SOAP 01/21/2012; Psalm 88:13

Today's reading: Exodus 1,2; Psalms 88; Luke 21

S)"¹³ But I, O LORD, have cried out to You for help,
And in the morning my prayer comes before You."

Psalm 88:13 (NASB)

O) It's the sequence and severity that stood out to me in this verse. Crying out to the LORD is something that we don't do a lot, here in America. I certainly don't see it. We live in a society where desperation is quite shameful. The thing about God though, He's always our last resort. Last, because after seeking Him, we need no other help. He designed it that way, and He expects to be our last resort. The question is, "Is He our first resort?" The other thing, sequence, was that the first thing that happened was the crying out, the second thing that happened was prayer in the morning. It's almost as if there was this overnight thing going on here. Like, calamity struck, he cried out all night, and when he awoke, a little more calm, he gathered himself and prayed before the LORD. I think this might be a good sequence to follow. There is storm, then a quietting, then prayer.

A) I can't be ashamed to admit that my only hope is in the LORD. I can't be ashamed to cry out to Him. Throughout the Bible, especially in the Psalms, His people cry out for Him. How does a desperate baby get attention, help, from Mom or Dad? By crying out. A baby is never ashamed to show desperation or dependency and I can't either. After crying out, though, after my initial fervor, I need to follow that up with dedicated, deliberate prayers in the morning. Sometimes, after some of the emotion has passed, I've found myself neglecting prayer the day after being desperate before the LORD, because I don't feel the same urgency. I can't allow that. I need to be consistent and P(ray) U(ntil) S(omething) H(appens).

P) Father, You are my only hope, my only help. Let me be unashamed before You, God, as I have no other strength, deliverence, protection, provision, or blessing outside of You. Holy Spirit, guide me into more and more consistency in prayer. Give me the words to speak, when I don't know what to pray. Let me come before Your each morning in prayer. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/20/2012; Genesis 50:19-20

Today's reading: Genesis 49,50; Psalms 8; Luke 20

S)"¹⁹ But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? ²⁰ As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive."

Genesis 50:19-20 (NASB)

O) Verse 20 here, has been one of my favorite verses in the Bible since I discovered it. Joseph proved to be a great leader and one quality of a leader is wisdom. Over and over, through his story, we see his wisdom displayed. Another quality of a leader is humility, and here we see it exemplified. He's able to see God's bigger picture in his life's struggle, and sees that God had a purpose behind it all. He doesn't blame his brothers, because he sees how God used him and his circumstance for good, but he also doesn't blame God, either. He simply accepts what happened, sees how God used those circumstances, and is glad to have a part in it.

A) It's hard to accept difficult situations sometimes. In today's Christian world, I hear speakers tell me that God only wants to prosper me, I read that only my faith will inhibit my blessings, etc. I think the problem is that, while God certainly wants to bless me as His son, we can't presume to know what that will look like. While He may have plans to prosper me, how that might look along the way may be unexpected. Most of all, I need to remember that hard times may not be the result of some hidden sin of mine, or because of a lack of faith, or really have anything to do with my actions at all. God may have some other, as-yet-unknown plan going on. I need to focus on immediate obedience and allow Him to work out the other details. I need to remain humble, obtain wisdom, and pursue righteousness.

P) Father, give me Your wisdom, Lord. I don't want the wisdom of man, or my own wisdom. Let me be humble in heart and accept Your will for my present time and future, however that looks. Help me take every step and every measure to protect the righteousness I have and, if I fall, give me the strength I need to stand again and pursue Your righteous standard once more. Holy Spirit, comfort me in times of struggle. Show me the Father's will so that I can rest in the trust that His plan is in action. Show me the bigger picture, Your perspective LORD. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/19/2012; Luke 19:32

Today's reading: Genesis 47,48; Psalms 10; Luke 19

S)"³² So those who were sent went away and found it just as He had told them."

Luke 19:32 (NASB)

O) I have always been a little curious about this story. Jesus tells his disciples to go on ahead into Jerusalem to prepare for His entry. He gives them very specific instructions... and it happens exactly as He says. It's the level of detail that intrigues me. They ask for details, a contingency, and Jesus gives them the exact answers they need.

