SOAP 03/03/2012; Mark 10:25

Today's reading: Numbers 32,33; Mark 10

S)"²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Mark 10:25 (NASB)

O) I don't know how long I've actually known this verse. It's one of the first verses I remember learning with historical context. At this time there was a famous city gate that was quite small and it was referred to as the "eye of a needle" because of it's diminutive opening. The real difficulty with this gate is that it was so short that you couldn't walk a camel through it. You had to take everything off the camel and get it to kneal, and essentially crawl through the gate. Apparently, that's virtually impossible. So, I've known about this verse for a long time. It's important to note that a few verses later, Jesus says that with man it's impossible, but with God all things are possible. So, it's good to remember that Jesus isn't saying that it's a bad thing to have money, or even to be genuinely wealthy, but He says that it makes entering the Kingdom that much harder.

A) So, throughout my life, I've always adopted the attitude that money isn't everything, something I was forced to recognize, since I grew up poor. As I got older and started a family, I had given my feeling a little more definition to say things like, "I want to have enough money to not worry about it, and to be able to bless other people freely." But this is what I thought as I read this verse this morning, "It's so much harder if I'm rich..." Here's the way God's economy differs from the world's economy. It's harder to bless people when I'm rich, than it is when I'm poor. Over and over, we see in the Bible, that there are myriad examples of people giving out of their own need, to help those still less fortunate. Would it be nice to have enough money that I could bless any and every one I came accross in need? Yes. Would I be able to bring myself to do it, if I had done everything needed up until that point to become wealthy in the first place? I don't know; money tends to change people. So, here's what I've determined this morning: God is the one who blesses me and holds my financial security. Regardless of how much money I ever make, whether or not I worry about it is not going to have anything to do with my checking account balance, but everything to do with my trust in Him. Regardless of how much money I ever make, whether or not I am able to bless others freely is going to have nothing to do with my checking account balance, but everything to do with the condition of my own heart.

P) Father, You are my provider, Jehovah Jireh. You hold all of my financial security. You establish the work of my hands, according to Psalm 90:17, so my ability to bless others is not dependant on my ability to make "enough money." Holy Spirit, remind me that I can give to everyone freely, according to Your prompting, not according to my own means. Remind me that if it's the will of the Father for me to give money, or food, or anything to some one else, in Jesus' name, then I will only be bringing blessings upon myself for that obedience. Remind me that, even if I'm never compensated for it, the simple act of obedience brings forth discipline, and righteous character, and a closeness to the Father that are all blessings in and of themselves, worth any amount of payment or materials I could ever give. Let me put my trust and hope and security in You alone, LORD. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/02/2012; Numbers 31:49-50

Today's reading: Numbers 30,31; Mark 9

S)"⁴⁹ and they said to Moses, 'Your servants have taken a census of men of war who are in our charge, and no man of us is missing. ⁵⁰ So we have brought as an offering to the LORD what each man found, articles of gold, armlets and bracelets, signet rings, earrings and necklaces, to make atonement for ourselves before the LORD.'"

Numbers 31:49-50 (NASB)

O) This is interesting to me. It's such a contrast to what I see more often. The men of war had done very, very well. So well, in fact, that not a single person of the 12,000 who went out, didn't make it back (whether or not any died is unclear, but at least no MIA). But their response isn't that they should receive some extra award or commendation, their response is that they owe this to God.

A) Pride tells me that when I do a good job, I should be rewarded. If I do well, even in something that God commands me to do, I should have something good coming my way, either from God directly, or in some roundabout way. This is rubbish, though. I need to remain humble to realize that I can only do a good job if God blesses what I am doing. If I do a good job, I should be nothing but thankful, especially to the LORD, for making it even possible for me to do well in the first place.

P) Father, You've given me certain talents and abilities. In humility, I acknowledge that and thank You for them. Help me to honor You by doing a good job in everything I'm called to do; in fact, help me do a good job in everything I do, whether or not it seems like ministry at the time. Holy Spirit, continue to humble me when I fail to humble myself. Let everything I do reflect the goodness of the Father who has blessed me. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/01/2012; Numbers 28:4-6

Today's reading: Numbers 28,29; Mark 8

S)"⁴ You shall offer the one lamb in the morning and the other lamb you shall offer at twilight; ⁵ also a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a grain offering, mixed with a fourth of a hin of beaten oil. ⁶ It is a continual burnt offering which was ordained in Mount Sinai as a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to the LORD."

Numbers 28:4-6 (NASB)

O) A big part of Christianity is the fact that we no longer have to make sacrifices to atone for our sins. Jesus was the ultimate, permanent redemption and His sacrifice upon the cross is an everlasting sin offering... but what about the other offerings? Obviously, the biggest issue between us and God is our sin and Jesus being that offering, paying for all of our mistakes and offenses against God and each other, this is the most important aspect of the Christian faith. Without His sacrifice, after all, we are still guilty and bound for hell. But, as I read through the Old Testament, and I read about who the Father in heaven is, and how we can please Him, I can't help but wonder how He might still desire soothing aroma...

