SOAP 03/24/2012; 1 Corinthians 9:24

Today's reading: Joshua 18,19,20; 1 Corinthians 9
S)"²⁴ Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win."

1 Corinthians 9:24 (NASB)

O) Paul refers to ministry and faith and perseverence in righteousness as a race in a few different places. In this one, Paul is reminding us that there are several factors that we can control, that put us in position to win our own race. It's important to remember that it's not a competition with our brothers and sisters, though, it's a competition with ourselves.

A) I need to listen to the Lord's instruction, like a player obeys a coach. I need to heed the advice of others who have come before me, as if I'm rookie. I need to be self-disciplined like a veteran. Even if I'm doing well, there is always room for improvement. Even the '72 Dolphins had areas that could've been better. Nothing is more important than making it to heaven, but that's a baseline. I don't want to settle for finishing, I want to finish well.

P) Father, You've done a great work in me, and you've put me in position to win. I want to honor the work You've done by living my life well. I want my marriage to be healthy, my kids to be successful, I want a ministry that is fruitful (which I know is not the same as lucrative or large). In all of these things, though, I want You to be glorified. These are blessings to me already and if they stayed the same - even if they got worse - I would be satisfied in You. So, Holy Spirit, work in me and with me to run this race in a manner as to win it, for Your glory. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/23/2012; Joshua 17:15

Today's reading: Joshua 15,16,17; 1 Corinthians 8

S)"¹⁵ Joshua said to them, 'If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.'"

Joshua 17:15 (NASB)

O) Make no mistake, God is gracious and He blesses us with unwarranted, undeserved, unearned gifts all of the time. Referring to the sons of Joseph, here, God gave them an inheritence, a lot of the Promised Land. It was a gift straight from God. What we see in this passage, though, is that God's gifts are often layered. There's the surface level, which is the lot He gave them. Then, there's another level to be attained if Ephraim and Manasseh will put in the work for it. God provided the initial blessing, which would have been enough for them, even if it was cramped. When they asked for more, though, God was going to make them work for it.

A) I feel very blessed, most of the time. In my work, for example, I feel like my job is pretty easy and I certainly make enough money. At the same time, I could certainly use more money, though. The tricky thing for me is to balance the value of various factors. How much is extra money worth, in terms of my time, energy, stress, etc. In the above verse, God lays out the cost of getting more land, showing the sons of Joseph what it will take. God didn't command them to go conquer that additional area, but He provided the opportunity. I definitely want to take opportunities the LORD gives me, but I do recognize the need for counting the cost ahead of time. The biggest thing, though, is that if I ever feel like I want God to bless me more than He already has, then I need to expect it will take work, even... hard work! o.O

P) Father, You've been so good to me and I really can't ever complain. You meet all my needs and even bless me with so many trivial and superficial things, just to add to my happiness. I thank You that the love I receive from You is so much more than toys, though. I know that sometimes I shy away from hard work, because I struggle with laziness sometimes, but Holy Spirit, strengthen and encourage me when I should work hard for something. Help me prioritize and have Your long term perspective on when things are worth it and guide me toward the right opportunities. Thank You for the work I have, for the work You'll continue to provide. Help me be a faithful steward over my position. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/22/2012; 1 Corinthians 7:33-34b

Today's reading: Joshua 12,13,14; 1 Corinthians 7

S)" ³³ but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, ³⁴ and his interests are divided..."

1 Corinthians 7:33-34b (NASB)

O) There are lots ideas about why Paul was such a proponent of single-living, but I really think it just comes down to the simplicity of this verse. There is quite a bit of truth to it, though, and it is a problem that I've seen with a lot of marriages within the church, as a matter of fact. This is the reason it is so vital that a marriage is growing in the Lord together. If the husband and wife are both growing and moving in the direction that God is calling them, then they'll never grow apart and they will be at peace with the ministry of the other (or their ministry together).

A) When Kristin and I moved to Redding, I had a terrible time trying to manage my time. I knew that it was a huge leap of faith and a struggle for Kristin to move when we did. Her passion for our ministry was not as strong as mine, so when there were difficulties, they were much harder for her to bear. I thank God that He gave me such a faithful wife, though, because she was willing to follow me, following God, even when she wasn't quite unhappy about it. Over the last year, or so, I've tried to focus more on ministering to her and not just with her. As I move forward into other ministries, it's important that I have my priorities well-defined. My relationship with God is not the same as my ministry for God. I know this, because preparing a sermon is not the same as studying the Bible for my own growth. Since my ministry is not the same as my relationship with Him, I need to ensure that I also separate them as I prioritze.
1. Relationship with God
2. Relationship with Kristin
3. Relationship with kids
4. Relationship with others (other family, ministry, friends, work, etc.)

P) Father, thank You for blessing me with such a faithful and longsuffering wife. Kristin, for who she is to me, is one of the biggest blessings of grace I have ever received from You. If for no other reasons, You should be glorified and praised for that. Holy Spirit, make me accutely aware of my marriage status. Help me to keenly sense when there is unrest in my marriage or when Kristin needs special attention and my direct ministry. Strengthen our relationship in You, together. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/21/2012; 1 Corinthians 6:20

Today's reading: Joshua 9,10,11; 1 Corinthians 6

S)"²⁰ For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body."

1 Corinthians 6:20 (NASB)

O) What a heavy price, as well! Jesus easily could have simply gone straight to the cross and had His blood poured out to redeem us from sin. Instead, He subjected His body to blows, cuts, spits bruises, tears, and whips. Isaiah 53, which is prophecy about Jesus' arrest and crucifixion, says it is by the stripes on His back that we are healed. There's nothing we can do to repay Jesus. If there was ever a way, even with an eternity of time, then He would not have had to redeem us in the first place, body or soul. But, we also should not be wasting, squandering, even insulting His sacrifice.

