SOAP: a new reality

S. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. - Revelation 5:10 (TNIV)

O. Jesus offers us belonging, purpose, and authority. His blood did far more than simple forgiveness for those who receive it. He has brought us into a new reality.

A. What does my day look like if I live like Jesus' blood is only like forgiveness? Often it means a day a mistakes, weariness, weak prayers, passivity, distraction, and something like slow death. For real life is only "after we die." So we better "get busy dying."

What does my day look like if I live like Jesus' blood ushers me into a new reality? I "get busy living." I tend to be more focused, directed, relaxed, quiet, patient, prayerful, and powerful.

P. Jesus I am sorry for all the times I live in a way that treats your blood as if it were common. There is something beautifully powerful about your shed blood for me. It is the beginning of a new relationship and reality with you. I want to live out that reality in a way that will invite others to join me!

SOAP: how do you listen?

S. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Those who have will be given more; as for those who do not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them. - Luke 8:18 (TNIV)

O. How you listen to God and his word matters. Those who have cultivated the soil of their hearts will continue to be given more of God-given eternal life. Those who are hardened/satisfied, and do not do the work of the heart will find their life snatched away, withered, or choked out by circumstance.

A. How do I "trample" or dismiss God's word so that the Enemy is able to snatch away the seeds of life? How do I forget to nurture the word of God I am excited about so that it is not able to take root? How do I allow worry and immediate pleasures to become my focus instead of the word of God?

P. Jesus help me to listen with an attitude of hearing, retaining, and persevering.

SOAP: remember and obey

S. Then in the nations where they have been carried captive, those who escape will remember me—how I have been grieved by their adulterous hearts, which have turned away from me, and by their eyes, which have lusted after their idols. They will loathe themselves for the evil they have done and for all their detestable practices. - Ezekiel 6:9 (TNIV)

O. God longs for his people to remember him. He yearns for them to turn before everything gets as bad as it possibly can. In their comfortable lives they have neglected God. God invites Ezekiel to be uncomfortable (literally laying on one side 390 days, then flipping to the other for 40) in the midst of a comfortable nation. God invites Ezekiel to ration his food when he is surrounded by abundance. Ezekiel remembers and obeys.

A. Is my obedience a function of my ability to remember God? When surrounded by a culture of comfort and rights, will I literally lay down my comfort and rights to obey God? I hear Jesus inviting me to remember his faithfulness in order to prepare my heart to naturally obey him in difficult times.

P. God help me recall what you have done... You made the stars, You walked with us in the garden, You saved us from our violence, You called out a people to show us your goodness, You were faithful to them when they were unfaithful, You sent your Son, our Savior, our King, our Master, You sent your Spirit to inhabit your people, You left no one out, You have been refining your Bride (the Church), You chose for me to be born, You knew me before I was born, You gave me a family who sought to honor you, You gave me faith at a young age, You gave me godly examples of daily faith, You called me to serve, You gifted me to encourage, You saved me from my sin, You are changing my heart and my habits, You sent an earthquake, You healed Rebecca, You showed me the helmet of salvation, You have spoken prophetically, You are leading me through the valley of death in my heart, You have blessed me with children, You have been faithful to bless me in my work, and the journey goes on into eternity... Lord, help me obey.

SOAP: come get away

S. The hand of the LORD was on me there, and he said to me, "Get up and go out to the plain, and there I will speak to you." - Ezekiel 3:22 (TNIV)

O. Getting away from the distractions of everyday life will help me hear God.

A. I want to begin each day with some time apart from distractions to listen to God through his word and prayer.

P. Jesus, thank you for inviting me to get away with you. Help me form the discipline to "get away."

PS. Did this SOAP teaching some Childrens Workers what they can do with their classes. Was amazed that we only read Ez. 3:22-23, and we all met Jesus in a very personal way. Renewed my hope in God's Word not returning void.

as kingfishers catch fire

As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame;
As tumbled over rim in roundy wells
Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell’s
Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name;
Each mortal thing does one thing and the same:
Deals out that being indoors each one dwells;
Selves—goes itself; myself it speaks and spells,
Crying What I do is me: for that I came.

I say more: the just man justices;
Keeps grace: that keeps all his goings grace;
Acts in God’s eye what in God’s eye he is—
Christ—for Christ plays in ten thousand places,
Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his
To the Father through the features of men’s faces.

- Gerard Manley Hopkins

SOAP: desperate need

S. Do not hold against us the sins of past generations; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need. Help us, God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake. Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants. - Psalm 79:8-10 (TNIV)

O. The burden of the mistakes of past generations fall on Asaph's shoulders. He longs for God to lift the burden, forgive his people, and restore the glory of God's name.

