18 SEP 22 Sunday SOAPS Devotional

 18 SEP 22 Sunday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 93, 96; Esther 3:1-4:3; James 1:19-27; Matt. 6:1-6, 16-18

Are you a doer of the Word?

S- But don't just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.  But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.   James 1:22, 25

O- Abiding in Jesus and obeying his words shows or demonstrates our love to him.  It also sets us free from bondage to sin and empowers us to do his will throughout our lives.  As we trust and obey, God blesses us richly in our daily life.

A- I will trust and obey God’s word each day.  I will be a practitioner rather than an observer. 

P- Lord, we often wonder why we are stuck in sin or dry spiritually.  You have given us the solution to both in your Son Jesus, his words, and example.  Help us to not just be hearers, but doers of it.  Empower us to obey your would and make us truly free.  Amen. 

S - C, R

17 SEP 22 Saturday SOAPS Devotional

 17 SEP 22 Saturday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 75, 76; Esther 2:5-8, 15-23; Acts 17:16-34; John 12:44-50

Do you know the three responses you will get when sharing the gospel?

S-When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, We want to hear more about this later.  That ended the discussion with them, but some joined him and became believers. Acts 17:32-34

O- We see here a pattern of response that comes from sharing the gospel.  You can bank on people reacting like a street light.  The red light is rejection, possible hostility, or dismissiveness.   Yellow light is a response of interest and desire to discover more.  Lastly, is a green light in which the response is repentance and belief.  These responses are controlled by God and not us.

A- I will better understand the people who I share with and not be frustrated with their responses.  I will focus my attention on the yellow and green and not the red.  

P- Lord, thank you for the unfiltered responses that Jesus and the disciples received.  Help us to not waste time on red lights, but apply our time and energy on the yellow and green responses.  Thank you that there are always some that you are drawing to yourself. Amen. 

S- L, M, C

16 SEP 22 Friday SOAPS Devotional

 16 SEP 22 Friday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 69:1-23, 31-36; Esther 1:1-4,10-19; Acts 17:1-15; John 12:36-43

Why don't people believe?

S-But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. But the people couldn’t believe, for as Isaiah also said, The Lord has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts-so that their eyes cannot see, and their hearts cannot understand.  John 12:37,39-40

O- Why don’t people believe? When sharing the gospel, you have many that reject it.  Is it us? No.  Salvation is a gift freely given to whom Jesus chooses by his good pleasure.  He sovereignly rejects others by his good pleasure too. The gift of a new birth and spiritual reception is closed off to them and becomes totally unresponsive.  They are not his sheep, but are goats.

A- I will rejoice in the Lord that any come to saving faith including myself.  I will not be angry or frustrated when people do not respond to the gospel, but will entrust them to Jesus for their future.

P- Lord, the heavy truth found in your word requires trust and understanding.  Please impart to us a new level of both.  We pray for those you have put in our path and desire for them to come to saving faith either now or later.  I entrust them to you because you know who is and who is not yours.  Give us peace, boldness, and faithfulness to accomplish the task before us, amen.

S - J

15 SEP 22 Thursday SOAPS Devotional

 15 SEP 22 Thursday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 71; Job 28:1-28; Acts 16:25-40; John 12:27-36a

S- I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone.  But its death will produce many new kernels-a plentiful harvest of new lives.  John 12:24

O- Jesus predicted and often told the disciples that he would die, be buried, and rise again.  His death and resurrection is the path to eternal life and many will live eternally because of it.  As disciples we can be harvesting tools to bring new people into the faith by sharing the good news.

A- I will give thanks and rejoice in the sacrifice that Jesus did for me.  I will faithfully share the good news of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.  

P- Father, thank you for the plan of salvation that was set before the foundation of the world.  Thank you for Jesus and his ultimate sacrifice to bring many into relationship with you. Give me the daily strength and boldness to live for you and not myself.  Amen.

S- c, r

14 SEP 22 Wednesday SOAPS Devotional

 14 SEP 22 Wednesday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 72; Job 42:1-17; Acts 16:16-24; John 12:20-26

S- Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son.  Help him judge your people in the right way. Psalm 72:1-2

O- Praying “for” leaders is an important thing as a believer.  They are broken, sinful, and yet placed in power by God even the ones that are terrible. God can change the heart and will of a leader to do His will at any time.  Praying for God to give them a passion for justice and righteousness reflecting God’s own character and making a nation great.

A- I will pray “for” the leaders of my work, state, and country that God would use them for his glory. I will pray that God would give them a heart for justice and righteousness so the people will reflect the character of God.

P- Lord, historically the world has had all kinds of leaders. We like or dislike our leaders depending on our selfish desires and party lines.  We are called to pray “for” and support every leader because you have established them and command us to do so.  We ask that you bless our leaders with a passion for justice and righteousness. Guide their decisions to glorify your name, amen.

S- d, v, a