Anticipating our Savior's Second Coming

SOAP #8 – Anticipating our Savior’s Second Coming

Scripture:

Jesus told the apostle John, “ Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done, as I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelation 22:12-13 ESV

Observation:

The promise of Jesus, which Apostle John recorded is a message of encouragement to all Christians of all times. It contains three great reminders to us: 1) Jesus WILL return, 2) Jesus sees all and will repay those who have served Him, 3) Jesus is EVERYTHING. He is the “A” to the “Z”, the beginning to the end.

Application:

Ending the old year gives us an opportunity to look back on what transpired these past 12 months. And it’s interesting that God looks back, too. He knows all the prayers we’ve prayed. He’s seen all the times we served, often without a word of thanks from the recipient(s). He’s seen our “secret” giving. He alone knows the “price” it has cost us to do His will. And Jesus reassures us that He will repay us all for what we have done.

Prayer:

Thank You, Lord, for the reminder that YOU are coming again and that You plan to reward all the giving and serving and sacrifices that have been made in Your Name. Help me not get weary in well-doing. I rely on You to take me through every day, every task, and through this coming year. Once again I commit my life to serve and glorify You. Help me be Your faithful servantl, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Out with the Old, in with the NEW

SOAP #7 – Ending the “Old Year”

Scripture:

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. . . He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’ And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’" Revelation 21:3-5 ESV

Observation:

The Apostle John’s account of his heavenly vision gives us great hope for our future eternal life with God. How different everything will be when we live with God in His eternal home. No more troubles, sadness, pain, or death. All difficulties of our present life will end as a whole NEW life begins in God’s presence.

Application:

The end of this “old” year brings reflections, thanksgivings, resolutions, and sometimes remorse. But it’s also another year closer to going “home.” It’s good to reflect on what that means: a new existence fully in God’s presence, and full of NEW life, because God is the One who makes everything new.

Prayer:

I thank You, Lord, for the past year filled with Your grace, mercy, faithfulness, and forgiveness. You’ve walked these 365 days of 2009 with me and I trust You for another year in Your presence. I’m thankful for Your loving promise to make all things new in me, in my family, and in all areas of my life while I wait expectantly for the day when everything is completely NEW in You. Amen.

Can Rigid Righteousness Tolerate Boundaryless Love?

S

(Romans 5:6-8) For while we were still weak, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die--but God shows His love toward is in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

O

Paul wasn't writing about addicts or burglars who risk their lives for each other, believing they're "really" good people. Nor was he referring to good people (parents, spouses, police officers, military) who willingly when necessary put their lives in harm's way. He was pointing to the rarity (perhaps because of its absurdity) of a person being so righteous (rigidly law abiding) that a good (kind) person would die in his or her place. Still more absurd would be a good person dying so a plague to the community (bad person) could continue. Good people are angered and appalled by evil just as righteous people resist evil, which makes Christ's love for us profoundly absurd, yet inviting.

A

Thankfully, God doesn't call us to die for other people's sins--only He could be so rigidly righteous and absurdly compassionate. Still, the same Holy Spirit (through Paul) invites me to become Christlike (Romans 12:1): to offer my body back to God as a living sacrifice (literally, living martyr). In my response to God's crazy love for me, I can become a living demonstration of the benefits of righteousness, goodness, and crazy love for people who don't technically deserve my care or kindness.

P

Lord, when I'm quietly honest, I admit that had I been in Jerusalem 2009 years ago, I too would have nailed You to the cross as an obedient (callous or scared) soldier, or mocked You if I'd been among the news junky spectators, or fled and denied You if I'd been Your disciple. You deserved to not forgive me even in my ignorance. Thank You. I could never duplicate such love, but I'm honored in my own small way to regift Your love through the power of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You!

SOAP #6 – My Response to Christmas Good News

Scripture:

“And [the shepherds] went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. . . . And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them." Luke 2:16-19 ESV

Observation:

As soon as the shepherds heard the amazing announcement of their Savior’s birth, they followed the angel's instructions on where He could be found. After seeing their Savior, they shared the good news with everyone. As the shepherds returned to their flocks, they glorified and praised God for all they had been privileged to see and hear.

Application:

These shepherds make me aware of my own reaction to God’s Word and promises. Am I like the shepherds, full of trust in God’s Word and eager to share the good news of Christmas with all who are willing to listen? Following the shepherds example, I too can glorify and praise God for all He has done in my life.

Prayer:

Thank You Lord for the many ways You speak to me daily through Your Word. Fill my life with joy and peace as I remember Your love and faithful promises. Help me be alert to opportunities where I can share with others what You are doing in my life. Work new life in me as You continue to “birth” Jesus in me. Amen.

SOAP #5

Scripture:

Zechariah was troubled when he saw [the angel in the Temple] . . . But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son” . . . . And the angel said to Mary, ". . . behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God." Luke 1:12-13, 36-37 ESV

Observation:

In two appearances, Gabriel speaks God’s Word of new “life” into impossible situations: an elderly childless couple, and an unmarried teenager. But Zachariah responds in unbelief because now it is impossible to conceive and bear a child. When Gabriel delivers a similar message to Mary, he informs her of Elizabeth’s pregnancy and reminds her: “Nothing will be impossible with God.” She receives Fabriel’s announcement in faith.

Application:

Since God often works the best miracles in “impossible” situations, how does this relate to me today? Am I willing to believe God’s Word & promises for my impossibilities? As I read the promises of God, I am faced with the same choice as Zachariah and Mary. Will I focus on my situation or will I trust God’s ability to do the “impossible”?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank You for telling and showing me that nothing is impossible for You. I place all my “impossibilities” into Your hands. Show forth Your glory in my life and in the lives of those I love. I thank You and praise You. Amen.