A) Now, in my world today, it is so impractical to offer burnt sacrifices twice a day that it is basically impossible. We find another way in Hebrews 13:15, however, where we see that our praise to God and giving thanks to His Name is a new sacrifice to Him. This echoes numerous Psalms that refer to offering prayers, worship, or praise as offerings and sacrifices. In fact, King David even says in Psalm 141:2, that raising his hands is like the evening sacrifice... All of this together tells me I worship passionately, which is good, but I might not worship as often as God might like. That's not to say that I'm sinning by not worshiping Him twice a day (and four times on Sundays, see Numbers 28:9 where the sacrifices are doubled), I just feel like this might be a good way to honor Him. I don't want things of my life toward God to become hollow motions, but I do want to find ways to become more devoted, more often. I'm going to try making it a point to acknowledge and thank God, out loud (per the Hebrews verse), twice per day, once in the morning and once at night. I don't know if it will be a full blown worship song, or anything, but I need to do a better job acknowledging His sovereignty in my life everyday.

P) Father, Your ways are perfect and Your goodness to me does not fail. You only do wondrous things, God who wills to save. Your wisdom and perspectives are too far beyond me to comprehend them. Your love is unstoppable and Your mercies are interminable. I will worship You in all areas of my life, God. I want my words, prayers, songs, deeds, life, finances, marriage, parenthood... all of it, God, I want it to all honor Your Name. I would have nothing if not for when You saved me. I would lose it all if not for that You will save me again. I want to thank You LORD, each day in the morning and each day at night. Let my thanks to You be like the morning and evening sacrifices, pleasing aromas before You. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/29/2012; Proverbs 29:26

Today's reading: Proverbs 29*
* Because it's Leap Day, there was no scheduled reading on the devotional I use. So, my old go-to process is to read the Proverb corresponding to the date.

S)"²⁶ Many seek the ruler’s favor,
But justice for man comes from the LORD."

Proverbs 29:26 (NASB)

O) Finding how to balance politics and faith can be very, very tricky. It's important to remember that we can find allies, help, justice, and favor with our government, but it will only be good as far as the LORD is willing. We cannot turn to our government to fix our problems, individually or as a society. Whether or not they are capable now, or ever have been capable, is irrelevant. The government was never intended to be our help, but God alone is to be that help. If He uses the government in some fashion to carry out His will and salvation for us, so be it.

A) I have a hard time with politics some times. As a Christian in America, I'm most often associated with being a republican, but I have a lot of views that land on the more politically liberal side of things. It can create quite the political debate. No matter how the political climate of our country might change over the next 50 years of my life, I need to continue to make this one point clear - the government is an authority over me, but not the authority over me. As such, the government can be a help to me, but it is not the help (whatever my cause). Like every other aspect of God, I need to look to Him first for all things, including favor and justice.

P) Father, You are my only hope, the only source of my security, joy, and salvation. Let me continue to look to You for all things, including justice and favor in my life. Holy Spirit, give me discernment to know when the Father intends to bless me through my government. Give me perspective and insight so that I am never mistaking a blessing through my government as a blessing from my government. Father, every good and perfect gift comes from You, so let me seek You alone for every kind of help. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/28/2012; Numbers 27:20

Today's reading: Numbers 24,25,26,27; 1 Corinthians 13

S)"²⁰ You shall put some of your authority on him, in order that all the congregation of the sons of Israel may obey him."

Numbers 27:20 (NASB)

O) There's a supernatural authority that God gives to His leaders. Whether that's a leader of a nation, or the leader of a church, or just the leader of a home, God blesses that leader so that people will follow them more readily than others. Now, sometimes good leadership (in this sense), is a byproduct of other gifts (wisdom, faith, etc.), but sometimes it's simply because of the position, and the fact that God has put that person there. The amazing thing is that we have a hand in the transference. That's a miracle in and of itself, to impart a spiritual gifting from ourselves to another person. It's also worth noting that god told him to put "some" of his authority on Joshua, not all.

A) Sometimes I see my kids go through phases where they are simply not responding to Kristin's authority in the correct manner. Kristin will do all of the same things I do, with the same temperment and tone, but the results are just strikingly disimilar. At some point, I began to make a point of praying for Kristin to carry the same level of authority over the kids that I have been given, intrinsically as their father. The results have been almost tangible! This is a reminder, though, that I cannot try to give away all of my authority to Kristin, forsaking my duty as a father. Kristin needs to be led and she needs me to lead the kids, too. I can't eschew responsibility, effectively trying to make Kristin a single mother while I am a ghost of a dad.

