SOAP 12/25/2015; 1 John 3:17-18

Today's reading: 1 John 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

S) "¹⁷ But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? ¹⁸ Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth."

1 John 3:17-18 (NASB)

O) John laid out very simple instructions, that exhibit the love of Christ. Love is certainly more than words, and even more than affection. Love should involve deeds. Those deeds are also qualified with truth. Actions, no matter how helpful, if they are done deceitfully, then it can't be real love. It's also notable that John never really defines "need" when it comes to being helpful and loving. He never says to judge the needy person's neediness. He never instructs us to do a background check, to see why they are needy. He just says not to close our heart to them, and to love them in truth and in deed.

A) This passage convicted me for two reasons. First, I do not often think of myself as rich, but John doesn't say the rich should help the poor. He said if we have te world's goods. I do have that, and yet I've ised my own lack of wealth (relativity being what it is), as an excuse to close my heart against the needs of others. The second conviction comes from all the areas where I saw a gap between my affections and my actions. Immediately, the Holy Spirit just opened my eyes to relationships and circumstances, where my affections said love, but my actions said... well, not love I think. At least, my actions didn't match my affections. This must change, and will only change by the Holy Spirit working in me toward obedience.

P) Father, I confess that my love has been lacking. Discipline me, Lord. Help me to obey as I should, to love people in truth and deeds that match my words. Help me to slow down, and to appreciate the blessings I have. Help me to see myself as wealthy, and privileged as I am. Don't let it stop there, but motivate me to more honest actions. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/24/2015; Proverbs 8:35-36

Today's reading: John 19, 20, 21*

S) "³⁵ 'For he who finds me finds life
And obtains favor from the Lord.
³⁶ 'But he who ^[n]sins against me injures himself;
All those who hate me love death.'"

Proverbs 8:35-36 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Proverbs 8

O) In terms of the poetic books, this chapter has always been one of my favorites. Solomon personifies wisdom in this chapter, giving her a female voice. She tells of her deep value, which is better than any precious metal or stone. Then she goes on to describe how she was born for God in ancient times, and stood with God through the creation of the world. Finally, we get to the closing verses (above), and she says simply, that finding her is the same as finding life. It is that serious. Finding her means obtaining favor from the LORD. These are the absolute highest benefits anything could have. There is literally nothing better than to have life, and to have favor with God. Then there is a warning in the last verse, about the danger of not having wisdom. It's notable in the last verse(which is why I left the footnote!), "sins against me" can also be, "misses me," and when we look all the way back up to vv.3-4, that makes a lot of sense. It's almost presenting two levels of warning, there. There is the passive missing of Wisdom's call, but also the active hatred of Wisdom. The one surely means injury, but the other means death.

A) First, I must recognize that wisdom comes from God, through the revelation of Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Many people will be wiser than me, and some may have less wisdom than me, but if we are all in Christ, then we have the same favor with the LORD, because the favor I have is based on the righteous character of Jesus Christ, Himself, which is imparted to us in grace. So, I cannot chase wisdom, thinking I will find more favor with God. I could not actually have any more favor than I do, because I am already in Christ, and He is as favored as anyone will ever be. Even still, I can do myself harm if I turn deaf ears to wisdom's call. I must always remain humble, and seek wisdom, because that will give me discipline, maturity, and growth, that I may live a life of obedience to the LORD. In Christ, I am already favored and have life. With wisdom, I may bless the LORD more fully.

P) Father, thank You for opening my ears to the call of wisdom, even as much as You already have. I know that I have been given some level of wisdom already, even in the grace that I believed the gospel. That was wisdom. However, I know that there is an immeasurable amount of wisdom I still lack. So please keep me humble, and teachable, that I may seek wisdom actively, and never shut her out. Be glorified in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/23/2015; Proverbs 6:30-31

Today's reading: John 15, 16, 17, 18*

S) "³⁰ Men do not despise a thief if he steals
To satisfy himself when he is hungry;
³¹ But when he is found, he must repay sevenfold;
He must give all the substance of his house."

