SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Genesis 18; Genesis 19; Psalm 3; Luke 7 (New International Version) 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Luke 7:24  After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27This is the one about whom it is written: 

   ” ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, 

      who will prepare your way before you.’ 28I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 

Observation:  Jesus asks the people what they hope to see.  He wants them to clarify what a prophet really is and how they are looking for a prophet when there was one, John the Baptist, the whole time.  He questions them as to their expectations.  He wants them to know that John was and is the true messenger and that he is and was the prophet of Christ.

 Application:  What are my expectations?  Am I able to clearly see what God has put before me?  Can I see the real servant of Christ or am I looking for the glossy image?

Jesus’ ways are not mine and I must seek to understand him and his ways.  I need to know what he is doing in my life and seek him in everything.  He is the true master and I should always be on the lookout for him in my life.

 Prayer:  Lord, let me look for your working in my life.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today: Esther 1; Esther 2; Psalm 150; Luke 17 (The Message)

Scripture-My special verse today: Luke 17:5The apostles came up and said to the Master, “Give us more faith.”

6But the Master said, “You don’t need more faith. There is no ‘more’ or ‘less’ in faith. If you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a poppy seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it would do it.

Observation: The disciples were always wanting something they didn’t think they had.  At this point they were wanting more faith.  They must have felt they didn’t quite have enough to do the things God has asked them to do.  However, they are told by Jesus that faith is not measured by how much they had but whether they had it or not.  In other words, if you have faith you have all you need.

Application: Isn’t it amazing that the disciples asked the same questions we do and that they were answered just as we are?  Faith as described by Jesus does not come in quantities, rather it is an all or nothing thing.  Either you have it or you don’t, no in between.  So many times I wonder if I have enough faith as someone else or ask why their faith seems so much stronger in their situation.  However, upon reading this passage I realize that my faith is sufficient because if I have any faith I have a surplus.  No, I have enough faith.  So what keeps me from attempting the things I can only accomplish by faith alone?  Am I more afraid of failing or succeeding?  To succeed would mean I would have to do bigger things in his name and that just scares me too much!!

No, my faith is sufficient but I need to believe that God is in fact calling me out on that limb where I can only succeed because of him.  Then I can actually use my faith, not just merely talk about it.

Prayer: Let me do radical things in your name that require faith.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Ezra 5; Ezra 6; Psalm 138; Luke 16 (New International Version) 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Luke 16:10“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

 13“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

 14The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight. 

Observation:  Jesus was always calling people to a point where they had to make a choice.  He never let people sit on their past, rather he always called them to refocus on their future.  The condition of the heart was a constant struggle in Jesus’ mind and he was constantly challenging others to look at their heart from which everything else in your life flows.

Jesus said everyone must make a choice at some point as to what and whom they are going to follow.  Everyone is following something or someone whether they notice or not.  

 Application:  To decide not to choose is still a choice.  In Jesus’ eyes, the heart’s condition was a major focus of what condition a person was in at the time.  He wants us to examine our heart condition constantly because when our heart strays, our bodies go along.  We must choose one way or the other.  As he said, we cannot serve both because that is impossible.  We must choose wisely the ways of God and not allow our hearts to be sidetracked.  That is probably one of the hardest parts of being a parent.  When I see my children’s hearts going astray, I must do whatever it takes to get their heart back into its right condition.  This is not always easy and rarely met with excitement from my children.  However, I have learned that Jesus is right and once the heart goes a certain way, the body is soon to follow both in speech and action.

 Prayer:  Let me examine my heart daily to make sure I am still in love with the only one that leads to eternal life.  Let me remain strong and keep my children’s hearts focused on you.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Zechariah 4; Zechariah 5; Zechariah 6; Luke 12 (New International Version) 

Scripture-My special verse today:   Luke 12:27“Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 

Observation:  Jesus talks of the things worth thinking about and how the faithful should be preparing for the Lord’s return.  He tells them that they worry over the things that don’t need to be worried over and do not pay attention to the things that are given to them by God.  Seeking the kingdom of God is the thing they should do and the very things they were worried about will be given to them.  They need to get their priorities right in order to fully fulfill all the things God requires of them and to understand the blessings he will bestow upon them.

