This is my SOAP devotional for 4/22
S - Acts 4:32
32All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
O - Being of one heart and mind is an ideal picture of unity. Believers in one heart and mind is God's ideal plan for His people. In order to be united in this way we must seek the biblical foundation of sharing everything. In fact, we must embrace unity through the spirit of acknowledging that all things belong to God. The fact that these believers eliminated poverty among them shows how powerful the biblical principles laid out here really are.
A - I know some that would give their last shirt if someone needed it...I'm not so sure I'm that generous. I don't even like to give up the last Oreo in the cookie jar to my kids! I may give up my time and my encouragement, and even take a meal to someone, and I give to charity of course, but I probably still have a lot to learn in the depths of my heart about being a generous giver in the material sense.
This way of living in this passage was
1. voluntary
2. involved not all property but what was needed (not greedy)
3. not a membership requirement of the church
It would go a long way if we all lived this way today. The Amish actually live by these principles mostly although they may have "requirements" to live in their community. The more government forces us to "share", I believe the more people become resistant, resentful, greedy, and feel entitled. When we are required instead of given the choice, the farther we move away from these biblical principles. This is really the same way it is with the foundations of faith. God gives us a CHOICE to follow Him...we are not required, therefore, we are FREE to follow His laws and place Him as the ruler of our lives...or, live by our own choices, outside the guidance of the Lord almighty. Some say, where is God? Well, if we are not following His ways then it is natural for us to not feel He is interceding in our lives because we have basically asked Him to stay out of our affairs. If we want to feel blessed, then we must first "volunteer" to make Jesus Lord of our life, having given His life as a substitute for ours. We must be grateful for what we have and seek God's guidance in doing and giving in the ways that He is calling us to. When we see what we have as "enough" then we have enough to give...even the last cookie.
P - To be your arms and feet Lord, to care for those among us that are in need is a privilege. May I always have compassion to give freely what YOU have given me. All things are yours Lord and I am grateful to even be a part of it. I pray for those that have little, may they see the richness of their lives through the blessings you have given. And I pray for those that have much, that they would be generous in seeing all that they have as TOO much so that they might share it with compassion on those that need it. May ALL of us open our eyes to see those in need and give freely.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
A leader trusts in the Lord
This is my SOAP devotional for 4/15 - I find it ironic that I would read this on "tax day" when many were protesting the actions of the govt. with "tea parties". I too may not agree with the choices of govt. but it is important to remember that all leaders need our prayers more than anything else we do.
S - Psalm 21:7
For the king trusts in the LORD;
through the unfailing love of the Most High
he will not be shaken.
O - Even kings who have great power to determine the actions of their subjects on this earth should trust in the Lord. Just as we read about Pilate giving in to the demands of the people, a good leader seeks God's wisdom instead of popularity, or power. God pours out His love on those that seek Him, and He keeps them from stumbling. In fact, the Lord's love is great for ALL...most especially those that put aside their personal desires and seek His guidance.
A - In a leadership role (parent, music teacher, community leader, bible teacher, etc.) I must be seeking God's wisdom in ALL things, even when I feel confident and secure in my decision making. Even when decisions seem "biblically obvious". God only allows those that He wants in power to remain in power. Therefore, I must be in prayer for ALL leaders in business, in politics, in our schools, in our communities...all of these need our prayers to seek God's wisdom, regardless of whether we agree with their decisions.
P - Lord, you promise that when I seek you with my whole heart, you are there. Just as I already prayed that I would not be subject to pressure from others, will you help me be the leader that YOU desire me to be, taking a stand to embrace YOUR standards, even when it's hard? Will you help me remember to be in prayer for all leaders in my community and in government, even when I believe they are not seeking YOUR wisdom? May I be patient to know that YOU have placed them in leadership for a reason. Your ways and wisdom, and your unfailing love are ALWAYS good. Just like the song says, "How many kings would come down from their throne to die for me?" You alone did that for me and for ALL of us! Oh, that I would be humble to remember your sacrifice and live my life with this same humility. Amen.
S - Psalm 21:7
For the king trusts in the LORD;
through the unfailing love of the Most High
he will not be shaken.
