Moving on

For no good reason my daily Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer has moved and will now be found at katana750.wordpress.com

SOAP Psalm 3

Scripture: Psalm 3:1-8 NIV Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him. ” But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side. Arise, Lord! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.

What do I observe here? David's foes were actually trying to kill him, ours are probably not. Ours might be harder to identity yet the sleepless nights still sometimes happen. For some of us 'sometimes' means often.

How do we apply this? Learn from David that the Lord is the one who sustains us. David still went through all his hardships, ultimately losing the son who was trying to usurp him, but God brought him through all these things, giving him strength for each day.

A prayer: Father God we need strength in so many different ways, please hear and answer when we call. And when we look back on today may we see the evidence of your hand sustaining us. In Jesus' name. Amen

SOAP Mark 4:35-41

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41 As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind although other boats followed. But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

What do I observe here? Jesus was at peace even though the storm was raging all around him. His life was centred not in external circumstances, but in God.

How can we apply this? Making time regularly to be with God, to build a relationship with him, to learn to trust him, can be the means by which we come into that same assured peaceful existence exhibited by Jesus - regardless of what is going on in and around us. We grow in to this bit by bit.

A prayer: Blessed Trinity may I be aware of you today. Please help me in creating those moments when I can pause to be aware of you and find nourishment for my soul before moving onto the next thing. Amen

SOAP 1 John 4:18

Scripture: 1 John 4:18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

What can I observe here?  Perfect love expels all fear.

How do we apply this?  Note how many times in the bible the words “do not be afraid” appear. When God is present all really is well, regardless of the circumstances. Shalom peace can reign.

A prayer:  Thank you Father for your perfect love. I want to experience that love in all it's fullness but keep putting barriers in the way because of my selfishness. Please forgive me, renew me & perfect me. In and for your names' sake. Amen

SOAP Ephesians 1:7

Scripture: Ephesians 1:7 He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

What do I observe here? It's all been done for us. We don't have to try and earn forgiveness or gain freedom by keeping certain rules. Jesus has done it already.

How do we apply this? Our part is to receive his grace and then to live it out. Freedom to live right is experienced through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, guiding us through each day. Forgiveness is ours when we confess to a God those things we know grieve him and stand between us.

A prayer: Thank you Father God for the profound truth in this verse. May we live in the freedom that forgiveness brings. May we know a one-ness with you and come to the fulfilment of your purposes for our lives this day. Amen

SOAP Hebrews 12:2

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne.

What do I observe here? To follow Jesus closely we have to keep our eyes on him.

How do we apply this? There are lots of distractions in life. Many things that seem to be massively important at the time, but really aren't. Others, which just seem appealing but ultimately prove to be just a fruitless waste of time. Keeping our eyes on these things often means living less of a full life than Jesus intends for us. Keeping our eyes on him focuses our living so we are able to enjoy life in all it's fullness.

A prayer: Thank you Jesus for all you have done for me. Please reveal your love to me and through me as I try to keep my eyes fixed on you today. Amen

SOAP Matthew 29:17-19

Scripture: Matthew 20:17-19 As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to him. “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

What can I observe here? The events of Holy Week didn't catch Jesus unawares, he went into it with his eyes wide open. Such was his love for us that he didn't take the opportunity, even at this stage in the story, to divert from Jerusalem and save himself.

How do we apply this? Jesus has shown us what love looks like. It means laying down our own desires, plans and even our lives in the service of others. We don't have to die for their salvation, he's already done that. But to live to serve them brings him glory. What a far cry from the concept of love that is so often portrayed, and therefore craved, by so many.

A prayer: Thank you Jesus for showing us what real love looks like. Thank you for dying so that we might live. Help us understand that. Please help us to demonstrate genuine love to those we meet today. For your name's sake. Amen