CHANGE

Does change ever slow down? It seems like things are changing at a break-neck speed. Just as I learn how to use the remote the company sends me a new receiver. Just when I learn how to use my phone it breaks and I need  new one. Lord, Please help me keep up!

S.O.A.P.

3-18-2015      Romans 11:9-16

S.       9And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.11I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.12Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?13For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:14If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.15For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?16For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

O.      God uses riches to humble the Jews by moving their wealth to Gentiles.

A.      I am debtor to all the generations before me for I have much gain from their efforts. I learn from their examples, pick fruit from trees they planted and enjoy their invention.

P.       Father; May I leave a legacy for the next generation. May a part of that legacy be my love for your people? Amen. 

Jubilee!

Projects are all behind schedule. Each day puts me farther and farther behind. I will declare a Jubilee, throw out the list and begin again. If you are waiting on me then we need to talk. 

S.O.A.P.

3-17-2015      Romans 11:6-8

S.       And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.7What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

O.      The law equals works and Grace equals faith so the Jews needed to believe that Jesus was the way to Grace.

A.      I must base my faith in Jesus and not in legalistic works. Because of this abiding faith I will do many works and these works will bring glory to God, but these works cannot save me.

P.       Father; lead my life by your Holy Spirit and constantly communicate your will to me. Amen. 

Lost Christians?

I am ashamed of people that call themselves Christian and use a vocabulary from the gutter. God will hold us accountable for EVERY WORD that comes from our mouth. Don't these people understand? Don't they know that those words are from their heart? If their heart is filled with sinful, vulgar trash they have no part of Christ. Sweet and sour cannot flow from the same fountain. Hear my plea, clean your heart, and let your words be pleasing to God. I am not judging you, the word of God IS! Please, please, please my dear friends; Sanctify your hearts, wash your hands and live as an example of Grace.

S.O.A.P.

3-16-2015      Romans 11:1-5

S.       1I say then, hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.2God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Know ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? How he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, 3Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.4But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.5Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

O.      God has not cast away all Jews. God has a remnant, saved by Grace.

A.      God will cast away all sinners, all sinners no matter their tribe, nation or kindred, for only grace received through Christ will justify.

P.       Father; forgive my sin, wash me clean. I set my affection on you, to please you in all ways. Keep me always before your throne. Amen.

Covenant People

Good Sunday morning. Ready for a glorious day of worship, fellowship and the miraculous hand of God at work in my life. The older I get the more I appreciate the time gathered together with the Saints at church services. This past week was full sickness, pain and confusion, but, as soon as I step through the door of the meeting hall I will forget the difficulties, join in the worship and allow God to renew my soul, mind and heart. I am excited about Sunday!

S.O.A.P.

3-15-2015      Romans 10: 20-21

S.       20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. 21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

O.      God claims other nations because of Israel’s disobedience.

A.      I must be obedient to God’s Word. Obedient, obedient, obedient!

P.       Father; Show me myself as you see me. Reveal anything that is displeasing to you. Amen.

Vulgar words are SIN!

God tells us that we will be held accountable for every word that comes out of our mouth. We can speak blessing, or curses, into our lives. God also gives us a list of things to think about as we go through life. The words that come out of our mouth start in our heart. If our words are vulgar then our heart is vulgar. If our words are base, carnal or sinful then that is the condition of the heart. Jesus will not live in an unclean heart. Based on the words spewing from "so called" Christians there is a break-down in their understanding of God.  Many people who think that they are Christian are deceived. 

S.O.A.P.

3-14-2015      Romans 10:18-19

S.       18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

O.      God warns Israel that other nations will respond to his blessings.

A.      I must respond to the news God shares with me in every area of my life. Nothing should be held back.

P.       Father; I give to you my everything and my all. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Amen. 

Praying for others.

Praying for my friend Warren today. He is having eye surgery. Dear God; cover Warren with your Grace and Mercy. Guide the hands of the Surgeon, Bring healing to his wounded eye. Amen.


S.O.A.P.

3-12-2015      Romans 10:14-15

S.       14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

O.      God calls and sends Preachers to spread the gospel.

A.      I was called as a teenager to preach. The message is the same and will never change. Jesus is our Saviour, our Lord, our Healer and our soon coming King. Repent, take up your cross and follow Christ.

P.       Father; renew my calling today with joy, peace, love and healing. Amen.

Accountability

I depend on my fellow Christians. Their prayers, encouragement, fellowship and love carry me along on life's journey. I always have a friend to lean on, caring ears to listen to my problems, strong arms to lift when I fall and prayers to help me find the way. My church is a family to me. When a Family is very large it is impossible to interact with them all or even know them all. I have many cousins that I have never even meant on the larger side of my natural family. Unity should be a goal for every church. God's people, pulling together can do mighty works and at the same time aid each other along the journey.

S.O.A.P.

3-11-2015      Romans 10:11-13

S.       11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

O.      Walls of social and political division are eliminated to those that believe.

A.      I see all Christians as one people no matter their nationality. Salvation unites us as one people.

    P.       Father; help me teach the unity of believers by living and preaching a good example. Amen.