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Identity, Belonging, Purpose

Start the day with SOAP #5

Written by Forrest Coulter on . Posted in Uncategorized.

Start the Day with SOAP

Quiet Time Helps #5

 

I hope this week has been helpful to you as we begin to spend time with God on our own.  I want to encourage you to get plugged into the discipleship groups that are forming in the coming weeks.  These groups are meant to help you grow and help you spend time with God.

 

Spending time with God, referred to as a quiet time or devotional time, is HUGE.  It is the most important habit you will develop because it involves reading your Bible and talking to God in prayer.

 

GOD WANTS TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU!!!  The creator of the entire universe wants YOU.  He wants to share His heart with YOU.  That is so stinking cool.

 

Review the steps today, remembering you can change it up if you want.  Some days begin with a worship song and sing loudly to God. Some days can just be silence.  Some moments with God you can dance in your room before God because you have seen His goodness.  Some days you may pray on your knees, bowing before the King of Kings.  Some days you may want to stand on your bed with your arms lifted high.  Some days you will read your Bible outloud, some days, silently.  You get the idea I hope.  Don’t let your time with God fall into a rut.

 

I would encourage you to write down God is doing, or write down your prayers.  Then you can share with that really close friend the things God is doing…AND that HONORS God, when we brag on Him.

 

Scripture.  Choose the passage.  Have a plan, don’t make it a random passage in the Bible.

Observation.  What does the passage say?  What is difficult to understand?  What does it say to me?

Application.  How do I apply these verses?  Is there something to give God thanks for?

Is there is a sin to avoid?

Prayer.  Simply end your time with God talking with Him.

 

  1. Scripture. Jeremiah 33:3.  Look it up in your Bible, on a Bible app or on Biblegateway.com or Biblehub.com.

 

  1. Observation. Think about what the verse says.  What instruction does it give?   If you have a journal or notebook, write down some thoughts.

 

  1.   How do I need to apply these verses?  Is there something I need to do?  Is there a sin I need to confess?  Is there a promise from God to claim?  According to the verse, how can I become a stronger follower of Jesus?

This is what we talked about on day #2.  SPACE

 

S  Is there a sin for me to confess?

  1. is there a promise for me to claim?
  2. Is there an attitude for me to change?
  3. Is there a command for me to obey?
  4. Is there an example for me to follow?

 

Take a few minutes to ask these questions about these verses.

 

Finally,

 

  1. Prayer. Prayer is simply talking to God.  Be real and genuine with Him.  He can even handle it if you are mad at Him.  Go ahead and tell Him all you are feeling.  And be still and listen to Him.

 

I want to give you one more simple way to remember this.  CHAT

 

Confess

True confession is agreeing with God about your sin.  It includes repentance, doing a 180 from your sin.  Repentance is not just being sorry for being caught, but sorry for breaking the heart of God.  Examine your heart. Admit your faults.  Be teachable.

 

Honor

 

Honor God by praising Him for who He is.  You can do this by reading verse of praise or singing a song to God.

 

Ask

 

Ask God for your needs.  Praying for your own needs, both daily and crisis needs.  Also, pray for the needs of others.  Be specific!

 

Thank

 

Express gratitude for God has done!  Write it down so you can remember how God has answered your prayers!

 

 

Pray.  Remember, just talk to God.  Look at the ingredients above.  Not every prayer has to include all the ingredients.  Just remember, be honest.  Don’t try to sound religious or churchy.  Just be real as you talk to God.