I can either choose to carry offense, or I can carry God's blessing--but I cannot carry offense and blessing at the same time.==================== ScriptureMatthew 15:12,25-26"Then the disciples came to him and asked, 'Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when...

Jesus made the decision to take a break while he was feeling "drained", instead of waiting until he was "empty". ==================== ScriptureMatthew 14:13-14"When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the...

I want to live with a Godly heart that remains steady. Not maintaining a careful facade for the sake of appearance, but rather deeply and genuinely cultivating a heart of Godly character.==================== Scripture2 Samuel 1:24"Daughter of Israel, weep for Saul,...

It all belongs to Him--He's merely entrusted some of it to me.=================== Scripture1 Samuel 30:24,26"Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share...

This week, I need to rest in the security of knowing that God is greater than the storm--and therefore I can rest peacefully.  ============= ScriptureMatthew 8:23-24"Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the...

I want to be the wise man who is changed by God from what I was--not the fool who settles for merely knowing what God said. ======================= ScriptureMatthew 7:24,26"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man...

David didn't let those around him drag him down to their level-rather, he elevated them to a higher level, to fulfill a purpose greater than they could currently glimpse. ====================== Scripture1 Samuel 22:2a"All those who were in distress or in debt or...

I need a merciful Savior, and I must show that same grace and mercy to others. ======================= ScriptureMatthew 5:48"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly father is perfect." Observation"Be perfect". That's a pretty steep expectation! No wonder the...

His good news is too amazing to hold it inside--I've gotta tell someone! ============== ScripturePsalm 9:1-2"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your...

I want my life to be a daily sacrifice of worship to God, not a shallow pursuit for temporary acclaim here on earth. ================== Scripture1 Samuel 15:24,30"Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned. I violated the Lord's command and your instructions. I was...

I must value those around me enough to communicate with excellence at all times. ================ Scripture1 Samuel 14:1,27"One day Jonathon son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, "Come, let's go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side." But he did not...

The will of God will never put me at odds with the word of God.====================== Scripture1 Samuel 13:8-9, 12"He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul's men began to scatter. So he said, "Bring me the burnt...

I must live with humility to accept help from those who can, generosity to pour into those who cannot, and wisdom to know the difference between the two. =============== Scripture2 Corinthians 11:9"And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to...

Joy and generosity are a condition of the heart, not a result of circumstance. ==================== Scripture2 Corinthians 8:2"In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity." ObservationJoy...

Today's SOAP devotional is brought to you by James Begley.==================== Scripture1 Samuel 3:18"So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.” ObservationWhat else could Eli say...

God brings joy, but He wants far more than for me to merely be "happy"! God wants me to be fully free, free from sin and regret, and fully alive in Him! ============ Scripture2 Corinthians 7:10"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no...

God's presence and power is not a distant hope to be fulfilled "someday"--Now is the time of favor, and today is the day of salvation! ==================== Scripture2 Corinthians 6:2"For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of...

Christ has done the reconciling, and we have been entrusted with the responsibility to share the good news with others. ===================== Scripture 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of...