√ Reality Check

Reality Check is a way for me to dialog with the people of Real Life Church in Tampa Florida or really anyone who wants to join in. For the next two months this blog site will be dedicated to help you have a consistent devotional time and learn how to keep a spiritual journal.

The format that I am using is based upon a Scripture journaling program entitled "LifeJournal." "LifeJournal" is a ministry of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Oahu, Hawaii. I have chosen to use the S.O.A.P. format from the "LifeJournal" but not the daily reading plan. This plan is for only one chapter a day instead of multiple chapters. This format is to help establish a consistent (daily) time in your life set aside to allow the Holy Spirit to speak into your life through the "Word of God" (The Bible).

S.O.A.P. stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer.

S=Scripture means you choose a scripture verse from the chapter of the day that really stands out to you. This might be a verse that just seems to jump off the page at you. Maybe it is a verse you seem curious about or want to find out more about it. Perhaps you find yourself re-reading the verse several times or wondering what it really means. It might be that you just ask yourself, "what verse would I choose if I had to pick one verse out of this chapter?" Now take and write (type) that verse out so you can see it and make sure you list its reference. For example:

• S=John 11:35 "Jesus wept."

O= Observation is where you cite why you think you chose that particular verse if you think, "I don't know, I just had to choose one", that's okay. You simply answer why that verse? Think about it, you could have chosen any of the chapter's verses but you choose that one, why? Trust the Holy Spirit, something is happening! Now with your reason for choosing this passage note anything you notice about that verse. For example:

• O= In this chapter it says that the one Jesus loved was sick. Lazarus is described several times as Jesus' friend. When Jesus observes Mary weeping over Lazarus Jesus was troubled in his spirit. When Jesus wept the Jews said, "see how he loved him." (Any one of these observations could be used or you might cite all of the following)...These verses tell me that Jesus had real emotions for people. He felt loss,sorrow, pain and grief. Jesus cared for others and wasn't afraid to display his emotions.

A= Application is answering what your observation could mean in your own life. How could or would this verse and your observation impact your life? For example: (These are just examples of personal applications. You can use as few or as many as you want.)

• A= Do I allow myself to have real feeling for other Christians at church? I want to be able to love others even if they are not in my family. It is okay for Christians to be sad or cry and even express pain or grief. I too don't have to be afraid or embarrassed to express my emotions in public.

P= Prayer is asking God to take what you have observed and want to apply in your life and make these a reality for you. It is asking God to give you a reality check for your life. In other words, you are asking God to reveal to you where you are in relationship to what needs to be applied to your life today. You then give Him permission to make those things happen! For example: (These are just sample prayers for the previous applications.)

• P= Lord, I want to love people like you do. Please show me the areas in my life that keep from being able to do that.
• P= Lord, I see that I have not built lasting relationships with those outside my own family. Help me to love my brothers and sisters in Christ.
• P= Lord, I don't want to afraid to express my real feelings. Help me do so in a healthy and appropriate way. Put someone in my life that I can trust with my feelings.

Your journaling can take 15 -30 minutes or you can spend as long as you want. It will be incredible to see how God will begin to speak into your life. Feel free to share with me what God is saying to you. You will also be able to read how God is speaking into my life. If you want to, you can use my choice of verses and my journal to help you write out your journal, but I encourage you to venture out for yourself. I think you will be pleasantly surprised how the Holy Spirit will personally address you and make each day relevant for your own life.

The first day for the reading guide is Monday, July the third but I have listed a passage of scripture here for you to read and to see S.O.A.P. in action. This passage of scripture found in Acts 19, will give you some background information for the book of Ephesians. I have put a lot more S.O.A.P. (longer answers) into this then is necessary, but this is my own journal and yours doesn't have to resemble mine. Have fun and I am looking forward to hearing from some of you!

Background on Ephesians.
Acts 19

S= Acts 19:37 For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers nor blasphemers of our (your) goddess.

O= Looking at Acts 19, it is amazing to me that none of the believers could be charged with speaking negative about the goddess Dianna. The ministry of "the Way" was so powerful that nothing could compare to following Christ. People were continuously saved and delivered. The power of God was obvious! It could not be copied or stolen. Paul had one of his must successful ministries in Ephesus. It states that the entire province had heard the gospel. That is incredible! People came to the Christians bringing their fetishes and other implements of their idolatry and surrendered them to Jesus! These things were burned and the power of God continued to grow. The enemy couldn't stop it!During this time, the church was never critical or attacking of those who didn't believe. They really didn't need to; God's power was enough evidence of the Truth. There was NO comparison!

A= In the day and time that we live in it seems like all we, the church, have is talk. We argue, shout and criticize and are known too often as being contentious. I want to flow in the power of God in such a way that the Holy Spirit is all the evidence we need to state who we are and what we believe. There needs to be no statement about the wrongness of something when the rightness of something is making such a strong statement! People can spot the genuine from the artificial whether they choose to receive it or not. I need to busy doing the things of God in my everyday life so people can see the power of God and see that what the world or the devil can offer cannot compare to the real deal!

P= Lord, may I move in your power and love. May I do your work and not sit back defensively and allow people to believe that all there is, is what the world, the flesh, and the devil can produce. My life has to make a difference in other's lives! I have the power of "All Mighty God" in me. Help me to trust you Jesus and step out to display your Glory. I want to see your power revealed daily through me!

Posted by Reality Check on Saturday, July 01, 2006 at 3:51 PM | Permalink