S.O.A.P. for 02/27/2009 Be Worthy

S: Leviticus: 20:22-24
"You shall therefore keep all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them, that the land there I am bringing you to dwell may not vomit you out. And you shall not walk in the statutes of the nation which I am casting out before you, for they commit all of these things, therefore I abhor them. But I have said to you, "You shall inherit their lansm and I will five it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey. I am the Lord, Your God. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own."

O: God gave many rules to His people, but not without reason. He didn't withhold the good, he desperately wanted them to receive His gifts. He only prohibited them from those things that would surely bring them to ruin.

A: Most of us understand God's Physical laws of nature. Jumping off of a tall building will kill us becuasse of the law of gravity. However, we still need to learn and understand about God's spiritual laws. God forbids us from many things in order to protect us from self-destruction.

When I feel temptation towards a forbidden physical or emotional pleasure, I must remind myself that the consequences could be great. Do I really want to suffer because of something fleeting? Do I honestly want to intentionally separate myself from the God who is trying to help me?

The very words stated in the scripture here seem to apply directly to the journey I am on right now, for we are being offered an opportunity in which we may prosper, but we must be worthy.

P: Father God,
How very wonderful that You speak to us! How very wonderful that we may seek You and abide with You at anytime! How very amazing that Your word can be so very relevant, to the point of "jaw-dropping" awe! I hear You, Lord, and I pray to always be worthy of what You offer. If I slip, please stretch out Your hand to me and let me try to learn and fix it before all is stripped away! Let me be worthy of what You offer!

Lord, God, thank You for preparing me and teaching me that I may be worthy of a gift You wish to give me. I pray for the strength that I may always stand firm in You and Your statutes that I may never be vomited out, but always protected by You, for I am so delighted in what lies ahead, that I could not bear the thought of losing it over my own sinful ways.

I pray that I have learned enough thus far, to be deserving of a chance, and I pray that I continue to learn, that I may never lose what's been given, and that I remind myself to always use the gift You've rendered to Glorify and Honor You!

Thank You for revealing these special things to me, and just in time, Lord. Thank You for giving me a chance to prove myself to You. I pray that I may be deemed worthy and that I may never take what's been offered for granted, but see it for the true blessing it is. Let me always diligently seek You, love You, obey You, and Praise Your Holy name!

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Out here the Texas rain is the hardest I've ever seen
It'll wash your house away, but it'll also make you clean
Now these rocks they are crying too
And this whole land is calling out for you
*Caedman's Call*

S.O.A.P. for 02/26/2009 Generosity

You've given me so much, Lord... Teach me how to pay it forward.

S: Leviticus 19:9-10
"When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of the field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger. I am the Lord your God."

O: God instructed HIS people to provide for those in need. He requires that the people leave the edges of the fields unharvested, providing food for travelers and the poor. God desires generosity for He is generous and we are created in HIS image.

A: This law was a protection for the poor and the stranger and it served as a reminder that God owned the land; the people were only caretakers. They were called to be good stewards of what God allowed them to be responsible for. Laws like this revealed God's generosity and how HE wants us to reflect that generosity. It's easy to forget about the poor and the needy when you have your own problems, but how "big" really are those problems. There will always be someone who has "less" than us. In what ways can I "leave the corners of the field" for those in need??

