Week 32: A Better Way

 This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: 2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23; 1 Corinthians 1:1-17; Psalm 27:1-6; Proverbs 20:20-21
• Monday: Ezra 1:1-2:70; 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5; Psalm 27:7-14; Proverbs 20:22-23
• Tuesday: Ezra 3:1-4:23; 1 Corinthians 2:6-3:4; Psalm 28:1-9; Proverbs 20:24-25
• Wednesday: Ezra 4:24-6:22; 1 Corinthians 3:5-23; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 20:26-27
• Thursday: Ezra 7:1-8:20; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 20:28-30
• Friday: Ezra 8:21-9:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 21:1-2
• Saturday: Ezra 10:1-44; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 21:3

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Psalms:

Scripture: Psalm 27:4, 5
"The one thing I ask of the Lord—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord's perfections
and meditating in his Temple.
For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock."

Observation:
This is a request for the peace and safety of the Lord's presence and protection. As I read this passage early today, it resonated in my heart. I want to experience unencumbered intimacy with God every day, filling every thought with his perfections. I want as well to experience the safety of his grace, insulating me from the dangers that lurk beyond his embrace.

Application:
It's not that I have a problem remembering his promise...that he will never leave or forsake me. But I often wake up in the midst of stressful situations, like a sleepwalker in the night...to discover that I have ventured into the pressures and uncertainties of life without being sufficiently tethered to God and his promises.

It's not that he has left or forsaken me; it's that I am repeatedly distracted by my tendency to worry as the first response to stress and "take the bull by the horns" and try to work out the problem on my own. Only after I've rendered myself an emotional wreck do I discover that I've been trying to manage life on my own, without God's help...again!

I want to break this pattern and find God's peace...God's holy Temple...in the midst of the turmoil, like that seventeenth-century saint, Brother Lawrence. I want to replace worry and panic as my kneejerk reaction to stressful circumstances with worship and prayer.

Prayer:
O Father, just wanting this change is not sufficient. But it is a first step, which turns me back to you long enough to ask for your help. I think I've been praying for the wrong thing—namely, for you to take away the challenges and stressors that create such disequilibrium in my life. What I ask for today, in Jesus' name, is that you would change the orientation of my soul...away from the problems without and back to you and your abiding presence. Please use the wisdom from failed attempts to manage things on my own to break me of the tendency to react with worry and fear when storms intensify. Please, for Jesus' sake, let my first and only response be to seek refuge in you. Amen.

May God's peace and protection surround you this week.

Faithfully,
Chuck

Week 31: Having "Eyes and Ears" that Count!

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: 2 Chronicles 21:1-23:21; Romans 11:13-36; Psalm 22:1-18; Proverbs 20:7 
• Monday: 2 Chronicles 24:1-25:28; Romans 12:1-21; Psalm 22:19-31; Proverbs 20:8-10 
• Tuesday: 2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27; Romans 13:1-14; Psalm 23:1-6; Proverbs 20:112 
• Wednesday: Chronicles 29:1-36; Romans 14:1-23; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 20:12 
• Thursday: 2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 20:13-15 
• Friday: 2 Chronicles 32:1-33:13; Romans 15:23-16:9; Psalm 25:16-22; Proverbs 20:16-18 
• Saturday: 2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33; Romans 16:10-27; Psalm 26:1-12; Proverbs 20:19

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Proverbs:

Scripture: Proverbs 20:12
"Ears to hear and eyes to see—
both are gifts from the LORD."

Observation:
This is talking about more than physical hearing and seeing. The gifts of sight and sound are precious in themselves to be sure! But greater still is the gift of spiritual discernment. Jesus condemned the people of his generation for having eyes but not being able to truly see and ears but not being able to discern God's voice in their midst.

Application:
One of our greatest aspirations as followers of Jesus Christ is to become persons of spiritual discernment. I want to have eyes that see what God wants me to see and ears that hear what God is saying.

Prayer:
O Lord, please help me be a person of wisdom, discretion, and discernment for Jesus' sake. Amen.

Have a great week!
Faithfully,
Chuck

Note from the authors

Our weekly 'Bible-in-one-year' blog posts have been moved to the following site:

http://www.woodhavencommunitychurch.com/blog/category/bible-study/

It is now part of our Woodhaven Community Church main web-site:

http://www.woodhavencommunitychurch.com/blog/

Our hope is to reach more (local) people without compromising our initial purpose with this blog, and perhaps even enhance the visual experience for our existing readers. All previous posts have been transferred from this blog to our new blog site, but new posts will no longer appear on this Blogger blog.

Thanks for your continued interest in this blog. We hope you continue to follow us - and continue to follow the 'Bible-in-one-year' reading schedule on the new site.

In Christ,

Chuck Conniry
Dick de Roover

Sherwood, July 15, 2013

Week 28: God's Embrace

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: 1 Chronicles 4:5-5:17; Acts 25:1-27; Psalm 5:1-12; Proverbs 18:19
• Monday: 1 Chronicles 5:18-6:81; Acts 26:1-32; Psalm 6:1-10; Proverbs 18:20-21
• Tuesday: 1 Chronicles 7:1-8:40; Acts 27:1-20; Psalm 7:1-17; Proverbs 18:22
• Wednesday: 1 Chronicles 9:1-10:14; Acts 27:21-44; Psalm 8:1-9; Proverbs 18:23-24
• Thursday: 1 Chronicles 11:1-12:18; Acts 28:1-31; Psalm 9:1-12; Proverbs 19:1-3
• Friday: 1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17; Romans 1:1-17; Psalm 9:13-20; Proverbs 19:4-5
• Saturday: 1 Chronicles 15:1-16:36; Romans 1:18-32; Psalm 10:1-15; Proverbs 19:6-7

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of 1 Chronicles:

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9, 10
"There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful. He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!' And God granted him his request."

Observation:
Ever since Bruce Wilkinson published his 2000 bestseller, The Prayer of Jabez: Breaking Through to the Blessed Life, I haven't been able to read this passage the same way. By all accounts, this passage gives us a passing glance at an obscure person in Scripture (the man Jabez is mentioned only here), who offers a rather shallow, self-centered prayer – he asked for more land, more success in life, and freedom from pain and suffering.

The truly amazing thing about this prayer is that God answered it!

The point is that God meets us wherever we are at in life...and grants even the simplest (even selfish) requests. The prayer, in other words, highlights God's grace and concern for every one of us. And that's a beautiful thing!

Mr. Wilkinson is a devout Christian man, and he wrote the book with the best of intentions. However, a lot of people applied the book in ways that the author never intended, taking the prayer to be some sort of magic formula...an incantation as it were...that could be memorized and prayed repeatedly to get phenomenal (usually self-centered) results. Within a year of the book's publication, Wilkinson published a follow-up book, Secrets of the Vine, in which he talked about how pain and suffering often play an important role in our spiritual growth...and that trying to get everything we desire in life is often counterproductive to our relationship with God.

Application:
I resonate more with the Psalmist's prayer in today's reading from Psalm 5:
O Lord, hear me as I pray;
pay attention to my groaning.
Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
for I pray to no one but you.

Lead me in the right path, O Lord,
or my enemies will conquer me.
Make your way plain for me to follow.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them sing joyful praises forever.
Spread your protection over them,
that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
For you bless the godly, O Lord;
you surround them with your shield of love.

I do not want to experience hardships...and I certainly do not pray for them. However, I also realize that we have tribulations in this world. Jesus said we would. When I find myself in the midst of difficulty, I pray that I would also find myself in the fullness of God's embrace.

Prayer:
Father in Heaven, please help me find you in any and every circumstance. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen!

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

Week 27: Living the Faithful Life

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: 2 Kings 17:1-18:12; Acts 20:1-38; Psalm 148:1-14; Proverbs 18:6-7
• Monday: 2 Kings 18:13-19:37; Acts 21:1-17; Psalm 149:1-9; Proverbs 18:8
• Tuesday: 2 Kings 20:1-22:2; Acts 21:18-36; Psalm 150:1-6; Proverbs 18:9-10
• Wednesday: 2 Kings 22:3-23:30; Acts 21:37-22:16; Psalm 1:1-6; Proverbs 18:11-12
• Thursday: 2 Kings 23:31-25:30; Acts 22:17-23:10; Psalm 2:1-12; Proverbs 18:13
• Friday: 1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17; Acts 23:11-35; Psalm 3:1-8; Proverbs 18:14-15
• Saturday: 1 Chronicles 2:18-4:4; Acts 24:1-27; Psalm 4:1-8; Proverbs 18:16-18

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of 2 Kings:

Scripture: 2 Kings 18:5, 6
"Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before or after his time. He remained faithful to the Lord in everything, and he carefully obeyed all the commands the Lord had given Moses."

Observation:
Nothing better could be said about a person than was said of Hezekiah here. He was God’s man, through and through.

Application:
I want to be the same! Therefore I will do my best to be God's man today, for this day is all I have to be so.