O - Even kings who have great power to determine the actions of their subjects on this earth should trust in the Lord. Just as we read about Pilate giving in to the demands of the people, a good leader seeks God's wisdom instead of popularity, or power. God pours out His love on those that seek Him, and He keeps them from stumbling. In fact, the Lord's love is great for ALL...most especially those that put aside their personal desires and seek His guidance.
A - In a leadership role (parent, music teacher, community leader, bible teacher, etc.) I must be seeking God's wisdom in ALL things, even when I feel confident and secure in my decision making. Even when decisions seem "biblically obvious". God only allows those that He wants in power to remain in power. Therefore, I must be in prayer for ALL leaders in business, in politics, in our schools, in our communities...all of these need our prayers to seek God's wisdom, regardless of whether we agree with their decisions.
P - Lord, you promise that when I seek you with my whole heart, you are there. Just as I already prayed that I would not be subject to pressure from others, will you help me be the leader that YOU desire me to be, taking a stand to embrace YOUR standards, even when it's hard? Will you help me remember to be in prayer for all leaders in my community and in government, even when I believe they are not seeking YOUR wisdom? May I be patient to know that YOU have placed them in leadership for a reason. Your ways and wisdom, and your unfailing love are ALWAYS good. Just like the song says, "How many kings would come down from their throne to die for me?" You alone did that for me and for ALL of us! Oh, that I would be humble to remember your sacrifice and live my life with this same humility. Amen.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Check your pride at the door
My SOAP devotional for 4/9
S - Psalm 5:4-7
4 O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.
5 Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence,
for you hate all who do evil.
6 You will destroy those who tell lies.
The Lord detests murderers and deceivers.
7 Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.
O - The ultimate sin really is pride. God cannot tolerate ANY sin because it is against His very nature, and when we are too proud to claim we are without sin then that is really where the fault lies. For God is not about punishment, but this is for our own good. Why would we want a God that will pick and choose who He will save? Isn't it simpler to say that even while we are sinners, God in His mercy provided a way? And that way is to put aside our pride and worship Him with our whole heart, mind and spirit. (Luke 7:23 and Romans 5:8)
A - We must check our pride at the door. When we knock on God's door and He says, "Come in", it is because we have accepted that
1. we have sinned in some form or fashion
2. we cannot do life on our own, or become whole, without God
3. we desire to respond to God's gift of salvation in the blood of Jesus by taking a step without pride.
P - You are not a God created by human hands. You are not a God dependent on any mortal man. You are not a God in need of anything we can give, By YOUR plan, that's just the way it is. (Philips, Craig and Dean "You are God alone")
S - Psalm 5:4-7
4 O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.
5 Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence,
for you hate all who do evil.
6 You will destroy those who tell lies.
The Lord detests murderers and deceivers.
7 Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.
O - The ultimate sin really is pride. God cannot tolerate ANY sin because it is against His very nature, and when we are too proud to claim we are without sin then that is really where the fault lies. For God is not about punishment, but this is for our own good. Why would we want a God that will pick and choose who He will save? Isn't it simpler to say that even while we are sinners, God in His mercy provided a way? And that way is to put aside our pride and worship Him with our whole heart, mind and spirit. (Luke 7:23 and Romans 5:8)
A - We must check our pride at the door. When we knock on God's door and He says, "Come in", it is because we have accepted that
1. we have sinned in some form or fashion
2. we cannot do life on our own, or become whole, without God
3. we desire to respond to God's gift of salvation in the blood of Jesus by taking a step without pride.
P - You are not a God created by human hands. You are not a God dependent on any mortal man. You are not a God in need of anything we can give, By YOUR plan, that's just the way it is. (Philips, Craig and Dean "You are God alone")
Thursday, April 8, 2010
All are equal
Here is my SOAP devotional for 4/3
S - Luke 8:1-3
1After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
O - Women were not supposed to learn from rabbis in Jewish culture. I believe Luke places this story here with special significance, to indicate that the believers were not making up stories. For if they were trying to "spin" the story of Jesus for their own benefit they would never include stories to promote Jesus' acceptance of women in equality. Three women are named and then "many others" are included to indicate there was lots of physical and monetary support.
