The plans he has for us.

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Observation:
This is often read as a "pick-me-up" or "feel-good" verse, but if you look at it in context, it is addressed to a nation that is headed into 70 years of exile.

God does have a plan for us, that is good, but it usually isn't the easy road.

Application:
When things get tough, trust God, that is molding me into a stronger and better disciple.

Prayer:
I pray that God will do what he needs to do to help me know and trust him more. I recognize that he has a purpose greater that what I can see. It will all be worth it in the end.

Scripture can make you blush.

Scripture Jeremiah 2:20:

For long ago I broke your yoke
and burst your bonds;
but you said, 'I will not serve.'
Yes, on every high hill
and under every green tree
you bowed down like a whore.

Observation:
Sin is profane to God. Jeremiah describes Israel as a wife who goes out and commits prostitution, in spite her husbands love and provision.

Application:
When the bible clearly teaches us to do something, or not to do something, and we choose to ignore that teaching and do what we want, it is betrayal of God in the worst way. Much like adultery within a marriage, it is grievous.

Because we all do it, it is easy to think it is no big deal. It is a big deal. In John 14:15 Jesus says "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

I don't want to be "bowed down like a whore" to the lies of the world. This rather profane verse makes it a little easier to understand how awful it is to ignore the love of God.

Prayer:
I pray that I fall more and more in Love with God every day. That I bask in the gifts that he is given me. That I trust him enough to obey his commandments. I know that I have failed in the past, and I thank him for cleansing me, redeeming me and taking me back in spite of how heinously I treated him in the past.

Who is my Baal?

Scripture: 2 Kings 23:1-27

Observation: Josiah took great effort to cleanse Judah of all of it's sinful idols, and to restore God to his proper place. It is easy to look a this list and say "I don't worship Baal." The name Baal however is translated "lord" or "owner" And can be applied to anything that is your number one priority in life.

Application: Some very good things can become idols. Family, work, children, financial security, education, happiness, and fitness are just some examples of where we should be good stewards. All of these things however should be subservient to God. When I work to leave my children "Better off than I am" their "better off-ness" should be measured strictly by their relationship with God. Nothing else counts in the long run.

It seems to me that most sin is justified because one of these good things is in place of God. While some sin is rooted in outright rebellion and disobedience, the vast majority is a simple failure to do what God is calling you to do. Judah forgot to observe the passover for hundreds of years. What more do we forget when we elevate the "good life" above the Godly life?

Prayer: I pray Hebrews 12:1-3. That I can fix my eyes on Jesus and cast off anything that is weighting me down from pursuing Him with all of my heart.

Misplaced fear!

Scripture: Is. 57: 11, "Why were you more afraid of them than of me"?

Observation: Before this verse, Isaiah gave several examples of what gods the people were worshipping. They were extremely afraid and on occassion even sacrificed their own children! This misplaced fear controled thier lifes and severed their relationship with God.

Application: What (or who) am I afraid of today? I am controlled by the "object of my fear". The bible says, "the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom". This is fear that is rightfully placed.

Prayer: God - you are the one I fear, and you alone! I chose to not fear those around me or the circumstances I am surround by. You are my hope and protection!

I need to be doing!

I Peter 1: 17, "He will judge or reward you according to what you do"!

Observation: Scripture tells me I am not saved by my works - it is something I can never boast about. God has given me a gift of being saved. There is nothing I can do to repay Him.

My doing should be based on my growing desire to love and please God. Apparently God keeps track of what I do and will use it as a bases of my being judged. There is certainly a place for doing -- just keep it from becoming legalism.

Hebrews 11 is filled with examples of how people of faith did things based on their faith. I am reminded of another scripture that says, "be doers of the word and not just hearers".

Application: Today I will be sensitive to what I am doing and make sure my doing is being motiviated by who I am.

Prayer: Father - teach me to be a good doer of your word!

Authority

Scripture: Hebrews 13:17

Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Observation: I believe that obedience to authority is a unpopular idea these days. I also think that authority is often exercised as little as possible to avoid offending people. Most all of us are given a certain amount of authority, and we will be asked to give an account for our use of that authority.

Application: I should model this behavior to my children and to others. I am blind to my faults, and when somebody points them out to me, I should be thankful to know and see the truth. I need to trust God, that he put those in authority there for a reason, and their actions are going to mold me into who God wants me to be. I should obey those in authority as I would obey Jesus, for he told me to obey.

