Be sure to read my other devotional for this week posted today.
My SOAP devotional from March 18th
S - Matthew 26:34-35,74-75
34"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." 35But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.
74Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. 75Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.
O - Peter made a pretty bold vow. Not only did Peter reject the idea that he would deny Jesus, but Jesus knew he would do it. When Peter was faced with a crisis situation his impulsive and human nature took over. He spoke without thinking in both situations. After he realized he had done exactly what Jesus said he would do, he was greatly troubled.
A - How often do we act and speak impulsively making promises we can't keep? I have many times. How many times do we commit to God's service and we "forget" or get "distracted" by worldly things. We lose our focus. We are not obedient when we know it's what we SHOULD do. Peter was in Jesus' inner circle and could touch him and speak to him and yet he still denied him. How much harder is it for us, who cannot physically be with Jesus, except it's not really the same thing of facing persecution and death for our faith. God asks us simply to choose faith in Jesus over the ways and temptations of the world. Why is it so hard?
P - Lord, I am weak. I have been a pretty devoted follower and yet I'm just as bad at times as someone who doesn't even know you because I confess I will hear you call to me and I put you off. "Maybe later" I say. This is just lip service I know but I earnestly pray Lord for strength and courage to be bold in my faith...to act now, not later. To be thoughtful and prayerful, and not impulsive. I am thankful for the way you made me because I know you do not make mistakes and want me to learn and grow in the ways you are teaching me. In my weakness YOU are strong! (2 Cor. 12:9) Give me the conviction to put YOU ahead of anything else on earth. Amen.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Set apart and obedient
Here is my SOAP devotional for March 17th
S - Leviticus 10:10-11
"You are to distinguish between what is holy and what is ordinary, what is ceremonially unclean and what is clean. And you must teach the Israelites all the laws that the Lord has given through Moses."
O - My Life Application Bible footnotes say that this passage is the focus of the entire book of Leviticus. These guidelines and principles were to supplement the 10 commandments. The purpose of God's law was to teach the people how to distinguish between right and wrong, the holy from the common. The Iraelites needed to be taught these things because they had never had the law before. They were to set themselves apart from neighboring peoples.
A - It is hard for me to imagine a time before knowing "the law." For law-abiding people like me, it is hard to imagine having to be told all the details of these laws. I had to be taught the law at some time growing up I guess and now, even though I'm not perfect, staying within the law is a desire. And yet some of the sacrifice guidelines seem too much for me...so much detail seems irrelevant in the new covenant with Jesus. And still the whole focus REALLY is to be in relationship with the Lord and obedient to what God is calling us to do.
P - Lord, it seems tedious in some ways to read through Leviticus, but it makes me appreciate Jesus even more because we cannot possibly be perfect and I can't imagine how the Israelites followed these guidelines without making mistakes. But the law was necessary to set themselves apart and be holy and even today we need to be reminded to "not conform to the world." (Romans 12:2) Your word/law reminds us to distinguish right from wrong, otherwise we would slip into a "grey" area. Thank you God for the sacrifice you made in your son, Jesus. May I always remember and never forget to teach my children of following your ways and being obedient to you. May they learn from my example the importance of reading your word and seeking your will. Amen.
S - Leviticus 10:10-11
"You are to distinguish between what is holy and what is ordinary, what is ceremonially unclean and what is clean. And you must teach the Israelites all the laws that the Lord has given through Moses."
O - My Life Application Bible footnotes say that this passage is the focus of the entire book of Leviticus. These guidelines and principles were to supplement the 10 commandments. The purpose of God's law was to teach the people how to distinguish between right and wrong, the holy from the common. The Iraelites needed to be taught these things because they had never had the law before. They were to set themselves apart from neighboring peoples.
A - It is hard for me to imagine a time before knowing "the law." For law-abiding people like me, it is hard to imagine having to be told all the details of these laws. I had to be taught the law at some time growing up I guess and now, even though I'm not perfect, staying within the law is a desire. And yet some of the sacrifice guidelines seem too much for me...so much detail seems irrelevant in the new covenant with Jesus. And still the whole focus REALLY is to be in relationship with the Lord and obedient to what God is calling us to do.
