SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Psalm 121; Mark 9; Mark 10 (The Message) 

Scripture-My special verse today:   Psalm 121:1-2 I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? 

   No, my strength comes from God, 
      who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. 

 3-4 He won’t let you stumble, 
      your Guardian God won’t fall asleep. 
   Not on your life! Israel’s 
      Guardian will never doze or sleep. 

 5-6 God’s your Guardian, 
      right at your side to protect you— 
   Shielding you from sunstroke, 
      sheltering you from moonstroke. 

 7-8 God guards you from every evil, 
      he guards your very life. 
   He guards you when you leave and when you return, 

      he guards you now, he guards you always. 

Observation:  I picked the whole psalm today because I needed to hear its words.  God is the one that gives me the strength.  He is the one who protects me from evil.  He is right beside me keeping me safe from all harm.  The psalmist promises that he protects and guards my very life and will never leave.

 Application:  How comforting to know that God has my back.  He is always there protecting me, whether I recognize it or not.  He is the one who is able to keep me from the very evil that is stalking me.  He is able to keep the evil at bay and will allow all things to work for good.  When I am not aware, he is always there.

 Prayer:  Lord, let me recognize that you love me enough to be beside me each and every day.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Zechariah 13; Zechariah 14; Psalm 147; Luke 15 (New International Version) 

Scripture-My special verse today:   Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted 

       and binds up their wounds.

 4 He determines the number of the stars 
       and calls them each by name.

 5 Great is our Lord and mighty in power; 
       his understanding has no limit.

 6 The LORD sustains the humble 

       but casts the wicked to the ground. 

Observation:  The psalmist describes God as one that even decides how many stars to put in the sky and has a name for each one.  He understands everything, nothing is beyond his understanding.  His knowledge is beyond comparison.  He is able to know everything and everyone, even the stars.  He keeps the humble person who seeks him uplifted while those who do not follow his ways are cast to the ground.

 Application:  It is amazing how nothing is insignificant in God’s eyes.  He cares about everything and is even concerned by how many stars are in the sky for us to see every night.  His majesty is amazing.  His ways are marvelous.  He remembers us if we will only be humble before him and submit to this authority.  But, ouch, that is really hard.  Although I know I should follow his ways without question, my humanness makes me doubt if he REALLY wants me to do such and such.  I mean, he didn’t mean THAT did he?  Whenever I second guess God I am saying he is not in complete control.  However, as the psalmist reminds me, he cares about everything.

 Prayer:  Lord, let me allow you full access rights into my life.  I don’t need to password protect certain parts of my life as I tend to do.  

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Ezra 4; Psalm 113; Psalm 127; Luke 9 (The Message) 

Scripture-My special verse today:   Psalm 127:3-5 Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift? 

      the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? 
   Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows 
      are the children of a vigorous youth. 
   Oh, how blessed are you parents, 
      with your quivers full of children! 
   Your enemies don’t stand a chance against you; 

      you’ll sweep them right off your doorstep. 

Observation:  The psalmist sees a family with lots of children as a virtual army for God, not just a liability.  He likens children as weapons against Satan – a person with lots of children is like a well armed army ready to go into battle.

 Application:  Why and when did society at large begin to see children as a liability?  When did we decide that two children are enough – no more and no less.  Preferably one boy and one girl makes a perfect family.  According to the scripture readings today, Jesus saw the children as the future and the ones who truly knew the power of being spiritually ready.  Not one time in scripture does he liken them to a liabily, no they are always an asset.

Have we come so much into our “humanness” that we can outplay God?  I also think the enemies had no chance against the man with lots of children because they were being raised in the values of the Lord.  The family faith was being taught and caught.  

How strong are the families of God today?  Are they really willing to fight for the family and would they even know what they were fighting for?

 Prayer:  May I take the raising of my children in your Word more seriously than anything else and may I always point them to you!!  Also, may I forgive my own parents for the things never done in your name and release them from guilt.  May I walk out free and willing to bless my own children!!

