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

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