SOAP 02/03/2012; Exodus 36:3

Today's reading: Exodus 35,36; Acts 10

S)"³ They received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary. And they still continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning."

Exodus 36:3 (NASB)

O) The people making these contributions, they weren't actually doing to work of construction. They were supporting this ministry financially, which was not their own ministry. What's remarkable, is that they continued to support if financially, of their own free will, right on through till the morning. In fact, in the following verses, Moses has to tell them to stop, because they had too much!

A) Unfortunately, as a youth pastor, I didn't always get the financial support I wished I had. Part of that is my own shortcoming, but whatever the cause, the effect was that Kristin and I had to generate around 80% of the finances we ever needed. As a result, I sometimes feel like I should reserve whatever funding I have for ministries that are directly involving me. I sometimes feel like I need to "save it" for my own ministry... this is just plain wrong! I can't look at it that way. I need to give freely, especially to ministries that are not my own. I need to repent for being selfish, and from now on, prayerfully consider whether or not to give to another ministry.

P) Father, forgive me for being selfish about my ministries and the funds I plan for them. Change my heart to be compassionate about other ministries, especially when they are not my normal passion. Help me to continue to see all of the money I have as Your money, and consult You about spending it. Holy Spirit, lead me in all my giving, so I know it will go to Your purposes. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/02/2012; Psalm 16:2

Today's reading: Exodus 33,34; Psalms 16; Acts 9

S)"² I said to the LORD, 'You are my Lord;
I have no good besides You.'"

Psalm 16:2 (NASB)

O) The concept of lordships is fairly lost in today's world. Back in time, you would serve a lord or pay him tribute, but not out of fear of the lord. It was because, in return, that lord would offer protection and provision in times of need.

A) God is my Lord, not simply because I submit myself to His rule, but because He offers me everything good! Whatever is healthy, enjoyable, satisfying, secure, edifying, nurturing - whatever is good - it comes from Him, and Him alone. It's important that I continue to make deliberate declarations that I have no good besides the LORD.

P) Father, You are my Lord; I have no good besides You. Let this be my continual prayer, in Jesus' name. Amen.

SOAP 02/01/2012; Exodus 31:14

Today's reading: Exodus 30,31,32; Acts 8

S)"¹⁴ Therefore you are to observe the sabbath, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people."

Exodus 31:14 (NASB)

O) Jesus said in Mark, chapter 2, that the sabbath is made for man, not man for the sabbath. He made it clear, throughout His ministry, that it is, in fact, okay to work on the sabbath. So, when I read this passage, I see a different tone in it. It still seems to hold some truth in it's result, but not as a pronouncement of punishment, so much as a consequence. The sabbath was still made for us, so we should take it as the gift that it is. If our refusal to observe the sabbath would result in death, then our deliberate observence would result in life. Jesus cleared away the death sentence, but did He also clear away the life-giving of this rest? I don't think He did.

A) As a staff member at my church, it's easy to forget what it's like, just being an average pew warmer. Sunday is most assuredly, not a day of rest for me. But, it's still important that I retain a day of rest as much as possible, each week. Saturday is the next logical choice, since I work M-F. Besides, that's the historical sabbath anyway. While I can still work on Saturdays, whether cleaning up around the house or helping some one move, I think I should still avoid it. The solution isn't to simply put everything off, though. When God provided manna, He ordered Israel to collect twice as much on the 6th day, so that they would have some for the sabbath. I need to be sure that I am getting things done early, instead of putting them off in the name of rest (or any other reason, really).

P) Father, continue to work laziness out of me. Shape me by Your discipline, Father, so that I am working ahead of schedule, so that I can responsibly take a day of rest. Holy Spirit, show me the areas where I need to improve. Help me prioritize my work and get things done ahead of time, so that I can enjoy the rest You intend me to have. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/31/2012; Exodus 28:3

Today's reading: Exodus 28,29; Acts 7

S)"³ You shall speak to all the skillful persons whom I have endowed with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister as priest to Me."

Exodus 28:3 (NASB)

O) There's a progression here. First, creativity is God-given in the most literal sense. It's funny how a lot of people use that term, "God-given" without giving it real consideration. From that concept, there are two things that should happen.
A) Humility. The world wants us to take full credit for our own creativity, when all inspiration is truly from God. It's good to be happy with a job well-done, but not for your own sake.
B) Service. God isn't random and He doesn't do things without purpose. He gives skills and talents to be used with specific purpose. It's good that your work would please you, but you are not the target audience.

