SOAP 01/02/2017; 1 John 5:5

Today's reading: Genesis 3, 4, 5; Luke 2*

S) "⁹ Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

1 John 5:5 (NASB)
*This verse was highlighted before I kept these entries online, so I wrote a new entry

O) What I love about this verse, is the way that John echoed what he heard (and recorded) from Jesus in John 16:33. The simple choice to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, aligns us with Him in such a way, that we are sharing in His victory over the world. Jesus warned us that we'd have difficulties in the world, and John certainly came to understand that firsthand. However, the wonderful promise is that Jesus has overcome the world first, and that with Him, we also overcome the world.

A) Sometimes, it feels like there can be a burden of faith. It can feel like I need to muster my faith to a certain point in order to see healing, prosperity, obedience, or victory in my life. However, that isn't really what is revealed in this passage. The simple choice to believe that Jesus is who He said He is, that He is the Son of God - that choice to believe is an act of faith that delivers victory in my life. Because I am with Jesus - because He is the Son of God - I am allied with the Victorious One. I overcome the world, with all it's threats and pitfalls and temptations, when I am submitting myself to the truth of God's Word, revealed in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God.

P) Father, thank You for such sweet, simple victory, Lord God! You have done all the work for me, and that grace simply cannot be overstated. Even the faith You require of me, it is so much less than the faith I imagine that I need, sometimes. My victory was secured in Jesus, who first overcame the world so I didn't have to. Now I can overcome the world with Him, simply by believing that He is Your Son. Thank You for opening my eyes and ears, to know and understand the truth of the gospel, Father God. Let my every victory bring glory and praise to Your name. Let Your kingdom come, and Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/02/2017; 1 John 3:9

Today's reading: Genesis 3, 4, 5; Luke 2*

S) "⁹ No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; he cannot sin, because he is born of God."

1 John 3:9 (NASB)
*This verse was highlighted before I kept these entries online, so I wrote a new entry

     

O) This verse is not saying that Christians will never sin. The key to understanding this verse (and the passage as a whole), is understanding the term, "practices," as it is used here. When we practice something, we are setting out to become better at it. We make efforts, plans, and sacrifices in order to accomplish the goal of the doing the thing. Christians do not practice sin. The seed within us, as it is written here, is the Spirit of Jesus residing within the believer. That same Holy Spirit is why our flesh is combative within us (see Galatians 5:17). The believer no longer makes plans, trying to get better at sinning, but quite the opposite.

A) This is a promise, because I am not alone in this struggle. God's seed is within me. The words, "he cannot sin," is less definitive than descriptive, I think. I do not desire to sin. My desire for obedience is so high, and my willingness to tolerate sin is so low, that I say, "I cannot sin," the same way I tell my children, "You cannot talk to Your mother that way." But again, the promise to me is that I am not alone in this fight. God is with me, strengthening me, confirming within me the desire to obey Him.

P) Father, thank You for rescuing me with the gospel. Thank You for changing my heart, that I would desire to please You. Each day, let me resist the temptations that come before me, and to pass the tests that You allow into my life. Help me to practice righteousness so that my obedience is pleasing to You. Be glorified in my life, as I forsake my sins every day. Let people around me understand that I have not become a more moral person by loving You, but that my love for You directs my steps to obey Your commands. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/28/2016; Romans 5:17

Today's reading: Revelation 5, 6, 7, 8, 9*
S) "¹⁷ For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."

Romans 5:17 (NASB)
*This verse was highlighted before I kept these entries online, so I wrote a new entry

O) This is such a beautiful juxtaposition between the reign of death and the reign of life. Through Adam's sin, death entered humanity. We were all under the cruel rule of death. But, through the righteous, obedient actions of Jesus, life has replaced death. Not only that, but under sin, we were only oppressed, subjected to the reign of death. On the contrary, by the grace of God, through Jesus Christ, we are not only given the gift of life, but that abundant grace also has us reigning in life! It's still a mystery, how exactly that plays out in the resurrection with Christ, but no matter what, it's immeasurably better. This is true to God's character, though, that His blessings are always greater than we deserve, but often greater than we could imagine. Not only are we no longer subjected to the cruel reign of death, and simply put into life, but we are given the opportunity to reign in life through Jesus Christ.

A) First, this is cause for simple thanksgiving. Second, like many promises I have in Christ, I must make efforts to keep this promise in mind. It is especially true, when I am struggling - struggling with sin, struggling to find peace, struggling to keep joy. Remembering God's love for me, and the ways He has expressed it in His grace, promised throughout the Bible, this is the cure for so many of my ails. His promises to me are based on what Christ has done, and that will not change. If I am in Christ, then I am made righteous, and I receive the gifts He has given in that abundant grace.

