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The word awake has been one of my favorite words for quite some time now(along with dream, story, today, new if you must know;))
Awake is a prayer really, "God help me be awake to your presence, your nearness, your love, your story and
your purpose for today. You are the most real thing I will encounter today--- help me not miss a thing. Let my heart, my soul, my mind be awake to you. I don't want to sleep through life, God. I want to be aware...open hearted and open handed to You. I want today to be about others. and not myself. To be about the things that are on your heart. Make my heart like yours..."
So every Monday I will be writing a little blurb to encourage us all<<including me>> to stay awake. One HUGE key to being & staying awake[& free] is being in the Scriptures. It's truth and life and reminds us of the purposes for the day. One easy easy way I get into the Bible is by using the acronym, SOAP: Scripture Observation Application Prayer. This simple "method" helps me take reading the word to the next level. This semester I am spending a lot time in 1 Peter so let's use the first 7 verses in chapter one as an example. Read slowly 1 Peter 1:1-7: This is from the New Living Version btw.
1. This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.2 God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation,4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.6 So be truly glad.[b] There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world
The (S) has been fulfilled because we just read a section of Scripture. Now, What (O)bservations can we make about these verses[this can literally be anything that you notice--any little thing that sticks out] ? God is LAVISH towards us---it doesn't end! He knew us and yet still chose us. He has made us HOLY because of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in us. He surrounds us with MERCY. We now have HOPE for this life and the next. He has given us an inheritance that DOESN'T perish or decay---earthly inheritance(though a blessing) will only crumble. Even trials help us produce faith and faith is key according to God-- it's worth more than anything! What is one or two things we can (A)pply to our lives today from this section of scripture? I need to fix my eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen//on eternal things. I should live with great expectation because of what God has done and will do and can do. (P)ray for what's on your heart related to this scripture. God, your kindness amazes me. You are extravagant. Thank you for going over and beyond to know me in this life and to provide a way for me to know you forever. Thank you for your mercy. Help me to live with great expectation in this life! Help me celebrate each day with JOY because I know I will be with you forever. You have overcome this world. Thank for you the reminder that their is wonderful JOY ahead. Thank you Jesus, Amen This simple structure can really help the Scriptures come to life-- that's why I love using it! All you need to do is pick a book of the Bible and go through slowly looking at 3-10 verses a day. If you are looking for suggestions-- Colossians, Ephesians, or Philippians is a great place to start. [I keep this "wonderful joy" reminder by my bed so I see it every morning and evening]
May God give you more and more grace and peace. I Peter 1:2
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