A) I've prayed about direction in my life, but sometimes I think I'm not asking enough questions from God. Or, at least, I'm not asking the right questions. I think sometimes I get satisfied with God's initial instruction, but I don't inquire further. I need to continue praying, asking, until God tells me to be satisfied, or I simply hear nothing further.

P) Father, let me inquire of You until You've told me everything I need to know. Holy Spirit, lead me, even in asking the correct questions. Give me details and let them both direct me, and confirm Your words to me. I want to know Your will intimately, so that I can perfom Your will exactly. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/18/2012; Genesis 45:5

Today's reading: Genesis 44,45,46; Luke 18

S)"⁵ Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life."

Genesis 45:5 (NASB)

O) This is such a humble statement! The story of Joseph is the epitome of compassion and his example of gentleness is incredible! I mean, how easy would it have been to hold a grudge for 20 years and put them all to death? Or even, in bitterness, rub it in their faces that his dreams were right, all those years ago? Instead, he sees that his brothers are deathly afraid of him, while he is simply elated to be reunited with them. His thoughts are not of vengence, but of mercy. His thoughts are not to harm, but to heal. He immediately wants to use his position of power and authority to restore his brothers. I imagine this is exactly how Jesus felt when He was on the cross and asked the Father to forgive His accusers.

A) In the past, I'll admit that I have had difficulties with humility, compassion, and mercy. As I began to get closer and closer to God, He started to melt my heart, and soften it. I do my best, now, not to hold grudges. If something or some one offends me, I have determined to let it go. It's hard sometimes, but in humility, I want people to know that my life is not my own. I've come a long way, but it still takes a deliberate determination to turn the other cheek. If some one wrongs me, I will not retaliate. I won't stand idly by and let my family be assaulted, or anything like that. But I am determined to see every circumstance from God's perspective and I am adamant about finding His will in any given situation.

P) Father, I want to be used for Your purposes, whatever that might look like. If You want me to sell all my possessions and work in another country, so be it. If you want me to live where people will mock and harass me, so be it. I have determined to suffer any amount of personal abuse for Your purposes, Lord. It becomes increasingly important that I am humble and seeking Your will, though, LORD. Holy Spirit, speak to me daily. Help me stay in worship everyday, in the Word everyday, and in prayer everyday, to know that I am walking according to the Father's will. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/17/2012; Luke 17:10

Today's reading: Genesis 42,43; Psalms 5; Luke 17

S)"¹⁰ So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'"

Luke 17:10 (NASB)

O) We can't let ourselves be fooled into thinking that God owes us something because we've been obedient. We can't afford to be misled into thinking that we can earn God's grace. We are indebted to Him and through that debt, we owe Him a lifetime of service. Conversely, His grace is completely free. No amount of good work will inspire God to be more gracious to us. I don't believe obedience can be sustained if it's motivated by reward.

A) I need keep a right mind about why I am obeying God. My obedience is a response to His goodness. It is founded on the humility that I do not know what is best for my life. It is rooted in the trust that God will not lead me astray. With these things in mind, I need to obey more quickly and work for Him with excellence. If He's telling me to do something, it's worth doing it right and it's worth doing it according to His timing.

P) Father, forgive me for disobedience and selfishness. Help me obey You more and more quickly, having pre-determined to trust You in humility. Help me be patient as I await Your blessings and do not let the enemy try to convince me that I deserve any amount of Your grace, especially not for my obedience, or anything else that I have done. Holy Spirit, speak instruction and direction to me according to the Father's will. Let me know when I have correctly heard Your command and when I die, let me hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant." In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/16/2012; Genesis 39:2-4

Today's reading: Genesis 39,40,41; Luke 16

S)"² The LORD was with Joseph, so he became a successful man. And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian. ³ Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that he did to prosper in his hand. ⁴ So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge."

Genesis 39:2-4 (NASB)

O) This passage doesn't say, "Joseph worked hard, so he became a successful man." Neither does it say, "Joseph was opportunistic, so he became a successful man." In fact, at no point in Joseph's ascension is there any referrence to him being a motivated individual in any fashion. It is the LORD being with him, and the wisdom he received from God, that caused his promotion. I know that working hard is important, there are plenty of examples and instructions in the Bible, but that's not what causes promotion. Promotion belongs to the LORD.

