SOAP 08/13/2011; Jeremiah 15:20

Today's reading: Jeremiah 13, 14, 15; John 15

S)"²⁰ 'Then I will make you to this people
A fortified wall of bronze;
And though they fight against you,
They will not prevail over you;
For I am with you to save you
And deliver you,' declares the LORD."
    

Jeremiah 15:20 (NASB)

O) This is a promise of protection for Jeremiah. He was called to a very, very difficult mission, to deliver some terrible news to some people who had already rejected God's word. So, Jeremiah was understandably upset about being called to such a tortuous task. So, God promises to protect him. It wasn't just protection from physical harm, though. In verse 19, God tells Jeremiah, "They for their part may turn to you, But as for you, you must not turn to them." God tells Jeremiah that he'll be trying to convince a very, very stubborn people, but in the middle of that fight, while he might have some success, God will protect him from being swayed himself.

A) So, this is more than physical protection, it's spiritual protection from influence. Ella is going back to school in a few days (1st grade!). This is a very, very good promise for me to claim for her in Jesus' name! Public schools are a tough place for a Christian, and the difficulties can start early. So, I will pray that she is protected like Jeremiah was... She will be like a bronze wall to them.

P) Father, You know the kind of difficulties we face, as believers in a world that disbelieves. Children are very impressionable, but they also have incredible faith. God, protect Ella's faith, as you protected Jeremiah. Help her be bold, to express her belief in You. In moments of doubt or confusion, Holy Spirit, remind her of the miracles and wonders she has seen with her own eyes. Make her like a bronze wall to her peers, so that, even if they do challenge her faith, they will not prevail. Save her and deliver her, in Jesus' name. Amen.

SOAP 08/12/2011; John 14:26

Today's reading: Jeremiah 10, 11, 12; John 14

S)" ²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.' "
    

John 14:26 (NASB)

O) The Holy Spirit is an amazing Helper indeed! Jesus explains with this verse, and in the surrounding verses, that the Holy Spirit is our link to Him and the Father. There was an exchange; Jesus physically left the earth, but sent the Holy Spirit afterward. This verse shows just one of the many, many ways the Holy Spirit empowers believers, by reminding us of all that Jesus said to us (which is, in fact, the entire Bible). Also, Jesus said the Holy Spirit will teach us all things. That's pretty significant. The last thing I noticed was that Jesus was referring to the Holy Spirit as "He" and therefore, clearly marking out the Trinity.

A) First, the Holy Spirit cannot call to rememberence things I've never experienced. Part of the motivation to do this SOAP Journal, was to know that I've at least read through the entire Bible once, because I don't want to miss a thing! Add to that the fact that the Holy Spirit can then, quite literally, recall every scripture to mind for me, when I need it, and I have all the motivation I could ever need. I gotta stay in the Word! Also, I need to be a teachable student, if I am to be taught anything, even by God.

P) Father, You have a perfect plan. From the fall of man, You knew we would eventually need Jesus' sacrifice to save us. But, You went further than that. You didn't just save us and let it be; You saved us, and made us like the Son, ourselves! Your grace is truly amazing, Lord! Holy Spirit, continue to teach me, guide me, and remind me of everything the Father needs me to know. God, help me to be ever humbled and remember that I have no knowledge outside of Your grace; I have no understanding outside of Your grace; I have no wisdom outside of Your grace. Please continue to shape me as You see fit, LORD. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

SOAP 08/11/2011; Jeremiah 7:27

Today's reading: Jeremiah 7, 8, 9; John 13

S)" ²⁷ 'You shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you; and you shall call to them, but they will not answer you.' "
    

Jeremiah 7:27 (NASB)

O) This is a tough call. First, Jeremiah is given a daunting task - prophesy destruction to a king, when everyone else is telling him he'll be fine. Second, he's then told that it won't even work. So, what jumped out at me first in this verse, was that God would tell him ahead of time that he'll fail to turn the king and people. That seemed unusual to me. It would seem like a rare thing for God to tell some one that they'll fail, and have them still obey. So, with that in mind I concluded that He knew Jeremiah's heart, and knew that he would follow through, despite his foregone ineffectiveness.

The second thing that came to me, through this verse, is that God would even call some one to do something, fully knowing that they will fail to accomplish the goal, despite their obedience! That's kind of a huge thing to think about. How many churches close the doors with a pastor questioning whether or not he was called? How many Christians give up on family, because it seems that they just can't break through to them? How many books are half written, because the author seems to face setback after setback, and they question if it's their calling? And yet here, God knows full well that it's a doomed mission, but He sends Jeremiah anyway.

Then last, I have to wonder why God wouldn't tell everyone, who's on a divine lost cause, that they will not succeed? I mean, it seems like there could be a lot of grief saved, if only He'd warn some people. But, I know that God's thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways (Isa. 55:8), so I always have to believe that He knows what He's doing and I can't always comprehend it. I simply continue to believe that He is a good and just King of kings... So, I think it comes down to 2 reasons. 1) He knows the truth as to whether or not telling us will cause our hearts to falter and we'll give up before we start. 2) He knows that our understanding of failure is not His understanding of failure.

A) I do not believe God does anything without cause. He is also a just ruler, and He is also a compassionate God. Therefore, He sent Jeremiah to warn His people. While He knew Jeremiah would fail, He also knew that He must give the people a chance, even if He also knew they wouldn't take that chance. However, seeds were sewn for His remnant to return... So, with my own calling and whatever God asks me to do, great and small, I trust that He knows better than me. I also need to break my mindset and realize that success and failure to Him are not as they appear to me. I need to continually put myself before Him, and continually ask Him to direct me, so that if it's time for me to move on from an effort, I know to do so, but if I must persevere, despite all perception, I will have faith to do so. SPOILER: Jeremiah also had some help, however sparse, to help confirm his actions in the coming chapters. I also need to find men of God that I can trust, to help correct me or confirm what I'm hearing from God.

P) Father, I know that I will not always understand Your commands, but I am choosing now to be faithful and obedient. Holy Spirit, strengthen my resolve, and direct my heart, so that I am able to continue on with my calling, even when the individual effort seems to be futile. Help me to remain in Your word, Jesus, and continue to pray, and to listen, so that I am able to discern Your will for my personal walk, my marriage, my family, and any other ministries You give me, Lord. If I'm ineffective in one or more areas, let me pray earnestly to find Your will and trust Your command more than my motives. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

SOAP 08/10/2011; John 12:42-43

Today's reading: Jeremiah 5, 6; John 12

S)"⁴² 'Nevertheless many even of the rulers believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; ⁴³ for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God.'"
    

John 12:42-43 (NASB)

O) I love John 3:16, but I feel like too many people have abused that verse, by not explaining the use of the word "believe" that's in it. In the above verses, Jesus clearly shows that it's not enough to simply believe in Him. If we don't confess Him as the Son of God and our own Lord, then we ultimately love the approval of men more than the approval of God - so that's exactly what we can expect to receive - the approval of men rather than the approval of God.


A) I need to claim, proclaim, and even exclaim that Jesus is my Lord! He's my Boss! He's the Manager of my life! He's in charge of me! I do what He says! I do what He wants! He's my only hope! He's my only protection! He's my only provision! I must be unashamed of the Gospel, like Romans 1:16! 

P) Father, thank You for opening my eyes to see the Son, Jesus Christ. I claim Him as my only salvation. Holy Spirit, strengthen me to proclaim His name as the hope of all and to all nations. Embolden me to exclaim to everyone that Jesus is the Lord over me. God I pray that I am never ashamed of the Gospel, because it is too amazing to keep it hidden. In Jesus' name, amen.

SOAP 08/09/2011; Jeremiah 3:8

Today's reading: Jeremiah 3, 4; John 11

S) " ⁸ 'And I saw that for all the adulteries of faithless Israel, I had sent her away and given her a writ of divorce, yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear; but she went and was a harlot also.'"
    

Jeremiah 3:8 (NASB)

O) Israel and Judah were the two kingdoms that were split at this time. God often uses the analogy of marriage and infidelity to describe the way that these respective nations turned away from Him to pursue false gods. Israel had more issues with this than Judah did and, figuratively speaking, God had divorced Himself from Israel first for this "cheating". Consequently, when Israel was under attack and God did not help them, they were conquered. Their downfall was before Judah's, which is impending here. In this verse He's showing that, despite Judah seeing how Israel was destroyed for their unfaithfulness, they too continued to be unfaithful. This is a striking parallel to how it is sometimes when we see fellow Christians turn their backs on God and then face calamity and catastrophe without Him. It should grab our attention and remind us that, no matter how hard serving God may get, and it is hard sometimes, it's always better than the alternative.


A) Thankfully, because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we have a perpetual mercy. Having said that, we still cannot practice sin (Hebrews 10:26), which would be the same thing that Israel and Judah were doing. Still, I should have 3 responses when I hear about a brother or sister in Christ who falls away from their faithfulness and into their own destruction.
1) Thank God for His goodness to me, right where I am, regardless of my own circumstances.
2) Pray for my own heart to be softened to Him so that I will humbly continue to pursue Him.
3) Pray for my brother or sister who has been deceived into thinking they could do it without Him.

P) Father, You are so good to me; may Your grace never cease to amaze me. Continue to give me a humble heart, Lord, so that I am constantly aware of Your goodness and my need for You. Remind me that I am dependent on You for everyting, because I am a limited creation and that's exactly how You intended it to be. Holy Spirit, continue to call out to my brothers and sisters who have fallen away from You, God. Draw them in, to the Father, and remind them of His compassion and loving-kindness and mercy. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

SOAP 08/08/2011; John 10:10

Today's reading: Jeremiah 1, 2; John 10

S) "¹⁰ 'The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.'"
    

John 10:10 (NASB)

O) I often find that people are reluctant to follow Jesus because they don't want to be "sheep" who are following a leader without question, and going with the crowd without hesitation. In fact, the term "sheep" is often used negatively to describe a man who won't think for himself. What people often miss, though, is that there is absolutely a an enemy who is a thief and a wolf, and compared to that enemy, we are like sheep. Against such an enemy, no man is equipped to defend himself on his own and he will lose, die, and be destroyed. The truth is, that the analogy of sheep, wolf/thief, and shepherd is incredibly apt; however, it requires humility to admit just how much the analogy applies to us all.

A) First, I need to remind myself that my enemy is seeking my downfall constantly. However, a clever wolf knows that he doesn't always have to break into the pen to get to a sheep. Sometimes, he can simply lie in wait for a sheep to wander out. I need to be sure that I'm never wandering aimlessly or alone. Second, and more directly, I need to be sure that I am listening for, and following, my Shepherd's voice so that I am being lead to prosperity and safety and life. Third, if I do find myself lost, I need to seek the Shepherd instead of trying to find safety on my own. I might run headlong into more danger if I try to return alone, as opposed to finding the Shepherd and His direct safety, and allowing Him to lead me safely home. Also, and perhaps more correctly, I need to be allow the Shepherd to find me, because if I'm lost then He is already seeking me.

P) Father, I will be a sheep in your flock. I will allow myself to be lead. Teach me to know Your voice more and more, so that I am never deceived. Thank You for this promise of life and the abundance of it. Holy Spirit, continue to work on my heart, humbling me when I fail to humble myself. Jesus, when I am lost, find me quickly, Lord. And, if it's required for my own safety and instruction, discipline me as a shepherd breaks the leg of a sheep, so that I will not wander again. Thank you for loving me so much, that you would choose to be my shepherd, even to the point that You laid down Your life for me. Lead me, God. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

SOAP 08/07/2011; Zephaniah 1:6

Today's reading: Zephaniah 1, 2, 3; John 9

S) " ⁶ And those who have turned back from following the LORD,
And those who have not sought the LORD or inquired of Him.” "

Zephaniah 1:6 (NASB)

O) So, as Christians, we're very wary of sliding back into our old lifestyles, old habits, old sins. Sliding back, i.e. backsliding, is the equivalent of how Israel and Judah would turn back from following the LORD. What really stands out to me from this verse, though, is the second line. God is telling His people how they sinned and why they are being exiled. In the same sentence as rebuking them for back-sliding, He also calls them out because they were not seeking the LORD or inquiring of Him. So, essentially, by not praying and/or not seeking God through the Word...

A) What a startling scripture, passivity and rebellion mentioned in the same sentence this way! So, instead of being a passive Christian, simply avoiding mistakes and ultimately back-sliding, I need to be proactive and really chase God. I need to seek Him and His will for my life in every facet. In prayer, I need to wait expectantly for His response. In reading the Bible, I need allow for the Holy Spirit to really highlight verses for me. I need to actively subject my heart to God so that I am humbling myself before Him, so that He can mold me into His man.

P) Father, I am Yours. Holy Spirit, prod my heart so that I never become complacent. Lord, I want Your will for my life. I am choosing to be humble before you always, and if I fail in that, then please humble me. Give me strength and endurance to chase you perpetually, all the days of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.