SOAP 01/28/2012; Psalm 12:6

Today's reading: Exodus 21,22; Psalms 12; Acts 4

S)"⁶ The words of the LORD are pure words;
As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times."

Psalm 12:6 (NASB)

O) I don't know much about silver refining (or any refining, really), but I do know that at a certain point, it doesn't matter how many times it goes through the furnace. Pure silver isn't going to become more than 100% pure. The amazing thing about the God's words is that it doesn't matter how many times they are tested. Whether immediately, or after hundreds of times or thousands of years, it's never going to be shown fallable and it will always be 100% pure.

A) I take the Bible as 100% truth, because it's the recorded, tried, and proven Word. What that means is, that when I hear God telling me something, instructing or directing me, I need to put that up against the Bible. If it's truly the LORD I'm hearing, then it will match with the Bible. If it's showing some kind of inconsistency, then I need to see that as an impurity of some kind, which means I'm not hearing God completely or clearly. I need to be 100% sure that what I am hearing is the LORD. If it's pure, I can bank on it.

P) Father, I continue to speak to me. Holy Spirit, purify my heart and mind so that I can hear the Father clearly. Let me always test the words I hear carefully to determine if it's actually You, LORD. If I am hearing You clearly, then help me to act accordingly. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/27/2012; Exodus 18:18

Today's reading: Exodus 17,18,19,20; Acts 3

S)"¹⁸ You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone."

Exodus 18:18 (NASB)

O) Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, gives him some wise counsel with a warning and there are a few things to take away from this. First, take counsel from people! Jethro is also respectful of Moses' position and service to God, and in the following verses he backs it up with qualifiers like, "if God so commands," which is good, because all counsel we receive should still be held up to what the Bible says, and we should consider it prayerfully. Second, this advise is still sound for every person who ministers in any capacity. We can't do it all alone, we need to have help of some kind. The more people to whom you are ministering, the more help you will need. Delegating cannot be under-valued. It's hard to find good help, but it should still be sought. Third, and this is a very telling realization - Moses was a very humble man, the most humble on earth. He already needed help. He openly says so, when he tells God he cannot speak to Pharaoh alone, and quite literally in the physical sense, just in Exodus 17, when he needs Aaron and Hur to hold up his arms in worship while Joshua is fighing Amalek. In all his humility, and his experience in needing help, he still misses that he needs help in this way as well.

A) I don't know why Moses wasn't asking for help, but I know why I sometimes don't... I make an effort to proactively humble myself, but sometimes I miss areas where I need to be humble. Asking for help is one of them. It's not from an area of arrogance, where I think I can still do it despite obvious failings. It's more like a fear, that if I admit I can't do it the task will be taken from me completely. I need to realize two things. First, I need to be humble enough to remember that it's not about me. If God takes a task from me, then it must be in the best interest of the people involved. God is good, and what He does is good. If it hurts my pride, then maybe that's the whole point, right...? Second, I must remember and believe that if a responsibility or task or job is taken from me, even if that part of the circumstance is not according to God's direct will, that He still works all circumstances for my good, according to Romans 8:28.

P) Father, let me humble myself before You and give up whatever control I think I have. Continue to strip away any arrogance in me, but also any fear that is driven by insecurity and, ultimately, by pride. Holy Spirit, continue to reveal to me, areas where I am prideful without realizing it. Help me to trust and believe that Your will is good; help me especially when it's not what I want. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/26/2012; Acts 2:42

Today's reading: Exodus 14,15,16; Acts 2

S)"⁴² They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

Acts 2:42 (NASB)

O) It's funny when I run into people, claiming to be Christians, yet they don't exhibit a single one of the traits above. I used to even be that guy, myself. The remarkable thing about these 4 basic disciplines is that they balance eachother so well. By that, I mean that it's hard to do just one and maintain that, but when you're doing all 4 it's much easier to maintain them all. Reading the Word and prayer are still pretty straight-forward. I did find it interesting that "fellowship" and "breaking of bread" are separated, because a lot of Christians today think of fellowship as breaking bread (eating) with other believers. I really think it's actually referring to congregating, e.g., going to church and being a part of corporate worship and Sunday school -type classes, and discussion groups, etc.

