I have read a book! I know, before you get all “Let’s throw a parade for Tommy” you need to know, I like to read. Okay…and this book didn’t have pictures. Now that I have put all of your barbs to rest, the name of this book is “The Divine Mentor” by Wayne Cordeiro.
This is a great book. I guess I could call it a timely book for me. It came along at a time for me as I am still in transition from a full-time ministry (pastorate) to a para-church ministry in which I also work a full-time job. When I was used to doing Bible studies for preaching/teaching purposes, here comes the confession time, I never really did Bible study just for my personal growth and relationship with God. I would start out to do that, but it quickly transitioned into something I could “preach or teach”. At that moment, I became disconnected from what God was trying to do in me to the hope and dream of what God could do through me. This was a wrong turn.
I need to grow, you need to grow, our relationship with Christ through the Holy Spirit needs to be grown and nurtured without any false pretenses. With that, in Wayne Cordeiro’s Book, he recommends and uses daily the SOAP method of Bible Study. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observations, Application, & Prayer. Here is an example of what mine looks like.
Listen, Trust, Respond
Scripture: Numbers 9:23
So they camped or traveled at the Lord’s command and they did whatever the Lord told them through Moses.
Observations: The Israelites placed a huge amount of respect and trust in Moses, their leader. His position of going back and forth to God for the nation of Israel was something that they held in the highest regard and respect for the position he was in was not questioned. What Moses heard from God and communicated to the people was the final word. It was a word from God himself…and they trusted it. Why? They knew that Moses would be in the presence of God and hear from Him for their needs, direction and well-being.
Application: As a follower of Christ, I need to constantly be in the presence of God for the people who I lead and minister to their needs. As a husband, father and friend, I need to have them know that I am hearing from God and responding to what He speaks to me through His Holy Spirit as well. I need to continually be in His presence so the people I am responsible for will listen to His words through me, trust His words that I speak, and respond accordingly to His direction through me. Being in His presence builds my credibility with my words, direction and actions.
Prayer: God, I pray for financial provision for my family. I pray that you would bless my wife and kids and you would give them favor with both God and man. Bless my wife at her job and my kids in school. Help each of us to obey your commands and have soft hearts toward you and your Holy Spirit. Amen!
This is just an example. The author encourages you to find a Bible reading plan and ask God to give you one verse to focus on for your SOAP study. He also encourages you to go back and title your study after you have completed it. I look forward to my daily devotions now. In the past, they were work.
What are you using for your daily devotions?
Are they hit or miss?
How are you listening, trusting and responding to God on a daily basis?
oneguyseyes 