P - Lord, it seems tedious in some ways to read through Leviticus, but it makes me appreciate Jesus even more because we cannot possibly be perfect and I can't imagine how the Israelites followed these guidelines without making mistakes. But the law was necessary to set themselves apart and be holy and even today we need to be reminded to "not conform to the world." (Romans 12:2) Your word/law reminds us to distinguish right from wrong, otherwise we would slip into a "grey" area. Thank you God for the sacrifice you made in your son, Jesus. May I always remember and never forget to teach my children of following your ways and being obedient to you. May they learn from my example the importance of reading your word and seeking your will. Amen.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
To live as the exalted servant
Please read my previous post for today as well, from 2 weeks ago.
This is my SOAP devotional for March 10th
S - Matthew 23:11-12
"The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
O - Jesus is speaking of the fact that the most humble person will receive the greatest victory in heaven. He lived this example by being willing to come as a humble carpenter, labeled a bastard, faced persecution and died on a cross to fulfill God's plan of salvation.
A - If we have truly embraced the opportunity to live a life devoted to God, following Jesus in faith, then we cannot help but be humble. This is such a HUGE indication of a changed person if they do embrace it, and such a "red flag" as well because many that claim to live a life for Christ are still focusing on selfish desires and self promotion. It is not our place to judge where others are in their faith, of course...this is a reminder for ALL of us that fight against our human nature of a focus on self.
P - Oh that I would be humble Lord. Remove any selfish desire for great achievement...that my desire would be in proclaiming YOUR good news regardless of my own benefit. How I just prayed to be your servant with the purest heart and you give me this word reminding me of your humility as my example. You know me so well :) and what I need to hear! I must let go and release my personal agenda...live your will, and walk in your ways. You are good! Amen.
This is my SOAP devotional for March 10th
S - Matthew 23:11-12
"The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
O - Jesus is speaking of the fact that the most humble person will receive the greatest victory in heaven. He lived this example by being willing to come as a humble carpenter, labeled a bastard, faced persecution and died on a cross to fulfill God's plan of salvation.
A - If we have truly embraced the opportunity to live a life devoted to God, following Jesus in faith, then we cannot help but be humble. This is such a HUGE indication of a changed person if they do embrace it, and such a "red flag" as well because many that claim to live a life for Christ are still focusing on selfish desires and self promotion. It is not our place to judge where others are in their faith, of course...this is a reminder for ALL of us that fight against our human nature of a focus on self.
P - Oh that I would be humble Lord. Remove any selfish desire for great achievement...that my desire would be in proclaiming YOUR good news regardless of my own benefit. How I just prayed to be your servant with the purest heart and you give me this word reminding me of your humility as my example. You know me so well :) and what I need to hear! I must let go and release my personal agenda...live your will, and walk in your ways. You are good! Amen.
I am the Tabernacle
My SOAP devotional for March 3rd
S - Exodus 25:8-9
"I want the people of Israel to build me a sacred residence where I can live among them. You must make this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the plans I will show you."
O - God wants to live among us. God could create a place for himself to dwell on earth but He wants us to build Him a place. The act of following His instructions and doing the work requires sacrifice and obedience which builds character in us and relationship with Him. This place is not just a building or a structure but it is sacred, meaning that we are to give it reverence and set it apart from just any ordinary structure. AND it is to be not just a "come and go" place but a residence, where God will reside, live, and be close to His people.
A - The ancient purpose of the tabernacle was to provide a place for the people to be close and receive counsel from God, to sacrifice and to worship. Still today we build buildings where we can do the very same. However, in the days of the new covenant, Jesus came to allow our hearts to be the new tabernacle. God wants to make a sacred residence in our hearts, mind, and body...to be a structure that symbolizes obedience, sacrifice and service to Him, the one who "built" us. He wants us to give our lives as a "spiritual act of worship" (Romans 12:1-2). We are to live our lives according to HIS plans.
P - Lord, make me a sacred residence, that you might dwell in me to follow YOUR plans in the precise way that you will show me. Amen.