Prayer:
O Lord, I am yours and you are mine. Please this be true in ever greater measure as that Day approaches, for Jesus' sake. Amen!

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

Week 26: Hearts Purified by Faith

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: 2 Kings 4:18-5:27, Acts 15:1-35, Psalm 141:1-10, Proverbs 17:23
• Monday: 2 Kings 6:1-7:20, Acts 15:36-16:15, Psalm 142:1-7, Proverbs 17:24-25
• Tuesday: 2 Kings 8:1-9:13, Acts 16:16-40, Psalm 143:1-12, Proverbs 17:26
• Wednesday: 2 Kings 9:14-10:31, Acts 17:1-34, Psalm 144:1-15, Proverbs 17:27-28
• Thursday: 2 Kings 10:32-12:21, Acts 18:1-22, Psalm 145:1-21, Proverbs 18:1
• Friday: 2 Kings 13:1-14:29, Acts 18:23-19:12, Psalm 146:1-10, Proverbs 18:2-3
• Saturday: 2 Kings 15:1-16:20, Acts 19:13-41, Psalm 147:1-20, Proverbs 18:4-5

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Acts, Chapter 15, verses 7 to 11:

Scripture:

"Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

Observation:
Peter addresses the congregation in Jerusalem during a dispute about whether non-Jewish (gentile) believers in Jesus Christ should comply with 'Jewish rules and religion' by being circumcised and being forced to keep the law of Moses. Some Jewish believers had brought this issue up -- without consent from the apostles and their elders in Jerusalem. They thought that you cannot be saved, unless you're circumcised and keep the law of Moses (verse 1).

Funny how hard it can be sometimes, to let go of the 'moral rules and religion of your upbringing', and replace them with faith in Jesus Christ. These Jewish believers sure were struggling with that. But Peter is very clear in his response, our SOAP verse for today. Peter had the authority to speak out on this issue, because God had used him to be the first apostle to bring the gospel to the non-Jews, remember Acts 10 and 11. He mentions that God knows each person's heart, and that He accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them (the non-Jews), just as He gave his Spirit to the apostles and Jewish believers. I love what Peter says next: "God did not discriminate between Jewish and non-Jewish believers, because he purified their hearts by faith."

Application:
God is the one who gives us his holy Spirit, and God is the one who purifies our hearts by faith. We can partake in the new life that Jesus Christ gives without being bound by rules and religion. Purification of the heart is not a one-time thing though. It's an on-going process! I need to continually ask God to fill me with his Spirit and to purify my heart by faith. As our Father in Heaven, he wants his children to depend on him, to have faith in him. When we learn to depend more and more on him, not on our own rules, our hearts become purer and purer, and we more and more resemble his son Jesus Christ. That's what I want for myself, and for you as well...

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you did not discriminate, and that you gave your Spirit to us. Thank you for purifying our hearts by faith. Help us to increasingly trust you in everything. Not by our own power and strength, but through your Spirit, in the power of your son Jesus Christ. In His Name we pray. Amen.

Have a great week. Pray that the gospel of Jesus Christ may continue to be proclaimed and believed by many all around the world.

Dick

Week 25: Faith First

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: 1 Kings 15:25-17:24, Acts 10:24-48, Psalm 134:1-3, Proverbs 17:9-11
• Monday: 1 Kings 18:1-46, Acts 11:1-30, Psalm 135:1-21, Proverbs 17:12-13
• Tuesday: 1 Kings 18:1-46, Acts 11:1-30, Psalm 135:1-21, Proverbs 17:12-13
• Wednesday: 1 Kings 20:1-21:29, Acts 12:24-13:15, Psalm 137:1-9, Proverbs 17:16
• Thursday: 1 Kings 22:1-53, Acts 13:16-41, Psalm 138:1-8, Proverbs 17:17-18
• Friday: 2 Kings 1:1-2:25, Acts 13:42-14:7, Psalm 139:1-24, Proverbs 17:19-21
• Saturday: 2 Kings 3:1-4:17, Acts 14:8-28, Psalm 140:1-13, Proverbs 17:22

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of 1 Kings:

Scripture:

1 Kings 17:12-14

12 "As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread--only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it--and die." 13 Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.' "

Observation:
Chapter 17 of 1 Kings is a remarkable testimony to God's faithfulness and provision in many ways. First, the LORD provides for Elijah by commanding ravens to supply food for him (verse 4). When the water of the Jordan river dries out after several years of drought, the LORD commands a non-Jewish woman, a widow from the town of Zarephath in Sidon, to supply food for Elijah. Next, the LORD miraculously provides for the widow, her son, and Elijah, by supplying flour and oil. At the end of the story, the LORD even provides life to the boy after he was terminally ill.

What is great about this story is that Elijah (and really God), meet the widow at her moment of despair. When he first meets her, she is in a desperate condition, see verse 12. She has just enough food left to make one more meal, after which she and her son are going to die from starvation. What happens next is remarkable. Elijah tests the woman's faith by asking her to first bring water and food to him, before making that last meal for herself and her son (verse 13). The woman goes home, and actually does what Elijah says (verse 15). She had faith! I think that is why the LORD selected her out of many... He met her in her worst condition, tested and affirmed her faith, and provide for her.

Application:
This story very much applies to our lives. Oftentimes we have to come to a desperate situation to find the LORD. The beautiful thing is that the LORD meets us at just the right time. He already went before Elijah and commanded this woman to supply food for him. The LORD goes before us and works in our lives and our situations. He wants us to depend on him, and oftentimes that means he has to break our pride and bring us to a point where all we can do is look up to him for help. The question is... do we have faith like this widow had?

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this example of this widow who showed faith in you. Help us to be like her. Thank you for meeting us in our darkest situations, and for your faithfulness and provision. Most of all, we thank you for providing your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the bread that gives life eternal. Amen.

Have a wonderful week of reading. Happy Father's Day to all fathers out there!

In Christ,

Dick

Week 24: Faith at Work

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: 1 Kings 5:1-6:38; Acts 7:1-29; Psalm 127:1-5; Proverbs 16:28-30
• Monday: 1 Kings 7:1-51; Acts 7:30-50; Psalm 128:1-6; Proverbs 16:31-33
• Tuesday: 1 Kings 8:1-66; Acts 7:51-8:13; Psalm 129:1-8; Proverbs 17:1
• Wednesday: 1 Kings 9:1-10:29; Acts 8:14-40; Psalm 130:1-8; Proverbs 17:2-3
• Thursday: 1 Kings 11:1-12:19; Acts 9:1-25; Psalm 131:1-3; Proverbs 17:4-5
• Friday: 1 Kings 12:20-13:34; Acts 9:26-43; Psalm 132:1-18; Proverbs 17:6
• Saturday: 1 Kings 14:1-15:24; Acts 10:1-23; Psalm 133:1-3; Proverbs 17:7-8

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the Psalms:

Scripture: Psalm 127:1, 2
"Unless the Lord builds a house,
the work of the builders is wasted.
"Unless the Lord protects a city,
guarding it with sentries will do no good.
"It is useless for you to work so hard
from early morning until late at night,
anxiously working for food to eat;
for God gives rest to his loved ones."

Observation:
These words from the Psalmist underscore the importance of keeping God in the center of our work. We can work hard to build a house, but if the Lord is not central to the activity, our efforts are wasted. The Bible says that we need not fret over our daily work, anxiously striving to make a living. We can do our work in peace, trusting that God is our ultimate provider and sustainer.

Application:
We tend to think of the work we do Monday through Friday as somehow existing in a separate sphere of life from "spiritual activities" like going to church on Sunday and doing daily devotions. Sometimes we think of our jobs as a necessary evil, which we have to do to survive.

God invites us to think differently about our lives. He wants to dissolve any distinctions we may have in our minds between "sacred" and "secular." God is just as active and involved in our daily activities at work as he is in every other aspect of our lives. He wants us to acknowledge him in everything we do at work and make a point of devoting everything we do in our days to his glory...construing every thought and word and action as an offering of worship and devotion.

God invites us to experience his presence and peace in every activity we engage in throughout the day. The ultimate benefits of our activity at work are not derived from the level of anxious effort we exert but by the grace that God brings to bear as we offer everything we do to his glory.

Prayer:
O Father, please help me recognize you in everything I do at work as much as I seek to acknowledge your presence when I am engaged in other forms of worship. May all that I am and do be a pleasing offering to you, for Jesus' sake. Amen!

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

Week 23: Jesus Loves us Uniquely

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: 2 Samuel 19:11-20:13; John 21:1-25; Psalm 120:1-7; Proverbs 16:16-17
• Monday: 2 Samuel 20:14-21:22; Acts 1:1-26; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 16:18
• Tuesday: 2 Samuel 22:1-23:23; Acts 2:1-47; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 16:19-20
• Wednesday: 2 Samuel 23:24-24:25; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 16:21-23
• Thursday: 1 Kings 1:1-53; Acts 4:1-37; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 16:24
• Friday: 1 Kings 2:1-3:2; Acts 5:1-42; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 16:25
• Saturday: 1 Kings 3:3-4:34; Acts 6:1-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 16:26-27

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the Gospel of John:

Scripture: John 21:22, 23
"Jesus replied, 'If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.' So the rumor spread among the community of believers that this disciple wouldn't die. But that isn't what Jesus said at all. He only said, 'If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?'"

