May 31, 2015: SOAP #2005

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 12:6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;….8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Observation: The thought continues here into verse eight. If God’s grace has been given to me to encourage others, I need to be about my calling. When I see people needing encouragement, I should consider it as a call to ministry. If my gift is giving, I should do it generously and not grudgingly. If it is leading, I should lead carefully and with all my heart.

Application: If it is showing mercy, I do not need to be heavy handed and make sure those needing mercy have learned their lesson. I should show mercy to them as I would want someone to show mercy to me when I need it. Like apple pie is enhanced when served with ice cream, mercy is enhanced when served with cheerfulness.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to give mercy cheerfully. Amen

May 30, 2015: SOAP #2004:

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.

Observation: Both the good and the evil have this in common; they are both being watched by their creator. That which should discourage one should encourage the other. God is watching!

Application: When I am tempted to do less than my best, I need to remember that the Lord is watching. When I think no one cares or notices, I need to remember that the Lord is watching. He loves me; He is interested in what I do; He cares about what happens to me. He is my loving heavenly parent!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for caring enough for me to watch me. I pray that what you see brings joy to your heart. Amen

May 29, 2015: SOAP #2003:

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 10:4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
Romans (KJV) 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.

Observation: Perfection in righteousness can be obtained through only one source. That source is not my works in keeping the law. That source is Jesus and is available to us through faith. Righteousness is obtained through the forgiveness of sins provided on the cross. Righteousness is maintained through the victorious life of Christ dwelling within.

Application: I had sinned even before I knew much about Jesus. But Jesus has an answer for my sins. Jesus completed the law’s required penalty for sin by his death on the cross. My sins have been totally forgiven! Now out of love and respect for Him, it is my desire to live a righteous life but sin seems everywhere to tempt me. But Jesus has an answer for that too! He comes to live in my life! Now His presence strengthens me to resist temptation. It is the only answer I have to live victoriously in this world.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you know what I need. I cannot pay for my own sin, and I cannot live above temptation. You know that I need the payment of Jesus and the life of Jesus! Thank you so much!!! Amen

May 28, 2015: SOAP #2002:

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 9:7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. 8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. 9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

Observation: Wisdom offered to the wise is accepted with appreciation, even when it comes as a rebuke. Being wise, they recognize wisdom. It increases their wisdom. Wisdom offered to the foolish is not appreciated. They are offended. They receive rebukes as though someone is trying to run their life. They ask, “Who do they think they are to tell me what to do!”

Application: This verse speaks to me, not as a giver of wisdom, but a receiver of wisdom. I want to be a person who can receive wisdom. I want wise people to speak into my life. If I receive their wisdom with appreciation, they will feel free to give me more wisdom!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, absolutely no one on earth is as wise as you! Your wisdom is always welcome in my life. Holy Spirit, help me to be wise in recognizing the wisdom that others bring into my life. Amen

May 27, 2015: SOAP #2001

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Observation: What a logical conclusion to the thoughts presented in the two previous verses. In the light of those verses, we have everything going for us! Even that which the devil means for evil, God uses for good!
Yes, there will be those who are against us, but who are they in comparison to the One who is for us! Comparing their reasoning ability to do me harm to God’s reasoning ability to do me good, I see no reason to fear them. Comparing their power, strength and ability to bring about their plans to God’s power, strength and ability to bring about His plans, again I see no reason to fear them.

Application: Those against me are not so much against me, as against God. They are using me to get to God. On the other hand, I am the focus of God’s attention. He loves me for me! God is for me!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, what a high honor to be your child and the focus of your love! What grace you have given me! Amen

May 26, 2015: SOAP #2000:

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 1:5 Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.

Observation: One characteristic of wise people is that they understand there is more they do not know than there is that they do know. They understand the limitations of their own knowledge so they continue to learn. In their wisdom, they know that there are other people who have more understanding in various life matters. So, recognizing their own limitations, they seek guidance; they recognize wisdom in others; and they value wise counsel.

Application: To ignore the wisdom God has placed in those around me is foolish. With books, seminars and technology, their wisdom is available to me through reading and hearing and watching. For me to read the books of wise people more than I read the Book of God, Who is the source of all wisdom, is even more foolish.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in your wisdom, you not only sent your Son to die for my sins, you sent your Holy Spirit to live within me to give me wisdom and guidance. Continue to speak to me through Your people and through Your Word. Thank you! Amen

May 25, 2015: SOAP #1999:

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 6:12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.

