SOAP: a call to rebuild

S - O people of Israel, these prophets of yours are like jackals digging in the ruins. They have done nothing to repair the breaks in the walls around the nation. They have not helped it to stand firm in battle on the day of the Lord... You bring shame on me among my people for a few handfuls of barley or a piece of bread. By lying to my people who love to listen to lies, you kill those who should not die, and you promise life to those who should not live... You have discouraged the righteous with your lies, but I didn’t want them to be sad. And you have encouraged the wicked by promising them life, even though they continue in their sins. — Ezekiel 13:4-5, 19, 22 (NLT)

O - The religious leaders were digging in the ruins of Jerusalem to make sure they had what they "needed." They weren't helping make things as God wanted them to be for the sake of everyone. This is a rebuke of selfish leadership, and a reminder of the active servant leadership God desires. Their selfishness is the evidence of the origin of their message and leadership. God's message and leadership rebuilds for the sake of others. It comforts the righteous and discomforts the wicked. Godly leaders get in the fray on behalf of God and others and stand firm.

A - I am reminded that God is calling me to lead and shepherd my family first, then his people.

P - How does this apply to leading my family Jesus?

digging in the ruins for what you want, or rebuilding the walls for others

What are the "walls" of our family that need rebuilding?

Prayer, Service, Community, Outreach

Thank you for teaching me how to pray for my family in your authority. Thank you for stirring my heart to serve them. Help me listen to my kids. Help me be present to Rebecca. Thank you for moving us toward gospel centered community. Help us know what steps to take. How to fight for it. How to preserve it. How to keep going when its awkward, hard, or distasteful. Thank you for stirring my heart more and more for others. Help my unbelief that I can assure them of your offer of life, lasting and full life, today. Keep me from the temptation of rebuilding (or building) other walls before taking care of my family. You are a gracious God to offer us this time. May you be honored with it.

SOAP: valley of death within me

S - ...For what God has said applies to everyone— it will not be changed! Not one person whose life is twisted by sin will ever recover. — Ezekiel 7:13 (NLT)

O - The end of Israel, as they know it, is here. Famine, plague, and war. And the religious and rich will make the most of it thinking they are some how exempt. But God's judgement and discipline will miss no one. No matter how good people make it look, they are a crooked mess. No one can escape the reality of their depravity.

A - I am feeling good about this coming week. Flush with God's provision. I am comfortable. Sure that I am exempt from anything traumatic this week... yet I hear you say:

S2 - I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. — Revelation 3:19 (NLT)

O2 - Laodecia has gotten comfortable. They are no longer useful because they don't see things as they really are. Their material needs are met and they feel on top of the world. It seems they have arrived... But Jesus says he is not done with them. Where it counts, they are lacking and in need. They need to trade what they are trusting in for their security, provision, and identity for more of Jesus and His Kingdom.

A2 - There is a choice before me... slip into the comfort of provision, or continue to diligently seek Jesus and His Kingdom. Money can be a false provision when my greedy heart is the problem. Religion can be a false security when my addiction to control is the problem. Being busy can be a false identity when I am driven by a need for pleasure. On the outside this week could look pretty good... but Jesus is inviting me to listen to him. Open myself to him. Let him be the friend and leader I need him to be.

P - Lord I celebrate your provision! We have another month to pursue you and your Kingdom in a new way! Thank you for being with me in the valley of death on the outside (jobless, infected, in pain, shingles, more pain, 103 degree temperature, etc)... now I invite you to be with me and go through the valley of death within me (greed, lust, covetousness, selfish ambition, vain conceit, etc). Let's not stop now Jesus. I don't want to be comfortable with less than the fullness of you and your Kingdom in my life.

SOAP: elements for life

S - Revelation 2, read it here. (NLT)

O - Formulas for life (?)...
to Hard Work and Patient Endurance + Love = Good Fruit (Life)
in Suffering and Poverty + Faithfulness = Protection (Life)
to Loyalty and Faithfulness + Truth = New Food and New Name (Life)
to constant improvement of Love, Faith, Service, and Patient Endurance + Hold On Tight! = Authority (Life)

These are Jesus' words to the first four churches in Revelation. One who reads these to the churches and obeys them is blessed...