Who is the Greatest?

Scripture:

Jesus told His disciples: “You know that rulers of the non-Jewish people love to show their power over the people. , . . But it should not be that way among you. Whoever wants to become great among you must serve the rest of you like a servant . . . In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people.” Matthew 20:25-28 (New Century Version)

Observation:

The disciples had been arguing about positions of honor in God’s kingdom. Now Jesus challenges their aspirations to greatness with a unique call to servant-hood. And HE is the best example of a servant. He came to earth to offer up his life as our ransom. In God’s eyes, those who reach out to serve others like He did are the “greatest.”

Application:

My attitude and my actions need to change as I remember my role as God’s servant in this world. When I feel tired of the endless and often thankless tasks that fill every day, it’s time to remember Jesus’ example. He urges me as His disciple to obey His call to serve. God has a different view of greatness. I need a new view also.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank You for sending Your Son to be my servant, to ransom me and to be my Savior. Forgive my selfishness and lack of service to those around me. Change my heart. Use me to bless others. Show me people and places where You are calling me to serve in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Ask...seek...knock

Scripture:

Jesus said, “Ask . . . seek . . . knock . . .everyone who asks, receives . . .What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? . . . If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him?” Matthew 7:1-11 NKJV

Observation:

Jesus not only gives us permission to ask, seek, and knock, but He encourages us and urges us to take all our needs to our Heavenly Father. Jesus reminds us how a good father will not give a stone to his own child who is hungry. All of us know how to give a good gift to someone we love. How much more will our heavenly Father—the all-wise God who is LOVE—give only good things to us when we ask.

Application:

It’s time to rethink my prayer life. Am I taking everything to the Lord and continuing to ask, seek, and knock, even when I have to wait for answers? Will I completely trust the “answers” God gives me, even when they are not always what I want? This parable of an earthly father giving good gifts to his son encourages me to thank the Lord for every gift, knowing there is a good reason for what God allows in my life, even when He says ‘no’ to my requests.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, give me eyes to “see” all the GOOD gifts You give me. Help me be like a small child who completely trusts his daddy. You hear every thought and prayer. You know what is best for me. I again “ask” You to lead me, to show me the way to go, to fill me with your Spirit. I thank You and praise You for being my loving Daddy whom I I can trust to care for me as long as I live. Amen.

True Love

S:
Little children, let us not love in word or in talk, but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18

O:
John calls us little children. and he wants us to love truly. He writes that we shouldn't just love with our words, but by our deeds and in truth. These two together are an expression of true love.

A:
I'm so happy John starts out by calling me a little child. I makes me think that what he's about to ask me to do it's hard to understand. It's so simple that a little child can understand it. When I love someone, I need to do so with more than just words. It's not enough to speak kindly and gently to someone in need. As nice as that might be, they need more. They need me to demonstrate my love for them by what I do. And that's the truth.

P:
Dear Lord, you are truth, and you are the perfect expression of love. Will you please help me to be truthful in my loving? Will you please help my deeds to be a true expression of my love for you and others that go beyond mere words? Thank you for your Holy Spirit who is always there to guide me.

new SOAP - Giving Thanks

Scripture:

God told King Jehoshaphat and the people, ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.’”

The next morning Jehoshaphat appointed singers to go out before the army and … “When they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against [the invading armies]...and they were defeated.” 2 Chronicles 20 NKJV

Observation:

The Lord promised to deliver His people from invading armies. King Jehoshaphat and all the people trusted this Word from the Lord. When they assembled the next morning to go out into battle, the “choir” of singers (not the army) led the way. And when they began to sing and praise, God brought victory.

Application:

What are the battles I face today? Do I trust God’s intervention in the details of every challenge? God wants to replace my fears, anxiety and depression with faith, courage and praise. Am I willing to praise God even BEFORE I see an answer to my prayers? God wants me to yield to Him in total confidence and faith.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, I give You every situation and challenge I face. Hold me in Your loving Hand. Give me faith to trust You for the impossible. I praise You for being my defender, provider, and deliverer. In the name of Jesu

new SOAP - God is faithful to keep every promise

Scripture:

God promises: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” Psalm 32:8 NKJV

Observation:

The Lord makes a promise to instruct, direct, teach and lead us. His Word assures us He will point out the path on which we are to travel Not one step can be taken without His loving, watchful, all-seeing eye upon us. God’s children can be confident they will not “miss a step’ as they walk forward in faith and trust.

Application:

As I ponder this promise during a time of great uncertainty, I told the Lord, “I know You led Abraham on an unknown path. You guided Moses and David and Joseph through trials and troubles. But I need reassurance right now that You will lead us during these difficult times.”

I wasn’t demanding an answer. I was pleading with the Lord to help me trust Him and to open my eyes to “see” the way in which He was leading.

Suddenly the word “butterfly” flashed in my thoughts. Peace flooded my heart as intricate details of the Monarch’s migratory flight from Eastern Canada to a specific grove of trees in Mexico were brought to my remembrance.

Fragile butterflies with tiny brains embark an uncharted flight-plan to a grove of trees they have never seen. And they all arrive the same week down in Mexico after flying thousands of miles. What a demonstration of God’s guidance in His creation!

Prayer:

Thank You, Lord for Your promise to guide and lead me. Thank You for reminding me of the amazing way You lead fragile creatures to their destination. Grant me grace to believe Your Word. Give me faith to move forward each day with peace beyond my understanding. I rest in Your promise, knowing You WILL help me make the right choices and teach me the way I should go, because of Jesus, my Savior. Amen.

Between a Rock and a Cool Place

S: Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water. Pslam 114:7-8

O: God is mighty! The whole psalm is about His mighty power to deliver and how His creation rejoices in His salvation!