Observation:
Jesus' statement to Peter was twisted into what is perhaps the first recorded rumor of the early church. When Peter saw John following along behind them, he wanted to know what would become of him. We are left to imagine why Peter asked this question...and why Jesus answered him the way he did.

Given Jesus' reply, it is possible that there had been a subtle rivalry for Jesus' attention between Peter and John. Peter was often the first to venture forth an answer or blurt out a comment (take, for example, the way he interacted with Jesus during the foot washing back in John 13...he was also the first to answer Jesus' question, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!"). Peter was also the only disciple who asked if he could walk with Jesus on water.

John, on the other hand, seemed to have a closer friendship with Jesus. Like Peter, he (and his brother, James) got carried away...and earned the title, Boanerges ("Sons of Thunder," Mark 3:17). Why? We find a glimpse in Luke 9:49-56. First, when John saw someone casting out demons in Jesus' name, he got in the person's face and told him to stop. Jesus quickly corrected him: "Don't stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you" (Luke 9:50). Right after that, when the members of a Samaritan town refused to let Jesus and his disciples pass through, John and his brother said, "Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?" (Luke 9:54b). Again Jesus had to rebuke him.

All in all, however, John appeared to have a closer friendship with Jesus than Peter did. John referred to himself (numerous times throughout the Gospel of John) as "the disciples whom Jesus loved." John was the one Jesus confided in at the Last Supper regarding Judas Iscariot. John was also the one Jesus trusted to care for his mother after he died (see John 19:26, 27).

Peter for his part wanted to prove that he was more eager than the other disciples in getting to Jesus first when the disciples spotted him on the beach, jumping off the boat and swimming to shore!

Yet even after Jesus gave Peter the chance to reaffirm his love and then entrusted to him the care of his sheep, Peter was troubled when he saw John trailing behind. "What about him?"

Jesus' reply is perfect: "What does it matter to you if he stays alive until I return?"

This is a rhetorical question. The fact is it doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is that Peter attends to his calling and to his unique relationship with Jesus.

Application:
We get into trouble when we compare ourselves with other people's relationship with Jesus Christ...and the service they render to him. Every single one of us has a unique relationship with Jesus. No two people relate to him exactly the same way.

The key is for us to focus on our relationship with Jesus. We mustn't fret about others or their accomplishments.

Be at peace. Jesus loves you for who you are. He wants you to be nothing more or less than you.

Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for loving each of us for who we are. Please help us trust you in that and be at peace with it. And help us be true to everything that you've created and called us to be, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

Week 22: Pure Motives

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: 2 Samuel 9:1-11:27, John 15:1-27, Psalm 119:49-64, Proverbs 16:1-3
• Monday: 2 Samuel 12:1-31, John 16:1-33, Psalm 119:65-80, Proverbs 16:4-5
• Tuesday: 2 Samuel 13:1-39, John 17:1-26, Psalm 119:81-96, Proverbs 16:6-7
• Wednesday: 2 Samuel 14:1-15:22, John 18:1-24, Psalm 119:97-112, Proverbs 16:8-9
• Thursday: 2 Samuel 15:23-16:23, John 18:25-19:22, Psalm 119:113-128, Proverbs 16:10-11
• Friday: Samuel 17:1-29, John 19:23-42, Psalm 119:129-152, Proverbs 16:12-13
• Saturday: 2 Samuel 18:1-19:10, John 20:1-31, Psalm 119:153-176, Proverbs 16:14-15

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Proverbs and the gospel of John:

Scripture:

Proverbs 16:1-3

1 We can gather our thoughts, but the LORD gives the right answer. 2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives. 3 Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed.

John 15:3

You have already been pruned for greater fruitfulness by the message I have given you.

Observation:
Today's SOAP from Proverbs 16, written by Solomon, could very well apply to the story of his father David and his mother Bathsheba, as recorded in today's scripture reading from 2 Samuel 11. David had gathered his thoughts, had made a plan to cover up his sins, and may have even thought he was pure in his own eyes. However, the LORD gave him the right answer through the prophet Nathan after examining David's true motives. The end of 2 Samuel 11:27 says:

But the LORD was very displeased with what David had done.

Application:
I can't tell you how many times I thought I had pure motives, but was blind to some of the 'negative side effects' that my motives caused for others. The LORD examines our hearts and checks our true motives, so it's good to ask yourself: "what is my true motive here, and does it line up with God's will?" When I read John 15 versus 1:2 this morning, it made me wonder if God would need to "prune" me. Then I read verse 3, where Jesus says: "You have already been pruned by the message I have given you." What a great comfort! If I listen and obey Jesus' commandments (such as John 15 verse 9 and 10), I don't need extra pruning! How can I check that my motives are pure and aligned with God's will? By following Jesus commandments, the greatest of which is to 'love others'.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that you convict me of any wrong motives through your Holy Spirit. Help to stay pure in thoughts and actions, and that everything I do is aligned with your will, and your Son's commandment of loving one another. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Have a great week of reading and SOAPing!

In Christ,

Dick

Week 21: Regcognizing the Right Voice

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: 1 Samuel 24:1-25:44, John 10:22-42, Psalm 116:1-19, Proverbs 15:20-21
• Monday: 1 Samuel 26:1-28:25, John 11:1-54, Psalm 117:1-2, Proverbs 15:22-23
• Tuesday: 1 Samuel 29:1-31:13, John 11:55-12:19, Psalm 118:1-18, Proverbs 15:24-26
• Wednesday: 2 Samuel 1:1-2:11, John 12:20-50, Psalm 118:19-29, Proverbs 15:27-28
• Thursday: 2 Samuel 2:12-3:39, John 13:1-30, Psalm 119:1-16, Proverbs 15:29-30
• Friday: 2 Samuel 4:1-6:23, John 13:31-14:14, Psalm 119:17-32, Proverbs 15:31-32
• Saturday: 2 Samuel 7:1-8:18, John 14:15-31, Psalm 119:33-48, Proverbs 15:33

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of 1 Samuel and the gospel of John:

Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:40-41

40 When the messengers arrived at Carmel, they told Abigail, "David has sent us to ask if you will marry him." 41 She bowed low to the ground and responded, "Yes, I am even willing to become a slave to David's servants!"

John 10:26-27 "26 But you don't believe me because you are not part of my flock. 27 My sheep recognize my voice; I know them, and they follow me."

Observation:
Nabal was a fool with a beautiful and smart wife (I know what you're thinking here... that could be me at times ;). Even though David has protected him and his servants and flocks, he insults David and his men. David is ready to take vengeance in his own hands, if it wasn't for the sensible Abigail. Today's verse in Proverbs 15:21 says:

"Foolishness brings joy to those who have no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path."

This verse very much applied to Nabal and Abigail! What struck me in this passage is the fact that Abigail is ready to leave all her wealth behind and become the wife of a chased-after ragtag band leader. How can that be? Well, Abigail recognizes that David is God's chosen shepherd. She recognizes that he will lead the LORD's people and become the chief-shepherd of His flock. As Jesus says in John 10: "My sheep recognize my voice", so Abigail recognizes God's voice through David and wants to follow him.

Application:
I want to become sensible like Abigail, to recognize the voice of the Shepherd in the midst of a dire situation. I want to be forward looking to the time when he will come back to earth a second time, to judge the Nabals of this world, and to gather his flock to take part in the wedding feast.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, give me 'sense' like Abigail had, and help me to avoid the foolishness and selfishness that Nabal displayed. I want to hear your voice and follow you alone. In Jesus Name, the chief Shepherd. Amen.

Today Pentecost is celebrated across the world, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. I pray that you may be filled with a holy fire that truly transforms your life. Have a great week.

In Christ,

Dick

Week 20: Staying Tuned

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: 1 Samuel 12:1-13:23; John 7:1-30; Psalm 108:1-13; Proverbs 15:4
• Monday: 1 Samuel 14:1-52; John 7:31-53; Psalm 109:1-31; Proverbs 15:5-7
• Tuesday: 1 Samuel 15:1-16:23; John 8:1-20; Psalm 110:1-7; Proverbs 15:8-10
• Wednesday: 1 Samuel 17:1-18:4; John 8:21-30; Psalm 111:1-10; Proverbs 15:11
• Thursday: 1 Samuel 18:5-19:24; John 8:31-59; Psalm 112:1-10; Proverbs 15:12-14
• Friday: 1 Samuel 20:1-21:15; John 9:1-41; Psalm 113:1-114:8; Proverbs 15:15-17
• Saturday: 1 Samuel 22:1-23:29; John 10:1-21; Psalm 115:1-18; Proverbs 15:18-19

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the Gospel of John:

Scripture: John 7:25-27
"Some of the people who lived in Jerusalem started to ask each other, 'Isn't this the man they are trying to kill? But here he is, speaking in public, and they say nothing to him. Could our leaders possibly believe that he is the Messiah? But how could he be? For we know where this man comes from. When the Messiah comes, he will simply appear; no one will know where he comes from.'"

