July 1, 2015: SOAP #2036

Scripture: Isaiah (NIV) 1:2 Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. 3 The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manager, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand. …4b My people have walked out on me, their GOD, turned their backs on The Holy One of Israel, walked off and never looked back.

Observation: Man was made in God’s image with the capacity to hurt when relationships fall apart. How much more does God hurt when His people turn their backs on Him? He has such great plans for man. He has invested SO MUCH in the relationship. Surely His heart is often broken.

Application: My God, Who has done so much for me, hurts as He sees the condition of this world He created, and of man who He formed out of the dirt and in whom He breathed life. In the above verses His heart was hurt by Israel turning away from Him. Today, His heart is hurt by a nation that He has blest in so many ways but has been turning from His ways.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am sorry for the pain your creation has caused you. I am sorry for the pain I have caused you. I pray that my life today brings you joy. Amen

June 30, 2015: SOAP #2035:

Scripture: Titus (NIV) 2:14 Who [Jesus Christ] gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Observation: God has a reason for saving us from sin and spending eternity in hell. He wants us for Himself. He has a great future planned for us! He wants us to be people He can be proud of. His people, having been freed from sin, look for opportunities to do what is good.

Application: How am I to live? The righteous and holy God has bought me for himself. He paid the price I owed for my sin. He has joined me in living my life. Whatever my circumstances He is with me. In whatever country I live, under whatever laws I live, my first priority is allowing Him to live His life in me. For Him to enjoy sharing this life with me, I need to let Him live His life of righteousness and purity.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, it is my joy to share my life with you. Help me live this life in a way that you can enjoy it too. Amen

June 29, 2015: SOAP #2034:

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 86:14 The arrogant are attacking me, O God; a band of ruthless men seeks my life—men without regard for you.
15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Observation: When getting attacked, we must remember that God does not look at us the same way. What people say about us can tie up our thoughts for days, even years. People attacking us are not considering what God has to say and are not looking at us as God sees us. We need to keep our thoughts focused on wat God says about us.

Application: My greatest concern is what God thinks about me. Knowing that He is compassionate and gracious makes me very appreciative that He is the One ruling my life. I am so thankful that He is loving and faithful.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I have given my life to you and I trust you. What you think about me is more important than what any man thinks of me. I am glad that You are God! Amen

June 28, 2015: SOAP #2033

Scripture: 2Timothy (NIV) 4:6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

June 27, 2015: SOAP #2031: 2Kings 13,14; 2Chronicles 25; 2Timothy 3

Victory or Defeat

Scripture: 2Chronicles (NIV) 25:7 But a man of God came to him and said, “O king, these troops from Israel must not march with you, for the LORD is not with Israel—not with any of the people of Ephraim. 8 Even if you go and fight courageously in battle, God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow.”

Observation: Judah was preparing for war with Seir. They had hired one hundred thousand troops from Israel to bolster their army of three hundred thousand. The man of God confronted the King and the troops were sent home. Judah went on to victory.

One does not have to read much in the Bible to realize the truth of the words: “…for God has the power to help or to overthrow.” This truth can be easily seen in the rest of this chapter.

Authors Peter Marshall and David Manual wrote two books, “The Light and the Glory” and “From Sea to Shining Sea.” In them they show God’s blessing as the USA fulfilled God’s purpose for our nation and God’s judgment as we ignored Him. (What a terrible price our nation paid for slavery!)

Application: What was true for Israel in the Old Testament is true for the USA today. What is true for nations is also true for individuals—it is true for me. The Sovereign God, with His favor or displeasure, has the power to bring me victory or defeat, success or failure.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are the Sovereign God of the Universe. Continually remind me that what I do affects you and what you do affects me. Amen

June 26, 2015: SOAP #2031:

Scripture: 2Timothy (NIV) 2:1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus…

Observation: I hear Paul writing to young Timothy not to let anything shake his confidence in God’s grace. All we have received and will ever need comes to us, not because we deserve it, but because of God’s grace. His grace can be best seen in Jesus who gave Himself to make a way for us to be a part of His family. And along with Jesus, God will graciously give us everything we need.

Application: Being “strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” means that I have stopped looking for another way to get into heaven other than by the death of Jesus.

Being strong in God’s grace greatly affects how I think. There is no need to worry because I am trusting in God’s grace. He will give me strength to accomplish what He has assigned me to do.

