SOAP for Today

Scripture: Acts 12:  13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door.

14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”

15 “You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, “It must be his angel.”
16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.

Observation: I absolutely love this passage.  Peter is imprisoned so the community of believers begins to pray for his safe release.  Their prayers are answered and Peter is released.  The chains simply fall away.  Peter gets dressed and goes to the house where the believers are gathered together in prayer.  He knocks on the door and the servant girl opens it.  She is so surprised she closes the door on him and goes to tell everyone.  The believers don’t even believe it is really him.  Peter has to stay outside, continually knocking on the door until they finally open it and let him in.

Application: You’ve got to love this passage.  They can’t make up things better than this one.  Why do I like it?  It shows that the believers are human.  They are praying, praying, praying for Peter’s release but, when it happens, they are surprised.  How true of life!  How many times have I prayed for something, not believing it is really possible?  Do I ever pray for something and, if my prayer came true, I would be surprised?  I think if one is honest, there are always those things we pray for but don’t know how God can bring them to fruition.  Then, when God shows off for us, we are actually surprised.  Ye of little faith.

Prayer: Lord, let me pray believing that You are truly able to make that prayer come true.

SOAP for Today

Scripture:  Acts 11:21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22 News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

Observation: Barnabas arrives in Antioch to find the people fully in the Will of God.  They are bringing new people to the Lord because of God’s mighty hand upon them.  When he sees this, Barnabas is very glad and tells them to remain true.  At Antioch is the first time the people were referred to as Christians.

Application: To see others moving as one in the Will of God is a beautiful sight.  To see people moving in one accord for whatever reason can be calming or frightening.  If people become united in violence, it is hard to stop.  Rioting comes to my mind.  However, the people in Antioch were all of one accord when it came to serving Christ and the fruit was plentiful.  They are doing great things for God and Barnabas comes to encourage them to do more in God’s name.

Prayer: Lord, I love to see your people working in one accord in your name.

SOAP for Today

Scripture: Acts 10: 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.

Observation: Cornelius is given a vision about Peter.  Peter receives a vision about food.  The people come to get Peter and the two visions unite into one.  God was preparing Peter to go to the Gentiles and preach the word.  The message had reached beyond the Jewish people and into the Gentile people.  They are not to be seen as unclean and unworthy, but rather the people of God as well.  Even so, the verse says that Peter was astonished that the Holy Spirit came down on them.

Application: Does everyone have an equal chance to hear the gospel?  Do we think only people that look like us and act like us should see the gospel like we see it?  How narrow-minded we can be when we look at Christ’s redeeming message?  We see things through our own glasses and become surprised when others hear the message as well.  What a shame that Christ died but we feel the need to determine who is worthy or not.  One of my favorite books is “The Ragamuffin Gospel.”  In this book, Manning shows us that none are worthy of salvation.  None of us can truly capture what it means to be bought at a price.  There are truly none worthy of the price Christ paid.

So, no more picking and choosing.  He died for ALL.  And that means ALL.  The only question is, who is going to tell the ALL?

Prayer: Lord, let me see that you truly died for us all, not just some.  Let me tell your story to those around me, both near and far.  Better yet, let me live the story by the way I live my life.

SOAP for Today

Scripture: Exodus 34:29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.31 But Moses called to them; so Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and he spoke to them.

Observation: Moses was instructed by God to meet with him to make a new set of tablets.  He was actually in God’s presence and they made the new set.  When he came down, his face appeared to glow, though Moses was not aware of that fact.  Moses and the Israelites were afraid of him because his face glowed.

Application: Ever met someone walking very close to God?  When you are around them, something is very different about them.  You just know they are being touched by the Holy Spirit at that moment.  It is kind of eerie, in a good sort of way.  It’s as though you are watching something take place in close proximity but you are not part of that happening.  I see that often when I hear Jeff preach.  He will say something completely out of his “normal speech pattern,” a phrase or word I never hear him speak.  He will tell a story or remember an incident and I just feel the Spirit in the words.  I know, at that moment, I am as Aaron, seeing the very glow of God’s image upon a human.  It is very humbling and hard to explain.  You just know you are in the presence of something big.

