SOAP: growing faith

S - 1 Samuel 17:37
The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.

O - Growing faith. As David walks with God his trust and faith grows. David is willing to trust God for more than what God has done in the past for him personally. He connects the victories in his life with the character and power of the God of Israel. His expectation is that God will act consistently with what He has done in the past for His people and what He has done in David's life.

A - How is my faith and trust in God growing? I am living beyond my bandwidth, but is that faith? Am I confident the areas beyond my ability will be picked up by God because they are consistent with his character and past work with His people?

P - Jesus give me strength. Sickness has made my body weak. Jesus give me clarity about what you want for your church and your people. I don't want to be afraid of the impossible or working hard on things that you don't believe are most important. Teach me to love you and love the people I come across every day. I want to be wiling and ready to share the hope I have.

SOAP: the bear of sickness

S - Proverbs 18:14
The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

O - I have been real sick this week. This verse comes to mind when I lay here contemplating God. I was more familiar with the NIV translation, "A man's spirit sustains him in sickness..." I know my spirit endures, but my body is beat.

A - I am concerned that I have been distracted from where God wanted me to be (at the conference and with friends). But at the same time, it was like I went to the conference and only heard about what God wants to do within me. Sickness stopped my busyness. Sickness took me away from learning "new" things. I wondered about spiritual warfare . . . after prayer things stayed the same. I even conked out for 4+ hours of sleep. Perhaps I just need rest.

P - What do you have to say about this King Jesus?

greenhouse

Tomorrow begins an interesting experiment . . .

I am headed to a church planters conference. There's something that feels right about going. But as I have listened to some CD's of the speakers at the conference many of my "comforts" with the institutional church have been exposed. I like to "pretend" to have disdain for the institutional church, but I think these guys have called my bluff.

I was praying this morning about my "assignment" from God (see my SOAP from today). He said it's here in San Jose and around the world, to make disciples. Then I listen to these church planters and they are talking about REALLY making A LOT of disciples.

I was even challenged by God to confront a friend on his calling to make disciples/plant churches.

I think God has us right where he wants us.

This post is the first to be labelled "Church Planting." We'll see if there are more to come.

Oh yeah, I am pretty sure God has promised to break me in this process . . . I have been ignoring it for awhile. Pray I remain open to be broken again . . . You are already broken, I am just going to show you where you are broken so you can say "Yes!" to healing . . . crazy Jesus, breaking in on my blog post. = )

SOAP: sphere of service

S - 2 Corinthians 10:13, 18
We, however, will not boast beyond proper limits, but will confine our boasting to the sphere of service God himself has assigned to us, a sphere that also includes you . . . For it is not those who commend themselves who are approved, but those whom the Lord commends.

1 Samuel 10:7
Once these signs are fulfilled, do whatever your hand finds to do, for God is with you.

O - Paul is so sure of himself. It drives me nuts. He is clear that God has assigned him to a particular sphere of people, influence, and ministry. He doesn't try to grab on to anything that's not been given to him by God. What patience and assurance this kind of life must take.

Saul, the King, is free to do what pleases him after his encounters with God which change his heart. Such specific instruction, followed by an opened journey with God.

A - Sometimes I want specific directions from God. Sometimes I want to be free to pursue what I want. Perhaps the truth is that when I am sure of God's assignment for me I am free to pursue as my hand finds stuff to do?

P - What sphere have you assigned me?

San Jose and the World. Make disciples.

Lord I know I seek others' affirmation and approval. And I commend myself to others, often. Help me stop!

Are there signs to be fulfilled in my life before I am released to do what you have assigned for me to do?

Yes, they are all around . . .

That scares me.

(I ran away from God by closing my journal at this point.)

SOAP: contaminates of body and spirit

S - 1 Corinthians 7:1, 10
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God . . . Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

O - God's promises include being with us, being sovereign, calling us out of death into life, receiving us with open arms, and being a Father to us. Paul encourages us to look at what contaminates our body and spirit in light of these promises which assure us of God's good plan for us. Sorrow and grief over our sin and brokenness will be a part of life. The question is, what does it produce? Am I willing to let go of feelings that lead to death just as Paul asks us to do with thoughts that are not from the Spirit (Rom. 8:5-6).

A & P - Jesus, speak. Your servant wants to listen . . .

Look at the sorrow of these last months. Has it brought repentance and life, or death and despair?

Mostly death and despair.

You are captive by a spirit of sorrow which does not lead to life. It distracts you from putting aside your wicked ways, but draws you closer to the things that seem immediately satisfying. These are empty things which do not bring life, but only more worldly sorrow.


How can I begin to partner with you?

Cling to my promises. The beloved of the Lord rest secure! You are my beloved. I want the best for you. It grieves me to watch you be captive to the things that bring about death.

Jesus, what about these guys that preach if I don't hate my sin then I am not saved.

Does the sorrow you experience lead to repentance? Do you love shortcuts over the real thing?

No. They are just easier to come by.

Yes, then rest secure in me. I will take care of you. You can count on me to satisfy you. Your disappointments can draw you to reflect on how that area of your life was not resting secure on me. Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest for your souls.

Yes Lord. I want that kind of rest. What am I to do with these next moments of the day.

Enjoy my provision. Eat, drink, and be merry. Let my creation and its creativity minister to you. I will lead you through the rest of the day.

SOAP: the lost days

S - . . .

O - I get really bummed when I miss days of SOAP. My first feelings are ones of guilt and longing. I want to catch up on what has been happening to God's people (in this case some of the Judges). I want to be able to check off those chapters. I revisit this feeling often, but this time I noticed something else. A thought came to mind, "What if my longing for 'catching up' is more about missing God's Story with me than the chapters of the Bible?" I was stricken with grief. How much more significant is the time lost with God than the lost time of reading?

A - I want to uncover the deeper longings of my heart and not settle for the ones that are easy to see. Desire for religious activity. Desire to be listened to. Desire to be touched. Desire to be full. Desire to be comfortable. These mask the deeper longing of my heart to be dependent on God. He is the one I am longing for. The days are not lost. I am lost. I need Jesus. I hear Jesus saying, "seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you."

P - Thank you Jesus for exposing the truth behind my feelings when I am not satisfied with religious behavior, etc. Help me keep you in view today. Help me seek you when the feelings of longing for things and people rise to the surface. I love you for being so faithful, understanding, and caring.

SOAP: he raises the dead

S - 2 Corinthians 1:9
Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

O - Paul sees God's grace in the impossibility and pain of his circumstances. To be dependent on God is life, anything less is death. So hardship and challenge are welcome because they focus his heart on God.

A - The impossibility of turning families around is overwhelming. I know that all our skills and wisdom are not enough. I want that hope that Paul has to enter the pain of individuals, families, and groups. Knowing that God will comfort us, care for us, and change us.

P - Help me not to avoid the impossible and painful today. Instead, teach my heart to hope in your comfort and care. After all, if you can raise the dead, surly you can care for me and others in ANY circumstance.