A - These women offered personal and financial support to Jesus, freely without personal gain. You never hear again of Joanna and Susanna, perhaps because they were among those not faithful to the cross as Mary Magdalene was, however this tells us that we should be willing to follow Jesus even if we will not receive recognition for it. Jesus made a great effort to include women as well as others considered "low" in society to show that all people are equal in God's eyes. I should treat others the same.
P - Lord Jesus, I am in awe that you love me, and as a woman, would make a point to show your love toward women. I pray that as societies have always placed people in categories, I would turn from this temptation and sin, and see people with YOUR eyes. Open my eyes to see those that need to be included in "your church" with love and give me the courage to be purposeful in including them, as people, regardless of my own judgment on their life choices. Amen.
S - Luke 8:1-3
1After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
O - Women were not supposed to learn from rabbis in Jewish culture. I believe Luke places this story here with special significance, to indicate that the believers were not making up stories. For if they were trying to "spin" the story of Jesus for their own benefit they would never include stories to promote Jesus' acceptance of women in equality. Three women are named and then "many others" are included to indicate there was lots of physical and monetary support.
A - These women offered personal and financial support to Jesus, freely without personal gain. You never hear again of Joanna and Susanna, perhaps because they were among those not faithful to the cross as Mary Magdalene was, however this tells us that we should be willing to follow Jesus even if we will not receive recognition for it. Jesus made a great effort to include women as well as others considered "low" in society to show that all people are equal in God's eyes. I should treat others the same.
P - Lord Jesus, I am in awe that you love me, and as a woman, would make a point to show your love toward women. I pray that as societies have always placed people in categories, I would turn from this temptation and sin, and see people with YOUR eyes. Open my eyes to see those that need to be included in "your church" with love and give me the courage to be purposeful in including them, as people, regardless of my own judgment on their life choices. Amen.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Holy Week Thoughts
This week instead of sharing my regular SOAP devotionals I wanted to share some thoughts on Holy Week. Since I'm currently reading the end of Leviticus and the beginning of Luke, and wouldn't have the opportunity to write about the Easter story, I thought taking a diversion was the best way to focus on the importance of remembering God's greatest gift to us. Next week I'll be back to my regular routine.
S - Luke 24:35-49
"Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. He said, 'Peace be with you.' But the whole group was terribly frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! 'Why are you frightened?' he asked. 'Why do you doubt who I am? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it's really me. Touch me and make sure that I am a ghost, because ghosts don't have bodies, as you see that I do!' As he spoke, he held out his hands for them to see, and he showed them his feet. Still they stood there doubting, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, 'Do you have anything to eat?' They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched. Then he said, 'When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me by Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must all come true.' Then he opened their minds to understand these many Scriptures. And he said, 'Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day. With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: "There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me." You are witnesses of all these things. And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.'"
O - There are several eye witness accounts in the gospels of Jesus' appearance after his death on the cross and being placed in the tomb. I like this one in particular for several reasons:
1. He already knows the disciples are afraid, and that they think he is not real, that he is a ghost, and he tells them that he has a body, unlike a ghost would have. He also asks them to touch him. He knows that they are in hiding because of the Jewish leaders and His appearance to them in a locked room is powerful because of it's great testimony. How could 12 men in a locked room have the same hallucination? Why would they testify to this eyewitness account later and suddenly change their frame of mind when they feared for their lives?
2. He asks for food. Now this is my kind of guy! Let's eat is always what I say!
How could a ghost physically ingest food?
3. He restates what he's been telling them all along: look at the scriptures in the Old Testament (back then it was just the Jewish scriptures) and see what it says. It says he will suffer, it says he will die, and it says he will conquer death by resurrection on the third day. The Jews many times over had been looking for a different kind of Messiah, a warrior savior among them and they missed the message. He reminds them again what God spoke to his people in Isaiah 43:12, "First I predicted your deliverance; I declared what I would do, and then I did it - I saved you."
