My SOAP devotional for May 20th
S - Psalm 13
1 How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;
4 my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,"
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing to the LORD,
for he has been good to me.
O - In this Psalm David the author is not afraid to pour out his anguish at the Lord's feet. He asks "how long" 4 times in the first 2 verses. We see the depth of his distress and yet as he prays we see him regain his hope in the Lord. David finds strength in prayer and a focus on the "big picture." David was impatient and yet he trusted that God would carry out His plans for David's life, in spite of his perceptions in the here and now...the struggles that David faced with his enemies.
A - This is so my life right now. The enemy would have me believe that I have enemies here on earth. At times it seems that I have been defeated and that the Lord is not acting on my behalf like I would like Him to. I find myself falling into that trap of wondering where God is at work in my life???? And yet at the same time, I know I can pray and bring my burdens to God's feet. I am hopeful and confident that He hears me when I cry out to Him. In my despair He reminds me that He is holding me up. And I have peace to focus on the promise that He has a plan and purpose for my life.
P - This is my prayer Lord Jesus. That I would simply trust in you. That I would sing praise, even in the midst of feeling overwhelmed and overburdened, because you are so good to me. I see your blessings and I give you praise. In the words of "Johnny Appleseed": The Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord, for giving me the things I need, the sun and the rain and the apple seed. The Lord is good to me! Amen.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Worry About Yourself - A Look at How We Judge
This is my SOAP devotional for May 14th
S - Acts 15:10-11
10Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
O - The Jewish Christians were struggling with which of their customs/laws should be followed by the Gentiles. Circumcision was an important issue to the Jews because it was a physical reminder of their covenant with God. To the Jews, following these laws was true obedience, and not following them was pure defiance. The council of Jerusalem had decided to not make the issue a requirement so as not to relegate Christianity to "just another sect of Judaism". The bottom line was that God's way was to include ALL believers the same way, by faith alone. This was Jesus' special favor, not with requirements. The additional recommendations the council asked of the Gentile believers were simply to help unify the church as a whole, to help find common ground against pagan worship.
A - Oh how much this reminds me of our churches today. One church requires baptism by full emersion to be a member and truly be saved. Another requires weekly confession to a priest to take communion. And still others have requirements like not allowing instruments in the church worship, or social requirements like wearing proper clothing, lest you be judged unworthy to attend services. There are many ways that we judge others in their "fitness" for God's grace. I confess that when I see tattoos and piercings, I judge that person to not be a true believer because it gives the appearance of drawing attention to "self". We all struggle with what God has called us to do...a simple issue that I'm trying to teach my Kindergarten music class..."Worry About Yourself!" We cannot earn God's smile...we already have it. We think if we do something pleasing then we will earn special favor...that this will put us in a "higher place" with God. In reality God does His work and the question we must ask is "How can I be a part of it?" This is where the "requirements" come in because we are asking of God and not of man.
P - Lord Jesus, this is a hot topic for my life and oh how amazing you are that you know what I need to hear. As I learn to "worry about myself" in where I am with you, will you remind me to ask what YOU require of me and not what I assume or think you require based on my so called knowledge of your word. Oh, how I must be diligent in my prayers to seek your wisdom in how to love others without judgment. For your grace and mercy are never ending. Amen.
S - Acts 15:10-11
10Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."
O - The Jewish Christians were struggling with which of their customs/laws should be followed by the Gentiles. Circumcision was an important issue to the Jews because it was a physical reminder of their covenant with God. To the Jews, following these laws was true obedience, and not following them was pure defiance. The council of Jerusalem had decided to not make the issue a requirement so as not to relegate Christianity to "just another sect of Judaism". The bottom line was that God's way was to include ALL believers the same way, by faith alone. This was Jesus' special favor, not with requirements. The additional recommendations the council asked of the Gentile believers were simply to help unify the church as a whole, to help find common ground against pagan worship.
A - Oh how much this reminds me of our churches today. One church requires baptism by full emersion to be a member and truly be saved. Another requires weekly confession to a priest to take communion. And still others have requirements like not allowing instruments in the church worship, or social requirements like wearing proper clothing, lest you be judged unworthy to attend services. There are many ways that we judge others in their "fitness" for God's grace. I confess that when I see tattoos and piercings, I judge that person to not be a true believer because it gives the appearance of drawing attention to "self". We all struggle with what God has called us to do...a simple issue that I'm trying to teach my Kindergarten music class..."Worry About Yourself!" We cannot earn God's smile...we already have it. We think if we do something pleasing then we will earn special favor...that this will put us in a "higher place" with God. In reality God does His work and the question we must ask is "How can I be a part of it?" This is where the "requirements" come in because we are asking of God and not of man.
P - Lord Jesus, this is a hot topic for my life and oh how amazing you are that you know what I need to hear. As I learn to "worry about myself" in where I am with you, will you remind me to ask what YOU require of me and not what I assume or think you require based on my so called knowledge of your word. Oh, how I must be diligent in my prayers to seek your wisdom in how to love others without judgment. For your grace and mercy are never ending. Amen.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Redemption by the church
This is my SOAP devotional for May 6th
This is the Saul that would become Paul and be the greatest apostle to the gentiles, spreading the story of Jesus around the world.
S - Acts 9:26-28
26When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
O - Saul was a fierce persecutor of the new believers. As a Jew he had a severe passion against the "blasphemy" he believed they were spreading. As Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus, the believers were hiding from him in fear. He had committed many wrongs but had been converted and baptized. Ananias had conquered his fear of Saul to be obedient to God and in this passage we see that Barnabas was also obedient, coming alongside Saul to be his advocate to the "church". In order for Saul to do God's work, he had to be accepted by the believers.
