God In The Flesh

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only Begotten, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-3, 14 [NIV]
• O: Jesus has always been.
• A: I have a relative who doesn't quite understand the concept of a triune God. She doesn't understand how God and Jesus have co-existed forever. She doesn't understand how Jesus could simultaneously be the Son of God and God Himself. Doesn't understand why, then, He was born a baby by His mother, Mary. She was raised in one of those old, old religions that puts more effort into making it's own rules than it does into just living right by God. Today's version of the Pharisees. John the Baptist makes it very clear in the opening of his Gospel, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. When it all began, there was God and the Word. And not only was the Word with God, but the Word was God. Who was the Word? John continues, The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only Begotten, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Only one person has ever been referred to as "the One and Only Begotten." Jesus Christ. "Who came from the Father." Jesus Christ. "Full of grace and truth." Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, who came to dwell among man, became man so that he could die to once and forever pay the penalty for our sins. The ultimate price, paid by the Almighty. The Son of God. The Word. God in the flesh.
• P: Thank You, Father, for loving me so much that You would stoop to my level, become man, die for my sins, then arise and go to prepare a place for me to spend all eternity. You truly are an awesome God!

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Soapy Joe 9

Average Joe Radio presents

Soapy Joe featuring Average Joe American

Episode Nine:

Phone: (317) 644-6129 Email Feedback: joe@averagejoeamerican.us

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Living Right

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: First off, you need to know that in the last days, mockers are going to have a heyday. Reducing everything to the level of their puny feelings, they'll mock, "So what's happened to the promise of his Coming? Our ancestors are dead and buried, and everything's going on just as it has from the first day of creation. Nothing's changed." They conveniently forget that long ago all the galaxies and this very planet were brought into existence out of watery chaos by God's word. Then God's word brought the chaos back in a flood that destroyed the world. The current galaxies and earth are fuel for the final fire. God is poised, ready to speak his word again, ready to give the signal for the judgment and destruction of the desecrating skeptics. Don't overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change. But when the Day of God's Judgment does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief. The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a huge conflagration, earth and all its works exposed to the scrutiny of Judgment. Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. 2 Peter 3:3-12 [MSG] They're busy, busy, busy at worship, and love studying all about me. To all appearances they're a nation of right-living people— law-abiding, God-honoring. They ask me, 'What's the right thing to do?' and love having me on their side. But they also complain, 'Why do we fast and you don't look our way? Why do we humble ourselves and you don't even notice?' "Well, here's why: "The bottom line on your 'fast days' is profit. You drive your employees much too hard. You fast, but at the same time you bicker and fight. You fast, but you swing a mean fist. The kind of fasting you do won't get your prayers off the ground. Do you think this is the kind of fast day I'm after: a day to show off humility? To put on a pious long face and parade around solemnly in black? Do you call that fasting, a fast day that I, God, would like? "This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I'm interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Isaiah 58:2-8 [MSG]
• O: How critically important it is not just to appear to live right, but to actually do so.
• A: Christ will return for his followers. Of that there can be no doubt. But how will those followers be identified? Will they be the openly "humble" who take public pride in their humility? The leaders of the mega-churches we see every Sunday on TV? Just how will God identify those whom He calls Home at the time of the Second Coming? It really isn't hard to appear to live a holy life. Anyone can play a role in public. But God sees our heart. He knows our thoughts -- even before we form them. To live right by God means to live right before God -- in our hearts and in our minds as well as in our actions. There is no fooling the Father.
• P: Father, help me to resist the enemy and to live according to Your will, on the inside as well as the outside.

