SOAP Devotional 2014-05-01
Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer
Scripture:
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. (1 Peter 5:8, 9 NLT)
Observation:
Stay on guard. Our great enemy is the devil, himself, and we need to constantly be on the watch out for his tricks. He is always prowling about as though he were a roaring lion, looking for someone he can destroy. Don't get discouraged or think that you alone are being attacked, you are part of a huge family of believers from all over the world and everyone of us are suffering the same kinds of temptations. So don't let him scare you, stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. You win!
Application:
It is easy in the middle of a trial for problems or temptations to seem more overwhelming than they really are. That is when the devil likes to work his bag of tricks. The devil is not a roaring lion, he just wants you to think that he is. Pay attention and do not let him get the best of you by getting you to focus on your problems more than your savior. Their are others who have endured and survived similar or even worse situations than you might be in right now. Resist the devil and instead place your trust firmly on God. Lean upon the family of God for encouragement. At the same time, reach our and encourage others who may be going through similar situations. We are in this together and we win!
Prayer:
Father, help me in difficult situations to keep my eyes on you. When my finances are not sure, let me remember that you are my source. When I hurt, let me remember that you are the healer. When I am saddened by loss, let me remember that you are my joy. Do not let me get caught in a snare that takes my focus off of you and onto my problems.
