the weight of disbelief

S - Bel bows down; Nebo stoops; their idols are on beasts and livestock; these things you carry are borne as burdens on weary beasts. They stoop; they bow down together; they cannot save the burden, but themselves go into captivity.

Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all the remnant of the house of Israel, who have been borne by me from before your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. - Isaiah 46:1-4 ESV

I am, and there is no one besides me... - Isaiah 47:8, 10 ESV

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea; your offspring would have been like the sand, and your descendants like its grains; their name would never be cut off or destroyed from before me." - Isaiah 48:17-19

O - Deceived in their thinking the Israelites weighed themselves down with their false beliefs about what would provide for and save them. As they journeyed through the desert their trip was made harder with the weight of their idols. Practically their journey to exile could have been easier if they had cast aside their wrong beliefs. More practically, God has provided for them in the desert before. Not only would their loads be lighter, but there would be the water and food they needed. They were not alone. God was waiting for them to turn to him and profit from the richness of life he offered them in every aspect of their lives, though they would find themselves in exile in Babylon.

A - How am I deceived in my thinking? What am I counting on to provide for and protect me that actually is a burden? How am I buying into the belief that "I am, and there is no one beside me"?

P - Lord, as I start this day I feel the weight of things that are out of my control or a result of my lack of "expertise." They directly affect how my family is provided for. Am I in anyway believing that it is me, and me alone, who will provide for and save my family?

I think practically speaking it seems that way to me at times. I am tempted to live as if you do not work on the practical. But I remember. I remember how you led Abraham through the desert. I remember how you kept shoes from falling apart on the way from Egypt. I remember how you protected Nehemiah. I remember how your angels tended to Jesus. I remember how money arrived in the mailbox. I remember how you have been there every step of this last year.

Ask the next question, right? What would you want to say to me today...

Pay attention to my commandments
Your peace is like a river
Your righteouness is like a wave
Your children will always be before me

SOAP: simple sincerity

S - For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you... For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. — 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2:17 (ESV)

O - Paul continues to argue for the purity of his gospel in how he lived and preached it. Paul lived this way because he knew who gave him life, who had sent him, and who was watching.

A - I love how Paul talks about himself. He has a humility and confidence that seems completely foreign to how I feel about myself. I hope that I can speak with a simple sincerity that is powerful argument for the reliability of the gospel.

P - Lord, help me speak honestly, simply, and graciously. Gently remind me of your salvation, calling, and presence in my life.

SOAP: children of promise

S - Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe... So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. — Galatians 3:21-22; 4:31 (ESV)

O - The OT is about grace and faith. How did I miss this before? It was always about God's promise to offer a gracious sacrifice for the penalty of sin that we could never pay. It was about graciously giving life to those who believed God. God never wanted people enslaved to performance and ritual. He wanted to help people be humble, contrite, and faithful.

A - There is a lot of thinking that needs to be changed. I realize, though saying the "right" words (perhaps) about the OT, that I have totally missed it. This is such good news. We are not children of the law, but children of the promise. This motivates me in new ways... I'm not totally sure how, but the day is brighter because of God and his Word.

P - God, I'm sorry for how I missed it. You've been about the same stuff. The gospel has been the same all along. Your grace has been the same all along. I'm just trusting you to be you. Thank you for your promises. Thank you that I can be a child of those promises. I want to help others see you for who you actually are.

SOAP: grace & truth

S - To them we did not yield in submission even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you... for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles. — Galatians 2:5, 8 (ESV)

O - Preserve the gospel from those who would add to it. God works through different people in different ways to accomplish his gospel purposes. Paul confronted Peter for his "floppy" living of the gospel, but then also affirms Peter's call to advance the gospel.

A - There is a careful balance here... if balance is the right word. Preserve the gospel, but don't wreck other people's calling from God. This is a pretty cool reminder. It fits right in with the grace that Galatians is all about.

P - Lord, thanks for teaching me in such a timely way. I need to hear about your grace. I need it. I need to offer it to others. I also need to hear about how important your gospel is. It's good news. It's something in particular and we can't make it whatever we want it to be. I need you grace and truth. Help me live it solidly.

SOAP: get out!

S - And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs. — Mark 16:20 (ESV)

O - This is the natural response to the gospel: To go out and share. Jesus works with his disciples even after he has gone in confirming the message of the good news of God's goodness.

A - Dang. Jesus is so good. I want people to know. I'm excited about a renewed passion for my neighbors... maybe a first passion. They are cool people. God loves them and wants no one to perish. I am excited about falling more in love with God and seeing the natural response being an increased sharing of his goodness with whoever I come across.

