PASTORS' DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Aug
23

SOAP, not SOP

Tim Savage

Scripture

11Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 12No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 1 John 4

Observation

As I was choosing a verse to journal on this morning, several came to mind, but I had a difficult time selecting just one. While re-reading them I was moved to action by this one. It’s easy for me to like most people. I try to be likeable and I see the good in most people, but God doesn’t ask us to just like them, He directs us to love them. So what’s the difference between liking someone and loving someone from God’s perspective? Verse 11 says that if we love each other, God lives in us and I believe that if we love someone, then we care enough to help them. I must be concerned enough about them to help them through something or help them change something. This requires a deeper commitment that holds me accountable to confront and discipline as well as support, cheer and encourage.

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Application

So as I read through the Word a couple of people came to mind that I really didn’t want to make time to help. They had politely asked to discuss concerns and issues and I was not quick to respond. I realized that I wasn’t living out God’s love for them because, while it’s was easy to like them, I didn’t want to take the time and effort to really show them God’s love. In this case immediate repentance was easy – make a phone call, apologize for my slow response and set up a time to meet, but what about other areas in my life that God is calling on me to improve or change? Shouldn’t I be as quick to repent? Just stop, turn around and go the other way. I must always Apply God’s lessons, otherwise SOAP is just SOP.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Forgive me when I hear You, but I don’t listen. Forgive me when I observe the lesson, but don’t apply it. I want to follow You more closely and be an example to others in order to draw them to You.

In Jesus name, amen.


Devotions for August 23

Jeremiah 31,32
1 John 4

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