SOAP 05/27/2016; 2 Timothy 4:18

Today's reading: Proverbs 4, 5, 6; Romans 8*


S) "¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen."

2 Timothy 4:18 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Timothy 4

O) Just before this verse, Paul mentions being rescued out of a lion's mouth. Then hearing him say, in the very next line, that the Lord will rescue him from every evil deed, it almost makes it sound as if Paul never suffered harm. God saved him from a lion's mouth, and everything else. However, we can see in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Paul suffered a great deal of physical harm for the gospel, and for Christ. In reading his list of pains, it doesn't seem very natural to say that God rescued him from every evil deed. The real issue, then, is what Paul meant when he said rescued. When Paul said that the Lord will bring him safely into His heavenly kingdom, that is the rescue he meant. For example, he was told he would be arrested, yet he still went to Jerusalem (see Acts 21:10-13). However, because he considered his flesh to be dead already (see Galatians 2:20), he apparently did not consider any harm to his flesh to be actual danger. Evil deeds against his natural self didn't seem to concern him much. It was only his spiritual well being that concerned him, and in that way, he knew he was safe.


A) Every night I pray for my kids to be healthy and safe. Certainly, I am thankful that none of my kids have suffered much physical affliction. None of them have been seriously sick, or seriously injured. I would be heartbroken, if they were afflicted much. Still, beyond their physical well-being, my primary concern must be for their spiritual safety. Similarly, when I travel, or work, I am safety-conscious and careful. Still, the condition of my body should not be too much concern too me. When I think about the promises of healing in the Bible, or promises that God will keep His children safe, I need to remember that the priority is not the physical world, which is passing away (1 John 2:17). The health I should seek, and pray for, is spiritual health. The safety I should seek, and pray for, is that my loved ones and I would be brought safely into His heavenly kingdom. With that, through all of my own concerns, just as Paul notes at the end of the verse above, I must still always bring my focus back to His glory, forever and ever.


P) Father, thank You for rescuing me from every evil deed, bringing me safely back into Your kingdom. It is only through Your grace that I am sustained, and healed, and kept safe spiritually. It is only through Your grace that my wife will rescued until she enters Your heavenly kingdom. It is only through Your grace that my kids will be healthy and safe, to reach Your heavenly kingdom. All of this grace, it points to the glory of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Help me to see more clearly, the spiritual importance in every circumstance. Help me to sift through the muck of this natural world, which I know is passing away. Open my eyes to see and my ears to hear. May the Holy Spirit lead me in every obedience, Father. Discipline me, as a son, that I would grow more and more to resemble Jesus Christ, the first born of the resurrection. Let Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/26/2016; 1 Timothy 1:5

Today's reading: Proverbs 1, 2, 3; Romans 7*


S) "⁵ But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."

1 Timothy 1:5 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 1 Timothy 1

O) Paul's letter to Timothy have a lot to do with leadership, since Timothy was a young leader in the church where he was. Paul considered him a son, and so many of these instructions seem to have a tone like David's words to Solomon, at the end of his life. In this verse, Paul addresses the motivation for giving instruction in the first place. As with other letters, Paul brings love into the forefront, that much is clear. The next breakdown can be a little ambiguous, because there's no punctuation in Greek, but either way actually makes a lot of sense, so maybe it really is both. It could be he highlights that real love is rooted in (a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere heart). Or else he could be saying that the goal is love from a pure heart, and the goal is a good conscience, and the goal is a sincere faith. Because he said goal, singular, and because it comes across more all-inclusive, I tend to think it s the former. True love is the goal, and true love will flow from those three things working at once.


A) My goals should ultimately be the same as Paul's, here. Like Paul taught spiritual truth to Timothy, and considered him a son, I should always have in mind to teach my own children spiritual truths. But, not that they would have knowledge just for the sake of having it. My goal must also be love. My goal is to love them. My goal is that they would love. In both of those cases, my aim is love and the way to get there is to let God purify my heart, and to keep a good conscience through obedience, and to have a sincere faith through humbly submitting myself to Christ. Similarly, my goal is that they would love because of these three things as well.


P) Father, thank You for giving me a clean heart. Thank You for the Holy Spirit within me, giving me the strength to obey. Thank You for Your lovingkindness, which drew me into relationship with You. You softened my heart to Christ, allowing me to submit to His lordship in the first place. In the same way, please work in my children, that they would acquire pure hearts, good consciences, and sincere faiths, and that through them, they would learn to love. In Your grace, let my instruction to them be effective, and help me keep love central to all that I am teaching. Help me be effective in my discipline, all of this to Your glory. Let Your will be done in them, and in me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/25/2016; Hebrews 7:26-27

Today's reading: 1 Kings 10, 11; 2 Chronicles 9; Romans 6*

S) "²⁶ For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; ²⁷ who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself."

