LifePoints' Life Journaling

Do Your Best and Leave the Rest

2012-02-21T08:28:00.000-08:00

SCRIPTURE
Acts 28:24 “Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe.”

OBSERVATION
Who can articulate the gospel better than the apostle Paul? Who had better credentials to communicate it to Jews than Paul? Yet some were persuaded while others simply dug in their heels against it.

APPLICATION
We need to do our best to present our testimony and the message of the gospel, but realize that the choice to believe will still be made by the other person. We cannot force it to happen. Paul wrote that the gospel itself is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, (Romans 1:16) so it doesn't rely on any power inherent within ourselves to do its work. It is our job to sincerely and deliberately present the message in the grace of the Holy Spirit, and then know that some will believe and others will not. Some may even come to it later. It is in God's hands and theirs after we do our part.

PRAYER
Help me, Lord, to be faithful with my part of presenting the gospel to others. Let my life, my study, my prayer, and my earnest efforts be empowered by your Spirit, and may I rest in the knowledge that it ultimately is not by my might or power, but by your Spirit that the work of faith and salvation will be accomplished in some. Amen.

Keeping Cool in Hot Times

2012-02-20T21:37:00.000-08:00

SCRIPTURE
Acts 27:33-36, 44 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. …And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

OBSERVATION
Paul's words and actions demonstrated he trusted in what God had told him about their safety. It must have been amazing to the others who were not so cool about this life-threatening situation, and caused them to wonder what connections Paul had with the Divinity.

APPLICATION
We encounter all types of challenges in our lives as well, and people are watching us if we claim to be trusting in God. They need to see that trusting Christ as our Savior and living for Him has many benefits, and security and peace in dangerous or difficult times is among them.

PRAYER
Lord, help me always be ready to handle in faith whatever challenges come my way. And may my life inspire others to place their trust in you too. Amen.

They Put Us to the Test!

2012-02-19T21:20:00.001-08:00

SCRIPTURE
Psalms 22:6-10
But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
“He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him;
let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”
Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.
On you was I cast from my birth,
and from my mother's womb you have been my God.

OBSERVATION
Though everyone has unique circumstances, and David had his when he wrote this, it is a common experience for those whose trust is in the Lord to be mocked and scorned by those whose trust isn't in Him.

APPLICATION
How we choose to handle that derision, possible loneliness, discrimination and pain, is what will either prove our faith--both to us and eventually them, or in their minds prove them right. I John 5:4 says that the thing that brings the victory that overcomes the world is our faith. It is vital for our salvation and for others' that we place our faith completely in God and nourish it and maintain it there.

PRAYER
Lord, help me to be a faith-filled person who can handle the taunts of unbelievers with grace, and whose life will ultimately convince them that I have made the better bet by betting on you. May they be saved through observing my life and coming to believe in the God I serve, who is indeed good and faithful and true.

JUDGMENT IS CERTAIN!

2012-02-17T09:31:00.001-08:00

SCRIPTURE
Acts 24:15-16 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.

OBSERVATION
While some voices in our culture are claiming that all will be saved, the message of the Bible is clear throughout that there is a distinction between th righteous and the wicked. In this passage Paul said that that knowledge motivates him to maintain a blameless conscience before God and men.

APPLICATION
The application is simple. I want to likewise be ready to stand before God without fear, having trusted Christ as my Savior, and having lived for Him in good conscience according to His will. In the next couple days will be funeral services for Whitney Houston and Pastor Glen Cole. Both died in the last week totally unexpectedly. Both are accountable to God for how they have lived their lives. We will all be in that place too one day.

PRAYER
Lord, I thank you for the blood of Christ which cleanses me from all sin by my faith in you demonstrated by my life of service and obedience. I recognize I am not saved by my own efforts, but that my efforts demonstrate my faith and surrender to your Lordship. May I live soberly and gratefully in awareness that I will stand before you one day to give an account of the deeds done in this life, whether good or bad. Amen.

I Want To Keep It

2012-02-16T09:49:00.001-08:00

SCRIPTURE
Leviticus 27:31 Whoever would redeem any of their tithe must add a fifth of the value to it.

OBSERVATION
God understood that people sometimes have reasons why a particular animal or type of offering that they might bring to sacrifice would be something they’d want to keep. He made some allowance for that by the principal of increasing the amount of a substitute sacrifice by one-fifth.

