SOAP 02/11/2012; Leviticus 15:12

Today's reading: Leviticus 15,16,17; Acts 18

S)"¹² However, an earthenware vessel which the person with the discharge touches shall be broken, and every wooden vessel shall be rinsed in water."

Leviticus 15:12 (NASB)

O) This isn't the first place that there is an instruction for an unclean earthenware vessel, but for whatever reason, it stood out to me this morning. This verse (and the few mentioned before this), show that an unclean earthenware vessel cannot be cleaned. I know this from a modern perspective, because things like bacteria or mold will get into the material itself. So, with no effective way to clean it, it had to be smashed. What stood out to me this morning, though, is all of the other verses in the Bible that describe us as clay pots in the hands of a potter... it's mentioned a few times (Isaiah 45:9, Lamentations 4:2, 2 Corinthians 4:7).

A) If I am to consider myself as an earthen vessel, for all of the other reasons associated in Scripture, then I also need to remember the above verse. As an earthen vessel, if I become unclean, I deserve to be shattered! I am not supposed to have any way to become clean again, yet through Christ, that's exactly what the Father has done. With man, it's impossible to clean an earthenware vessel, but with God, He can re-create me as a new, clean vessel.

P) Father, forgive me of my sins. Don't just clean me, Lord, make me a new vessel. Let me honor You as the creation You mean me to be. Holy Spirit, remind me of this verse and principle often, that on my own I cannot make myself clean. Remind me that I need You, LORD, to remake me as a completely new, clean vessel. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/10/2012; Acts 17:30-31

Today's reading: Leviticus 13,14; Acts 17

S)"³⁰ Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, ³¹ because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead."

Acts 17:30-31 (NASB)

O) God is no longer overlooking ignorance... however difficult that was to hear 2000 years ago, it's even more difficult now. Why is God no longer overlooking ignorance? Because the Son was crucified and resurrected, paying the price for sins not His own. The price is paid, so no there is no excuse for staying away from our Creator. Not even ignorance will get us out of this one. The evangelical work of the church is nearing its end, when all of mankind will truly have heard of Jesus and what He did. Maybe it has reached its end; certainly in all but the remotest parts of the world. To continue on, as if there is some uncertainty found in the validity of Christ's diety and redemption, is ignorance in the most literal sense. It's ignoring the plain truth.

A) I'm afraid that in today's world, even today's "Christian" world, we don't want to hear about a God who will judge us. People have always wanted to serve God on their own terms, but that's just not going to work in the end. When I read in the above verse, He will judge me in righteousness through Jesus, that gets my attention. There is no higher standard than Jesus. I fail miserably, in my own efforts. When He comes to judge, I need to be found in Christ. Outside of Him, I will be found guilty.

P) Father, let me be found in Christ! Holy Spirit, strengthen me to preserve the righteousness that is given to me. I know that in my flesh I am a guilty failure, but in repentance, obedience, and faith, I am called holy because You are holy. Let me walk in righteous fear of You, LORD. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/09/2012; Acts 16:25

Today's reading: Leviticus 10,11,12; Acts 16

S)"²⁵ But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;"

Acts 16:25 (NASB)

O) There are a few layers to this verse, where everything hinges. First, in the middle of their unjustified imprisonment, Paul and Silas choose to worship instead of protest. Worship is difficult in circumstances much less trying, and here they are beat up and chained, and they're worshiping. Second, all the prisoners were listening, but I'm sure (at this point) not all all the prisoners are Christians. Granted, they didn't have much choice (where else could they go?), but some, at least, were choosing to listen in, rather than zoning it out. As a result of their worship, Paul and Silas are freed. As a result of their worship, and the prisoners being in proximity, the other prisoners are also freed (v.26). Then, this third thing happens... after Paul and Silas and the others are unbound, the jailor is ready to commit - whatever the Roman version of a samurai's sepaku is (v.27) - when he is stopped by Paul because no one has escaped (v.28). Now, here's the $64,000 question: Why didn't the other prisoners leave? I mean, we can all reason fairly well why Paul and Silas might've stuck around, but what about these other convicts and low-lifes? What motivation would they have to listen to Paul's instructions to stay, when they've been given a free opening to make a break for it? Mulling this over, I can only come to one reason: because they were listening to the prayers and hymns of Paul and Silas. See, because they had witnessed Paul and Silas worshiping God, despite their circumstance, they were also able to see this was a deliverence from the LORD. In the face of such a display of the LORD's power, and given the evangelic nature Paul had, I have no doubt every one of those prisoners was then converted, even though the Bible doesn't specify. Had Paul and Silas prayed and worshiped silently, or even in muted voices, so as to not disturb anyone, then when the earthquake strikes, would the other prisoners even consider that the LORD had done it? It wasn't just the integrity and faithfulness that set Paul and Silas free, also saving the jailor and the prisoners, it was their boldness with their worship.