Hebrews 7:26-27 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Hebrews 7

O) The writer has just finished comparing the priesthood of Christ and Melchizedek, and contrasting Christ and the other Levite priests. In the paragraph just before this, he specified that Jesus is a perpetual high priest, specifically because he conquered death and lives forever. So, the resurrection works together with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and together that is the reason no further sacrifices are needed.

A) This passage is another facet of how the new covenant is perfect, and will never need to be replaced. This new covenant is perpetually self-sufficient. In the old covenant, there was a need for a temple, and a need for a priesthood, and a need for sacrifices. If any of those things were taken away, the people could not be made righteous. However, this passage is a great comfort to me, because it reminds me that there is nothing anyone can do to endanger my redemption in Christ. I am made righteous before God because the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the cross atones for my sins once and for all. His perfect life makes the sacrifice acceptable. His resurrection makes the sacrifice permanent. The most important thing for me, then, is to remember that I cannot earn my righteousness. God provided it completely. My desire to live a righteous life, then, will not be motivated by fear, but by love. If I am keeping this passage in mind, and the concept of this grace, then I will obey because I am grateful, not because I am afraid of hell. This also means I will never tire of striving for perfection, because I am not worried about not making it. I will be able to endure because my thankfulness never wanes.

P) Father, thank You for working in me, both to will and to work for Your good pleasure. Thank You for providing everything necessary for my redemption. Thank You for this everlasting grace, established in Christ alone. Please help me stay humble, to remember that it is not up to my will power to obey, but it is according to Your grace, which produces thanksgiving in me. My salvation is not based on my holiness, but on the holiness of Jesus. My eternal life is not based on what I can do, but based on what He already did. Thank You for this promise, based on Your character. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/24/2016; 1 John 5:14-15

Today's reading: 1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8; Psalm 136; Romans 5*

S) "¹⁴ This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him."

1 John 5:14-15 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 1 John 5

O) This is a wonderful promise, and it also defines a proper heart-posture. The promise, is that our prayers are heard and will be answered, if they are according to God's will. The reason that it also addresses the posture of the heart, is because it starts with asking according to His will. That really requires humility, a desire for Him and His ways, and a willingness to be taught by the Scriptures and godly wisdom.

A) The confidence gained from this promise is great, indeed! When I am desiring God's will, trusting in His plans and lovingkindness toward me, then I really have no reason to worry at all. I can still pray for the things I want, but if I am humbly accepting that what I want may be different than His will, and I am deferring to His will as being correct and good for me, then I can confidently accept whatever the answer is. If He grants my request, then I am confident His will is happening. If my request is not given, then I am confident what He has for me is better.

P) Father, this grace is astounding. I am humbled when I consider how good You are to me. Father, help me constantly and consistently seek Your will, and desire Your will, over anything else for my life. May every prayer I ever utter, ever form in my heart, always be bent in submission to Your will alone. You are Lord over my life, but You are righteous and compassionate and good. I never have anything to fear, when I am in Christ Jesus, living in Your grace. Thank You for this confidence. May it always reflect Your glory, and never be cause for pride in my heart. Everything good I have is because of You. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/23/2016; Revelation 18:11

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 6, 7; Psalm 135; Romans 4*

S) "¹¹ And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargoes any more—"

Revelation 18:11 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Revelation 18

O) Babylon, the great city and symbolic villain of the book, has fallen in this chapter. Regardless of how this passage is taken, whether it is symbolic and historically fulfilled, or more literal and yet to happen, one thing comes through clearly in this single verse. The world only cares as far as their interests are concerned. The merchants of the earth did not weep and mourn because of the lives that perished. They did not weep and mourn because they realized their own guilt by association. They only weep and mourn in this scene, because of the lost commerce. They wanted what Babylon had, they were addicted in a way, they were under her spell (v.23). Their supply was gone, and they wept and mourned over her because of what it meant to their own desires.

A) To be clear, I don't want to sound jaded, I do believe there are people of the world who can love with some amount of genuine selflessness. We know that we love because God first loved us (see 1 John 4:19), and God so loved the world... The world has some capacity for real love because they have been loved by God, even if they don't acknowledge Him or the reason for their ability to love. There is a serious lack of selflessness in the world, but it's not completely gone. Having said that, when I am operating in love, because of the grace of God at work in me, because of the gospel of Jesus Christ - I don't want that to be mistaken for a remarkable humanity. I want it to be recognized as the grace of Christ at work in me. The only way to make that happen, is to glorify God when I show someone love. If I volunteer to help an unbelieving friend, I should tell them I'm doing it because of the help God gives me. When I give money to a homeless person, I need to take the time to share the gospel. In this way, I will not show myself to be an exceptional person, but I will show Jesus Christ to be God, who has worked exceptional miracles in my life.

