Spiritual Practices P1

SOAP Hebrews 5 Johnny Jimenez

click to read chapter here










Scripture
Hebrews 5:11-12
I have a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since you’ve picked up this bad habit of not listening. By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again starting form square one—baby’s milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago!

Observation
These Jewish Christians were immature. They were reluctant to move beyond age-old traditions, established doctrines and discussion of the basics. They wouldn’t be able to understand the high priestly role of Christ unless they moved out of their comfortable position, cut some of their Jewish ties and stopped trying to blend in with their culture. Commitment to Christ moves people out of their comfort zones. (from my study bible)

Application
I really need to work on listening to God and being obedient. This verse is so me and I have no one to blame but myself.

Prayer
Precious heavenly Father, I thank you for being such a merciful, loving and patient God. Father forgive me for my spiritual laziness and fill me with a passionate love for you, your Word and others. Thank you for how much you have been working in my life and for never giving up on me. I know I do not deserve your love and am so grateful you shower me with it day after day. I pray you continue to place people in my life that strengthen my walk with you. I pray that when I read your Word I may hear your voice clearly and grow daily in my understanding of who You are and what I was created for. I pray this in Jesus’ name…

S.O.A.P. Hebrews 4 Hope

To read this package click here.









Scripture
Hebrews 4:15-16
This High Priest of ours understand our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Observation
Jesus mediates our relationship with God. Since he became human for our sake, he has faced all of the trials that we face, but he did not sin. However, even though he is perfect, he has compassion on us when we mess up. Because of him, we can boldly come before God, and because of who He is, he extends us mercy and grace. We do not need to fear coming before Him.

Application
Because of Jesus, I can go to God with anything and he will forgive me and listen to me. I can trust that he is merciful and gracious. When I most need God, he promises that he will be there. I will never be beyond God’s reach.

Prayer
Lord, thank you for your promises. Thank you that you are full of mercy and grace. Thank you that I can come before you in prayer because of Jesus Christ. Please help me to remember your promises and to seek your face daily in prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

G.L.U.E. .Never Forget

Dear God, I pray I'll not take for granted today
The daily blessings you give
Like the sweet smell of a flower
or the green grassy hill.
May I not walk at such a pace
That I miss the beauty of the place,
Nor the smile of a child at play
Or the song of the blue jay.
And may I travel not so fast today
That I fail to help someone along the way.

S.O.A.P. Hebrews 3 Hope

To read this passage click here.










Scripture
Hebrews 3:16, 19
And who was it who rebelled against God, even though they heard his voice? Wasn’t it the people Moses led out of Egypt?... So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.

Observation
Even though God delivered the Israelites from slavery and they actually heard his voice and felt his presence, they still rebelled against God. They doubted him and turned to their own ways instead of obeying him. They missed out on God’s rest because they did not believe him and his promises.

Application
God has done many great things in my life. I have felt his presence. Yet, I still doubt him. I still try to take control instead of surrendering to God. However, this ultimately leads to anxiety and I miss out on the good things that God intended for me, including the rest that only he can provide. I need to trust God instead of doubting his goodness and trying to take control.

Prayer
Lord, thank you for being real in my life. Thank you for the many ways that you provide daily for me and for the ways I can see that you have been working in my life. Please forgive me for doubting you. Please help me to trust you and to enter your rest. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

S.O.A.P. Hebrews 2 Hope

To read this Scripture click here.









Scripture
Hebrews 2:14
Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.

Observation
God calls us his children. Jesus had to become human like us in order to save us from sin and death. By dying, Jesus broke the power of death. Death did not defeat him. He rose from the grave.

Application
I am a child of God. What an amazing realization. God gave his own Son to lower himself and become a human so that I could be part of His family. How can I even begin to grasp how big of a love God has for me? Because Jesus conquered the power of the devil and death, I can have eternal life with Him.

Prayer
Lord, thank you for sacrificing your Son so that I can be part of your family. I am sorry for taking this for granted. Please give me opportunities to share this good news with others who do not know you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Tee-Shirts

Please remember to get your Journey t-shirts this Sunday! It will be the last day we are taking orders! Cost is $8 for S-XL and $10 for XXL. Thanks!