A: This psalm is meant for encouragement. It builds my faith in our God who shows up when He's needed most. He pushes back the tides that would overcome me. Just as He held back the Jordan to bring His people into the land He promised them. He gives cool water to me in the dry places of my life. Just like He did for Israel in the wilderness when He miraculously brought water from a rock. And He offers me Living Water from the Rock, Jesus Christ. All because He is both mighty and good. I can join all creation in praising God for His awesome greatness!!

P: Dear Lord, I want my worship of You to be deep and flowing, not dry and dusty. Can I tremble in your presence? Can I feel the awesomeness of my savior, and will Your Spirit show me the deep things of You, so that I will tremble in loving wonder?

Where in the World do you find Faith?

S
Acts 3:16
By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus Name and the faith that comes through Him that has given this complete healing to him as you all see.
O
Peter tells the crippled man to "look at us." He needed this man to stop looking around, looking for help elsewhere and to look at them. Silver and gold I don't have...Peter said. Then he says "In the name of Jesus..." and the man is healed.
A
Did this man have the faith in Jesus for his healing? Probably not. Jesus was not physically there and there is no indication he had ever met Jesus before. Plus this man was concentrating on collecting as much money as he could. But Peter had faith. How did he get faith? ...and the faith that comes through Him [Jesus] — through Jesus. Peter had spent a lot of time with Jesus. He'd answered Jesus' call when he was just an uneducated fisherman. He'd learned through Jesus' teaching, through watching Him, but mostly through relationship. Peter loved Jesus and believed Him. Once when Jesus asked His disciples "Who do you say that I am?" Peter had replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus replied . . . flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. (Matt. 16:13-17) Peter said to the man, hey, look at us . . . stop looking around for your help. It's right here, right now, today.
P
Jesus I ask that You will open my eyes, ears and heart as You walk with me, teach me, and instruct me in Your ways that I might know you intimately. My faith comes through You. You taught Peter about faith, about trusting in You - teach me. I now receive, by faith, all that you have for me. Amen.

Who do you say that I Am?

S
Luke 9:20
But what about you? He asked. "Who do you say I am?"
O
Jesus questioned His disciples because many people were saying many things about who He was. Trying to "explain" who He was in their own understanding, they proclaimed Him John the Baptist coming back to life. Or Elijah reappearing after all these years, or possibly a prophet of old.
A
"But what about you?"
What about you. How do you see Him? Are you trying to figure it out with your understanding of who He is by what others say He is: or possibly by what is written about Him? Peter answered Jesus. He said, "You are the Christ." Peter's answer came from his heart. Peter knew who Jesus was because he knew Jesus, and he loved Jesus. Peter's answer came from his heart. Where will your answer come from?
P
Jesus, I want to know You with my whole heart, fully, unconditionally, because that's the place where I'll become aware of Who You truly are.

How do you think?

S
Luke 8:18
Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him
O
This is what Jesus said as he was summing up His parable of the seed and the sower.
A
The seed is the Word of God. We read the Word and we listen with our heart and mind. We hear the Word preached and we listen with our ears, heart and mind. And we study the Word. Again, we listen with our eyes, heart and mind. We all know the story: 1) some seed landed on the path but was stolen away. (Did they really listen with their heart or were they just using their ears and mind?) 2) some fell on the rocks but because of no water they withered. (Did they listen with heart heart or just their ears and mind? 3) Some fell in good soil but thorns grew up and choked them. These are hearers (listeners) who were carried away with life's worries and pleasures—politics, wars, jobs, bills, sports. They might have listened with their heart at first, but allowed worries and pleasures to crowd out what they had heard. I have read this parable many times and thought, "well, the seed certainly can't grow in rocks or in the midst of thorns (they are so pesky!)" Maybe the thorns grew or the seed was stolen because of how we listen. Jesus said, "consider—carefully—how you listen." Do you listen with your heart or just your ears, eyes and mind?
P
Jesus, I want to listen with my heart. I want Your Word to grow a crop of love, grace, kindness, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness and faithfulness in my life. And when I'm not listening with my heart, would you remind me?

Life in HIm

S: You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. John 5:39-40

O: Jesus credits the Pharisees with being diligent students of the Word, but he says they've missed the One the Scriptures teach about—Him. They go to God's Word thinking it will give them life, but they fail to see that it teaches about Jesus—the One who can give them what they're looking for.

A: How often do I study the Scriptures with suspect motives. So I can feel good about checking off my spiritual duty. Or, so I can impress others with my biblical knowledge. God's Word frustrates those approaches, and the only time it rewards me is when I go there seeking Him. I believe the Bible is God's Word. I just don;t always treat it that way. If He's truly speaking in it, then I go there to hear Him, to hear Him speak the "words of life".

P: Dear Lord, make me hungry for you in your Word. Let me read it to learn the sound of your voice and hear your heart. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear, so that I don't miss the One who gives eternal life.

Props for God

S:
It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night,...Psalm 92:1-2

O:
What strikes me most about this passage is that the writer sees my motivation for thankfulness and praise in God's character—His steadfast love and faithfulness. And that when I do that, it's a declaration, presumably that encourages others, and it is "good."

A:
I so often give myself wholly in praise when I feel blessed; when things are going pretty good. What's weird about that is my praise becomes a reflection of me, how I'm doing. But this passage tells me that the praise I enthusiastically offer to God should be rooted in His faithful love. That's something I can count on regardless of how bad things might look.

P:
Dear Jesus, please remind me every day of your goodness towards me. Let me see with spiritual eyes the good You're working in all things so that I can declare it in joyful praise!