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Victory Parades

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: Since the children are made of flesh and blood, it's logical that the Savior took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by his death. By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil's hold on death and freed all who cower through life, scared to death of death. Hebrews 2:14-15 [MSG] In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. Through us, he brings knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, people breathe in the exquisite fragrance. 2 Corinthians 2:14 [MSG]
• O: Christ turns funeral processions into victory parades.
• A: What is the one thing that most people fear more than any other? Death. Really. When you get right down to the nitty gritty, most people would say that their greatest fear is dying. And the majority of those who would say that are among those who don't know themselves to be saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. My mother passed away several years (6 or 7) ago after a long and ugly battle with cancer. It consumed her, literally. She knew that it was cancer long before the disease could be medically diagnosed. When it was diagnosed it was found to be running rampant through her body. Hope was slim. Hope, that is, of defeating the cancer and maintaining her earthly existence. But it wasn't her earthly existence that really mattered. Her real enemy was not cancer. My mother defeated the ultimate enemy -- Satan -- long ago when she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. It is for this reason that the things of the earth had no hold over my mother. Not even cancer. She knew her Lord, knew where she was spending eternity, and was eager to meet Him. It was her conviction to her faith that allowed her to let go gracefully of this life, to receive her new body, and to be welcomed into the loving arms of Christ. And it was that same conviction to faith that she taught her children that allowed us to let her go -- to actually encourage her to go home to the Lord -- and that turned her funeral procession into a victory parade. As hundreds and hundreds of souls that she touched showed up to pay their last respects to my mother, while we felt the loss of her passing, we celebrated in her victory over death through eternal life with God. I still miss Mom dearly today -- sometimes achingly. But I rejoice in the fact that I'll some day see her again in Paradise.
• P: Lord, Thank You for victory. Thank You for making it possible to spend eternity with You, just as my mother is doing now.

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The Proof Is In The History Books

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: For a long time now, I've let you in on the way I work: I told you what I was going to do beforehand, then I did it and it was done, and that's that. I know you're a bunch of hardheads, obstinate and flint-faced, So I got a running start and began telling you what was going on before it even happened. That is why you can't say, 'My god-idol did this.' 'My favorite god-carving commanded this.' You have all this evidence confirmed by your own eyes and ears. Shouldn't you be talking about it? ... I show you what to do, where to go. If you had listened all along to what I told you, your life would have flowed full like a river, blessings rolling in like waves from the sea. Isaiah 48:3-6, 16 [MSG]
• O: God -- through His Word -- has shown us what to expect. The proof is in the history books.
• A: Those who would dispute the accuracy of the Bible have (and will continually) distorted historic events to try to present the "evidence" of why the Bible is not true. I was recently in a discussion online with one such person who claims to be a devout Christian very active in his church, who just happens to believe that the Bible is not the divinely inspired Word of God, but rather a collection of symbolic parables, allegories, and some history that we can use as a suggested guide to living. I won't attempt to judge this individual whose claims don't seem to fall in line with his actions. I know what I believe, and I know it because it is proven. More than a fourth of the Bible is prophetic -- telling us what will happen at a time later than it was foretold. Throughout history, these prophecies have been fulfilled -- come true -- time after time. How then, with such evidence of predictions come true, can we not believe in God's Word? I told you what I was going to do before hand, then I did it and it was done, and that's that. Case closed.
• P: Father, Thank You for closing the case on Your Word. Though doubters will continue to spout their lies trying to discredit You and further the cause of the enemy, Your Word is the indisputable truth.

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Earthly -vs- Ultimate Leadership

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: Have you not been paying attention? Have you not been listening? Haven't you heard these stories all your life? Don't you understand the foundation of all things? God sits high above the round ball of earth. The people look like mere ants. He stretches out the skies like a canvas— yes, like a tent canvas to live under. He ignores what all the princes say and do. The rulers of the earth count for nothing. Princes and rulers don't amount to much. Like seeds barely rooted, just sprouted, They shrivel when God blows on them. Like flecks of chaff, they're gone with the wind. Isaiah 40:21-24 [MSG] Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind. Isaiah 40:28-31 [MSG] "Take a good look at my servant. I'm backing him to the hilt. He's the one I chose, and I couldn't be more pleased with him. I've bathed him with my Spirit, my life. He'll set everything right among the nations. He won't call attention to what he does with loud speeches or gaudy parades. He won't brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he won't disregard the small and insignificant, but he'll steadily and firmly set things right. He won't tire out and quit. He won't be stopped until he's finished his work—to set things right on earth. Far-flung ocean islands wait expectantly for his teaching." Isaiah 42:1-4 [MSG]
• O: God plays the most important role in world events.
• A: Election time is just over three months away. We'll elect a new President, and those we have to choose from may leave a bit to be desired. As the media rallies around their darling pick and tries to pour on as much influence as they can, it can be quite confusing to the masses as to what the candidates really stand for. And if the media have their way, this election would have already been fought and won on their air waves. But thankfully there is more to world events than what world leaders would choose or what the media might desire. Our God, who ignores what all the princes say and do, is still in control. He doesn't just influence what happens, He has orchestrated the entire timeline of civilization. He has chosen the Ultimate Leader who, when the time is due, will steadily and firmly set things right on earth. While the upcoming election may be as important (if not more) as any in our nation's history, it is only one small speed bump on the road map of God's divine plan.
• P: Lord, Thank You for taking the world into Your hands, and for the fact that no matter what our earthly appointed leaders may do, Your Chosen One will return one day to set things right on earth.