A) I feel like I'm humble enough to worship in tough circumstances. I'm also humble enough to realize I haven't seen any of the toughest circumstances. One area where I still have room for improvement is in my PDW (Public Display of Worship). I have seen many miracles in my life and upon my family, and those can serve as effective evidence to the power of God and the redemption of Jesus Christ. But, the circumstances and changes in my life become even more powerful witnesses to the LORD when others are able to see them as a direct result of my acts of worship. It's an extension of glorifying God, to praise Him before the miracle. Then when it comes, there is little room for doubt.

P) Father, increase my boldness! Let me worship You, absolutely unhindered. Holy Spirit, move upon me in my times of worship, especially in my public displays of worship. Let me be bold, not just when I'm around other believers, but also when I feel imprisoned by those who do not yet know the truth of Your saving grace. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/08/2012; Leviticus 8:1-3

Today's reading: Leviticus 7,8,9; Acts 15

S)" ¹ Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ² 'Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments and the anointing oil and the bull of the sin offering, and the two rams and the basket of unleavened bread, ³ and assemble all the congregation at the doorway of the tent of meeting.'"

Leviticus 8:1-3 (NASB)

O) I was trying to find a single verse that represented what's happening in chapters 8 and 9. In chapter 8, Moses goes through all of the ordinances that the LORD commanded him in order to consecrate Aaron and his sons, the priests. Then, after their consecration, in chapter 9 they perform the sacrifices to redeem the rest of the people. The important factor that was kept coming to mind was that the sacrifices for the people happened only after the consecration of the priests. It's a similar concept to the emergency orders on an airplane; you must secure your own oxygen mask before you can help anyone else, including your own children.

A) Along the same lines as leading by example, I need to be sure that I am pursuing holiness, preserving righteousness, before I can even hope that my wife and children will do the same. Even more pointedly, I cannot truly help to that end if I am not watching my own actions carefully. I need to be walking in repentence, honoring His redemptive work, in order to minister to my family.

P) Father, help me prioritize and maintain the righteousness You've given me as my number one concern. Let me trust in Your way, knowing that by keeping my life and relationship with You in good order, then I will be able to help my family in their pursuit of relationship with You, in their worship, devotion, and prayers. Holy Spirit, continue to direct me so that I can be an effective priest to my family, able to minister to them how You see fit. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/07/2012; Leviticus 5:17

Today's reading: Leviticus 4,5,6; Acts 14

S)"¹⁷ “Now if a person sins and does any of the things which the LORD has commanded not to be done, though he was unaware, still he is guilty and shall bear his punishment."

Leviticus 5:17 (NASB)

O) There is no such thing as a victimless crime and there is no such thing as a harmless sin. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the redemption of all who will repent. But realizing that God doesn't change, we see from the above verse, then, that there is a need to repent from our unintentional, or even unknown sins. How important it is, then, that we ask God to reveal to us the sins we do not recognize. In several Psalms, the writer asks God to search his heart and reveal hidden things to him (see Psalm 19:12; 90:8; 139:23, 24). I don't believe we have to list every sin we commit, asking for forgiveness from each one, because repentence is more like a condition of the heart than a momentous act (see Matthew 3:8); but it's clear that even forgiven sins can carry natural consequences that aren't simply erased because of forgiveness. So, even if we are keeping in repentence, and God is forgiving us of our sins that we cannot see, it's still very important that we are asking Him to show us all our faults, so that we know where we need correction, discipline, and change.

A) I feel very blessed to have a wife who is as highly sensitive as she is; it has helped me in two areas. First, it has simply helped me become more sensitive to others, realizing how my actions can complicate a situation or aggrivate a tension, etc. Second, she is able to help me find sins and faults in myself that I might otherwise not see. Having said that, I feel like I sometimes assume I'm aware of all my mistakes, when the truth is, that's still an arrogant statement disguised as humility. Even though I've learned tact through my marriage, and I've learned to look at a broader impact of my own actions, that's still limited through the perspective of man (or woman, albeit a very wise woman). I still need to make deliberate inquiries to the LORD to reveal anything else that might have gone unnoticed.

