SOAP 03/30/2012; Psalm 42:5

Today's reading: Judges 8; Psalms 42; 1 Corinthians 15

S)"⁵ Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him
For the help of His presence. "

Psalm 42:5 (NASB)

 

O) King David presents a lot of his Psalms this way, with a sort of back and forth within himself. It's not hard to know why, because there is often a struggle within us all to hope and to keep faith, sometimes. The important thing is that he almost always comes back to the goodness of God, and His lovingkindness, and His salvation. All the while, through his struggle to hold on in his trials, David continues to praise God.
 

A) I know that the toughest times in my life are still very likely ahead of me. For one thing, Ella is not yet a teenager, although she does her best impression, from time to time. I know that my marriage is still in the beginnings, even though it's been 9 years. So, being aware that I have times of testing and times of striving ahead of me, it's important that I keep this prayer from David in mind. I need to remain focused on praising the LORD, regardless of my circumstance. His presence will never leave me as long as I am faithful to Him, and as long as I have His presence, I have hope. So, I will praise Him.

 

P) Father, continue to prepare me for all the hard times I have ahead of me. Let me invest in You, in time in You, because I know that every minute I spend with You reinforces the fact that You are so good to Your children. Every minute I spend with You reminds me that everything will be good in the end. Every minute with You tells my soul that I already have gracious victory for my life. Holy Spirit, in the struggles I've yet to see, remind me of this prayer. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/29/2012; 1 Corinthians 14:33

Today's reading: Judges 6,7; Psalms 52; 1 Corinthians 14

S)"³³ for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints."

1 Corinthians 14:33 (NASB)

O) There are some... challenging... verses preceding this verse. It's really regulatory, regarding the order of a church service and this verse really sums up the purpose of the preceding few paragraphs. God is not of confusion, that is not His way. He is clear and orderly. He wants peace for His children, not strife. So, while some of the preceding verses were clearly a commentary about the times (women shouldn't talk, for example) some things never change (prophecy is much more useful to others than praying in tongues).
 

A) I think this is a particularly useful verse to remember as my family seeks a new home church after we move back to WA. There are certainly times when being on staff at New Day has felt... less than orgainized (lol), our pastor and leadership have done an excellent job with establishing peace, especially during service. Outside service, over the years, we have had to deal with differences in opinions and disgruntled staff (as I'm sure every church has seen), but it's always squashed and generally pretty quickly. This has made my home church (the people and even the actual building) one of the most secure, inviting, safe, comforting, and loving places/people I have ever known. I will certainly miss them, but I trust that the LORD has a new home for my family and me.

P) Father, You have been exceedingly good to me my whole life. I am especially thankful for the people and place I've called My Church for the last 5 years. I pray You continue to bless Pastor Stephen and Jackie, their family and their people, forever and ever. Holy Spirit, reveal to us the new church that will welcome us, the new church that will be our home in WA. Let Kristin and I be especially sensitive to the peace and order of the churches we visit, so we can find the place You intend us to be. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/28/2012; Judges 4:8-9

Today's reading: Judges 4,5; Psalm 39,41; 1 Corinthians 13

S)"⁸ Then Barak said to her, 'If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go.' ⁹ She said, 'I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the honor shall not be yours on the journey that you are about to take, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hands of a woman.' Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh."

Judges 4:8-9 (NASB)

O) I just preached about this :) As I wrote yesterday, we've been talking about character development at church this month. This was a clear test of Barak's faith and obedience. Deborah told him that the LORD would give him the victory if he went with the army to defeat Sisera, but he let his fear get to him. It's worth noting that the last part, about God giving Sisera into the hands of a woman, that's adding insult to injury. Not only had God held an honor back from Barak (testing precedes promotion from the LORD), but He also gave that same honor to another person. Not only was it to another person, though, it was to a woman; in that day, if a woman received honor that could have been yours, I imagine it was very embarassing/humbling. What's more, this is all we see of Barak, too. After Sisera is defeated and Israel is delivered, there are no more stories about Barak. I don't know if the LORD would have done anything else through him anyway, since Israel usually received peace once a Judge (Deborah, at this time) delivered them, but who knows?