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Soapy Joe Show Returns Next Week

I'm taking a brief (7-8 day) break from producing and listening to podcasts. Kind of clearing my mind and getting back in touch with the music. Soapy Joe will return next week with new exclusive music from Joshua Smith and Rick Paul. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a show.

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God's Greatest Gift

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that's coming when Jesus arrives. Don't lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn't know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God's life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, "I am holy; you be holy." You call out to God for help and he helps—he's a good Father that way. But don't forget, he's also a responsible Father, and won't let you get by with sloppy living. Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God. Now that you've cleaned up your lives by following the truth, love one another as if your lives depended on it. Your new life is not like your old life. Your old birth came from mortal sperm; your new birth comes from God's living Word. Just think: a life conceived by God himself! That's why the prophet said, The old life is a grass life, its beauty as short-lived as wildflowers; Grass dries up, flowers droop, God's Word goes on and on forever. This is the Word that conceived the new life in you. 1 Peter 1:13-25 [MSG]
• O: God sent His Son to save us from our sins. He wants us to spend eternity with Him. But the gift of salvation is not carte blanche to live our lives here however we want.
• A: I was speaking with a new Christian recently who had questions about two points of salvation. First, she asked how someone who had committed violent acts of violation or murder could be saved and go to Heaven. She understood God's plan of salvation, but couldn't understand God's grace -- or God's capacity to have such grace -- as to forgive such heinous acts. We talked and came to the second point, which she found even more troubling. "If someone is saved, and then commits such an act, he can still go to Heaven?" she asked. I explained that God's forgiveness is boundless for a sincere heart. She then asked, "So they can be saved and then do whatever they want, and they'll still go to Heaven?" A later sermon at church explained to her how our salvation cannot be lost, but how we might suffer consequences for our sins even though we are saved. This passage sums that up quite plainly. Salvation is a gift. It costs us nothing. It cost God everything through the sacrifice of His only Son. As true followers of Christ, we are to live life as God would have us live it. Why? If we can't lose our salvation, why does it matter? Because if we love God, we should want to please Him, and we do so by living a life of love and a life that brings others to receive His gift of salvation. We don't avoid a sinful life for the sake of keeping our salvation and avoiding punishment, we avoid a sinful lie for the hope of hearing God say,"Well done, my good and faithful servant."
• P: Father, help me to model the life of a Christ follower, to live a life of love, to be a mirror that reflects your grace to everyone I encounter.