P: Abba, Father,
You are such a wonderful, loving Father. It amazes me continually, the depth of care that You show us. And it doesn't stop there, Lord. You always go deeper and desire something from us in return that You know, in Your infinite wisdom, will only serve to bring us closer to You, and help us walk in such a way the reflects You more and more. I am not worthy of such a gift, and yet, You continue to tell me I am. I am humbled and so very loved by You, and it fills me with awe, joy, and wonder! And to think that you would teach us to show that same love to others. If only I could make someone else feel the way you make me feel. How generous You are to teach us Your generosity, and how wonderful that you desire that we, too, reflect that generosity to others. Father, we live in a different world, a crazy messed up world, but You are still so very relevant! Your Word still speaks to us, and it still applies! Oh how my soul aches to please You, Lord. Please reveal to me ways in which I can "leave the corners of the field" for those in need. Father, God, to the world it may not seem as though I have much, but to You and I, I know I am truly blessed. Father, teach me what it is I can share more of, for everything comes from You; even my life and my every breath. I desire to live completely for You, please reveal to me just how to do that, when sometimes it feels like I have so little to give! Teach me of spiritual gifts to offer, teach me of Spritual needs to be met when I have nothing material to offer. I know there is more, I just cannot see it. "Give me Your eyes that I may see everything that I keep missing"...
Thank You for loving me enough to want me to reflect You in my life. Thank You for hearing my prayers and responding according to Your will. I pray that I may learn to live a life reflective of the generosity that You show to me each and every day, and I pray that my generosity may indeed one day become part of my legacy.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

Give me Your eyes for just one second, give me Your eyes that I can see... Everything that I keep missing, give me Your love for humanity. Give me Your arms for the broken hearted, the ones that are far beyond my reach, give me Your heart for the ones forgotten, give me Your eyes that I can see.
*Brandon Heath*

S.O.A.P. for 02/22/2009 Moving On

S: Mark 6:10-11
Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there til you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, then you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.

O: The disciples were instructed to shake the dust off as a vivid sign that they wished to remain separate from the people who had rejected Jesus and His message. Jesus was making it clear that the listeners were responsible for what they did with the Gospel. Ths disciples were not to blame if the Gospel was rejected, as long as it was faithfully and carefully presented. We are not responsible when others reject Christ's message of salvation.

A: I don't believe that He was being metaphorical. Kind of like in the baggage series, when we placed our notes incide the backpacks and hung them on the cross. As humans, it seems as though we need "physical actions" to help us with mental things. I truly believe that we should practice more active "physical" symbolism in order to take things to heart. I hope that when/if someone rejects what I have to share that I will remember to shake the dust off and hot dwell on the rejection. Dwelling and internalizing can make the hurt feelings last longer and ultimately affect my walk and my willingness to keep trying with others. But keeping the hurt from getting to deep and setting it's hooks will allow me to take a deep breath and "drive on".

P: Lord God,
I thank You for all the lessons. Even though they may seem so small, without those small lessons, we may be forcing ourselves to have to handle 'big ones". Help me to learn and see all the small lessons in handling life so that I don't keep passing them off as "symbolism" or "it doesn't apply to the world now". If I miss them, I may somehow end up missing the easy stuff and having to conquer mountains. I pray for eyes that see even the smalles of lessons that may hold more magnitude and value in just living than when I have to go through a tragedy to learn something. Maybe the tragedy was the last attempt to get me to learn something that was shown to me long ago that would have been easier to handle. Thank You for never stopping the lessons and thank You for giving us morsels to chew on along the way. I pray that I may see the truth in those morsels and not pass them off. If they were meant to be passed off, they woudln't have found their way into the Bible. I thank You for teaching us ways to handle rejection in simple ways that allow us to move on. May I never cease to "move on".

In Jesus Name.
Amen

S.O.A.P. for 02/20/2009 Legacy

S: Proverbs 10:7
The memory of the righteous is blessed. But the name of the wicked will rot.

O: The legacy we leave behind is revealed here. A righteous life will leave a legacy to each generation that follows. It will be remembered. Those memories will be used as examples, shining lights, for others. If we've lead a wicked life, we will be forgotten and our legacy will be gone and our life will have had no purpose or meaning.

A: That I may live each day in a way that makes me consciously think, "What will be remembered?" That I may each day start off with the commitment to leave a "GOOD" mark on it, rather than a day of regret that is wished to be forgotten.

