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