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.

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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