4. His final words in this passage are powerful because of what follows these events, recorded in the book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament through the writings of Paul and other witnesses. He sends His Holy Spirit to be here with us on earth and there are many miracles that take place. His resurrection is not the end of the story, it's the BEGINNING!!! There will be more witnesses beyond these 12 men and many who are willing to give their life giving testimony to these things.
A - So how is it really that many still doubt or have different beliefs about who Jesus was and is?
The Jews believe that he was not the Messiah they were looking for...He died and the Messiah would have conquered the cross itself, never dying in the first place. In addition, the tomb guards told the Jewish community that the disciples stole the body from the tomb (they were bribed by the Jewish leaders) and therefore they believe that it was a hoax. But why would hundreds of thousands of people be willing to die for what they believe in? For what advantage?
The Muslims believe that God is ONE, and deny the Trinity...that God would not descend low enough to come to earth as a man...He is too great to walk among His people. They believe Jesus was simply a prophet. They believe that if we follow the Five Pillars of the Faith set before us in the scriptures, then God in His mercy will save us, if it is His will.
Buddhists also believe that we can achieve "enlightenment" by making the effort ourselves in following the "middle way", therefore there is no need for a "savior". Hindus believe that God is in all of us and in everything so there is not one path but many to finding God. Buddhists and Hindus believe in many lives lived over and over until we achieve a release from this "illusion" of material reality through union with "God".
To apply the study of this passage to our lives today, how can some not believe that what Jesus did was real? Eyewitnesses SAW for themselves Jesus perform miracles, raise people from the dead, heal the sick and cast out demons. They saw Him die and they saw Him out of the tomb and alive. If the disciples conjured up a scheme to begin a new "religion" in order to save face, then they had thousands of people in on this lie. Today, we may not have seen Jesus for ourselves or been witnesses to His story but I KNOW that Jesus is alive and is living today because He has changed ME. I do not have to SEE Him to know that He lives in me and gave His life so that I might live with God in eternity. Only God can be God - the creator of the universe, all good and all powerful, who can speak a word and move mountains - and yet because of His nature of not tolerating anything but goodness AND at the same time having an extreme love for US, His creation, found a way to come to earth in flesh and take the weight of our sin on His shoulders. He is God WITH us. He took our place. He paid the toll. We have received the greatest gift ever given and there is NOTHING we can do to EARN it, except to ACCEPT it.
P - I pray Lord today for those that have doubts and fears about who you are and the gift of life that Jesus gave. It can be confusing to some and I pray that the veil of unbelief would be lifted so that those that might read these words today would believe. I pray that if they still have doubts, they would investigate more and that through your Holy Spirit Lord, you would reveal to them that you are REAL and that you are ALIVE. I claim this truth for myself and I praise you that you would do this for ME! And those that don't see the need for a savior and that life is "just fine", I pray that you would show them Lord that life is better and more incredible when we invite you to be a part of it! I thank you that even today you have given me the desire and the opportunity to speak your truth through this blog and in other avenues so that others might claim this salvation for themselves. Hallelujah, Christ is Risen indeed!!! Amen.
If you would like to investigate more on the evidence for the Resurrection, read "The Case for Easter" by Lee Strobel. It is only 90 pages and I would be happy to loan you a copy if you know me personally. God's peace to you this Easter as we celebrate and remember God's greatest gift to us in Jesus.
S - Luke 24:35-49
"Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. He said, 'Peace be with you.' But the whole group was terribly frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! 'Why are you frightened?' he asked. 'Why do you doubt who I am? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it's really me. Touch me and make sure that I am a ghost, because ghosts don't have bodies, as you see that I do!' As he spoke, he held out his hands for them to see, and he showed them his feet. Still they stood there doubting, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, 'Do you have anything to eat?' They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched. Then he said, 'When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me by Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must all come true.' Then he opened their minds to understand these many Scriptures. And he said, 'Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day. With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: "There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me." You are witnesses of all these things. And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.'"
O - There are several eye witness accounts in the gospels of Jesus' appearance after his death on the cross and being placed in the tomb. I like this one in particular for several reasons:
1. He already knows the disciples are afraid, and that they think he is not real, that he is a ghost, and he tells them that he has a body, unlike a ghost would have. He also asks them to touch him. He knows that they are in hiding because of the Jewish leaders and His appearance to them in a locked room is powerful because of it's great testimony. How could 12 men in a locked room have the same hallucination? Why would they testify to this eyewitness account later and suddenly change their frame of mind when they feared for their lives?
