Culture Shift?

How many times do events happen before they become a part of the culture? These rioters around the country don't seem to realize that they are building a culture of destruction that will condemn their race for generations to come. All thru history when a group of people establish this type of culture the surrounding peoples have wiped them out. I hope they wake up and see the error of their actions before it's too late. Even if they don't go to jail they will "reap what they sow". That my friend is how the story will end.

S.O.A.P.

4-29-2015           Luke 1:1-4

S.       1Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, 2Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word; 3It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.

O.      Luke greets Theophilus and explains his reason for this letter.

A.      It is good to explain our reasons for serving the Lord. By this method we can spread our faith and keep the standards high. In sharing our testimony we also will find common ground, and even error, that can be addressed. We are all in this fight together.

P.       Father; Grant me courage to speak of your wonderful works. Direct me to the ones that I should speak to today and fill my heart with your words. Amen. 

4-30-2015      Luke 1:5-13

S.       5There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.7And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.8And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,9According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.10And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.12And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.13But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

O.      An angel comes to announce the birth of John to Zacharias.

A.      One thing about the birth of John the Baptist was medically impossible: Zacharias and Elizabeth were too old to have children. This was set aside because of faith and faithfulness. When faith and faithfulness are put together anything can happen. I know that I have been faithful, always. I just need more faith……and……”faith comes by hearing, and, hearing comes by the Word of God”.

     P.       Father; Increase my faith, teach me faith and help me speak your Word IN FAITH! Amen. 

Shedding innocent blood

God hate's seven things. If he hates these so will I. He will need to teach me how to react to these seven things because I am sure I don't know how. The third thing listed is the shedding of innocent blood. Rockets and bombs flying into peoples homes and killing children would cover this. Bullets from gang fights, drunks driving, are just as bad. Dear Lord, teach us how to live in peace and love. 

S.O.A.P.

4-20-2015      Romans 15:17-21

S.       17I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.18For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed,19Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.20Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:21But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.

O.      Paul shares Jesus from Jerusalem to Illyricum to the Gentiles.

A.      I must share Jesus, not doctrine, not religion, not tradition, not church. Jesus is my message.

P.       Father; I invite you into my life. Come in and reside and transform me into the image of Christ. Amen.

Catching up.

Here are several days of my SOAP. 

4-16-2015      Romans 15:8-9

S.       8Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:9And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

O.      Jesus confirms the law to the Jews and includes the Gentiles.

A.      All people need to hear the gospel and know that Jesus can clean them from their sin. I will treat all people in an equal manner as I minister the truth.

P.       Father; teach me to love and honor all peoples. Let me see them through your eyes. Amen.

4-17-2015      Romans 15:10-12

S.       10And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.11And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people.12And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

O.      Jesus is Lord of the Gentiles.

A.      Walls of separation must be torn down between Jews and Gentiles because Jesus is Lord of both. I will speak everywhere of God’s love for all people groups.

P.       Father; make me a voice for unity and love to the ones I meet today. Amen.

4-18-2015      Romans 15:13

S.       13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

O.      Believe unto hope.

A.      I rejoice in the knowledge of my salvation. I have hope and it fills me with joy. Love lifted me out of the death of sin and gives me life, joy, peace and hope.

P.       Father; thank you for calling me out of sin. Thank you for giving me a reason to live. Take my life and spend it as you will. Amen.

4-19-2015      Romans 15:14-16

S.       14And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.15Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God,16That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

O.      Paul explains his ministry responsibility to the Gentiles.

A.      God will direct his ministers to certain places and people. I must be aware of this direction in my everyday life.

P.       Father; show me the holy path for today. Guide me to the right place and help me to speak the right words. Use me as your voice. Amen.

A Lying Tongue

The next thing on God's hate list is: A lying tongue. Pride is first and lying is next, but these two go together in many ways. Pride is the result of lying to yourself until you believe you are better than others. Then you keep the pride fed by lying to those around you. Since God Hates these things we had better keep them out of our lives.

S.O.A.P.

4-10-2015      Romans 14:13

S.       13Let us not therefore judge one another anymore: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

O.      Being an example to our weaker brothers.

A.      If I live after the example of Jesus I will not be a poor example of faith.

P.       Father; reveal my weakness that I may learn and grow. Amen.

4-11-2015      Romans 14:14-18

S.       14I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth anything to be unclean, to him it is un-clean.15But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.16Let not then your good be evil spoken of:17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.18For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

O.      I must consider those around me and where they are in their spiritual walk.

A.      To know and understand the weaknesses in my fellow man I must acquaint myself with the person, live with them, eat with them, fellowship with them. Then and only then can I share my faith at a high level and in a responsible manner.

P.       Father; bring me into close fellowship with those that I may serve as a shepherd should. Give me wisdom to minister as Christ would minister. Amen.