It All Ends the Same for Everyone

S: Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of those who cheat me surrounds me, those who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? Psalm 49:5-6

O: The psalmist is asking questions. He’s wondering about arrogant rich people who “boast...of their riches”, and have cheated him. He is in trouble, and feels surrounded by them. He later answers the question by contemplating the fate of the rich, who, despite their wealth, cannot buy their way out of death.

A: Could there be a more applicable set of questions for these times? We can all see that much of the trouble we have today is the result of powerful people who are arrogant in their riches. It’s not the fault of those who are humbled by God’s blessings and bounty, seeking the good of others, but it can be charged to their selfish counterparts who revel in their riches, caring little for anyone but themselves. There's clearly more important issues in life than how much I have, and how "comfortable" I am.

P: Is that me, Lord? I tend to look at others who have more than me and think I need to be where they are, but I am wealthy compared to most in this world. Please keep me from the arrogance of riches, and make me a cheerful giver!

The Dust of Hope

S

(Psalm 102:14) For Your servants hold her [Zion's] stones dear and have pity on her dust.

O

Scholars usually see this psalm as having been written by one who was observing or remembering the destruction of the Temple. The stones that once easily evidenced God's beauty and goodness and glory were now broken and discarded in hideous piles, covered with the dust of disuse. But love resists abandonment. Love ("holding dear" and "pitying") creates value and purpose. And God's love makes possible the rebuilding of glory.

A

I, too, can look with despair on the damage that sin delivers, even upon the people who once magnificently displayed God's glory. I choose, instead of joining the haters and mockers, to hold dear these once-living souls. I choose to become a "living stone" that Jesus uses to build His spiritual home (1 Peter 2:5) even though I, too, was once discarded, useless dust (Matthew 27:7; Jeremiah 18:1-10; Matthew 16:13-27).

P

Dear Creator and Lord, You see order and design where I see chaos. I fear that often You find vanity in what I value, and purpose in what I find disgusting. Help me to set my heart aright so I align with the good You are doing. Help me to hold dear what You value, to pity what You pity--give me a "whosoever" heart that aches for the wholeness of others.

God is Good!

S: Psalm 100: 3-5

Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

O:

We're creatures who have a Creator. He has a right to us, as a ranch owner has claim over his flock. This same Creator tells us to come near to him, through His gates and into his presence with thankful praise, because He is loving and faithful.

A:

God made me for a purpose—to minister to Him. He is my first calling, and offering thankful praise to Him is among the most righteous and good things that I can do. But what is really beautiful about this Psalm is its sense of invitation. Though I belong to Him, he doesn't compel me to come. Instead, He communicates His loving faithfulness, and His goodness draws me.

P:

Dear Lord, let me always remember your goodness, especially when I gather with your people to praise you!

Be on Guard!

S
1 Timothy 6:20-21
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.

O
God has given Timothy — and us — His Word. The God of Creation, Who was and is, and is to come gave us His Word of Truth. It has been given to us to care for and guard over; His Kingdom on earth. He warns Timothy to turn away from the chatter of godless men. They say they have knowledge and are puffed up with their profession. But if you lean to the ways of the earth you will wander from your faith.

A
God says to turn away from godless chatter; to turn away and walk away from it. He warns us that it is not knowledge but chatter. Why do we need His Word in our lives daily? Because His Word is the truth; rich, untainted truth. it is life. It reveals the Author of Life to us. It is our storehouse of treasure and God has given it to us to have. The chatter of this earth that is professed as knowledge can fill up all the spaces in my mind and heart. If we listen just to that it can crowd out and then take the place of the very truth God has given us. Without His Word in our heart it is very easy to stray away from him. For when we lose faith we lose touch with the Author of our faith.

P
Thank you, Lord, for ears to hear Your Word and a heart to store Your Word. May I ever hold it dear. May I ever hunger after Your Word. Fill me with Your Word, Lord, for knowing You is having knowledge. Amen.

Above the Sickened Swamp

S
(Colossians 3:1,2) If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above.... Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

O
Having seen both the Lord and heaven numerous times (2 Corinthians 12:1-10), Paul's thought processes and content was forever changed. His message to us from Jesus is that we can begin to experience heavenly life--even in the darkened spiritual pollution of earth. He's saying our brains can begin to experience heaven before our spirits and resurrected bodies get there.

A
I've often wondered how long I'd have survived in Eden without eating the forbidden fruit. Now I can find out: God has told me where I should occupy my thought life, where I should fence it in so it can thrive and roam without hurting others. And once I get to heaven, I won't have to fear being hurt by others who live outside, where immoralities, greed, and malice roam freely. Evidently, where we park and exercise our imaginations is very important to our mental and social health.

P
O Jesus! How I long for heaven! Forgive my for sometimes sending my thoughts into errant and unheavenly swamps. There, Your clear voice is drowned by unhappy moaning and whining. Oh, how I love Your voice!

What If...?

S

(2 Chronicles 15:8) As soon as Asa heard these words, the prophecy of Azariah the son of Oded, he took courage and put away the detestable idols from all the land of Judah and Benjamin ... and he repaired the altar of the Lord ....

O

By that time, King Asa had become great. His reforms and protective leadership made his people safe and prosperous. His prayers allowed God to utterly destroy what could have been the largest army assembled against Judah. If anyone didn't seem to need an encouraging prophecy, it should have been Asa ... yet he needed it. After it, he found even greater blessings.

A

Paul said we should "pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophecy" (1 Corinthians 14:1). I forget that all of us have constant room for encouragement. Yes, sometimes we're more vulnerable than we realize. God knows. He also knows I'm safer than I realize when I stick close to Him. I'm not sure, after reading this, which is better--giving someone a Spirit-led encouragement or receiving one.

