SOAP 01/03/2015; Genesis 4:5-7

Today's reading: Genesis 4


S) "⁵ but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. ⁶ Then the Lord said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? ⁷ If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.'"

Genesis 4:5-7 (NASB)

O) Cain's offerings from the fields were not acceptable. Abel's offerings from the flocks were acceptable. The details of those two offerings are not given, but there are many theories. What seems more important, though, is to look at the immediate aftermath. There was a separation from God, when Cain tried to obey and missed the mark of righteousness. He became very angry, and his countenance fell. When God confronts him, He first asks about Cain's heart, then asks about his actions. Why was he angry (heart), then why was his countenance fallen (beginnings of actions taken). This is the first time we see sin personified as having its own appetite for destruction. God gives all of us a warning to go with this clear picture of the cycle of sin.

A) When I make a mistake, my emotions will begin driving me away from God (countenance down), which will pull me into more sin. The solution is to lift my eyes up, to the only hope for freedom. In Jesus Christ, the power of sin is finally defeated. It still exists, but it no longer has the power or authority to rule me. We are given the power to master sin, because of the indwelling Holy Spirit. When I find myself in the immediate aftermath of sin, I first need to evaluate my heart, and determine why my emotions are what they are. Then, I can ask God to deal with those heart-level issues. Then, I need to immediately, and carefully examine my reactive behavior to the sin I have committed, to ensure that I am putting my eyes, faith, and obedience back where they belong, firmly on my Lord and Savior.

P) Father, You are so faithful to me. I am humbled by the grace and mercy I receive each day. I pray that I never sin again, but I know that I am still fallible, and living in a broken and sinful flesh, in a broken and sinful world. I never want to count on the "next time I sin" scenario, Father. But, I also want to be realistic. If I find myself in the mess of my mistakes again, Father God, open my ears to hear Your call, to examine my heart and my next behaviors. Let true repentance be established as my habit, if not perfection in my obedience. Thank You again, for the grace that covers my life, and the mercy I have through Your Son. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/02/2015; Genesis 2:15

Today's reading: Genesis 2

S) "¹⁵ Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it."

Genesis 2:15 (NASB)

O) Before sin entered the world, even before Eve was created, Adam was sent to work. Without sin, the world was pure, and not yet corrupted. Adam's motives and desires were still blameless. There was no shame or death. His obedience to God was from sincere love. The world was perfect, and Adam was called to work. Even in that utopian scene, however, God still saw Adam's need. Not only was there work, but there was more work to do, than Adam would be able to do alone. All of this, before sin entered the world. It was God's perfect will for Adam to work, and hard enough that he would need help.


A) This concept was hard for me to accept, at first. For a long time, my idea of a perfect world, meant that I didn't have to work, and I could play games all day. As I began to serve God - literally serving Him, in ministry to others - I began to understand the true joy of obedient hard work. The only thing I have discovered that is more joy, is working for God, with my wife. This verse serves as an eternal reminder that God's vision for perfection can be quite the opposite of my own. This is more evidence that I must seek His will, and conform mine to it. Even in a perfect world, I am supposed to do work.

P) Father, Your will is perfect and good. I am so thankful for those two truths working together. You have continually opened my eyes to see Your will more clearly, and understand Your nature (and mine) more and more. You have created in me, a new understanding of the purpose behind work. You have also given me a new work ethic, because of it. Please continue that work in me, as I strive to do Your will each day. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 01/01/2015; Genesis 1:1

Today's reading: Genesis 1

S) "¹ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Genesis 1:1 (NASB)

O) This is the beginning, the Genesis, the foundation, the origin. "In the beginning God," is a powerful grouping of words. It establishes that God existed in eternity, before creation. He existed without human relationship - God doesn't need me to love, worship, or obey Him. It establishes that the Bible, all of creation, is really about Him. He is the central character, not the things or people He created. Genesis is the origin story of earth, and man, all of creation, but not the origin story of God. No, this is the origin of relationship with God. This is the origin of reference to God. We, as creation, give God's existence a sort of contrasting definition. That is, however, only from our perspective. Again, God existed before the creation. The created was made for God, not the other way around. However, God existed forever before creation. He was not compelled to create man. He did not need to create us. He only chose to create us. It was His will, not His need to create us. We are created to glorify Him with our very existence. We do not validate Him; God does not need our help. To whom does He need to prove Himself? We exist to glorify Him, because it is His will for us to know Him. We are made to worship and praise Him, so that others will recognize Him, because He is good and He wants us to see His character, love, and existence.