P: Father God,
Instill in me a desire to leave a Godly legacy and a commitment to each day having my at least one of your marks on it with an act, a word, or a deed; that how I live my life from here on out is remembered and imitated in the generations to come. Help me live a life that is not wasted nor soon forgotten.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace
Who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy
*Nicole Nordeman*

S.O.A.P. for 02/19/2009 Laziness

S: Proverbs 10:5
He who gathers in summer is a wise son. He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

O: God is saying that we are to work hard and prepare for a way for ourselves. To prepare for what lies ahead and to not wast time or it may come back to haunt is. Every day has 24 hours in it which opportunities to serve, grow, and be productive are offered. Satan does not sleep.

A: It is so easy to let time slip from our grasp. Refuse to be a lazy person, sleeping too much, or frittering away the hours meant for productive work. Look around for things that NEED to be done before taking time out for yourself to "veg". Even things with seemingly no reward DO have a reward, for in your productiveness, you are showing God your heart and your appreciation for even the smallest thing that you've been given. What you think of something given to you by God, is shown for how you care for it and share it with others.

See time as God's gift and seize opportunities to live for Him. Sweeping, tidying, organizing, fixing, mowing, all the small things are really large ways of honoring God and showing Him thanks for what you have. We must be very careful for the Lord gives and the Lord takes away. We must make every attempt to be deemed worthy of blessing!


P: Father God,
I thank You for the many things You provide to us each and ever day. I pray that I never take any of it for granted and that I remember to watch over and tend to the things that have been left in my care by You with love and diligence so that I may never make You feel as though I can't handle it, or don't deserve it. Help me to always remember that it's ALL YOURS and I mist do my part. Help me to not be lazy and always be able to find "things to do" rather than be selfish and idle with the free time I may find.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

I am a workin man, I get things done.
Work for the Holy Ghost, work for the Son.
I am a working man, oh yes I am.
I am a special agent of the Lamb!
*Newworldson*

S.O.A.P for 02/19/2009 Family

S: Mark 3:31-35
Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside, they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, "Look, your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You."

But He answered saying "Who is My mother, or My brothers?" And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother, and My sister, and My mother."

O: Jesus was saying that our spiritual family was ultimately more important and longer lasting that those formed in our physical families. Although Jesus cared for His mother and brothers, He also cared for ALL who loved Him. He didn't show partiality but expressed His love equally to allow everyone the privilege of being in God's family.

He was explaining that God's bonds of love and fellowship are stronger than blood ties because even family members can have different views, beliefs, ways of living, etc, that can drive them apart and cause division. As sad as that may sound, God knew this, and blesses us by offering us a "replacement" family to fill in that gap. One that is more fulfilling and ultimately longer lasting because we are all working towards the same goal.

A: The app part of this is "Old News" for me, but reading the scripture refreshed my heart and revealed to me the depth of which this scripture has been applied in my life. This scripture now holds deep meaning for me and has placed deep roots. Circumstances and time have placed a rift in my blood family. We don't call each other as oft as we could, we don't go to them first, when something wonderful happens. I haven't seen my blood family in 8 years, due to finances, circumstances, and God's will. I truly believe that this lesson was meant for me. That being said, I have been truly blessed with my Spiritual Family. I have deeper, more meaningful relationships now, than I ever thought I could. Distance keeps communication at a minimum, but with God having developed my Spiritual Family, I can always find a "brother" or "sister" close by to fellowship with, find guidance, seek comfort, and love with all that I am that has far exceeded the ties I once shared with my blood family. In being so far away, God has forced His hand and taught me a beautiful lesson about His people.

P: Father, God,
I thank You so much for this special provision. Knowing that when we are all focused on You, our fellowship and friendship can only deepen and become even warmer than the blood ties that we may already have. I thank You for revealing this to me as you have. It wasn't easy, but at the same time, you left me no choice, and taught me I couldn't and shouldn't be alone, and forced my hand and heart to reach out, and to what end! I am so in love with the people I share my life with, I couldn't imagine not having them with me now. For this I thank You, for I have found true brothers and sisters, ones I can share with, laugh with, love with, be myself with. Knowing that we share the same goal and will one day all walk with You make it all so much sweeter that these bonds will carry us into eternity.

