SOAP 07/02/2016; Jude 3

Today's reading: Isaiah 4, 5; Psalms 115, 116; Jude

S) "³ Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints."

Jude 3 (NASB)

O) This is a brief side note from Jude, but it does bring up an important point. I don't think it is assuming too much, to say Jude is disclosing a submission to the Lord's will, setting aside his own interest and what he no doubt considered a wise endeavor. Certainly, he had important things to say about our common salvation, and I am sure it would have been beneficial. While he doesn't explicitly say that the Holy Spirit directed him otherwise, it's reasonable to think that God was leading him to a different topic. False teachers were already sprouting up within the church, and a many different topics were causing Christians grief in their misrepresentation and deceit. Even if Jude wasn't specifically led by God to change his topic, he's still displaying wisdom in prioritizing his message according to the most pressing need.

A) Choosing my battles is important in my marriage, in parenting, and really in every relationship I have. Learning to prioritize issues to address is important in maintaining peace, setting the culture of my family, and even averting some amount of disasters. The most important skill to have, in choosing my battles, is learning to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. That really only happens with practice, being mindful of the still small voice within me. I need to acknowledge when I follow that conviction and it turns out for my good. When circumstances bear witness that it was indeed the Lord leading me, I need to recognize that and celebrate it, remembering when it happens, so that it becomes easier and easier to know my Shepherd's voice in the future.

P) Father, thank You for being my wonderful Counselor. Open my ears, to properly hear Your voice. Give me the boldness to follow Your lead, and the wisdom to understand when I have followed well, that I may make firm memories to testify to Your wisdom, Your conviction, and Your will. Help me to prioritize my words, to choose my battles well. I want to make the most of every conversation, and honor Yoyr name at every opportunity. Let Your will be done, for Your glory. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/01/2016; Titus 3:14

Today's reading: Isaiah 1, 2, 3; Titus 3

S) "Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs, so that they will not be unfruitful."

Titus 3:14 (NASB)

O) When Paul is referring to "our people," he means Christians. In the previous verse, he instructs Titus to help Zenas and Apollos in their ministry. So, in this verse Paul drives home the purpose of good works. It is not about earning salvation, or making God love us, but it is about furthering the gospel. We do good works to meet pressing needs, because that is the gospel in action to glorify Christ and increase His kingdom. It's also noteworthy, that he said, "pressing needs," because it reminds us to prioritize our good deeds. Sometimes, it takes discernment and wisdom to carefully determine what ministries need help the most, or which will be most fruitful with our immediate support.

A) Prayerful consideration should be my first step in every decision. There are times when I want to be part of every ministry. I want to support every missionary and volunteer for every ministry. But there is only so much time and money I can give. Also, I can never neglect my own wife and family, who should always be my first priority in terms of mission (my kids' salvation) and my ministry (to all of them). So, I need to be mindful of which are pressing needs. I need to always be willing to work for the gospel. I need to pray for direction.

P) Father, I'm in the middle of great transition, right now. I know that You have Your hand upon our move. When I get to Montana, next Sunday, I'll be looking for a new home church. Let me keep my mind on the purpose I have in attending a church. It's not all about what the church can do, ministering to me, but it's also about what I can do, ministering for the church. Help me have wisdom and discipline, to be able to minister to my family remotely. Help me to continue good deeds, even through this transition, so that my family will not be unfruitful, and so that I will not be unfruitful. Be glorified in what I do, because I am focused on obedience and the gospel. Open my eyes and ears, to know Your will and direction, and let your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/30/2016; Titus 2:3-5

Today's reading: Amos 7, 8, 9; Psalm 104; Titus 2

S) "³ Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, ⁴ so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored"

Titus 2:3-5 (NASB)

O) This is a sort of compound instruction. Paul starts by directing older women about their behavior, but then part of that is their instruction to the younger women. Since Paul describes what they are to teach the next generation, we also have Paul's instruction to the younger wives and mothers, as well. These instructions are not exhaustive, but rather they are foundational. With the last line of v.5, Paul reminds us of the purpose of holy living, that it would bring honor to the word of God. Remembering that Jesus Christ is the word of God made flesh, living as a Christian should (i.e., obediently) will honor Him.