Proverbs 6:30-31 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Proverbs 6

O) These verses come in the middle of a reminder for the son to remember the lessons his parents taught him. Particularly, this is continued warning against adultery. Then, we see this passage nestled between two verses that are very clearly about adultery... so it becomes clear that Solomon meant the verses above to be metaphorical. He's still talking about sexual immorality, only this time he is suggesting some amount of empathy or understanding. There are lots and lots of reasons people justify or rationalize fornication. Many of those reasons are frankly understandable. Even so, those reasons are frankly insufficient. That's the point that Solomon is making with this analogy about bread. No matter what the circumstances, sinning is still wrong. It's also notable that the beginning to v.30 can literally be read, "They do not; or Do not men...?" and, "to satisfy his soul," This passage is deeper than food and petty crime.

A) There are a few reasons to remember this passage, and especially to remember it is not about food theft. First and foremost, I must remember that there is never justification for sinning. I cannot ever rationalize my mistakes. There are no extenuating circumstances. Second, I must be very careful when I am listening to a man talk about their own struggle with a sin. As much as I might want to relate to their struggle, and convey that I understand how hard his circumstance is, I cannot make the mistake of corroborating their sinful choice. Spiritually speaking, we can never repay what we take (metaphorically speaking), but that doesn't mean my mistakes won't cost me. So, when sin is confessed (whether it's my confession, or I'm listening to another man's), repentance must be the very next step. Not rationalizing, or excusing, or minimizing, or blame-shifting. Repentance, and then constructive actions to restore, heal, and encourage moving forward.

P) Father, thank You first, for the grace that You have already taken care of the repayment. Don't let me ever lose sight, though, that my freedom was not free. Jesus paid the penalty of my sins, once for all. Thank You for the grace and mercy I receive. Help me to keep a straight, clear understanding of my temptations and sins. Please don't let me be deceived by the lies about sin. There is never a justified reason to do things my own way. Any actions I take that are contrary to Your ways, are wrong actions to take. There are no other ways to see sin. Help me to convey this to others, in love. This is hard to do, God. I want to empathize with others, and show them that I understand how hard temptation is. Still, I know that there is no rationalization that works. So, please give me the wisdom and the words, to meet people in the pain of their struggles, without corroborating their sins. Help me to teach this to my children, too. Above all else, let Your will be done, and let Your name be glorified. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/22/2015; Proverbs 5:18-19

Today's reading: John 12, 13, 14*

S) "¹⁸ Let your fountain be blessed,
And rejoice in the wife of your youth.
¹⁹ As a loving hind and a graceful doe,
Let her breasts satisfy you at all times;
Be exhilarated always with her love."

Proverbs 5:18-19 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Proverbs 5

O) Solomon was teaching here, likely from his own experiences with the folly of adultery (and polygamy). This entire chapter is a warning about adultery, and the pain, poverty, sickness, and eventual death that comes from sexual immorality. Then, for the last third of the chapter, Solomon turned from warning to encouragement (and knowing the life of Solomon, we can almost hear his regret through his words). The solution he presented to his son, was to not simply avoid the adulteress, but to cling to his wife. He presented sexuality in the image of a fountain or a cistern (vv.15-18), which is where he became a little more direct with his instruction. The point he is making in this passage, is that by his son making his wife his only desire (rejoice in the wife of his youth), he will protect himself from temptation. It is also notable that Solomon said "Let her breasts satisfy..." (emphasis added), which is to imply that his wife will satisfy him if he doesn't do anything to jeopardize this. That is to say, his actions and behaviors can either let her satisfy his desire, or it can stand in the way of her being able to satisfy his desire. Finally, he tells his son to "Be exhilarated..." Which is a peculiar sounding instruction. So many times, we assume our emotional reactions to things are innate. We assume that we have no conscious impact on our emotions, but the Bible consistently paints a different picture. While our emotional reaction is often thoughtless, it is not at all unpredictable, unchangeable, or unaccountable.