A) I feel like I'm a creative person in a few areas. The most obvious application of this verse, to me, is in my drumming. When I wasn't serving God, I was trying to use my abilities to serve myself, by making it big in a band. The music industry is very clear that if you don't believe you are the best, you don't belong. It cultivates a ruthless and unapologetic arrogance. I was hyper-critical and judgemental of every drummer I ever heard, and I hated hearing a drummer that was clearly better than me. I would pick apart every flaw I could find. It was terrible.
When God rescued me from that dysfunctional mindset, and He broke down my pride, it was so incredibly freeing! It's a joy to serve God with my drumming (playing on the worship team at church). It's a joy to see other drummers play. When they're still developing, I love to help them if I can. When they're clearly better than me, it's awesome to appreciate their talent and skill, a blessing to enjoy it (especially live!).
Pride still creeps sometimes, but it's a lot easier to squash it when I remind myself that God made me, and anything positive about me, and I belong to Him in every area of my life.

P) Father, continue to break down my pride and help me combat it proactively. Holy Spirit, help me continue developing the gifts I've been given. I want to be used by You, however You see fit, LORD. I never want my pride to get in the way. Help me explore my creativity in You, God, to be used for Your glory. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/30/2012; Acts 6:3

Today's reading: Exodus 25,26,27; Acts 6

S)"³ Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task."

Acts 6:3 (NASB)

O) I've written a few times about trusting the LORD for promotion and being careful of ambition. With that in mind, it's important that we are still keeping ourselves worthy of consideration for positions of authority or leadership. Being full of the Spirit is a given, but to take that concept further, it's also helpful and commendable to be baptized in the Holy Spirit (see Acts 1:5 and 8:16).  Having wisdom is crucial to leadership, and going hand-in-hand with that is humility (which leads to wisdom). The really tricky part for me here, though, is the good reputation. It's a tough balance to ensure you have a good reputation, without worrying about what people think about you.

A) Instead of gauging my reputation by what people think of me, I need to gauge my reputation on being reputable. This is an internal evaluation of how I stack up with the man God is calling me to be. The important factor is to be sure that I am projecting an honest portrayal of myself, and I'm not holding up any facade. If I'm reputable, then a good reputation will follow.

P) Father, help me to let go of any concern for how I am perceived that is from a wrong motive. Help me continue to humble myself and where I fail, humble me directly. Let the image I project be honest and transparent, LORD, and let people see me for who I am. Holy Spirit, continue to lead me in growing into the man I should be, according to the will of the Father. Let me focus on being reputable, so that men of God will see a good reputation. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/29/2012; Acts 5:1-2

Today's reading: Exodus 23,24; Psalms 14; Acts 5

S)"¹ But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, ² and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet."

Acts 5:1-2 (NASB)

O) The Bible says that the man is the head of the wife (Ephesians 5:23), so when a marriage fails, I tend to blame the husband. This story of Ananias and Sapphira is no different. The piece that seems so telling to their failing, and Ananias' failing as the husband, is where it says "with his wife's full knowledge..." What I think this is really indicating, is that Ananias used his wife's acquiescence as permission. I think a lot of men, husbands, do this to their detriment. It is dooming for a man to act unrighteously because his wife is being an enabler. It's immature and irresponsible, also, to blame the enabler. Even if it was his wife's idea in the first place, as the husband, he must be able to determine what is right before God and have the integrity to see righteousness fulfilled. He didn't #MANUP116 and I believe his wife's blood was on his hands.

A) This is just another example of how I must be able to lead my wife. Sometimes we'll rationalize unjust or irresponsible behaviors because we're both basically giving the other person permission. This is usually manifested with food we shouldn't be eating or money we shouldn't be spending. And, despite the fact that we both know that we should be acting with more restraint, or self-control, or responsibility... even though we know this equally it is still my duty, my charge, even my purpose to step up and stand firm for what is right. I need to be "the bad guy" - which is terrible for two reasons. First, it's actually being the good guy. Second, my wife loves me when I take that kind of leadership. She wants me to be firm in righteousness, even when - or especially when - it's telling her that we shouldn't do something.

P) Father, help me step up my game, here LORD. I need to lead my wife in righteousness. I need to be her head and stand firm in righteousness. Help me tell her no, even when we both want something. Even to say, especially when we both want something that we shouldn't have. Help us continue to put our money in Your hands, and ask how You want it to be spent. Help us continue to view food as sustenance and not therapy. Holy Spirit, strengthen me to do the right thing for my own sake, and for my wife's sake, and for our marriage's sake. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.