June 13, 2015: SOAP #2018:

Scripture: 2Chronicles (NIV) 12:7 When the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, this word of the LORD came to Shemaiah: “Since they have humbled themselves, I will not destroy them but will soon give them deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak. 8 They will, however become subject to him, so that they may learn the difference between serving me and serving the kings of other lands.

Observation: Praise God, there is a difference!!! What a difference it is!!! What a blessing it is to us when we can learn about the difference from others rather than needing to learn it personally.

I remember two platoon commanders I served under in Viet Nam. One cared about his men, spoke out for them, did his best to get what we needed. The other one used us, volunteered us to take on every patrol. Our every accomplishment was a mark toward his advancement. In serving under the first, the men served willingly and did their best to make their commander look good. In serving under the second, the men did a lot of complaining and did not have their heart in their assignments.

Application: There is no question; I am called to be a servant. I am seeing it is much better to serve One who loves me rather than to serve one who is using me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know you designed me to be your child, but it is such a great honor and privilege to serve you and your Son, Jesus. He is my Lord! Amen

June 12, 2015: SOAP #2017:

Scripture: 2Chronicles (NIV) 11:14 For the Levites left their common lands and their holdings and came to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam [king of Israel] and his sons cast the out from serving as priests of the LORD.
15 And those who had set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came after them from all the tribes of Israel to Jerusalem to sacrifice to the LORD, the God of their father. 16. They strengthened the kingdom of Judah…

Observation: The Nation of Israel had split. The northern 10 tribes made up the kingdom of Israel and the southern 2 tribes made up the kingdom of Judah. The northern kingdom’s king feared that his people would find a way to go to the temple in Jerusalem (located in the southern kingdom). He replaced the priests with those who would do as he pleased. Then with great sacrifice to themselves, many of the priests moved to Judah. In verse 15 we see that many non-priests followed their example.

Application: This reminds me of how the pilgrims, at great personal cost, left England to find freedom of religion in the “new world.” One does not have to watch the news very long to see that our government today is telling Christians that political correctness is more important than personal beliefs. What price am I willing to pay in order to keep God’s Word as the guiding beacon of my life?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in the Bible and in our history we find people who believed that it was worth the sacrifice to obey your Word. Help me to follow their example. Amen

June 10, 2015: SOAP #2015

It Is A Battle!

Scripture: Ephesians (NIV) 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God…

Observation: — We see that evil is not a problem limited to earth. Evil had found a place in heavenly realms. Although we often look to Adam as the first sinner, the Bible clearly teaches that there was one before Adam; that one is Satan.

God can take what is meant for evil and turn it to be an opportunity for good. Earth was prepared as a place where God’s grace and love and wisdom would be clearly demonstrated as being greater than sin. The stage was set, the Son was sent, the struggle was started, and the Servant subdued the serpent! Hallelujah!

Application: The battle has been won, but I still struggle. It is because the enemy has been left to tempt me to see that my commitment is sure. He has been left to teach me how to use authority. He has been left here to give me opportunity to participate in his final demise.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the Holy Spirit who is teaching me to walk in your authority. Communication is so important in time of war, and the Holy Spirit is my communication avenue to you! Amen

June 7, 2015: SOAP # 2012:

Scripture: Ephesians (NIV) 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Observation: Of all God’s characteristics, what is it that Paul brings to the forefront here as he closes out this prayer? It is His power! It is His ability to perform, or bring to pass. God can do more than we can even think. Even while we are forming the thought in our mind, He can already have it done! What a God! No power on earth or in heaven can ever stop him, unless He chooses to allow it to do so.
And this great power is not kept away from us. It is not in eyesight, but just out of reach. It is not that we are allowed to know about it but not experience it. No!!! This power actually dwells within us. It is already at work within us!

Application: How can I ever be discouraged! How can I ever think that something is impossible, or unattainable! Surely it could only be that I am not aware of what God has done in me, or have let Satan cloud my thinking!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are amazing! You did not lay aside your love or your holiness when you came to live in me. And neither did you lay aside your power! Amen

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

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