Being strong in God’s grace would mean that I look at everything in the light of that grace. I remember several conversations in Hawaii with Sam Sasser, then the pastor of First A/G in Honolulu. I will always remember that He often mentioned the “grace” of God. He credited the grace of God for everything in his life.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your grace is sufficient and abundant. It is amazing. I trust your grace. Amen

June 25, 2015: SOAP #2030

Scripture: Joel (NIV) 3:16 The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem, the earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.

Observation: Even during a time of judgment, God promised to be a refuge for his people; he would be their strength! In God’s hand they can feel secure knowing that God is greater than anything that they may experience.

Application: Today, our nation has turned from God as Israel did in the days of the prophet, Joel. The army of locust that invaded Israel in Joel’s day brought economic destruction. Our economy took a great hit and is growing slower than our population while our national debt is growing much faster. Today God is willing to restore a nation that repents. Today we serve the same God who promised to be with Israel during a time of judgment on the nations around them.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in time of trouble, I trust you to care for me. You are my refuge; You are my stronghold! Amen

June 24, 2015: SOAP #2029

Scripture: 2Chronicles (NIV) 24:20 Then the Spirit of God acme upon Zechariah… He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you disobey the LORD’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you.’”…
23 At the turn of the year, the army of Aram…invaded…Judah…
24 Although the Aramean army had come with only a few men, the LORD delivered into their hands a much larger army. Because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, judgment was executed on [King] Joash.

Observation: Many times in the Bible we read that Israel and Judah defeated much larger armies because God was with them. In the above verses we read that the opposite was also true. God had forsaken them, BECAUSE they had forsaken God. A large army with many ships and airplanes cannot take the place of the presence and favor of Almighty God.

Application: Across the southern border of the United States comes an invasion of illegal immigrants. Some want to join their families who are already in the USA and some want to find jobs. But among them are those who want to do us harm. As a nation, we easily have the resources to stop them but God has blinded the eyes of our leaders and tied their hands from taking effective action. In many ways our nation has forsaken God and now God is forsaking us to reap His judgment.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, as a nation, Israel enjoyed your blessings; they also suffered under your judgment. The same is true of the United States, and any nation, today. I am grateful to know that your presence and favor remains with individuals who remain faithful to you. Amen

June 23, 2015: SOAP #2028:

Scripture: 2Chronicles (NIV) 23:16 Jehoiada then made a covenant that he and the people and the king would be the LORD’s people.

Observation: King Ahaziah was a wicked king. When he was killed, his mother stepped into his shoes and set about to destroy anyone who had the right to the throne. But one son, Joash, just a year old at the time, was hidden and kept in the temple for six years. Jehoiada the priest took the responsibility to plan how the true king could be placed on the throne. After the plan was completed, the usurper was destroyed and the seven-year-old Joash was crowned. The new king ruled under the supervision of the godly priest.

Two great characteristics can be seen in Jehoiada the priest—courage and humility. He had the courage to act risking death if the true king and the plans had been discovered. He was humble, because he did not try to make himself king. He knew his assignment and was willing to be who he was and do what he could do.

Application: Jesus is the true King that should be ruling in the lives of people. However satan has usurped Jesus’ rightful place. God is looking for people like Jehoiada to work to get the rightful King in His rightful place.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, put your courage in me to speak and to do things that will help others set Jesus as KING and LORD of their lives. And help me humbly remain in the place You have assigned me. Amen

June 22, 2015: SOAP # 2017:

Scripture: 2Chronicles (NIV) 21:10 To this day Edom has been in rebellion against Judah. Libnah revolted at the same time, because Jehoram had forsaken the LORD, the God of his fathers.

Observation: When Jehoram became king, he rebelled against the example of his father’s godly reign and forsook God’s authority. He rebelled against God and those under him rebelled against him.

Application: Only God has all authority because he is the Supreme Being and because He is worthy. All other authority is delegated. The place to prepare for a position of authority is the place of submitted obedience to the authority God has placed over me—at home, in the church, or at work. The way to remain in authority is to remain under authority. If I cannot obey those over me, why should I expect those under me to obey me?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, authority is a tool you give to enable us to serve you more effectively. I want to use the authority You have given me to accomplish the most for Your Kingdom and Your glory. Amen