A) One of the most important lessons to draw from this, is that attraction is a choice. If it wasn't, then Solomon's instructions here wouldn't make any sense. The real question, is how do I affect my attractions? For one thing, I must guard my eyes and what I allow myself to see (and not just see, but dwell). Because of media using sexuality in advertising, capitalism using it to sell, the world taking what should be holy intimacy and making it profane, normalizing public sexuality and making it shameless (emphasis on the "public" aspect), and finally because of the enemy of my soul... temptation is everywhere. It really is. I must recognize that battle is endless, and I must keep my eyes trained to what I really want: my own wife. That's the first step in protecting my attraction. The second step is to choose. That sounds weird, but the truth is that I chose which football team to like. The 49ers exhilarate me because I have made them my favorite. I chose which sports car to like. Watching Corvettes race exhilarates me because I have made them my favorite. I read about my favorite football team almost everyday. I spent countless hours researching Corvettes, learning development histories, racing histories, drivers and project managers. I learned the subtle changes they went through from year to year (and a few notable, not so subtle changes). I use these two examples because, while they have had their share of successes, they have not always been the best. Like, factually, by many many measures, they have had terrible stretches with a lack of quantifiable goodness. Even in the late 90s, Corvettes were my favorites. Even in the early 00s, the 49ers were still my favorites. I chose to be attracted to them. I wasn't faking my fandom, I was choosing. These same principles apply to my marriage, to my wife, only at a much more profound level. She must be my favorite woman in the world. That cannot be lip service. Thankfully, by the grace of God, choosing my wife has not ever been hard, per se. Still, my level of commitment to that choice has varied. But, the more I make the deliberate choice to make her my favorite, the more I appreciate the beauty in her changes as the years go by (some subtle, some not so subtle). The more I choose to make her my favorite, the more interested I am in reading everything she writes, no matter how benign. The more I choose to make her my favorite, the more exhilarated I am when I see here. I'll never get tired or bored with watching 49ers games, no matter how terrible they are (like this 2015 season). They are my favorite team. I'll never think it's boring to see a Corvette from the dashboard cam of a racecar, no matter how many laps back it is. It's my favorite. I'll never get tired of my wife, of my marriage, as long as I am choosing (by will and by actions) to make my wife my favorite.

P) Father, Your goodness to me is not more clear, than it is in my marriage. I am so, so thankful for the blessing it has been. I see so many people struggle in their marriages, up against tough circumstances and/or consequences. You have spared me those trials, so far in my life, and I am thankful for that. I pray that it's Your will that I never have to face struggles in my marriage. I pray that I am doing everything I should do, to protect my marriage and preserve this gift You have given to me. Help me to keep my wife as my favorite, forever. Discipline me to keep my fountain blessed, to rejoice in my wife, to be satisfied by her body alone, and to be exhilarated by her love. Thank you. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/21/2015; Proverbs 3:3

Today's reading: John 9, 10, 11*

S) "³ Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart."

Proverbs 3:3 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Proverbs 3

O) This verse ties two principles together, that are not always considered equals. Many people recognize that truth is a virtue, although they may rationalize lying or think truth can be relative. In general, people don't want others to lie to them. The importance or virtue of kindness, however, is often minimized. In fact, in a lot of ways, the world sees kindness (or at least, when people make it a priority in their lives) as a weakness of some type. The Bible simply does not teach this, though. Jesus made it perfectly clear that we should love our neighbors, including our enemies, and kindness is the way that love is manifested. But in the verse above, we see plainly that kindness has always been a virtue in the Bible. Regarding this tie of truth and kindness, we also read later in the New Testament, Paul wrote to the Ephesians that they should speak the truth in love. This is the same concept. In the verse above, Solomon says these two principles are so important, that they should always be with us (tied around our necks). The idea of writing them on the tablet of the heart, is a matter of discipline, dedication to this cause. Solomon was making this a big deal. It's not just "better" to be kind and honest, it is vital. It's also notable the way the first line was worded, that we cannot let them "leave" us. There are so many reasons we are tempted to lie, and tempted to be unkind. We must not allow circumstances to chase truth and kindness away from us.