P) Father, Your grace at work in me is obvious to me, but I never want it to be mistaken for anything else, by anyone else. Help me be bold with the gospel, to keep it central to all that I do. When I am moved with compassion, let me make it plain that it's because of You. When I give my time, skills, or resources, let me make it plain that it is all because of Your work in me. Be glorified in every way, and don't let me ever stand in the way of that. I want to be different from the world, but not just for the sake of being different. I want to be different to show You are holy. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/22/2016; 2 Chronicles 31:10

Today's reading: 1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5; Psalm 99; Romans 3*

S) "¹⁰ Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok said to him, 'Since the contributions began to be brought into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat with plenty left over, for the Lord has blessed His people, and this great quantity is left over.'"

2 Chronicles 31:10 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Chronicles 31

O) Hezekiah had begun great reforms in Judah, reestablishing order to the temple. Part of that, was to reestablish the tithe, in order for the Levites to be free to do the work of the temple (v.4). Because the LORD was with Hezekiah in this reform, and because people respond to God-given authority and leadership, the people began faithfully tithing right away. In doing so, the priests had an abundance immediately (which also calls to mind the promise of Malachi 3:10, and makes me wonder who is promised that overflowing blessing).

A) Understanding the purpose behind the commands of God is critical to consistent obedience. To be clear, tithing specifically (i.e., giving exactly one tenth), is not commanded in the New Testament. Giving is still commanded in the NT, but the amount isn't ever specified. In fact, the only examples we have for the amounts Christians would give, seem to indicate that a "tithe" wouldn't be nearly enough anyway (see Acts 2:44-45, 2 Corinthians 8:3). But, it's important to remember why I'm giving (whether it's a "tithe" or more, or money or resources or time). The important thing is that I am facilitating the work of the Lord, advancing His Kingdom, however I can. He will bless the harvesters in the field, as well as the ones sending them, when I am faithful to support ministry on either end (by giving, or by doing).

P) Father, You are gracious in Your providence and security. I want to be faithful, with how I support ministries. Help me to be generous with all that You have given me. I know that You will bless me with more, so that I can give more, because that's the principle at work in this verse. The more I give to Your work, the more You bless me, so that I can support more work again. Change my heart about this, and through this process. Help me forsake greed and materialism, and embrace humility and generosity. All of this to Your glory. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/21/2016; 2 Chronicles 21:20

Today's reading: 1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4; Psalm 98; Romans 2*

S) "²⁰ He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years; and he departed with no one’s regret, and they buried him in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings."

2 Chronicles 21:20 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 2 Chronicles 21

O) When Jehoram ascended the throne of Judah after his father, the good King Jehoshaphat, he had with him six brothers. He was the oldest, so his dad named him the successor, but he still left gifts and cities for his other sons. Like the gentile nations, though, Jehoram thought to secure his place on the throne by killing all others who could claim it. He also followed the ways of the evil kings of Israel, since he had married a princess from Israel. Through all of this, he sought to secure his line, but the LORD executed judgment on him. Consequently, he suffered revolts, struggled through wars, he was struck by a deadly disease, all in the span of only eight years.

A) There are a lot of ways to die, and only God knows how I will go. I cannot control that. Jehoram was certainly going to die, and maybe even at the age of forty years old. But, the fact that no one regretted his passing, that is a serious indictment. The only real way to ensure that my end is any more noble than that, is to heed the warning of Jesus, when He said that seeking to save my life will mean I lose it. Instead, I need to lose my life to Him, and then I'll be saved (see Matthew 16:25). More than that, by living a life submitted to Christ, by dying to myself, I will love others more and more. That is the legacy I want to leave behind, that people would still mourn my death. They won't mourn as others do (see 1 Thessalonians 4:13), but I hope I'm missed.

P) Father, my life is Yours. With the grace You have shown me, I am indebted to You. You purchased my life with the blood of Your Son. I couldn't save myself even if I knew how. There was no atonement I could make. There was no hope for my future. Help me to dwell on the gospel, and on the beauty of my redemption. Let me recognize, each day, that I cannot save myself. Instead, I will choose to lose myself in Christ Jesus, and trust in Your salvation alone. Keep me humble, Lord, whatever it takes. I willingly bow my knee before Your throne. I willingly submit myself to Your authority. Let Your will be done over me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.