P) Father, thank You for Your unchanging character. Thank You for the promises You have given me in Christ Jesus. Lord God, let me remain humble and strive for obedience, not in order to earn Your  blessings, but as a response to the blessings You have already given me in Jesus. Open my eyes and ears, and give me wisdom and understanding. I want to more fully grasp Your love for me, and the wonder of the gospel. Help me to keep this in mind more often, to dwell on the wonders of Your grace. Be glorified in my life, Lord. Let Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/23/2016; Luke 4:42

Today's reading: John 15, 16, 17, 18*

S) "⁴² When day came, Jesus left and went to a secluded place; and the crowds were searching for Him, and came to Him and tried to keep Him from going away from them."

Luke 4:42 (NASB)
*This verse was highlighted before I kept these entries online, so I wrote a new entry

O) This is, by no means, the only example we have of Jesus going to be alone - whether to pray or rest. However, what I did notice about this particular passage, is that leading up to it almost gives the impression that Jesus was up all night ministering. That kind of work almost demands the seclusion that Jesus was seeking. Not to be truly alone, I think, but to be alone with His Father in heaven. Even so, the needy people would not be denied, and they found Him still. That in itself, seems like kind of a fulfillment of the words of Jesus, when He said that those who seek will find.

A) Passages like this one remind me of how Jesus' time on earth was completely and totally mission-based. He had purpose for His presence, and He was going to fulfill it. Certainly, Jesus did it to perfection, but it's a reminder to me that I also have a purpose. No one will ever minister 100% of the time, perfectly, with complete humility and focus, the way Jesus did. However, there should be a progression at work in my life, that I would become more and more like Jesus. My time is not my own. On the other hand, even if I am willing to serve tirelessly, all night, after serving others for a long stretch of time, I must seek to have alone time with God. In many other ways, too, God doesn't just want my obedience, He wants relationship with me. I want to serve Him, and do His work, but I also just want to be with Him.

P) Father, I am so blessed to have a relationship with You. I want very much, to do Your will, to work the good works You prepared for me. I want to be an obedient servant, and honor Your name. I also don't want to sin, Lord. Please, lead me not into temptation but deliver me from the evil one. At the same time, I also just want to be with You, Father. Help me to stay focused on You, and to keep my mind on the things above, and not the things here on earth, in front of my eyes. Help me to see and hear, what You are trying to reveal to me. Lead me to make time, devoted to You, just spending time in Your presence. Help me to pursue what You want me to pursue. Let Your will be done in my life, and on earth as it is in heaven. Let Your kingdom come. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/13/2016; Ezekiel 16:18-19

Today's reading: Hebrews 9, 10, 11*

S) "^{18 '}Then you took your embroidered cloth and covered them, and offered My oil and My incense before them. ¹⁹ Also My bread which I gave you, fine flour, oil and honey with which I fed you, you would offer before them for a soothing aroma; so it happened,' declares the Lord GOD."

Ezekiel 16:18-19 (NASB)
*This verse was highlighted before I kept these entries online, so I wrote a new entry

O) This chapter begins with God reminding His people how graciously He has treated them, from first choosing them. As the chapter moves along, it progresses toward the adulterous idolatry of His people. In vv.16-17, God describes how His provision was used for harlotry, but when we get to the verses above, it takes a subtle shift. It is no longer only that the people have used what God gave them for this idolatry, but they are also now taking what belongs to God directly, and using it for idolatry. It was not just their clothes, jewels, gold, and silver which God had given them, but it was also His oil, His incense, and His bread. This passage is really a revelation of God's jealousy. He isn't jealous for His things, as if He so desired the oil, incense, and bread. He is jealous for His people. But, this shows that, not only had they betrayed His love, so as to turn away from Him and pursue idols, but they had betrayed His person, by also stealing from Him.

A) I could certainly take this passage as a warning, and I do, but more than that I take it as a reminder of how my idolatry (that is, the things I treat as gods in my heart), it hurts Him. My sins are a betrayal on a deep level with God. And, more often than not when I sin, I am using His provision as a means to sin. As it says in Romans 2:4, it is verses like this, which show the lovingkindness of God, and the pain my sins cause Him, that lead me to repentance, even more so than a warning of His wrath.

P) Father, forgive me for the idolatry of my heart. Forgive me for using Your blessings as a means for sinning against You. Forgive me for betraying, not only Your love, but Your person. Thank You for rescuing me, when I was helpless and dying. Thank You for blessing me, cleansing me, clothing me. Thank You for leading me by the hand, as the loving Father that You are, God. Let me dwell on Your love, Your character, Your compassion. Let me carefully, and prayerfully, consider how my sins hurt You, and hurt our relationship. Let me walk in repentance, seeking You more constantly throughout my days. Be glorified in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/12/2016; Ezekiel 3:8

Today's reading: Hebrews 5, 6, 7, 8*

S) "⁸ Behold, I have made your face as hard as their faces and your forehead as hard as their foreheads."

