SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Job 17; Acts 24; Acts 25; Acts 26 (New International Version) 

Scripture-My special verse today:   Acts 24:22Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” 23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.

 24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 26At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. 

Observation:  Paul is imprisoned but he is not through telling everyone about God.  Felix knows the Christian movement and takes it easy on Paul.  He even respects Paul so much that he often sends for him so they can talk.  However, he did not want to hear Paul talking about things like self-control and judgement.

 Application:  How interesting are Christians to non-Christians?  Are we exciting or even interesting enough that someone would seek us out to talk with us?  Or are we so set in our ways that others find us bland and boring?

I try to read all genres of books in order to make life interesting.  If I only know one thing, then I come across simple minded and boring.  I hope that through my life others can see that following Christ is a blast, not a boring way to live.

 Prayer:  Help me to be a person others want to talk with so I may share your love.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Job 16; Acts 21; Acts 22; Acts 23 (The Message) 

Scripture-My special verse today:   Acts 23:16-17Paul’s nephew, his sister’s son, overheard them plotting the ambush. He went immediately to the barracks and told Paul. Paul called over one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the captain. He has something important to tell him.”

 18The centurion brought him to the captain and said, “The prisoner Paul asked me to bring this young man to you. He said he has something urgent to tell you.”

 19The captain took him by the arm and led him aside privately. “What is it? What do you have to tell me?” 

Observation:  Paul kept saying things that angered the people.  They were so furious with him that they almost tore his body in half.  He was taken away to keep him safe and they started to scheme a way to kill him when he was being brought to a certain place.

His nephew overhears and immediately goes to intercede on his uncle’s behalf.  He tells them the plan and saves Paul’s life.

 Application:   Sometimes the only people you can count on are family.  In Paul’s case, it was his family that saved him.  Family can be so helpful or hurtful.  It seems that family relationships either go forth to make us stronger or dig and make us weaker.  In Paul’s case, a family member stopped an attempt at his life and brought him new life.

 Prayer:  Lord, let me be the type of family member that helps and brings peace.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:Job 15; Acts 19; Acts 20 (The Message)

Scripture-My special verse today:Acts 20:22-24“But there is another urgency before me now. I feel compelled to go to Jerusalem. I’m completely in the dark about what will happen when I get there. I do know that it won’t be any picnic, for the Holy Spirit has let me know repeatedly and clearly that there are hard times and imprisonment ahead. But that matters little. What matters most to me is to finish what God started: the job the Master Jesus gave me of letting everyone I meet know all about this incredibly extravagant generosity of God.

Observation: Paul knows he is going to face hardship and pain.  The Holy Spirit has warned him of such things and he tells the people they must allow him to go.  However, he also tells them that it will probably be goodbye because the spirit has alerted him as so.  He declares that no matter the cost, he is entitled to do the Lord’s work laid out for him, even if the cost is high.

Application: Am I willing to tell the message even when the cost is high or do I only want to do the things that are easy.  To not tell is to go against God’s word and his purpose for me.  Can I truly love others only when things go well or can I put my own desires aside and love them even when I don’t feel like it?  Am I so sold out to the message of Christ that I am willing to do anything and everything to show others how important he is?

Prayer: Give me the strength to love.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today: Job 13; Job 14; Acts 17; Acts 18 (The Message)

Scripture-My special verse today: Acts 17:22-23So Paul took his stand in the open space at the Areopagus and laid it out for them. “It is plain to see that you Athenians take your religion seriously. When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, to the god nobody knows. I’m here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you’re dealing with.

Observation: Paul was all about timing at this time.  He was in the town and hung out at the gathering spots, talking to the “intellectuals.”  He did not judge them but was discussing religion with them.  He first tries to understand them and then he discusses the one true God with them.  He speaks to them with respect and they listen to what he has to say.

Application: Timing and understanding are two very important things in being able to share our faith with others.  I must seek to understand others and meet them in their needs before I can begin to tell them a better way.  Even though I know Christ, no one is going to turn to Christ from my efforts but only through the efforts of God working through me.  I am a vessel – and thankfully God uses broken vessels to accomplish his desires.

Prayer: Lord, let me love and not judge.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Job 11; Job 12; Acts 15; Acts 16 (New International Version) 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Acts 16:25About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.27The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 

Observation:  After being imprisoned for preaching the gospel, Paul and Silas are put in prison in chains.  They are still praising God and letting their faith shine through.  During the night, an earthquake happens that shakes the ground and all the prison gates open.  The jailer knows that if the prisoners are gone, he will be blamed and killed so he decides to take his own life instead.

However, Paul and Silas do not leave and, instead, witness to the jailer.  He and his whole family are saved.

 Application:  Is it more important to be free or faithful?  For Paul and Silas, they were already free even when they were in the prison.  They did not feel they anything to run from when the prison gates were opened.  One must feel that they have something to escape if they are to run immediately.  However, a soul was more important to them than freedom.

Do I see souls as more important than personal freedom?  Are people worthy of our time and the cost to our own comfortable lives?  Am I willing to forgo my own comforts to save a soul?

 Prayer:  Lord, let me see people as you do-souls in need of you.

SOAP FOR TODAY

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Job 3; Job 4; Acts 8; Acts 9 (The Message)

MY KEY SCRIPTURE VERSE:   Acts 8:34-35The eunuch said, “Tell me, who is the prophet talking about: himself or some other?” Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him.

OBSERVATION:  Peter didn’t miss this chance when he say the unchurched man reading scripture.  He used this occasion to share the good news with him and won his heart to the Lord.

APPLICATION:  To the one forgiven much, a chance to share Christi’s mercy is never missed.  No, the same Peter that denied him three times would not do it again.  He sees his chance and jumps at it, explaining the scriptures and allowing him to know the Christ he was reading about.  I must never miss the opportunity to share Jesus’s love with others because he never missed the chance with me.

PRAYER:  Lord, help me see each chance as orchestrated by you and share your love with others.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Nehemiah 9; Nehemiah 10; Acts 2 (New International Version) 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Acts 2:25 David said about him: 

   ” ‘I saw the Lord always before me. 
      Because he is at my right hand, 
      I will not be shaken. 
 26Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; 
      my body also will live in hope, 
 27because you will not abandon me to the grave, 
      nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 
 28You have made known to me the paths of life; 

      you will fill me with joy in your presence.’^[e] 

Observation:  David is being quoted by Peter at a time when Christ has just ascended to heaven.  He has left them, or they believe he has, and Peter is trying to rally the troops.  He quotes David to give validity to his message because the Jews see him as a true source concerning God.  They would listen to the words of David and hear them as truth.  Peter was wise to quote him.

 Application:  Drawing upon the insights of David concerning how Jesus would not be held down by the grave, Peter tells the people that Christ is still alive.  He excites the crowd by reminding them that the Holy One, Jesus, cannot be conquered by the grave and fills the believer with joy.  He is still alive!!

As I go about daily tasks, I need to remember the Joy of Jesus in the every day.  He conquered death so that I, as a believer, might live through him each and every day.  May I live as a believer.

 Prayer:  Let me live out the joy of my salvation.