SOAP 03/17/2012; Deuteronomy 32:10

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 32,33,34; 1 Corinthians 2

S)"¹⁰ He found him in a desert land,
And in the howling waste of a wilderness;
He encircled him, He cared for him,
He guarded him as the pupil of His eye."

Deuteronomy 32:10 (NASB)

O) The Father's grace is first, even before God chose a people to call His own. This is another great verse that shows it's the Father, where love originates, not Jesus. Too often, we see Jesus as our benefactor against a smite-ful God who is sitting in judgement, quick to strike us down and send us to hell. That's simply not the case. The Father's grace is first, even before Jesus came to redeem us all.
A) When I reflect on my life to date, I marvel that I am who I am. The hand of the Father was so evidently upon me from my very birth, all through my childhood, and right into adulthood, marriage, and parenthood. Well before I ever chose Him, in my wilderness He encircled me. He chose me out, gave me a future and a hope. It's hard for me, when people ask why God has allowed certain trauma or pain in their past. I know some circumstances are very, very tough and I can only promise that in all things, He works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). For myself, I can only guess as to why He , but I'm eternally grateful.

P) Father, thank You for choosing me. Thank You for making me Your son. Thank You for sparing me from countless dangers. I know that I haven't always been aware of Your grace, and even now, Your grace is not completely made known to me. Holy Sprit, when hope seems faint and the grace of the Father seems distant, remind me that He brought me out of great dangers. He didn't bring me so far in my life, only to let me be defeated before the end. Let me be forever thankful, forever praising Your works, LORD. Your grace is first. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/16/2012; Deuteronomy 30:19

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 30,31; Psalms 40; 1 Corinthians 1

S)"¹⁹ I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,"

Deuteronomy 30:19 (NASB)

O) Simplicity. This verse is great because it breaks everything down to the simplicity of choice when it comes to following God. It's not that God is "out to get us" if we aren't serving Him. The opposite of life is death, the opposite of a blessing is a curse. If we're not choosing the LORD, then we're choosing to deny Him. If we're not choosing life, then we're choosing death. If we're not choosing the blessing, then we're choosing curses. There's no wiggle room here, it's black and white, cut and dry.

A) As I write this, I'm feeling more and more convicted, here. I'm editing and re-typing accordingly. Sometimes it can be difficult to discern God's will, but I think mostly I just don't want to make the hard choice. While it can be difficult to answer, "Would God be okay with this?" it's often much easier to answer, "Would satan be happy about this?" I do think that God gives us free time. I mean, we can always do more for Him, but the Israelites were commanded to rest and celebrate! The important thing is to hold up my hobbies and say, "Is this for life or for death?"

P) Father, You gave me life when I deserved death. My life was a string of offenses and trespasses against You, one after another. Still, Your love for me would not be denied. I cannot praise You enough for the life You've given me. Holy Spirit, help continue choosing life over death and the blessing over curse. Especially when I feel tempted, God, help me remember the stakes involved in my decisions. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/15/2012; Galatians 6:1-2

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 28,29; Galatians 6

S)"¹ Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ."

Galatians 6:1-2 (NASB)

O) I really despise the phrase, "Don't judge me." because all too often that's code for, "I know it's wrong, but I don't want to stop and you're not in charge of me." The unfortunate truth, though, is that the phrase came about because of a failing to fulfill the above verses. It can be hard sometimes to have compassion for some one who seems to be so intent on self-destruction. The important thing to remember, though, is that they are still victims of the same enemy we have. This is particularly true if the person is our spritual brother or sister and even more poignant if it's literal family. Strangely, sometimes it's easier to have compassion and mercy and grace toward some one we don't know. I think maybe the details of a person's life make it hard for us to understand why they are having the difficulties they're having. Maybe we feel like they should know better. Maybe we feel like we've given them enough chances. Maybe we feel like... the exact opposite of Christ...

