SOAP 06/22/2012; 2 Kings 8:5-6

Today's reading: 2 Kings 8,9; 2 Chronicles 21; 1 Timothy 4
     
S) "⁵ As he was relating to the king how he had restored to life the one who was dead, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and for her field. And Gehazi said, 'My lord, O king, this is the woman and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.' ⁶ When the king asked the woman, she related it to him. So the king appointed for her a certain officer, saying, 'Restore all that was hers and all the produce of the field from the day that she left the land even until now.'"
     

2 Kings 8:5-6 (NASB)
     

O) Years earlier, God's favor came upon this Shunammite woman when Elisha came prophesied that she'd have a son. When her son died as a child, she ran in faith to bring Elisha to her son, so that the LORD would resurrect him. Then, some time later, Elisha tells her there will be a famine for 7 years and she must sojourn anywhere. So she goes and comes back after the famine, and she wants to reclaim her land. After relaying her story to the king, he restores what belongs to her. This is the culmination of this lesson:
the LORD does not do favors, but rather, the LORD favors. As His children, His favor rests upon us. That is to say, it comes and stays upon us (see Luke 2:14). When He blesses, in faith we can lay claim to keep it. Whether we lose a child until they are resurrected (in this world or in the life to come), or if we lose our place in the land and everything we had until it is restored (in this world or in the life to come), the favor or the LORD is not momentary.
     
A) Now, the concept of "happily ever after" is certainly a myth. Accepting God's mercy through Jesus Christ, being reborn as a child of God, does not ensure an easy life for me. In fact, quite the opposite. As a son of The King, the enemy lays his sights. But none of that matters in the end, because I've already won! The favor of the LORD came to rest on me because of Jesus, my King, my Brother. So I persevere through every hardship, holding onto the hope that comes through faith in Him who favors me.
     
P) Father, Your lovingkindness is everlasting! You show favor to the undeserving and redemption to those who had profaned Your holy name! You drew me into Your presence, by the Holy Spirit, calling me out of death and despair, and into life and hope. Holy Spirit, let me feel Your presence constantly, so that even in times of stress or confusion, I have peace in knowing that I am still favored. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/21/2012; 2 Chronicles 20:21-22

Today's reading: 2 Kings 6,7; 2 Chronicles 20; 1 Timothy 3
     
S) "²¹ When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the LORD and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, 'Give thanks to the LORD, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.' ²² When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed."
     

2 Chronicles 20:21-22 (NASB)
     

O) How important is it to praise the LORD, especially in the storm? The example is that the king commands the praise to begin, before the victory has actually be given. And then, it is through the praise that the LORD brings His salvation to them. And notice what the king actually says. He says to give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, not for His deliverance. He was choosing to praise the LORD for who He is, not for what He was about to do. That is true worship.
     
A) It's important for me to remember that praise can be spiritual warfare. Declaring truth about God is one of the fastest ways to overcome the lies that the enemy puts in my ear. It's also one of the fastest ways to bring the manifest-presence of the LORD. So, when I'm facing a challenge, a battle, I need to pray and even fast, but especially praise Him.
     
P) Father, Your lovingkindness is everlasting! Your goodness knows no bounds! In my struggles, in my uncertainty, when trials and calamity come against me, I will praise You still, because You are worthy of my praise. You deserve praise for who You are, as much as for what You have done. Holy Spirit, draw me into times of praise, even if the fight seems to be a physical one. Let me find Your presence in my worship, so that You can break the strongholds of the enemy, bring deliverance to Your people, and have Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/20/2012; 2 Kings 5:11

Today's reading: 2 Kings 4,5; Psalm 83; 1 Timothy 2
     
S) "¹¹ But Naaman was furious and went away and said, 'Behold, I thought, "He will surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper."'"
     

2 Kings 5:11 (NASB)
     

O) Naaman was looking for a little bit of hype to go with his healing. He had particular expectations for how the miracle would come about and when the reality didn't meet his expectations, he became angry. Ultimately, he was convinced that, while he was being asked to do something ordinary (washing in the Jordan river seven times), he was being asked to do it by a great prophet (Elisha). So, he eventually goes and does as he's told and he's healed. Then he acknowledges the sovereignty of the LORD.
     
A) It's not the action that brings the miracle, but it's the LORD. He may ask me to do something extraordinary and unusual, but as often as not, it will be something regular or plain. I must place my faith and trust in Him, and in what He says, not based on my own expectations of how things "should" be. The excitement should never be in the action, but in the amazing fact that the Creator of all things wants me involved in what He's doing. It reminds me of the song, Praise Is Awaiting, when they sing, "You only do wondrous things, God who wills to save." The things which seem ordinary, are truly made extraordinary by His very involvement in them.
     