I am truly blessed and feel unworthy of such wonderful brothers and sisters. Already they have shared so much more than my blood family was ever capable of... I am not saddened by this, as I am no longer alone, and have learned a great and wonderful lesson. I pray that You, who is ever watchful, have seen what my brothers and sisters have done for me any my family, and I pray that you take them close and bless them in unimaginable ways for their generosity, their love, and their fellowship, which have been true reflections of You. You must be so proud of these wonderful followers of You!

In Jesus Name,
Amen

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends
*Michael W. Smith*

S.O.A.P. for 02/15/2009 Leadership

I didn't catch this one right away, so I felt compelled to do the 15th over again, feeling like I missed something, and surely I did. It jumped out at me like a snake on a rat! It hit home, too, so I knew God was speaking to me.

S: Exodus 39:42-43
According to all that the Lord had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. The Moses looked over all the work, and indeed they had done it; as the Lord commanded, just so, they had done it. And Moses blessed them.

O: Moses learned a leadership.management lesson here. He gave responsibility to others and then he TRUSTED them to do the job. I don't think he squabbled, or thought he could do better. At the conclusion, it says he BLESSED them. He showed them appreciation for the work they offered and did for him and for God. A good leader follows up on assigned tasks to ensure their progress, also gives rewards for good work. He doesn't micro-manage, take the job away after thinking about it, or let you do it without a plan, then change it after all your work has been put in. He is accepting and pleased by the work performed and rewards it justly, in a spirit of love.

A: In whatever responsibility position I find myself, I must ensure that without harassing or nagging, I am motivating the work to be completed. I should check in, TRUST them, and show my appreciation and thanks for the time, work, and effort that has been offered to help me, regardless of whether it's already being monetarily rewarded or not. A personal appreciation and fellowship will go much farther in a person's heart that a position that is thankless and without motivation. I know what I do is ultimately for God, and I should seek His approval, but when I do things for others to help them in some capacity, I do not want to feel used, taken advantage of, and irrelevant, or I won't feel inspired to continue, and I will also become gun-shy in helping someone else. I want to be a good leader and never make anyone feel unappreciated or cared for by me.

P: Heavenly Father,
I know that ultimately all of my actions/tasks in this life are acts of service to You. How they're done, to what end, and with what heart... However, You call us to effectively SHOW love to each other as well and not take people for granted. Father, I know how this feels on the receiving end so I pray that it be a lesson learned for me because knowing how I felt, Lord, I would never want anyone to feel that way because of me. Help me to have a spirit of outward love so that I may always abundantly show my love and thanks to others that they may always feel joy in my presence and feel joy when someone lends me a hand...whether it be short term, or for the long haul.. Help me to be a graceful leader and follower who shines love and camaraderie every step of the way, because, Father, we are all in this together and I would desire to bring people closer to You, rather than unintentionally push them away by having been a not so great example.. I thank You for the abundant love that is never-ending, there's always more, it cannot be measured, and I'm blessed that You share it with me.. Help me always share it with the world.

In Jesus Name,
Amen

S.O.A.P. for 02-18-2009 Faith during trials

S: Psalm 37:8-9
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret, it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.

O: God calls us to handle adversity, and trials with grace!! What a hard concept! "Count it all as Joy" the bible says. He wasn't kidding. He knows that the fret/worry/pain will hurt us and cause us pain, and "stunt" our growth. But if we, in peace and gentleness, and a whole lotta Faith, just learn to wait on HIM, His reward is GREAT! Inherit the earth?? Wow.

