SOAP 04/01/2016; 2 Corinthians 1:8

Today's reading: Judges 11, 12; Psalm 50; 2 Corinthians 1

S) "⁸ For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life;"

2 Corinthians 1:8 (NASB)

O) During the opening of this letter, Paul mentioned that the comfort we receive as believers is for the sake of then comforting any others who are afflicted (v.4), to the glory of God (v.3). Then, he goes into some specifics, with some surprising details. Here we have Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ, worker of many miracles, evangelist to many countries, intelligent, full of faith; along with Timothy (v.1), a great man of God in his own right; they are described in the above verse as... suicidal? at the very least, they were greatly afflicted and worn down in weakness. Paul is readily admitting it. In the recent culture of the church in the western hemisphere, having such high-profile leaders admitting such dark and heavy times would be unheard of! It could very well shake the faith of their congregation. And yet, Paul already wrote the exact reason he would share such a thing in v.4. We don't know all the details of the circumstances, as to why Paul and Timothy felt such despair, but that might be for the better. With this entire passage (vv.3-11), Paul is taking a hypothetical and making it practical. He is admitting his weakness. He is admitting that he needed comfort from God. He is making clear the severity of his need. All of this for the purpose of comforting his listeners, which honors the Comforter.

A) There have been times when, as a leader in ministry, I have struggled in various ways and been afraid to share that - least of all with those who follow my lead. Whether it's struggling with particular sins, or emotional lows, the fear has been losing the confidence of the people I am meant to lead, by exposing my problems. But, this is playing into the hands of my enemy! God certainly knows my struggles - all of them. It was no mystery to Him, that I would struggle, when He made me a youth pastor, or Bible teacher, or life group leader. He knew that I would need to lean on Him heavily during various times in those roles. It's certainly no different as a dad and husband. So, while isolation plays into the hands of my enemy, what is going to honor God the most, except for me to plainly and specifically, expose my need for Him? That is not to say that I should be confessing my sins to my kids or anything (although, confessing when I have sinned against them is a critical part of parenting), but I should be plain, honest, transparent, and even vulnerable, about the fact that I need God in a very real way, to comfort and sustain me. After all, I am not leading anyone because of my own strength or abilities, but only because of the grace God has shown me! So, what detriment is there in being more specific about the grace that I still receive? None! It only glorifies God all the more to confess that I need His guidance, strength, encouragement, comfort, counsel, mercy, and grace. I should be bold and humble, being as specific as I can (again, using wisdom and discretion about who exactly is hearing it). In every relationship I have, whether I am leading or following, speaking or listening, I want to glorify Jesus Christ as much as I can. If that is continually my aim, then following Paul's example will help get me there.

P) Father, I need You. I need Your Spirit to comfort me when I have disappointments. I need Your strength and guidance when I am tempted. I need Your grace and wisdom when I speak, teach, or lead. I need Your help. I thank You, Lord, that I have seen so much affliction, hardship, and strife in my life. I thank You that I have endured, by Your grace, so much. It has prepared me to minister to all kinds of people, in all kinds of situations. I know that I will never experience everything, but inasmuch as I have gone to You for help in my times of need, I pray that people in similar need will be made known to me, that I might be able to lead them to You as well. People who come from broken homes, feeling abandoned; let me share how You have been my Father. People with abuse running through their family, let me share how You have been a healer and a refuge. People who have struggled with addictions, let me share how You have been a redeemer and deliverer. In this way, I pray that You receive more glory, more honor. I pray that I am able to comfort others with the same comfort I have received. Help me be bold about my need for You, my persisting, continual need. Be glorified, Father God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/31/2016; 2 Kings 15:37

Today's reading: Judges 9, 10; Psalm 49; 1 Corinthians 16*

S) "³⁷ In those days the Lord began to send Rezin king of Aram and Pekah the son of Remaliah against Judah."

2 Kings 15:37 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Kings 15

O) The majority of this chapter is giving a quick rundown of the kings of Israel in Samaria. It shows king after king being betrayed by servants and subjects, then murdered, and the villain ascending the throne. Only the cycle repeats, and over and over, new kings elect themselves by murder and betrayal. Then, toward the end, we see that Jotham succeeded his father in Judah. He did right in the sight of the Lord, although he still had flaws. And then we see this verse nestled near the end of his short paragraph.

