Personal Morning Devotions: The SOAP method

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One great way of having a personalized morning devotional without a devotional book or email is the S.O.A.P. method. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer.

You may choose a verse or two as God leads or systematically work through a chapter or book of the Bible.

Below is an example:

Scripture:
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. - Romans 6:4-5 ESV

Observation:
If we are truly saved (united with Christ by baptism unto death), our salvation is certain.

Application:
I can rest in the promise of God knowing His word is sure. Faithful is He who calls me who will also do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Prayer:
Lord God, thank you that you have accomplished my salvation on the cross. Thank you for your forgiveness and your faithfulness. Help me rest in your promise, growing in you each day that I may increasingly walk in the newness of life. May my life show others your transforming power to your glory and praise. In Jesus name, Amen.

Baby Dedications

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It is such a wonderful moment when we see parents dedicating their newborn baby to the Lord isn't it? We have examples in Scripture of this. The most common one is probably when Hannah dedicated Samuel. She said,  "So I have also dedicated him to the LORD; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the LORD." 1 Samuel 1:28a NASB

But there is another example in the New Testament that we often overlook. That example is in Mary. Think about this:

• God gives her His own son that her body nurtures during the 9 months of pregnancy
• The bodily life of Jesus grows within her
• Mary gives birth to that physical life
• Mary dedicates that life back to God at the presentation:

Luke writes: And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THELORD”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.” - Luke 2:22-24 NASB

One cross reference is in Exodus: You shall devote to the LORD the first offspring of every womb - Exodus 13:12a NASB

We are following a very biblical pattern when we pray over our children and dedicate them to God. It is God that gifted our lives with them and it is to God we give all praise. Amen

What happens when we don't let go?

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For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV)

We are familiar with seasons in our lives. There is a season when we are single. Maybe there is a season we are married. There is a season we are young, there is a season we are old. 

We have seasons spiritually as well. Whether or not you have "an official ministry", God has appointed work for you to right now in this season. He has blessings for you right now in this season too.  After some time, God may change our "job assignment" and we must be faithful to that calling. Easier said then done sometimes isn't it? Our fingers have a natural tendency to have a tight grip on the blessings we are currently enjoying.

There are a few problems when we do that. One is this:
If we do not let go of the season we are in when the time comes, we will not be free to grasp what God has for us in the next season.

Lord Jesus, may we always follow you, no matter the cost. Thank you for our blessings past and thank you for our blessings future. Amen.

What does it mean to have the mind of Christ?

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians that we are to have the mind of Christ. What does that mean? We as Christians often focus much on the mind - that is, the intellect. It is important to study Scripture, to know doctrine, to have sound theology - but is that the only thing Paul means here?

Here is a little context:

For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:11-16 ESV)

We should strive to have correct doctrine, but most of us have met people who have correct doctrine and are mean as snakes. We should strive to memorize Scripture and hide God's word in our heart (Psalm 119:11). Still we meet people that have memorized much Scripture and yet live lives that do not seem to be transformed by the new birth. 

So, is intellectual knowledge all Paul means when he says that we should have the mind of Christ? It must mean more. Intellectual knowledge without biblical love is nothing. How can we say that?

Paul writes, "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:2 ESV) Love greatly affects the decisions we make doesn't it?

Without knowing the heart of Christ, can we really have His mind? To have the mind of Christ, we must know God's heart - God's character. Then we can make great strides to not only have an intellectual mind, but we can move one step closer to having the mind of our Saviour - that is, as many theologians put it, thinking God's thoughts after Him.

Lord, help us to have your mind and your heart so that all our actions glorify you and honor your holy name. Amen.

Longing for permanence

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For I am the LORD, I change not 
(Malachi 3:6)

We humans long for permanence in our lives. Have you noticed that? We want relationships to last forever. We don't want people to leave our lives. We grieve change when circumstances that have blessed us come to an end. 

Our longing for permanence is a fingerprint of God reminding us that  we were meant for eternity. Eternity: a place where we will always be with our first love. Eternity: a place where health never fails, a place where people never die. A place we don't have to leave.

Christian, when you are mourning an unwanted change in your life, let it point you to eternity. Let it point you to your Jesus who loves you with and everlasting love and changes not. 

Like Moses we can say, "Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations!" 
(Psalm 90:1 ESV)

Rocky Paths and Hard Decisions

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For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts. - Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV

Sometimes the path can get rocky. Often in my life God has called me to do things that were difficult, things I would not have volunteered for. Often, I don't understand God's timing. What I do understand is that God is faithful and He always moves on PST (Perfect Standard Time)!

No matter what we go through, here are some things we can count on:

1. God always calls us to be holy. (1 Peter 1:15-16, Isaiah 56:1)
2. God always acts in justice and righteousness. (Psalm 89:14)
3. All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)
4. If God does call you to walk on a stony path: "Faithful is He who calls you who will also do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:24)

Finale! Worship in Revelation: An Antidote to PTSD* (*Prophecy, Timeline & Symbols Distraction) Part 7

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Today is our last song of praise before the marriage supper of the Lamb and will end our series of worship in Revelation.

And from the throne came a voice saying,

“Praise our God,
    all you his servants,
you who fear him,
    small and great.” Revelation 19:5 (ESV)

It is fitting that again we find a song of praise. This typifies all the songs of worship in Heaven. Each song praises God for His attributes and/or His actions.

Not only did we get to see worship in it's purest form, but we now have a pattern that shows us how to praise our Lord.

He is truly worthy of praise! 

Lord through all things, help us focus on what you have done and who you are. May we praise you in your glory and your majesty. We praise you for your justice. We praise you for your holiness. We praise you for you goodness. We praise you for your faithfulness. We praise you for your mercy. We praise you because you are our Creator, worthy of all honor and praise and glory and majesty forever and ever! In Jesus precious name, amen.