P

Lord, may I be used by Your Spirit today to encourage someone who is down or dangerously close to ignoring You? May I walk intimately with You throughout each moment of the day so I can be attentive to whatever Your Spirit is wanting to accomplish--it's always good.

Stoned, and Happy

S

(1 Chronicles 22:5) For David said, "Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent.... I will therefore make preparations for it." ...

O

To enable Solomon to succeed magnificently, even exceedingly, David collected the necessary raw materials: resident foreigners, foundation stones, iron, timbers, bronze, gold, and silver. Their potential, even their existence, was often hidden, overlooked, or overwhelmingly difficult to process. This story describes allegorically how our Heavenly Father is building a Church for His Son, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2, 4; 1 Peter 2).

A

From this, we see what God is doing in our community (and in me) through His Church, how we interact with each other, and how parents can conceptualize our parental tasks. Evangelists collect the lost outcasts, inviting them into God's family. Apostles establish leaders, like foundational stones, who keep all of us square to God's Word. Prophets do the strange work of discovering hidden values, like iron for nails (that bind and bond) and doors (that block or open). Teachers, like carpenters, help us frame, structure, and organize our raw thoughts. And pastors, like bronze, gold, and silversmiths, help us purify and strengthen our lives so we become wholesome, healthy, and radiant.

P

Lord, I'm so thankful that You cared for me, a once rebellious, unhappy, outsider with no realistic expectation of the health and success You have given me. Thank You for making me a living, growing, and valuable part of Your Church. Such a miracle of miracles! Thank You!

Group Speak

S

(1 Thessalonians 2:14) For you ... became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your countrymen as they did from the Jews who ...

O

The Holy Spirit (through Paul) commended the church of the Thessalonian (Greek) nation for observing then imitating the many churches in Judea. It was a group consensus to follow these other Christians' example. Specifically, they responded boldly and faithfully to a persecution that was calculated to obstruct them from spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.

A

Although my salvation is an individual transaction and ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ, God also views me and responds to me for my contributions to the group I'm in and influencing (passively or actively). Therefore, I need to discern which group God associates me with: His Church that speaks to the lost that they might be saved, or people who "displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking [the Gospel]" (v. 14,15).

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Lord, I've forgotten the realities of this social-spiritual conflict and the reality of Your wrath (v. 16). As grateful as I am for enjoying Your peace and the joys of Your salvation, help me, too, to be listed among Your people who speak the Good News of salvation to people who don't really know You.

My Private Trainer

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(Psalm 51:6) Behold, You delight in truth in the inward being, and You teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

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The inner,secret life of a person is where God reveals truth; and more importantly, it's where He teaches us to apply truth (which He calls wisdom). This process liberates and heals a person's inner, secret life. From there, God helps us upgrade our observable, outward life and our relationships (Matthew 5:8; 6:21; 12:34; 15:8,18,19).

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Seeking God's perspective (truth) and God's practices (wisdom) seems to be a life-long lifestyle that is built on a series of deliberate commitments and recommitments to Him. To do this, David asked God to do these "extreme heart makeovers" that give him an ongoing receptivity to God's truth and wisdom (v. 6), updated forgiveness of private, heart-lodged sins (v. 10), and re-activated steadfastness--a fresh commitment to righteousness (v. 12).

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Lord, I see that when You reveal truth and teach me wisdom, it might hurt as bad as a broken bone or heart attack (v. 8, 17). Still, wisdom is worth it. So I re-crown You as my Lord because Your revelations heal. Truth and wisdom cause me to know true gladness and the undiluted joys of salvation (v 12). So I make my heart a classroom for You to teach me.

Honor Instead

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(2 Samuel 10:2) And David said, "I will deal loyally [kindly] with Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father dealt loyally [kindly] with me."

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David's sense of justice and goodness guided him to try to console Hanun (the new king of the Ammonites) whose father had just died ... even though the Ammonites had long been cruel oppressors of Israel. David's risky kindness was repaid with insults and eventually physical violence against the whole nation. All of this was ultimately an affront to God who was guiding David.

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I like Joab's response to the Ammonite attack (v. 12); Joab was commander of Israel's armies. (1) "Be of good courage"; that is, stir up from deep within you the highest character that God makes available to you. (2) "And let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God"; that is, remember that we live and serve with great consequences for our loved ones and future generations. (3) "And may the Lord do what seems good to Him"; that is, remember that God's good purposes transcend this conflict and our tiny perspectives.

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Jesus, I commit myself to treating people honorably, kindly, and generously--even though I risk them mistreating and maligning me in the process. I'd rather live and die honorably, serving You well, than to shrink back to small, vindictive responses.

My Kingdom for the Want of His Nail

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(Matthew 21:43) “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.”

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Amazingly, God sublets the management of His kingdom to people. In this series of parables, Jesus shocks us even more by His attitude toward sinners: He gives roles of responsibility and influence to the most contempt-worthy people who humbly repent and begin harvesting the fruits of God’s Spirit. Other, who are driven by the works of their flesh, are in due time exposed and deposed (Galatians 5:19-24).

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My heart is a tale of two warring kingdoms—I choose to rule my life either as a bitter slave or as a benevolent servant of the most High God. I produce either my works (sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these—Galatians 5:19-21), or His fruits (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control—Galatians 5:22). I surrender one to have the other.

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King Jesus, I long for that day when heaven shouts, “The Kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15). May my heart—with its roles, relationships and responsibilities—help to hurry that day!

Heart Disease--The Number One Killer

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(Psalm 106:1,48) Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever ... Blessed be the Lord ... from everlasting to everlasting ...