A) Do it! This verse is so instructive, that the application becomes super simple. I just need to follow the wisdom Solomon laid out for me. In my youth, I struggled with a double-life, which required a lifestyle of lies (one way or the other), and as I became more and more cynical, I saw less and less reason for kindness. But, when God broke my hardened heart, one of the first things He did was to purify my lying tongue. Kristin and I learned quickly, just how vital truth was in our marriage. We knew it was a key to our marriage staying healthy, and a key to raising our kids in our faith. But recently, Kristin has been making it a point to highlight the importance of kindness, too. Her personality being what it is, she sees that need more clearly than I do. Even still, in the course of the last three years, or so, God began working in me, helping me grow in compassion and kindness. So, seeing Solomon tie these two principles together, helps me to realize how important it is for me to tie them, too. Tie them around my neck!

P) Father, Your grace at work in my heart is so clear to me, and it stands as the most obvious miracle in my life. The way You changed the desires of my heart, that I would long to become more compassionate, more kind, more honest, it is such a clear separation from who I used to be that Your fingerprint is unmistakable. Even still, I see that I am still a work in progress. Father God, please continue the work of sanctification within my heart. Help me to properly teach the importance of truth and kindness to my children. Let them see the example Kristin and I are trying to set. Let Your grace be at work in their hearts as well. In my life, in my marriage, and in my kids, be glorified Lord. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 12/20/2015; Proverbs 2:3-5

Today's reading: John 7, 8*

S) "³ For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
⁴ If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
⁵ Then you will discern the fear of the Lord
And discover the knowledge of God."

  Proverbs 2:3-5 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Proverbs 2

O) Throughout the book of Proverbs, Solomon highlights the importance of seeking wisdom. He often personified it as a woman, who should be sought more than any treasure. In this passage, he tied together discernment and understanding, with the fear of the LORD and knowledge of God. This certainly isn't the only place this is shown, but this passage stood out because of the way it is presented as a promise. The verses begin if, if, then. So, if a fear of the LORD is the goal, and true knowledge of God is what a man wants, then it starts with sincerely asking for discernment and understanding, making it a priority.

A) There was a period of time when I was a teenager, and I was reading through the Proverbs, and I began to see this concept repeated over and over. So, I began to pray for wisdom, asking God to open my eyes. In a lot of ways, I think those dedicated prayers were answered pretty quickly. However, when I think about where my life is now, it sometimes feels like I need to fear the LORD more now, than I ever have before. The interesting thing is, I do fear Him now more than I ever have. But, it seems like the more I understand God, the more I realize I do not fear Him as much as I should. It's like the more mature I get, the more I realize how immature I still am. The stronger I get, the more I realize how weak I am. The more I fear the LORD, the more I realize I don't fear Him enough. So, the solution is to pursue wisdom now, more than ever. In my adult years, I think maybe I have asked for wisdom less and less. When I was a teenager, there was so much of my life ahead of me that was a complete mystery. Now, the closer I get to middle-aged, the less mystery seems to be in front of me, so I tend to not "feel" the need for more wisdom... But, that's foolish and prideful. There is plenty of mystery ahead of me, and I cannot let myself be blinded by pride, and therefore slow down in my pursuit of wisdom, which I know leads to a deeper fear of the LORD and knowledge of God.

P) Father, Your holiness includes the unsearchable depths of Your wisdom and understanding. I know enough to know I still don't know enough. I confess that I have been foolish and arrogant and prideful, to not ask for wisdom like I did in my youth. I still need Your guidance very much, Lord. Please give me discernment and understanding, so I can be a better servant, husband, and dad. Open my eyes and ears God, to increase in wisdom in Jesus Christ. I know that it is through the working of the Holy Spirit, that I can have true knowledge of Your ways, God. That is what I desire. I want to be sure that I am as reverent as I possibly can be before You, Lord. Let me humble myself before You, so that You receive all glory and honor and praise. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.