A) With unwritten (not here, anyway) implication, this chapter reminds me that God is faithful to his promises. David had a descendent on the throne of Judah until the very last, and that included Jotham along the way. The promises God has made to me, through my King Jesus, will surely come to pass. It is not because of my faithfulness, but because of His! This is an irresistible confidence booster! On the other hand, God allowed for testing and discipline into the life of Jotham (and other kings). In this case, God sent the other kings against Jotham. Whether or not he passed the test, the faithfulness of God as a Father cannot be missed. In the same way, while my faithfulness to Him is not perfect, He will allow tests into my life that are meant for me to draw me closer to Him. He wants me to pass the tests. He wants victory for me (although my "wars" are certainly not physical, but spiritual, according to Ephesians 6).

P) Father, thank You for the faithfulness You have shown throughout history. Thank You for the faithfulness You have shown me. Thank You for the promises I have, secured by Jesus Christ, because of Your faithfulness. I confess that my faithfulness to You certainly is still imperfect. But, because of that, I desire to be disciplined, Father God. I desire the testing You have in store for me, and I want to pass the tests for You, Father God. Allow any difficulties into my life; as long as I draw closer to You, I don't care what comes in my life. That is my determination, that is my declaration, that is my devotion to You. Let Your will be done in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/30/2016; 2 Kings 14:23-25

Today's reading: Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1 Corinthians 15*

S) "²³ In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel became king in Samaria, and reigned forty-one years. ²⁴ He did evil in the sight of the Lord; he did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin. ²⁵ He restored the border of Israel from the entrance of Hamath as far as the Sea of the Arabah, according to the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, which He spoke through His servant Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, who was of Gath-hepher."

2 Kings 14:23-25 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Kings 14

O) My first thought, "Come on, people. Can't you think of some original names?" Sure, the full name of the king of Israel was "Jehoash" but it's just a different spelling of the same name, which the king of Judah just had! Also, if the first king of your land was evil and it cost him the kingdom, and you had a son who was probably going to be king, wouldn't you think naming him after that first king was just going to cast a pall over his whole reign? Maybe J(eh)oash thought his son could redeem the name of Jeroboam?
The second thought I had, "Wait, Jonah did other stuff besides what was covered in the VeggieTales movie?" There can be little doubt it is one and the same. Both were prophets. Both lived near the end of the kingdom of Israel. Both named Jonah... then again, we did just see how they liked to repeat names... but, both are said to be the son of Amittai... It's the same guy.
My final thought, "Interesting that v.24 describes this Jeroboam as evil, too. Then the very next verse describes how he fulfilled the words of a prophet, seemingly righting a wrong." But, that's just the way God operates. He has no choice but to use broken and sinful people, since that's all that is available to Him. Sometimes, the people He uses are quite evil. But, God is sovereign and just. Only in Jesus Christ, did He have a perfect servant to do His will.

A) Every nuance in the Bible humbles me, as to how God preserved His scriptures. Every time I read about a wicked man being used for God's purposes, it humbles me to remember that I go only by the grace of God. I am used only by the grace of God. I am being made perfect, into the likeness of my Lord Jesus Christ, only by the grace of God. However God might use me, the Bible is replete with men used by God, who are not humble, who then have to be humbled by God. I would much rather that I humble myself before Him. It's comforting and reassuring to know that I could never be such a mess as to be beyond God's use or help. At the same time, it's encouraging and motivating to know, that as I pursue God, He can equip me and build me up, to be used more and more for His glory.

P) Father, thank You for the grace You have given me, Lord God. You are holy and just, righteous and true, sovereign and powerful. You could choose to have nothing to do with this sinful world, with this sinful servant, but still You choose to redeem me. You choose to bring me into Your plan, to use me for Your glory. I am so blessed. Thank You for what You have done in me, and through me. Thank You for what You will still do in me, and through me. Let Your will be done on earth, and in my life, as it is in heaven. To Your name be all glory and praise. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/29/2016; 2 Kings 12:15

Today's reading: Judges 6, 7; Psalm 52; 1 Corinthians 14*

S) "¹⁵ Moreover, they did not require an accounting from the men into whose hand they gave the money to pay to those who did the work, for they dealt faithfully."

2 Kings 12:15 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Kings 12

O) King Jehoash was a mostly-good king. While Jehoiada the priest still lived, Jehoash did a good job following the LORD. After the death of the priest, though, he turned to serve other gods. One of the things that he did well, was repairing the temple of the LORD. The men described in the verse above, were the masons and carpenters, etc., who worked on the repairs. The money was from offerings beside the altar. What particularly stood out here, was the unusual amount of autonomy and trust given to these workers. But, the fact that their faithfulness in dealings was apparently well known, there was no reason to distrust them.