Observation:
This is the reasoning of unbelief. The crowd of people gathered in Jerusalem for this feast day had heard much of Jesus' teachings and miracles. But they were applying logic, which was flawed by incorrect assumptions, to determine whether they should accept Jesus as their long-awaited Messiah. Jesus was, they incorrectly assumed, too "ordinary" to be the Messiah.

Application:
Jesus wants to meet us amid the ordinary circumstances of life, but sometimes we don't see him because we are expecting only to encounter him outside our normal routines. When we start our day, we often proceed with our "Jesus Detection System" in the off position because we assume he won't be showing up amid the normal events or our lowly lives. Yet that's exactly where he most often meets us!

My goal this week is to stay tuned when I am about my daily routines...because that's exactly where I should expect to encounter Jesus.

Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for meeting us in the ordinary events of life. Please help me stay tuned in and constantly expectant. I do not want to miss a single instance in which Jesus would be present to me. I pray in his name. Amen!

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

Week 19: Unlikely Disciples

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Judges 21:1-Ruth 1:22; John 4:4-42; Psalm 105:1-15; Proverbs 14:25
• Monday: Ruth 2:1-4:22; John 4:43-54; Psalm 105:16-36; Proverbs 14:26-27
• Tuesday: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:21; John 5:1-23; Psalm 105:37-45; Proverbs 14:28-29
• Wednesday: 1 Samuel 2:22-4:22; John 5:24-47; Psalm 106:1-12; Proverbs 14:30-31
• Thursday: 1 Samuel 5:1-7:17; John 6:1-21; Psalm 106:13-31; Proverbs 14:32-33
• Friday: 1 Samuel 8:1-9:27; John 6:22-42; Psalm 106:32-48; Proverbs 14:34-35
• Saturday: 1 Samuel 10:1-11:15; John 6:43-71; Psalm 107:1-43; Proverbs 15:1-3

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the Gospel of John:

Scripture: John 4:39-41
"Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, 'He told me everything I ever did!' When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe."

Observation:
It is impossible to overstate the surprise the disciples must have experienced when they witnessed the Samaritans' openness to the Jewish Messiah! The Jews in Jesus’ day had absolutely no regard for this people group. But Jesus saw something his disciples did not...he saw a people with a yearning to walk with God more closely, a people that had the potential to become faithful disciples of the Way.

Application:
I want to make sure that I do not write off anybody when it comes to the Gospel of Jesus Christ! If Jesus was willing to take the time to talk to this unlikely disciple – a woman from an unbelieving people group…and a person who had been divorced and remarried multiple times and was now living with a man outside of marriage – how can I do anything different?

Prayer:
Father in Heaven, please help me to have the same willingness that Jesus displayed when it comes to sharing the Way with others. I want to be your faithful witness and avail myself of every opportunity you place before me to share your message of love and redemption with others. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen!

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

Week 18: Burning Hearts

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Judges 8:18-9:21, Luke 23:44-24:12, Psalm 99:1-9, Proverbs 14:9-10
• Monday: Judges 9:22-10:18, Luke 24:13-53, Psalm 100:1-5, Proverbs 14:11-12
• Tuesday: Judges 11:1-12:15, John 1:1-28, Psalm 101:1-8, Proverbs 14:13-14
• Wednesday: Judges 13:1-14:20, John 1:29-51, Psalm 102:1-28, Proverbs 14:15-16
• Thursday: Judges 15:1-16:31, John 2:1-25, Psalm 103:1-22, Proverbs 14:17-19
• Friday: Judges 17:1-18:31, John 3:1-21, Psalm 104:1-23, Proverbs 14:20-21
• Saturday: Judges 19:1-20:48, John 3:22-4:3, Psalm 104:24-35, Proverbs 14:22-24

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Luke:

Scripture: Luke 24:32
32 They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

Observation:
On the day of Jesus' resurrection, two men from Emmaus walk back home from Jerusalem, a 7 mile walk, as all of a sudden Jesus walks besides them. He must have come out of nowhere, but the men are not surprised and Jesus walks along with them. Their hearts and their conversation is full of sadness (v.17) from the things that had happened to Jesus. When Jesus asks them what they are talking about, they act surprised: "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" (v.18). Jesus' crucifixion was a big thing and all the people in Jerusalem were talking about it.

Long story short... Jesus joins the men to their home, explains the scriptures to them, how the scriptures foretold that the Messiah had to suffer, then prays with them for dinner and disappears. At that moment, their eyes are opened, and they recognize him. That's when they explain today's SOAP verse: "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

Application:
I love how these men express their burning hearts. When Jesus opens your eyes so you understand scripture, your heart gets stirred. I can only imagine these men hanging on Jesus lips as he explains how scripture had to be fulfilled regarding the suffering of Messiah, but also regarding his resurrection. Those are words of hope out of Jesus' mouth! Today we have the Holy Spirit -- going out from the Father and the Son -- who reveals the meaning of scripture to us, if we are receptive to it! The Spirit can and will stir our hearts in a similar manner.

To be honest, I have to admit there are times when my heart is not burning, and scripture reading is more of a 'duty' than a joy for me. When that happens, I know I have to pray for the Spirit to set my heart on fire, because I know with my mind there is nothing better than to read God's truth as revealed in his word. Typically,  it doesn't take long before he will give me a renewed passion...

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word, and for revealing truth from your word. Stir our hearts the way you stirred the hearts of  Cleopas and his companion. Set our hearts of fire for you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Have a great week!

In Christ,

Dick

Week 16: Appearances can be Deceiving

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Joshua 9:3-10:43; Luke 16:19-17:10; Psalm 83:1-18; Proverbs 13:4
• Monday: Joshua 11:1-12:24; Luke 17:11-37; Psalm 84:1-12; Proverbs 13:5-6
• Tuesday: Joshua 13:1-14:15; Luke 18:1-17; Psalm 85:1-13; Proverbs 13:7-8
• Wednesday: Joshua 15:1-63; Luke 18:18-43; Psalm 86:1-17; Proverbs 13:9-10
• Thursday: Joshua 16:1-18:28; Luke 19:1-27; Psalm 87:1-7; Proverbs 13:11
• Friday: Joshua 19:1-20:9; Luke 19:28-48; Psalm 88:1-18; Proverbs 13:12-14
• Saturday: Joshua 21:1-22:20; Luke 20:1-26; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 13:15-16

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Joshua:

Scripture: Joshua 9:14, 15
"So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord. Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath."

Observation:
This is one of the most striking instances of deception in Scripture. The Gibeonites knew that Israel had entered the land with a mission to destroy all its inhabitants, including them! They also knew that military resistance was futile. So they resorted to subterfuge, disguising themselves as faraway travelers who came to make a peace treaty with Israel. The truth of the matter is that their towns were only a three-day journey from the point at which they met Joshua and the Israelite leaders.

The problem on Israel's side can be summed up as a lack of discernment. They focused on appearances instead of seeking counsel from the Lord. The men were disguised in old, tattered clothing. They were carrying moldy bread that they claimed was hot out of the oven the day they left on their journey. They lied and said they had been traveling for weeks to reach Joshua and the Israelites. And, rather than asking God for guidance, they believed what they saw and entered into a covenant with the men of Gibeon.

Later, when they discovered that these men lived in the same region, they were helpless to do anything about it. They had already made an oath not to destroy them.

Application:
The moral of the story for me is this: appearances can be deceiving! Scripture elsewhere says that we walk by faith, not by sight. God wants us to follow the leading of his Spirit rather than trust our own wits. God also wants me to take time when confronted with a given decision. He wants me to wait on his leading rather than act impulsively. At the end of the day, he wants me to trust him and distinguish myself as a person of faith.

Today I want to look for the opportunities that God puts before me to trust him and seek his guidance.

Prayer:
Father in Heaven, please help not act impulsively when confronted with choices that seem "obvious." Help me trust you enough to wait for your guidance. When I am tempted to say a given thing is "a no-brainer," please let your Holy Spirit stop me and give me pause enough to back away until I receive a sense of your leading. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

Week 15: Stop Worrying!

