When I’m not reading through the Bible in 90 Days, I use this reading plan to keep me in the Word daily.
If you aren’t already following a daily plan, or you are between plans, I hope you’ll consider joining me. Just jump in on today’s date.
Today’s Reading: Job 11-12, Acts 15-16
Here’s what I heard today using SOAP:
Scripture: Acts 15:8-9
8God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.
Observation:
God knows the whole story and still gave them the Holy Spirit. He didn’t hold it back from them because they were not circumcised. He cleansed them through their faith just as He cleanses us.
Application:
I admit it. Sometimes I judge other people. And I wonder how in the world they could do the things they do. Why do Believers say bad things about other Believers? Why do they do mean things? Why do ‘good people’ do bad things? And I also wonder why ‘bad people’ get the gift of eternal life, too, just by believing and accepting and loving Christ.
And sometimes I remember a few of the icky things I have done. And I remember all the ways I wish I was ‘better.’
And then I remember it is not up to me to judge or keep score. Partly because I am not perfect, but mostly because God says so.
I don’t need to understand why the Lord has chosen to offer the gift of salvation the way He does. But I do need to have faith in Him that He knows our hearts and He loves us and He can make decisions much better than I can.
In knowing all of our hearts, He makes the decision of whom to offer grace. And I am so thankful that He has offered it to me.
If I trust Him in so many other areas, then shouldn’t I trust that He also knows the truth within each of us and trust His decisions concerning that? And then let that be it?
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for your love and grace for all of us who truly reach out, believe and grasp it for our own.
Thank you for your forgiveness of each and every time I trip.
And thank you for the hope here that all of us can be worthy… through your love and forgiveness alone. You don’t draw lines once our hearts belong to you. I shouldn’t, either.
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