SOAP for today!

Genesis 40:12 – 50:26

Scripture: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” ~ Genesis 50:20

Observation: Even though Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, God ultimately used that evil act to bring about good.

Application: God can use the evil that people do to me to bring about more good than I can ever imagine. Joseph went through some bad, bad times – he was a slave from age 17 to 30 (and spend 2 of those years in the dungeon) and yet he eventually gained more status and favor and did more to help God’s people than he ever would have if he hadn’t been sent to Egypt.

Prayer: God, help me to be patience and wait for your blessing, all while serving you.  Keep me from getting discouraged.

Here is today’s SOAP devotional! In my reading today there weren’t many verses that stuck out for me, but there were many good stories. I am amazed at how deceptive, manipulative and downright evil some of the “Bible Greats” were sometimes. It encourages me in the sense that although I have done a lot of pretty rotten things, God still loves me and wants to bless me!

Genesis 28:20-40:11

Scripture: “The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered …”. ~ Genesis 39:2

Observation: God is not a God who plays favorites. Though men in the Bible like Abraham, Issac, Jacob and Joseph had their bad, not-follow-God-and-do-it-my-own-way moments. (I think Joseph’s main sin was pride in the fact that he was the favorite of his father and was the recipient of some pretty awesome dreams from God.) All of these guys had some pretty hard times in their lives and yet God still blessed and prospered each one.

Application: I can’t help but believe that God wants to bless and prosper me, and yet do I really believe it? I often complain about myself and what a mess I am and how there is no hope (I really am a fun person!). I think I need to be seeking and expecting that all though I will have hard times, God will bless me.

Prayer: God, I pray that you will be with me and bless and prosper me, my family and all who read this blog. Amen.

My first SOAP devotional! Genesis 1:1 – 16:16

Scripture: “… sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” ~ Genesis 4:7

Observation: God told this to Cain right after God denied his offering and accepted his brother Abel’s (I’ve always assumed that somehow Cain didn’t give God his best like Abel did). Makes me wonder if I give God my best or just the leftovers…

Application: Sometimes I find it easy to focus on God – His goodness, love and forgiveness. That’s all good, but I need to remember that there is a war going on in the world – even in my body. I need to be on guard against sin – the threat is real and is obviously always close if it is crouching at the door. We are called to master it, so we obviously need to have an active role in defeating it.

Prayer: God, please remind me to seek you always. Give me the strength to rule over sin. I have seen the terrible effects of sin in my life and I pray that it will not master me or my family. Amen