A. Out nation, culture, and Church are in dire straights. It's our fault. We marveled in ourselves and our accomplishments. I am convinced it's just the beginning.

P. How I long to be free of what seems to be a long history of giving you lip service! May your mercy come quick! Don't wait Jesus. Your people and your Church bear your name. How long, O Lord, will we be caught in a fog of selfishness and indulgence! Help me Jesus, I desperately need you!

PS. My first prayer was very self-centered. It's cool how writing out your prayers helps you see who you really are, and then how God is changing you.

first day of school

Today was Ashlyn's first day of school. Ever.

An amazing moment.

It was awesome to take her into class. Sit with her while she did her first activity. Then watch her from behind one-way glass.

An emotional time to be sure. And, yes, we are the parents you come bearing a camera.

I'm kind of speechless about it... so I just like looking at this picture.

I was watching through the one-way glass from behind her at this moment. I won't forget it.

SOAP: my friend dave

S. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Rescue me from my enemies, LORD, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For your name's sake, LORD, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble. - Psalm 143:8-10 (TNIV)

O. O how good it is to remember what the Lord has done! He has lifted me up. Placed my feet on solid ground. He has set hope in my heart and led me in the way of peace.

There is something about the poetic words of David's heart that can lift my spirit up from weariness, depression, and defeat. I find the the heart of David so appealing. It feels sometimes he could be a good friend. He continually speaks what is on his heart, but turns our attention to God and his goodness. Thanks Dave!

A. I want to be a friend, husband, and person of honesty and encouragement.

P. Inspire me to write poetry again Jesus. Fill me with the delight of your name and glory. Help me be a friend like Dave.

the soul of leadership

O God of such truth as sweeps away all lies,
    of such grace as shrivels all excuses,
come now to find us
    for we have lost our selves
        in a shuffle of disguises
            and the rattle of empty words.

Lord your Spirit move mercifully
    to recreate us from
        the chaos of our lives.

We have been careless
    of our days,
        our loves,
            our gifts,
                our chances. . . .

Our prayer is to change, O God,
    not out of despair of self
        but for love of you,
            and for the selves we long to become
                before we simply waste away.

Let your mercy move in and through us now. . . .

Amen.

- Ruth Haley Barton

SOAP: resting place

S. My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place. - Jeremiah 50:6 (TNIV)

O. Why are the people lost? They have been led away from their resting place. Did the shepherds reject the goodness of a place of rest? Or, did they not know what they really needed?

A. A timely message as I have picked up Strengthening The Soul of Leadership. Do I have a resting in God? Do I lead from this place? Is the natural result of following me to find rest?

P. Jesus, I want to find rest in you. I want to lead from the love, peace, security, and hope that you offer. Not out of the insecure, rocky, fearful part of my flesh. Teach me to be dependent upon you. I struggle to be consistent with you. I am struggling in this 21 day personal revival. I will struggle to finish this new book. But I sense in both that you want to speak, teach, and lead me. Be my resting place Jesus.

SOAP: give me jesus

S. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. - 1 John 5:11-12 (TNIV)

O. What can we bank on? God's promise. Eternal life. The world may be under the control of the Evil One, but Jesus has overcome. And through our faith he is making us overcomers.

A. I want all of Jesus today.

P. Lord Jesus, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

SOAP: seek life

S. Should you then seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the LORD, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life. - Jeremiah 45:5 (TNIV)

O. Baruch wants to find rest and take root. Following God has worn him out. God reminds him that the world is not as it should be. There is a call to not get comfortable or invest too much in the things of this world for its all going to end (kingdoms, governments, people groups, cities, homes, farms, the very mountains and trees). God's promise is that Baruch will live and escape the end of all things. "Don't get entangled with this world!"

A. How am I entangled? How am I seeking "great things" for myself? What did Baruch want? How did he get entangled? I want more press, more security, more praise, more ease, more pleasure . . . I hear Jesus calling me to seek life. Seek the things that will last. Seek first his kingdom!

P. Jesus purify my desires. Expose what I am seeking. Help me to really live!

SOAP: you don't even know me

S. In the ninth month of the fifth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, a time of fasting before the LORD was proclaimed for all the people in Jerusalem and those who had come from the towns of Judah. - Jeremiah 36:9 (TNIV)

O. So the people of God set aside some time to pray and fast and in the midst of this time God basically says you've all missed the point. You all have not been obeying me. You all don't even know me.