A) Self-control is a bit of a misnomer. Any amount of control I have over my body is a gift from God. But, going with it for simplicity, I need use the self-control that He has given me! I've made strides over the years, but there are still some areas. My wife blesses me a lot to keep healthier foods in the house, but I still have trouble sometimes (ice cream is SO good!). Even beyond the obvious sins, like gluttony or lust, even the little things like getting some exercise or brushing my teeth or flossing! I know that my salvation doesn't hinge on my health, but it's an opportunity to glorify Him. I need to see it that way and take advantage!

P) Father, Your goodness deserves the front page news! I know that my sphere of influence only reaches so far, but I want to glorify Your name however I can. Holy Spirit, help change my perspective and see everything about my body as an opportunity to glorify You, LORD. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/20/2012; Psalm 69:3

Today's reading: Joshua 7,8; Psalms 69; 1 Corinthians 5

S)"³ I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched;
My eyes fail while I wait for my God."

Psalm 69:3 (NASB)

O) It's a hard thing to feel like you're at the end of your rope. The amazing thing about God, though, is that He's never late. While we might feel like we're literally on the brink of utter destruction, He knows better. He knows the limits of what we can take and He knows how long we can take it. Here, King David describes the familiar time of crying till you can't cry anymore. Even still, he waits upon the LORD.

A) I have been there, right alongside David. The important thing is to continue to wait upon my God. Right now, in my life, I have great peace. My marriage is good, my children are good, my job is good. Things are going generally well and that's genuinely good cause for thankfulness to God. I need to remember, though, that great trials could be a moment away. I need to be prepared and remember that the God of my easy-now will be the same God of my hard-future. So, in the middle of trials and tribulations, I need to wait upon Him to restore the peace and prosperity I have now. In the middle of that tough time, I need to praise and thank Him just like I do today.

P) Father, You are good, regardless of my circumstance. I commit to being thankful to You, faithful in praising and worshiping You, regardless of my circumstances. Holy Spirit, when trials come, and they will, comfort and strengthen me to wait upon my God. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/19/2012; 1 Corinthians 4:20

Today's reading: Joshua 3,4,5,6; 1 Corinthians 4

S)"²⁰ For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power."

1 Corinthians 4:20 (NASB)

O) God is alive! What's missing from most religions is a living God. Doctrines can come and go, but the reason that the Bible is unchanged after 2000 years is because it is not simply words, but it is alive and powerful. Even within Christianity, denominations will come and go because that is not what makes up the kingdom of God. The kingdome of God is made by the power of Christ crucified, resurrected, and the impartation of the Holy Spirit until Jesus returns at the end.

A) I cannot allow my own beliefs to become dilluted into nothing but religious rites, litergy, and a long list of rules. The power of the kingdom of God is found in my relationship with the King. As I spend time in His presence, the Holy Spirit empowers me. He empowers me to walk righteously. He empowers me to bring the Gospel to others, not just with words, but with miracles, again showing God is alive. I need to walk in bold obedience to operate in every spritual gift God has given me, whenver He moves me to do so, in order that I might be a walking testimony to the truth of this verse.

P) Father, I know the power You have shown in my life. I thank You for the several times You've healed me, for Your miraculous provision, for Your divine intervention with knowledge and wisdom, and even all of the miracles I will never know took place. Let me be more and more bold with my own testimony and at the same time, be more and more bold in my obedience to reveal Your power to others. You are such a good Father, wanting to reveal Yourself to people in order that they would find healing and hope. Holy Spirit, empower me and direct me to use the gifts that have been given. I will glorify the name of the LORD with my ministry and life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/18/2012; Joshua 1:17

Today's reading: Joshua 1,2; Psalms 37; 1 Corinthians 3

S)"¹⁷ Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you; only may the LORD your God be with you as He was with Moses."

Joshua 1:17 (NASB)

O) First of all, it's worth noting that these are not the same Israelites that disobeyed Moses and wouldn't believe Joshua and Caleb in their report of things spied from the Promised Land. These are their children, whom God re-shaped and Moses taught so that they would prove obedient and faithful to be able to enter the Promised Land. So, they're trustworthy as, to this point, they've been faithful in their obedience to God through the command and leadership of Moses. Anytime you have a great leader, it can be very difficult to follow the next guy who comes along, though. Still here, they point out the absolute, most important quality in a leader: that the LORD is with him. It wasn't enough that Moses presented Joshua as his successor. It wasn't enough that God Himself declared Joshua as the leader. Being appointed means nothing unless you're also anointed. Even if the people know that God has selected you, if you're not proving yourself to be anointed with God's presence, the people will not follow in obedience.

A) This is so applicable to my marriage and parenting! My wife knows that, Biblically speaking, she must submit herself to my authority because that authority is scriptural; however, if I am not walking in integrity, walking closely with God, then all of my authority and leading means absolutely nothing. With my children, I can tell them all day long about God's call to live a righteous life, and I can teach them all about His mercy and grace. But, if I am not showing them all of that with my own intimate walk with the LORD, then it's going to be hollow. It will all mean nothing but a religious game of Simon Says. I need to lead by example. If my family sees the power of God in my relationship with Him and the fruit of Him being with me, then they will follow in kind. Like they say in this song, Authority, "Who I follow's who they follow, when they follow me."

P) Father, Your goodness to me is apparent in everything good I could ever do. Without Your power in my life, I could accomplish nothing. I know that, aside from any other ministry I might ever have, I am called to lead my wife and children in Your ways. Holy Spirit, stay close to me and draw me close to You. Let our relationship be evident to those I love so that they will see the value in submission to Your will, LORD. I want people to know that You are alive and at work in my life constantly, and able to do the same for them, if only they'll follow. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.