 Application:  Am I missing the blessing because I am worried about what might happen?  Why do I worry over things I cannot control anyway?  I once read that 90% of the things we worry about aren’t going to happen anyway, 5% of the things we worry about are going to happen and we can’t do anything about them and the remaining 5% are worth worrying about.  So, I need to spend my time from the other 95% seeking God and walking with him each day instead of spending my time on things that I cannot change anyway.  If I am walking hand in hand with God, the road will be OK and my time will be spent looking up where I should be looking.

 Prayer:  Lord, help me keep my eyes on you and not on worrying about the things I cannot change nor control.  However, I know you can so let me seek you first.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Zechariah 1; Zechariah 2; Zechariah 3; Luke 11 (The Message) 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Luke 11:32-31“On Judgment Day the Ninevites will stand up and give evidence that will condemn this generation, because when Jonah preached to them they changed their lives. A far greater preacher than Jonah is here, and you squabble about ‘proofs.’ On Judgment Day the Queen of Sheba will come forward and bring evidence that condemns this generation, because she traveled from a far corner of the earth to listen to wise Solomon. Wisdom far greater than Solomon’s is right in front of you, and you quibble over ‘evidence.’ 

Observation:  Jesus fussed at the crowd he was talking to at the time.  He told them that they were unable to hear and see the evidence because they were too concerned with evidence.  They were missing the forest for the trees.  They had the Son of God among them but they were unable to see because they were looking for the facts.  They were unwilling to just repent and be saved.  No, they were “weighing the evidence” to decide if they were going to believe or not.

 Application:  To believe in Jesus is easy for me but to see him in other people is hard.  I know of all the ways he has changed me and the times he has done wonderful and marvelous miracles in my life.  However, when I am around others, I find it hard to see him through and through.  It seems so many, including myself, have a hard time of living for Jesus and dying to self.  It becomes very muddled as to who is doing the speaking.

I truly just want to walk with Jesus and hear him speak.  I want to see him perform miracles and I want others to believe too.  However, sometimes others are looking for the evidence instead of the faith.  

 Prayer:  Let me draw near to you and love you anew each and every day.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Haggai 1; Haggai 2; Psalm 129; Luke 10 (The Message) 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Luke 10:38-40As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. “Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.”

 41-42The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.” 

Observation:  Jesus comes to their house and all they can do is fuss over who has done the most.  He is coming to share with them but they are unable to hear him because of their preoccupation with who is being more holy and who is doing the right thing.  Jesus corrects Martha and tells her Mary has chosen correctly.

 Application:  I did not want to choose this verse.  I mean, as a Mom, this is a ringer.  One I have heard and even read books about.  However, I am no closer to being a Mary in a Martha world than I was before.  Well, maybe that isn’t entirely true because SOAP has allowed me to draw away and sit at Jesus’s feet.  Sometimes I have to declare, “SILENT” in a very unpleasant way to get some peace but, there I am, sitting at his feet.  Hopefully there will be a better way but I guess one has to take what they get.  

My main objective is to love the Lord so much that I yearn to sit at his feet each and every day.  I hope to bring my children along with me, even if they don’t know why they are coming yet.  To love the Lord with my whole heart, soul, mind and strength means I desire to sit in his presence.  But, oh those pesky dishes in the sink, meal to cook, floor to clean….

 Prayer:  Lord, help me find the balance sooner rather than later.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Ezra 2; Ezra 3; Luke 8 (The Message) 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Luke 8:9-20His mother and brothers showed up but couldn’t get through to him because of the crowd. He was given the message, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside wanting to see you.”

 21He replied, “My mother and brothers are the ones who hear and do God’s Word. Obedience is thicker than blood.” 

Observation:  Jesus’s family showed up while he was teaching but he was not interested in what they were saying.  Rather, he had a job to do that was divinely instructed.  He was more interested in doing God’s work than doing what his parents wanted him to do.  He seems to imply that his family was not listening to God’s Word.

 Application:  What are the requirements for obedience?  Are the people closest to me leading me closer to Christ or farther away?  The interesting thing about this verse is that Jesus did not get caught up in the “culture” but was about God’s business.