A) If I want people to trust me, then I need to be trustworthy. If I want to work independently at my job, then my boss must see that I have integrity. This is a pretty straightforward principle. At the same time, his has parental application. As I see my kids are developing responsibility and integrity, I need to give them tests of trust. I need to allow them the chance to prove that they will deal faithfully, so that I am not needing them to give an account of their time or resources. I don't want to micromanage my children. Babies need constant attention, and toddlers will throw tantrums for it, but by the time my kids are... well the ages they are now... I need to give them exercises, tests, opportunities to show me they will walk with integrity.

P) Father, there is no better example of obedience than Jesus Christ. Help me to walk as a true disciple, becoming more and more like Christ in my obedience to You. Help me to lead by example, so that my kids see what it means to be trustworthy and faithful. Help them learn integrity from me, seeing the value in it. Please let them learn this before the independence of adolescence and the teenage years comes up within them. This will only be with Your grace at work in their hearts, Lord. Let Your will be done in them, that I won't need to hold them accountable, because they will deal faithfully. Let this be so in every area of their lives. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/28/2016; 2 Kings 10:28-29

Today's reading: Judges 4, 5; Psalm 39, 41; 1 Corinthians 13*

S) "²⁸ Thus Jehu eradicated Baal out of Israel. ²⁹ However, as for the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which he made Israel sin, from these Jehu did not depart, even the golden calves that were at Bethel and that were at Dan."

2 Kings 10:28-29 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Kings 10

O) Jehu took the throne from Ahab, who was one of the worst kings. He killed all of Ahab's family, leaving no survivors for the evil king, just as the LORD proclaimed. Also, with cunning he was able to kill all of the worshipers and priests of Baal. As we read through the chapter, it's easy to suppose Jehu is setting things quite right in Israel, and there is a hopefulness about it. Despite the savagery, there seems to be a lot of justice happening. And then, the above verses remind us that dual worship is deceiving. This cost Jehu the throne. He was rewarded for executing justice for the LORD, but his duplicitous worship meant that his throne was not going to be established very long.

A) Jesus warned that a man cannot serve two masters. His warning was about worshiping God, but also worshiping wealth. Really, it doesn't matter what the second thing is. God is jealous for me, and He will not be satisfied with any fraction of my worship. He does not want some, or even most. He doesn't want 99.99999 percent. He wants all of it. If I am serving, worshiping God, in every way but... then it's not in every way. Thankfully, in Christ Jesus, there is grace that changes my idolatrous and spiritually adulterous heart. I don't want a partial reward from God for half-way doing well. And really, my reward is Jesus Himself. I don't partially want God. I don't want Him to hold back from His presence in my life. If I want Him all the way, though, then I must be completely devoted, completely faithful to Him.

P) Father, You are worth my complete devotion. I confess that I sometimes hold back from You, though. I foolishly think that I want things more than You, or experiences more than You, or just some fleshly desire, some sinful expression, more than You. It's easy for me to lose focus. But, when I spend time in Scripture, I remember that Your jealousy for me is not without merit. It is because You know what is best for me, that You want me to be completely enthralled with You. It is because You know what I can have in Christ Jesus, that You want my devotion. Thank You for that grace, Lord. Open my eyes and ears, to see it more clearly and to hear Your call. Let me lay down temporary desires, temporal desires, so that I can invest in our eternal relationship. Let me worship You alone, because You alone are worthy of my worship. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/27/2016; 2 Kings 7:4-5

Today's reading: Judges 1, 2, 3; 1 Corinthians 12*

S) "⁴ 'If we say, "We will enter the city," then the famine is in the city and we will die there; and if we sit here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they spare us, we will live; and if they kill us, we will but die.' ⁵ They arose at twilight to go to the camp of the Arameans; when they came to the outskirts of the camp of the Arameans, behold, there was no one there."

