SOAP 02/01/2014 Acts 8:26-29

Today's reading: Exodus 30, 31, 32; Acts 8


S) "²⁶ But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, 'Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.' (This is a desert road.) ²⁷ So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, ²⁸ and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. ²⁹ Then the Spirit said to Philip, 'Go up and join this chariot.'"

Acts 8:26-29 (NASB)

O) This is my favorite biblical story of a divine appointment. God absolutely sets up encounters for us to meet new people and share the gospel with them. It is specific in time and place and, maybe most especially, purpose. In this case, it's also notable that Philip's instruction started by an angel of the Lord, but then was continued by the Holy Spirit.

A) I do not always do a good job being purposeful with my encounters with people. I usually rationalize it away, but I think this is a good reminder of the purpose God puts into my encounters. I don't think every meeting with any person is a divine encounter, but if this is at the forefront of my mind, and I am praying throughout the day asking God for direction, then maybe I'll start looking for those divine appointments more often. Certainly, if I am approaching someone with the expectation that God has set up that meeting, I will be encouraged a lot more to be bold with the gospel. I have seen time and time again, that when I am actually called to share the gospel, it's with someone who is ready to hear it.

P) Father, let me be prayerful throughout my day, to seek these encounters. Make me more and more sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and even send an angel, to speak to me and draw me into these divine appointments with people. I want to share the gospel, especially when a person needs to hear it, with Your perfect timing. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/31/2014 Acts 7:51

Today's reading: Exodus 28, 29; Acts 7

S) "51 “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did."

Acts 7:51 (NASB)

     

O) Stephen does a great job summing up the beginning of the nation of Israel, in this chapter. It's remarkable, though, that everyone knew how foolish the first generation was when they left Egypt. This Sanhedrin, to whom Stephen was speaking, all knew the reason the first generation failed to reach The Promised Land. They weren't wandering for 40 years because they were lost. They were waiting for the first generation to die, so the second generation could enter. Even Moses, the most worthy of that first generation, made a costly error that excluded him access to The Promised Land. And yet, even with all the knowledge of that history, and years and years of similar turmoil for similar reasons, judge after judge, then king after king, up and down their nation went, waxing and waning, going from unfaithful, to faithful and condemning the infidelity of the previous generation, only to fall headlong into unfaithfulness again! Even still, the generation who saw Jesus, and then te apostles, still they could not humble themselves. Still they refused to circumcise their hearts and ears, to belong truthfully to The LORD. Instead, they ended up just like their fathers.

A) As a father, my biggest task is to raise my children to love, fear, and serve The LORD. There is blend of teaching them what to do, and what not to do. I want to teach them to do the things I do in godly disciplines, like studying scripture, worshiping throughout the week, prayer, fasting, etc. But, I also need to teach them (as ages make it appropriate) to avoid the mistakes I've made, some of which were passed on from my dad. This can be difficult, especially when it seems like my dad didn't (or even doesn't) present the best example. Then I need to do 2 things. I need to seek my Heavenly Father for an example, and I need to seek men from a generation before me, who do set a godly example.

P) Father, continue to mold me as Your son, and as the father of your grandchildren. Please put men in my life who can be examples to me, and let me even seek them out in humility and boldness. I want to raise my children in You, so they will raise their children in You, and on and on as a lasting legacy of faithfulness. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/30/2014 Exodus 25:9

Today's reading: Exodus 25, 26, 27; Acts 6

S) "⁹ According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it."

Exodus 25:9 (NASB)

     

O) Over and over through these three chapters of Exodus, God is giving very specific instructions on how to construct the Tabernacle. He gives specific measurements, materials, quantities, methods, and orders for things. I was left with the overriding thought about how orderly and structured and logical our God really is.

A) My first instinct is to want to expect God to be specific with me, looking for His detailed instructions. I don't think that's necessarily a wise application, though. Throughout the Bible, God has given specific instructions on things, like Noah building the Ark, or Ezekiel drawing up the plans of the rebuilt temple. But we also see stories where God doesn't share all of the details of a directive. So, maybe the bigger lesson to learn here, is that striving to be more like our Lord means I new to be more orderly in how I do things. I tend to "wing it" a lot. By the grace of God, that has worked more often than not, but these chapters show us that The LORD isn't in the business of hap-dashery. He plans things out with a specificity that is relatable. This is the kind of leader and father I want to be. Prayerfully, but carefully planning with specificity.

P) Father, direct me with detail, according to Your will. Let me emulate Your character, as a planner, calculating costs and defining measures. I am thankful for the grace in my life, allowing me to improvise, but let me also take the time to make plans, according to Your will. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/29/2014 Exodus 24:9-10

Today's reading: Exodus 23, 24; Psalm 14; Acts 5

S) "⁹ Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, ¹⁰ and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. ¹¹ Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they saw God, and they ate and drank."

Exodus 24:9-10 (NASB)

     

O) This is an amazing scene! Just imagining how that looked, for the host of them to be eating and drinking in the presence of The LORD! I can barely comprehend how that must felt, to be in such proximity to the Almighty, and to have such a shared and corporate awe and amazement.

