THE POWER OF REPETITION
Last week, we learned a process of reading Scripture with the intention of applying it to our lives. This is CRUCIAL if we are to be devoted Followers of Jesus. Reading with application in mind can feel daunting at times. With an emphasis on our actions, it can feel as though we are pursuing a type of faith that just looks good from the outside. But Jesus is doing something different inside of our souls, as we commit to follow after His rhythms of grace. Last year, Lead Pastor Isaac Hovet brought us this helpful turn of phrase to remember the importance of our actions:
“What we do forms what we love and what we love forms who we are and who we are forms cravings for what we do which forms what we love which forms who we are which forms what we crave.”
– Pastor Isaac Hovet
Our phrase last year was, “We are DOING things, NOT just THINKING things.”
It may be amusing to pontificate with others or to voice our opinions on social media with passion, but our actions are what actually shape the entire trajectory of our lives. I don’t think this could be overstated; Scripture invites us into actions and rhythms that can shape what we love, what we crave, and how we think!
Today as we continue our pilgrimage through 1 Peter, you will notice lots of direct instruction for action from Peter. It’s not a surprise; Peter was a man of action! Here are some of his calls:
- Prepare your minds for action . . .
- Exercise self control . . .
- Put all your hope in the gracious salvation . . .
- Live as God’s obedient children . . .
- Don’t slip back into your old ways
- Be Holy
As we continue to learn how to make observations, make note of the calls to action. Write them down. Are there instructions that you are currently aligned with? Are there instructions you feel the Holy Spirit is calling you into? The temptation for me as I look at a list like this is to become overwhelmed with all that I need to improve on, to work out, and to press into. I love this quote from Bill Burnett:
“Start where you are, not where you should be.”
– Bill Burnett
Today as you S.O.A.P., think of small and specific prompts from the Holy Spirit. Is God calling you to “exercise self control” in your eating? Commit to keeping a food log today. Is the Holy Spirit prompting you to “put all your hope in Him” instead of our economy? Consider an act of generosity today. God loves you. He is for you. God “equips you with every good thing to do His will” (Hebrews 13:21, NLT). As a reminder, here are our steps for S.O.A.P.:
- Find a quiet place and read the SCRIPTURE of the day. Read it again. Read it slowly. Read it outloud!
- What OBSERVATIONS did you make? What does this passage teach you about God or yourself? Are there any calls to action? Do you have any questions?
- How will you make APPLICATION of this scripture and live your life differently today in light of what you just read? Be specific!
- Let it marinate. Take some time for PRAYER – thank God, confess any shortcomings, and ask to be empowered. Sit for a few moments and see if God has anything else for you.
Here is our passage for the day:
13 So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:13–16 (NLT)