Observation: Since we are dead to sin and no longer under its control we have a responsibility. Since sin no longer has dominion/mastery over us to force us to do its bidding, we have a responsibility. What is that responsibility? It is to refuse to do sin’s bidding. Our responsibility is to ignore its "commands," which to us are no longer "commands." We used to be in such a relationship with sin that we could not refuse, but that has now changed! We now have the power to refuse sin and we need to use that power to resist. It is in obedience to Christ that we find the power to overcome the obedience sin demands.

Application: A slave that has been purchased by a new owner has no responsibility to obey the old owner. The One who purchased me, purchased me because He loved me and desired to set me free. Now I use my freedom to serve Him because I love Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am free to serve you! In response to your love for me, I serve you because I love you. Amen

May 24, 2015: SOAP #1998:

Scripture: Romans (KJV) 5:2 By whom [Jesus Christ] also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Observation: It is by our faith placed in Jesus Christ that we enjoy the riches of God’s plan for our lives. We are not working or struggling to enter this place of blessing. This is not a progressive attainment. We are not in the process of climbing the mountain to gain God’s favor. We are presently standing on the mountain top. The action is complete. The struggle is over! The action was completed on the cross and it was over when Jesus cried, "It is finished!"
We stand on a firm foundation. We are not trying to maintain this position; we are standing in this position. This position has been won for us. We are standing secure in His work.
Rejoicing will always be present in our lives as we understand that our position has been settled once and for all time at the cross. We have entered into the place of God’s favor through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
In this position given to us by the work of Jesus on the cross we find a promise of a bright future. We rejoice in the hope of God’s glory.

Application: I have a past; I stand secure in what Jesus has accomplished on my behalf. I have a present; I rejoice in what lies ahead. I have a future; there is the hope of experiencing God’s glory! What a life!!!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your favor. You have blest me beyond my understanding! I am amazed! Amen

May 23, 2015: SOAP # 1997

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 4:21 [Abraham] being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him a righteousness.”

Observation: The challenge of faith is choosing the right foundation. Faith is no better than the foundation on which it is placed. Life cannot be lived without faith. We put faith in the people from whom we buy our food and those who service our vehicles. When we depend on others, we are exercising faith. Whether they come through or not is not based on our faith but on their faithfulness, on their character. Sometimes we discover that our faith was misplaced on something that proved un-trustworthy. Abraham’s faith was in God’s promise. Behind the Promise of God is the Character of God. God’s Word is fully trustworthy because God is fully trustworthy. Abraham was fully persuaded. Abraham was a friend of God. He knew God. Abraham’s faith was not faith based on what Abraham commanded God to do, or what Abraham desired God to do; this was faith based on what God promised to do.

Application: Faith may be week or strong, but it is not bad. The choice as to where I place my faith is right or wrong. I can make a bad decision to put my faith in my works to get me to heaven. I can make a bad decision to place my faith in an idol. I must make the right decision to put my faith in Him who is trustworthy and capable!

Prayer: Holy God, you are the only worthy foundation for my faith. Show me the good foundations for my faith. May my faith rest on that which is worthy of fulfilling faith’s expectations! Amen

May 22, 2015: SOAP #1996:

Scripture: 2Chronicles (NIV) 5:13 The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by the trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” THEN the temple of the LORD was filled with the cloud, 14 and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God.

Observation: The plans had been made. The necessary materials had been gathered. The construction of the temple was completed. The ark was in place. But the temple was empty. The temple had a high purpose, but the purpose had not been realized. It was not UNTIL the people began to praise the Lord that THEN the temple was filled with the glory of the LORD!

Application: When I have done everything the Lord has told me and the victory is still not in sight, it is time for me to fill my mouth with His praise! Praise as an act of faith. It is often the act of faith that releases His glory, allowing it to be displayed. Praise as an act of faith recognizes His presence even before our senses have made the discovery that He is present.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are always present; you are always deserving of my praise. May your glory be released in response to my praise! You are good and your love endures forever! Amen