SOAP 02/25/2012; Mark 4:34

Today's reading: Numbers 17,18; Psalms 29; Mark 4

S)"³⁴ and He did not speak to them without a parable; but He was explaining everything privately to His own disciples."

Mark 4:34 (NASB)

O) I recently saw this video of a kid watching Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back for the first time. Watching his reaction to the daddy Darth Vader reveal was really cool. It reminded of Kristin asking me once, and me really noting for the first time, that I have no memory of not knowing who Darth Vader really is. With 2 older brothers, and having watched those movies since I was - well, since whenever we got a VCR and they came out on video. In a similar way, sometimes it's hard for me to remember that these parables Jesus spoke were actual mysteries. Growing up reading the Bible I've known most of these stories about Jesus, virtually my whole life. But, like a trivia question, sometimes the answer seems clear, only because you've already read the answer; it seems like everyone else should know it, but it usually only seems that way because you already know...

A) As I said, a lot of the parables in the Gospels seem obvious to me now, but as an adult - especially this last year - I've come accross plenty of mysteries in the Bible. Jesus doesn't change, though (Hebrews 13:8), and while there is sure wisdom to be found with faithful men, some truths about God and His Word are told simply by spending time with Jesus. I need to remember to pray before I read the Word each day, and pray afterward, for clarity and His knowledge. I need Jesus to continue to reveal the deeper things of His word, through the Holy Spirit, so I can know everything God is trying to teach me.

P) Father, Your wisdom knows no depth, Your power knows no height, Your blessing knows no breadth. Continue to reveal Your will to me, LORD, through the Scriptures. Holy Spirit, give me discernment, clarity, wisdom, and knowledge through the verses I read each day, according to the will of the Father. Jesus, teach me personally the ways of the Father. In Your name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/24/2012; Numbers 14:44-45

Today's reading: Numbers 14,15,16; Mark 3

S)"⁴⁴ But they went up heedlessly to the ridge of the hill country; neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses left the camp. ⁴⁵ Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down, and struck them and beat them down as far as Hormah."

Numbers 14:44-45 (NASB)

O) One of the oldest forms of pride is the belief that we can do it on our own, without God. Sometimes it's born out of rebellion that we don't want to do it God's way. Sometimes it's born out of regret, for not obeying the way we should have, and now we're missing a blessing - like the Isrealites here. Regardless of why, the end result is the same - disaster.

A) God's timing is just as important as His method. I need to pay attention to when He's telling me to do something and not just what or how He's telling me. When I'm led to act, I need to take action accordingly. Just as important is, when I've not obeyed when I was told, I need to be especially careful not to try and fix it myself. The opportunity may have passed because God's blessings may not be on that thing anymore. Whether it's buying a home or applying for a job or taking a ministry opportunity, I need to observe the timing God is setting before me.

P) Father, Your blessings are exceedingly good, just like Joshua and Caleb described them in verse 7. You bless me beyond what I deserve, obviously, but often beyond what I can even hope or imagine. Help me to be obedient in Your timing, LORD. Holy Spirit, give me clarity and discernment to know all of the details about the Father's will, especially the "when" question. I don't want to miss opportunities. Please forgive me for my disobedience and my pride in thinking I can procrastinate or do it myself. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/23/2012; Numbers 13:30-31

Today's reading: Numbers 12,13; Psalms 90; Mark 2

S)"³⁰ Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, 'We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it.' ³¹ But the men who had gone up with him said, 'We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us.'"

Numbers 13:30-31 (NASB)

O) That's my boy! Well, I mean, sort of... I mean, that's why I named my son Caleb, at least... Anyway, these two reactions that the 12 spies had couldn't have been more different. Caleb (and Joshua) spent 40 days in a land promised to them. They saw cities with good position and resources. They saw wildlife that would sustain crops and livestock. They saw all the promises that the LORD had given. The other 10 spies saw something different. After spending 40 days in a land promised to them, they saw walls that were too big to scale, wildlife that was dangerous, and giants who would prevent them from obtaining promises from the LORD.

A) I'll admit that sometimes I feel like I'm in over my head. Even with something God has promised me, I have felt before that I was unable to handle it. Whether a ministry, or marriage, or parenthood, there have been times when I don't feel like I'm adequate. I need to remember that my feelings are always influenced by my perspective, though, which is not at all the same as God's perspective. In the same way that I know He won't allow a temptation I can't resist, I also need to remember He won't give me a blessing that I can't handle, either.

P) Father, You know best. You are good and Your plan for my life is perfect. You really have the best case scenario in mind and You love me as Your son in a way I will never fully comprehend. Let me rest assured that Your plan is possible. Holy Spirit, regardless of how insurmountable and obstacle looks, remind me that You've equipped me. And, no matter how much a blessing seems too good to be true, You're no liar. Thank You for protecting me and blessing me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/22/2012; Psalm 27:13

Today's reading: Numbers 10,11; Psalms 27; Mark 1

S)"¹³ I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living."