P) Father, thank You for making me the way You did. You've given me skills and talents that will make me an effective father to my kids and a leader in some other capacities as well. While I ask that You bless Kristin and her discipline of the kids, and soften the hearts of my children to her, I also pray that You strengthen my resolve. I never want to become lazy in my parenting or in my marriage. I know I have duties to uphold and if I don't keep my responsibilities, no one else can truly do it for me. I know that You have given me all of the tools I need, so discipline me also in the use of these tools. Holy Spirit, strengthen my resolve and help me persevere. If I become tired and tempted toward laziness, do whatever it takes to spur me into action. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/27/2012; Numbers 22:30

Today's reading: Numbers 21,22,23; Mark 6,7

S)"³⁰ The donkey said to Balaam, 'Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I ever been accustomed to do so to you?' And he said, 'No.'"

Numbers 22:30 (NASB)

O) Unless a verse or passage is very clearly a hyperbole or a parable, I tend to look at it literally. In this case, my faith tells me God could open the donkey's mouth and additionally, I see no real reason why God wouldn't do it, if He knew it would get Balaam's attention. That's the real key, though. Based on this one-verse conversation, maybe the donkey never spoke literal words, but the effect is the important part - Balaam realized, whether by the donkey's words or simply her contrast to usual behavior, that there was something afoot. When his eyes were finally opened, in the next verse he sees the angel waiting to strike him down.

A) If something so obvious as a pet speaking ever occurred to me, I'm afraid my first reaction might simply be disbelief. I'd hope my next reaction is to wonder if God is making something happen. More likely, though, is that God isn't going to go to such drastic, nature-bending measures to get my attention. It certainly wasn't commonplace, even in the Bible, and I don't hear about it often in the modern world (... or ever?). Much more likely, is that I need to be aware of uncommon occurrences around me, and how God might be speaking to me through them, instead of expecting, or even sometimes wishing, for the super crazy, never-happened-since-Bible-times, rare occurrences. After the events in Acts 2, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit that I have personally had, this becomes even more important. God will speak to me directly if I'll slow down and pay Him the attention He deserves.

P) Father, thank You for caring about my life and what I do. You are the Almighty God and I am only one among billions even just today, let alone through time. Yet, for reasons still beyond my full understanding, You care for me and concern Yourself with me. Thank You for choosing to be involved in my life to such a degree that You would even speak to me. I don't know what kind of plans You have for my life in its entirety here on earth, but I want to hear from You more. I don't want to wait for the obvious signs anymore, God. Holy Spirit, open my eyes as I look for the subtleties the Father uses to speak to me. Open my ears as I intently listen, giving time devoted to nothing else, but hearing Your voice, LORD. Let me know Your will and direction for my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 02/26/2012; Mark 5:25-27

Today's reading: Numbers 19,20; Psalms 28; Mark 5

S)"²⁵ A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, ²⁶ and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse— ²⁷ after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak."

Mark 5:25-27 (NASB)

O) Twelve years is a long time to deal with an illness. This sort of thing would condemn some one as perpetually unclean, also. In that time, with medical "science" being something of a crap shoot, I can only imagine the crazy nonsense this woman must have endured to try and cure her disease. Finally, hearing of Jesus, she determines to try this way and lo - she's healed. The remarkable thing that this story represents is the concept that God is our last resort. For this woman, she was trying things for 10 years or so, before Jesus even perfomed any miracles. So, her options were obviously limited. Christians, however, obviously know who Jesus is, and that He heals the sick (even today, as He doesn't change, Hebrews 13:8), and yet we will spend a lot of time and resources trying to do things without Him, still, and end up coming to God only as a last resort - even though He was available to us upon our faith in Him.

A) I sometimes feel guilty about this, but I think there's an important element I need to remember - attrition. You know how things are always found in the last place you look? God must see it the same way. He knows He'll be my last resort, because after I come to Him, the problem will be solved (any problem). The real issue then isn't whether or not He's my last resort, but whether or not He's my first resort. My first response, my first instinct with any issue, needs to be to come before the LORD with it. I know there will be plenty of times where I will still have other things to do in order to see the problem resolved, but God will at least give direction, so that I'm not subjecting my time, money, energy, or even body, to pointless, fruitless, and futile attempts at fixing problems.

P) Father, You are so good to me. You hold the answers to every problem I could ever face and Your wisdom is indominable. Help me trust in Your instruction. Holy Spirit, remind me to seek the Father's will with every difficulty that comes my way, whether financial, health, relational, or any other. Give me clarity to know His will and courage to carry out his direction. Thank You for being my last resort and help me to make You my first resort as well. In Your name, I pray. Amen.