or strategy to share, but this is different.  This is about the mystery of relationships.  The idea is affinity.  It is a mystery how people connect with one another.  This should not be ignored.  You can’t reach everyone.  You can’t disciple everyone.  We are not meant too.

If we are going to expand our influence, we need to be thinking of others that want to make disciples.  Case in point, we visited Joe, a guy who we met in a neighborhood apartment complex.  He received us.  He was kind and not put off.  We prayed for him.  We shared the gospel with him, but we could tell there was a personal disconnect.  During our conversation, he gave us insight into a positive connection he had with one of our teammates (Tony) that had come by a couple of weeks prior.  Joe remembered Tony.  He liked his energy and showed a genuine interest in meeting with him. 

Joe didn’t want to meet with us.  It was subtle, not overt rejection.  The door was open, but not to us.  We could feel hurt or dejected about it.  But, Why? It’s not about us. What we learned is what psychologists call emotional intelligence.  It’s learning about people and how to make the most of relational situations.  We don’t have to get vexed over it.  What we “can do” is use this affinity to build up Joe and to further develop Tony that has been looking for an opportunity to disciple someone.

In this way it releases us to keep sowing the seed of the gospel and expands the reach of ministry in the community.  Don’t ignore affinity. We must become more aware of affinity as we reach out to others.  This benefits us all in the long run.