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God's goodness and love fills eternal past, eternal future, and eternal now. One response is necessary: Giving thanks is our perpetual need, and our ability to do this is based on having insight to recognize His mighty deeds in the past and present (v. 2, 7,13) and our willingness so acknowledge Him. Not giving thanks leads to despising our current circumstances, doubting God's promised love and goodness, then murmuring against God and disobeying Him (v. 24, 25).

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This psalm reminds me that before, during, and after all things, God's goodness and love is the final, the supreme word. Even though our human history is shell shocked from denying God, our freedom to be cruel ends up providing even more demonstration of God's contrasting faithfulness. When I choose not to become thankful, I choose to become blind to God, which leads to doubt and despair.

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Jesus, I'm a citizen of a world that actively hardens its heart against You ... and I've contributed to that hardness (v. 6-8). Forgive me, please. Forgive us. Now I choose instead to cherish Your mighty deeds and I ask You to open my eyes so I can praise You for even more for Your kindnesses and mercies to me. As I do this, may I change the history of our attitude towards You?

A Line in the Sand

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(Psalm 68:1,3) God shall arise, His enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate Him shall flee before Him ... But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy!

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God's "arisal" was a frequent and descriptive prayer of David's: "Arise, O Lord" and move to righteous intervention, rescue me, deliver us, establish justice, etc. The more we acknowledge God's interventions, the more aware we become of His expectations. Our responses get simpler and more obvious: fear or love, hate or joy. Those who insist on creating their own rules flee as God approaches; those who prefer God's rule rejoice.

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How do I know if I'm God's enemy? Will I flee when He intervenes and shows His hand? This psalm points to my relationship with righteousness as that answer. Do I insist on defining righteous for my own purposes? Do I justify my unrighteous actions or attitudes? Then I'll also resist God and end up fleeing from His provision of safety ... the cross.

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Jesus, I count all my self-promoting accomplishments as losses: they moved me to resist You instead of flee to You (Philippians 3). I want You to find humility in my life, not my own brand of righteous arrogance. I owe everything to Your grace and mercy: I have been too generously forgiven, too lavishly loved, and too surprisingly trusted. I hide in the joys of Your resurrection.

Invisible Support

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(Matthew 11:1) When Jesus had finished instructing His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

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This specific instruction (recorded in chapter 10) prepared the disciples to scatter throughout Israel to proclaim the Good News of God's Kingdom. As they did that, Jesus went to the disciples' home towns to teach (to privately inform, with the target of shaping the pupil's will) and to preach (to publicly inform, proclaim, announce valuable information and news). The disciples didn't proclaim themselves, and Jesus didn't proclaim them either--He is the Good News.

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As I attend to fulfilling God's call on my life, Jesus brings His uncontaminated, undistorted light into the weirdly lit shadows of my local haunts. I'm not capable of being always available, always correct, but He is. I'm not the Good News, the perfect answer to my neighbors, He is.

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Lord, help me to turn people's hearts and will towards You. As I give myself to fulfilling Your call and to serve my family and the people You've sent me to, I recognize that I'm not enough. By Your Holy Spirit, I trust You to privately teach each of us according to our true needs. I trust You to bring Your light and Your Words into our hearts so we can live fully.

Love Is the Sweetest Revenge

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(1 Samuel 24:17) [Saul] said to David, "You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil."

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Having an enemy doesn't mean you're innocent or guilty. Having an enemy, and even more, having an opportunity for vengeance, exposes and solidifies one's character. As a just man, David prayed for vengeance (Psalms 9, 11, 34, 35, 59, 64, 65, etc.), but additionally, as a good man, (1) he protected himself and his people from Saul's wickedness, (2) he thought realistically about the consequences of sin, and (3) he returned his golden opportunity back to the Lord ... a freewill and extravagant offering to the Lord of his trust, innocence, and hope.

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Not everyone seems to have the "gift" of having a person turn and become his or her enemy. Wouldn't it be "sweet" if that never happened. However, the brutality and injustice of Jesus' cross attests to sin's reality and it warns me of God's inescapable justice. My concern is that I lay down my own weapons of wickedness so I can become a recipient and conduit of God's grace.

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Lord, help me become more righteous than merely vengeful. You were faithful and just to forgive me of my sins (1 John 1:7-9); help me to abide in Your faithful goodness and justice ... always.

Movers

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(Psalm 10:6) [The wicked person] says in his heart, “I shall not be moved...”

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David quotes two others who say that: people who are circumstantially secure and prosperous (Psalm 30:6) and people who humbly lean completely on God during peaceful times as well as disastrous threats (Psalm 16:8). “Moved” refers to being shaken or pushed off course. The wicked assumes God doesn’t exist, doesn’t remember, doesn’t care, or doesn’t hold people accountable (10:4,11,13). Those who trust any security but God ignore unwelcome facts and go on cheerily as though they’d annihilated them.

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Although I have very little power to avoid or withstand the major hardships, I don’t want to be fooled by being able to avoid or endure the lesser challenges. I want to learn what it means to “do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with my God” (Micah 6:8). I want to stay on God's course.

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Lord, I know You are faithful, trustworthy, and good. I know You allow unsettling experiences so I can be purified and improved (Jeremiah 48:11). I know I don’t always like that; however, I choose to trust You over my fears and doubts. You have proven to be faithful—why should I foolishly stop trusting You now?

Refuge of Light

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(Psalm 11:1) In the Lord I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, "Flee like a bird to the mountain?"

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David's advisers were smart, caring, and courageous, but not perfectly. Yes, Saul spent his energies and influence in secretive plots to destroy David. Yes, these plots were deadly and real. Yes, these plots grew out of violations of truth and justice. However, David also realized that--although eventually forced into defensive action--trusting God and living with integrity before His eyes has always been the only sure refuge.