S - Exodus 25:8-9
"I want the people of Israel to build me a sacred residence where I can live among them. You must make this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the plans I will show you."
O - God wants to live among us. God could create a place for himself to dwell on earth but He wants us to build Him a place. The act of following His instructions and doing the work requires sacrifice and obedience which builds character in us and relationship with Him. This place is not just a building or a structure but it is sacred, meaning that we are to give it reverence and set it apart from just any ordinary structure. AND it is to be not just a "come and go" place but a residence, where God will reside, live, and be close to His people.
A - The ancient purpose of the tabernacle was to provide a place for the people to be close and receive counsel from God, to sacrifice and to worship. Still today we build buildings where we can do the very same. However, in the days of the new covenant, Jesus came to allow our hearts to be the new tabernacle. God wants to make a sacred residence in our hearts, mind, and body...to be a structure that symbolizes obedience, sacrifice and service to Him, the one who "built" us. He wants us to give our lives as a "spiritual act of worship" (Romans 12:1-2). We are to live our lives according to HIS plans.
P - Lord, make me a sacred residence, that you might dwell in me to follow YOUR plans in the precise way that you will show me. Amen.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Spoon in my pocket
This is my SOAP devotional from March 2nd
S - Matthew 20:20-28
20Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
21"What is it you want?" he asked.
She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."
22"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?"
"We can," they answered.
23Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."
24When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.
25Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
O - Jesus I think just smiles at his disciples sometimes when he sees their desire for greatness. He KNOWS they can't truly sacrifice the way He does and yet He does not condemn them. He reminds them that He is not like kings that boss their subjects around and tell everyone how important they are. He is not like Jack Nicholson who takes power into his own hands manipulating the law to meet what he sees as right and then tells them "You can't handle the truth!" when they question it. No, quite the opposite, Jesus reminds us that we are here to serve, and he models that with his own actions.
A - This passage always reminds me of one of the greatest leaders I've ever known personally, Dr. Gordon Anderson, former superintendent of Spring ISD. He truly lived this out as a great leader. I don't have first hand knowledge of how he lived his personal life, and I'm sure he wasn't perfect, but I have a feeling he was who he really was at work. He carried a spoon in his pocket and was in the schools EVERY day. He didn't just TELL people they were there to serve, he showed it by example. He knew my name, and I was just one employee among 100s if not 1000s, plus I knew many that said the same thing about him. He cared for people and was concerned that you had the support you needed to do your best job. He inspired me to BE my best, simply with his regular presence. There really hasn't been many leaders in my life that have inspired me as he did. To me this is how it is as a Christian with Jesus in my life every day, except it's not just a spoon in my pocket but His Spirit living IN me, in my heart and mind. His regular presence inspires me to serve and to WANT to do my best job in this world. Jesus didn't just come to earth, God in flesh, and tell us how to live, He lived it. He physically came down off His throne to serve us. How there are still people in this world that cannot see that and be humbled is beyond my comprehension.
P - You God are the creator, the sustainer, the all-powerful, mighty King of all Kings, and yet you are also the cripple, the lonely and the broken hearted because you are willing to put yourself in their place. How anyone could deny you is beyond me and yet we are ALL guilty of putting ourselves first, forgetting our place and denying your power. Oh that I would be humble enough to have compassion and truly serve those that need to be served. I WANT to give YOU my BEST!! Amen.
S - Matthew 20:20-28
20Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
21"What is it you want?" he asked.
She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."
22"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?"
"We can," they answered.
23Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."
24When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers.
25Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
O - Jesus I think just smiles at his disciples sometimes when he sees their desire for greatness. He KNOWS they can't truly sacrifice the way He does and yet He does not condemn them. He reminds them that He is not like kings that boss their subjects around and tell everyone how important they are. He is not like Jack Nicholson who takes power into his own hands manipulating the law to meet what he sees as right and then tells them "You can't handle the truth!" when they question it. No, quite the opposite, Jesus reminds us that we are here to serve, and he models that with his own actions.