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27; Luke 12:8-34; Psalm 78:32-55; Proverbs 12:21-23
• Monday: Deuteronomy 32:28-52; Luke 12:35-59; Psalm 78:56-64; Proverbs 12:24
• Tuesday: Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Luke 13:1-21; Psalm 78:65-72; Proverbs 12:25
• Wednesday: Deuteronomy 34:1-Joshua 2:24; Luke 13:22-14:6; Psalm 79:1-13; Proverbs 12:26
• Thursday: Joshua 3:1-4:24; Luke 14:7-35; Psalm 80:1-19; Proverbs 12:27-28
• Friday: Joshua 5:1-7:15; Luke 15:1-32; Psalm 81:1-16; Proverbs 13:1
• Saturday: Joshua 7:16-9:2; Luke 16:1-18; Psalm 82:1-8; Proverbs 13:2-3

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the Gospel of Luke: 
 
Scripture: Luke 8:25, 26
"Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?'

Observation:
If only we could internalize Jesus' teaching in this passage to the point that it transforms our relationship to the world around us!

According to a recent study published by the American Psychological Association, roughly 75% of all US adults experience physical and psychological symptoms of stress. The top causes of stress are (1) jobs (relating to co-workers, bosses, and work overload), (2) money (relating to loss of job, reduced retirement benefits, and medical expenses), (3) health (relating to a health crisis or a terminal or chronic illness), and (4) relationships (relating to divorce, the death of a spouse, arguments with friends, and loneliness). Almost half of all Americans feel that their stress has increased over the past 5 years and almost half of all people say that stress has a negative impact on their personal and professional life.

While some stressors, like grumpy bosses, can't always be avoided, much of the stress we experience is self-induced. Another word for it is worry. We worry about finances. We worry about gaining weight...and losing weight. We worry about failing health. We worry about our aging parents, spouses, and, especially, our children. We even worry when we feel that we are not worrying enough!

Yet Jesus' logic is impeccable. If worry cannot at a single second to our life, why would we expect it to help us in any other way? Jesus, in a word, gives us as plain a command as he can: Stop worrying!

Application:
Worry is one of my closest companions. It keeps me company at night when I cannot sleep. It is there when I am irritable and when I overeat. It shadows me when I face deadlines at work and when I pay bills each month. As I age, I worry that every new ache or pain is a signal of something terrible.

Today I pause to take in Jesus' teaching afresh…to draw a deep breath and exhale slowly, expelling the tension and feeling anew his peace, which surpasses all understanding.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I rest in you and in your peace, which makes no earthly sense. When I feel the pangs of worry stirring in my soul, please let your Spirit speak to me, assuring me that I am yours and that because of Jesus I have nothing to fear…ever. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen!

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

Week 14: Happy Easter!

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20, Luke 9:7-27, Psalm 72:1-20, Proverbs 12:8-9
• Monday: Deuteronomy 18:1-20:20, Luke 9:28-50, Psalm 73:1-28, Proverbs 12:10
• Tuesday: Deuteronomy 21:1-22:30, Luke 9:51-10:12, Psalm 74:1-23, Proverbs 12:11
• Wednesday: Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19, Luke 10:13-37, Psalm 75:1-10, Proverbs 12:12-14
• Thursday: Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26, Luke 10:38-11:13, Psalm 76:1-12, Proverbs 12:15-17
• Friday: Deuteronomy 28:1-68, Luke 11:14-36, Psalm 77:1-20, Proverbs 12:18
• Saturday: Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20, Luke 11:37-12:7, Psalm 78:1-31, Proverbs 12:19-20

Today we celebrate Easter, the day of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Easter is a celebration of Hope. Because Jesus rose from the dead, we have the guarantee that we will be raised from the dead as well -- and have eternal life with him.

How appropriate to read about the Passover celebration in today's reading in Deuteronomy 16. Jesus was the ultimate Passover Lamb. By putting the blood of the lamb on their doorposts, the Israelites were saved from the angel of death back in Egypt. By accepting Jesus' blood that was spilled on the cross, we are saved from eternal death. We now have eternal life with him. He is risen!

Reflect on what Jesus has done for you. He has the power to change lives and wants to use you to reach others. Have a great week.

In Christ,

Dick

Week 13: Deserving Undeserved Grace

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29, Luke 6:12-38, Psalm 67:1-7, Proverbs 11:27
• Monday: Deuteronomy 4:1-49, Luke 6:39-7:10, Psalm 68:1-18, Proverbs 11:28
• Tuesday: Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25, Luke 7:11-35, Psalm 68:19-35, Proverbs 11:29-31
• Wednesday: Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20, Luke 7:36-8:3, Psalm 69:1-18, Proverbs 12:1
• Thursday: Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22, Luke 8:4-21, Psalm 69:19-36, Proverbs 12:2-3
• Friday: Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32, Luke 8:22-39, Psalm 70:1-5, Proverbs 12:4
• Saturday: Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23, Luke 8:40-9:6, Psalm 71:1-24, Proverbs 12:5-7

Our S.O.A.P. this week is again from the gospel of Luke:

Scripture: Luke 7:4-5

4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, "This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue."

Observation:
A Roman centurion asks some of his well-respected Jewish friends to approach Jesus with the request to heal one of his highly-valued servants. An interesting situation if you think about it some more. Even though he was a gentile, the Roman centurion has faith. He knows that the Jews are God's people, and he loves them and has been supporting them by building their synagogue. He also loves his servant. Very much so. In fact, he loves his servant so much, that he uses his Jewish connections to ask Jesus for a miracle. Obviously, he must have heard the reports of the healing power of Jesus that had spread through the region (Luke 6:17-19). With his servant being sick to the point of dying, Jesus now is his only hope.

When the Jewish elders approach Jesus on behalf of the Roman centurion, they beg Jesus to perform the requested miracle. The Greek word for pleading here is 'parakaleo', a word that is related to the word 'Parakletos', which is translated as Comforter or Advocate in John 14:16, where it refers to the Holy Spirit. Just like the Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26), so these Jewish leaders are interceding for their gentile Roman friend. They are saying to Jesus something to the effect... "You really really have to do this, because of all the good deeds this man has done for us. He deserves it!" It's a great plea -- out of faith and love and friendship.

And what does Jesus do? Does this man deserve a miracle because of his good deeds? With so much faith displayed, he is more than happy to perform the requested miracle. But not because of the man's good deeds, but because of his faith. This Roman centurion deserves undeserved grace! 

Application:
The application for me is really in the attitude of the Roman centurion. His humbleness is striking. He knows Jesus is his only hope. He also knows all the good deeds he has performed, yet he humbly approaches Jesus through the Jewish elders. He doesn't even feel worthy to meet Jesus face to face. In his high public position, he knows where he stands spiritually. And he knows his need for the Savior to come into his life to make things right for him and his servant.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this example of the Roman centurion who loved your people. I pray that you give me faith like him, as well as a humble attitude. Thank you for Jesus who heals and restores. May we reflect on his name as we get ready to celebrate his death and resurrection this week. In his name we pray. Amen.

Have a blessed week.

In Christ,

Dick

Week 12: Finding Jesus

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Numbers 26:1-51; Luke 2:36-52; Psalm 60:1-12; Proverbs 11:15
• Monday: Numbers 26:52-28:15; Luke 3:1-22; Psalm 61:1-8; Proverbs 11:16-17
• Tuesday: Numbers 28:16-29:40; Luke 3:23-38; Psalm 62:1-12; Proverbs 11:18-19
• Wednesday: Numbers 30:1-31:54; Luke 4:1-30; Psalm 63:1-11; Proverbs 11:20-21
• Thursday: Numbers 32:1-33:39; Luke 4:31-5:11; Psalm 64:1-10; Proverbs 11:22
• Friday: Numbers 33:40-35:34; Luke 5:12-28; Psalm 65:1-13; Proverbs 11:23
• Saturday: Numbers 36:1-Deuteronomy 1:46; Luke 5:29-6:11; Psalm 66:1-20; Proverbs 11:24-26

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the Gospel of Luke: 

Scripture: Luke 2:45-50
"When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
"His parents didn't know what to think. 'Son,' his mother said to him, 'why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.'
"'But why did you need to search?' he asked. 'Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?' "But they didn't understand what he meant."

Observation:
Mary and Joseph were thinking like parents when they told Jesus they had been frantically looking for him and when they asked the question, "Why have you done this to us?"

But Jesus answered them like the Messiah: "Why did you have look for me? You should have known all along where to find me."

Application:
Jesus is never hard to find. He is always right in the middle of the Father’s business.

When we feel like we've lost Jesus, it is usually because we've ventured off without him in one direction or another. At first it might feel like we've chosen the right path. And often we have plenty of traveling companions and many activities to keep us busy. But when it finally dawns on us that we have been traveling without Jesus, there is only one place to find him. He is right where we should expect him to be, doing the Father's will. And when we seek to do the same, we find ourselves back in fellowship with Jesus.

