12 MAY 22 WEDNESDAY SOAPS DEVO

 12 MAY 22 Thursday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 18:1-20; Proverbs 12; Exodus 16:10-22; John 15:12-27

S-Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.  Proverbs 12:25

O- As believers, we can be an encouragement to others and help lift the spirits of those that are down.  This week is nurses' week which recognizes and affirms the love and care that they give patients every day.  They are a great example of encouragement, especially to difficult people.

A- I will seek to do good to others through care and encouragement.  I will invest in others in order to build them up.

P- Heavenly Father, thank you for seeking our good and loving us through difficult times.  Thank you for affirming us as your children and caring for us when we are down.  At times, we don’t see solutions or are caught in the fog of despair and need your guiding light.  Help us to be that for others and be willing to walk with them through their pain, amen. 

S- S, C,

11 MAY 22 Wednesday SOAPS DEVO

 11 MAY 22 Wednesday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 119:49-72; Proverbs 11; Exodus 33:1-23; Matt 5:17-20

S- The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25

O- One of the traits of a healthy disciple and church is generosity.  It is both a testimony of love and trust in God’s providence.  Sacrificial giving makes the giver’s heart glad and the receiver comforted and encouraged.  You will never be disappointed when you are generous with your time, talent, and treasure.

A- I will strive to love God and others through generosity.  I will model what it means and give God the glory for allowing me to serve in this capacity.

P- Lord, you have blessed me with people in my life who are models of generosity.  They know that you will bless them for doing it and are eager to give.  Lord, we miss the opportunities to invest in others that you place before us.  Help us not to overlook these as it is to our development and happiness, amen.

S- S, A, M

10 MAY 22 Tuesday SOAPS DEVO

 10 MAY 22 Tuesday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 45; Proverbs 10; Exodus 32:21-34; Matt 5:11-16

S- The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked. Proverbs 10:29

O- The Lord pictures his people as a stronghold or fortress that can withstand the problems and enemies of life.  What does it take to become a stronghold? A person must live day by day pursuing holiness and righteousness as their purpose.  It is in the regular formation that we are made solid for defense.

A- I will devote myself to the pursuit of holiness and righteousness in order to become all that God wants me to be.  I will encourage others to do the same.

P- Lord, life throws at us all kinds of problems from the time we are a child until we are very old.  Guide us in your ways and make us into a people of integrity thereby making us a stronghold against the storms of life, amen.

S- A, J

9 MAY 22 Monday SOAPS DEVO

 9 MAY 22 Monday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 41, 52; Proverbs 9; Exodus 32:1-20; Matthew 5:1-10

S- Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.  Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. Proverbs 9:7

O- God gives wise advice in order to save us pain and frustration.  We have to choose our battles and better understand people from a spiritual level.  The mocker and the wicked are not prepared for the truth, righteousness, or the things of God.  They will only respond with hate.  It is better to pray for them and model the action desired and help those that can be.

A- I will heed the wisdom of the Lord and save myself some pain.  I will pray for those that run counter to godliness and continue to live as a model for others to see.

P- Lord, we run into people that mock our faith, principles, and life.  We want to get back at them through rebukes and correction, but that just smacks us in the face.  Lord, please change the hearts of the mocker and the wicked so that they may hear, see, and live. Help us to obey your direction so that we bring you glory, amen.

S- P, J

7 MAY 22 Saturday SOAPS DEVO

 7 MAY 22 Saturday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 30, 32; Proverbs 7; Exodus 25:1-22; Matthew 4:18-25

S- While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain, I saw some naive young men and one in particular who lacked common sense. Proverbs 7:6-7

O- The passage looks at a story of a man who didn’t use wisdom or common sense and ended up dead.  God gives believers spiritual sense and notifies us before we step into sin.  The Holy Spirit will prick us so that we escape it if we listen and obey, but wisdom means nothing if you don’t obey.

A- I will listen and obey what the Lord tells me in his Word.  I will listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in daily life to do what he desires and his correction when I head toward sin. 

P- Lord, I know that any time that I have sinned against you that I had a moment of clarity before to escape and go another way.  I haven’t always listened and obeyed.  For that, I am sorry.  I do pray that you will give me ears to hear and a willingness to do.  In your name, amen.

S- dmc, fb,