A) The central struggle of humanity, is that we (as individuals and collectives) want the story to be about us. One of my favorite videogames is Final Fantasy X (10). In the opening scene, we see the main character, Tidus, declare that it is his story. He is claiming ownership over his own destiny. What Tidus doesn't realize, though, is that he is completely wrong. Other characters in the game existed before him, and after him. Also, he is fictional, and I completely control Tidus. In fact, people are drawn to play a game like that (I am drawn to a game like that) because on a deeper level, his declaration of independence is the cry of my sinful heart. I want the story to be about me. Not just his story, but as it bleeds out into my real life. But, just as I am on another plane of existence from a fictional videogame, God exists on a different level than me. Not to take this to a silly level, but God is sovereign and I am not. For me to pretend that I have control over my life, is to completely rebel against my Creator, and it is just as futile for me to act under such a delusional pretense (as it is for a fictional game character to break a fourth wall (in a scripted game, no less!) and address the person holding the controller!). I need to live this life with the understanding that it is not my story, but a very small page in His story. As such, I need to get on the same page as the Author and Perfector of my faith.

P) Father, I confess that I have been viewing my life in selfish rebellion. It is the most central struggle I have, that I would live out my life as if I am in control, scripting the course of my destiny. Thank You for the grace at work in my life, that You have provided, protected, and perfected my mistakes. When I have gone off script, and tried to make the story about me, You have been so patient, and slow to anger, and merciful. This story really is about You, and as such, I want to keep making it about You. Help me to keep focus, in humility, to glorify Your name in my life. Most people in history do not have their lives recorded in the Bible with any detail whatsoever. I don't know, when it's all said and done, if my role in the play would rank enough for even a byword. I may be less than an extra, but if that's Your will for Your story, then let Your will be done. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/31/2014; Revelation 20:6

Today's reading: Revelation 19, 20, 21, 22

S) " ⁶ Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years."

Revelation 20:6 (NASB)

O) What is the highest honor, as a disciple of Christ, except to die for Him? After all, that is exactly what He did for us. Jesus said that there is no greater love than to lay down our own life for another. But, what is remarkable, is the reward for that martyrdom. They will be part of the first resurrection - but in terms of eternity, what is a thousand years? They will reign during that millennium, but there are no details given. No, the real reward is this: with Him. And, again, in terms of forever, this thousand years will be lost - but in terms of now, they don't have to wait. This is like the ultimate "fast pass" with Jesus, and that close relationship is the ultimate prize.

A) I may never lose my life for Christ, but the relationship is still here, now. It may not be as intimate, and some of the details are different, but I need to value it just the same. The ultimate goal, in all of my discipleship, study, prayers, journaling - all of it should be getting me time with my Savior. To be with Him is the prize.

P) Father, as this year draws to a close, I am realizing more and more that my relationship with You is the ultimate goal, God. Of all the things I did in 2014, and all of the things I might do in 2015, nothing matters but my proximity to You, through Your Son, Jesus Christ. As I move into the new year, may that be my focus and constant goal. Continue to reshape me, and work on me from the inside out. Regenerate me, as I resolve to draw closer to You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/30/2014; Revelation 16:8-9

Today's reading: Revelation 15, 16, 17, 18

S) "⁸ The fourth angel poured out his bowl upon the sun, and it was given to it to scorch men with fire. ⁹ Men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory."

Revelation 16:8-9 (NASB)

O) This is the fourth of seven plagues, which are drawing close to the end of The End. Reading the beginning of chapter 15, we see that those who were already victorious over the beast and his number, are apparently spared these seven plagues. Still, the purpose of these plagues, is that some might repent and return to God. It seems almost unthinkable that, after witnessing three previous plagues, poured out upon the earth by angels of God (not to mention everything else that's happened up until this point), there would still be people on earth unwilling to bend their rebellious necks to an obviously omnipotent God.