A) Because I am not a woman (old or young), this passage does not hold direct application to me. However, I am a husband, and I have children who are girls. One of my responsibilities as a husband, is to support and encourage my wife in obedience to the word of God. This passage is all about discipleship. Even though we are not done raising our own kids, my wife can share a lot with young wives and young mothers, about what it means to be godly. I have been nothing short of completely blessed by my wife, by the mother of my children. It is a joy to me, any time I hear or see her ministering to other mothers and wives. I want to support her efforts in that, in every way. There is another aspect of this passage that is still important for me to remember. I still have daughters. I pray that nothing happens to my wife before they are grown, but if the Lord calls her to heaven before then, I need to remember how important discipleship is for them. Certainly, a godly dad can teach his daughters, but not the same ways a godly woman can. The last thing is certainly applicable to me as much as Kristin, or any Christian for that matter. Righteous living is only sustainable, when it is motivated by a love for Christ. I want to honor Him with the way I live, that His glory would be shown through my actions.

P) Father, thank You for being my perfect example of a loving Father. I am so grateful for Your grace, that my marriage is so blessed by Kristin's heart for obedience. She loves me and our children undeniably. She is sensible, pure, working hard at home. She is kind and subjects herself to my leadership constantly. She honors Your name. I pray that my daughters learn these disciplines from her. I pray that Kristin remains with them, that we can raise them together. Help me be an encouragement to Kristin, too. I am so blessed whenever I have seen her ministering to other women, other wives and mothers. You have blessed Kristin with wisdom in her words and actions, and I love seeing her disciple other women. Give her boldness to step into those roles, and help me to support her in every way I can for that. We are not done raising our own kids, though. I know that Kristin longs for an older woman's wisdom. She longs for a relationship with a godly woman who can disciple her, too. Please do this for Kristin. Please bring a godly woman into our lives, who can take up this role for her. We are about to move to Montana, and I pray that You are already arranging the circumstances, to bring us into fellowship with the right church home for us. Bring us into fellowship with the right people, the right women, for my wife and daughters. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/29/2016; Titus 1:12-13

Today's reading: Amos 4, 5, 6; Psalm 86, 87; Titus 1

S) "¹² One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.' ¹³ This testimony is true. For this reason reprove them severely so that they may be sound in the faith,"

Titus 1:12-13 (NASB)

O) After giving Titus a reminder about the qualifications of an elder, one of which is the ability to accurately exhort sound doctrine and refute those who contradict it (v.9), he moves into a warning about false teachers and the destruction they have wrought. Paul wrote many warnings about false teaching, but this is a little unique, in that he gives an example. In v.10, he says "those of the circumcision," meaning Jews, were upsetting whole families and must be silenced (v.11). Then, he gives the example above (v.12). This is particularly notable, because Christianity started with the Jews, but quickly the gospel spread to Gentiles. Classically speaking, Jews (even the faithful ones) were very exclusive with their faith. While a gentile could convert to join Israel's covenant with the LORD, it wasn't exactly common. So, when the faith started to spread to the Gentiles, it was a difficult thing for some Jews to accept. In v.13, it's important to understand that Paul is not affirming the statement that their "prophet" made, but he is affirming that it was said. But, Paul tells Titus to reprove false teachers severely, so that they are sound in their faith. The topic of this false teaching is quite clear - this was about racism, which has absolutely no place in Christianity. God is not a racist (see Acts 10:34). Even in the Old Covenant, the true Israel (i.e., those who were in, and kept, covenant with God) was never exclusively for descendants of Jacob, only. While the covenant started with Abraham (a Canaanite), it was fully defined with Moses (a Levite of Israel), who himself was married to the daughter of a Midianite priest (see Exodus 2:16-21). Also, during the Exodus, the people who were leaving to form the nation of God was described as a mixed multitude (see Exodus 12:38). God's not concerned with ethnicity, He's concerned with faithfulness. What is striking about this instruction to Titus, though, is the strong language used. It conveys how destructive this false teaching was, and just how important it was that Titus address this lie.

