July 21, 2015: SOAP #2056:

Scripture: 2Chronicles (NIV) 32:6 He [King Hezekiah] appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: 7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid of discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. 8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

Observation: When Hezekiah had become king, he turned the nation from worshipping idols back to worshipping and serving the One True God. Now that major trouble was confronting them, Hezekiah could stand and encourage the people in the Lord. There was a big difference between the number of soldiers with the King of Assyria and those with King Hezekiah. But that was not the major difference. With King Hezekiah was the LORD God. That was the MAJOR DIFFERENCE! An angel of the Lord wiped out the Assyrian army!

Application: Do I really know Who is with me? Sometimes I need to be reminded. Sometimes I need to remind others. (1John 4:4) The One with me is without comparison in the world. He is the Greater One!

Prayer: Lord, you are greater than anything I face today—or will ever face in the future! I am glad to be on Your side! Amen

July 20, 2015: SOAP #2055:

Scripture: 2Chronicles (NIV) 29:6 [Hezekiah speaking upon becoming king] Our fathers were unfaithful; they did evil in the eyes of the LORD our God and forsook him…
8 Therefore the anger of the Lord has fallen on Judah and Jerusalem; he has made them an object of dread and horror and scorn…
10 Now I intend to make a covenant with the LORD, the God of Israel, so that his fierce anger will turn away from us…
2Chronicles (N(V) 31:27 In everything that he [Hezekiah] undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.

Observation: Leadership makes a difference. The blessing of God on the life of a king affects the whole nation. …on a governor…on a mayor…on an employer…on a leader… The blessing of God on the life of a pastor affects the whole church. The blessing of God on the head of a household affects the whole household.

Application: To prosper in God’s eyes is the priority of my life. There can be no greater reward than to hear Him say, “Well done.” So, to live my life in obedience to God’s commands, to seek the Lord, and to work wholeheartedly is a good formula for my life.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to live my life for your benefit, for your glory. Holy Spirit, guide me through this day. Amen

July 19, 2015: SOAP #2054:

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Observation: Reading the above passage reminded me of a news cast this week in which an expert was warning of an earthquake for the north-western coast of the USA. Hearing of the millions of people who would be affected, the dirt that would become like liquid and slip into the ocean, the massive wave that would be generated—it could easily strike fear into one’s heart. But the psalmist said our Refuge and Strength and Every-present help will be with us even in extreme situations and we need not fear.

Application: The more I know about God, his nature and his character, the less I need to fear anything. Even when it is logical to fear, I do not need to fear. I just need to consider who is with me!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am thankful that you are not a sometime-present or a most-of-the-time-present, but an always-present help in all kinds of trouble, even in natural disasters! Amen

July 18, 2015: SOAP #2053

Scripture: James (NIV) 2:1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism…3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there, or “Sit on the floor by my feet, 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts…8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself, “ you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

Observation: When Christ dwells in a person, His characteristic will begin to be seen in that life. A sign of the life of Christ is how one treats others. All colors, both men and women, all nationalities, all economic levels, all educational levels—all are made in His image and are worthy of respect. –those I like, and those who I have trouble liking. –those who acknowledge God and those who do not.

In the military I was taught to salute all officers, even those I might not respect as a person. I was not saluting the person, but the sign of authority they wore on their collar. My salute not only reminded me that I was under authority, but reminded them that they too were under authority.

Application: I am to treat ALL people like they are special creations of God, made in His image. Because they carry His image, they are worthy of my respect. When I respect them, I respect the one whose image they carry.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I was made in your likeness and created in your image. I was born to love you Lord. I was born to be a life in which you can live by your Holy Spirit! Amen

July 17, 2015: SOAP #2052:

Scripture: Isaiah (NIV) 31:1 How terrible it will be for those who go down to Egypt for help! How terrible for those who depend on horses! They trust in how many chariots they have. They trust in how strong their horsemen are. But they don’t look to the Holy One of Israel. They don’t ask the LORD for his help.
2 He too is wise. He can bring horrible trouble. He does what he says he’ll do. He’ll rise up against everyone who does what is evil. He’ll fight against those who help them.

Observation: God had special plans for Israel. He would send His son, Jesus, the Messiah, to the world through Israel. God still has a plan for Israel in these last days. He is still wise. He can still bring trouble to those who do evil and fight against those who help those doing the evil. He still does what He says He will do. He is still The World’s Greatest Helper!