A) I don't want to miss opportunities with the LORD. Sometimes, though, it's easy to forget that my character development is ongoing. In my day-to-day life, I don't always feel like I'm fighting or being tested, or anything like this. So, it's easy to get lazy or lose focus. When I play an RPG for the first time, I'm very cautious and diligent, because sometimes there are items and weapons that, if missed along the way, you can never get later in the game. On subsequent playthroughs, it's easy to zone-in and be sure you pick up those "missables." This is another example of how videogames and life are similar, yet disimilar. I believe there are absolutely missed opportunities with the LORD. The biggest problem is that I don't get subsequent playthroughs. I do have a strategy guide called The Bible and I have a walkthrough guide named The Holy Spirit. I just need to be sure I'm consulting both as often as possible ;)

P) Father, I thank You for the good plans You have for my life. I know that might include struggles, even tremendously difficult times. In the end, though, I know that You intend good things for me, however that looks. I trust that, with each struggle I face, You're trying to teach me something; You're trying to get me to level up, get stronger, gain experience, and be ready for tougher fights when more is on the line. Holy Spirit, continue to guide me and talk to me and walk with me. Help me be very alert to Your instruction and direction. Help me consult You more often throughout the day. Open my eyes to see and my ears to hear, especially when I'm reading the Word. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/27/2012; Judges 3:4

Today's reading: Judges 1,2,3; 1 Corinthians 12

S)"⁴ They were for testing Israel, to find out if they would obey the commandments of the LORD, which He had commanded their fathers through Moses."

Judges 3:4 (NASB)

O) We've been talking about character development in church lately. This is another instance where God allowed struggle to persist for His children as a means to draw them into seeking Him, and to test their faithfulness and character. Unfortunately, it seems the collective nation was failing this test throughout the book of Judges and beyond. But, it's interesting because, even the lingering presence of those nations was a failing of the Israelites before this generation (in Judges 3). So, God was using the failing of the previous generation as the test for the current generation. That is to say, the LORD could have supernaturally drove out the lingering peoples that their (new generation) fathers failed to expel, but instead He chose to leave them as the new tests.

A) Now, with this idea of lingering failures becoming new tests, the question then becomes this: What kind of failed tests or incomplete disciplines might I end up leaving behind that become new tests for my children? So, here's the new perspective on my struggles, trials, and the discipline God is ever-trying to sharpen in me: I need to view each test of my own, not only in the context of my life and how it will secondarily-affect my children. Now I need to view times of striving as eventual tests my children may have to face on their own. It becomes all the more important that I leave no unfinished work, no failed tests, no course unlearned. It also becomes more and more evident that I need to take time to educate my children, as well, so that they will learn as many lessons and as much wisdom as possible, before making their own mistakes.

P) Father, Your discipline is pointed and out of Your tremendous love for me. Never let me forget that. With each challenge I face, God, let me approach it with a full understanding of the stakes and implications at hand. Holy Spirit, give me the kind of long-term, eternal perspective that the Father has. Let me be encouraged all the more, by the effect I can have on my children's success. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/26/2012; 1 Corinthians 11:32

Today's reading: Joshua 23,24; Psalms 44; 1 Corinthians 11

S)"³² But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world."

1 Corinthians 11:32 (NASB)

 

O) This is it, this is the difference between discipline and punishment. God doesn't condemn His children to hell, as long as they are rightly His children. He will, however, still judge our behaviors and our character right now. He will discipline us for our sins because He loves us and He wants to see our behavior improved. He wants to see our character grow in Him.

 

A) It's hard being disciplined. It's hard to learn patience and to learn restraint. Ultimately, though, the discipline of the Father produces a harvest of righteousness which is a blessing to me and to my family. When I make mistakes, I need to remember that God isn't about to punish me and He isn't angry with me, ready to pour out His wrath squarely on my head. Instead, whatever consequent discipline I receive, while painful, will still only be for my benefit, for my good.

 

P) Father, I welcome Your discipline in my life. The moment You stop disciplining me is the moment that Your judgement of me turns to condemnation. Whatever discipline it takes, Father, call me Your son. Holy Spirit, heighten my awareness and open my eyes to see when my struggle is discipline. Let me learn from my mistakes, even in the middle of my mistakes. Teach me, even better, to learn from the mistakes of others so that I can be disciplined before there are errors in my ways. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/25/2012; Joshua 21:45

Today's reading: Joshua 21,22; Psalms 47; 1 Corinthians 10

S)"⁴⁵ Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass."

Joshua 21:45 (NASB)

O) God has a perfect record of fulfilling His promises, because He's not in the business of guessing what will happen. God is able to look at time objectively and tell exactly what will happen, not just what is likely or what He intends to do. The fact that God is faithful over His promises, though, is fundamental to faith in Him. If He was unreliable, even once, then trusting Him at all becomes wishful thinking, at best.

A) The beautiful thing about the Gospel is that I am now considered one of the Father's sons. I know have a Father who will come through for me. He will save me, deliver me, protect me, provide for me. God is never a liar, even to a people not His own, but the difference is that I can now be a part of that which God promises. As such, everyday should be a celebration of His goodness toward me.

P) Father, You are so faithful and good and consistent. You are my rock and my salvation, LORD. Holy Spirit, remind me of this very Scripture, when times are hard or when the promise seems far off. Let me always look ahead, seeking  the next thing that the Father would have me do, so that in obedience I can see His promised land in my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.