My prayer group leader started barraging our GCs with follow-up of proof of our daily quiet time. She does this because she realized almost all members say this to be their struggle. At first I was tempted to argue, “didn’t you know my mornings are already full. I have to cook, do my make up, send off my son to school, etc.” But I humbled myself and just listened. I am doing my quiet time anyway and currently been reading the book of Psalm. I started publishing my devo via my Instagram just this month as well and I figured why not just publish it here on the blog anyway?

Sometimes when we write and step back, we’d be surprised that our souls have written such good pieces you almost didn’t believe the insights you have formed came from you. hehe.

Briefly, SOAP is just a framework to help us with our quiet time. Where S means the scripture that stood out to you the most, O is an observation of the setting, the character, the context around that scripture, A for application (what must I change, obey, or believe?) and finally, P is our prayer based on this scripture.

It is my prayer that by sharing my devo, you too will allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you and apply the scripture to your own experiences. Share your thoughts with me, friends? 🙂

July 16, 2025

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 4:7 Fill my heart with joy

    when their grain and new wine abound.

OBSERVATION

David is crying out to God at a time of distress, when his enemies are out to get him.

APPLICATION

We are gifted with various settings of distress: the home, the streets, our workplace. Questions to ask: are you in distress? While I was going to work this morning via Angkas (I get to think a lot through traffic), I realized the reason for my distress is the expectation that everything should work out smoothly and not have any problems. “If only there is this system,” or “if only these people knew how to..” These are constant causes of stress in my life.

But the Holy Spirit impressed on me that to think of life in the world as smooth sailing, despite our spotless plans and impressive achievements, is futile. It will never be perfect. Things don’t just magically appear or disappear, and people don’t always think the way you do. Sometimes, we even measure people’s contributions and question their gains compared with ours.”

What’s good is that we can be assured that such situations are not new. Even the bible outlines ancient people’s distress like this verse. If we look at others and see that they seem to be getting ahead by gaining new things or being happy with their achievements, we should know that

a. We only see the ending but not their hardships. People worked so hard to get what they prayed for and

b. Our relationship with God should be the measure of our true joy and not physical circumstances.

Is it always easy to have this mindset? Of course not. It’s impossible. Unless we lift up all our hearts’ desires and plans to the Lord, we will never find joy. 

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for filling my heart with joy despite the uncontrollable events around us. Even when it seems other people are getting ahead or are achieving more, Your words comfort us and ground us. As we wait, we avail of Your love and peace. My prayer is for my son to grow up wise so that he may be able to live this blessed life with joy in his heart. I pray that my husband gets to see you and follow you as well so that he too can enjoy your promises. I pray for my dgroup leader, church leaders, and members, that we may always stay in the light and be a blessing to the Philippines and the world. I pray for the person reading this, may they be blessed.

There are many stressful things. But help us remember that we don’t need any other thing but You. You are our light and salvation. You are our provider and healer. Thank You for everything You have bestowed upon us. Thank You for not forsaking us. We love you because You first loved us. Help us to be Christian through and through–not just in words but also in how we work, in our thoughts, and our actions.

In Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.