PROTEST RALLY INTERVIEW - June 7, 2020

TRIBULATIONS

Thunder snow

Sleeting storms
Crippled metroplexes 
Power down, frozen towns 
Polar vortex touches Texas 
In the world you will have tribulation 

Falling rains, rising floods
Stranding many on their roofs
Dozens slain, sliding mud
Dirty avalanche on the loose
In the world you will have tribulation

Wild fires, uncontrolled 
Fire-starters, unpatrolled 
Fire-nadoes, beyond belief 
Firefighters, need relief 
In the world you will have tribulation 

THE BENEFITS OF BIBLICAL MEDITATION

   Unlike many of today’s so called popular meditation methods, meditating on Holy Scripture does not involve attempting to empty one’s own mind while mindlessly making monosyllabic sounds and sitting uncomfortably on floor mats.

   Biblical meditation includes taking time to regularly fill our minds with good things from Scripture while reading the Bible and thinking about what is being read.  This can be accompanied by praying often with a mindset of humility and a willingness to repent; while.. 

PRIDE IS NOT A GOOD GUIDE (S. O. A. P. Meditation)

    Last week’s Devotional sought to demonstrate how one can benefit from meditating on the Scriptures by using a simple and prayerful 4-part approach to Journaling called SOAP; which is an acrostic for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer.

    Beginning and ending with prayer and praying at every step, this easy discipline involves one’s own Bible, a notebook and a pen.  Once again, here is an attempt to share how this can easily work for any believer wanting to enjoy life-changing Bible reading.

THE SUPREME PRIORITY OF GOD GIVEN RIGHTEOUSNESS

A Bible Meditation Using The SOAP Approach            .     .         

In last week’s Devotional, we mentioned how beneficial it can be to read our Bibles, pray and write down our thoughts gleaned while doing so.  In more detail, a 4-part approach was shared for meditating on God’s Word, called SOAP.  Forming an acrostic, these four letters stand for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer.

In the following is an example of how this life-changing practice often works.

S. O. A. P. - A Way To Meditate On Scripture

    Reading the Bible can show us how God thinks and what His will is for our lives.  Thinking and meditating on His Word, i. e. inspired Scripture can change the way we think and live.  Such a practice will transform our thinking, our attitudes, and actions for the better. 

SURRENDERING OURSELVES TO THE LORD

LUKE 9:23-24   

“If anyone desires to come after Me,

let him deny himself, 

and take up his cross daily, 

and follow Me.  

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, 

but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 

 Jesus’ followers are called to leave self-centered ways in pursuit of Him and His will on a daily basis. Living like this is never easy but it will be blessed - eventually - in this life and the one to come. 

PRIORITIES

First Things First

A CALL TO WISDOM

PROVERBS 24:27

Prepare your outside work,

make it fit for yourself in the field;

and afterward build your house.

     If paraphrased, this verse might read, “Prioritize your life by putting first things first, like developing a career and preparing for the future; after which, begin focusing on what comes next, such as starting a family and acquiring a personal household; because then it is a good time to do so.”

KNOWING MORE MEANS SPEAKING LESS

PROVERBS 17:27-28

”He that has knowledge

spares his words:

and a man of understanding

is of an excellent spirit.

²⁸⁾ Even a fool,

when he holds his peace,

is counted wise: 

and he that shuts his lips

is esteemed a man of understanding.

    An amplified paraphrase of this verse might say something like, “It is smart to not talk too much because we have so much to learn.  Knowing that our perspective is limited, it is always best to exercise self control and be quiet, no matter how an issue may look or make us feel.  Even simpletons are thought of favorably when they keep quiet.” 

HOW TO BE MEMORABLE

“A false witness shall perish:

but the man that hears

speaks constantly.”

PROVERBS 21:28

     An amplified paraphrase of this verse might read, “The influence of liars will eventually die because their lies cannot last for long in the light of truth; but those who listen - more than they speak - will have long lasting impact and their words will live onward, far past their lifetime.” 

     Contemplating on this statement reminds us that our having two ears and one mouth is an indication of how we should live; pointing to our need to listen twice as often as we speak.  Living like this could help ensure that our words really matter.