2. He asks for food. Now this is my kind of guy! Let's eat is always what I say!
How could a ghost physically ingest food?
3. He restates what he's been telling them all along: look at the scriptures in the Old Testament (back then it was just the Jewish scriptures) and see what it says. It says he will suffer, it says he will die, and it says he will conquer death by resurrection on the third day. The Jews many times over had been looking for a different kind of Messiah, a warrior savior among them and they missed the message. He reminds them again what God spoke to his people in Isaiah 43:12, "First I predicted your deliverance; I declared what I would do, and then I did it - I saved you."
4. His final words in this passage are powerful because of what follows these events, recorded in the book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament through the writings of Paul and other witnesses. He sends His Holy Spirit to be here with us on earth and there are many miracles that take place. His resurrection is not the end of the story, it's the BEGINNING!!! There will be more witnesses beyond these 12 men and many who are willing to give their life giving testimony to these things.
A - So how is it really that many still doubt or have different beliefs about who Jesus was and is?
The Jews believe that he was not the Messiah they were looking for...He died and the Messiah would have conquered the cross itself, never dying in the first place. In addition, the tomb guards told the Jewish community that the disciples stole the body from the tomb (they were bribed by the Jewish leaders) and therefore they believe that it was a hoax. But why would hundreds of thousands of people be willing to die for what they believe in? For what advantage?
The Muslims believe that God is ONE, and deny the Trinity...that God would not descend low enough to come to earth as a man...He is too great to walk among His people. They believe Jesus was simply a prophet. They believe that if we follow the Five Pillars of the Faith set before us in the scriptures, then God in His mercy will save us, if it is His will.
Buddhists also believe that we can achieve "enlightenment" by making the effort ourselves in following the "middle way", therefore there is no need for a "savior". Hindus believe that God is in all of us and in everything so there is not one path but many to finding God. Buddhists and Hindus believe in many lives lived over and over until we achieve a release from this "illusion" of material reality through union with "God".
To apply the study of this passage to our lives today, how can some not believe that what Jesus did was real? Eyewitnesses SAW for themselves Jesus perform miracles, raise people from the dead, heal the sick and cast out demons. They saw Him die and they saw Him out of the tomb and alive. If the disciples conjured up a scheme to begin a new "religion" in order to save face, then they had thousands of people in on this lie. Today, we may not have seen Jesus for ourselves or been witnesses to His story but I KNOW that Jesus is alive and is living today because He has changed ME. I do not have to SEE Him to know that He lives in me and gave His life so that I might live with God in eternity. Only God can be God - the creator of the universe, all good and all powerful, who can speak a word and move mountains - and yet because of His nature of not tolerating anything but goodness AND at the same time having an extreme love for US, His creation, found a way to come to earth in flesh and take the weight of our sin on His shoulders. He is God WITH us. He took our place. He paid the toll. We have received the greatest gift ever given and there is NOTHING we can do to EARN it, except to ACCEPT it.
P - I pray Lord today for those that have doubts and fears about who you are and the gift of life that Jesus gave. It can be confusing to some and I pray that the veil of unbelief would be lifted so that those that might read these words today would believe. I pray that if they still have doubts, they would investigate more and that through your Holy Spirit Lord, you would reveal to them that you are REAL and that you are ALIVE. I claim this truth for myself and I praise you that you would do this for ME! And those that don't see the need for a savior and that life is "just fine", I pray that you would show them Lord that life is better and more incredible when we invite you to be a part of it! I thank you that even today you have given me the desire and the opportunity to speak your truth through this blog and in other avenues so that others might claim this salvation for themselves. Hallelujah, Christ is Risen indeed!!! Amen.
If you would like to investigate more on the evidence for the Resurrection, read "The Case for Easter" by Lee Strobel. It is only 90 pages and I would be happy to loan you a copy if you know me personally. God's peace to you this Easter as we celebrate and remember God's greatest gift to us in Jesus.
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