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All Bark, No Bite

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: You can't pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God's law and ignoring others. The same God who said, "Don't commit adultery," also said, "Don't murder." If you don't commit adultery but go ahead and murder, do you think your non-adultery will cancel out your murder? No, you're a murderer, period. ... Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, "Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I'll handle the works department." Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove. Do I hear you professing to believe in the one and only God, but then observe you complacently sitting back as if you had done something wonderful? That's just great. Demons do that, but what good does it do them? Use your heads! Do you suppose for a minute that you can cut faith and works in two and not end up with a corpse on your hands? Wasn't our ancestor Abraham "made right with God by works" when he placed his son Isaac on the sacrificial altar? Isn't it obvious that faith and works are yoked partners, that faith expresses itself in works? That the works are "works of faith"? The full meaning of "believe" in the Scripture sentence, "Abraham believed God and was set right with God," includes his action. It's that mesh of believing and acting that got Abraham named "God's friend." Is it not evident that a person is made right with God not by a barren faith but by faith fruitful in works? The same with Rahab, the Jericho harlot. Wasn't her action in hiding God's spies and helping them escape—that seamless unity of believing and doing—what counted with God? The very moment you separate body and spirit, you end up with a corpse. Separate faith and works and you get the same thing: a corpse. James 2:10-11, 14-26 [MSG]
• O: Faith without works is dead.
• A: Good deeds don't earn us a place in Heaven. We are saved by faith. But what is faith? Defined as "belief in something without proof," faith requires us to accept as fact that which we cannot provide evidence of. But what of good deeds then? If good deeds don't earn us a place in Heaven, why bother? If it's just enough to believe, what does it matter what we do? ANSWER: Real faith changes you. How can you have faith in God -- believe in God -- and not believe in His Word, or not want to follow the example He set through His Son Jesus Christ? If you just don't care what God says, what kind of faith do you have? By the same token, if you do have the kind of all-encompassing faith that makes you want to please your Creator by following His examples and obeying His direction, how then can deeds not matter? If I truly love my wife and am devoted and committed to her, it stands to reason that I would want to please her. And if I want to please her, then, would I not please her by doing things that make her feel good and happy and loved? Does my love for her alone please her? No! To just say that I love her isn't enough. I have to show her my love by doing something. My deeds are the acts that validate my love for her. It is just so with God. Although he knows my heart, and doesn't need to see proof of my faith, others are not omniscient. It is my faith and love for God that make me want to share Him with others. If I share only His Word but don't live an example of it through my actions, what is my faith worth? It is by setting an example through living the kind of life that God would be pleased with -- by these acts or deeds -- that others can see His Glory. Without those deeds, it's just words. Words without action are meaningless.
• P: Father, I want to please You in all that I do. Use me as a tool however You see fit so that I might reflect Your Glory upon others.

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Excuses or Blessings?

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: What you've been shown here is somewhat like a letter in a sealed envelope. If you give it to someone who can read and tell her, "Read this," she'll say, "I can't. The envelope is sealed." And if you give it to someone who can't read and tell him, "Read this," he'll say, "I can't read." Isaiah 29:11-12 [MSG]
• O: Excuses accomplish nothing.
• A: It seems that I get this from my own employees regularly. I ask them to do something and their first response is to tell me why they can't. Not to ask for further instruction. Not to ask for assistance. But to say that they just can't do it. And they are more often than not just lame excuses with no basis in reality. People who have received repeated training will try to tell me that they don't know how to do the simplest of tasks. Excuses. Not reasons. We can be like that with God. "I can't tithe because I have bills to pay." "I can't go to church because I have to work on Sunday." "I can't pray in front of a group because they'll laugh at me." All of them excuses, and God knows it. We are only fooling ourselves when we try these lame excuses. And what do we gain? A little extra fun money? A couple extra hours of sleep on Sunday? But at what cost? Since starting to tithe, I have seen God bless the 90% that I don't return to Him. I seem to have more money between paydays than in the past, and there is no earthly logical reason for it (especially with the cost of gasoline driving the price of everything up). Church has changed our lives -- you can see it in my entire family. The excuses cost you more than just doing what is right. And it's the same at work, as I've promoted newer employees because of their productivity while reducing the hours of tenured Associates. The excuses have cost them hours and money, while getting the job done has paid rewards to others.
• P: God, You've taught me a lesson that works both spiritually and professionally. By putting an end to the excuses and returning to You that which You have given me, I have been blessed. And by putting those same principles in place at work, I have seen Your blessings there, as well.

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God Provides Our Needs

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I'm fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me? Hebrews 13:5-6 [MSG]
• O: God will provide.
• A: It seems that there is always something I need. Scratch that -- something that I want. In fact, I can see it in my whole family. There are several books I want. My wife wants new furniture for our formal living room. My son wants just about everything he sees. And it sure would be nice to have a newer car (but without the car payment, of course). But we don't really need all of those things (my wife would argue that we do need new furniture for the living room). Everything we need, God has provided. Food, clothing, shelter, transportation, friends and loved ones, etc. Even after doubling our house payment and taking on the practice of tithing ten percent of our income, God still gives us more than we need. Sometimes, I think we just don't see the difference between want and need.
• P: Lord, Thank You for your constant provisions. Help us, Father, to see the difference between want and need, and to remain thankful and obedient.