God hates sin!

The word "hate" is used 87 times in 85 verses in the King James Bible. There is much to learn about God from these references. In Proverbs 6:16 there is a list of things that God hates. The first thing that God has on this list is; A proud look. This is conceit, arrogance, self importance or in a nut shell pride. God hates this sinful aspect of pride. We hate this as well when we see it in others. We should hate pride, our false pride, our selfish pride. This pride is a sinful pride and will lead us into hell. Why does God list pride first? Pride was the sin of lucifer. 

S.O.A.P.

4-6-2015         Romans 14:1-3

S.       1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

O.      The weak and the strong serving together in harmony.

A.      We all grow spiritually at different paces. Tolerance and patience are needed to aid each other in this effort. We must all work together as we strive for perfection.

     P.       Father in Heaven; teach me patience and understanding for I am weak and need your                         strength. Amen. 

He is not here!

He is not here! These words ring loud in my spirit this morning. I will use these words as my sermon this morning. As I looked towards the eastern sky at sun rise I did nor see Jesus return.....He is not here. I am looking for his return to catch away his Bride. I am looking forward to the reunion of family and friends. But for today, I must say, He is not here.

S.O.A.P.

4-5-2015         Romans 13:14    Easter Sunday

S.       14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

O.      Embrace Jesus and stop sinning.

A.      Sin is not a part of the believer’s life. Christians should HATE sin. Our love for Jesus is proved by our avoidance of sinful actions and words.

     P.       Father; Thank you for the power of Grace that gives me strength to avoid sin and live in                   victory. Amen. 

Fear is not of God!

What did the disciples go through on the day between the cross and the resurrection?  Their hope was all gone. Their Lord was dead. They were sure to be next on the crosses of Rome. Fear, worry, doubt, shame and hopelessness was the order of the day. Why? They had been taught, by Jesus himself, that on the third day he would come to life again. They had seen his power as he calmed the sea, fed the multitude, raised the dead and set the demon possessed free. Why doubt now? They were too focused on how they were feeling and not on their faith. People are acting like this right now...... Are you?
Sunday is on the way!

S.O.A.P.

4-4-2015         Romans 13:11-13

S.       11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

O.      Abandon all evil and walk in the light of love and salvation.

A.      Our eyes will not function without light. No light and we are blind. The same is true for our souls. Spiritual blindness is the result of sin. God gives us light from his word to guide us away from sin.

P.       Father; I confess all my sin and ask for the Blood of Jesus to wash me clean. Give me wisdom to implant your word into my mind and the Holy Spirit to remind me of each line. Amen.

Jesus and the cross

This is the day we must remember the cross that Jesus was murdered on. He went there to set us free from sin, to give us a way of escape and to call man back into harmony with God. Love held him to the cross, not the nails. Jesus went to the cross to "show" his love for you.

S.O.A.P.

4-3-2015         Romans 13:9-10

S.       9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

O.      How love works towards others.

A.      The proof of how I love others is found in how I treat them. All the sins listed are committed affecting others, hurting, stealing, and lying and so on. I will keep it in my mind of how my sin might be against others. My life touches so many people so I must be a good example.

P.       Father; make me an example of your love and teach me how to forgive. Amen. 

Pain and Sorrow

Today I ask for your prayers for my dear family. We have been to the graveside several times lately and our pain is real. We are people of faith. We are people of love. We are hurting as we try to rearrange life around the empty chairs. Please hold us up today.....thank you.

S.O.A.P.

4-2-2015         Romans 13:8

S.       8Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

O.      Love is a command …. Not an option.

A.      When we properly love others, debt is eliminated. We do not give, to get. We do not loan, to borrow. Perfect love has no strings attached.

P.       Father; lead me into this perfect type of love. Cleanse my mind and restore my heart to that of a child. Amen.

Faith....do you have any?

I have faith, you have faith, everyone has faith. The Bible says so. Faith is in us as a gift from God. It is how we use that faith that makes the difference. One example: faith without works is "dead" faith. We must reveal our faith by the way we live, give and serve others. Believing that there is a God is only a part of what faith is all about. By applying faith to more and more of life's experiences (and relationships) we expand our understanding and we will see that faith "MUST" be "APPLIED" to be of any value to ourselves or those around us. 

S.O.A.P.

4-1-2015         Romans 13:1-7

S.       1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

O.      Proper respect is due to those in power. Paying taxes (tribute) is proper.

A.      God places those into power that he chooses. Our relationship to those leaders hinges on our honesty and integrity. If I live a holy life as a Christian I have nothing to fear from leaders.

P.       Father; I know that you set this world into motion and you are reaching out to man in many ways. Help me to be a living example of faith and love. Amen.