A) I struggle sometimes with a desire to be more motivated. It's often after bouts of laziness (a common struggle for me). I want to want to work hard, but I have trouble finding motivation to push myself at work. My pastor recently pointed out that, even in a perfect world (The Garden) man has to work. It's part of God's design and the notion of retirement, like so many things As Seen On TV, is not found in the Bible. The important things for me to remember is that I need to ask God for wisdom, walk in righteousness, being faithful to Him. Then I need to work with integrity, without laziness, as unto the Lord. It's okay that I'm not seeking promotion, because that's still up to God.

P) Father, please forgive me for laziness and help me combat that. Help me to remember that the most important things in life are eternal, and my career should never be my focus. Holy Spirit, continue to give me wisdom, which comes from the Father, and lead me in everything I do - even at work. Help me trust in Your provision, without worrying about promotion. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/15/2012; Genesis 37:10-11

Today's reading: Genesis 37,38; Psalms 7; Luke 15

S)"¹⁰ He related it to his father and to his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have had? Shall I and your mother and your brothers actually come to bow ourselves down before you to the ground?” ¹¹ His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind"

Genesis 37:10-11 (NASB)

O) I'd always read this verse, relative to Joseph. It's natural, since this is the genesis of his story. This morning when I read it, though, I was intrigued about Jacob's reaction. Specifically, the end of verse 11, which has shades of Mary's reactions to Gabriel, and her reaction to Jesus staying behind at the temple when He was 12. They share a common characteristic, Jacob and Mary, that they realized something bigger than them was going on. Here, his son has a dream about a circumstance that will alter the course of a nation (SPOILER: when there is a famine and Joseph is the #2 to pharoah and they come to kneal before him for help). How much of Jacob's ability to be humble and obedient during Genesis 46, had to do with him remembering his sons dream, so many years later, even after he thought his son was dead and discovered his life?

A) I need to do well to hear God when something epic is happening. I don't mean the trite, diluted, popular us of that word, either. I mean, when the course of my family, my family's family, generations upon generations - when that type of event is happening, I need to remember details; I need to be aware of dreams and peculiarities that are being set up by God. That comes through communion with His Spirit on a daily basis. That comes through knowing the Truth, the Word. It comes through prayer and supplication.

P) Father, reveal to me these important events that serve as precursors to critical moments. Prepare me by revelation for the difficult decision I will face in the future, even if it's decades from now. Holy Spirit, help me to take note, even literally, of the circumstances that You have arranged, God, to set things in motion. I want to be part of something amazing and I want my family, my children or their children or their grandchildren or... etc... to be part of something important. In the meantime, help me be obedient and attentive. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/14/2012; Genesis 34:18-19

Today's reading: Genesis 34,35,36; Luke 14

S)"¹⁸ Now their words seemed reasonable to Hamor and Shechem, Hamor’s son. ¹⁹ The young man did not delay to do the thing, because he was delighted with Jacob’s daughter. Now he was more respected than all the household of his father."

Genesis 34:18-19 (NASB)

O) In church this month, pastor Stephen is preaching on the importance of good leadership. This story, and these verses, serve as a truly cautionary tale. First of all, Shechem (the son), was a perpetrator of a violent crime. That's bad enough when you consider that "he was more respected than all the household of his father." But then, the decisions he made after his crime...? The entire city paid for that mistake. He was blinded by his lust and led his entire city to their demise. The men of the city followed his lead by his example, for they also thought the daughters of Israel were attractive... this is corruption leading corruption. This is the blind leading the blind. It does not end well.

A) It is my responsibility to my family, to be sure I am blinded by nothing. I need to ensure that I am following the lead of other righteous men (not any poor examples like Shechem's dad). I need to protect my own purity. I need to make decisions carefully and not capriciously. On the flip-side, I need to be careful who I am following. I need to be sure they are doing what I described above. Ultimately, I need to ensure that the line of leadership begins with Christ, goes through me, and then through the people behind me. It's like the 116 Clique says, "Who I follow's who they follow when they follow me."

P) Father, clear my heart and clear my eyes, God. Lead me in purity and give me wisdom to know Your will in every decision I face. Help me hear and accept wise counsel and apply what I receive. Holy Spirit, give me discernment and speak to me the Father's instruction and direction. Help me become a more effective leader for my marriage, my kids, and any other ministries I ever have. Let them follow me, following You. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.