SOAP October 31, 2014

Scripture: If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. (Jeremiah 20:9 ESV)

Observation: One cannot hold back to do that which God has called without effect.

Application: This passage screams one word to me "Passionate".  Passionate people doing passionate things because of a passionate God, who seeks after us passionately.  Choose to be passionate about God, pray to be passionate about doing His work.

Prayer: Daddy, You are ever present, seeing all things, and knowing all things.  Just as fire can start with a single spark, so can a people be set on fire for You with the uttering of a single word, a prayer, or a sharing of scripture.  Use us to make the spark, give us courage despite our fears,liberty in spite of our bondage, passion in spite of our apathy, and give us Your heart for Your people (including ourselves).   Amen.

SOAP October 30, 2014

Scripture: “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, behold, I am bringing upon this city and upon all its towns all the disaster that I have pronounced against it, because they have stiffened their neck, refusing to hear my words.” (Jeremiah 19:15 ESV)

Observation: God expects us to listen and not stubborn.

Application: Just as we teach our own children, obey the first time.

Prayer: Daddy, I just need You tonight.  Amen.

SOAP October 29, 2014

Scripture: Now, therefore, say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: ‘Thus says the Lord, Behold, I am shaping disaster against you and devising a plan against you. Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your deeds.’ “But they say, ‘That is in vain! We will follow our own plans, and will every one act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’ (Jeremiah 18:11-12 ESV)

Observation: When The Lord speaks, it is in our best interest to listen and obey.

Application: When driving down the road in your car and the "low fuel" light comes on, it requires that you take action or not be able to move the car any farther.  Our sin issue is similar, we can only be warned and continue on for so long before be incapacitated, unable to move forward in seeking God until our sin is dealt with (not speaking of salvation, but intimacy with God).

Prayer: Daddy, You know the dark recesses of my heart and my mind, the wickedness that lays dormant, yet can so easily be roused.  May You be glorified by the subduing and changing of such a heart, and molding it to Your desire.  Amen.

SOAP October 28, 2014

Scripture: Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:5-8 ESV)

Observation: trusting in ourselves is foolish, we should instead trust God.

Application: take it all to God.  ALL of it, sin,struggles...everything.

Prayer: Daddy, show us ourselves in Your eyes, help us see where we should change and not.  Amen.

SOAP October 27, 2014

Scripture: O Lord, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of trouble, to you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth and say: “Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, worthless things in which there is no profit. Can man make for himself gods? Such are not gods!” “Therefore, behold, I will make them know, this once I will make them know my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is the Lord.” (Jeremiah 16:19-21 ESV)

Observation: We live in a day and age where God is an after thought, if even a thought at all for many.  Technology, Success, money, ego, pride, self reliance, and on an on goes the list of things we hold in higher esteem than The Lord.

Application: Man cannot make for himslef gods?  The answer is no, for these things are not gods at all, merely things that rust and moth destroy.  God has shown His power and His might, that HE is the LORD.  Jesus came and took the punishment for our sins because God is merciful, full of grace, and loving kindness.  He poured out His wrath upon His own Son, that through Him, we might have eternal life.  

Prayer: Daddy, I am a wretched, wicked man.  I speak evil when I should speak praise.  I stir decension when I ought to foster unity.  I foster anger and pride, when I should exemplify forgiveness and humility.  O that you would change me and make me like you.  I am undone, for I cannot do these things of my own strength.  Amen.

SOAP October 26, 2014

Scripture: Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16 ESV)

Observation: The justice that God speaks in Jeremiah, to many, may feel harsh...yet it is what we all deserve.  Verse 16 stood out to me "your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name".  We can spend our whole lifetime trying to fill the void in our lives, mistaking physical happiness for spiritual joy, and physical pleasure with spiritual delight.  When this happens, we start pursuing all the wrong things.