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In honesty I'm forced to concede that God tests all people, including His righteous and sincerely obedient children (verses 4,5). Unfortunately, there seems to be no better way to firmly learn faith, courage, or perseverance (in a word, love) than through tests. In 1605, when Scottish pastor John Welsh was "silenced" in the dungeon of Blackness Castle, an encourager wrote to him to remind him that he was only "in the darkness of Blackness and not in the blackness of darkness."

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Lord, even though You warned of days when murmurers, complainers, and mockers would do violence to good people (Jude 1-25), I seek Your refuge. I choose to walk in Your light, where there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:4-10). I choose to be one who brings grace, truth, and light.

Divine Inability

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(2 Corinthians 13:4) For [Christ] was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but in dealing with you we will live with Him by the power of God.

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Christ chose to exercise “divine inability.” Although He could have removed Himself from the cross, avoided being arrested or humiliated at all, or called ten legions of angelic warriors to avenge Him; He chose instead to bear our sin and shame and reproach for us. Weakness is repulsive to us, the opposite of good health. Yet acknowledging it is our first step in becoming honest about our condition apart from God.

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I hate weakness as much as I fear my inadequacy, ineptness, incompleteness, and ignorance. Yet my refusal to recognize my condition keeps me a slave of frustration simply because that keeps me from admitting my need for Christ in thousands of daily details. It’s my incomplete successes and powers that trick me into thinking I don’t really need Christ.

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Lord, help me. I confuse self-confidence for Christ-confidence. I constantly aim for better then I can achieve, then I expect far less then what You’re able to accomplish through me. Help me to revel in Your peace, Your grace, Your love so I can boldly and joyfully experience Your power.

He Took the "Low" Road While I Took the High Road

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(1 Samuel 6:12) And the cows went straight in the direction of Beth-shemesh along one highway, lowing as they went ...

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These two milk cows foretell the crucifixion of the God-man, Jesus Christ. He "set His face like flint" to go unwavering to the destination of His life-sacrifice. He, who knew no sin, carried the burden of others' sins as these cows carried those golden, gross treasures. Jesus did this for people alienated from God. He, too, carried the wooden implements that would later become His altar. He went to His death alone, leaving behind His beloved family (His disciples, mother, siblings--His future bride, the Church). He went "lowing," peacefully worshiping God: "for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross."

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I grieve that the Philistines and their rulers could have witnessed this miraculous sign from God and enjoyed the benefits of God's forgiveness and healing, yet remain unchanged. They kept their hearts bitter and rebellious. Shortly later (described in the next chapter), they pick up their warfare against the people who worship God ... as though this miracle of grace had never happened. I don't want to receive Christ, but remain unchanged.

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Lord, please examine me and thoroughly scrutinize my heart. Please alert me to anything in my heart or habits that You'd find even mildly unpleasant. I want to walk in the fullest benefit of Your salvation and wholeness!

Abundant Sufferings, Abundant Comforts

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(2 Corinthians 1:5) For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort, too.

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This can also be translated: "For as the sufferings of Christ abound for us, so also our comfort abounds through Christ." These sufferings are not self-inflicted for the sake of punishing or purifying ourselves or for patronizing God--they are Christ's sufferings. I share His sufferings by being one with Him through perspective, prayer, and obedience.

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The more I understand life through Christ's mind, the more I grieve at seeing violations of love and the tortures of distrusting God. The more I hear and trust the promises of God's Word, the more I recognize the good results of His good works. There is no better comfort.

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Lord, it seems that my own suffering causes me to reach out for my own addictive, self-destructive comforts. Help me, Jesus, to live for You--to seek Your kingdom and Your will--instead of my own. Thank You for recently showing me once again that as I love and trust You in the midst of confusion and seemingly unbearable circumstances, You share Your supreme comforts with me--and that heals and frees me! Thank You!

Hail to the Chief!

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(Joshua 5:13,14) ... "Are You for us, or for our adversaries?" And He said, "No, but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come." ...

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This Old Testament appearance of Jesus Christ is very informative: He is always the only one whose commands lead to ultimate safety, whose authority encompasses all authority and power. He unifies all our contradictory needs. Only in Him do mercy and truth merge perfectly. Only by obeying His commands does pure rightness and judgment blend lovingly with complete peace (Psalm 85:10).

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Joshua responded to Jesus' words by humbling himself in absolute worship, which he demonstrated by causing his entire body to declare His acquiescence to Jesus' authority. He offered God an open, unguarded, unlimited invitation to command him to action: "What does my Lord say to His servant?" Joshua responded with obedience. That prayer captures my heart and intentions, too.

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Lord, in our work places, our kitchens, bedrooms, and neighborhoods, our attempts at justice often lack mercy, just as our attempts at mercy often wound justice. The same problem exists with our attempts at truthfulness and love. Command me. Speak to me, too. Let Your kingdom come so my own circumstances become Your holy ground, the domain of Your tactical operations.

Pillars of Patience

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(1 Corinthians 15:58) Therefore by beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

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This is the point of Paul's teaching of the resurrection: Jesus came that we might keep and enjoy abundant life from now through eternity. This life consists of being in "beloved relationship" with other saints who are in the process of becoming more loving. This work that is not in vain consists of living out love before a bitter, angry, crushed, and hope-lost world. The tempter tries his best to cause us to abandon this work of faith, labor of love, and patient hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

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In Paul's explanation to the Corinthians (ch. 15) about the resurrection, I see an even greater demonstration of God's love than the cross. As shocking as it is that God would send His son to be murdered in payment of my sins, I stagger at the love that would send His Holy Spirit into me to convert my thoughts to love. I stagger at the love that promises to resurrect and heal my body so I can spend eternity in God's house as a beloved son. Amazing!

