SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Hebrews 13.

Scripture

“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” –Hebrews 13:5

Observation

Most people love money. Believers should not!

Free: to love money is a trap. Financial freedom doesn’t simply mean I have plenty of money; it means I am content with what God has provided for me.

Contentment: the key is to realize I have God! He will never desert me! He provides the things money can’t buy, and these are the things that bring true security, happiness and satisfaction.

Application

Don’t love money. Don’t be greedy for more than I need. Be content. If God increases what I have, be a generous giver. My money is simply stewardship entrusted to me by God. It is His, not mine, and I must use it for the purposes He has designed.

Trust God to meet all my needs in the future as he has in the past.

Prayer

Father, thank you for being a generous provider who will never desert me. You are my Helper! You are my Provider! All that I have comes from You.

I acknowledge and confess to You the pride that wants to be self-sufficient. I pray along with the Proverb, “Give me neither poverty nor riches” lest I violate integrity in order to survive or lest I have so much I lose sight of my daily need for You. Our culture is so greedy, and I would be naive to think it has not defiled me as well. Help me to be aware and on guard against every form of greedl

Father, fill my heart and soul with love for You and others so that there won’t be room to love money. And with that, help me follow John Wesley’s advice: “Earn all you can; save all you can; give all you can.”

To do so will be good stewardship. Help me to do so without loving money or being defiled by greed.

In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Hebrews 5.

Scripture

“But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” –Hebrews 5:14

Observation

Mature Christians need solid food. Unfortunately, many believers are stuck and can only handle milk.

A mature person is someone who has “practiced” the Christian life. He has some time and experience in being a Christian. Therefore, he can discern between good and evil.

An immature person has difficulty discerning between the two.

Application

Be careful not to choke spiritual infants on solid food. Be patient with them. Without becoming arrogant, never forget that my decades of following Christ have taught me things that spiritually young believers don’t know. They still lack discernment but will gain it over time as they practice righteous living.

Prayer

Father, there is so much to learn and grow in to become mature in Christ. Thank You for all You’ve taught me through the years. Help me stand firm in discernment and teach Your ways to younger believers. Please continue to feed me with solid food.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen