Guest Post #1 - by Ella Cannelora; Luke 1:48

This is the SOAP that Ella wrote today. She asked me to find her a verse about Mary, mother of Jesus. This is copied verbatim...



S) "For he has had regard for the humble state of his *servint; for be hold from this time on all generations will count me blest."

Luke 1:48 (NASB)

*bondslave

O) Mary conetinued being humble so god blest her more.

A) if I get blest then I sould keep being humble.

P) Dear Jesus please make me blest and help me be humle in Jesuses name amen.

SOAP 11/12/2011; Job 37:13

Today's reading: Job 37,38; 1 Corinthians 12

S) "¹³ “Whether for correction, or for His world,
Or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen."

Job 37:13 (NASB)

O) God has His motives, but they are not always made know to us. Also, we are not always the reason behind His actions. He might be disciplining His children, or blessing His creations, or reaching out to the lost people of the world out of His compassion. It could be some combination of the three. I think it's important to acknowledge, though, that God doesn't have accidents or make mistakes. He has a cause that He is fulfilling and it's not by random chance or happenstance.

A) People generally want to know the "why" of things. I'm not always like that, but with God I tend to be more that way than with almost any other thing. I like knowing why God does things because, like all relationships, it's part of understanding who He is. I need to be sure, though, that before I ask why He has done something, I am completely grounded in the fact that He is good, and that His motives are righteous. I need to accept the fact that He may not reveal His cause and I need to trust in His plan, even if I don't get to know the reasons behind the directions He's giving me. As long as I am resolved to be obedient and humble, I think it's okay to seek out His intentions.

P) Father, I commit my life to You first. I like knowing more about Your personality and what drives the decisions You make because I feel like it helps me obey more readily. But Lord, I vow that I will not allow my pride to get in the way of Your instruction. If You have a directive for me, I will follow Your lead, even if I don't understand why You're commanding it. When I see You move, I will resolve to accept that You are holy in Your intent, and just in Your actions, even if it is beyond my comprehension. Holy Spirit, continue to guide me to do the will of the Father. I will react in the security of knowing You are good. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/11/2011; 1 Corinthians 10:13

Today's reading: Psalms 122; 1 Corinthians 9, 10, 11

S) "¹³ No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it."

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NASB)

O) There are so many key points to this verse. Really, there's a lot, but I'll try to be concise... We are, none of us, freaks. Every kid going through puberty thinks he's a weirdo. Every person who struggles with a sin thinks he's alone. "Divide and conquer" actually pre-dates Sun Tzu, because satan has been doing it for thousands of years. Getting us to feel like we are alone in our struggles is one of his primary tactics.
Also, God does not leave us to fight on our own; He's so faithful to always provide a way out. He expects us to resist temptation because He's given us the tools, resources, and strength to do it, if we'll choose to fight.
Plus also (Junie B. Jones, anyone?), fleeing from sin isn't just an option, it's often the best option! It is short-sited, silly, prideful, and stupid to subject ourselves to temptation, or to put ourselves in temptation's way, for almost any reason. There is no shame, whatsoever, for avoiding a party, a ballgame, a convenience store, or anything else, for the sake of avoiding temptation. We should be happy to tell people that we only buy slushees from the store that doesn't sell porn magazines - not because of elitism, but because we're avoiding temptation!

A) So, taking things as they are written, the first thing for me to do is to acknowledge and admit my temptations. I think this most often has opportunity or impact, when some one else is confessing to me. It's not that I shouldn't initiate confession, but it's especially important that I am holding up no facade when some one is being vulnerable with me. It's important that they know their struggle is not unique, as I also know. On that same knowledge, I cannot let feelings of being a weirdo prevent me from confession.
Next up, I need to be consistently leaning on God, seeking Him, asking Him to lead me. He is faithful to answer, I know. So, if I am genuinely seeking a way to avoid or escape temptation, I am quite certain I will find the answers He's giving.
Finally, I need to be smart about the positions I'm placing myself. I have no business in the XXX Church, because that is undue temptation to me. If there are brothers who can stand up to that, then God bless them and protect them, in Jesus' name. I need to constantly evaluate the pitfalls around me, to ensure I'm avoiding them as well as God has enabled me to... which is completely!

P) Father, thank You for being so good! How awful it would be if You simply left us each to our own devices, trying to live holy in a world so toxic. Holy Spirit, lead me away from temptation and deliver me from evil, just as You did with Jesus. He is my model, and I want to follow in His steps. His innocense was a symptom of His humility, His submission, and His carefulness of action. Help me to walk the same way, God. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/10/2011; 1 Corinthians 7:3-4

Today's reading: Job 35,36; 1 Corinthians 7,8

S) "³ The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. ⁴ The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does."

1 Corinthians 7:3-4 (NASB)

O) I often hear people say that marriage is about comprimise. I think that's false. Recently, I heard a good bit of wisdom that summed up how I feel. "Marriage isn't about comprimise, it's about sacrifice."
I agree with this much more accurately. Comprimise, to me, speaks to some kind of bargaining. Like, I'll give up "D" but only if I get to keep "A, B, and C" so I can keep somethings to make me happy. The problem, though, is that comprimise is still a selfish outlook. Marriage needs to be about sacrifice, because then it's not about you, it's about your spouse.

A) With regard to the above passage, specifically, it stood out today. I've always thought of this instruction as regarding sex, but I think it clearly goes way beyond that. My wife needs me for all sorts of things. She relies on my strength for practical, trivial things, like opening jars, moving certain furnature. She also relies on my strength for hypothetical, fantastic things, like protecting our home from ringwraiths. But my duty goes far beyond my physical abilities. In anything that my wife asks of me, I need to be willing (excepting actual sin). I need to respond as though she literally controls my body, but not under compulsion. I need to be a willing vessel to help her in all things.

P) Father, continue to change my heart. Remove selfish motives and laziness, God. Holy Spirit, remind me of this passage often, so that I have the right mindset regarding how I need to help my wife. Thank You for giving me a wife who reciprocates this principle, God. Help me honor her sacrifices and her willingness to act out of compassionate obedience. Let me never take that for granted, and always place her concerns ahead of my own. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/09/2011; 1 Corinthians 5:9-11

Today's reading: Job 34; 1 Corinthians 4,5,6

S) "⁹ I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; ¹⁰ I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. ¹¹ But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one."

1 Corinthians 5:9-11 (NASB)

O) "Don't judge me." is a phrase I've heard a lot. It's a very delicate subject and creates a lot of hard feelings, I think. Paul makes it clear that we are not supposed to judge some one who doesn't even believe in Jesus. That makes sense. On a related note, it's difficult to use the Bible to prove God exists, to some one who doesn't believe the Bible is 100% truth. This passage, though, clearly shows that we have to at least... be aware... of the behavior of other believers. As Christians, we are agreeing to hold ourselves to God's standard, realizing that we are likely to fail, even often, but that is still the righteousness toward which we strive. So, if some one is calling themselves a believer, shouldn't they also be striving to live a holy life? And if they don't, are they truly sullying the name of Jesus Christ? I think the root of it is in two things: First, a believer who is practicing sin is misrepresenting what it means to be a Christian. Second, a believer who is practicing sin is likely to lead other believers to sin.

A) My first responsibility is to ensure that I am striving to live a holy life. It's important to differentiate and say that, making a mistake, or committing an isolated sin, is going to happen. That's why we have the grace and mercy of God, though. As long as I am repentant, then I shouldn't beat myself up over a mistake. Second, I need to be very careful about... observing... the behavior of other believers. I shouldn't be eager to evaluate other people, but at the same time, I can't turn a blind eye. As I mentioned earlier, the attitude of a repentant heart is the most differentiating factor, and perhaps the very most important thing, regarding sin. That's when things get really tricky with other people, though. How do you gauge if some one else is truly repentant? So, I think the most important thing is, if an issue must be addressed, that it's done with pure love. It requires an established relationship, I think, so the person knows that I am coming to them in love. I need to offer any help that I can, rather than simple rebuke. Most importantly, I must rely on the Holy Spirit to lead me through such a volitile occasion.
Noted: I need to be sure my own attitude is right, if I am ever approached about my own sins!

P) Father, forgive me of my own sins and mistakes. God, I pray that I never have to approach some one about their own sin. Having said that, if You ever ask me to do so, please guide me carefully with Your Holy Spirit. Give me the words to speak and the right way to speak them. I pray that You would perpetually soften my heart, LORD, so that I never have a judgemental spirit. In all things, help me act out of compassion, mercy, grace, and love. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/08/2011; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

Today's reading: Job 33; 1 Corinthians 1,2,3

S) "⁴ and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, ⁵ so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. "

1 Corinthians 2:4-5 (NASB)

O) There are several places where Paul refers to his lack of skill, when it comes to speaking. What he did have, though, was faith and conviction - both at incredible levels. He saw amazing miracles because of it, and more importantly, he saw amazing salvation come to those that heard him speak. Last month, as I read through the book of Acts, one thing was clear throughout, that Paul wasn't concerned with having all of the right words. He simply told his testimony of the power of Jesus Christ and the people to whom he spoke also saw the power of the Holy Spirit at the name of Jesus Christ.

A) Too often, as I try to share the Gospel, I get tripped up on having all of the right words. I need to keep a correct mindset and remember that my words can do little to convince people. Taking that further, though, I don't want anyone convinced solely on my words! It is way to easy for that faith to be shaken. When faith is built on seeing the power of God at work, though, that testimony will establish a faith that will stand. Like Paul's ministry, I don't need to always feel a pressure to facilitate some kind of miracle, though. Simply sharing an honest account of the miracles that I, myself, have experienced and seen, that can often be enough.

P) Father, forgive me for the times I've tried to do it all myself. Help me rely on You alone, when I am trying to minister to some one. Alone, I can certainly do nothing. With You, I can do all things, but I still need to acknowledge that it is all about You working through me. Holy Spirit, lead me in all things and most importantly, lead me when I am sharing the Gospel. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/07/2011; Galatians 6:7-8

Today's reading: Job 31,32; Galatians 5,6

S) "⁷ Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. ⁸ For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."

Galatians 6:7-8 (NASB)

O) There are a few minor thoughts I had, before I hit the meat of this passage.
a. God is not mocked, so I don't need to get worked up trying to defend Him. He doesn't need my help.
b. "Karma" is a Biblical principle that the world has stolen.
c. We can't lie to God, it doesn't work. Since all blessings come from the Father (see James 1:17), we need to know that He will not bless anything that we are doing for our own personal gain. Even if it seems good for a time, we need to know that trying to gain anything in this world is futile, since the world is passing away, and it is therefore only a matter of time. Instead, the eternal, spiritual things last forever. So, we need to be working to please the Spirit of God, instead of ourselves. Sowing is like planting, or investing. It's placing a hope for the future, seeking gain or benefit later. Only the things of God's Spirit are everlasting.

A) It's easy to lose focus. It's easy to get caught up in bills, toys, holidays and birthdays, vacations, careers, etc. I need to continually put my mind in the right place to acknowledge that everything of this world will pass away. If I am doing things, trying to please myself, I will only reap destruction and dissappointment. I need to seek to please God and Him alone. All of my sowing, planting, investing, and hope need to be on Him.

P) Father, continue to refocus my life. Give me Your eternal perspective on things, Lord. Help me see Your vision for my life on a daily basis. I don't want to waste time on things that will only end up harming me anyway, or at best end as a waste of time. Holy Spirit, lead me to act according to the will of the Father. Help me to invest my time and energy and all my resources on the things of the Spirit for Your sake, God. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/06/2011; Galatians 4:8-9

Today's reading: Job 30; Psalms 120; Galatians 3,4

S) " ⁸ However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. ⁹ But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?"

Galatians 4:8-9 (NASB)

O) Whether we want to admit it or not, everyone is a slave to something. There are, first of all, those who still subscribe to religions and gods who are false (buddhism, taoism, islam, mormonism, etc). But then, even an atheist or an agngostic person is still serving some form of idolatry. Where do they spend their extra money? On sports? Videogames? A carnal vice (drugs, alcohol, sex, etc)? In what do they feel the most security for their future? Their home-ownership? Their 401k and stock options? Their "nest egg"? What do they do when they're feeling stressed, or they are uncertain of their future? ... Now if, then, those other lifeless things can be like idols and gods to the godless, like I and many Christians once held them to be, then they can still be forms of idolatry to Christians now.

A) I need to be careful not to put any god before the LORD, God Almighty. I need to make conscious efforts to prioritize my thinking and my actions. He alone is my strength and protection. He alone is my security and hope. He alone deserves my passion and time. He alone deserves my attention and devotion.

P) Father, forgive me for idolatry. You are the only true God and I need to be reminded of that from time to time. Holy Spirit, help me place my mind in order, on the goodness and salvation of the LORD. Maintain the correct fear of the LORD in me, and the correct reverence toward the LORD by me. God, I will place all of my hope and trust in You, God. I will forsake my old ways and seek You alone. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 11/05/2011; Galatians 2:18-20

Today's reading: Job 28,29; Galatians 1,2

S) " ¹⁸ For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. ¹⁹ For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. ²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."

Galatians 2:18-20 (NASB)

O) I've heard a doctrine preached that, once you get saved, you're not actually a sinner anymore. That's true, in the semantics of it. The problem, however, was that they continued to go so far as to say that, if our old self is put to death, and we're a new creation, then we're no longer sinful creatures capable of sin... In this passage, Paul clearly shows that, while our old self has been destroyed, we are fully able to rebuild him. It's kind of like a zombie. If we sin, then we're only proving that we've become a zombie and we need to get it reversed quickly. This analogy makes a lot of sense if you watch this video. It's from Acquire The Fire 2011 and, while it's specific to pornography, it applies to any sin.

A) You know, that video really breaks it down nicely; when it comes to dealing with the sin of our old behavior, there are 7 basic rules to follow.
1. Cover each other's backs (accountability, both ways)
2. Never go out after dark (know how/when you're most tempted)
3. Always be ready to fight ('nuff said!)
4. Think about what you consume (pay attention to influences of all kinds)
5. Tell your partner immediately (confession/repentance)
6. Limit contact (avoid unnecessary exposure to sin)
7. Never go near the original contamination zone (do not deliberately sin)

P) Father, forgive me for my sins. Help me keep this dire perspective. I know this analogy can seem over-the-top, but I also know that sin is a dramatic effort. I need to take it this seriously at all times. Holy Spirit, recreate a mindset to fight sin, and my old sinful nature. In You I am a new creation, Jesus. I am now enabled to live righteously; help me protect and honor that righteousness that You have given me. Help me stay pure from all sin, not just the obvious ones. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.