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Lord, where else could I go for such love? Where could I escape my self-induced despair if I neglect such a generous salvation? Thank You for Your patience that convinces me of Your presence and Your care. Thank You for Your Church, who, by listening to You, have become great encouragers, like You. Come, Lord Jesus, make me more like You!

Supply and Demand

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(1 Corinthians 1:30) He [God] is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

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This description of God [theos] is that He is the creator who correctly places all elements of His creation so they accomplish His good purposes. And His good purpose for us includes a perfect abundance of all we really need to know and enjoy Him (2 Peter 1:3). Our primary needs, therefore, are (1) Christ's wisdom, (2) Christ's righteousness, (3) Christ's sanctification (being set apart exclusively for God's purposes), and (4) Christ's redemption (being fully delivered from slavery to sin).

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Last year, Joshua Bell, a world-class violinist, stood for hours near an entrance to a Washington D. C. subway station. He played some of the world's most beautiful music as people rushed by, ignoring him. For the most part, only children wanted to stop to listen. Oh, that I would always have a child's curiosity and trust so I might take seriously all the good things God placed in my life through Christ Jesus.

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Lord, forgive me for trivializing and discounting the gifts You've given me through the cross of Your only begotten son. By faith, I pause to drink freely and deeply from Your rich supply. By faith, I see now how beneficial my circumstances are toward helping me explore the wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption You've given me through Jesus.

Spirit of Spit

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(Galatians 6:1) Brothers and sisters, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourselves, lest you too be tempted.

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The essence of temptation is choosing to hear, accept, then act out a lie from Hell. It's grabbing (secretively or clamorously) something that Love has forbidden. It's also opting to withhold good that's in our power to give (6:10), which is simply acting on the lie that God's love is limited and I need to be obnoxious to hoard His grace. How silly! In contrast, Jesus could have justly exploded His wrath on us, but (as described in Ephesians 2), He chose to quietly absorb our transgressions and offer us grace and mercy instead.

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When arguing or "exposing people's faults," I'm often tempted to grab the lie that being noisier makes me more right or overwhelming others with words makes me the winner. It's not easy to be gentle with people who spout different ideas ... until I learned how purging my own sins really helps me to be less harsh or antagonistic toward others as I try to help them (Matthew 7).

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Wonderful Savior, You have offered me such kindness and patience! You quietly paid for my foolish sins and You gently allowed me to voice some truly gross ideas as though I understood. Through Your longsuffering towards me, I discovered how wrong I have been and how right You are. Thank You.

True Love

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(Numbers 33:4) ... On their gods also the Lord executed judgments.

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This is what God does for us: He exposes the fraudulence of all our gods. He mercy compels Him to expose them for what they are; our stubborn recalcitrance compels Him to execute judgments so we admit their unreliability. The Israelites paid nothing to be delivered from these gods, but it cost them everything (give up all their false hopes and alliances) to wholly follow the Lord into the Promised Land (32:12).

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The Israelites were suddenly extremely wealthy when they left Egypt, and their Egyptian wealth locked their hearts to the Egyptian gods, even though God's judgments left them shattered. Jesus lamented, "How difficult it will be fore those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:23). But it is possible. Peter replied, "See, we have left everything and followed You!" (Mark 10:28). I, too, decide again today to wholly follow Jesus Christ and to make serving and pleasing Him my sole ambition.

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Lord, I believe You that You are the only God. I understand now that only when You are the preoccupation of my life will I be able to recognize how to graciously serve and love the people around me. O Lord, help me purge all false and treacherous loves from my heart!

Really Bad Advice

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(Numbers 31:16) Behold, these, on Balaam's advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord.

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Part of the terror of this chapter is the ease with which Balaam turned from being a godly prophet (chapter 24) to being a stooge of the Satan (24:14; 25:1-5; 31:16). Terrifying, too, is the logic of Balaam's bad counsel: it might even have been simply to suggest join Israel through marital alliances despite them being unequally yoked--believers with non-believers (1 Corinthians 6; 2 Corinthians 6:14).

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Personally, I'm terrified the this love of money (Balaam's) and the love the flesh (Israel's) could be so powerful. These desires are very seductive and strong (Colossians 3:5; Revelation 2:14). And the very gifts that God has reserved for us, Satan offers us, but with terrifying, toxic, and tragic results.

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Lord, I see from Your Word (1 Samuel 13:20; Mark 9:39-50; Ephesians 6:13-20) that I need to employ every tool, every weapon, in my grasp to fight my spiritual enemy, who insists the I pamper and protect myself instead of wholly following the Lord. The good news is that my days are filled with opportunities to reaffirm my choice to trust God completely.

A Father's Protection

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(Numbers 23:13) An Balak said to [Balaam], "Please come with me to another place, from which you may see them [Israel]. You shall see only a fraction of them ... then curse them for me from there."

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The enemy's plan was to show Balaam only a pre-selected fraction ("faction"?) of the nation that foreshadowed the Church). From that imperfect perspective, the enemy would suggest secret omens or "privileged spiritual insights" that could then be used to justify insults and attacks. The Lord, of course, revealed reality, which in the correct context, successfully contradicted the enemy's view.

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Any individual follower of Christ is a work in process, as is any collection of believers. Since we're all on the road to wholeness, each of us is, therefore, vulnerable to the enemy's taunts, tantrums, and attempted curses. But when we keep our focus on God's grace and His larger purposes, the Church is a fierce yet beckoning and beautiful force for life and peace in this dark world.

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Father, when the enemy compels me to be dismayed by my slow progress or by other people's apparent slowness, help me to recognize there my anxiety is coming from. The enemy whispers insinuations that discourage. But Your voice brings truth and hope--You build faith. Heavenly Dad, I am so grateful to be Your beloved son!