SOAP 09/27/2014; Haggai 1:7-9

Today's reading: Haggai 1, 2; Psalm 129; Luke 10

S) "⁷ Thus says the Lord of hosts, 'Consider your ways! ⁸ Go up to the mountains, bring wood and rebuild the temple, that I may be pleased with it and be glorified,' says the Lord. ^9 'You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away. Why?' declares the Lord of hosts, 'Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house.'"

Haggai 1:7-9 (NASB)

O) This was some of the prophecy by Haggai the prophet, to the high priest Joshua, and the governor Zerubbabel, after the return to Jerusalem. They had begun to rebuild the temple upon their initial return (during Cyrus' reign), but it was halted by political adversaries. So, the foundation had been laid, but the temple work neglected. Meanwhile, the people were still inhabiting the city. They were trying to restart their lives, but they were effectively leaving the LORD by the wayside. They were struggling to succeed, and with this prophecy, God was telling them that they will never be successful until they got their priorities straight.

A) This is a pretty specific warning to the Israelites of the time, and as such, it can't be taken as a literal warning for me to maintain the building of my church. However, the first verse is a very clear, applicable warning. I need to consider my ways! I need to be sure that my priority is on the LORD and His will. My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, though, so I should be concerned with that. Also, my prosperity is not built on the perishable, and the promises of His prosperity is an eternal promise of eternal prosperity. Whether or not I ever achieve financial successes is irrelevant in light of His eternal grace.

P) Father, show me my ways, that I may consider them rightly according to Your wisdom and understanding. You are sovereign in my life, so I choose Your will over my own. If I may, let me be financially prosperous. I would love to be used to bless others financially, but I know I can be used to bless others regardless. Help me keep my eye on the eternal reward, my imperishable inheritance, as a co-heir with Your Son. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/26/2014; Psalm 113:5-6

Today's reading: Ezra 4; Psalms 113, 127; Luke 9

S) "⁵ Who is like the Lord our God,
Who is enthroned on high,
⁶ Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in heaven and in the earth?"

Psalm 113:5-6 (NASB)

O) The LORD is wonderfully unique. During this period, atheism was not a thing, really. Everyone understood and accepted, that the supernatural was normal and real, albeit mysterious. Everyone believed that the gods they worshiped were real - every bit as real as the LORD. But, one thing that made the LORD unique, was that He actually brought Himself low, to hear His people, to see their lives. This is evidence of something greater, though. This is evidence that the LORD lives! He is the only true, living God.

A) What a humbling reminder of the love that our Father God holds for His creation! In the few verses prior to this passage, we're reminded that the glory of the LORD our God is beyond the heavens - it's past outer space! Even in His vast and infinite existence, He is intimately aware of the minute details of our finite struggles. I am humbled and full of praise and thanksgiving.

P) Father, there is no one like You. I am humbled by Your presence in my life. You distinguished Yourself as the only True God, long ago, because no other god would respond to its worshipers. You see me, Lord. You hear me when I call upon You. When I seek You, I find You - but You find me also. I was never hidden from Your sight, and Your grace upon me was from the beginning of my very life. Hear my worship of You, LORD, and let the earth hear my praise of You. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/25/2014; Ezra 2:61-63

Today's reading: Ezra 2, 3; Luke 8

S) "⁶¹ Of the sons of the priests: the sons of Habaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai, who took a wife from the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and he was called by their name. ⁶² These searched among their ancestral registration, but they could not be located; therefore they were considered unclean and excluded from the priesthood. ⁶³ The governor said to them that they should not eat from the most holy things until a priest stood up with Urim and Thummim."

Ezra 2:61-63 (NASB)

O) By meticulous record keeping, the Jews returning from exile were able to re-establish jobs and societal roles based on familial roots. This was especially important for the Levites, because all matters of priesthood and temple service were broken down and defined by family, as far back as Moses. But here, there was a group of people, whose ancestry could not be validated. The beauty of this passage, though, is verse 63. The Urim and Thummim were pieces of the breastplate, worn by the high priest, used for casting lots in order to determine the will of God. What I found so wonderful about this passage, is that it reminds us of the Lord's sovereign will. Even when we can't prove our worth, the LORD will define it for us.

A) This is a humbling passage. I am who He says I am. I might think positively about my ancestry. I can believe I am gifted, talented, smart, etc., all based on my genes. But God will decide my worth for Himself. On the flip side, this verse also gives me hope. I can believe that I am cursed by dysfunction, prone to arrogance, bound by lust, etc., all based on my family history. But God will decide who I am and whom I serve. When He is my Lord, all preconceived identity is pointless and powerless.

P) Father, You are the God of all creation, and You never stop recreating. In Jesus, I celebrate that I am a new creation. Let that be evident to me, proven by the Holy Spirit confirming it, by conforming my life to Your will. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/24/2014; Ezra 1:4

Today's reading: Ezra 1; Psalm 84, 85; Luke 7

S) "⁴ Every survivor, at whatever place he may live, let the men of that place support him with silver and gold, with goods and cattle, together with a freewill offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem."

Ezra 1:4 (NASB)

O) Cyrus, king of Persia, had just acquired the exiles of God's people (so-to-speak), and in the first year of his reign, he fulfills the prophecy of Jeremiah (see v.1). This is another verse that shows us how the LORD stirs the hearts of all people, to bless His chosen nation at His appointed times. The LORD is sovereign.

A) There are two applications. As always, reading verses like this help to better understand who the LORD is. Also, this verse shows the importance of supporting my brothers and sisters in the Lord. I should be excited when my fellow believers are called to action, and I should be excited to support them in real ways, including financial support.