The church has been underway for awhile. Things have seemingly settled down and church is getting familiar. There are a lot of churches doing "good." Jesus says there is more to life than what they're experiencing. He honestly assesses each church where they are at. "Look," he says, "I see what makes you feel good about yourselves, and they ARE good. But that's not ALL I had planned for you. And look, you've got some blind spots. Let's take a look at things together..."

Is it any wonder what these churches are missing is LOVE, FAITH, and TRUTH. They perform well, suffer well, and hunker down together well... but Jesus wants more love, faith, and truth.

One church gets "off." They are constantly improving in these things, but Jesus clearly seems to think it would be VERY easy for them to get distracted, let go, or give up.

A - How have I settled? What do I think is "good" enough? This is not the perfectionist addict talking, this is the servant of Jesus. The one who wants all of the rich and satisfying life Jesus has to offer. The one who wants to see harvests of fruit. Wants to be filled with joy because of God's protection. Wants to feast on the things of God and know him in personal and secretive ways. He is calling me to love, faith (confidence), and truth.

P - Lord, this is going to take time. It's not a "get-r-done" today kind of thing. This is going to take careful, thoughtful, and deliberate action. I need you to secure my each step. I need you to confirm each person. I need you to shape each plan. I want all the life you have to offer.

SOAP: our forgotten home

S - “In those coming days,” says the Lord, “the people of Israel will return home together with the people of Judah. They will come weeping and seeking the Lord their God. They will ask the way to Jerusalem and will start back home again. They will bind themselves to the Lord with an eternal covenant that will never be forgotten." — Jeremiah 50:4-5 (NLT)

Sometimes a verse stands out, but it is confusing, repulsive, or I just don't want to focus on it. Today this was the case. So hear was my prayer after writing down these verses:

Lord I felt these verses were for me, but I wanted to leave them... I like the idea of returning home... but maybe one can't go "home" like I am thinking about it... I don't like weeping, and feel tired about seeking... here is where I need strength...

O - God's people have been warned, afflicted, and exiled because of their unfaithfulness. Other powers (nations) have surpassed them. Defeated them. Infected (influenced) them. But God is awaiting their homecoming. When Babylon meets its inevitable end, God sees the return of His people. Their false religion and secular (without God) living will have been exposed and run its course. In the midst of their pain and sorrow they will no longer seek forms or man, but will turn to God. Weeping. Seeking. Coming. Lost, and needing direction to their forgotten home.

A - It's time to be done with false religion and secular living. Its time to weep over my lostness and ask the Lord for the way home.

P - Lord, show me the way. Thank you for your Kingdom come, your angels, your children, your saints already with you, and most of all for your perfect Son. They mark the straight path towards the life you have planned for me. They hem me in on both sides. They raise up hedges of protection around me and my family. They remind us of our forgotten home. Today we set out for home.

SOAP: a cry to rebuild

S - ...Let your compassion quickly meet our needs, for we are on the brink of despair. Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your name! Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of your name. — Psalm 79:8-9 (NLT)

O - Asaph is tired of the defeat, retreat, and destruction. He knows this isn't how its supposed to be. He knows its always been about God, but Israel made it about themselves. The collapse is expected and just. But now, after its all come down, Asaph is ready to rebuild in God's name. For his purpose and glory.

A - Things are not as they should be. In me. In San Jose. It is not unexpected that we're both where we're at. I'm tired of defeat, retreat, and destruction... I'm hungry for God's Kingdom to advance. It's time to cry out for rebuilding!

P - I have nothing Lord... the walls have collapsed on my self-filled selfish self righteousness... I'm ready to be rebuilt and rebuild in your name. But it won't work without you. You're gonna have to be yourself... Gracious, Faithful, Truthful, Holy, Strong. It'll mean nothing without you. I'll mess up, and need your prophets to confront me. I'll need to be filled with your strength. I'll need to become less and less, so you can be more and more.

the prayer of a beloved son

My Father, who is all around me,
may you get all the credit and glory you deserve.
May your Reign come in me and in my home.
May your Way be done in my life and in my town,
as its done all around you.
Help me be satisfied with what you know I need.
And forgive my wrongs,
as I forgive those who hurt me.
Don't let me give in to temptation,
but rescue me from the Enemy.
For you are my King, my strength, and my joy.
Amen.