Ezekiel 3:8 (NASB)
*This verse was highlighted before I kept these entries online, so I wrote a new entry

O) Very much like the prophet Jeremiah, Ezekiel was told to take the words of God to a people unlikely to repent. They had become a very hard people, hard of heart and heard of head. They would not accept rebuke or change well, if it all, and Ezekiel had a very difficult task ahead of him. However, in this chapter, he is given the words of God to eat (with much symbolism in itself), and he's sent to his own people to preach. God makes it very clear, the issue won't be one of understanding language. They should understand, but they won't (vv.6-7). But, in the verse above, we see a provision of God, a promise to Ezekiel that he will be hard enough to handle their hardness. They will butt heads, but he will not break.

A) While I may never be called to rebuke the religious or political leaders of my land, ministry is always hard. Even my primary ministries aren't exactly easy (although they are labors of love, to be sure). Parenting correctly is often difficult, and leading my wife (although she does so much to be easy to lead), even that kind of ministry can have its own unique challenges. However, I can rest assured that God gives me everything I need to perform what He has asked me to do. I wouldn't call my family obstinate people (although, I don't have teenagers, yet), but if I need to have a firm head about anything, I can count on God giving it to me. If I need to have a soft heart, I will count on Him softening me. Whatever He needs me to be, to minister to my family, I will rely on His change in me, to accomplish His will for them. This extends to any other kind of ministry I could ever pursue. The two main keys are these: I must seek to be doing His will, and I must submit to His changes in me to accomplish His will.

P) Father, thank You for being in my corner. You are for me, and because of that I have all confidence that what I am called to do, You will equip me to do. Whatever I need to be, in order to accomplish Your will, You can and will make me to be. Start Your changes with me, Lord, that I may be used by You, for Your glory. Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done, in my own household, in my city, in my country, on earth as it is in heaven. Make me usable in Your hands, Lord. Use me to accomplish Your will, according to Your will. Be glorified above all else. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/11/2016; Jeremiah 38:19

Today's reading: Philemon 1; Hebrews 1, 2, 3, 4*

S) "¹⁹ Then King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, 'I dread the Jews who have gone over to the Chaldeans, for they may give me over into their hand and they will abuse me.'"

Jeremiah 38:19 (NASB)
*This verse was highlighted before I kept these entries online, so I wrote a new entry

O) Zedekiah, like many kings before him, heard the truth of God from a prophet, but he still rejected it. Unlike some of those other kings, however, he almost seemed reluctant. In many ways, he seemed like he was almost on the fence about whether or not to heed the warnings of the prophet before him. He even sought Jeremiah's counsel, although his motives were certainly questionable. In this verse, we see the summation of his real problem. In the end, King Zedekiah feared men more than he feared the LORD, and that was his undoing.

A) I cannot think of very many instances in the Bible, where the fear of men so clearly trumped the fear of God, like in this verse. I think that is because, like in most of my own experiences, this conflict of fears is more subtle than that. I am not really a fearful person, and I don't generally care too much what other people think about me (or what they think at all). However, I was recently confronted with the realization that, under a certain type of circumstance, this is exactly what was happening. I was being tempted when I was alone, and I had the striking awareness of the presence of God. In itself, that was His grace at its most beautiful, because God was trying to rescue me in that moment of weakness (and He truly did). At that time, I realized that the temptation to sin while no other people were around, was unique to my loneliness, because if there were any people around at all, my fear of their judgment would have been enough to cut through any temptation. I'll say that again, I wouldn't feel tempted because I'd be too afraid of what people would say and think and do in reaction. However, with only God watching, I was not afraid enough of what He would say and think and do. That sickened me that day, and it opened my eyes to the reality that any time I am sinning, I am clearly not fearing God as I should. On the other hand, anytime I would be tempted to sin, if only there were no watchful eyes, then I am clearly fearing people more than I should. The truth is, my very own sins will abuse me. The wages of sin is death. My sins will be the death of me, unless there is intervention. Thankfully, there is divine intervention, the only kind that could ever work. God intervenes, repeatedly, to rescue me from myself. In Christ, His perfect love casts out all fears, and I have no fear of punishment, and no fear of death. I must walk in that mercy every day, and acknowledge the holy perfection of my God. I must fearfully acknowledge His sovereignty to rule my life according to His authority and judgment. That is the only way I can live free of the fear of punishment, and death.

P) Father, open my eyes and ears, to be more aware of Your sovereignty, might, judgment, and authority. Let me fear You as I ought. Show me where my fears are maligned. I never want to be motivated by a fear of men, because I know that is such dangerous ground to walk. That is the same misguided fear that led King Zedekiah astray. Instead, let me fear You, and only You. Let my fear of You alone, motivate and guide my decisions. Let my heart be fully submitted to You, that You would then keep me from sin. Let Your will be done in my life, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.