P) Father, forgive me of my sins, both known and unknown. Let me continue to humble myself, keeping in repentance, and realizing that I may not even be able to see some of my sins, unless You reveal them to me directly. Holy Spirit, search my heart and show my my errors. Reveal to me all of my sins, so that I can correct my actions in the future, and so that I can address whatever earthly consequences may have come as a result of my sins. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/06/2012; Leviticus 2:13

Today's reading: Leviticus 1,2,3; Acts 13

S)"Every grain offering of yours, moreover, you shall season with salt, so that the salt of the covenant of your God shall not be lacking from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt."

Leviticus 2:13 (NASB)

O) See? Even the Bible says you should season your food while it's cooking! :)
Seriously, though, this is the first mention (of 3) in the Bible of the "salt covenant" concept. Historically speaking, salt was a common symbol of endurance and strength of a covenant between two people, often between former enemies. The characteristics of salt (purity, preservation, and even healing) were relevant to a strong covenant. This also starts to bring new meaning to the words Jesus spoke, telling us we are the "salt of the earth." As His disciples, we are the binders, the very characteristics and embodiment of God's greatest covenant with the earth - the reconcilliation of Creator and creation. In the above verse, God wants His people to realize that their grain offerings (and indeed all their offerings, Numbers 18:19) should not be taken lightly. They needed to know that this new system needed to have all of the respect and loyalty they could possibly give to it.

A) While the redemptive work of Jesus removed the need for constant sacrifices, I still make sacrifices to God. There is the obvious monetary sacrifice of my tithe. There are also acts of giving mony or my time, fasting from food or entertainment, etc. I need to take all of these with the utmost respect and awareness. While they are not as vital as my actual salvation, given by Jesus' own sacrifice, they are nevertheless small covenants I am making with the LORD and I need to add salt, to help me acknowledge that my God is awesome, and I should therefore be in awe of our every interaction.

P) Father, words fail to describe how truly good You are to me. I cannot even truly comprehend Your vast love. But let me know that it is inifinite. In every way, help me to see You with awe, and let me acknowledge with amazement, how wonderful it is to have communion and covenant with You. Holy Spirit, remind me to salt my sacrifices. Let me never take any of the things of God lightly. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/05/2012; Exodus 39:43

Today's reading: Exodus 39,40; Psalms 15; Acts 12

S)"⁴³ And Moses examined all the work and behold, they had done it; just as the LORD had commanded, this they had done. So Moses blessed them."

Exodus 39:43 (NASB)

O) The phrase "just as the LORD had commanded" appears 15 times between these last two chapters of Exodus. That phrase just resonated in my head after reading these and it seems obvious that it was important to drive that point home, when Moses was writing all of this down. Following exact instructions can be hard; it can be a lot harder than a lot of people realize. If there were ever instructions that are particularly important to follow exactly, they are the instructions from the LORD. Not only can we be blessed by the minister who is relaying the instruction of the LORD, but God will bless us Himself, because His instructions are good for us.

A) I'm pretty sure I failed that test in Middle School when they give you the quiz and at the top it tells you to read the entire thing before answering, and then the last question tells you not to write down any answers. I can be pretty impatient, especially when I feel like I already know the answer, or I already know what some one is trying to teach me. It is especially important with the things of God that I give every lesson its proper attention. I can feel very comfortable with some material, topic, or even an entire curriculum, but if it's worth hearing once, it's worth hearing again. I can't let impatience or arrogance lead to a failure to follow instruction.

P) Father, help me slow down and be patient. Humble me when I fail to humble myself, so that I am able to receive instruction or rebuke; I want to be teachable. Holy Spirit, give me the instruction of the LORD. Let me be obedient and do everything just as the LORD had commanded. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/04/2012; Psalm 19:7

Today's reading: Exodus 37,38; Psalms 19; Acts 11

S)" ⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple."

Psalm 19:7 (NASB)

O) I love avocados. They're considered a bit of a "super-food" because they're very healthy, with lots of vitamins, a high amount of "good fats" and plenty of calories. Plus, they're delicious! The Word is often described as spiritual food, and here, we see that it's actually like a spiritual super-food!

A) There are a lot of good books out there. Righteous and wise, brothers and sisters, writing deep spiritual truths that will truly edify. The problem, though, is when I'm reading some of those books and looking to them more than looking in the Word itself. I need to remember that the Bible is perfect for restoring my soul and giving wisdom to my simple mind.

P) Father, continue to reshape my mind and give me spiritual health through Your words, God. Holy Spirit, remind me that the Bible holds all truth. Reveal that truth to me as I study each day and let me see the things which will restore my soul; give wisdom to Your simple servant. Let me look, first to Your Word, then to other sources of wisdom or edification. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.