A: Worry and anger reveal a lack of faith that He will/can take care of us and do what's right for us. As I touched on before in just accepting the lessons haded us, and not asking to be "bailed out" He goes even father! Pushes us harder! Loves us more!!! He doesn't want us to worry, but wants to let HIM take care of it. We should not worry, instead, we should trust in God, giving ourselves to Him for His use and safekeeping. If we dwell on our problems or all the "wrongs", our negativity can slowly blur out all the "rights" until even what's good gets lost in the fog and we become completely bitter... If we catch it, and learn to immediately respond, we can take it to the cross and find peace....

P: Dear Father,
You never cease to amaze me at the lessons I learn. I may not apply them as fully or even know how to just yet, but there is always a little more You would have me know, and always a little more You want to add to a lesson I may already be on, and how amazing it is that in Your living breathing word, You reveal it to me, bit by bit, deepening the lesson a little more with each scripture.... God I ask You for the peace you promise to fill me as I go through my trials that I may shine as a living example of one who has enough Faith to believe that in Your hands I am safe. In Your hands, the best according to Your will, will come of it. No matter what it is. your reminders of how short I come from hitting the mark both serve to humble me and inspire me to strive harder. Lord I ask for a Faithful heart, let it be pliable and teachable enough to give YOU all the room you deserve so that I may not falter but seek You and Your peace when storms come. I love You, and continue to strive to make you proud.

In Jesus Name
Amen

S.O.A.P. for 02-17-2009 Making Prmises

S: Leviticus 5:4
Or if a person swears, speaking thoughtlessly with his lips to do evil or to do good, whatever it is that a man may pronounce by an oath, and he is unaware of it, when he realizes it, then he shall be guilty in any of these matters.

O: Have you ever sworn/promised/agreed to do or not do something and then realized how foolish your promise was? God's people are called to keep their word, even if they make promises that are tough to keep. Jesus warned us about making vows/oaths when He said "Let your Yes be Yes, and your No be No". Our word should be enough.

A: Let me check both my tongue and my heart before speaking a vow. Do I mean it? Can I fulfill it? Am I able to carry it out? Also, I must convict my heart and remember to follow through so that I don't disappoint or let anyone down around me, I don't want people to lost faith in me and feel they can't come to me because they think I'll let them down in some way. I don't want to be known as someone who "talks a good game" but as someone that can be counted on. I want to be a do-er not a talker.

P: Abba Father,
I Love You, honor You, Praise Your holy name! Lord, i pray that You help me to convict my heart and mind to see a vow/promise for what it is. A covenant. Help me to see if I have slipped here. If I have, please forgive me and help me to improve that area of my life that I may be a person others feel they can come to, depend on, and rely on. Also, Lord, allow me the strength to also learn to say "NO" for where it may apply as well, that I may also learn to not be swayed or guilted into doing more than I'm capable. Help me to say No when I really don't know how I can fulfill what's asked as well. I ask for wisdom to be able to see the difference in where my Yes should be Yes and my No should be No. You promise refreshment and strength, so if there's more I AM capable of, reveal it to my heart. Thank you for the lessons learned, and for the lessons that await me as I develop this relationship with You and Your word.

In Jesus name
Amen

S.O.A.P. for 02-16-2009 Quiet Time

S: Mark 1:35-38 Now, in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place, and there He prayed. And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. When they found Him, they sad to Him, "Everyone is looking for you", But He said to them, "Let us go into the next towns that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth."

O: Jesus took time to pray. Finding time to pray is not easy, but it is the vital line of communication between us and God. Jesus modeled this for us for a reason. Like Jesus, we must break away from others to talk to God, even if it means rising at inconvenient times to do so. In so doing, this prepares us mentally and spiritually to go out and share the Gospel whatever the means it is that we use. Jesus didn't want to share His message and His gifts with the same people over and over again. He saw the importance of spreading the message to as many unsaved people as possible. He also knew that His time in each place was limited, for He knew His days were numbered. We, too, should live like we don't know what tomorrow brings in that we should try and refrain from being "stale" and to always offer what we have in new ways, or to entirely new people.