Prayer:
Father in Heaven, please show me the ways I have been traveling without you, and lead me back to that place of safety, rest, and assurance in the center of your will. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

Week 11: Defending God's Honor

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Numbers 14:1-15:16; Mark 14:53-72; Psalm 53:1-6; Proverbs 11:4
• Monday: Numbers 15:17-16:40; Mark 15:1-47; Psalm 54:1-7; Proverbs 11:5-6
• Tuesday: Numbers 16:41-18:32; Mark 16:1-20; Psalm 55:1-23; Proverbs 11:7
• Wednesday: Numbers 19:1-20:29; Luke 1:1-25; Psalm 56:1-13; Proverbs 11:8
• Thursday: Numbers 21:1-22:20; Luke 1:26-56; Psalm 57:1-11; Proverbs 11:9-11
• Friday: Numbers 22:21-23:30; Luke 1:57-80; Psalm 58:1-11; Proverbs 11:12-13
• Saturday: Numbers 24:1-25:18; Luke 2:1-35; Psalm 59:1-17; Proverbs 11:14

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Numbers:

Scripture: Numbers 14:15, 16
"Now if you slaughter all these people with a single blow, the nations that have heard of your fame will say, 'The Lord was not able to bring them into the land he swore to give them, so he killed them in the wilderness.'"

Observation:
Earlier Moses complained to Yahweh that Israel was driving him crazy and asked why God had put the burden of the nation on his shoulders. So when Moses intercedes for the people in this instance, he is not doing so because of strong loyalties to the people...or because he wants to continue his job of leadings them. Moses is concerned for one thing only: Yahweh's honor!

Application:
The most important thing I can attend to in my life is not my own reputation or even the reputation of God's people, the church. The most important thing for me to attend to is God’s honor. By extension, that means I will defend the church when I have to, but the underlying motivation is my allegiance to God and God’s reputation in the world.

Prayer:
O Lord, please help me keep my priorities straight and be like Moses in defending your honor before the world. Please open my eyes to see the ways you would have me do this in my day and time. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.






Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

Week 10: Jesus has an Eye for Detail

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Leviticus 27:14-Numbers 1:54, Mark 11:1-26, Psalm 46:1-11, Proverbs 10:23
• Monday: Numbers 2:1-3:51, Mark 11:27-12:17, Psalm 47:1-9, Proverbs 10:24-25
• Tuesday: Numbers 4:1-5:31, Mark 12:18-37, Psalm 48:1-14, Proverbs 10:26
• Wednesday: Numbers 6:1-7:89, Mark 12:38-13:13, Psalm 49:1-20, Proverbs 10:27-28
• Thursday: Numbers 8:1-9:23, Mark 13:14-37, Psalm 50:1-23, Proverbs 10:29-30
• Friday: Numbers 10:1-11:23, Mark 14:1-21, Psalm 51:1-19, Proverbs 10:31-32
• Saturday: Numbers 11:24-13:33, Mark 14:22-52, Psalm 52:1-9, Proverbs 11:1-3

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Marc:

Scripture: Marc 11:1-6

1 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.3If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' "4 They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, 5 some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" 6 They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go.

Observation:
Jesus needs a colt, the foal of an ass. An "un-ridden" colt, because it has to be a "holy" colt, set apart for a very special task: carrying the King of Peace when he enters Jerusalem, on the way to his sentencing and death. This colt was waiting, ready to fulfill the prophecy of the prophet Zechariah (Zach. 9:9).

Jesus has an eye for detail. He carefully inspects situations, the environment, people (Marc. 11:11). He knows that bystanders will ask why the disciples are taking the colt away without asking. That's why he prepares an answer for the disciples - because he know they will be questioned. And the answer works! The people let them go.

Application:
Jesus has an eye for detail, an he knows the details of our lives as well. The hairs on our heads are counted (I do realize this counting job becomes easier for the Lord as I'm getting older! ;). Through his Word, the Bible, he gives us wisdom and instructions to face and answer the difficult questions in life. He also reassures us when he asks things of us, perhaps a sacrifice. Just like he gave peace of mind to the colt's bystanders: "Don't worry, the Lord needs it, but he will send it back shortly." The real question is: Are you trusting and obeying him when he asks you something?

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for the example of Jesus. I thank you for his and your eye for detail in my life. I know you are in control, yet too many times I think I am, or I think I want to be, even though I know I'm better of when you are in control. Help me to trust you in everything. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Have a wonderful and blessed week.

In Christ,

Dick

Week 9: Scapegoat

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Leviticus 15:1-16:28, Mark 7:1-23, Psalm 40:11-17, Proverbs 10:13-14
• Monday: Leviticus 16:29-18:30, Mark 7:24-8:10, Psalm 41:1-13, Proverbs 10:15-16
• Tuesday: Leviticus 19:1-20:21, Mark 8:11-38, Psalm 42:1-11, Proverbs 10:17
• Wednesday: Leviticus 20:22-22:16, Mark 9:1-29, Psalm 43:1-5, Proverbs 10:18
• Thursday: Leviticus 22:17-23:44, Mark 9:30-10:12, Psalm 44:1-8, Proverbs 10:19
• Friday: Leviticus 24:1-25:46, Mark 10:13-31, Psalm 44:9-26, Proverbs 10:20-21
• Saturday: Leviticus 25:47-27:13, Mark 10:32-52, Psalm 45:1-17, Proverbs 10:22

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Leviticus:

Scripture: Leviticus 16:6-10

6 "Aaron is to offer the bull for his own sin offering to make atonement for himself and his household.7 Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 8 He is to cast lots for the two goats--one lot for the LORD and the other for the scapegoat.9 Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the LORD and sacrifice it for a sin offering. 10 But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat.

Observation:
Every year, the people of Israel had to designate one day of complete rest and restoration. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement ("Yom Kippur" in Hebrew), the LORD would cleanse his people from all their sins (v.30). Two goats had to be chosen: one as a sacrifice, the other as a "scapegoat". You wonder why it wasn't enough to just sacrifice the one goat, and let its blood symbolize the atonement for sin. Well, I think the other goat is a beautiful symbol of "life" that comes with the atonement. The LORD showed that if atonement was made (symbolized by the death and blood of the one goat), then He would remember the people's sin no more, and they would go free (symbolized by the scapegoat). Yes, the main purpose of the scapegoat was to carry the sin of the people to a desolate place, the goat that would escape/be removed ("Azazel" in Hebrew), see vs. 20-22. But this goat is also the one that lived! He escaped death so to speak. He was free!

Application:
In a very similar way, Jesus took the penalty for our sin. Because of his death and the blood shed on the cross, we, his people can go free. Our sins are cast away to the most desolate place, and we inherit life eternal. We are free! Perhaps the idea of a scapegoat is more positive than you would think at first...

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for your grace and mercy. We thank you that you see us through eyes of atonement. Our sins, though many, will be cast to the most desolate place. Thank you for the freedom you have given us in Jesus Christ. Let us never take that for granted. In His name we pray. Amen.

Have a wonderful week of scripture reading.

In Christ,

Dick

Week 8: Issues versus Human Need

 This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Leviticus 4:1-5:19; Mark 2:13-3:6; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 10:1-2
• Monday: Leviticus 6:1-7:27; Mark 3:7-30; Psalm 37:1-11; Proverbs 10:3-4
• Tuesday: Leviticus 7:28-9:6; Mark 3:31-4:25; Psalm 37:12-29; Proverbs 10:5
• Wednesday: Leviticus 9:7-10:20; Mark 4:26-5:20; Psalm 37:30-40; Proverbs 10:6-7
• Thursday: Leviticus 11:1-12:8; Mark 5:21-43; Psalm 38:1-22; Proverbs 10:8-9
• Friday: Leviticus 13:1-59; Mark 6:1-29; Psalm 39:1-13; Proverbs 10:10
• Saturday: Leviticus 14:1-57; Mark 6:30-56; Psalm 40:1-10; Proverbs 10:11-12

Our S.O.A.P. this week is again from the book of Mark 3:

Scripture: Mark 3:1-6
"Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus' enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man's hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, 'Come and stand in front of everyone.' Then he turned to his critics and asked, 'Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?' But they wouldn't answer him.
He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, 'Hold out your hand.' So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus."

Observation:
This is a case of issues versus real human need...and how God chooses to navigate between the two. The religious leaders were lying in wait to see if Jesus would "heal on the Sabbath." That, for them, was the issue. These leaders adhered to sacred tradition, which painstakingly outlined every action that was forbidden on the Sabbath...down to the minutest detail. Included on the list was a prohibition against "practicing medicine." Therefore, when Jesus healed on the Sabbath, these leaders construed it as breaking the law (even though the details of their sacred tradition were not part of the original commands that God delivered to Moses).

Jesus, who is God in flesh, was not concerned about the issue. He was concerned for human need. This man was suffering...and Jesus had the wherewithal (and the desire) to do something about it.

What I find fascinating about Jesus' reply is that he did not quibble with the Pharisees about the inappropriate level of detail in their sacred tradition, which effectively majored in minors and missed the spirit of God's intent behind Sabbath keeping. Instead he focused on the most basic issue at stake: "Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?"