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Ezra 1; Psalm 84; Psalm 85; Luke 7 (The Message) 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Psalm 84:10-12 One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship, 

      beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches. 
   I’d rather scrub floors in the house of my God 
      than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin. 
   All sunshine and sovereign is God, 
      generous in gifts and glory. 
   He doesn’t scrimp with his traveling companions. 

      It’s smooth sailing all the way with God-of-the-Angel-Armies. 

Observation:  To be in the presence of God is enough for the writer of this psalm.  He just wants to be in heaven, regardless of what he does when he gets there.  This psalm is a cry to be in the presence of God.  He desires to be with him above anything else.

 Application:  Heaven is such a wonderful place that it is something to be desired.  God wants us to be in his presence and come before us with thankfulness.  Am I willing to scrub the floors, a job I detest by the way, to serve my Lord?  To be willing to scrub the floors in the house of God shows true humbleness, something I hope to obtain more of each day.

 Prayer:  Lord, let me be humble enough to desire to scrub the floors for you and rejoice in doing just that.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today: Ezekiel 40; Ezekiel 41; Psalm 128; Revelation 21 (The Message)

Scripture-My special verse today:

Psalm 128

A Pilgrim Song

1-2 All you who fear God, how blessed you are! how happily you walk on his smooth straight road!
You worked hard and deserve all you’ve got coming.
Enjoy the blessing! Revel in the goodness!

3-4 Your wife will bear children as a vine bears grapes,
your household lush as a vineyard,
The children around your table
as fresh and promising as young olive shoots.
Stand in awe of God’s Yes.
Oh, how he blesses the one who fears God!

5-6 Enjoy the good life in Jerusalem
every day of your life.
And enjoy your grandchildren.
Peace to Israel!

Observation: After hearing about God’s judgements and blessings, the people realize that only those who truly love and serve him are blessed.  However, one man’s blessing may not seem like a blessing to others.  Children who love the Lord and want to serve him are a true blessing from God.  Jerusalem has been set free and the people will finally enjoy the land with their descendants.

Application: When was the last time I sat down and  truly thanked God for his blessings?  Am I so busy running around and asking for more that I never take the time to say thanks?  I truly get to sit around the table with my children, my blessings, and share the wonderful works of God.  I should always see them as the true blessings they are and rejoice when they love the Lord with heart, soul, mind and strength.  To have children to walk with the Lord will make my life a blessing in my old age.

Prayer: Let me set aside the time to truly love you and count my blessings each and every day.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Ezekiel 38; Ezekiel 39; Psalm 145; Revelation 20 (The Message)

 

Scripture-My special verse today salm 145:2 I’ll bless you every day, 

      and keep it up from now to eternity. 
 3 God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. 
      There are no boundaries to his greatness. 
 4 Generation after generation stands in awe of your work; 

      each one tells stories of your mighty acts. 

Observation: The psalmist declares his love for God.  He declares to love him and praise him everyday.  He declares that God can never be praised enough for all the good things he does.  He sings of God’s love forever and his never ending goodness.  In fact, all generations are in awe of God and tell of his mighty acts.

 Application:  Churches stand as a testament to the goodness of God throughout the generations.  Those in attendance can remember those who stood there before them, in awe of God’s work.  The testimonies flow from the pews on how God moved years ago and still move today.  Without god’s faithfulness in the generations, churches would be empty.  However, it is this very faithfulness of God to all generations that make our churches the force in our community.  When disaster strikes, people gravitate toward the place that proved helpful in the past.  Often, that is the church and, if she remains faithful, the community will turn to her for guidance.  Then, the church can point them to Christ!!

 Prayer:  Let me always remember your faithfulness and tell the next generations.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Jeremiah 52; Revelation 1; Psalm 143; Psalm 144 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Psalm 143:8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, 

       for I have put my trust in you. 
       Show me the way I should go, 

       for to you I lift up my soul. 

Observation:  The morning signifies a time of new chances, a time to see God’s love that never fails.  David cries out to the Lord when his enemies are all around him.  He asks God to show him the way to go, not to save him once he has chosen his own way.  In his time of crisis, David asks God to show him the way.

