S.O.A.P. for 03/11/2009 Reminders

S: Numbers 15:37-41
Then the Lord said to Moses, "Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord. When you see the tassels, you will remember and obey all the commands of the Lord, instead of following your own desires and defiling yourselves, as you are prone to do. The tassels will help you remember that you must obey all my commands and be holy to your God. I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt that I might be your God. I am the Lord, your God!"

O: God was teaching them a way to remember Him and His commands through living daily life when not in His presence. He knew they would falter and knew they'd need ways to refocus on Him constantly throughout living daily life. What he offered was genius. A real, touchable, visible reminder that would be close to them, that would be with them all through their daily chores, tasks, living, to "keep them in check", because as they glanced at this item, it would force their thoughts on Him. He knew we'd need these tools, and knew we'd falter without something because He had already states "as we are prone to do". He knew the human condition, and was trying to offer tools to fight against that to be better people.

A: What can I bring in to my life that can help keep my focus on Him? I need to think of valid, "user friendly" ways of forcing my mind to refocus on him throughout my day. Maybe I can place index cards with scripture on my bathroom mirror, and over my visor in the car. Maybe I can choose one "odd" thing to bring into my world that will have no other relevance than serving as a reminder of Him. I don't know that I'll make tassels and start attaching them to my clothing, but what can I replace that with? Food for thought here, but very applicable, and very smart.

Wow, I'm continually amazed at how well our creator knows us, and how difficult He knows it is to apply something to your life continually, especially something that goes against our sinful nature! But He offers us tools! He offers us second chances! He offers us His Word! How can I NOT try to find ways to force His presence into every moment of every day, that even in the smallest moments, washing the dishes, I can be fellowshipping with Him! What a smile that brings to my face to know I can take every step of my walk with Him, if only I figure out how to make that happen! It's right there!

P: Father God,
How amazing and wise You are! You share these pearls of wisdom with us, that after reading, I sometimes feel like slapping myself in the forehead with a big "duh!" "Why didn't I think of that?" Lord, You know me and my nature, but You also know my heart. You know the depths of my heart and You know I long to serve You, I long to abide in You, I long to feel the joy of a complete walk with You, in Your presence, according to Your ways!! Oh just to know I've made you smile at some point along my journey would give me such peace and satisfaction! But Oh, to make You smile over and over again!

Lord I pray that You would reveal to me viable ways to bring You into my life every moment of every day. Lord I also ask for You to give me the tools that will serve as the reminders through my day to keep my focus on You! Lord, help me to think of the things that can make this happen! Bring into my mind the ideas that You would offer to me, a willing heart, who wants to share every part of my day with You, and who knowingly does NOT do that as well as perhaps I could, and for that I'm so very sorry.

I confess I do not abide with You as I should, and I confess that I haven't figured out how to make myself refocus on You, or have things to serve as reminders about me to help me with that task! My request is for Your wisdom to shine on me so that I may discover ways to keep my eyes on You. I thank You for listening, I thank You for loving, I thank You for teaching, each and every day , through Your living, breathing Word.

In Jesus Name,
Amen