Application: Consume God's word.  Find joy in it, delight in it, be called by His name.  Close your eyes for a moment and paint this picture: God is calling you...just you.  He wants to have a talk, and He wants it to be memorable.  He's our Dad, and like all Dad's, He has affectionate names for His children.  He calls us by that name, as He shares His words with us, and though we may not admit it, we are delighted to have that talk with Him, to have that time for just the 2 of us to speak.  There may be a toothy grin, some laughter, or there could be some tears.  He will dry our tears as we hide our face in His chest and He wraps His arms around us and whispers "I love you" and then calls you that nickname, you know the one, the special one that He has for You.  Open your eyes now.  God's word is intimate and personal, it draws us to Him.  He is joy, and delight.  There is nothing else that can fill that void, only God...seek it out, consume it.

Prayer: Daddy, You are the delight of my heart, my reason for having Joy.  Sometimes Joy must be fought for, yet never do we walk alone.  Thank You for our special times, and delighting in us also.  There is nothing that can fill us like You!  Amen.

SOAP October 25, 2014

Scripture: “Though our iniquities testify against us, act, O Lord, for your name’s sake; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against you. O you hope of Israel, its savior in time of trouble, why should you be like a stranger in the land, like a traveler who turns aside to tarry for a night? Why should you be like a man confused, like a mighty warrior who cannot save? Yet you, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not leave us.” (Jeremiah 14:7-9 ESV)

Observation: God is always in the midst of us, whether He chooses to act or not.  Though he may choose not to wield His mighty sword, He is still a mighty warrior.

Application: God is "in the midst of us".  He is not far away, He is close.  In that I take great comfort.  The human heart is desperately wicked, and it has been my prayer for these last few months that God would show me my own wickedness, to show me the things that I need to let go of.  It hasn't been easy, there have been tough conversations, tears, dealing with unpleasant emotions, and probably hardest of all...giving up control...yet it is not I who is able to do these things, but Christ in me.

Prayer:Daddy, Your name is higher and greater than any other.  You are so worthy of praise and so gracious to love us.  Tonight I lift up my brothers and sisters in Christ who I have wronged and thank You that You are a God of restoration. Thank You for being in the midst of us.  Keep changing my heart God, keep changing lives, and let all glory be Yours alone.  Amen.

SOAP October 24, 2014

Scripture: This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who stubbornly follow their own heart and have gone after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be like this loincloth, which is good for nothing. For as the loincloth clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, declares the Lord, that they might be for me a people, a name, a praise, and a glory, but they would not listen. (Jeremiah 13:10-11 ESV)

Observation: God desires us, He pursues us, yet so often we turn a blind eye, a deaf ear, or a cold shoulder.  We are tempted to choose pleasure and power over humility and grace.

Application: Be captured, stop running and be captured by the pursuer, God.  There is freedom in the captivity of Christ.  Though it may sound as madness, being captured by God is the beginning of freedom.

Prayer: Daddy, thank You for pursuing me, for pursuing us.  May we be captured by You and find Your freedom.  There are many walls to tear down, things I worry about.  Take it all God, for I am Yours.  Amen.

SOAP October 23, 2014

Scripture: Righteous are you, O Lord, when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive? (Jeremiah 12:1 ESV)

Observation: I can understand this question from Jeremiah!  I think we all have asked that question at one time or another.  I struggle a lot with self reliance, being task oriented, process focussed, and schedule driven.  This can make it difficult for me to experience that which God wants to teach me.

Application: Struggles are opportunities to learn where and how to improve.  Knowing I struggle with self reliance, I can focus on letting go and trusting in The Lord for things.  I can stop focusing so much on tasks and instead look for God's purpose.  I can stop focusing on a process (to do list, check list, etc.) and rely on God to know the things I need to do and their priority.  I can stop focusing on schedules, and instead let God dictate where and when He wants me to go places.  Notice, that all of these statements began with "I can".  The fact is, I can't...HE can through me.  Which brings me to tonight's prayer.

Prayer: Daddy, I am so humbled, happy, and honored to be able to call You that.  My world is so small, and yet my problems, tasks, challenges seem so huge in the view of the world.  You are bigger than all of these things combined.  I worry, when I should trust in Your might.  I celebrate myself, when instead I should give thanks to You.  I can't do anything apart from You!  I am hard headed and it takes a while for things to set in for me.  I need You to open my eyes, my heart, and my mind so they would desire You alone...Daddy I can't, but You can, for all things are possible with God.  Let me walk with You Lord, hear Your voice, discern where to go, what to say, how to say it, and give me the words.  Thank You for calling me Yours.  Amen.