A) Racism is not a social issue, it is a Christian issue. The problem, of course, is that the false teaching of racism has persisted through the ages. Wicked people have used their power to malign the word of truth, teaching people who don't know any better, the lie that God is racist, all for their own sordid gain. But, here's the real point - it is the responsibility of every Christian, every person who has put their faith in Christ, to proclaim the truth about this. I have a personal responsibility to the Truth, a personal obligation to Christ Himself, to silence these empty talkers, these rebellious men, these deceivers. I cannot sit idly by, silently watching whole families be upset by racism - especially regarding the gospel and the character of God. A person's morals, or lack of morals (like the Cretans mentioned in v.12) does not change their need for the gospel. No person needs Jesus any more, or less, than any other person. Ultimately, as a Christian, this should be my number one concern. Furthermore, every person has intrinsic value because every person bears the image of God. That has always been true. But, almost as if to validate the point forevermore, the gospel shows us this in another beautiful display. Jesus died for the sins of all mankind. Everyone. That means that every person, regardless of race, class, age, ability, or education, is worth the blood of Christ. There is no other way to accurately see the gospel. The blood of Jesus Christ was spilled because God so loved the world. I have a responsibility to teach my kids, that every person is made in the image of God, every person was valuable enough to Him that Jesus died for them all, and every person needs that redemption just as much as everyone else. God hates injustice. God opposes partiality. God desires us to be merciful, gracious, and compassionate. That is for all people. Furthermore, we are especially supposed to weep with our brothers and sisters who weep. We are supposed to rejoice with those who rejoice (see Romans 12:15). Racial tensions plague the entire globe. It would be ignorant and naïve, for me to think that my nation is immune. My city is not immune, either. Unfortunately, even the church is not immune. There are still some within Christianity who fail to see issues of racism. Make no mistake, I know that my own circumstances mean that I am not likely to ever see them perfectly, but I need to try. I need to speak up and speak out against racist dogma, against partiality, against injustice. I need to do this for the sake of my brothers and sisters, for the sake of the gospel, and for the sake of Christ Jesus.

P) Father, thank You first and foremost, for Your perfect character. Thank You for the all-encompassing love You have for Your creation. You are patient and slow to anger, great in lovingkindness, and willing to forgive. Thank You for the grace of the gospel. Thank You for softening my heart, to understand my own need for the redemptive blood of Jesus. Please keep me humble, to always remember my need for Your mercies to be new each morning. Father God, this issue of racism, and the way it's talked about, and the way it's minimized - especially among so many Christians - Father, this is grieving me. It's so messy, and people seem to have such a hardness of heart about it. I want to follow the Holy Spirit about this. Lead me to teach my children first. Open their eyes and ears, to better understand both Your character and the plight of so many people, so many brothers and sisters, who are so much more than upset by evil, racist teachings. Help me to raise compassionate people. Help me to set the culture of my family, that they would have a heart for the sufferings of other people. Help us, especially, to influence the church around us. Help us to silence rebellious, deceitful, empty-talkers. Help us to accurately talk about Your character, and to accurately share the gospel. Help me and Kristin begin to set that culture, that our children would learn to speak against racism and every form of partiality and injustice. Help us teach them, to teach their children. Let this be a part of who we are as people, as Canneloras, and as Christians. Let Your will be done, Lord. Please comfort my brothers and sisters, right now, who are suffering because of racism. Please heal the rifts that have opened, especially between believers, because of this issue. Let Your truth prevail. Stir the hearts of Your people, about this. Father, please give me courage, Lord. Give me the courage to step into the arena, that I may severely reprove those who speak wrongly about this. Let me keep Your purpose in mind, that reproof is for the purpose of bringing about sound faith. It's all about Your glory, Lord. It's all about Your ways. I want to honor Your name with how I live this out. Help me stay focused on doing Your will. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/28/2016; 2 Timothy 4:1-2

Today's reading: Amos 1, 2, 3; Psalm 80; 2 Timothy 4

S) "¹ I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: ² preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction."

2 Timothy 4:1-2 (NASB)

O) Here we see the closing thoughts of Paul's advice and instruction to Timothy. As Paul points out (v.6), he was close to the end of his race. Paul stresses again, the importance of correct teaching, and he warns (vv.3-4), that there will be some people who will not endure sound doctrine much longer. I don't think Paul is talking about an age of some great apostasy, though. Because Paul moves directly from telling Timothy to endure it (v.5), right into talk about his impending departure from this world, it would seem that the two topics are more closely related. The impression I get, is that Paul was, to some degree, able to keep Timothy's church in order. If he was able to reinforce Timothy's leadership, reiterating sound doctrine... if Paul himself, was doing things for Timothy's church, that he mentions in v.2, but then he knew he wasn't going to be able to continue that for much longer, then the rest of the passage would mean that Paul was trying to give Timothy a warning for his own church, a specific struggle he knew was going to afflict Timothy directly. This seems right (as opposed to Paul prophesying about some great apostasy), because this is an easy thing to predict. Throughout Israel's and Judah's histories, there were dozens of times when the people would follow a godly leader well, but as soon as the leadership changed, there would be a falling away. People would try to surround themselves with "yes men" to justify what they wanted to do. But, if Paul saw it coming to Timothy, it seems he instructed him about how to best handle the backlash. By admonishing Timothy to preach the word, Paul was shifting the authority off of Timothy, off of Paul, and placing it back upon what God has said. There can be no justifiable arguments against what God has said. That is the way to handle those who would turn their ears from the truth; preach the truth, appealing only to the authority of God's word.