A) If it happens that I have to point out a persons trespass, the important thing is to remember the goal: restoration. Gentleness might be the biggest difficulty, because people can get defensive. I really think, though, that if I'm coming from a place of helping with a goal of recovering what is lost (time, peace, life, relationships, etc), then I have the best hope of genuinely helping some one. All of this is predicated on the person accepting help, though. Unfortunately, sometimes people don't want to change. But, since it's not my words that change people, and not even just their own will power, but the power of Christ Jesus, then I will continue to rely on the timing given by the Holy Spirit, to know when to take oppotunity. In the meantime, I can continue to bear with them.

P) Father, You deal so graciously, so mercifully with me. Never let me be anything less than compassionate, gracious, and merciful with my brothers and sisters, God. I have no right to be anything but humble before everyone's trespasses. It really doesn't matter what the offense is, God, because I know that I deserved the worst and I can stand only in Christ. Holy Spirit, lead me in Your perfect timing to reach out to people who need spiritual restoration. Give me words to speak and the right attitude, the right delivery, so they can accept my help in bringing them back to You, LORD. Let me always walk in humility, remembering that I do not solve any problems, but I can only show them how You can. Help me be gentle. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/14/2012; Galatians 5:24

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 25,26,27; Galatians 5

S)"²⁴ Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

Galatians 5:24 (NASB)

O) This is obviously a metaphorical crucifixion, but the imagry couldn't be more clear. The sacrifice Jesus made on the cross was that of ultimate obedience and selflessness. If you read through the last week's verses, you saw that Jesus wanted so much to not die on the cross, that He asked the Father twice if it was possible to avoid it. Nevertheless, He understood the stakes. He chose, with considerable effort, to literally be crucified despite whatever passions and desires were there at the time. In this way, He remained sinless and paved the way for us to do the same. A few verses before this, in v.16, we see that by the Spirit of God, we are not subject to the desires of the flesh, but it can take considerable effort at times.

A) This is not an easy verse. Where it gets particularly hard is the fact that the "passions and desires" are pretty open-ended. I mean, when I see the acts of the flesh, as listed in Galatians 5:19-21, those all seem pretty obvious, but what about things that aren't as overt? For example, drunkenness is listed there, but over-eating is not; however, if I stuff myself completely full at dinner, it's for no ther reason than because the food tastes good. How is that not eating according to the desires of my flesh? When I "feel" like doing something, I need to carefully consider my motives. It's okay to enjoy things, but I need to determine if I am letting my flesh have its way, or if I have appropriately slayed it with it's desires.

P) Father, I want my life to accurately reflect my subjection to Your sovereignty. You are a holy God who requires a holy people, but in Your justice, You are good and gracious. Thank You for giving me Your Spirit to empower me in crucifying my flesh and it's passions and desires. Holy Spirit, help me walk this out today, and every day. I want to live according to the Father's plans because I know Your ways lead to the best possible outcome, LORD. I will give You all of my passions and desires, God. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/13/2012; Deuteronomy 22:4

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 22,23,24; Galatians 4

S)"⁴ You shall not see your countryman’s donkey or his ox fallen down on the way, and pay no attention to them; you shall certainly help him to raise them up."

Deuteronomy 22:4 (NASB)

O) God is relational in everything, because at the start He is relationship, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the beginning, we see God referring to Himself in plural and this is echoed by Jesus later, as He explained how He and the Father are one and how He existed long before being born to Mary. So, since we humans are created in God's image, we are designed to be relational as well, but the problem is selfish sin. So, consequently, we need to be commanded to support eachother. God intends that we should help one another because that's what makes strong community and that's what makes a strong people.

A) I'm a firm believer in community responsibility. A lot of my political views reflect that perspective as well, even through the Christian lense. All of my views are reduced to hypocracy, though, if I am not practicing community myself. In the above verse, the phrase, "pay no attention to them" is also translated, "hide yourself from them" and I am, unfortunately, guilty of that from time to time. I like to help out, but there are certainly times when I feel like I'm too busy, or don't have the money, or worst of all, simply have other things I'd rather do. I need to make it a point to avail myself to the needs of others. I need to remember that in everything I do, I should do it as if I'm doing it for Jesus directly, because He said as much in Matthew 25:40.