Moses didn’t even notice his glow, but the others surely did.  Maybe as we try to walk closer and closer to God, we begin to glow without realizing it.  I hope to get there one day!

Prayer: Allow me to walk in your presence and glow!

SOAP for Today

Scripture: Acts 4: 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.14 But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.

Observation: Peter and John are really shakin’ things up.  The priests, the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees are all listening to them talk.  They witness a healing and are perplexed.  What do they do with these men?  The people seem to be listening to them and they are talking about Jesus.  Oh no!!  They are amazed because they are not highly educated but speak with authority.  They certainly have a situation on their hands.

Application: Is telling what you have done through the power of Christ enough?  It should be all we have to say.  The fruit of Christ working within us should perplex people on the outside of Christ’s power as well.  They should see the Christian life and wonder what gives?  Why so confident?  So many times we try to explain ourselves and end up writing off every good thing Christ is doing in our lives.  We simply talk ourselves out of a testimony.  Really, if Christ is working in your life, shut up and let Christ shine.  I know I am so guilty of having to explain things but with Christ, no explanation is necessary!!

Prayer: Lord, let my life be the testimony You desire.

SOAP for Today

Scripture:  Exodus 16:  1 The whole Israelite community set out from Elim and came to the Desert of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had come out of Egypt.2 In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.

3 The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”
4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.

Observation: The Israelite community has finally been allowed to leave their enslavement in Egypt.  Through the unlikely leadership of Moses, Pharaoh eventually agrees to let the Israelites go so no more calamities will come upon his people.  Killing the children gets him at last to let the people go.  Once they leave, Pharaoh changes his mind and decides to pursue them.  God parts the sea and all the Egyptian army is drowned in the sea.

This verse comes right after as the people enter the desert area.  They begin to wish they were back in Egypt.  Grumbling and complaining, the people begin to question God and Moses in the release of the people from Egypt.

Application: What a bunch of whiners!!  Geez, these guys have just been delivered and walked across the sea on dry ground.  I don’t know about you, but that would have been pretty impressive on its own.  But no, just after this they begin to whine about the menu.  I find it amazing that God stuck with them after the way they acted.  He not only stuck with them, he provides daily food for them.  However, he tests them to see if they will trust him every day.  Of course, that doesn’t work too well either.

I would like to say we no longer do this but that would be a lie.  We have so much in our lives that is good and plentiful, yet we spend so much of our time whining about what we don’t have.  I am so bad, how can I truly whine about anything?  God provides all my daily needs, yet I fall into the Israelite whining technique in the blink of an eye.  When we see those with so little, how can we complain?  Yet I do.

Prayer: Lord, let me be the arms and feet for you and let me wait on you to supply my daily needs.

SOAP for Today

Scripture:  Luke 23: 8 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was of a long time desirous to see him, because he had heard concerning him; and he hoped to see some miracle done by him.9 And he questioned him in many words; but he answered him nothing.10 And the chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him.

Observation: Jesus is brought before Herod.  These verses say he was actually glad to see Jesus and was excited to see him perform some miracles.  He expected Jesus to show off for him in order to avoid being accused.  However, Jesus says nothing.  He is disappointed and the others around make no bones about accusing Jesus.

Application: Do I want Jesus to be God or a magician?  Do I see him as the Lord of my Life or a special kind of Santa Claus, ready to give me what I really want.  Can I make Him a list and get what I put on that list if I am good?  No, Jesus comes to be my Lord and to prune me to become what He already knows I am capable of becoming.  If he gave me what I wanted for nothing, I would be nothing more than a spoiled brat.  No, it is in the times of struggle and pain that I tend to grow the most.  It is when things don’t fall into place that I hit my knees in prayer more often.  I don’t want to be like Herod, I want to wait for Jesus to speak in whatever way He chooses!

Prayer: Lord, let me follow you even when I have nothing to gain.

SOAP for Today

Scripture:  Exodus 4: 27 The Lord said to Aaron, “Go into the desert to meet Moses.” So he met Moses at the mountain of God and kissed him.