A - This passage always reminds me of one of the greatest leaders I've ever known personally, Dr. Gordon Anderson, former superintendent of Spring ISD. He truly lived this out as a great leader. I don't have first hand knowledge of how he lived his personal life, and I'm sure he wasn't perfect, but I have a feeling he was who he really was at work. He carried a spoon in his pocket and was in the schools EVERY day. He didn't just TELL people they were there to serve, he showed it by example. He knew my name, and I was just one employee among 100s if not 1000s, plus I knew many that said the same thing about him. He cared for people and was concerned that you had the support you needed to do your best job. He inspired me to BE my best, simply with his regular presence. There really hasn't been many leaders in my life that have inspired me as he did. To me this is how it is as a Christian with Jesus in my life every day, except it's not just a spoon in my pocket but His Spirit living IN me, in my heart and mind. His regular presence inspires me to serve and to WANT to do my best job in this world. Jesus didn't just come to earth, God in flesh, and tell us how to live, He lived it. He physically came down off His throne to serve us. How there are still people in this world that cannot see that and be humbled is beyond my comprehension.
P - You God are the creator, the sustainer, the all-powerful, mighty King of all Kings, and yet you are also the cripple, the lonely and the broken hearted because you are willing to put yourself in their place. How anyone could deny you is beyond me and yet we are ALL guilty of putting ourselves first, forgetting our place and denying your power. Oh that I would be humble enough to have compassion and truly serve those that need to be served. I WANT to give YOU my BEST!! Amen.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
You are God alone
Here is my 2nd post for this week. Be sure to read the other one posted today, FIRST.
This is my SOAP devotional for Feb. 26th.
S - Exodus 20:3-6
" 3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments."
O - There is a lot to talk about here. God asks us to make Him the ONLY God in our life and in our hearts. Some would say that's easy but in reality there are many things that we make into a "god" because it is a priority, but we don't define it as a god. He uses the word "jealous" to describe how He feels towards us and relationship. Why is it jealousy? Because God knows us and created us, and we cannot divide our hearts and be faithful to more than one God. It isn't humanly possible to give our devotion to multiple things. God has a passionate desire to be intimate with us and help us experience true joy in a life committed to Him, therefore He is "jealous" for what we could have and what is possible when we don't choose to make HIM first. This jealousy cannot be defined as it is in human terms, stemming from envy or greed or insecurity. All the more reason why we must read ALL of God's word to understand the context of His character. His jealousy is one that stems from a desire to love us and give us His best. Because of His good nature, He cannot tolerate what is the complete opposite of who He is and therefore it grieves Him to be separated from us...this is where the "jealousy" comes from.
A - I remember an interview where Oprah said that this is something from the bible that bothered her greatly as a child...she did not understand how a loving God could be jealous and therefore, she had spent her whole life trying to understand "who God is". She has since proceeded to try to define God for millions and generated more confusion in the process. The Bible is clear if we read it as a whole. I am to put God first EVERY day ahead of my husband, my children, my worries, my family and friends, my personal aspiration and even my "ministry." Time and devotion to HIM should be my first priority. WHY? For when I put Him first I will experience true joy and be blessed in all my relationships. God's jealousy for me is a blessing because He wants me all to Himself. He does not want the enemy to take a hold of me and thereby being separated from me forever. His love for me is so great that He can't imagine losing me...He would do anything to have me with Him forever. Because He is eternal and transcends time, my only time with Him is in the spiritual realm and therefore, how else would I be in intimate relationship with Him other than prayer and studying His word. Putting time with Him first in my life allows Him to work in and through my life to bless me and many others.
P - You are God alone. I worship you with my daily choices to seek your will and walk in your ways. I know I will stumble and so I ask that you pick me up and remind me who I belong to and who I serve. I am THANKFUL that you are jealous enough for me that you do not want to let the enemy have me and you even sacrificed your son to save me. You are the Lord Almighty!! Amen.
This is my SOAP devotional for Feb. 26th.
S - Exodus 20:3-6
" 3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
4 "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments."