Application: The God of Israel’s past is the God of their present and future. He is my God too! I can trust him. It is good to have him on my side fighting for me and not against me. He keeps his word to me. He is my Greatest Helper!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you have always been and continue to be my Greatest Helper. How could I ever trust anyone more than you! Amen

July 16, 2015: SOAP #2051

Scripture: Hebrews (NIV) 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Observation: We live in a world of change. People change, governments change, communities change. Nothing of the world system remains the same. People who are wise can often predict what change will be coming and prepare themselves.

But in the midst of the change, there is one thing that never changes. Truth never changes. People may attempt to re-write history to their liking, but they cannot change truth. It is exciting to discover and use truth.

Using truth, scientists sent a space craft on a journey of almost a decade past Pluto this week. Now they have clear pictures revealing a little more about that former planet. They are excited because now they know more truth/reality about Pluto. Some of their “educated guesses” have been scrapped in favor of truth. Stability in every aspect of life comes to that which is built on truth.

Application: I must build my life around the One who claimed to be “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6) He is the embodiment of truth. That is the reason He is the same today as He was yesterday and He will remain the same for every tomorrow! If the scientist were excited to learn more truth about Pluto, how much more excited should I be when I learn more truth about the Creator of Pluto!

Prayer: Jesus, you excite me! Discovering truth about you and your creation always amazes me. Help me scrap any educated guesses in favor of the reality of who you really are. Amen

July 15, 2015: SOAP #2050

Scripture: Hebrews (NIV) 12:2 Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the author of faith. He also makes it perfect. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy he was looking forward to. Then he sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Observation: This verse tells me that Jesus was expecting that the joy he would have after dying on the cross would be fully worth the suffering. The weight of sin was temporary but the joy of the fellowship with those who would share His life would be eternal! Being forsaken by the Father was temporary but the Father’s appreciation for restoring His greatest creation would be eternal! The excruciating physical pain was temporary, but the satisfaction of having completed the Father’s assignment would be eternal.

Application: So, here is the question: is the life I am now living bringing Jesus “the joy he was looking forward to” when he died on the cross? Is the life I am now living as a child of God fulfilling the Father’s expectations when He sent His One and Only Son to die for me?

Prayer: Jesus, in my life may you find the joy you expected when you died on the cross. Heavenly Father, in my life may you find the loving fellowship you desired. Holy Spirit, live in and through me to fulfill their expectations. Amen

July 14, 2015: SOAP #2049: I

Scripture: Hebrews (NIV) 11:6 Without faith, it isn’t possible to please God. Those who come to God must believe that he exists. And they must believe that he rewards those who look to him.

Observation: This verse reveals several things about God. First, He exists. Astronomers sometimes believe in the existence of stars they cannot see because they see the influence their presence has on the stars that can be seen. How much more visible is God’s presence in the lives of people around us. Second, God hears and third, God is intelligent. God hears our cry for help and understands how to help us! Fourth, God is a responder; He rewards what He appreciates. Fifth, God appreciates being important enough for us to seek Him out. He likes it when we depend on Him.

Application: I need to appreciate God’s presence in my life. I need to depend on him—to seek out His assistance. As God is seen in helping me, others come to recognize His Presence and to depend on Him too.

Prayer: Heavenly Father may what you do in my life be an encouragement for others to trust you to do the same in their lives. Amen

July 13, 2015: SOAP #2048: Isaiah 15-18; Hebrews 10

Living by Faith

Scripture: Hebrews (NIV) 10:38 But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.
Hebrews (KJV) 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Observation: The writer of the book of Hebrews is quoting the Old Testament Habakkuk 2:3. As I was reading this scripture, my mind was drawn to the word “live.” The scripture does not say the just shall have faith or speak his faith. Both are important. But these passages say that the just shall “live” by faith.

Application: Living by faith means that my faith is a major part of every decision I make. My faith can be seen in my everyday life. It is a part of my conversations. It is a part of my choices. It is a part of my Sunday, but also just as important part of Monday through Saturday. It is a part of my being in church, but also just as important part of my being at home and at work.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are pleased when I LIVE by faith. I like pleasing You! It is easy for people to see You living in me when I LIVE by faith. Amen

July 12, 2015: SOAP #2047: Isaiah 11-14; Hebrews 9

One Completed Sacrifice!

Scripture: Hebrews (NIV) 9:27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people, and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Observation: It devalues Christ’s great sacrifice on the cross to think that something more is needed. The one sacrifice needed has been already been completed! It does not have to be repeated! Christ’s sacrifice was so sufficient that it needed be done only once!

Application: God loved me so much that he provided the sacrifice that was needed. I love Him so much, that I willingly and joyfully present my life as a living sacrifice to do His will.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am humbled and honored that you so loved me. May my love for you be easily seen and well known. Amen