I have just started a class in our church called E.L.I emerging leaders initiative. We are doing daily devotionals and writing a journal about them.
We then follow the SOAP format to writing in our journals.
(I borrowed this from Leann's Blog she worded it so well :) )
S: Scripture. I write down the scripture that sticks out to me, letting the holy spirit be my guide.
O: Observations, What's going on in the scripture and what is He showing me in it?
A: Application. -How does this apply to my life and the world we live in.
P: Prayer. WRITE DOWN my prayers. Then I can look back and see how God has answered it and how my life has been changed since then.
So I read Matthew 16-17-18 today and the verse that stuck out the most and opened my eyes to a new understand of it, was chapter 18:6
S: Scripture
Causing to Stumble
6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
O: Observation
Jesus was telling everyone not to cause a "child" to stumble, to sin. But the word "child" is not truly literal. I am understanding now it means ANYONE of God's children who believe in Him. Could be a
5 year old or a 55 year old.
To God ALL believers are his children. The things that people create in which causes a believer to stumble or
the Lord says "woe to that person".
It is inevitable that bad things will come, says Jesus, but you do NOT want to be the one that brings the bad things that cause believers to stumble.
A: Application
Man I have children and I think back and remember places in time I have caused them to stumble, let them stumble, did not stop them from stumbling. I did not even realize what I was doing. We seem to build on each other in this aspect. You say one wrong word against another and you stir up a hornets nest. You teach your child or friends to lie for you, you are causing them to stumble. WOW!
P: Prayer
Lord Jesus, I thank you for covering my sins with your precious blood. I ask for your forgiveness of those things which I have done to cause others to sin and ask you to forgive those who sin against you in their foolish ways that they themselves do not understand.
I thank you for the amazing place you are taking me in this life. I pray that you help me by guiding me as you always have and nudge me a little harder when I side step off the path. Lord I want to be a light unto others NOT a dark spot. I want others to see and know LOVE from me. Thank you for the blessings you have shown our family.
Amen