2 Kings 7:4-5 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Kings 7

O) This was during a war with Aram, when their armies had successfully laid siege to Samaria. There was famine within the city, to the point that some of the people had actually turned to cannibalism (see also Deuteronomy 28:49-57). These men talking in the verse above, were lepers who were at the gate of the city presumably because that's as close to inside the city as they were allowed (since lepers would traditionally be quarantined outside the city). Just prior to their conversation, Elisha had prophesied an end to their famine (although he didn't specify how), but it was to the king and certainly there was no way for these men to know that. Ironically, had they heard the prophecy, it's possible they would have remained at the city's entrance, awaiting for deliverance from God. Instead, they figured they had nothing to lose, so they went to the enemy camp. Little did they know that God had sent a confusion into the Aramean camp, so they had abandoned it, leaving most of their supplies behind them. Consequently, Samaria was spared. Not only was the siege lifted, but the city immediately had provisions.

A) What does it mean to live my life with nothing to lose? Jesus did say, "Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 16:25). The men in this passage considered their lives were already lost. They were willing to die because they considered that they had already died. Consequently, God was able to use them to bring good news of salvation to their city. In the same way, if I consider that Jesus bought my life with a price (no less than the cost of His own blood), then my life is not my own. I choose to lay my life down, by following Jesus. This is the symbolism of baptism. So, when God is calling me to bring good news of salvation, however that looks, no matter the dangers or risks that I perceive, then He can accomplish great things when I consider myself already dead here on earth. When I do not fear the grave, because I consider that I have already died to self, and because I know I will be resurrected in Christ, then I am not really risking anything.

P) Father, these stories that foreshadow the gospel are amazing to me. In Your perfect grace, You have given us record of all sorts of examples through history, preserved in Your perfect Word. Well before any of the disciples were ever martyred, You had example after example of righteous men willing to die for their obedience. Here, You have kept a perfect example of what it means to consider myself already dead. I confess that there are many ways in which I am selfish. I don't want to be, but it is hard, Father. Open my eyes to see where I am over-valuing my own life, God. I want to be less and less selfish. I want to live out what Paul said, when he considered that to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Use me, lead me, call me to whatever You want. Regardless of danger or risk, because I know You are sovereign. Let Your will be done, and I know I can trust You completely. My death on earth is a foregone conclusion, and I don't know when it will be. For me to try and prolong my life is to try to delay my glorification in You. I want to be united with You according to Your perfect timing and will. Let Your will be done, therefore. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 03/26/2016; 2 Kings 2:9

Today's reading: Joshua 23, 24; Psalm 44; 1 Corinthians 11*

S) "⁹ When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, 'Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.' And Elisha said, 'Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.'"

2 Kings 2:9 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Kings 2

O) Three different times, it's recorded that other prophets warned Elisha that his mentor would be leaving him. Three different times, it's recorded that Elijah implored his disciple to stay behind. There was no doubt among them. Elisha's time was short. They might not have known how, or where, or exactly when, but they knew it was coming. Finally, Elijah asked what we see above. He took advantage of the time they had, to seek opportunity to bless his follower. Elisha asked for something hard, and Elijah told him it would be difficult to obtain. Hard as it may have been, though, it's exactly what happened.

A) There is a God-given desire in me, that I want to finish well. I want to live with excellence, honoring God in everything I do. However, that's not necessarily the same thing as ending well. When I leave something, whether it's a career, or a ministry, or a period of parenting (like the years my kids are minors), I need to recognize when an end is coming, and plan accordingly. At the end of any phase, or season, or time in my life, I want to do all I can to ensure that those who I am leaving are set up to thrive. I want my kids to excel when they leave the nest. I want my Life Group to thrive when we move on. I want my workplace to be successful when I retire. The details of how to accomplish all of these things can look pretty different, but if I want to exit with excellence, I need to identify two big questions. 1) When is it ending? 2) What do they need? Some of question 2 can be answered and addressed now, and so I strive to do that. For question 1, I must be vigilant and prayerful.

P) Father, Your wisdom and grace cannot be matched. You are perfect in Your timing and will. I know that You have made plans, that I would have some part to play in the lives of those around me. When I am focused on Your goodness, I am also motivated by love. I want to do well for You. Help me to be focused, to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit each day. Beyond the day to day things, Lord, I want to finish well for You. I seldom know when will be the last encounter I have with someone, so I want to be sure I am doing all I can with every opportunity. But, when a season is coming to a close, by Your will, let me know. Lead me to give a final blessing if I can. All of this is only going to happen by Your will, and I know I can't force anything. Also, only You will answer prayers, no matter what my will is. So above all else, I pray for Your will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Be glorified in all of my relationships, in every way I minister. All to honor Your name. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.