P) Father, I don't want to be a jerk. I feel compassionate, but I recognize that feelings aren't beings and I want to actually be compassionate. Forgive me for the sin of neglecting others, LORD. Holy Spirit, discipline me to act on Your instruction of compassion and grace toward others. Help me be more honest with myself and with You and with those in need when opportunities to serve present themselves. Don't let me hide myself from those in need. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/12/2012; Galatians 3:24

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 19,20,21; Galatians 3

S)"²⁴ Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. "

Galatians 3:24 (NASB)

O) I've never read this verse before, but I love it! The OT (Old Testament) is not a requirement at this point. If a person never hears anything other than the Gospel, they will be saved. Add to that the rest of the NT (New Testament) and they'll understand more about what it means to follow Christ. But, if we want to become more familiar with who God is, how He is, etc., then the OT is the best teacher. Every part of the Bible is truth and the words of God, according to 2 Timothy 3:16, but obviously we are not under the old laws. But, this verse from Galatians may be one of the best explanations for why the OT is necessary and why it will still bring fruit to our lives today, even as NT believers.

A) Learn by doing! I need to continue soaking it all in. It can be difficult to read through some of the OT laws and reconcile it with my life today, and who God is, but the more I do it, the easier it's getting. That's proof positive that I'm on the right track. It's kind of like reading Shakespeare; in the beginning, it barely makes sense, but by forcing myself to stick with it, it's starting to click more and more.

P) Father, I thank You that I was born B.C. As a Gentile, I would have been lost to You. Your grace to me is far reaching and You've planned every part of my life. Let me continue to discover more and more of who You are, and who You are to me, and what You intend for me. Holy Spirit, lead me daily toward the will of the Father and reveal more and more of the divine mysteries hidden in the Word. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/11/2012; Deuteronomy 17:17

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 16,17,18; Psalms 38; Galatians 2

S)"¹⁷ He shall not multiply wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself"

Deuteronomy 17:17 (NASB)

O) How much does this verse sum up the problems that Solomon had? He was the last king of Israel to sit on the unified throne and his falling away had everything to do with his lust, which caused infidelity toward God, and his money, which caused all sorts of confusion for him (if he did, indeed, write Ecclesiastes, as most believe). I'm not saying that Solomon didn't make it to heaven, but the guy clearly had issues. Regardless of his eventual resting place, women and money are the biggest motivators for men in this world and they are consequently the two biggest saboteurs.

A) Guard my heart! That's the root lesson of this verse. Obviously, today's culture also looks poorly on polygomy, or even cheating on a spouse. On the Christian side of things, almost all will aknowledge that pornography is still a form of cheating on your spouse, but even more defining, a wandering eye is still a problem. Cheating on your spouse in your heart is still adultary (see Matthew 5:28), so that part of this verse didn't really stand out as anything new. The part that was a little more challenging, though, was the end, to not greatly increase wealth. Obviously that's a little subjective (what is "greatly" increased?), but I think the point can't be missed. God gives me opportunity to work at all, and any money I make is because of His blessings on me, but the money is not the blessing itself. I need to follow God's lead in terms of where I work, how much I seek promotion, and even how much I work (e.g., overtime). I need to continue realigning my perspective to remember that He is my provider, not a job. He is my security, not a house, 401k, or a savings account.

P) Father, You provide everything for me. Let me remember that what You give me isn't the blessing. The blessing is that I am called a son of the Most High, everything else is evidence of that blessing. Holy Spirit, continue to lead me in all things according to the will of the Father. Help me see every opportunity at work or in my career or in my education that I seek, help me see all of it from the LORD's perspective. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.