A: I must figure out a way to have a special "one-on-one" time with God, for only He can fill me. Only HE can prepare me for the great commission so if I truly believe that I must "go to the next towns" and share there, I must be prepared, but I also see that in learning to disciple, the "one-on-one" time will also deepen my relationship with my one true Father. That above all, excites me and brings me great joy.

P: Father God, I pray that You reveal to me ways to adjust my schedule or things I can eliminate from my schedule, in order to be with You. I am truly blessed to think that You desire that of me. Father, you truly make me feel special. I love You and want to know You more and I want to learn to just BE with You. I thank You for using those times to deepen my relationship with you. I pray that You deepen and convict my heart to Yearn for You, and to yearn for the tools that would be able to invite others into Your loving haven. You are my King, You are my Greatest Love, You are my Father, My God. I pledge and hope to never falter,
In Jesus Name,
Amen

S.O.A.P for 02-14-2009

Happy Valentines Day!! If you are reading this, then you know me and I pray for love to be abundant and overflowing for you!

S: Psalm 34:19-20
19 The righteous person faces many troubles,
but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.
20 For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;
not one of them is broken!

O: Nothing is more needful to true godliness than a contrite heart, broken off from every self-confidence. To be humbled, facing troubles, only to be able to find You, our source of life, love, and peace. It is evident right there, that we are not to expect an easy life. We just must understand that He will always be there, as long as we still seek Him. In this soil every grace will flourish, and nothing can encourage us except for the free, rich grace of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A: My application is that I should hope to never expect for an easy way out. How are we to be refined without trouble? Do I remember most of the lessons that came easy as a child? Or do I have a passionate connection with the lessons that were hard learned? How else do we become passionate if nothing of passion ever happens to us?
If everything handed to us is cotton candy, then we are never able to deliver more than sugar. I want to feel fire so I can deliver fire. I want the hearts of believers to burn with intensity and truly LOVE You Lord, not just somewhere quietly think they do, and never show it outwardly. To be willing to show it outwardly is to be devoid of pride...to be all Yours, and I want that.

P: Heavenly Father,
I love You, I honor You, I adore You. I confess that sometimes I do think I deserve better than the hand dealt to me, and I am truly sorry. I see that through these lessons You are only desiring to grow me as any loving Father would. I am so sorry for crying out to you to "fix it". I pray that I may learn to just ask for Your grace, and to feel Your peace as I learn the lesson I'm on. I also pray Lord, that I 'm sorry for my weakness, and I pray that there be more lessons in my future. I thank you for them, and I thank You for promising to come to my rescue. Not to make it all go away, but to develop my lion's heart that I may handle it as You see fit...according to Your will. Thank You for Your protection, Oh Lord, My Redeemer. Thank You for being my wonderful Guardian and Teacher.
In Your name,
Amen

S.O.A.P. for 02-13-2009

S: Exodus 36:6
So Moses gave the command, and this message was sent throughout the camp: “Men and women, don’t prepare any more gifts for the sanctuary. We have enough!” So the people stopped bringing their sacred offerings.

O: My observation is that the people were so completely and whole-heartedly in, that they gave and gave to the creation of the tabernacle. No selfishness was found here. No fear about how their resources would be replaced. No fear about just giving those resources up to their Holy Father!! They had enough! They were turning away offerings and gifts! That's just wheels-off crazy and a truly amazing glance into the Christians we are called to be!

A: My application is that I see that we fall short in our passion. WE give a little, but are afraid to give too much. Too much makes us uncomfortable, and that keeps us lifeless and dull, and without passion. How can we see God work, if we truly don't give EVERYTHING back to Him?? They gave and gave, and were excited to give more! They had a purpose for living, a purpose for using the resources they were blessed with. I find that looking around, our purpose is to figure out what we can buy to please ourselves with the resources HE has blessed us with. The car...is it good enough? new enough? shiny enough? The house... does it impress people with it's decorations? Is it large enough for people to say wow? The clothing...does it really make you feel better that it's more expensive? Hmmm.... self-analyzing hurts... what is our focus?