P - Lord, this is what I want and fear. Help me gain a right perspective and not be responding out of a religious or guilty spirit. I want to grow in love, in the Spirit, and in boldness with the Gospel. May those who you have placed in my path not be able to say I shrank back from sharing the love and hope you have freely given me. I can't do this on my own. I'm gonna need you to work alongside me and confirm it. Help me to trust you to be faithful in this just as you have been faithful in so many of your other promises.

SOAP: word & power

S - Jesus said to them, "Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?" — Mark 12:24 (ESV)

O - The Sadducees were trying to trick and catch Jesus. They ask a tricky question about marriage and the resurrection. It sounds like they are saying, "Jesus, I would believe you, IF you can explain..." Jesus points out the real problem they face is not their question, but that they don't know God. They don't know him through his revelation or his power, so any question will only be handled from their limited perspective and not really reach them where they need it.

A - Isn't this how I, and so many others, keep God at a distance. "Okay God, I will believe in/trust you, IF you can explain or show me..." We need our questions about life, justice, goodness, etc. answered. We want it to fit in our view. However, the answer is knowing God, the Creator of it all. God doesn't fit in any of our nice little views. The reality of God means I'm going to have to change. So we ignore what God offers us, Himself, through his word and his power.

P - Lord, help me know you more. Your word. Your power. I am so use to viewing the world through my "little view." That view has been blown up. I don't want to look to anything, or anyone else, but you for purpose, order, and value. I don't want to put you in a box and miss out on any of you. Thank you for your church and the way they invite me to know more of you.

SOAP: salt & peace

S - Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another. — Mark 9:50 (ESV)

O - The disciples were taken aback by someone else using Jesus' name. He wasn't 'in' with the group. Jesus takes this opportunity to teach the disciples that those who use his name are not 'out' like they think. He then compares them to little children and warns that the disciples should not hinder them from growing in faith. Instead he exhorts them to be salt towards them... Preserving what is good, flavoring with true life, & remembering God's faithfulness. He exhorts them to be at peace towards them.

A - As I think about my struggles with 'church' and 'Christians' this is a good reminder. Those who profess Christ in word and deed are 'with me.' We are to work for peace, a deep sense of well being, between one another. And we are to preserve each others' holiness, remind one another of God's faithfulness, and spice up each others' life with the gospel.

P - Lord, help me not to slip into an 'us and them' mentality. Give me a generous spirit towards those who profess your name. Allowing them to be salt in my life and seeking peace together under your gracious reign.

S2 - Jesus said to him,“If you can! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” — Mark 9:23-24 (ESV)

P2 - All things are possible. I don't live this way. May the cry of my heart be, "I believe Lord! Help my unbelief!"

SOAP: leaving behind the things of men

S - And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said,“Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” — Mark 8:32-33 (ESV)

O - Jesus spoke plainly to those who recognized him as God's promised rescuer and ruler. Even then, they did not see clearly what God was up to. They still thought in human terms about 'the good life' and 'how to get it.' The sacrifice and loss of life was unthinkable, ungodly, in their perspective. But completely necessary for their salvation. If they clung to the 'things of man' they would end up REALLY dead. But, if they willfully and deliberately died to the things of man they would REALLY live.

A - What would I have sought to rebuke Jesus about? "Surely not this my Lord!" "You've got it all wrong Jesus!" "This isn't how its suppossed to be!" How am I saying that to him now?

P - Lord you have bigger purposes than I have in mind. You are, and know, the way to life. You help us with each step of our healing and growth. You guard us from totally derailing your purposes. Help me submit to you and your way. I want to learn from you how to steward my life and leave behind the thinking and things of men.

SOAP: deliberate belief

S - While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue,“Do not fear, only believe." — Mark 5:35-36 (ESV)

O - In the eyes of the people Jairus' situation was 'over.' There wasn't anything Jesus/God could do. Best to not bother him with something so final. Yet, Jesus is bigger than death. From the perspective of God the finality of death is just sleep. Jesus invites Jairus and his disciples to have this heavenly perspective, believing God is not finished when things are way beyond us and our finite expectations.

I also notice how everything in Mark happens 'immediately.' I notice that this happens 'with haste' with Herod's daughter (Mark 6:25). There is something deliberate about Jesus and the Spirit. Including 'leisure,' 'solitude,' eating and 'prayer' (Mark 6:31, 46) There is something rushed, hurried, and foolish about earthly 'kings.' Rushing leads you to decisions and actions you never wanted or believed you would choose. Deliberately living leads to health, compassion, action, concern for others, and a single-mindedness about God's purposes.

A - Perhaps this is a season of "sleep." A time to learn this kind of deliberate living. Deliberate belief that it is God's good pleasure to give us the kingdom (a heavenly reality) in the midst of our circumstances (an earthly perspective). When Jesus leads the disciples into rest (6:31) the word "leisure" can also mean "convenient time." It seems this is a "convenient time" to learn about deliberate belief.