P) Father, this world is Yours to command. You direct the hearts of kings, and nothing is too difficult for You. You will create the ways to support Your will being done, even when it seems illogical or unlikely - even seeming impossible. I have seen such amazing blessings come from brothers and sisters aligning themselves with Your will, working together to support an individual, or a family, or a church. I want to be part of those blessings to others, Father. Include me, as You will, to be part of that joy and restoration and support. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/23/2014; Daniel 11:32-35

Today's reading: Daniel 11, 12; Luke 6

S) "³² By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action. ³³ Those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder for many days. ³⁴ Now when they fall they will be granted a little help, and many will join with them in hypocrisy. ³⁵ Some of those who have insight will fall, in order to refine, purge and make them pure until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time."

Daniel 11:32-35 (NASB)

O) These are the continued words of an angel of God, begun at Daniel 10:10, describing the end of time. This whole revelation is pieced together with other prophecies to shed some light on things that are still to come. While a great many mysteries still exist (a truth which can't really be overstated), we are given bits and pieces that begin showing us a bigger picture. While this passage certainly carries a warning, it may be for a time I never see. The same can be said for the promises it carries, too. However, there is a significant element, given in v.32, that applies immediately to every believer, I think.

A) This passage struck me first, giving me pause from conviction by the truth, "... the people who know their God will display strength and take action." I am guilty of inaction. But, I know my Bible pretty well. I know my God pretty well. And, the more I read and learn, the more I see that our God is a God of action. So, when I stop and think about who He is, really, then I am deeply convicted by my lack of action. The "display" that is described, is essentially the fruit of belief. We serve a God who requires our faith to be proven by our actions. James essentially echoed this same verse, expounding upon it further (see James 2:14-26). As we approach End Times (and we're constantly closer than yesterday, right?), then the need for our beliefs to prove themselves by our action, becomes more and more vital. Just as Daniel was prepared for the lions' den, by years of practicing his prayerful ways, I should be well-practiced in taking action, based on my knowledge of my God.

P) Father, I know that You are not a wasteful Lord. You did not redeem me, just so I could obsess about resisting temptations and attending church services. You redeemed me so that I would be used for Your greater purposes, according to Your will. As I implement the truths I am learning, understanding You more and more, I invite Your discipline into my life, Father. Teach me to be active, according to Your perfect will. Help me learn to abandon my own selfish desires, understanding the joy that comes from a purpose fulfilled. I want to be prepared for the worst, by acting on my faith, now. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/22/2014; Psalm 123:1-2

Today's reading: Daniel 9, 10; Psalm 123; Luke 5

S) "¹ To You I lift up my eyes,
O You who are enthroned in the heavens!
² Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the Lord our God,
Until He is gracious to us."

Psalm 123:1-2 (NASB)

O) Sometimes the simplest of songs can carry a heavy conviction. When I was younger, I struggled to understand lordship, but these verses paint a solid picture. A person's lord is the one to whom they look, when they need help. A person's lord has power and influence, protection and provision, where the servant does not.

A) While our LORD God has already been gracious to us all, in giving His Son to the world, there are certainly still struggles throughout life. When I face those trials, those tests, it is very revealing to see where I look first. If I have a financial hardship, and something unexpected comes, where do my eyes turn first? If I am struggling through a difficult relationship, where do I look first for help? Obviously, there is wisdom in seeking help and counsel from brothers and sisters, dependable friends, but my first response in life, for anything, should tell who my lord really is. My eyes should look to up, to Him who is enthroned in the heavens. I should look to the LORD my God, because He has always been gracious to me.

P) Father, You have been gracious to me forever, dealing with Your servant in lovingkindness and compassion without fail. Let me respond in faithfulness to You, my God, my Lord. Only after seeking You first, may I seek out brothers and sisters, or friends. Only after seeking the counsel of Your holy Word, may I seek wise counsel among men. As my Lord GOD, be first in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 09/21/2014; Daniel 8:27

Today's reading: Daniel 7, 8; Psalm 137; Luke 4

 S) "²⁷ Then I, Daniel, was exhausted and sick for days. Then I got up again and carried on the king’s business; but I was astounded at the vision, and there was none to explain it."

Daniel 8:27 (NASB)

O) Daniel had begun seeing visions of end-times events, but they were confusing - even to a man who was given great understanding and wisdom about dream interpretation. By the end of the visions and dreams, Daniel's spiritual journey had greatly affected his physical body. In the end, he was determined to resume his life, to get things going. He didn't succumb to the depression that threatened to overtake him. He got up and carried on his work. The most surprising part to me, and perhaps the most important element, were the last six words, "there was none to explain it." The issue was unresolved. He determined to continue, despite a lack of closure on the subject.

A) This is a great encouragement to continue my life, in days of struggles, trials, or hardships. Whether spiritual or physical, there are always going to be things that come up against me. There will be exhaustion, there will be sickness, there will be life happening to me. It's great when there are resolutions, and those certainly help me move forward with my life, and to move on from things. But, Daniel's experience is a reminder to press on, even without the dust settling. There is still my actual employment, my job to do. I will still be a husband, or father, or brother... I will still be a son of my Father God. He will always have work for me to do, and so I will get up and carry on the King's business.

P) Father, it is only by Your Spirit, and the grace You have given me, that I am able to face trials and struggles of every kind. There is work to be done, in a war that is waging. You told us that the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but spiritual. Even still, that fight can be physically exhausting. Let this example of Daniel's resolve, be an encouragement to me. Whatever may come against me, even continually against me, will not stop me from arising each morning, to do the work of my Father God. I will carry on my King's business. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.