For Jesus...and this is what is most striking to me...Sabbath keeping was not dictated by the issue of non-work. It was supposed to be guided by real-time opportunities to do good: to help, to bless, to heal, and to comfort.

Application:
This makes me wonder how often I allow myself to be taken in by issues instead of human need. It is a lot easier to make pronouncements about an issue than it is to deal with the messiness of human life. I want to be forever open to the possibilities that Jesus is calling me to a form of "Sabbath-keeping" that takes me outside the box of my own presuppositions, which are conditioned by my tendency to adhere to simple, manageable issues rather than grapple with the complexities of human need. I want to be able to carry myself with Jesus' wisdom, which will take me beyond the simple, black-and-white answers of an issues-driven mentality and put me squarely in the center of God's will.

Prayer:
O Father in heaven, please help me to respond to the needs around me the way Jesus responded to the needs that he encountered. Please give me wisdom to see beyond a given issue to the real human need that lies behind it…and, please, for Jesus' sake, give me the courage to act accordingly. Amen!

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

Week 7: Submitting to God's Leading

 This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Exodus 30:11-31:18; Matthew 26:47-68; Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 8:27-32
• Monday: Exodus 32:1-33:23; Matthew 26:69-27:14; Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 8:33-36
• Tuesday: Exodus 34:1-35:9; Matthew 27:15-31; Psalm 33:12-22; Proverbs 9:1-6
• Wednesday: Exodus 35:10-36:38; Matthew 27:32-66; Psalm 34:1-10; Proverbs 9:7-8
• Thursday: Exodus 37:1-38:31; Matthew 28:1-20; Psalm 34:11-22; Proverbs 9:9-10
• Friday: Exodus 39:1-40:38; Mark 1:1-28; Psalm 35:1-16; Proverbs 9:11-12
• Saturday: Leviticus 1:1-3:17; Mark 1:29-2:12; Psalm 35:17-28; Proverbs 9:13-18

Our S.O.A.P. this week is again from the book of Psalm 32: 
 
Scripture: Psalm 32:8, 9
The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.
Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control."

Observation:
God will take an active part in leading us through life...if we let him. He will advise us and watch over us. What could be better than receiving daily guidance and counsel from the Living God?

Yet we can be stubborn and rebellious, like a senseless horse or mule that requires a bit and bridle to keep it in line.

Application:
I want to get over the notion that I am "the master of my own destiny and the captain of my soul." God and God alone is the master of my present and future. He alone is the captain of my soul!

I want to yield myself completely to God's influence in my life, trusting him to guide me along the best pathway for my life.

Today I rest joyfully in the truth that God is God and I am not.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for taking such an active role in my life. Please help me shed any and all tendencies to resist your influence. I want to walk in the pathways in which you would have me walk and receive your advice readily. I pray in Jesus' name...amen!

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

Week 6: But LORD... / But the LORD...

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Exodus 17:8-19:15, Matthew 22:34-23:12, Psalm 27:7-14, Proverbs 6:27-35
• Monday: Exodus 19:16-21:21, Matthew 23:13-39, Psalm 28:1-9, Proverbs 7:1-5
• Tuesday: Exodus 21:22-23:13, Matthew 24:1-28, Psalm 29:1-11, Proverbs 7:6-23
• Wednesday: Exodus 23:14-25:40, Matthew 24:29-51, Psalm 30:1-12, Proverbs 7:24-27
• Thursday: Exodus 26:1-27:21, Matthew 25:1-30, Psalm 31:1-8, Proverbs 8:1-11
• Friday: Exodus 28:1-43, Matthew 25:31-26:13, Psalm 31:9-18, Proverbs 8:12-13
• Saturday: Exodus 29:1-30:10, Matthew 26:14-46, Psalm 31:19-24, Proverbs 8:14-26

Our S.O.A.P. this week is again from the book of Exodus, Chapter 19:

Scripture: Exodus 19:20-21
20 The LORD came down on the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses climbed the mountain. 21 Then the LORD told Moses, "Go back down and warn the people not to cross the boundaries. They must not come up here to see the LORD, for those who do will die.

Observation:
The LORD calls Moses to the top of Mount Sinai to meet Him there. As soon as Moses reaches the top, God tells him to go back down again, to warn the people not to climb the mountain themselves. Moses protests! “But LORD… you already told them… and…” Verse 24 says: But the LORD said: “Go down anyway and bring Aaron with you." Moses’ protest is understandable. He is 80 years old, and he just climbed to the top of the mountain. Now he has to go back all the way and come back up again. Besides… he already had warned the people. This seems like a useless exercise (literally) in his eyes. But obviously, the LORD thought differently, and... the LORD wins! Moses has to go all the way down.

Application:
There have been plenty of times in my life when I thought God told me something to do that didn’t seem to make sense to me. Many times I have made excuses in my head that started with… “But LORD…”. I wonder if those events would have been written up in a book, just like Moses in the book of Exodus, how many times it would say after that… “But the LORD…” Do you see the difference between our response: "But LORD...", and God's response: "But the LORD...". God wants the best for us, and sometimes asks us things that don't seem to make sense at all. Why climb a mountain when you're 80 years old, only to hear you have to go back down again, repeat something you already did, then come back up again...? Why?? Well... because the LORD told you so. But the LORD said...

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I know this is a risky prayer to pray, but I do know it is the right thing to pray: please help me to do your will, even though at times it doesn't seem to make sense to me. Help me to overcome my own poor judgment at times, and submit to your perfect will for my life. I love you with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Have a blessed week.
In Christ,

Dick

Week 5: God's Outstretched Arm

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Exodus 4:1-5:21, Matthew 18:1-20, Psalm 22:19-31, Proverbs 5:15-21
• Monday: Exodus 5:22-7:25, Matthew 18:21-19:12, Psalm 23:1-6, Proverbs 5:22-23
• Tuesday: Exodus 8:1-9:35, Matthew 19:13-30, Psalm 24:1-10, Proverbs 6:1-5
• Wednesday: Exodus 10:1-12:13, Matthew 20:1-28, Psalm 25:1-15, Proverbs 6:6-11
• Thursday: Exodus 12:14-13:16, Matthew 20:29-21:22, Psalm 25:16-22, Proverbs 6:12-15
• Friday: Exodus 13:17-15:18, Matthew 21:23-46, Psalm 26:1-12, Proverbs 6:16-19
• Saturday: Exodus 15:19-17:7, Matthew 22:1-33, Psalm 27:1-6, Proverbs 6:20-26

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Exodus, Chapter 6:

Scripture: Exodus 6:6-7

6 "Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.

Observation:
At the end of Exodus Chapter 5, Moses got rather desperate. He had finally mustered enough courage to meet with Pharaoh, but his first encounter with him was even worse than he anticipated: Pharaoh shouts at Moses & Aaron (5:4), dismisses the request to let the Israelite people go, dismisses God, and increases the workload for the Israelite slaves. Now Pharaoh is angry, the leaders of the Israelites and the foremen are angry (5:21), yet the LORD still wants Moses to go back to Pharaoh to tell him to let his people go. We read about Moses' desperation in Chapter 5 verse 22 & 23:

22 Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? 23 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all."

It is in this state of despair that God answers Moses in Chapter 6. He reassures Moses that the moment has now arrived that the LORD will show himself to Pharaoh. He will deliver his people and remember the promise He made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses will need to have faith now. I love verses 6 and 7, which is why I chose those as main verses for today's SOAP. God is a God who redeems. His outstretched arm enacts judgment on those who oppress his people, and brings deliverance to those who trust in Him.

Application:
These verses out of Exodus were written for God's people under the Old Covenant, but they apply to his people under the New Covenant as well. Slavery in Egypt can be seen as a picture of 'slavery to sin". If you replace 'the Egyptians' with 'sin', those verses in Exodus 6 read like this:

6 ... 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of sin. I will free you from being slaves to sin, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment.7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of sin.

See how these verses are relevant to us? God has redeemed us from the yoke of sin. We are his own people. We live in a time where these words have all come true. Read Jeremiah 31:33-34 for yourself, and see how these verses connect with these verses here in Exodus. God has given us a new heart, so that we can know him from the inside out. Jesus Christ has redeemed us from eternal death and has given us eternal life that we will spend with him and the Father, in the power of the Holy Spirit. At times we may feel like Moses: desperate. It is at those times especially that God reminds us that we are his people, and that his outstretched arm is there to save us.

Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for redeeming us from slavery to sin. Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you have bought us with your own blood. We are no longer of our own, but we are your people. You have ransomed us, and we are yours. Help us to live our lives for you, that we may honor you in all we do. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Have a great week of reading through the scriptures.