P) Father, I presume to know nothing when You are leading me. Help me clear away all of my preconceived notions about the details of Your instruction. Thank You for giving me Your Word, which does not change, so that I am certain of who You are and other discernible, unchanging qualities of life with You. But, when it comes to spontaneous acts of obedience, let me follow Your lead in the uncommon and common alike. Refresh my perception so that I see every interaction with You as truly amazing. Let me be filled with awe at our every moment together, however that looks. Holy Spirit, lead me into exciting adventures, regardless of how they might look at first. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/19/2012; 2 Kings 3:10-11

Today's reading: 2 Kings 1,2,3; Psalm 82; 1 Timothy 1
     
S) "¹⁰ Then the king of Israel said, 'Alas! For the LORD has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.' ¹¹ But Jehoshaphat said, 'Is there not a prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?' And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, 'Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.'"
     

2 Kings 3:10-11 (NASB)
     

O) This is one of the most interesting periods of the divided kingdoms of the Israelites, to me. I find it fascinating because you have this treaty between the two kingdoms, but they won't unify, and one (Judah) is still seeking the LORD while the other (Israel) is ignoring Him, more or less. Then, when things like this happen, the king of Judah seeks the LORD with the king of Israel, the LORD delivers them, but one king still won't submit to the LORD.
     
A) This is reminiscent of growing up in the church and having some siblings serve God and some who ignore Him. I basically have a treaty with some of my siblings, where we agree not to attack each other, but they still won't acknowledge the Truth. So, I need to continue spending time with them, giving them more and more examples of the Living God. I need to do what I can to share my testimony of miracles, or even be with them more often, so that when God performs a miracle in my life, they are aware of it, even if they don't want to acknowledge it (yet).
     
P) Father, thank You for opening my eyes to see and ears to hear. I know that it's by grace that any are drawn to You by the Holy Spirit. I pray that every moment I spend with my family, who does not yet see You in truth, I pray that those are opportunities for them to see Your miraculous hand. Reveal Yourself to them, using me as You see fit, according to Your will. Even if I must suffer for a time, so that they can see Your saving power at work in me, so be it. Open their eyes to see and their ears to hear. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/18/2012; Colossians 4:5

Today's reading: 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18,19; Colossians 4
     
S) "⁵ Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity."
     

Colossians 4:5 (NASB)
     

O) We live in a world of religious confusion. There are numerous religions claiming the name of Christ, although they do no represent the Bible in truth. There are countless misconceptions regarding actual Christian beliefs. There are celebrities calling themselves Christians while tweeting things contrary to what the Bible, or even in some cases, Jesus himself, says. Then you have the literally crazy people, doing criminal things in the name of Christ. It is no wonder so many non-believers shy away from hearing the gospel. This makes it so incredibly important that, with every opportunity, we are wisely and correctly representing Christ, because sometimes we are the only true reflection a person might know.
     
A) The Bible teaches that I should only fear authority if I am guilty (Romans 13:3). In the same way, I should only fear scrutiny and a close eye on my life and lifestyle, if I am lacking integrity. Every moment I spend with some one who has not yet submitted themselves fully to Christ, is a moment for me to show them what it means to be a reborn child of God. Whether that's a deep discussion about the infallible truth of the Word, or the way I manage my emotions. From the way I talk to my wife and children to the way I worship. God has, and will continue to, put people in my path who will see Him through me. So, I need to continue to pray for His wisdom to guide me through those opportunities.
     
P) Father, simply put, You are the best thing that's ever happened to me. It's a scary thing to share honest, open, and vulnerable parts of my life, but whatever I can do to share the wonderful gospel with others, I want to do it, God. I know You will continue to make opportunity, so Holy Spirit, give me wisdom to make the most of those times. Let others see my life, not as what I have done for Your Name, but what Your Name has done for me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/17/2012; Colossians 3:21

Today's reading: 1 Kings 20,21; 2 Chronicles 17; Colossians 3
     
S) "²¹ Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart."
     

Colossians 3:21 (NASB)
     

O) Today is Father's Day, and how fitting is it that this verse is in today's reading? This verse is pretty simple in its instruction, but it's pretty deep in its implications. One thing that stands out is that it doesn't say anything about mothers exasperating their children. As I look around at various families I know, almost exclusively, it's the fathers who tend to push their kids. Whether taking a joke too far, hurting feelings, or pushing a discussion too long, creating bitterness, or some other form of a father not letting up.
     
A) Exasperating can mean a number of things, but ultimately, I need to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit, so that I am not taking anything further than I should. In discipline, I need to set the tone and culture of our family, showing my children what is, and what is not, right for a child of God, but I need to balance that by showing the grace and mercy of the Father as well. In jest, I need to show my children the value of laughter and a lighter side of life, but I need to balance that with compassion and empathy, to show them the heart of the Father. In the end, I need to remember that fatherhood is not about me being a father, it's about them being children.
     
P) Father, You are perfect in Your fatherhood. Shape me to be the father I am to be in You, so that my children grow up and realize that a relationship with You is already familiar and normal and comforting, because my relationship with them was a reflection of that. Holy Spirit, lead me in all things pertaining to righteous fatherhood. Bless my children to know You through me. Open their eyes to see and their ears to hear so that they identify their Father in heaven, through His vessel, their father on earth. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.