28 Then Moses told Aaron everything the Lord had sent him to say, and also about all the miraculous signs he had commanded him to perform.
29 Moses and Aaron brought together all the elders of the Israelites,30 and Aaron told them everything the Lord had said to Moses. He also performed the signs before the people,

31 and they believed. And when they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

Observation: We find this scripture text at the end of the meeting between God and Moses at the burning bush.  God tells Moses all He is planning to do is bring the Israelites out of slavery and into the Promised Land.  The plan is reveiled and Moses is the messenger to the people.  He is the one that will lead the people.  He will do what God commands to bring his people out of bondage.  He does not seem to feel he is the right person but God assures Moses he is the one.  He asks for Aaron to accompany him and, it is at this point that Aaron learns about the plan.  Then, Moses and Aaron gather the elders and tell them the plan of God.  They begin to worship.

Application: Isn’t it amazing that sometimes all we need is someone to hear our misery?  Once the elders hear that God has a plan to work this out through Moses, they begin to worship though nothing has changed.  They feel that all is not hopeless, God is in the picture.  God is always in the picture but it is sometimes hard to remember at the time we are going through something difficult.  It is in those times we need to call on others to remind us that God has a plan.  The people recognized God through the words and leadership of Moses and Aaron.  God spoke to them and they relayed the message.  This is why it is so important to surround yourself with godly friends.  Sometimes our ears just don’t hear God’s words while they hear very clearly.  It is in those times we need the cloud of witnesses the most.

Prayer: Lord, let me hear you loud and clear but when my ears are muffled, please send others to remind me of Your Plan!!

SOAP for Today

Scripture:  Luke 21: 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth.

Observation: Jesus is speaking to his disciples in regards to the things they are seeing and talking about.  He is watching the rich put in their offerings and takes that time to teach the disciples.  He is listening to them discussing the temple and teaches from that conversation.  In all things, he is just elaborating on the things going on around them, teaching them spiritual truths.

Application: Oh, how easy it is to be weighed down with the world.  The anxieties of life – wow that is a big one.  It seems each day is full of things that can cause us to worry, fret, become bogged down and just to quit trying.  I must always be looking at those in need, like Haiti, to put things in perspective.  I wish I was qualified in the medical field so I could be helping them!!  I know I can help with money and health kits, but I would love to have the qualifications they are asking from the medical field so I could go and serve.

The worries of the world are heavy.  Somedays worst than others.  But the days are fast approaching when Christ will return again and we should be ready!!

Prayer: Lord, let the things of this world not weigh me down, but let me lift them to you in prayer and expect your divine guidance.  May I always keep watch!!

SOAP for Today

Scripture: Luke 20: ²⁰Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. ²¹So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. ²²Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

²³He saw through their duplicity and said to them, ²⁴“Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?”

²⁵“Caesar’s,” they replied.
He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

²⁶They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

Observation: Jesus is not winning any popularity contest at this point.  The religious leaders are trying everything to turn the people against him and have him say something wrong.  They are afraid to go against the people because of retaliation so they are trying to catch him at something.  They even go so far in this passage as to send spies to try to trip him up but Jesus is much too shrewd for that trap.  He answers their question concerning government in a way that makes them silent.

Application: I love this passage.  Can you even imagine being the “spies pretending to be honest?”  What a description!  Can you imagine being these guys?  Thugs broke in our car last night so I’m getting a pretty good sense of these guys.  Walking with Jesus even.  Some nerve.  Looking to turn him over to the government.

The funny thing is trying to outsmart God.  I mean, I give these guys a hard time but am guilty of the same thing.  I see someone I need to help but try to trick God by saying I’m too busy, they won’t listen anyway, and on and on.  How ridiculous do I look trying to trick God up?  It’s so easy to look upon others and see their faults without seeing my own.  Ouch.

Prayer: Show me the things you want me to see through Your eyes, let my heart be broken by the things that break yours.  Let me never pretend I can “trick” you.  Let me be completely honest before You.