P - Lord, its impossible to ignore how this speaks to my desperation this morning. Bills. Work. Purpose. Health. Life. These things seem to be in a... 'dead' kind of place (not actually dead, but not moving from an earthly perspective). Yet, the sense that I get is that this is a season of "sleep." What would you like to say to about this:

Do not be afraid. Just believe. Believe the promises of your Heavenly Father. He knows what you need and it is his pleasure to give you the kingdom.

SOAP: loving obedience

S - "but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful"... And he said to them,“Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you"... And he said,“The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how." — Mark 4:19, 24, 26-27 (ESV)

O - Jesus is framing the Kingdom of God for his new apostles. He speaks to how hearts respond to the good news. He speaks to being attentive to the word. He speaks to the work of spreading the word. There will be a number of obstacles to the fruit of the gospel, your heart is central to them. You cares and affections matter. Pay attention to your receptivity to the word. For this will help you notice whether your cares & affections are for God and his Kingdom. Spread the word faithfully, harvest when its time, and do not get caught up in the rest of the process, this is the Lord's work.

A - I'm nervous about things... Mostly money I guess. Maybe also how others perceive my life. My response to money is to ignore it. My response to others' opinions is to fret about it. I hear a call back to being anxious about God's will. Yet, also a reminder about the grace of God's work in my life. He freely has given, and I can freely obey. This frees me from anxiously obeying God in order to get something I am desiring (or anxious about). Obedience was not why God loved me or freely gave me grace. He loves me as a Beloved Son. I respond with loving obedience to a gracious and good Dad who cares for me well.

P - Lord, thank you for changing my cares and affections so I can lovingly respond in obedience. Keep up the good work. Help me not get caught up in the deceit that money will make my life okay and its all I am missing. I know I have plenty with you as my Father. So thanks for loving me Dad and taking care of me along the way.

SOAP: man of the word

S - Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. — Acts 27:11 (ESV)

Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new. — Acts 17:21 (ESV)

O - Bereans and Athenians. These people had different ways of shaping their worldview. Bereans were shaped by daily study of the Scriptures. Athenians were shaped by seeking out what was 'new.'

A - I am struck by the way that I, and other Christians, can be so easily swayed by the 'new' ideas about Christianity and how to read the Bible without actually studying the Bible. This week I have been lax in studying the Bible daily. I have scanned daily reading, but rarely reflected deeply or returned to what God was saying. I want to be a man marked by an eagerness to study the Bible to see if 'these things were so.'

P - Lord, forgive me for treating your word lightly this week. I'm thankful for the multiple opportunities to study the Bible with people each week. Increase my eagerness for your word. Help me return to your word to shape me and my view of the world.

SOAP: immediate adaptability

S - And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. — Acts 16:10 (ESV)

O - Immediately. The early church seems so quick to adapt to what God is calling them to. Even when there are 'religious' people who aren't quite ready for the change. The Spirit opens a door, closes a door, blocks a door, leads in a different direction...

A - I sense your call to move quickly... But I don't feel I yet have a team like Paul's where they all reach the same conclusions about where the Spirit is leading. Pray for your team, they are more ready than you know.

P - Lord grant me/us visions that unite us in the same calling. That lead to the growth of your church where others are added to you.

SOAP: bigger grace

S - When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. — Acts 11:23-24 (ESV)

O - Barnabas, as a man of the Spirit, enjoyed the grace of God that went further than anyone expected or was comfortable with. Was it because of this unexpected turn that Barnabas specifically reminded them to be steadfastly faithful? Because of God's grace, and Barnabas' encouragement, a great number of people were added to God. Added to the Lord... As if adding was not adding to the 'church' for its sake, but adding to the Lord for his sake.

A - God's grace is bigger than I expected. More are able to be added to the Lord than I ever thought. And they are added not to a plan, organization, etc... But to the Lord. Even Gentiles, those who are 'surely' out

P - Blow up my vision of you, your grace, and your church.

SOAP: be ready

S - You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. — Acts 7:51 (ESV)

O - There is a pattern of resistance against the Spirit. But in contrast Stephen is a man of the Spirit. Who knows how he is marked as such before he is appointed a Deacon. Afterwards he shares the gospel in word and deed. Outside his 'job description' with the widows. The Spirit works outside our expectations and structures.

A - Lord what do you want me to learn from this?
Be ready in season and out of season for the Spirit to move. I have more in store than any plan, vision, or structure than you can think of.

P - Help me be ready Jesus. Thank you for your patience with me.