A) For myself, I don't know if there's a single part of these disciplines that needs to be strengthened more than the others, but I am trying to get a little better with each of them. Reading the Word (apostles' teaching) has been a consistent part for me, over the last several months. While I am consistent in some prayer, I don't think that's focused enough. I want to start praying more regularly with the purpose of listening for God. The breaking bread is pretty solid; Kristin and I have people over for dinner 2 or 3 nights a week... but the fellowship... while I go to church regularly, I'm finding myself wanting to get more involved with peers, and less as a teacher, per se. I should look for more opportunities (even create them) to get more involved with the men in my church, or other young-ish couples.

P) Father, I want to follow in Your disciplines. I want to be shaped as the son You intend me to be. Help me to take, and even make, opportunity to strengthen all of these basic disciplines - even in studying Your words, God. Holy Spirit, remind me to slow things down and be deliberate in prayer and study. Make me aware of how or where to take action to get involved in fellowship with others. Continue shaping me and edifying all parts of my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/25/2012; Acts 1:26

Today's reading: Exodus 12,13; Psalms 21; Acts 1

S)"²⁶ And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles."

Acts 1:26 (NASB)

O) This is the last place in the Bible that refers to casting or drawing lots to make a decision according to God's will. No one knows exactly what took place when doing this, except it was some form of determination that would otherwise be left to chance (e.g., dice, flipping a coin, drawing sticks, etc.). There are a few interesting points about this, to me. The first, is that this last event took place before the Bible was actually completed as the holy, infallable, unchanging Word that it is now and has been known to us for over 2000 years unchanged. The second thing I noticed, was that this was just days before the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

A) I find it terribly interesting that modern day Christians are so quick to dismiss casing lots as an outdated, archaic, unreliable, and pointless practice. I hear things like, "Now that we have the Bible, we don't need it." or comments like, "Since we now have the indwelling Holy Spirit, promised through Christ and given to every Christian, God can speak to us directly." While I recognize the truth in such points of view, I can't help but hear something... an underlying tone... it seems like disbelief... Don't get me wrong, I don't know if my own faith is strong enough to base my decisions on the flip of a coin or the roll of a die - expecting that God will control the outcome. But it's an interesting thought about stretching my faith. I don't know exactly how to apply this Scripture, except to remind myself of the blessings I have in the intimacy I share with the LORD, through the Holy Spirit upon me and within me.

P) Father, increase my faith to believe that You can, and even will affect such physical objects as dice or flipping a coin if I needed to hear from You with no other way. Otherwise, LORD, thank You for redeeming me. Thank You for forgiveness and establishing righteousness within me and for Your Holy Spirit upon me. Speak to me Your will directly, whether through visions or dreams or the Word, or even audibly. Help my unbelief, so I don't miss anything You are doing. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/24/2012; Exodus 10:26

Today's reading: Exodus 9,10,11; Luke 24

S)"²⁶ Therefore, our livestock too shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind, for we shall take some of them to serve the LORD our God. And until we arrive there, we ourselves do not know with what we shall serve the LORD."

Exodus 10:26 (NASB)

O) There's no doubt that, given the circumstances, Moses was trying to make his case as to why the Israelites needed to bring all of their possessions with them (as opposed to leaving their cattle behind, as Pharaoh had suggested). Having said that, there was still truth in the statement that Moses didn't know what to expect once the people were delivered. God had certainly not given him any further instructions or insight. He was focused on the task at hand: freeing the Israelites. He was doing the best he could to prepare for what God would have them doing once they were free, but he wasn't concerned with planning that out at this time.

A) I'm not a planner by nature, but I sometimes feel a pressure to be one. There is a fine line between being irresponsible and acting in faith. Sometimes I worry that people will mistake my trust in the LORD and my faith in what I cannot see (not just God Himself, but my future as well), with a capriciousness or arrogance. I need to have confidence and be encouraged that I am not the first one asked to do this. I'm facing a move coming up, an exodus of my own, if you will. This Summer, we're moving back to WA and I'm still not sure what's supposed to happen when I get there. I need to continue seeking God's will, but I can't let doubt creep in. If God doesn't reveal my next step until I'm already there, that does not invalidate my current step.