A - We will all make mistakes and sometimes it is so severe that trust is damaged. Those that have lost their way but return to the church need us to be their advocates, standing up bold in faith, to show fellow believers that the effort is genuine. Unfortunately we judge. But I am called, as a believer, to forgive as Jesus forgives...over and over. I cannot question what God will do with the redemption that is available. I must be a Barnabas to those seeking redemption by the church, for they have asked and they receive by God - why shouldn't they receive the same from me.
P - It is too easy God to take the position of "judge" when it comes to the wrong that we see. But you have not asked this of me...you call me to love. May you Lord soften my heart to be a Barnabas and an advocate, preaching redemption for those that confess and turn back to you. Oh that I would look past the wrongdoing and trust YOU as the supreme judge, allowing me the freedom to love and care for those that feel unworthy and need it most. Amen.
This is the Saul that would become Paul and be the greatest apostle to the gentiles, spreading the story of Jesus around the world.
S - Acts 9:26-28
26When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
O - Saul was a fierce persecutor of the new believers. As a Jew he had a severe passion against the "blasphemy" he believed they were spreading. As Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus, the believers were hiding from him in fear. He had committed many wrongs but had been converted and baptized. Ananias had conquered his fear of Saul to be obedient to God and in this passage we see that Barnabas was also obedient, coming alongside Saul to be his advocate to the "church". In order for Saul to do God's work, he had to be accepted by the believers.
A - We will all make mistakes and sometimes it is so severe that trust is damaged. Those that have lost their way but return to the church need us to be their advocates, standing up bold in faith, to show fellow believers that the effort is genuine. Unfortunately we judge. But I am called, as a believer, to forgive as Jesus forgives...over and over. I cannot question what God will do with the redemption that is available. I must be a Barnabas to those seeking redemption by the church, for they have asked and they receive by God - why shouldn't they receive the same from me.
P - It is too easy God to take the position of "judge" when it comes to the wrong that we see. But you have not asked this of me...you call me to love. May you Lord soften my heart to be a Barnabas and an advocate, preaching redemption for those that confess and turn back to you. Oh that I would look past the wrongdoing and trust YOU as the supreme judge, allowing me the freedom to love and care for those that feel unworthy and need it most. Amen.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Fearless Faith
This is my SOAP devotional for 5/3
S - Acts 7:59-60 (New living translation)
59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.
O - Stephen, in the midst of pain and dying, prays for his persecutors. We see the same compassion at Jesus' crucifixion as well. Stephen was bold not only in standing up for his faith but also in speaking up as well. This was basically the launching pad for the persecution and scattering of these new believers, as well as the expansion of the church. This was a tragic event with amazing consequences for the greater good. Stephen is an amazing example of acting in God's service regardless of the fear and obstacles you may face.
A - Oh that we all would be so bold. Not that we should face the same persecution, but that we would be that loyal and committed to what God calls us to do. For me, this is so personal in what we are doing RIGHT now in adopting "A". We are being obedient to what we believe God is asking of us, regardless of the fears we may be facing. Inviting a teenager with many life experiences to join our family is a huge step for all of us...it is in some ways scary but also EXCITING and an incredible honor and blessing that she is willing to trust us. I look forward to see how God is going to take the tragic events in "A's" life from her past and turn them into something amazing. What a blessing that we get to be a part of it!
P - In a word, Lord, I have fears! I KNOW that your word promises that fear does not come from you. I believe that you are bigger than any fear I might face. Help me to continue to put my faith ahead of the doubts and fears that I may see in my head. Keep the enemy far away from me, that I will embrace the confident faith that I already know is your spiritual gift to me. Oh Lord, how you love us and I thank you for the provision you have already shown in "A's" life and I thank you in advance for the work you will do to show your "purpose and plan" for her (Jer. 29:11) Amen.
S - Acts 7:59-60 (New living translation)
59 As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.
O - Stephen, in the midst of pain and dying, prays for his persecutors. We see the same compassion at Jesus' crucifixion as well. Stephen was bold not only in standing up for his faith but also in speaking up as well. This was basically the launching pad for the persecution and scattering of these new believers, as well as the expansion of the church. This was a tragic event with amazing consequences for the greater good. Stephen is an amazing example of acting in God's service regardless of the fear and obstacles you may face.
A - Oh that we all would be so bold. Not that we should face the same persecution, but that we would be that loyal and committed to what God calls us to do. For me, this is so personal in what we are doing RIGHT now in adopting "A". We are being obedient to what we believe God is asking of us, regardless of the fears we may be facing. Inviting a teenager with many life experiences to join our family is a huge step for all of us...it is in some ways scary but also EXCITING and an incredible honor and blessing that she is willing to trust us. I look forward to see how God is going to take the tragic events in "A's" life from her past and turn them into something amazing. What a blessing that we get to be a part of it!
P - In a word, Lord, I have fears! I KNOW that your word promises that fear does not come from you. I believe that you are bigger than any fear I might face. Help me to continue to put my faith ahead of the doubts and fears that I may see in my head. Keep the enemy far away from me, that I will embrace the confident faith that I already know is your spiritual gift to me. Oh Lord, how you love us and I thank you for the provision you have already shown in "A's" life and I thank you in advance for the work you will do to show your "purpose and plan" for her (Jer. 29:11) Amen.
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