APPLICATION
Though our tithes and offerings to God are not prescribed in the same way as under the old covenant, we should be aware that God knows what we value and gets the true meaning of what we do or don’t give to Him. “It’s the thought that counts” is an unbiblical phrase that is sometimes used to justify a token gift. It’s good to remember that God knows our thoughts, and when we only giving Him tokens, rather than genuine heart-felt sacrifice, He knows exactly what’s going on.

PRAYER
Lord, sometimes I’m glad you know all my thoughts, and sometimes I wish you didn’t. Bottom line, I’m glad you are God almighty, and I just need to remember that you are my greatest treasure and reason for hope. Your promises are sure and your love is perfect and eternal. May I gladly dedicate and give all I have and am to you and your service. Amen.

PERCEIVING GOD'S WILL

2012-02-14T22:05:00.001-08:00

SCRIPTURE
Acts 21:10-14 As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, “This is what the Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, “The will of the Lord be done!”

OBSERVATION
How difficult it was for Paul's friends to believe it could be a good thing for Paul to go to Jerusalem, believing he would face severe persecution! How difficult it often is for us to believe that the trials and conflicts we face could be God's will!

APPLICATION
We have a naive, shallow, and self-serving tendency when it comes to believing that God wants to bring glory to Himself, and even victory to us through our facing tough challenges and suffering in faith. God's primary interest in what happens to us in this life seems to be tied to what He wants to accomplish in and through us. We tend toward focusing on the "to" us experience and reject unpleasantries that are a necessary part of what God wants to do in and through us in accomplishing His missional objectives with our lives.

PRAYER
Help me realize that objections, opposition, persecution, failure, and other such things can be a part of the road to victory that You have mapped out for me, and be as willing to accept them as to accept the obvious blessings which I am more prone to expect and pray for. Amen.

Share the Harvest

2012-02-14T10:58:00.000-08:00

Scripture: Leviticus 23:22 - When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the Lord your God."

Observation: It looks like God cared about the poor and needy even in how He told them to bring in the harvest. I wonder what the edges of my field and gleanings are from my harvest.

Application: Figure out a way to make helping those in need a more regular part of my giving.

Prayer: Lord, show me how I can help those in need around me through giving from what I have received.

It's Gotta Be Jesus!

2012-02-13T08:16:00.001-08:00

SCRIPTURE
Leviticus 22:18-12 “Speak to Aaron and to his sons and to all the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘Any man of the house of Israel or of the aliens in Israel who presents his offering, whether it is any of their votive or any of their freewill offerings, which they present to the LORD for a burnt offering— for you to be accepted—it must be a male without defect from the cattle, the sheep, or the goats.

OBSERVATION
The detailed emphasis throughout Leviticus on perfection in the quality of the sacrifice and the presentation at the altar points to the fact that only Jesus was a qualified human being to become the sacrifice for sin that would be acceptable to a perfect God. As 2nd Corinthians 5:21 says so clearly, "He (the Father) made Him (the Son) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

APPLICATION
Causing gratitude for what Jesus did is what Leviticus does for me. It underscores the fact that my sin separates me from God, but that Jesus became the perfect sacrifice to atone for my sin, and I enjoy righteous standing before the holy God....all because of Jesus.

PRAYER
Thank you, Lord!!! I want to live holy for you, not because it earns me anything, but because you lived holy for me and paid for my forgiveness. I want my life to express my thanks. Help me in that I pray. Amen.

CLEAR, SIMPLE, STRAIGHT

2012-02-12T19:14:00.001-08:00

SCRIPTURE
Leviticus 18:20-23, 30
You shall not have intercourse with your neighbor’s wife, to be defiled with her. 21 You shall not give any of your offspring to offer them to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God; I am the LORD. 22 You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination. 23 Also you shall not have intercourse with any animal to be defiled with it, nor shall any woman stand before an animal to mate with it; it is a perversion. Thus you are to keep My charge, that you do not practice any of the abominable customs which have been practiced before you, so as not to defile yourselves with them; I am the LORD your God.’”

OBSERVATION
God gave His people many clear, simple directions about what to do and what not to do. Basically He defined what is normal and healthy and what is a perversion. It is obvious in our culture today, as well as in looking back to Bible times, that God has people's health, peace, and well-being in mind, while Satan's goal is to get people twisted in unnatural ways that distort good things into evil ones.

