June 6, 2015: SOAP #2011

Scripture: Ephesians (NIV) 2:18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Observation: The Jews once had access through the tabernacle and the laws of Moses. The Gentiles once had access through becoming Jewish. But now through Jesus, “both have access to the Father by one Spirit!” Jews and Gentiles are “joined together” and “being built together” to be God’s dwelling place!

Application: I am just one board. To be useful, I must be attached to the building. One board cannot make a dwelling, but when properly set in place and attached to other boards, we can be a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am a part of your dwelling place. I am one member in the body of Christ; I am one board in your temple. Holy Spirit help me to fulfill my assigned place in a way that brings glory to Jesus and joy to the heart of our Heavenly Father. Amen

June 3, 2015: SOAP #2008:

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 15:14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.
15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me.

Observation: Paul had not visited the church in Rome before writing this letter so he covered basic truths that he would have taught in person to the other churches. As he comes to the close of his letter, he acknowledges that there are people in the church who would be well able to teach what he has just written to them. Paul’s letter would verify what they had been taught and serve as a reminder. It was good for them to hear it again!

Application: Having been in church all my life, there are very few messages that I have not heard preached before—many that I have preached myself. Now on Sunday mornings I find myself sitting in the pew listening to others. What a privilege is mine as the sermons verify what I know, remind me of things I have forgotten, and speak correction and encouragement to my life. It is good for me to hear it again! I remember singing, “I love to tell the story for those who know it best seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your faithfulness to make Your Word ever new! Amen

June 2, 2015: SOAP #2007: Proverbs 22-24; Romans 14

Seeing with a Generous Eye

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 22:9 The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
Proverbs (KJV) 22:9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

Observation: A person who looks on the poor with a kind eye and is generous to them will find that he reaps what he sows. As we read a few days ago: Proverbs 19:17 “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done”

Application: It is easy to look at the poor with a critical or a suspicious eye. They must have done something to deserve being poor. I think, “If they would have just done this…or done that.” But God wants me to see them with a generous or bountiful eye. God wants me to consider how I can best serve them.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, whether they are poor in finances, or poor in knowledge, or poor in spirit, help me to serve those around me. Amen

June 1, 2015: SOAP #2006:

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 13:9 The commandments, “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Observation: In considering the Ten Commandments, we see that the first four have to do with our relationship to God. We are not to mistreat God by having other gods, or to make an image to represent Him, or to use His name in meaningless ways, or to misuse the day He set for rest. The fifth command is a positive one to honor our parents. But the last five tell us what NOT to do. People who love naturally do not do what the commandments tell us not to do.

Application: Love motivates me to do what is good. In only doing the good, I obey the commands not to harm my neighbor.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, your love for me amazes me! I want your love to motivate me to love those around me. Amen