A) Their unwillingness to repent, and their blasphemy, is noted a few more times through these seven plagues. I chose to highlight this, though, because v.9 also says, specifically, that repentance gives glory to God. This is where these verses can really have an impact in my life, here and now. Obviously, my hope and prayer, and confidence, is that I will not see the seven plagues - even if I am alive for the events in Revelation - having my name written in the Lamb's Book (see Revelation 13:8-18), and with my own victory because of the blood of the Lamb and the power of my testimony (see Revelation 12:11). However, every sin I commit, becomes an opportunity for me to glorify God. This does not mean my sin is a good thing, but it means that the mistakes which should damn me, because of His grace and mercy, are redeemed into an opportunity to let the beauty of His Son shine forth. My repentance should be on display to someone. This is another reason why our confession and repentance should be to vocalized to a brother (or sister to sister). Accountability like that gives Him glory.

P) Father, over and over I am amazed at the perfection of Your plan for redemption. Every part of Your will in salvation, and the way You are calling me to live my life, is perfectly at work from start to finish - not at all because of me, but because of how You executed that plan, God. I am humbled every time I see the goodness of Your plan in a new light. I don't want to miss opportunities to glorify You in repentance. It is only because of the goodness of Your grace at work within me, that I am humbled and willing to repent for my sins. With this purpose in mind, give me the courage to confess my sins, and make my repentance known, if not publicly, to someone. Instead of seeing only my failure to uphold the righteousness You've given me, let me see my mistakes also as opportunities to put Your grace and mercy on display. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/29/2014; Revelation 13:8-9

Today's reading: Revelation 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

S) "⁸ All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain. ⁹ If anyone has an ear, let him hear."

Revelation 13:8-9 (NASB)

O) To be clear, the "him" in the first sentence is referring to the beast. A few verses later from this passage (see vv.11-18) refer to the mark of the beast. It gets the majority of the attention, yet the truly significant portion of the passage really comes from verse eight. So, when John repeats in verse 18, that the one who has an ear should hear, there is a significance put on the whole passage, not just the mark part. In fact, if the correct emphasis is put on v.8, then the mark is almost made irrelevant. Again, this passage is really reinforcing the truth of God's sovereignty.

A) In light of the context, after which the mark is mentioned, it seems justified to forget debates or speculations about what the mark even is, exactly. Once again, my mind is called to dwell on the promises of God. With my name written in the book of life of the Lamb, then He guides and protects my life according to His will. That is what my ears will hear. I'm sure that the significance of the mark of the beast will become realized, if I see that day for myself. However, until that day reveals itself, then I will put my focus on my name in His book.

P) Father, Your sovereignty and power, and will, are all humbling. Help me to keep my focus on that grace, and on the promises You have made to those who love You, and whom You love. Let my mind focus on that, with an open ear to hear what You have spoken. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/28/2014; Revelation 7:1-3

Today's reading: Revelation 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

 S) "¹ After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, so that no wind would blow on the earth or on the sea or on any tree. ² And I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God; and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, ³ saying, 'Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.'"

Revelation 7:1-3 (NASB)

O) Revelation can be quite a scary book to read. There is a lot of powerful imagery, certain death, tribulation, and mystery recorded in the book. The above passage is pretty firmly positioned in the middle of all the craziness starting. The four horsemen of the apocalypse have already come, and a fourth of the earth has been quickly killed. Scary. Then, this verse shows us a comforting truth. Amid all of the (to us) uncertainty within this vision, God, our heavenly Father, is still completely sovereign. Nothing recorded in the book of Revelation will happen without His completely knowledge, or even explicit direction.

A) There is nothing to fear in the book of Revelation, for those who completely trust and obey the LORD. The same God who is sovereign in these end-times, is the same God who was sovereign throughout the Bible, and is the same God who is sovereign right now. When things get hectic and scary, I need to remember that every test, trial, or tribulation I experience, is still well within His control, even if it's well beyond mine.

P) Father, You are completely in control. You are sovereign, all-powerful, and wise. You are completely trustworthy. Not even the wind will blow, without Your permission. Help me to remember that You are always in control, especially when things seem to be mounting against me. Let me rest in the knowledge that I am sealed with the Holy Spirit, already. Let Your will continue to be done in my life, and in the world, just as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.