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