SOAP: kingdom rewards

S - And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life." — Luke 18:29-30 (ESV)

O - Entry into the Kingdom of God will cost all that you once held dear. The disciples rightly wonder, "Then who can really be saved?" But what is impossible for men is possible for God. He will work in our lives to remove all our idols.

A - Following Christ is costly. It means giving up all I once held dear...

P - Lord help me know that you are a treasure of far greater worth than anything else that I once looked to for security, purpose, status, or comfort.

SOAP: kingdom duty

S - So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'" — Luke 17:10 (ESV)

O - Jesus challenges the love of money, religious performance, and warns of how our lives extend into eternity (resulting in the kind of eternal life which our earthly life naturally leads to). He then turns to his disciples to warn them on temptation, encourage their faith, and foster their humility. The Pharisees loved money and performance. This life led to destruction, and they took many with them. Jesus wants the disciples to acknowledge their tendencies to do the same, and cultivate faith, humility, and obedience. Anything they achieve... money, success, accolades... is simply the product of an unworthy servant following his Master. Besides, how many servants do you know with any amount of money, success, or accolades?

A - I am so tempted by religion, status, accolades, and money right now. It seems like the end of money and healthcare are upon us right now. I am uncomfortable on the "sidelines." I press to be involved. I need to learn the place of a servant. One who loves his Master and his duty in the Master's house. A good Master will care for his servant. Giving him all he needs to be faithful to the Master's will.

P - Lord, grant me faithful duty. Discipline my heart to treasure you, my good Master, above any other praise or rewards. Help me see my unworthiness, the effectiveness and glory of your Son, and graciously bless others as you have blessed me. I renounce the praise of this world and man, and choose to "do what was my duty."

SOAP: kingdom stewardship

S - If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? — Luke 16:11 (ESV)

O - Jesus is crazy. He uses crazy extremes such extremes when leading towards what is good. What do you really want to be good with? Money? Kingdom riches? Start small, but never settle for something that isn't actually that good. Our complete frame of reference needs to be different in the Kingdom. Stewardship in the Kingdom is not about temporal things. There are far greater things in the Kingdom.

A - I am starting small. Its good to start. Its good to be faithful. But I need to not lose focus of the Kingdom goods.

P - Help me Lord. Money. Stuff. These comforts are tempting, and it would be easy to feel good if they were "worked" out. I want to be about bigger things. Help me see bigger things. Help me learn to be faithful in these smaller things. Whatever you give me beyond that, its up to you.

SOAP: eating humility

S - But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. — Luke 14:10-11 (ESV)

O - Jesus has such practical advice for our relationships and souls. He guards us well from foolish behavior as well as an arrogantly corrupt soul. Here is an invitation to the freedom of humility.

A - I am far to envious. Pushing. Wanting. My Shepherd invites me to lay it down. Enjoy the feast he has prepared for me.

P - Thank you Lord for this invitation to humility. Help me take a seat at the end of the table. I'm grateful that you take care of me.

SOAP: strong hands

S - Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Let your hands be strong... that the temple might be built... Fear not, but let your hands be strong... These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the LORD... The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, 'Let us go at once to entreat the favor of the LORD and to seek the LORD of hosts; I myself am going.' — Zechariah 8:9, 13, 16-17, 21 (ESV)

O - God speaks plainly to his people through Zechariah, "Listen, I'm not asking for anything new. The new thing is that you will do it."

A - I wonder how much this decision really falls to the next generation. We only see and act as a dim reflection of the beauty and light of our God and His Kingdom. The next generation can be discouraged by the previous generation's "dimness," or they can learn and set their hands to the work for their resplendent King.

P - Lord, let my hands be strong. Let me not fear. Oh that truth would be on my lips, wisdom in my mind, and grace in my heart. May your name be honored in the city, and may many come searching for you because of your people.

SOAP: treasuring God

S - For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing... If then you are not able to do as small a thing as (adding an hour to your life), why are you anxious about the rest... your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom... For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. — Luke 12: 23, 26, 30-32, 34 (ESV)

O - Life is more than food. Physical. Desire. Feeling. Needs. Getting. Satisfaction. Comfort.

The body is more than clothing. Stuff. Status. Job. Hiding. Covering. Looking good. Having it "together."

A - I cannot "add" to my life. Why then think that food or clothing, desire fulfilled or status, comfort or having it all together will do that? God knows what I need. It delights Him to provide for me. It delights Him to give His children all they need. It delights Him to welcome us into all the grandness of life he actually has to offer!

P - Lord, I'm not worrying about food and clothing. I'm worried about treasuring you and your kingdom. Help me bring others along.

FAITH ACCOUNT: To treasure God and His Kingdom above all things. Considering Luke 12:13-57. (this is for the high school small group I am a part of, we each are writing down the relationship we think God is calling us to have with Him)