SOAP October 22, 2014

Scripture: For your gods have become as many as your cities, O Judah, and as many as the streets of Jerusalem are the altars you have set up to shame, altars to make offerings to Baal. (Jeremiah 11:13 ESV)

Observation: very direct, and very true.  Where/what/who do be replace God with in our lives..that's a real soil searching question.

Application: God must be the main attraction, not some side show.  He deserves our full measure of devotion.

Prayer: Daddy, in Your grace and sovereignty, show us the altars that we have built up and must be torn down.  Let the world be the side show, and You be the star attraction.  Amen.

SOAP October 21, 2014

Scipture: I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O Lord, but in justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing. (Jeremiah 10:23-24 ESV)

Observation: God's guidance leads the steps of believers.

Application: We are to seek God above all...and that is a tough order!  

Prayer: Daddy, teach us to know where we stand, what to do, and how to give glory and honor to You through our actions, attitudes, and sacrifice,  Amen!

SOAP October 20,2014

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV)

Observation: nothing else should make us happier than knowing God.

Application: look inwards, what are things that make me happier than Gog?  What can I do to change that?

Prayer: Daddy, show me the things in my life that are hindering me in my walk with You.  Things that I need to start doing, stop doing, etc.  Amen.

SOAP October 19, 2014

Scripture: When I would gather them, declares the Lord, there are no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree; even the leaves are withered, and what I gave them has passed away from them.” (Jeremiah 8:13 ESV)

Observation: When we produce no fruit, we are deceiving ourselves into thinking we are "ok".  

Application: We are all hopelessly lost, and salvation comes by grace alone through Christ Jesus by faith. 

Prayer: Daddy, show us the innermost parts of our hearts.  The vile places that we pretend do not exist.  Then give us the stregnth to turn it over to You. May we be a broken people, yearning for You alone.  

SOAP October 18, 2014

Scripture: But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’ But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward. From the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt to this day, I have persistently sent all my servants the prophets to them, day after day. Yet they did not listen to me or incline their ear, but stiffened their neck. They did worse than their fathers. (Jeremiah 7:23-26 ESV)

Observation:  Tomorrow, we will head to church...will we listen and obey, or be deaf an d stiff necked.

Application:  we are made for His glory, NOT the other way around.  We must humble ourselves before The Lord.

Prayer: Daddy, I just You to know I'm listening and that I want You to use me however You choose.  Amen.

SOAP October 16, 2014

Scripture: O daughter of my people, put on sackcloth, and roll in ashes; make mourning as for an only son, most bitter lamentation, for suddenly the destroyer will come upon us. (Jeremiah 6:26 ESV)

Observation: sin must cause us to grieve.

Application: We must treat sin as the evil against God that it is, not merely a mistake we have made.

Prayer: Daddy, break our hearts over our own sin and let us turn to You.  Amen.

SOAP October 16, 2014

Scripture: But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away. (Jeremiah 5:23 ESV)

Obseravtion: it is we who move away from God.

Application: repent and seek forgiveness for our stubbornness and rebellious hearts.

Prayer: Daddy, teach us to follow after You, clearly, and deeply.

SOAP October 15, 2014

Scripture: Your ways and your deeds have brought this upon you. This is your doom, and it is bitter; it has reached your very heart.” (Jeremiah 4:18 ESV)

Observation: If we never repent, never turn to God, our doom is certain.

Application: Only God can change the heart, for it is desperately wicked.  Apart from the changing power of the Holy Spirit, we are doomed.

Prayer: Daddy, let us humble ourselves before You and others.  Let us take Your message to the world and may Your light shine in our lives.  Amen.

SOAP October 14, 2014

Scripture: Let us lie down in our shame, and let our dishonor cover us. For we have sinned against the Lord our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day, and we have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God.” (Jeremiah 3:25 ESV)

Observation: sin is not to be taken lightly by us as It is vile and detestable to God.

