SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  1 Samuel 14; 1 Chronicles 4; 2 Corinthians 13 (New International Version) 

Scripture-My special verse today:   2 Corinthians 13:5 - ⁵Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? ⁶And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test. ⁷Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. ⁸For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. ⁹We are glad whenever we are weak but you are strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. ¹⁰This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. 

Observation:  Paul is asking the christian people to examine themselves to see if Christ is truly in them.  He wants them to realize that they have done nothing against the truth.  No, only things that are in line with Christ if Christ truly is within them.  He states that those that are in christ must do things withing the authority of the Lord and are for building up, not tearing down.

 Application:  I hate the word “examine.”  It just sounds painful, not a word that I would like to hear very often.  Why?  Because it does not bring about happy images or great outcomes.  Usually when something must be examined there is an understanding that something is amiss.  Something is wrong.

Paul tells the people that they should examine themselves to see if they are truly doing the things of the Lord.  Are they truly building up and not tearing down?  Are they doing things that God desires?  Who is within them and making the decisions?  That is a question I must ask myself daily.  It is so easy to get caught up in the world and forget the heavenly battle going on around us.

Prayer:  Lord, let me build up those around me.  I am a better demolisher that constructor.  Let me do the opposite of my human nature.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  2 Corinthians 3; 2 Corinthians 4; 2 Corinthians 5; 2 Corinthians 6 (The Message) 

Scripture-My special verse today:   2 Corinthians 4:7-12If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That’s to prevent anyone from confusing God’s incomparable power with us. 

Observation:  Paul was cautioning the people from thinking too highly of them and not being realistic.  He did not want them to worship the people bringing the message so he continually told them to look at the mere person bringing the message and hear the message as from God.

 Application:  The fact that God would use someone like me to tell others about Him is about the stupidest plan I can think of.  I mean I fail, I get mad, I have no patience at times, I am unable to have a day without committing some sin or another, yet, God has chosen to use me to tell others about his son Jesus Christ.  What a crazy, insane plan.  I often wonder if God ever regrets that he chose this way to win the world to Christ.  I hope in some small way people can hear my message and look beyond me to the God, Creator of all.  Without Him in my life, I am without!!

 Prayer:  Lord, use me to tell others about you, despite my shortcomings and thank you for never giving up on me.  I would have a long time ago.