A) The takeaway from this passage isn't so much in the passage itself, but in the knowledge that this amazing, unique, marvelous experience was so quickly forgotten! It's hard to fathom how the leaders could sit through this, and still have unbelieving hearts when it was time to go into the Promised Land! This is another case when I cannot presume that I am any better than they were, or that I have any more faith than they did. It's hard to know what God might ask of me ahead of time, so this is a lesson to hold tightly to the intimacy I've experienced with God. I need to hold tightly to the memories of His deliverance, provision, and miracles of every kind. I need to determine ahead of time, to let God's past build my faith, to be obedient in trusting Him for every circumstance.

P) Father, give me the courage to follow where You lead. Remind me of all that You've done for me, personally, and for me as part of Your greater works of grace and mercy. Let me take it all personally, and remember that You chose me specifically and individually and purposely. Let me trust in those things. Give me a humble and believing heart. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/28/2014 Exodus 22:28

Today's reading: Exodus 21, 22; Psalm 12; Acts 4

S) "²⁸ 'You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.'"

Exodus 22:28 (NASB)

     

O) It isn't at all that this concept is new. There are several NT verses that talk about praying for leadership, and how leadership is established by God. What I really ponder, here, is the pairing of these two concepts, so closely. Do not revile God + Do not curse a ruler of your people. By pairing these together, it really seems to me that God is putting them on an equal level, of sorts. So now, for example, I can imagine a lot of people who might say something disparaging about our president but then quickly jumping to say, "Well, I wasn't actually cursing him, though." Then, that's where I think about this pairing. Would I dare to do anything that could even remotely be considered, even misconstrued, as reviling God? If not, and if The LORD indeed puts these two things on anything resembling an equal ground, then should I dare to do anything that could even remotely be considered, even misconstrued, as cursing a ruler of my people?

A) I've been aware of the NT instruction to obey and respect our nation's leader (and indeed, any authority placed over us), but I've never considered that the offense of it, the disobedience of it, would be considered something akin to reviling God. If ever I needed additional motivation to obey and respect the president (and other authorities), this verse gives me a strong reminder.

P) Father, continue to humble me, LORD. You have done a great work in softening my heart and changing my respect for authority and rules, and through grace I will continue in that submission to authority. Let this verse remind me how serious this concept is. May I bless the ruler of my people, and keep pride far from me, in Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/27/2014 Exodus 17:11-13

Today's reading: Exodus 17, 18, 19, 20; Acts 3

S) "¹¹ So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. ¹² But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. ¹³ So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword."

Exodus 17:11-13 (NASB)

     

O) Worship is an integral part of spiritual warfare (and believe that this battle was every bit a spiritual one, as it was a physical one). This also shows how powerful it is when we raise our hands in worship. It's not as an emotional response to minor chord progressions, it's a deliberate submission to the power of the Almighty God.

A) Of the three traditional disciplines of worship, Bible study, and prayer, I feel the most drawn to worship. I don't know if it's because I spent so much time as a musician (ok, a drummer, at least!) or if my tendency toward worship is what drew me to play an instrument in the first place. Either way, I enjoy worship the most of the three, and could easily spend hours doing it and nothing else. Often times, however, when I feel like I need a victory in my life, I automatically feel like I need to "pray more" or "find the answer in the Bible" and, I don't know why, I seldom think to worship my way through the battle. Of course the Scriptures hold truth and answers to questions, and of course prayer and waiting upon The Lord is valuable, especially during trying times, but I shouldn't suddenly neglect this area of strength on some pretense that other things will be more effective. In sports, they use the phrase, "play to your strengths" and I need to do just that.

P) Father, I love to worship You and to sing Your praises. You are mighty and just, gracious and merciful, patient and full of lovingkindness. You have blessed me with a heart that loves to adore who You are, and loves to sing and make music to proclaim that. Remind me, God, that it is completely appropriate for me to worship You in times of trouble. When I am in the middle of a battle, let me remember that You hear my cry when I sing out to You. Thank You for giving me this heart of worship. Let me remain humble and honest in it. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/26/2014 Exodus 16:8

Today's reading: Exodus 14, 15, 16; Acts 2

S) "⁸ Moses said, 'This will happen when the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening, and bread to the full in the morning; for the Lord hears your grumblings which you grumble against Him. And what are we? Your grumblings are not against us but against the Lord.'"

Exodus 16:8 (NASB)

     

O) The part of this verse that stood out the most is definitely the last sentence. This isn't the first time the Israelites complain at Moses, and it won't be the last, but this is the only time I can remember him redirecting, even deflecting, their complaint from him and onto God. The thing is, I think he's absolutely right to do so. The Israelites have seen some pretty amazing miracles so far, so they must know that The LORD is with them and behind this exodus. So, out of fear and convenience, and probably out of an inability to see a bigger picture, they are (mis)directing their anger and discontent at Moses.

A) I think this verse is a great reminder to examine my heart. When I'm having a rough day, whatever the circumstances, I need to carefully consider what my sour disposition is saying about my relationship with God and how I'm viewing Him in those times. Am I upset with what my boss that I didn't get a promotion? Or am I having a hard time trusting God's provision? Am I frustrated with my kids' getting sick? Or am I disbelieving God's healing?

P) Father, reveal my heart to me. So much of my joy and peace has to do with the condition of my heart. My perspective on things can be so misguiding, so I want to have Your eyes when I'm facing anything in my life. When trials come and storms rage, when I am upset, show me what my heart is truly saying. I choose humility, Lord, but when I don't, I invite you to humble me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.