A) To be sure, there are still people today who behave just as Paul described to Timothy in vv.3-4. So, in the same way that the warning can be applied to my life, so can the instruction. Even though I do not preach much in the contemporary sense, I do preach to my family often. I must preach the word, to my wife and to my kids. I must hold firmly to the truth of Scripture. I used to preach, even often. When I was a youth pastor, I preached every week to the high schoolers. There were also some times I preached in "big church" when the head pastor was away. In that sense, I was in season then and I am out of season now, and I must remain ready. Reproving, rebuking, and exhorting are all similar words, but they have slight differences. All of them are critical in parenting, but also in marriage, and in friendships, mentoring, and of course, more formal roles I might have in a church. Reproving is really a matter of correcting bad teaching. That is, using Scripture to correct a person's misunderstanding or misinterpretation of truth. Rebuking is similar, but in regard to actual behaviors. Lastly, and maybe most importantly, exhorting is about encouraging correct thought and deed. I cannot do any one of these three things, without doing all of them. That last point, Paul makes, is absolutely vital. I must remain patient through this process. Whether it's raising my kids, or loving my brother, if I am not committed to complete patience, then I will hurt where I mean to heal. Where it says, "great patience and instruction." the word is literally, "all patience and instruction." I have to be all-in with my patience. My instruction must be comprehensive. I need to see people as whole people, not just little problems to address.

P) Father, thank You for the grace of Your word. Thank You for my access to Scripture. I don't ever want to take that for granted, because it really is such a vital part of my very life. Help me to hold fast to the authority of the Bible. Let me preach it to my wife and kids, not because I am in charge, but because You are in charge. Help me to be comprehensive in my lead of Kristin, I my parenting, in my friendships and other relationships. Every time I am led to rebuke, let me also reprove and exhort. Help me to see people as whole people in those moments. When I am teaching or preaching, open my eyes and ears, to really see and hear the people before me. In all things, keep me rooted in Christ. He is my judge, and His kingdom is coming in glory. Let me fear Your name above all. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/27/2016; 2 Timothy 3:12

Today's reading: 2 Kings 13, 14; 2 Chronicles 25; 2 Timothy 3

S) "¹² Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

2 Timothy 3:12 (NASB)

O) After a description of lawless character, the obvious immorality that would become more and more prevalent in the world, Paul invites Timothy to imitate his own character all the more. In the middle of his description of how Timothy had already followed him, and describing the persecution he himself had faced, Paul almost seems to get side-tracked and makes the statement above. He said evil men will be imposters, but Timothy should continue in the things he has learned of the gospel and of Christ, from Paul. The point of the verse above, injected as it was, is to remind Timothy that hard times are to be expected. In fact, persecution for doing what is right, is even promised.

A) The really interesting thing, here, is that I was initially going to mark this as a warning. After all, persecuted doesn't seem too good. But as I was reading this in context of the whole gospel, with Paul's words here, but also keeping in mind the words of Jesus, I realized that Paul did not at all mean this to be a bad thing, but good! Paul was asking Timothy to be like he was, to live a godly life. That was because Paul himself was trying to live as Christ did, in holy obedience to the Father. If Timothy was persecuted as Paul was, which was persecution as Christ had, then it was all for God's glory and their gain. To be more like Christ, I cannot pick and choose how I want that to look. I cannot want to be blessed as Christ was, called pleasing by the Father, if I don't also want the hardships Christ endured. I cannot desire to walk in righteousness like Christ walked, if I am not also willing to suffer for it as He suffered. I must be willing to accept the persecution that was upon my Master, to be upon me also, if I want to b just like my Master. So, if the goal is to be more like Christ, then I read this as a promise.

