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SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Daniel 11; Daniel 12; Luke 6 (The Message) 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Daniel 12:8 ”I heard all this plainly enough, but I didn’t understand it. So I asked, ‘Master, can you explain this to me?’

 9-10 ”‘Go on about your business, Daniel,’ he said. ‘The message is confidential and under lock and key until the end, until things are about to be wrapped up. The populace will be washed clean and made like new. But the wicked will just keep on being wicked, without a clue about what is happening. Those who live wisely and well will understand what’s going on.’ 

Observation:  Daniel is a man loved by God in a special way.  He is able to really get to God’s heart by his unswerving devotion to God.  He seeks God and he speaks with him as a friend.  God tells him the message is only understood by those who live wisely and well.  The message is secret and will only be revealed when the time has come.  Otherwise, the people will know what is about to happen and will not heed the warnings.

 Application:  Do I heed the warnings of God and would I be counted as living wisely and well?  How does one get as close to God as Daniel?  He loved God with an unswerving devotion and seems so close to him that God can confide in him.  What an awesome relationship!  

Many people spend their time trying to figure out God’s timing but I want to spend my time growing closer to God.  I want a relationship where God can confide in me.  A relationship where we are best friends.  Somehow, if I was that close to God, I don’t think the “end” would bother me very much.

 Prayer:  Let me seek a relationship with you, God, that is special and close.  Let me love you with my whole heart, not just a part.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Daniel 9; Daniel 10; Psalm 123; Luke 5 (The Message) 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Daniel 10:12-14 ”‘Relax, Daniel,’ he continued, ‘don’t be afraid. From the moment you decided to humble yourself to receive understanding, your prayer was heard, and I set out to come to you. But I was waylaid by the angel-prince of the kingdom of Persia and was delayed for a good three weeks. But then Michael, one of the chief angel-princes, intervened to help me. I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia. And now I’m here to help you understand what will eventually happen to your people. The vision has to do with what’s ahead.’ 

Observation:  Daniel is studying the scriptures trying to discern how long his people will be punished for their disobedience.  Instead of blaming God and making excuses, Daniel goes to the scriptures and knows what God has promised.  He seeks the Word instead of complaining.

The angel comes to him but tells him that his answer should have been sooner.  However, he was tied up in another matter.  He is told that the moment he humbled himself was the time his prayer was answered.  However, the angel was diverted because of another situation.

 Application:  How funny that an angel was late!!  The prayer of Daniel was heard at the point where he humbled himself enough to receive understanding.  Does that mean that my prayer may be answered but that the answer has been delayed?  Am I willing to believe that humbling myself will bring me to a point to receive understanding?  What keeps me from seeking the answer to my “issues” through humbleness?

I love this story because it reminds me that not even Daniel’s prayer was the biggest thing going on in God’s eyes.  He was only one in a line of things that God thought was important.  We all matter to God, but he is also a God of detail.  He makes decisions based upon need.

 Prayer:  Lord, let me humble myself and seek you.  Let me not get caught up in how fast you are answering my prayer, but in that you will.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Daniel 3; Daniel 4; Psalm 81; Revelation 17 (The Message)

Scripture-My special verse today:  Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, “Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.” 

Observation:  Three guys devoted to God.  They are not the only Jewish exiles in Babylon yet they are the only ones that we read about in the bible.  Why is that?  Could it be that everyone else was just fitting in?  God tells us about three guys who stood for him no matter the consequence.  Three guys who wouldn’t bow down or back down.  Three guys who stood to lose their lives instead of bowing to an idol.  They had an incredible faith in God.

 Application:  What does it take to make the bible?  These three guys had it, the gumption, the desire and the love of God above all else.  Do I measure up?  Would I choose God over death?  I mean, its just an idol.  I don’t really have to love it to bow down to it do I?

Life is so full of times when I can stick my big toe in but not be immersed and then, poof, I’m in over my head.  Sin has an incredible hold on us once we allow it even a tiny bit of hold in our lives.  It is sneaky, telling me that all I have to do is try it but don’t love it.  However, when I allow it a tiny part of my life, it will swallow me whole.  I need to be like those three guys.  They were devoted when it cost them everything.

 Prayer:  No matter the cost, let me stand for you in everything, everytime.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Daniel 1; Daniel 2; Revelation 16 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Daniel 1:17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

 18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

 21 And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. 

Observation:  Daniel is favored by God and is given certain gifts to interpret visions and dreams.  Although he is in a strange land, God gives him the ability to discern things he needs to know in order to rise up in the midst of the captives.  God has great plans for Daniel and gives him the gifts and abilities to rise in the new environment so that God may be glorified.

 Application:  Does God truly have a special desire for my life’s purpose?  Has he gifted me in any particular way that would allow me to reap the benefits of living only for Him?  I think those that are truly called must live in a way that makes other people notice.  Otherwise, how can we shine for him?

Am I willing to show God how devoted I am to him on a daily and minute basis?  Do I seek to use the things God has given me to glorify him?  Am I living any differently than the world?  If I were evaluated, what would the scientist say about me?

 Prayer:  Let me live my life taking full advantage of all the gifts you have given to me.  Let my life be a testimony to your love and salvation.