Application:  Little did Peter Frampton know that he was singing the psalm of David in Psalm 143.  As he sang, “I want you to show me the way, everyday,” he could have been David crying out to the Lord.  When do I cry out to the Lord, when I am doing OK, when I am in need or when I am in crisis?  So often I ask God to show me the way out of the mess I have gotten myself into instead of asking him to show me the way to get there in the first place.  If I asked God to direct my path every morning, I wonder how different my life would be.  I want to rely on him and ask him to truly show me the way, everyday.

Prayer:  Lord, make your mercies known fresh to me every morning and let me ask you for the path I should walk.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Jeremiah 45; Jeremiah 46; Jeremiah 47; Psalm 105; John 21 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Psalm 105:42 For he remembered his holy promise 

       given to his servant Abraham.

 43 He brought out his people with rejoicing, 
       his chosen ones with shouts of joy;

 44 he gave them the lands of the nations, 
       and they fell heir to what others had toiled for-

 45 that they might keep his precepts 
       and observe his laws. 

       Praise the LORD.  

Observation:  God remembers the people as he always said he would do.  All the people who have remained faithful when the country did not remember God are now rewarded for their faithfulness.  He remembers the promises he made way back to the time of Abraham.  His  promises are consistent and never changing, although the timing seems wrong for us.  

His people are brought out and rejoicing and shouting.  They are remembered and their time of faithfulness is necessary in order to gain his favor.  By observing God’s laws when noone else did, they are chosen to be remembered by God.

Application:  Over and over God tells the people to remember the promises.  How many people today feel the need to remember the promises made to Abraham?  Are they still relevant?

To remain faithful is to obey God’s words throughout all time.  We should never try to pick and choose the commands we like, but rather remain faithful to all his teachings.  To pick and choose is to play God but, rather, we should trust that God truly means what he says.

Prayer:  Let me remain faithful to God’s teaching no matter what others choose to do.  I hope I will always remain faithful.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  2 Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalm 112; John 18 

Scripture-My special verse today:   Psalm 112:4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, 

       for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. ^[c]

 5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, 

       who conducts his affairs with justice. 

Observation:  God warns the man who denies him that things will not go well for him.  He continually demands they repent or the consequences will come upon their lives.  Here, the psalmist reminds us that God also makes promises to the godly and upright man.  He will have good things come his way. 

Judgement is fair for those who love God.

Application:  God is always willing to offer me goodness as long as I walk with him.  I struggle so many times in believing that the righteous will ultimately prevail.  I know it when I read the scriptures but real life tells me otherwise.  It often seems those who have no regard for God go about life unharmed and unaffected.  However, the psalmist reminds us that God is truly in control and does promise us good things if we remain faithful.

Prayer:  Let me just cling to you, even if just by my fingernails at times!!

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Jeremiah 18; Jeremiah 19; Jeremiah 20; Psalm 93; John 17 

Scripture-My special verse today:   Psalm 93:3 The seas have lifted up, O LORD, 

       the seas have lifted up their voice; 
       the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.

 4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, 
       mightier than the breakers of the sea— 

       the LORD on high is mighty. 

Observation:  The Lord is so mighty and powerful, the writer of Psalm 93 likens him to a great and mighty ocean.  The noise and power are as the lord, full of never ending energy and ongoing power.  Although he recognizes the power of the sea, he knows that the Lord is even more powerful.

Application:  Today I am in need of God’s power.  I truly need to know he is all-powerful and all-knowing.  Being at the beach recently, I can appreciate the psalmist’s association of the Lord with the sea.  It makes me wonder if he was sitting along the beach when he penned these words.

To sit and listen to the ocean is to know an incredible strength.  His unending noise comes fresh with each new wave, never ending and never silenced.  In my world today, I need to be assured that God is truly there, always with me, never fading.  His strength is sufficient for my daily needs.  His power will overcome all things that come against me.

Prayer:  Let me rest in your power and declare it from the highest places – you are God and my strength!!