P: Abba, Father...
You are worthy of my praise, of my voice, of the work of my hands, of my heart! You are all-powerful, amazing, and my one True Father, and I thank You for the breath...I thank You for the life...I thank You for the many blessings, my children, my devoted spouse, Your son, my gifts that are always offered back up to only You, the list goes on and on... You find me worthy of blessing, and I find that absolutely amazing, because I am unworthy, as I do not see myself fulfilling that call quite yet. But God, I am with You, and I serve You, and I work every day to become better. I pray that I find that excitement in offering You more and more. I pray that in discovering my purpose, I can't wait to offer You more! You deserve it, Lord! After all, it wouldn't be in my care, unless You wanted it there, and knew there was something amazing I could do with it. Help me find the faith to surrender all, with joy, and with love, and with the excitement of seeing what will come of it when it goes to Your Glory and Yours alone!
In Your heavenly name I pray,
Amen

S.O.A.P. for 02-12-2009

S: Exodus 34:12-14
12 “Be very careful never to make a treaty with the people who live in the land where you are going. If you do, you will follow their evil ways and be trapped. 13 Instead, you must break down their pagan altars, smash their sacred pillars, and cut down their Asherah poles. 14 You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.

O: My observation is that God means for us to be a passionate people. He wants us to be strong, devoted, committed, devout, and fervent! Not whimsical, half-in-half-out, on the bench, just waiting for things to get better. No, He calls us to action, in very obvious ways. Break down their pagan altars, smash their sacred pillars, and cut down their poles. I don't believe there's any mis-interpreting the fact that He doesn't swallow "wishy-washy".

A: My application is that I want to be that passionate. What's stopping me? What's stopping you? Who or what are we afraid of? have we conformed so much that we don't WANT to stand out in the crowd? Who are we really living for? Our neighbors? Our friends? Or God?? Seriously.... I don't believe He said to sit idly by while the madness and sin surrounds us and just huddle up and pray, He says to DO something about it!! How weak are we that Paul went to jail, John beheaded, others were martyred, and we want to "close the curtains and the blinds" and pretend it's not out there. I'm a bit ashamed of myself for my lack of faith that He promises to be there if I am truly living for Him and what He stands for.

P: Yahweh! Father! I love you so very much, and find myself ashamed in Your presence. I know I fall short of the mark when it comes to being who You want me to be, but wow. You do call us to gentleness and meekness and kindness, but when it comes to defiance of You, of Sin, You basically call us to arms! I don't know how to do that Lord, as the other side of Faith, the gentleness, has been so ingrained that my heart cries out when I see something wrong, but I don't know what my "action " is. Please reveal it to me Lord, that I may stand STRONG for You, that there is no question where my beliefs are, and there is NO QUESTION where my loyalty is. There are bound to be consequences Lord, but Your promise is to always be there, until the end of the age! God I pray that I may rest in that, and know that You are leading me to a place of passion, a place of urgency, a place of intensity like none I've ever known and I pray that I allow myself to follow You and help me live bit by bit through Your eyes. God I pray that You continue to drive me out of my comfort zone, so that I may never become a "bubble-gum" Christian, but One who is in with both barrels blazing! I just know that by being true to You, the reward, no matter the cost, will be greater. Thank You Lord, for believing in me, thank You for showing me there is more to me than I am aware of, and Thank You for growing me!! I ask for Your presence within me, I ask for a warriors heart, one that does not falter! One that Fights for you! I pray that You help me leave a legacy of having lived the life of a Jesus Freak. I love you, and worship You, with all that I am...

In Jesus Name,
Amen

S.O.A.P. for 02/10/2009

S: Psalm 32:3-5 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped away as in the heat of summer.