Application: Confess and repent.  We cannot be perfect, yet our faith in Christ yields obedience that produces righteousness through faith by grace.

Prayer:  Daddy, I confess that my own sin is a big deal, bigger than I can bare.  Thank You for taking that burden from me.  May my life be an arrow pointing others toYou because of the great mercy You have shown me.  Amen.

SOAP October 13, 2014

Scripture: In vain have I struck your children; they took no correction; your own sword devoured your prophets like a ravening lion. (Jeremiah 2:30 ESV)p

Observation: sometimes we are blinded by our own sinfulness.

Application: Our own actions bring about ruin. We must instead, seek after God, repent, and listen to where He would have us go and what He would have us do.

Prayer: Daddy, show us Your best and place our desire there.  Amen.

October 12,2014

Scripture: They will fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.” (Jeremiah 1:19 ESV)

Observation: resistance is to be expected.

Application: God wins the victory, and we get to be a part of that.  He never leaves us.

Prayer: Daddy, let us remember that You are always right here, to talk to, to worship, and to grant Your mercy.  Thank You God for all that You are.  Amen!

SOAP October 11, 2014

Scripture: As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. (Genesis 50:20 ESV)

Observation: Understanding often comes after the fact.

Application: Question not the ways of The Lord.

Prayer: Daddy, who are we that You are mindful of us? May we be Your clay, molded to whatever You desire of us.

SOAP October 8, 2014

Scripture: “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk. (Genesis 49:8-12 ESV)

Observation: The lineage of Jesus goes back to Judah, who swore to protect his brother with his own life.

Application: Obedience to God and loving others above ourself are characteristics that all Christ followers are to be known by.  How do I/we measure up? I encourage you to read the rest of Genesis 49 and see what Israel had to say about each of his sons and see whom you identify with most...very convicting and a great direction to point my/your prayer life.

Daddy: You Lord are high above all the earth and Your praises ring from the depths of the oceans to the highest mountain peeks, to the outer most parts of the universe and beyond our understanding.  In the midst of Your greatness, You have chosen to delight in us, to be mindful of us, to call us Yours, though I/we are unworthy.  Humble our prideful hearts, let us value mercy above judgement, forgiveness above condemnation, and You above everything understood and not understood.  Change us for Your glory.  Amen!

SOAP October 7, 2014

Scripture: And he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” (Genesis 48:15-16 ESV)

Observation: Prayer begins with glorifying God for who He is.

Application: I need to spend more time glorifying and identifying God, than making requests.

Prayer: Daddy, You are more than I can express or understand...I am in awe!  Amen.

SOAP October 6, 2014

Scripture: Then Joseph settled his father and his brothers and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded. (Genesis 47:11 ESV)

Observation: God knew the events necessary to get to this point and out them in motion many years before.

Application: It is not for us to question the ways of God, yet rather praise Him in all things.

Prayer: Lord Your greatness is more than we can comprehend, and yet You are mindful of us.  May Your praise ever be on our lips, during times of harvest and times of famine.  Amen!

SOAP October 4, 2014

Scripture: Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.” (Genesis 46:3-4 ESV)

Observation: God understands our fears and walks right beside us.

Application: God is never far from us, trust in Him to see things through.

Prayer: Daddy, help us trust in You in the midst of turmoil and triumph.  Amen!

SOAP October 3, 2014

Scripture: Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the boy as a servant to my lord, and let the boy go back with his brothers. (Genesis 44:33 ESV)

Observation: laying ones life down for another is a biblical concept, not one created in Hollywood.

Application: what are we willing to endure for the sake if others?  What does it say about our faith?

Prayer: Daddy, teach our hearts to follow after Your desires, to yearn for righteousness.  Amen!

SOAP October 1, 2014

Scripture: May God Almighty grant you mercy before the man, and may he send back your other brother and Benjamin. And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.” (Genesis 43:14 ESV)

Observation: We must trust God with the outcome.

Application: This life will often require great sacrifice, sometimes actual and sometimes perceived or feared.  No matter, we must trust that God is good and resolve to praise Him regardless of outcome.

Prayer: Daddy, teach us to love and trust You so much, that nothing could ever shake our faith in You.  Amen.