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