APPLICATION
God's laws should be understood as reflections of His wholeness and goodness which He intends for us to share and enjoy. In reality, doing the right thing is more normal and easy than twisting things up, unless of course we are brought up and taught the twisted way. Perhaps this explains why God ordered the people who were so perverted to simply be destroyed, lest their ways infect others.

PRAYER
Lord, in a culture where twistedness is more and more being portrayed as normal, help me and others who follow you to demonstrate the benefits of right living in such ways as will convince others to choose you as Lord and adopt your good ways for themselves. And also, thank you that we can be forgiven for anything, and even our twisted ways can be straightened and healed by Your power working in us. We have great news to share!

ANYTHING FOR THE GOSPEL

2012-02-09T22:29:00.000-08:00

SCRIPTURE
Acts 16:3 Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew his father was a Greek.

OBSERVATION
Paul was able to vigorously correct a legalistic mindset requiring such things as circumcision, as he did in Galatians, while going ahead and circumcising an associate minister in order not to offend out of hand some Jews he was trying to reach.

APPLICATION
Inconsistent? Not at all. In one case the issue was the insistence of some that circumcision was necessary or contributory to salvation, while in the other case it was purely a matter of wanting to remove any barrier to an initial presentation of the gospel to people who had not yet heard it. As he wrote to the Corinthians in 1st Corinthians 9:19-23 - "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more..."

PRAYER
Lord, help me live free from the fear of criticism and the burden of a legalistic mindset, enjoying the freedom of living by the Spirit. Yet let me eagerly accept any yoke or live within any limitation that would enhance my effectiveness in testifying for you and winning a hearing for the gospel. In Jesus name and for Your sake, Amen.

PERHAPS BOTH WERE RIGHT

2012-02-08T07:55:00.000-08:00

SCRIPTURE: Acts 15:37-42
Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

OBSERVATION
As a result of the disagreement between Paul and Barnabus, two teams rather than one went out to minister the Word. And two men instead of just one had the opportunity to go along and be mentored in ministry by these men.

APPLICATION
Perhaps God wanted them to have a difference of opinion about John Mark so that this would happen. Godly men and women, even husbands and wives, can agree to disagree, and if they keep a loving respectful attitude as befits Christ followers, God can show His grace and unique purposes through each of them.

PRAYER
Lord, help me to listen to others' viewpoints, but also to listen to what you are telling me, so that I can know when to agree and when to disagree, and at all times exhibit your character qualities. Amen.

HISTORY MATTERS!

2012-02-06T15:01:00.001-08:00

SCRIPTURE
Acts 13
17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers andmade the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.
26 “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation.
38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

OBSERVATION
Here again we see the history of God's dealings with man recounted in sequence to illustrate how the life, death and resurrection of Christ fulfilled prophecy and was God's predetermined plan to provide salvation for all who would believe. The promises made to Abraham and his offspring are fulfilled in Christ.

APPLICATION
Too often we see the gospel of Christ presented out of the context of history, and consequently it appears as an isolated event that has no connection logically or practically with what has gone before or what has come after. By illustration, if you can imagine taking the tab of a soda bottle and using it to describe and explain what a soda can is like and what soda tastes like to someone who has never seen or tasted it, that is the same kind of dilemma posed by presenting Christ outside of historical context. It is why Christians need to know the Bible well and understand the flow of history, and include it as part of the gospel presentation.

PRAYER
Lord, help me to obey well the exhortation to study to show myself approved unto God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed because I can rightly explain the word of truth. And help me to do it. Amen

This One Says it All (Psalm 16)

2012-02-02T08:44:00.001-08:00

SCRIPTURE:
3 As for the saints who are in the earth,
They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.
4 The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied;
I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
Nor will I take their names upon my lips.
5 The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You support my lot.

OBSERVATION:
I don't know how anyone could cover more of the essential bases of what is important in life in as few words as this chapter. Just focusing on three of them, David in verse 3 identifies whom he honors and delights in. It wasn't the "rock stars" or the rich and famous of his day. In verse 4 he recognizes that many have given up the God who is their heritage in trade for serving the false gods of the people around them. ...bad choice! And in verse 5 he declares where his security lies, and it is in the Lord, both for time (cup) and eternity (inheritance).

