Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10: 17 As the Scriptures say “The person who wishes to boast should boast only of what the Lord has done.” Observation: Hmm. Easy to write, but I can slip on this one. Application: Whenever I hear myself boasting, perhaps I should remind myself of why I am ABLE to boast. How…

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:7 You must each make up your mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. Observation: Determine yourself how much you should give and then do it with joy, not out of obligation. This pleases God.…

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3: 1 …Now in those days messages from the Lord were very rare, and visions were quite uncommon. 1 Samuel 3:7 Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. Observation: Samuel, like most at the time, had never heard from the Lord,…

I’m running behind this morning, so instead of the whole SOAP, I’m just leaving you with the scripture that stood out to me this morning: Psalm 66:17 For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke. This one spoke to me beacuse it was how I cried out for help on…

Scripture: Psalm 64:1 O God, listen to my complaint. Do not let my enemies’ threats overwhelm me. Observation: The psalmist is calling on God to protect him from becoming overwhelmed by his enemies. Application: I need to remember to call out to God when I feel a battle being waged over me. This weekend I…

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:3 Clearly you are a letter from Christ prepared. It is not written with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on stone, but on human hearts. 2 Corinthians 3:18 And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be…

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, who made us his captives and leads us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now wherever we go he uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Good News like a sweet perfume. Observation: We are grateful to God who guides us and…

Scripture: Psalm 50:15 Trust me in your times of trouble, And I will rescue you, And you will give me glory. Observation: I must turn to and trust God when I need help and he will help. Application: This one is pretty straightforward: I need to turn to God (not to me or others) when…

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 16: 13-14 13Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. 14And everything you do must be done with love. Observation: Do not back down from your faith, and do all things out of love. Application: I should be bold in my faith, but not so bold that…

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. Observation: Persevere in what you do for the Lord, because it has true meaning and always will Application: How reassuring to know…

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:12 Since you are so eager to have spiritual gifts, ask God for those that will be of real help to the whole church. Observation: Ask for ways in which you can help others grow, too, and not just yourself. Application: I need to not be selfish when asking for and using…

Scripture: (I heard two today.) Psalm 39:6 We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth for someone else to spend. 1 Corinthians 13:3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t…

Scripture: Joshua 24:14 So honor the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshipped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. Observation: Honor and serve the Lord completely. Do not serve other idols at all, just the one true God. Application: I must…

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13 But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you…

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible Observation: Although I am not obligated, I must serve all around me to teach them about Jesus Application: The law frees me from the punishment of sin, yet my…