O - There is a lot to talk about here. God asks us to make Him the ONLY God in our life and in our hearts. Some would say that's easy but in reality there are many things that we make into a "god" because it is a priority, but we don't define it as a god. He uses the word "jealous" to describe how He feels towards us and relationship. Why is it jealousy? Because God knows us and created us, and we cannot divide our hearts and be faithful to more than one God. It isn't humanly possible to give our devotion to multiple things. God has a passionate desire to be intimate with us and help us experience true joy in a life committed to Him, therefore He is "jealous" for what we could have and what is possible when we don't choose to make HIM first. This jealousy cannot be defined as it is in human terms, stemming from envy or greed or insecurity. All the more reason why we must read ALL of God's word to understand the context of His character. His jealousy is one that stems from a desire to love us and give us His best. Because of His good nature, He cannot tolerate what is the complete opposite of who He is and therefore it grieves Him to be separated from us...this is where the "jealousy" comes from.
A - I remember an interview where Oprah said that this is something from the bible that bothered her greatly as a child...she did not understand how a loving God could be jealous and therefore, she had spent her whole life trying to understand "who God is". She has since proceeded to try to define God for millions and generated more confusion in the process. The Bible is clear if we read it as a whole. I am to put God first EVERY day ahead of my husband, my children, my worries, my family and friends, my personal aspiration and even my "ministry." Time and devotion to HIM should be my first priority. WHY? For when I put Him first I will experience true joy and be blessed in all my relationships. God's jealousy for me is a blessing because He wants me all to Himself. He does not want the enemy to take a hold of me and thereby being separated from me forever. His love for me is so great that He can't imagine losing me...He would do anything to have me with Him forever. Because He is eternal and transcends time, my only time with Him is in the spiritual realm and therefore, how else would I be in intimate relationship with Him other than prayer and studying His word. Putting time with Him first in my life allows Him to work in and through my life to bless me and many others.
P - You are God alone. I worship you with my daily choices to seek your will and walk in your ways. I know I will stumble and so I ask that you pick me up and remind me who I belong to and who I serve. I am THANKFUL that you are jealous enough for me that you do not want to let the enemy have me and you even sacrificed your son to save me. You are the Lord Almighty!! Amen.
The Power of Humility
My SOAP devotional for Feb. 25
S - Matthew 18:1-6
" 1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."
O - The disciples still viewed Jesus' purpose as establishing an earthly kingdom. They envisioned a hierarchy in his kingdom much like a ruler/king would have. Their ultimate focus was on who would have the power, status and influence. But Jesus was trying to teach them to switch their way of thinking, to focus on humility, and service...that status and influence don't matter in the eyes of a child who trusts and depends on adults, which is the position we should take with God. Jesus teaches that anyone that causes a little child to lose faith should be cut off from his kingdom, for the children are the most dependent and vulnerable.
A - I have a great responsibility as a teacher, a community member and a parent to have a huge impact on the children in my life. I must always remember that my words and actions can have an affect for all eternity. In addition, I need to learn from these children how to trust God and seek humility instead of influence. My focus should be on service, not on status.
P - Knock me to my knees Lord when I forget my place. Help me to remember the power of humility and to focus on what I can learn from, and the influence I do have on ALL the children in my life, especially my personal children and the students I teach. Help me see opportunities where I can teach them about you. Amen.
S - Matthew 18:1-6
" 1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."
O - The disciples still viewed Jesus' purpose as establishing an earthly kingdom. They envisioned a hierarchy in his kingdom much like a ruler/king would have. Their ultimate focus was on who would have the power, status and influence. But Jesus was trying to teach them to switch their way of thinking, to focus on humility, and service...that status and influence don't matter in the eyes of a child who trusts and depends on adults, which is the position we should take with God. Jesus teaches that anyone that causes a little child to lose faith should be cut off from his kingdom, for the children are the most dependent and vulnerable.
A - I have a great responsibility as a teacher, a community member and a parent to have a huge impact on the children in my life. I must always remember that my words and actions can have an affect for all eternity. In addition, I need to learn from these children how to trust God and seek humility instead of influence. My focus should be on service, not on status.
P - Knock me to my knees Lord when I forget my place. Help me to remember the power of humility and to focus on what I can learn from, and the influence I do have on ALL the children in my life, especially my personal children and the students I teach. Help me see opportunities where I can teach them about you. Amen.
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