P) Father, I want to reflect glory in my Lord. I want to live a godly life, not that I would have more honor, but that it honors the name of Christ. I want to be obedient, because I love You. I want to be obedient, because I fear You. In every respect, to be more like Christ is a great gain. I pray that facing persecution for living a godly life in Christ, would not be something that makes me hesitate. On the contrary, I pray that the persecution becomes an encouragement to me. Open my eyes and ears, to be wise about my walk. Help me to be open to honest correction from brothers who know You, and seek You from a pure heart. At the same time, let me disregard those who oppose me because of the truth of the gospel. Let me fear You, and never fear man. Let me see persecution as another way I get to be more like my Lord. Let Your will be done in this. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 06/26/2016; 2 Timothy 2:22

Today's reading: Jonah 1, 2, 3, 4; 2 Timothy 2

S) "⁵ Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart."

2 Timothy 2:22 (NASB)

O) There are, at least, four points that should be highlighted about this single, short verse. First, "flee from," is a very strong wording. Nowhere in the Bible are we told to fight temptation. We are told to proactively pray against being tempted, but when we are tempted, we are told to flee (or take escape, like 1 Corinth.10:13). Enduring a temptation is not about white-knuckled resistance, it's about survival. It's not about abiding in temptation, but getting through it unscathed. Second, "youthful lusts" is both plural and vague. It is not just talking about sexual temptation. I think this is an example of Paul leaving things intentionally undefined, so that we don't get hung up on details. This principle applies to all forms of fleshly temptation. The "youth" period he mentions, I think, is not a physical age but a reference to spiritual youth. As we mature in Christ, the things that used to tempt us easily should not be so much a snare to us. However, there are still temptations that persist in us all, even from our youngest days in Christ. Third, "pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace," is perhaps the most vital element of this verse. Too often, we get caught up in the importance of fleeing, and we neglect the pursuing part. It is simply not enough, not practical, and not sustainable, to run away all the time. It's too easy to get distracted. It's too easy to forget why we're running, especially if we've put a lot of distance between us and the youthful lusts. However, pursuing righteousness is a course that only has one path. That is a course that always has road ahead, because we never really arrive. So, even though distractions may still come, on the best or worst days, the pursuit remains the same. Fleeing can begin to feel arbitrary, when you've been on the run a long time. Pursuing is worthwhile. Fourth, "with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart." This last point is maybe the most subtle. Having said that, it rivals the third point, in terms of importance. Even in the physical world, running alone is exhausting, more taxing mentally, more prone to discouragement, and generally not as fruitful. In spiritual terms, all of this becomes accentuated. We need each other. We need support, prayer, healing, encouragement, accountability, and empathy. The ideal, the best of this, is to be done with others who also come to God from a pure heart. This means we must also call on the Lord from a pure heart, ourselves. We cannot do this - the fleeing, from various lusts, pursuing God - we cannot do this alone for very long, very well. Even the best of us, even the most prominent leaders like Timothy, we need running mates.

A) Step one: lace up! Listed in the armor of God is to have feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Throughout His ministry, Jesus warned us to be ready. Paul reiterated that, as did Peter. Along with being ready for the return of my Lord, and along with being ready to share the gospel and my testimony, I must be ready to run from temptation. Step two: identify problems. I cannot run from what I cannot recognize. The best way for me to understand what is tripping me, is for me to stand on the words of God. Spending time in the Bible, and praying for the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart, I will begin to understand what the lusts of my youth are. Step three: identify righteousness, faith, love, and peace, and start chasing them. Again, this is done through study of the Word, and also by following the examples of other righteous men. That leads us directly to Step four: get running partners. For these purposes, it is important to find men who will run with the same fervor I have, out of the same purity of heart and love for God. Experience has shown me that it is the most helpful if I am running with men who more closely understand my struggles fleeing sin, but also that understand my passion for running toward righteousness. I should seek these men, and I should also make myself available to other men who need running partners as well.

P) Father, thank You for the promises I have in Christ. Thank You for never allowing me to be tempted without providing a way of escape. Thank You for equipping me for everything You ask of me. Thank You for empowering me, for the Holy Spirit in my life, that I am not trying to run alone. Thank You for the men who have run alongside me. Help me to keep my eye on the prize, Lord. Help me to maintain focus, to remember the reasons I run. Help me to identify the sinful temptations in my life, and to waste no time before I flee. Help me bear in mind that I am not only running away from temptation, but I am running toward righteousness, faith, love, and peace. Help me to run alongside other men, to seek them out, to be willing to lift my brother up when he stumbles. Help me to be an encourager, a truth-teller, an empathizer. Let Your will be done in my life, as I run this race, according to Your rules, for Your glory. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.