S.O.A..P. for 04/30/2009 Content with Who I Am.

S: John 1:6-9 & 26-27
6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
26 John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”

O: John was fully aware of who and what he was meant to do, and he was content with that. People wanted to give him more credit than he deserved, and rather than be lured by that temptation, he remained firm. I feel proud of John in that moment, for many people in this day and age do not accept who they are and how they are bent. They continue to try and be something more, something that they're not..and it's sad to see for they will never feel truly happy. John understood he had a great commission to fill and he was steadfast, unwilling to be distracted or tempted. And therein, in God's eyes, was a truly great man. Even though he shared the Word, and was highly regarded, he never wavered from the thought and knowledge that he would be ushering in someone much greater than he. And he was good with that. As so should I be.

A: How do I see myself in the scheme of things? Have I been tainted to want to feel special? Or to be like everyone else? To have what they have? Do I take credit for things that only God should be deserving>? Do I say, thank you, when complimented for an achievement? Or do I say, Praise God... If my life is a constant battle to be "better" than who I think I am, then I'll never find contentment in who GOD made me. HE made me, HE designed me, and HE knows how best I can feel complete. Who am I to say I can go one better?

Do I realize that without Him and without honoring Him as I should and giving Him the credit for all the good things my life produces, that I'm robbing myself of true blessings? I must remember that I am who HE made me, I am made for the purposes HE gave me, and that all I do is for Him.

P: Father God,
Let me not ever take credit for things You have done in my life. You gave me life, breath, a beating heart. So every beat should be offered up to You in thanks. Every breath in thanks. Let me offer every note I sing up to You in honor of You creating the voice that would sing Your praises! I am just the vessel for it. I did not create it, You did. I pray I never take credit and want more than You have in mind for me. Let me be completely confident in who You've created me to be, and help me fill the shoes and play the role... I pray I do find the roots You have me seeking, that I may shine the most possible light for You and be Your lampstand.

My heart, my soul, my life, my family, my voice, my hands, my feet, I give to You, Oh Lord, My strength and My Redeemer.

In Jesus Name,
Amen


I feel no shame
I'm proud of where I came from
I was born and raised in the boondocks
One thing I know
No matter where I go
I keep my heart and soul
In the boondocks

I can feel that
Muddy water runnin' through my veins
I can hear that
lullaby of the midnight train
And it sings to me and sounds familiar

I feel no shame
I'm proud of where I came from
I was born and raised in the boondocks
One thing I know
No matter where I go
I keep my heart and soul
In the boondocks

I can taste that honeysuckle
And it's still so sweet
When it grows wild
On the banks down at old Camp Creek
And it calls to me like a warm wind blowin'

I feel no shame
I'm proud of where I came from
I was born and raised in the boondocks
One thing I know
No matter where I go
I keep my heart and soul
In the boondocks

It's where I learned about livin'
Its where I learned about love
Its where I learned about working hard,
And having a little was just enough
It's where I learned about Jesus
And knowin' where I stand
You can take it or leave it
This is me
This is who I am
Give me a tin roof, a front porch, and a gravel road
And thats home to me, feels like home to me

I feel no shame
I'm proud of where I came from
I was born and raised in the boondocks
One thing I know
No matter where I go
I keep my heart and soul
In the boondocks

You get a line I'll get a pole
We'll go fishin' in the crawfish hole
Five card poker on Saturday night
Church on Sunday morning
*Little Big Town*

S.O.A.P. for 04/26/2009 Who Am I?

S: Judges 6:15
"But Lord", Gideon asked, "How can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Mannaseh, and I am the least in my family."

O: Gideon asks the Lord probably what anyone will and has asked the Lord. Who am I? I am no body. I am not powerful, nor do I have a place of status that people will listen to me. Gideon felt unworthy and too unimportant to be inpactful in any sort of way. How often do we feel the same>?

When God calls us or convicts us of something, how often do we say - "I can't do that!", or "How am I supposed to be able to pull that off?" or "They won't listen to me", "That's going to take more time than I have", 'That's way beyond what I'm capable of, "

Excuse me here, beyond what WHO is capable of?... It's not US He's asking to do something. He wants to do something THROUGH us, and because of our humbleness HIS greatness will be revealed!!! He is a genius! He's asking us to be His willing vessels so that HE may do those magnificent things and still reveal that HE is among us! So who do we think we are?

Have we robbed Him of HIS thunder & power when we toss something we've felt called to do aside? Have we prevented HIM from showing Himself to a world that needs Him? Have we accidentally kept more people from coming to Him because we haven't allowed Him to do what He wants to do? When did we start thinking it was us that did anything anyway? Have we forgotten that we can do ALL things through Him that strengthens us? Have we forgotten how to be His vessels and let Him do the impossible? Have we put Him in a box?

A: I MUST remember, I must FORCE myself to remember that nothing is too big or too small for my God! If I feel called to do something, then God has simply chosen me to be His vessel. So who am I to think it can't be done, when I won't be the one making the "magic" happen in the first place. Yes I need to be willing, and go forth in His will, but the greatness, Oh the greatness of that is ALL HIM!! Am I going to give up an opportunity to let God do something because I didn't think I was good enough to be the one to do it? Who IS good enough, for that matter, for we all fall short. How sad to think I may be a culprit for having prevented HIM from revealing Himself in His Glory somehow. How sad, indeed...

P: Lord God,
Forgive me when I doubt. Forgive me when in doubting myself, I've ultimately doubted You. How can I say I truly believe You capable of anything, when I won't let You show me!? Forgive my fear, and help me let You lead me. Help my heart be courageous enough to be Your vessel when You call, and help my Faith to remember that it is YOU and not my own knowledge that will put me where You want me.

How honored I am that You would also pick me - someone of little consequence to the world, and love me enough to want me to be Your vessel. How awesome, that You can take someone of little consequence, and make something Glorious happen! What genius to pick the lowly that Your light and Glory may be revealed and that no one could possibly think that Your humble servant could have done it without You! I love You and I hope to one day hear You say, "Well Done"...

In Jesus Name,

Amen

Who am I, that the Lord of all the Earth...
Would care to know my name, would care to feel my hurt...

Not because of who I am,
but because of what YOU'VE done,
Not because of what I've done,
But because of WHO YOU ARE!!!!!