P) Father, I put my trust in You and You alone. You hold my life in Your hands and my future, security, finances, health, prosperity, protection, career, ministry, and education - all of it - are according to Your will. You are good and so is Your will for me. Let me have confidence in my weakness, for You are strong. Let me have confidence in my blindness, for You see all. Protect me from doubt or worry and let me put all my cares upon You. I will seek first, Your kingdom and righteousness, and let everything else be added to me, according to Your promise in Matthew 6:33. Holy Spirit, reveal to me the Father's plan, according to His will for what I should know. Let me continue to seek, but to be satisfied in what is revealed to me thus far. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/23/2012; Exodus 6:10-12

Today's reading: Exodus 6,7,8; Luke 23

S)"¹⁰ Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ¹¹ 'Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the sons of Israel go out of his land.' ¹² But Moses spoke before the LORD, saying, 'Behold, the sons of Israel have not listened to me; how then will Pharaoh listen to me, for I am unskilled in speech?'"

Exodus 6:10-12 (NASB)

O) Moses was assuming that his difficulties in speech were proven to be too inhibiting with his inability to convince the Israelites. He was not considering a few factors.
1. He was the one who spoke to the Israelites, while it was to be Aaron who spoke before Pharaoh.
2. There was, in fact, a different audience he and Aaron would be addressing.
3. Most importantly, God commanded him to do it. Whether or not it was successful was irrelevant.

A) Too often, I'm tempted to compare my past accomplishments and failures with what God is placing in front of me. While there is sure wisdom in learning from mistakes, as well as learning from successes, I cannot tie them together with future events. Only God knows what is coming and how things will play out. I am not God. I need to trust that He is asking me to do His will, and His will is good. Even if I do not accomplish what I thought was the goal, if my goal is simply obedience, then I will succeed, regardless of the results of my actions.

P) Father, help me be obedient, regardless of my past experience. Remind me that my past does nto dictate my futre - only You do that. Holy Spirit, speak the will of the Father clearly to me, so that I will not mistake what I am instructed to do. I commit to obedience regardless of how I view my chances of success, or even what success will be. Let me be satisfied in obedience. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/22/2012; Exodus 5:22-23

Today's reading: Exodus 3,4,5; Luke 22

S)" ²² Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, 'O Lord, why have You brought harm to this people? Why did You ever send me? ²³ Ever since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done harm to this people, and You have not delivered Your people at all.'"

Exodus 5:22-23 (NASB)

O) Later on in the Bible, Moses is described as the most humble man alive (Numbers 12:3), and this is indeed, a humble start to his life's mission. He always had a heart for his people, and didn't like seeing them struggle. God calls him to a ministry that will do something about it, it's a calling that fits his passion, and he struggles mightily, immediately. If you've ever seen the classic movie, "Ten Commandments" then you know how the story ends, but it's important to remember the humble beginnings. God never ensures us every victory, He only ensures us the final or maybe, more accurately, the sum total victory.

A) Learning how to take a loss is hard. It's hard in sports (the 49ers lost the NFC Championship a few hours ago), it's hard in board games, it's hard as an adult, it's hard as a child. Learning how to take a loss is one of the ultimate tests of humilty. I have failed this test many times, but I've also managed a passing grade or two. I make a deliberate point to humble myself and one of the ways to do that is to accept that even a loss, even an important one - like in ministry - can still be by God's design. Or, even at the very least, it can serve His purpose.

P) Father, let me accept that You know more than I do. Your ways are not my ways. Help me trust that if You give an instruction, a directive to me, that it's my job to obey - but that doesn't mean it will work like I think it will work. Holy Spirit, speak to me the will of the Father, especially after going through an apparent loss. Help me see the bigger picture and to learn the next step. Guide me in continual obedience, even when I cannot see the eventual outcome. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.