SOAP: joy in the camp

S - ...I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord... I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord... I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord. My enemies did their best to kill me, but the Lord rescued me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!... The Lord has punished me severely, but he did not let me die. — Psalm 118:10, 11, 12, 13-15, 18 (NLT)

O - Yikes. Surrounded. Afflicted. Attacked. The Psalmists banks on the justice, power, and faithfulness of God. What else was there for him to count on?

Also, the Psalmist was an active part of the victory... "I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord." God's authority was given to the him in order to have victory.

There was much celebration in the camp. Everyone benefited from the victory. There are many songs to be sung of God's victory "with" His people.

A - Okay, so I'm surrounded by sickness. Afflicted with trial. I need to bank on God's justice, power, and faithfulness. I must partner with God, in His authority, to move towards victory. I'm counting on joy in the camp this weekend, as we are going camping.

P - Lord, thank you for surrounding me with people who have stories and songs of your faithfulness and power. Thank you for inviting me to take up your authority in my life, family, and dominion. May you get the credit and fame for all that you do for our family! We love you.

SOAP: shadows of pride

S - But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin... But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. — 1 John 1:7, 9 (NLT)

O - We can trust this, it comes straight from Jesus. God's light is revealing, powerful, humbling, and healing. The door into this light, into the loving Kingdom of God, is confession. Admitting and agreeing with God about our brokenness and deep need for him. Otherwise we will run from the piercing nature of his light, and hide in the shadows of pride.

A - I don't think God is going to let me get away with thinking I can do anything without Him. Here is an invitation to walk out of the shadows of pride and cry, "I need you!"

P - God, I have my plans for the day... but I've learned how futile those are. So, as I clean the playroom, pack for camping, meet with friends, pray for your direction and healing, have dinner with friends, and pursue Rebecca and the kids... I need you! When things don't go as planned... I need you! When I get full of myself and think I can do it on my own... I need you! When old habits and hurts crop up... I need you!

SOAP: authentic leadership

S - If they had stood before me and listened to me, they would have spoken my words, and they would have turned my people from their evil ways and deeds... You should keep asking each other, ‘What is the Lord’s answer?’ or ‘What is the Lord saying?’ But stop using this phrase, ‘prophecy from the Lord.’ For people are using it to give authority to their own ideas, turning upside down the words of our God, the living God, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. —Jeremiah 23:22, 35-36 (NLT)

O - How easy it is for "spiritual" leaders to be people pleasers and use God's name to validate their opinions. God challenges Israel's leaders to change their words, spend time with Him, and look at the results of their leadership.

"How have you used me to promote your agenda and comfort?"

"Is what you're saying coming from a relationship with me?"

"Are you just 'idea-swapping' with people?"

"Are people changed?"

"Do those who follow you naturally turn from sin?"

"Are you careful and thoughtful in submitting to my Word?"

"Does your leadership reflect a dependence on a living, good, and able God?"

A - These are hard questions... I'm fearful, sorry, and encouraged in response to them. In being exposed, I feel free.

P - Lord, I hear your warning to test my "ideas" about what you say. With Rebecca. With Spiritual Fathers. With those who listen to you.

SOAP: a restless camel

S - You say, ‘That’not true! I haven’t worshiped the images of Baal!’ But how can you say that? Go and look in any valley in the land! Face the awful sins you have done. You are like a restless female camel desperately searching for a mate. – Jeremiah 2:23 (NLT)

O - The Israelites claim they have not betrayed or abandoned God through empty religion, other gods, or other "lovers" (nations). They are adamant. God invites them to take a look at the truth. To examine the results of their life, choices, and relationships. They stand as evidence about what the Israelites truly care about, trust, and love.

A - There is an invitation to examen the "valleys" of my life. To see how things have settled and come out. To see what what I care about. To face what I trust. To confess what I love.

P - Lord, I can't ignore how life has turned out. I can see the ways I have cared about opinions, trusted in my strength, and loved the reward of money. Help me to have the confidence to rest in your leading and direction each moment and day.