This also magnifies my responsibility everywhere where I have any authority. (As a father, as a Sunday School teacher for example) How am I exercising that authority? Do I use it in a way that shows I trust God's wisdom over man's wisdom? If I see somebody doing something that is spiritually perilous do I say anything? Too often, I think the tendency is to look the other way, and bite our tongue. I will be held to account for how I shepherd the souls that he is entrusted me to keep watch over. Certainly at least my own children fall into this category.

Prayer: I pray for opportunities to submit joyfully. I pray that my leaders have the courage and wisdom to shepherd me. I pray that I have the wisdom and courage to shepherd my family.

He will be called...

Scripture Isaiah 9:6-7

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Observation: Jesus is friend (Counselor), Our King (God), Our creator(Father), and our reconciliation (Prince of Peace). His roles where revealed to Isaiah long in advance. The whole Jesus being called Father thing is a bit confusing, but considering John 1:3, it isn't out of line with reality.

Application: I need to understand the fullness of Jesus, and submit to him in all of his roles. He is a comforter. He is my ruler. All things where made through him. And I am redeemed through his sacrifice. He did all of these things for a reason.

Prayer: I pray that I trust him so completely that I never hide anything from him. I pray that I believe his commandments so much that I do not disobey them. I Thank him for all that was, and is, and is to come. Most of all, I thank him for his great sacrifice. Making peace on my behalf, with the God who I have sinned against.

Not-for-profit

Scripture: Micah 3:9-12

9 Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who detest justice and make crooked all that is straight,

10 who build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity.

11 Its heads give judgment for a bribe; its priests teach for a price; its prophets practice divination for money; yet they lean on the LORD and say, "Is not the LORD in the midst of us? No disaster shall come upon us."

12 Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height.

Observation:
It seems to me that this is a good description of how Christianity can be tainted by money, and the business model. "Christianity for profit" leads leaders to fail to preach repentance (detest justice), to mock those who are at all righteous (make crooked all that is straight), to try to profit from teaching what God gave freely. These profiteers tend to teach prosperity over sanctification (no disaster shall come upon us).

When this happened in Israel, God sent them into exile to make them recognize their dependence on him.

Application:
Check all of the teachings against scripture - be especially vigilant about those heard on the expensive media (Radio or TV). Do not be too dependent on any community of preachers, but instead be firmly rooted in God's word. The bible is not about improving or making excuses for the old you - it is about developing the new you - the one that longs for righteousness motivated by the new heart, given and guided by the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:
I pray that I seek the truth, not my own profit or comfort. I thank Jesus greatly for suffering the penalty for my sin, and I pray that I have the courage and strength to suffer with him - to obey where it is not easy to obey, so that I can draw nearer to him.

My weapon

I really liked Hebrews 4:12 today (07-07-08). I am encouraged that my "investment" of reading and getting to know God through His written word will result in a changed life. I don't believe I can "over-do-it" when it comes to reading my Bible!

Anybody else grab something out of chapter 4?

Welcome to S.O.A.P

Growing spiritually is primarily your responsibility. God has given you two incredible gifts to help you get to know Him – the written word (Bible) and His Holy Spirit. Read and study the written word (knowledge) and invite the Holy Spirit to reveal and show you how to apply the truth contained in it (wisdom).

S.O.A.P. is an acronym: “S” – scripture / “O” – observation / “A” – application / “P” – prayer. Your LIFE JOURNAL is designed to guide you through your Bible reading using this acronym.

Here is a practical “formula” I have found to be helpful for my daily quiet time. Determine a regular time during the day that works for you, i.e. early morning or late at night – find a place that offers you the most comfort, i.e. your favorite chair, etc. – add your drink of choice, i.e. coffee in the morning.

My last suggestion is to carry a pen and highlighter with you. Mark your Bible as the Lord shows you things. Write notes near the scripture and even date your comments every now and then. Your Bible becomes your own – your comments and reflections have a way increasing the value of your Bible! It may even be used to encourage and inspire someone down the road when you are in heaven – an incredible “heir-loom”!

Take advantage of Liferoads’ S.O.A.P. blog – we are in this together and the blog is a great way to “exercise” what God is showing us!

Together for Jesus --- Grant