Just this morning, I went to the local BP because they actually had gas.  In our small town, this was about the most exciting thing that has happened in a while.  The owners and workers were directing traffic and I was able to get my $40 worth.  So, what is the culture saying?  We are at doomsday or we are all going to run out?  What is the worst that could happen?  We stay home more and have supper as a family?  We walk more and are healthier?  We read more and play games together as a community?  We could always ride our bikes more places.  Are these really so bad?

Later, I went to open my BBQ sauce.  It took me almost 10 minutes to get all the packaging open to pour the sauce on my meatballs.  Where did this come from?  I remember when someone “spiked” the Tylenol bottles years ago.  Ever since then, it has taken an engineer to get into a bottle.

Do I listen to the culture or God more often?  If I listen to the culture, I am always afraid and suspicious.  If I listen to God and obey him, I am assured a place in his mansion.

 Prayer:  Let my ears be tuned to your station that broadcasts love and hope instead of the culture’s fear.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Daniel 5; Daniel 6; Psalm 130; Luke 3 (The Message) 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Luke 3:16-17But John intervened: “I’m baptizing you here in the river. The main character in this drama, to whom I’m a mere stagehand, will ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He’s going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He’ll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he’ll put out with the trash to be burned.” 

Observation:  John declares that Jesus is the true one that is to be honored.  John is only the backdrop for the main play that Jesus and ultimately God will star in.  He is not uncomfortable declaring that he is not the one to look up to but that he is doing the work of setting the stage for Jesus.

 Application:  I just love John.  I would probably find myself declaring how important and great I was but John is so humble and reserved.  He declares that Jesus is the real one to look up to and that he is coming soon.  I would be tooting my own horn but John is happy to point others to Christ.  He is sowing the seed and happy to let Jesus harvest.

How happy am I in that role?  In raising my children, am I happy and content to point them to Jesus or do I want to tell them how much I have done?  Am I content to let Jesus work through me and not take the credit?  I need to be happy to point others to Christ!!

 Prayer:  Lord, let me be happy to be the stagehand and let you ignite the kingdom fire within my children and the children at church.  Remind me that the real one worth worshipping is you, not me.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Ezekiel 45; Ezekiel 46; Luke 1 (The Message) 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Luke 1:18 Zachariah said to the angel, “Do you expect me to believe this? I’m an old man and my wife is an old woman.”

 19-20But the angel said, “I am Gabriel, the sentinel of God, sent especially to bring you this glad news. But because you won’t believe me, you’ll be unable to say a word until the day of your son’s birth. Every word I’ve spoken to you will come true on time—God’s time.” 

Observation:  Zachariah was chosen to go into the temple at a time that was perfect.  He was given a chance to meet God face to face in accordance with the Old Testament beliefs.  Only the High Priest chosen could go into the Holy of Holies and meet face to face with God.  A string was even tied around their ankle in case they died in the Holy of Holies because anyone else entering would be struck dead.

While Zachariah went in to meet God, he actually came face to face with the angel Gabriel.  He is sent by God to tell Zachariah was is about to happen.  God chooses to tell him directly instead of just doing it and letting him guess what is about to happen.  Because of his unbelief, the angel takes away his ability to speak until the time is deemed right by God.

 Application:  I love this story.  Oh, how much more righteous I could be if God would shut my mouth!!  I stay in a constant state of “foot in mouth” and know as soon as I say something that I would have been better to have not said it at all.  I can sooo relate to Zachariah.  He hears what God is going to do and he is actually the High Priest chosen.  He is suppose to expect to meet with God, right?  However, he seems startled when God actually sends his messenger Gabriel and, when Gabriel tells him what is going to take place he doubts.  Say what?  How many times do I expect God to show up and get startled when he does?  I love that his very source of doubt – his mouth – is taken out of service.  I bet he wished he could take those words back as I often do.

The good news is that God’s plan moved along despite Zachariah and his voice was restored.  I wonder if he was more careful with his words in the future?

 Prayer:  Let me keep my mouth shut more and really strive to seek you each day.!!