In Christ,

Dick

Week 4: Different in all the Right Ways

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows: 

• Sunday: Genesis 41:17-42:17; Matthew 13:24-46; Psalm 18:1-15; Proverbs 4:1-6
• Monday: Genesis 42:18-43:34; Matthew 13:47-14:12; Psalm 18:16-36; Proverbs 4:7-10
• Tuesday: Genesis 44:1-45:28; Matthew 14:13-36; Psalm 18:37-50; Proverbs 4:11-13
• Wednesday: Genesis 46:1-47:31; Matthew 15:1-28; Psalm 19:1-14; Proverbs 4:14-19
• Thursday: Genesis 48:1-49:33; Matthew 15:29-16:12; Psalm 20:1-9; Proverbs 4:20-27
• Friday: Genesis 50:1 - Exodus 2:10; Matthew 16:13-17:9; Psalm 21:1-13; Proverbs 5:1-6
• Saturday: Exodus 2:11-3:22; Matthew 17:10-27; Psalm 22:1-18; Proverbs 5:7-14

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Matthew: 

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-26
"Here is another story Jesus told: 'The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. But that night as the workers slept, his enemy came and planted weeds among the wheat, then slipped away. When the crop began to grow and produce grain, the weeds also grew.'"

Observation:
Jesus later explained to his disciples that this parable of the weeds among the wheat depicts ungodly people living among godly people. What strikes me about this is that Jesus envisions the people of his Kingdom living in close proximity to those who are not members of the Kingdom. In other words, we are living in the period of Salvation History in which weeds and wheat, Christ-followers and non-Christ-followers, coexist in the same place.

Those of us who follow Jesus live in the world but we are not of the world. We shop at the same grocery stores, wear the many of the same clothes, enjoy some of the same music, and eat the same foods. But we are fundamentally different.

Application:
The struggle I face is discerning how best to be different. That is to say, I want to be different in the ways that God wants me to be different. I want to be different in all the ways that matter for the Kingdom of God. I want my differentness to have redeeming value for the sake of Jesus Christ and his work in the world.

There are appropriate ways to be different from non-Kingdom people and there are appropriate ways to be like non-Kingdom people. The Apostle John in 1 John 2:15 says, "Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you." But when he says that we are not supposed to love the world, he is not talking about everything in the world.

Elsewhere in Scripture, for example, the Apostle Paul points out that God richly gives us everything for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17). God loves to see us enjoy the beauty of a sunrise, the sweetness of Honey-Crisp apples, the thrill of roller coaster rides, and the soothing warmth of a hot bath on a cold night. There are millions of pleasures that God created for us to experience...and to enjoy these blessings the way he intended is the highest form of gratitude.

God does not want us to be different from non-Kingdom people in our enjoyment of the many pleasures he created for us to experience. He wants us to be different in terms of our core cravings. Rather than being driven by the lust for money, (immoral) sex, and power (see 1 John 2:16), we are to seek after a relationship with God as our number-one priority.

Put simply, I want to make it my aim in life to be different in all the right ways.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, please help me be enough like non-Kingdom people to be a redeeming presence while at the same time being different enough to have something of value to offer them. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck

Week 3: God's Discipline

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows: 

• Sunday: Genesis 28:1-29:35; Matthew 9:18-38; Psalm 11:1-7; Proverbs 3:11-12
• Monday: Genesis 30:1-31:16; Matthew 10:1-23; Psalm 12:1-8; Proverbs 3:13-15
• Tuesday: Genesis 31:17-32:12; Matthew 10:24-11:6; Psalm 13:1-6; Proverbs 3:16-18
• Wednesday: Genesis 32:13-34:31; Matthew 11:7-30; Psalm 14:1-7; Proverbs 3:19-20
• Thursday: Genesis 35:1-36:43; Matthew 12:1-21; Psalm 15:1-5; Proverbs 3:21-26
• Friday: Genesis 37:1-38:30; Matthew 12:22-45; Psalm 16:1-11; Proverbs 3:27-32
• Saturday: Genesis 39:1-41:16; Matthew 12:46-13:23; Psalm 17:1-15; Proverbs 3:33-35

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Proverbs:

Scripture: Proverbs 3:11, 12
"My child, don’t reject the Lord's discipline,
and don't be upset when he corrects you.
For the Lord corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights."

Observation:
This is a scary passage! I find myself at once drawn to this; at once recoiling. I don't want to be disciplined. I want to live above reproach so that discipline is not necessary. Perhaps, however, even those who keep themselves unspotted from the world need God's discipline – maybe even more so than those whose bad choices turn out to be punishment enough!

After all, even Jesus, the author of our salvation, was "made perfect" through the things he suffered. "Even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered' (Hebrews 5:8). The Father made "Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation" (Hebrews 2:10). If Jesus did not escape the Father's discipline, how can I think I will ever be exempt?

Application:
I want to be able to recognize the Father's discipline when it comes, so that I don't have to face the harsher punishments reserved for the hardheaded. I want to remain soft clay in the Father's hands so that when he attempts to form me, I won’t resist and crumble. I want the Father's discipline to be sweet medicine.

Once when I was very young, 3 or 4 years old, my sister, Colleen, and I rebelled against our Aunt Rosemary, who was watching us for the day. We were disrespectful and mischievous. At one point, we took the backyard hose, filled up the Radio Flyer wagon with water, stripped naked and took a bath. When Aunt Rosemary reported our behavior to Mom, we each took our turn over her lap to get a strong spanking on our rear ends. Mom didn't pull her slaps. They hurt! But I'll never forget what I did right afterwards: Even though I was sobbing, I wrapped my arms around her neck, kissed her on the cheek, and said, 'I love you Mommy!'

Prayer:
O Lord, I pray that I have a willing, submissive spirit when I encounter your discipline. I have no idea what forms your acts of correction will take going forward, but I pray that I can easily recognize them as expressions of your love, and that I will immediately turn to you and embrace you, saying, "I love you, Abba!" I pray in Jesus' name.  Amen!

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck 

Week 2: Light in a thick and dreadful darkness

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

• Sunday: Genesis 13:5-15:21, Matthew 5:27-48, Psalm 6:1-10, Proverbs 1:29-33
• Monday: Genesis 16:1-18:15, Matthew 6:1-24, Psalm 7:1-17, Proverbs 2:1-5
• Tuesday: Genesis 18:16-19:38, Matthew 6:25-7:14, Psalm 8:1-9, Proverbs 2:6-15
• Wednesday: Genesis 20:1-22:24, Matthew 7:15-29, Psalm 9:1-12, Proverbs 2:16-22
• Thursday: Genesis 23:1-24:51, Matthew 8:1-17, Psalm 9:13-20, Proverbs 3:1-6
• Friday: Genesis 24:52-26:16, Matthew 8:18-34. Psalm 10:1-15, Proverbs 3:7-8
• Saturday: Genesis 26:17-27:46, Matthew 9:1-17, Psalm 10:16-18, Proverbs 3:9-10

Our S.O.A.P. this week is from the book of Genesis, Chapter 15:

Scripture: Genesis 15:12-13

12 As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. 13 Then the LORD said to him, "Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there.

Observation:
Chapter 15 of Genesis is a famous chapter for more than one reason. First, verse 6 is quoted by the apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians (Gal.3:6), where Paul talks about the promise that God made to Abraham based on Abraham's faith, not based on Abraham's good deeds. Then James quotes the same verse to prove that Abraham did not just possess faith, but also acted according to his faith!

Second, the end of Genesis 15 shows us a beautiful covenant ritual. It is too much to describe all the details here, but what I'd like to point out, is that -- similar to the New Covenant -- this covenant with Abraham is a one-side covenant that God upholds by himself. God was the one committing himself to this covenant, and Abraham only watched as God made this promise to him. The promise that God made was to give the land of Canaan to Abraham's descendants. Is it any wonder that after nearly 2000 years of dispersion, the people of Israel are back in their country again? This happened in 1948, and it shows that God is a God who keeps his promises.

The verses that caught my eye for today's SOAP though, are verses 12 and 13. Abraham fell into a deep sleep and was overcome by a thick and dreadful darkness. When I read that, for the first time I realized that it was God who brought that thick and dreadful darkness upon Abraham. The reason is given in verse 13, where God says Know for certain. The LORD wanted Abraham to know that his descendants would be oppressed for 400 years in a foreign country (Egypt). In effect, he gave Abraham a preview of the pain and suffering that his descendants would experience. Hence the 'thick and dreadful darkness' that came over Abraham.

Application:
Just recently, I experienced a time that felt like a 'thick and dreadful darkness'. It was a time where I had to wrestle with God to find answers. At times it felt like 'spiritual oppression' that I experienced -- and it might have been -- however, this passage made me realize that God most likely allowed this experience in my life. Sometimes God allows the darkness to come over our lives, so that we better understand the light that He brings. If you read last week's SOAP, you know that at the very end of times, there will be NO MORE darkness, but only light. God and the Lamb will be the light in the new Jerusalem.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for periods of darkness that you allow to happen in our lives. I pray for those who experience a darkness this very moment, that you will give them the assurance that you are there in the midst of it all. Shine your light in their lives and in our lives. In Jesus name, the Light of the world.

Have a great week!

In Christ,

Dick