APPLICATION:
Everybody has a philosophy of life and a set of values that reflect it. David here sets his forth very succinctly and confidently. These verses would be great ones to memorize, or paraphrase and personalize for oneself, and claim as one's own. I like meditating on each word and phrase and considering all the meanings and applications that can be associated with it.

PRAYER:
Thank you, Lord, for such a rich and sure heritage in knowing and serving you. You are trustworthy and wonderful! May my heart and mind be as bolted to you and your ways as this expression of David's reflects. Amen.

WHAT IS THE "GOSPEL OF CHRIST"?

2012-02-01T09:33:00.000-08:00

SCRIPTURE:
Acts 8:3-5 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there.

OBSERVATION:
The question "What is the gospel of Christ?" may seem like a no-brainer to those of us familiar with the Scriptures, and yet it is not uncommon for preachers in the United States to present the "gospel" in a very distorted way that would seem ludicrous and highly judgmental to people in parts of the world where they are being persecuted and often murdered for believing and testifying to the gospel of Christ. In the situation recorded in Acts 8 I don't think the "word" about Christ that was being preached by those scattered by persecution was how to "experience their best life now" or that God wants them to be on top of their game and "winners" in every area of their life. I'm sure it had a lot more to do with holding on for dear life to the only One who is trustworthy and who can give them an abundant life in eternity.

APPLICATION:
I believe there is a fine line between judging people's presentation of the gospel and judging the presenters themselves. I believe there are many apologists for Christianity that are themselves sincere in their good intentions, but nevertheless misleading people toward a me-centered rather than Christ-centered perspective and life-style. Paul used the term "enemies of the cross" to describe people whose god is their belly and whose glory is in their shame. Jesus Himself said, "If anyone wants to follow Me he must deny himself, take up his own cross and follow Him." Some preachers I never hear talk about cross bearing, but talk all the time about what God wants to lavish upon them if they will just believe for it and expect the right things to come. We need to be careful we are not misled by doctrines that are not biblically sound, just because they appeal to our ease and security. And without making the messengers of such out to be villains and pronouncing our own judgments upon them, we need to not hesitate to point out the errors in their doctrine.

PRAYER:
Lord, help me graciously and wisely seek Your truth, and help others to find it as well. Help those who need correction to their beliefs and advocacies, and help all of us who claim you and represent you to the world to demonstrate love for one another while we at the same time confront heresies within our own ranks. In Jesus' name, and solely for Your sake, Amen.

JUSTICE WILL COME!

2012-01-30T09:37:00.000-08:00

SCRIPTURE
Acts 6:10-14 10 But they could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke. 11 Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God.” 12 So they stirred up the people and the elders and the teachers of the law. They seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrin. 13 They produced false witnesses, who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. 14 For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”

OBSERVATION
Throughout history and still today honest people are maligned, good people are attacked, and truth is replaced by lies. This is the way it is on fallen planet earth, and we do ourselves a great disservice by setting ourselves up for disappointment and disillusionment if we expect it to be any different. However, judgment day will one day come in the courts of eternity, and for all eternity that which has been wrong in time will be rectified and fully compensated.

APPLICATION
It is absolutely essential that all who endure such treatment follow the same course of thought and action as Jesus did, knowing that all wrongs will not be righted this side of judgment day, but that a judgment day is coming, and justice will prevail in the courts of eternity. (I Peter 2:18-23)

PRAYER
Lord, help me keep eternity in focus as I have to deal with the inequities and sufferings of this life. As Scripture exhorts in another place, may I overcome evil with good, rather than being overcome by evil. Stephen certainly did this in his situation and doubtless is more than gratified for it in eternity. Amen.

What's My Story?

2012-01-27T08:58:00.000-08:00

SCRIPTURE: Part of today's reading is the following from Acts 3:
Acts 3 Healing the Lame Beggar

1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. 2 And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms. 4 But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!” 5 And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!” 7 And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. 8 With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God; 10 and they were taking note of him as being the one who used to sit at the Beautiful Gate of the temple to beg alms, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

OBSERVATION:
A lot of people were familiar with this man who had been crippled and a beggar for many years. They passed by him daily, and many, no doubt, had given him money from time to time. Now he is walking, running, jumping, and praising God. Something amazing has happened to him!
As wonderful and amazing as a miraculous healing is, and I have witnessed it first hand on several occasions, something at least as miraculous, and sometimes even more amazing is the radical change or transformation that can occur when a person truly receives Christ as their Savior and Lord.

