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

6 OCT 22 Thursday SOAPS Devotional

 6 OCT 22 Thursday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 131, 132; Micah 3:1-8; Acts 24:1-23; Luke 7:36-50

Are your leaders promoting evil?

S- I said, “Listen you leaders of Israel! You are supposed to know right from wrong, but you are the very ones who hate good and love evil.  Then you beg the Lord for help in times of trouble! Do you really expect him to answer? Micah 3:1-2a, 4a

O- Leaders set the vision and promote the plumbline of righteousness in a city or country.  They know right from wrong, but in their nature choose evil and call it good.  Every community experiences this with its leaders from the beginning of time.  The Lord judges these leaders and holds them accountable.  Justice is satisfied either on the cross or in hell.

A- I will not be afraid to speak into people’s lives when they do evil or promote it. I will reconcile them to God as I would desire that myself.  I will promote righteousness.

P- Lord, we see leaders promote wickedness and evil as good every year.  This is disturbing and it leads to lawlessness.  Help us to find ways to call this out while being respectful to the office since you have placed them there.  Help us to leave it in your hands for the ultimate results.  Move on our nation's leaders to promote righteousness and rebuke them if they promote evil. Amen.

S-T, J

5 OCT 22 Wednesday SOAPS Devotional

 5 OCT 22 Wednesday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 119:145-176; Micah 2:1-13; Acts 23:23-35; Luke 7:18-35

Do you hunger for the word of God?

S- I pray with all of my heart; answer me, Lord! I will obey your decrees.  I cry out to you; rescue me, that I may obey your laws.  I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words. Psalm 119:145-147

O- A follower of Christ is in a growing relationship.  Evidence of growth and maturity is a passion and hunger for the Word and a desire to do what it says.  Developing a rhythm of daily reading and prayer is vital as eating food for the body.  If you want to become who Jesus wants you to be you will learn to self-feed.

A- I will continue to hear, believe, and obey the words of the Lord so that I can grow closer to God and develop into the person he wants me to be.

P- Lord, thank you for your word and wisdom.  Help me to remain steadfast in my devotion to you and being a doer of the word.  Thank you for helping me establish a daily rhythm for reading and prayer.  As I live out my faith, it has become a daily lifeline and life-giver.  Bless me today in this reading and as I share it with others.  Amen.

S- M, G