SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Job 39; Job 40; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 Corinthians 14 (New International Version) 

Scripture-My special verse today:  1 Corinthians 14:8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me. 12So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church. 

Observation:   Paul is warning the members of the church at Corinth that having spiritual gifts but using them selfishly does not build up the body of Christ.  Rather, it keeps others away and creates a sort of clique within the church.  Specifically he was speaking of “Speaking in Tongues” because the people must have been competing in this area.  However, they were speaking in them but no one could understand them so it was useless for building up the church.  He tells them to seek the spiritual gifts that build up the church.

 Application:  Do I seek spiritual gifts that build up the church?  Do I really want things to glorify me or God?  I have to be careful to not come across like I have “spiritual secrets” and turn others off from the church and ultimately God.  We are all brothers and sisters of Christ and should speak and act in a way that makes others want to draw near to God.  Though I do not speak in tongues, I must be careful that I don’t speak “christianese” and turn others off from the church.  There is really not any difference between the two if those outside cannot interpret the speech.  No, I need to speak in a way that points others to Christ.

 Prayer:  Lord, let me speak words you choose and that draw others close to you.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Psalm 122; 1 Corinthians 9; 1 Corinthians 10; 1 Corinthians 11 (New International Version) 

Scripture-My special verse today:   1 Corinthians 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 

Observation:  Paul tells the church that he is living a life like a runner after the prize.  He is not ashamed to say that he intends to win, it is just the prize that is different.  He is willing to train to win in order to get a crown that will last forever.

 Application:  How many Christians consider themselves in a race?  Do I?  No, not really.  I mean I do feel that I am often in a rat race, it just doesn’t seem the prize is worth the cost.  However, Paul knew the prize he sought was worth the pain and the sacrifice.  He was after an eternal prize of salvation and he was convicted to take as many people with him as possible.  He felt it all worthwhile but only because he really knew what he was after.

I wish to live a life worthy of the race.  I want to finish first and have others right behind me on this race to heaven.  I hope I make it there in an honorable way.

 Prayer:  Teach me to run the race for your reasons and not for my own.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Job 35; Job 36; 1 Corinthians 7; 1 Corinthians 8 (New International Version) 

Scripture-My special verse today:   1 Corinthians 8:1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge.^[a] Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 3But the man who loves God is known by God. 

Observation:  The letter seems to indicate that others are acting knowledgeable about things in which they do not contain knowledge.  They are unable and unwilling to love but seem to know alot about nothing.  Therefore, Paul tells them a man who loves God is know by God.

 Application:  Am I known more for love or for knowledge?  Can I be accused of loving God so much that others can see it?  I need to be aware that my knowledge is only as good as my own understanding.  However, God is at work and I might not have all the facts.  I must be careful to love more than I try to tell people what I know.

 Prayer:  Let me be accused of knowing you because of the love I have.