O: This man's sin, holding it in, was eating away at him. His guilt was suffocating him. The guilt of sin is strangling, tiresome, and keeps us from who we can be. When he confessed - he experienced freedom! maybe even joy!

Hosea 14:2
Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord.Say to him,“Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us,so that we may offer you our praises.

A: I think of sin as a wound. Left untended, however small, it begins to fester, the infection grows, maybe even becoming a visible mess, making even others uncomfortable to be around you. The infection gets to the blood and begins to affect the whole body, altering your emotions, abilities, mind, and function. And once it has gone too far, it may be too late and has the strength to ultimately kill you. For the wages of sin is death. But if you respond immediately, calling your conscience to action, letting it be at the forefront of all you do, and apply the healing balm of forgiveness, confessing out loud unto Him who already knows...letting it out, it no longer has it's claws in you and can do no more damage than it has. So why resist? What are we afraid of? He already knows and wants to forgive us..

P: Abba Father, I pray that I may come to a place where I recognize my sin quickly and lift it up to you that I may not make the same mistake again. I pray that I learn to admit them readily for you already know about them, and I can prevent the festering wound. If my goal in this life is to become more Christ like, then I must learn to take out the trash. How can we store up treasures if the space is being taken up by wounds of sin, and pain, and garbage? I want to release it to You Father, so that in so doing, I have more room for You to abide with me! Please help me to understand that I just need to talk to you, to confess to you, because You are simply waiting for me and want to forgive me so that I may drive on, because YOU can see how it can suppress us, and divert us, and hurt us, and hold us back from what You desire for us. I pray that I willingly confess with my mouth and ask for forgiveness so that You can wash me clean... Thank you Lord, Thank you.
In Jesus Name,
Amen

S.O.A.P. For 02/09/2009

S: Matthew 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as You will."

O: Jesus, our Jesus, our Lord and Redeemer, was in pain. In the previous verse to this passage it says, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." His heart and soul were torn and in pain. He knew what he had to do, knew what was just around the bend. The time was near. And yet, he bore it on his shoulders and finished with "not as I will, but as You will." He knew the pain he would endure, but at the same token, he knew the reason for it and knew he had to fulfill his purpose and didn't look for a way out.

A: How many times do we think that what we are going through is too much? How many times do we think what we're handed is unfair? How often do we plead with God to help us out of what we're going through? Or to fix it? What if we're meant to go through it to teach us something? Or to teach someone close to us something because we might just be strong enough to handle it in order to affect someone else? What if the trial is meant to lead us and we are being weak and spoiled and unteachable? Maybe that's why some stuff happens over and over again?
I try so hard to count it all as joy and make lemonade out of my lemons and just ask God for the strength to get through it. That doesn't mean it won't hurt, that the tears won't come; It just means that we are learning to surrender to Him. Lord send the rain!! Pour out Your Spirit! Let the fire fall, heal us one and all, Lord send the rain!
We can't heal until we go through the fire. We can't just sit idly by and wait for it to fix itself, we can't tip toe and then say "I can't do it!". God, hep me be teachable. Bring me to the place You have for me, and help me to be worthy of that place.

P: Almighty Father, Jehovah, I love you so much, and as I would my earthly father, I want to make You proud of me. I pray for a heart strong enough to handle the trials sent my way that I may garner something from them. I pray that I may stop asking You to "bail me out", because I think I'm good and deserve better! I pray that I see I can never be that good and that I see that even Jesus had to fulfill His trial. The greatest trial of all time. So who am I to think that things should always be easy. I thank you for the strength you give me for each day to survive my trial. I thank you for the heart to drive on and I thank you for the fellowship of these believers, my spiritual family, that can also be there to help see me through... I pray that I may see that there is good in the bad and that I focus on that. I ask for wisdom to see that in the trials there is always a lesson from a Father how knows I need it, from a Father who knows I'm capable of learning it, and from a Father who loves me enough to seek my perfection. I know I never will be, but thank You for continuing to try...

In Jesus name,
Amen