Psalm 27:13 (NASB)

O) Really, this whole Psalm speaks to me. I discovered the hope it keeps when I was in high school, trying to serve God and feeling very alone. This verse really sums up the hope I have in God. His salvation is not only the eternal freedom from hell, but also that He provides and protects here on earth. If He did nothing else, but forgive my sins so I could get into heaven, it would be enough; but He doesn't stop there.

A) This verse is so purely how I feel... the only real thing I can say is that I will rejoice in His goodness and speak of the hope I have because of His promises.

P) Father, I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see Your goodness in the land of the living. Words fail to correctly say just how good You have been to me, and yet I know You're not done. If I didn't receive another single blessing all of my days left among the living, Your goodness to me so far leaves me no excuse to be unhappy. Yet my hope continues to expect more goodness, because Your promises have not ended. Holy Spirit, encourage me in boldness to express my joy at the hope I have in the Father's goodness. I will rejoice at the goodness You've given to me, LORD, all the days of my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/21/2012; Acts 28:4-6

Today's reading: Numbers 8,9; Acts 28

S)"⁴ When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, 'Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.' ⁵ However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm"

Acts 28:4-6 (NASB)

O) This attitude mirrors one of the funny things I see in the world today. People want justice, at least the way they see justice happening. The word "justice" there is used as a personification, that of an actual goddess. In today's world of widespread atheism, even still people want justice, they just want it from a faceless, nameless god that they're calling karma, or the universe, or the cosmos - ironic, since the ancient gods were, in fact, named for the cosmos... Anyway, what we see at work with God is something else, though. While it's true that a man reaps what he sows (Galatians 6:7), that is also outside the grace of God. When a person is walking in repentance, and within the grace of God, then they are also walking in the mercy of God. Paul admitted guilt in the killing of Christians (Acts 26:10), as these natives suspected, and yet he was unharmed by the snake. This is because God creates us anew, when we accept His mercy through grace by the sacrifice of His Son, in our place.

A) I hope I'm never bit by a snake, but I also hope it doesn't take a snake bite to remind me that I'm a new creation. My past is passed, in Jesus. I know that my mistakes can still carry consequences, but God isn't looking to punish me for mistakes that He's already forgiven. I cannot allow myself a burden of guilt, when God declares me guiltless. Otherwise, I make God out to be a liar, or at the very best, mistaken.

P) Father, Your grace is sufficient for me. Thank You for forgiveness and the newness of creation in me, when You forgave me and called me Your son. Holy Spirit, remind me of this Scripture often, that I am not awaiting punishment from the Father. In grace and freedom I will strive to maintain the righteousness that has been given to me and if, or when, I make mistakes, I will repent and move on. I will not allow the enemy to keep me immobilized by guilt. Thank You for calling me guiltless. Help me remember and protect that. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/20/2012; Acts 27:24

Today's reading: Numbers 7; Psalms 23; Acts 27
S)"²⁴ saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.’"

Acts 27:24 (NASB)

O) Firstly, this is just one more example of other people, people who don't even necessarily believe in the LORD, let alone serve Him... another example of others being blessed by proximity to Paul (or another blessed man). Secondly, how important was it that Paul was able to hear from God directly and clearly? Not only was his blessing from God able to overflow him and be upon those men endangered with him, but he was able to minister to them and keep them from harming themselves by conveying God's message of safety and protection.

A) I need to pray for the protection and provision of those around me. I also need to be actively listening to God. I'm afraid I still don't do this as often as I should (I'm not sure anyone really can do that "as ofthen as they should")... despite it being a struggle, I'm hopeful that as long as I'm able to see that area of improvement, then I'm able to work on improving it. Today, at least, I will give an attentive ear to God and listen for what He would have me know today.

P) Father, thank You for the protection and provision You give me by grace. Thank You for blessing those around me, not for my sake, but for Your Name sake, alone. Today especially, Holy Spirit, speak to me and let me know the will of the Father for whatever I will face today. Give me warning, encouragement, direction, or whatever else I may need to know. I will choose to be obedient in whatever it is. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/19/2012; Numbers 6:22-27

Today's reading: Numbers 5,6; Psalms 22; Acts 26

S)"²² Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ²³ 'Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, "Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them:
 ²⁴ The LORD bless you, and keep you;
 ²⁵ The LORD make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
 ²⁶ The LORD lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace."
 ²⁷ So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.'"

Numbers 6:22-27 (NASB)

O) This is in a great song by Misty Edwards called, "Light of Your Face." It's a wonderful song and great worship with very intimate words sund directly to the LORD. For me, the breaking point of the song is always when she gets to the line saying, "Let the light of Your face, shine down on my heart, and let me feel it." It's a blessing to have God with us, and to have His face shine upon us in grace, but the real peace comes from sensing it. When we can feel His presence, that's when change happens.

A) This is such a good, powerful, valuable (and obviously Biblical) promise that I think I will start praying it quite literally and specifically over my wife and children. There is nothing on earth better than the presence of the LORD, so there can be no better blessing for any of them to have between now and heaven.

P) Father, please bless my wife and children and keep them; and make Your face shine on them, and be gracious to them; lift up Your countenance on them, and give them peace. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.