SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Revelation 1; Revelation 2; Revelation 3; Revelation 4 (New International Version) 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Revelation 1:12  I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,”dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. 

Observation:  John sees Jesus and gives us a description of what he sees.  Stranded on the Island of Patmos, a revelation is given to him in signs and images of what will happen in the end of time as we know it.  He even gets to see an image of Jesus.

 Application:  One of things that bugs me about the Bible is that it is written my men.  I would love to have had a woman’s description of Jesus.  Though John gives a description, he does not tell us the things woman want and need to know.  Typically male, he gives us a physical description but I want more.  I want to know how his eyes looked, what color they are, how they shine when he looks upon us.  I want to know how his hair gleams and what length it is.  White as snow and eyes that are blazing fire are one thing but I want a better description of his emotions.  

I believe Jesus is the Prince Charming of all Prince Charmings.  Strong and muscular, I see him as one never to be forgotten.  Able to do anything, I believe there is a tenderness in his eyes that know the mess we have created.  I think he will look upon me with strength and tenderness.  I think he will be more beautiful than anything my eyes have ever seen.

I know John tried but the Jesus I know will come for me will be no Santa Claus but will be my Savior.  Mighty and holy, strength and power, tenderness and love all rolled into one incredible being.  He will be the most beautiful of all!!

Prayer:  Lord, I cannot wait to see your beautiful face and feel your strength on the day you come back for me.  Thanks for saving my life!!

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Ezekiel 42; Ezekiel 43; Ezekiel 44; Revelation 22 (The Message) 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Revelation 22:6-7The Angel said to me, “These are dependable and accurate words, every one. The God and Master of the spirits of the prophets sent his Angel to show his servants what must take place, and soon. And tell them, ‘Yes, I’m on my way!’ Blessed be the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” 

Observation:  The angel tells John that the words are the real thing.  They are dependable and true.  They never change.  He is telling John that the angel has been sent to tell him that Jesus will truly come back.  Also, the ones who remember and keep the words of the prophecies will be counted among the blessed.  

 Application:  What is dependable and accurate?  These words are not used very much, especially in a political climate.  Nothing seems to be what it seems, not even people.  Others put on a face that says all is good but yet they are falling apart inside.  Some fall apart but on such a reliable schedule it becomes hard to know what is really going on.  Yet, the scriptures are dependable and accurate.  Jesus will truly come back one day.  Guaranteed!!  And, the one who can remain faithful to the things the prophets described will be the ones that are blessed in the end.  On that day, they will be the ones that got the good deal, the cream of the crop.  Others will stand with their money and possessions in their hands as the faithful go to their blessed place in heaven with Jesus.  Then judgement will have been made.

 Prayer:  Lord, let me heed the words and be among the faithful.  I have a long way to go but please give me my portion each day and let me fall at your feet and give you all I have each and every day.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Lamentations 1; Lamentations 2; Obadiah 1; Revelation 14  

Scripture-My special verse today:  Revelation 14:3And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. 

Observation:  Wow, what depressing verses today.  All punishment and retribution.  They few that actually make it to heaven are singing a new song, not the same old, same old song.  No one is able to learn the song except those few that were chosen.  Doesn’t sound like the odds are very good but the number could be a representation of the ones who will arrive at heaven’s door.

 Application:  It is hard to find something to write about punishment for not following God’s commands.  I like the verses where God is full of fun and blessings, not the ones where he actually punishes the people for misbehavior.  It is hard to be excited about the truth that God will not allow us to be disobedient for very long.

I believe that my children need to suffer natural consequences when they fail to obey yet I find it hard to think that the same is true for me.  God will never allow me to prosper in disobedient behavior despite my best attempts.  He wants me to do something new and alive.  He wants me to turn from the other things and turn toward him.

 Prayer:  Let me sing you a new song and may it pleasing to your ears.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Ezekiel 29; Ezekiel 30; Ezekiel 31; Ezekiel 32; Revelation 11 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Revelation 11:17saying: 

   ”We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, 
      the One who is and who was, 
   because you have taken your great power 
      and have begun to reign. 
 18The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. 
   The time has come for judging the dead, 
      and for rewarding your servants the prophets 
   and your saints and those who reverence your name, 
      both small and great— 

   and for destroying those who destroy the earth.” 

Observation:  The elders take the time to really worship God and call upon his great and mighty power.  They are happy that God is going to reign.  The punishment has come which makes the nations very unhappy.  However, the time has come to judge and hand out those judgements.  The righteous are treated with honor and the ungodly are destroyed.  Each gets their just reward from the Lord God Almighty.

 Application:  Wow, each gets his just reward.  That never seems to happen except in the book of Revelation.  God constantly tells me to not grow weary of doing good because the evil just seem to be prospering.  However, it is hard sometimes to remember a day is coming and to hold a grudge against that day.  Do I really want the evil to get their just reward?  No, I pray they will repent before the coming of the Lord and be counted among the righteous.  To see noone punished would be great, although unrealistic.

How do I make sure I am counted on the right side?  Is my walk with the Lord consistent enough that I am ready for the Lord to appear at any moment?  Not hardly.  There are always those time when I wish the delete key really worked and I could just backspace a little to delete an inappropriate word, change an uncaring attitude, mend a broken relationship.  It doesn’t work that way but God does promise to remember my sins no more if I would only repent.  There is hope for me!!

 Prayer:  Lord, let me keep my big mouth shut more often and my heart open more often.  Let me seek righteousness each and every minute of each day.  Please give me my daily patience and let me seek to control my actions because they are truly an act of will.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Ezekiel 4; Ezekiel 5; Ezekiel 6; Ezekiel 7; Revelation 3 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Revelation 3:19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” 

Observation:  God truly loves the people that he disciplines.  To not discipline them would mean has given up on them to the point of not caring.  He is always just outside the door waiting for the faithful to open the door and let him in.  However, he does not come in unless they first ask him to enter.  Jesus overcame sin and sat on the throne with God and he can also enter into our lives if we just open the door.

Application:  As a mother, the worst of times happen when I no longer have the energy or resolve to discipline my children.  When I just get too tired to discipline one more time.  When I just feel like it makes no difference.

According to this verse, I know Jesus feels this way at times.  He must get so tired of disciplining those he loves, only to see them make no progress.  Does he ever get tired of us not listening?  How long will he continue to be disregarded before he gives up?

Prayer:  Lord, let me not do what you ask me not to do.  Please do not give up on me when I fail to listen.  Help me hear and see you the first time.

SOAP FOR TODAY

Scripture for today:  Ezekiel 1; Ezekiel 2; Ezekiel 3; Revelation 2 

Scripture-My special verse today:  Revelation 2:3You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.5Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.  

Observation:  John is telling the things God has laid on his heart to tell them about.  Each church has things for which God is not happy.  For them, he is proud of the things they have done well and the fact that they have persevered and not grown weary.  However, he rebukes them for losing their first love and not remaining true to the gospel of Christ.  They have given their heart to something besides the Lord.

Application:  Have I lost my first love?  Do I truly persevere for the Lord in all things?  So many times I find it hard to recognize who I am doing it for, me or the Lord.  That is why it is so important for me to stay connected to him daily in the Word.

Prayer:  Let me stay true to you, my first love.  Show me my fallacies when I turn to others besides you.