APPLICATION:
According to the Scriptures (such as 1st Peter 3:15) it is God's plan to show His power and goodness to people around us by the changes and unusual Christlike qualities they see as they observe us.

PRAYER:
Lord, remind me that my life purpose is not to just fit in with the world, but rather to stand out as different in my heart, values, purpose, passion, behavior, speech, etc., so that people take notice and want to know why I am like I am and how they can be like that too. Amen.

HE IS GOD!!!

2012-01-24T22:56:00.000-08:00

Scripture
Luke 24:6-8 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”Then they remembered his words.

Observation
What adds great credibility to the testimony of Christ's resurrection is the fact that it was widely prophesied and foretold. Jesus Himself had told his followers in various ways on several occasions that He would suffer and die and rise again. And the writings of the ancient prophets also foretold the same. The very sacrificial system that was instituted under Moses was a foretelling of the need for blood sacrifice of a perfect animal to represent their faith in a coming atoning Savior.

Application
God has sewn up the gospel message very clearly and thoroughly in history, and the Bible sets it forth. If one will simply investigate the evidence available, there is no excuse for missing the point or sidestepping the decision to believe, repent, and follow Christ. The way is clear and the choice is ours to make.

Prayer
Lord, help me keep out front the main issue of your death and resurrection to be the Savior. We can have a lot of questions and confusion about a lot of things, but it is faith and obedience to you based on your proving yourself to be God by the resurrection from the dead that is the key to our salvation and to a relationship with you. Amen.

THE CHOICE IS OURS!

2012-01-23T08:54:00.000-08:00

Scripture: Luke 23:39-43 32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”

36 The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar 37 and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

38 There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”

40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

43 Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Observation: Two individuals in the same situation with Jesus between them choose very different paths. One rejected and even mocked Christ, while the other expressed faith in Him and appealed for mercy. Jesus didn’t respond to the mocker, as he had chosen his own fate to be apart from Christ. But Jesus assured the believing man that the same day he would be with Him in Paradise.

Application: Wow! What a contrast! Each person chooses what to do about Jesus and His claim to be God and Savior. To ignore Him or to mock Him is to receive the due consequences of one’s own sin, which the Bible says is spiritual death. (Romans 6:23) But to believe on Him as Savior and humbly ask for His mercy gives us the gift of eternal life with Him in Paradise. What an important decision to get right!

Prayer: Lord, may the simplicity of the issue of salvation not be obscured or complicated in my own mind in order that I may give a clear and urgent message to those who are unaware or disrespectful of the decision which they are making about You. Amen. And THANK YOU FOR SALVATION!!!

Coming Together Around the WORD

2012-01-21T20:54:00.000-08:00

I believe we are beginning one of the most effective and yet simplest ministries a church can offer in making daily devotions an easy thing to do and to share with others. The apostle Paul made a point of writing the same thing to the churches at Ephesians and Colossians on this subject. "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:15-21)

The SOAP method causes us to read the scripture, observe, apply to our lives, and respond in prayer and obedience. What follows is an illustration of how I used this method with a few verses of Scripture that were part of this day's reading.

Title: Always Do the Right Thing

SCRIPTURE
Exodus 1:17, 20,21

OBSERVATION
The understanding that God is "pro-life" was inherent even before Moses was given The Law. And God honored those who "feared Him" more than what a powerful Pharaoh might do to them for disobeying him.

APPLICATION
If God made His will so clearly known to people who had so little to go on, and rewarded their obedience, how much more are we accountable for our obedience to what has clearly been revealed, and how much more should we be confident that God will reward obedience!

PRAYER
Lord, help me to seek to always know your will and faithfully do it. Amen.

I look forward to posting many SOAPs from my study of God's Word and reading posts from many of you. I have been encouraged and challenged by the posts of several from LifePoints and Freedom who have been doing this on a couple other sites for some time. God's Word is alive and powerful, and it will never fail. (That promise from Luke 21:33 also happens to be in today's reading) So there is no better investment we can make than spending time getting into God's Word so it can get into us. See you here later. :)

WELCOME TO LIFE JOURNALING AT LIFEPOINTS

2011-11-14T14:04:00.000-08:00

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