A. It's seriously troubling to me that as I begin a time of personal revival that God exposes the emptiness of religious acts. They can really be deceiving. You seem to be doing the right thing before God, but then you might be COMPLETELY missing the point. Time and time again God says in the OT that he wants people to "know that he is the LORD." I am reminded of Jeremiah 9:23-24 (TNIV): This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let those who boast boast about this: that they understand and know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth,for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

P. Jesus, help me not to trust in religious experience or discipline. Instead let me have more of you! Teach me to decrease that you may increase. Teach me what it means that I no longer live, but its you who lives in me. I don't need empty acts of devotion. I need you! I want to know you! Help me not to back away from you out of fear, but to approach your throne with boldness because of Jesus. I need the mercy and grace available there.

PS. I first read through today's reading and felt "nothing stood out." As I sat down to write about this experience I realized I had highlighted some verses. It was a blessing to go back and re-read those verses, because God wanted to speak to me through Jer. 36:9. How easily I walk away from the Word of God thinking I have not heard from the Lord. Let me encourage you with this: As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion." - Hebrews 3:15 (TNIV)

SOAP: the word of god, the word of men

S. Let the prophets who have dreams tell their dreams, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully . . . "Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? . . . "Therefore," declares the LORD, "I am against the prophets who steal from one another words supposedly from me . . . But you must not mention 'a message from the LORD' again, because everyone's own word becomes a message from God. So you distort the words of the living God, the LORD Almighty, our God. - Jeremiah 23:28, 29, 30, 36 (TNIV)

O. God has some harsh words for the prophets and priests. It has become their practice to marvel at each others dreams, words, and ideas. They go on repeating these dreams, words, and ideas to anyone who will listen. Clearly they had an audience. These were words the people welcomed and praised them for. God's words have a specific result; it is a fire and hammer to the stubborn hearts of people.

A. Jesus, how are my words? Am I speaking what you talk to me about? Or do I simply repeat the dreams, words, and ideas of others? It is certainly tempting to re-use the words of other pastors. They range from simple, wise, powerful, to unique. They certainly sound good and seem to be helpful. Even my own words sound pretty good from time to time. I want to speak your words and teach your Word. I hear Jesus asking me to "turn now, each of you" . . . in other words, follow through on the time of personal revival so that I would be certain where my strength, words, and actions come from.

P. Here we go Jesus. I want to make a renewed commitment to Prayer, Purity, and Purpose. Help me Jesus in my unbelief. Continue to correct and discipline me through your word.

SOAP: a call to personal revival

S. Therefore this is what the LORD says: "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them. I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you," declares the LORD. - Jeremiah 15:19-20 (TNIV)

O. In Jeremiah 15:15-18 we see Jeremiah's trust, devotion, delight, and frustration with God. He longs for God's presence and work in the midst of a religious system and nation that has turned its back on God. Verse 19 is the foundation of God's prescription for Jeremiah. Personal revival.

A. I have been confronted by three ideas lately. Prayer... through the difficulty of circumstances and the movement of prayer at CBC. Purpose... a consistent reminder about avoiding Pharisaical living. In other words, to love justice, mercy, and walk humbly with God. Purity... a call to holiness. I came across www.theburningheartcontract.com last night which summarized these things into those words. It also has a possible track for a 21 day personal revival. Then I read the verses above today about personal revival. I definitely hear Jesus calling me to a new season of life with him. I am worried about not being faithful for the 21 days, and whether, if I make it, it really makes a difference. I think I am going to start next Monday.

P. Jesus, thanks for speaking so clearly through people, circumstances, your Word, and your Spirit. I hear you calling me to restoration and revival. Thank you for the example of the students meeting in D.C. for prayer and fasting. Help me see clearly the things that may cause me to trip up in the next 25 days.

SOAP: my life is not my own

S. LORD, I know that people's lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps. Discipline me, LORD, but only in due measure— not in your anger, or you will reduce me to nothing. - Jeremiah 10:23-24 (TNIV)

O. Jeremiah is clear in his mind that his life is not his own. God is the expert on him and his life, so Jeremiah trusts him to direct his steps.

A. My life is not my own. It is not for me to set up my calendar. It is not for me to determine how I spend my money. It is not for me to set the agenda for a meeting. It is not for me to shape my relationships. It is for me to follow Jesus' lead!

P. Lord, no one likes discipline when going through it. But Lord I am confident that it will be good. And I want to learn how to have you direct my steps. So teach me, discipline me, and care for me.