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Soapy Joe 8 - Virtual Guest Host

Average Joe Radio presents

Soapy Joe featuring Average Joe American

Episode Eight:

Show notes available at http://www.averagejoeamerican.US

Phone: (317) 644-6129 Email Feedback: joe@averagejoeamerican.us

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Revival

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: Restore us again, O God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us. Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations? Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? Psalm 85:4-6 [NIV] Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you! For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you. Isaiah 64:1-3 [NIV]
• O: Revival comes only from God.
• A: What is revival? Simply put: when God shows up for church. Revival is when we begin to experience what we already believe Biblically and theologically. As the moral fiber of our nation continually decays, revival is our only hope. We cannot, however, do it ourselves. Only God can reverse the decline of society. But just as we cannot do it ourselves, God, in a sense, relies on us to start the ball rolling. All revival begins with prayer. It is our act of repentance and humility when we ask God for revival that moves Him to action. When we, the church, as hundreds of thousands -- even millions -- of individuals pray collectively asking God for revival, He answers, and delivers, as He has done throughout history. As He has done on at least three other occasions, only God can bring us to another Great Awakening, but we, too, play our part, through prayer.
• P: Lord, the time is now. Our nation -- our world -- needs You to come to church. Send upon us revival, one heart, one family, one church, one nation at a time. Awaken us, Lord.

Inspired by our visit to a new church. Study Guide, and Outline available.

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Choosing My Own Theme?

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: For a child has been born—for us! the gift of a son—for us! He'll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings. He'll rule from the historic David throne over that promised kingdom. He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing and keep it going With fair dealing and right living, beginning now and lasting always. The zeal of God-of-the-Angel-Armies will do all this. Isaiah 9:6-7 [MSG]
• O: The birth and reign of Christ predicted by Isaiah in the Old Testament.
• A: There seems to be a theme running here about the birth of Christ, His death and resurrection, our Salvation, and His Second Coming. Day after day I keep coming across scriptures that reference the same theme. Am I listening for what God has to say, letting Him guide me through the scripture? Or am I subconsciously selecting the same type of passages each day because they're easy? Or filled with hope? Or for some similar reason?
• P: Father, open my eyes that I might see, my ears that I might hear, and my heart that I might let You guide me through Your Word. Remove any bias or prejudice that might pull me in any one direction over another. Show me Your Way, Lord.

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Sweet Victory

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: But for now, prepare for the worst, victim daughter! The siege is set against us. They humiliate Israel's king, slapping him around like a rag doll. But you, Bethlehem, David's country, the runt of the litter— From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule Israel. He'll be no upstart, no pretender. His family tree is ancient and distinguished. Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes until the birth pangs are over and the child is born, And the scattered brothers come back home to the family of Israel. He will stand tall in his shepherd-rule by God's strength, centered in the majesty of God-Revealed. And the people will have a good and safe home, for the whole world will hold him in respect— Peacemaker of the world! .... "The day is coming" —God's Decree— "When there will be no more war. None. I'll slaughter your war horses and demolish your chariots. I'll dismantle military posts and level your fortifications. I'll abolish your religious black markets, your underworld traffic in black magic. I will smash your carved and cast gods and chop down your phallic posts. No more taking control of the world, worshiping what you do or make. I'll root out your sacred sex-and-power centers and destroy the God-defiant. In raging anger, I'll make a clean sweep of godless nations who haven't listened." Micah 5:1-5; 10-15 [MSG]
• O: Jesus will return and reign as King, and the godlessness ways of the world will be ended.
• A: My wife and I talk frequently about how the world is rapidly losing it's morals. Pornography is everywhere you look, even on the covers of once-respectable magazines. Even movies rated PG13 often contain material that shouldn't be consumed by anyone, of any age, much less the audience that is targeted by the PG13 rating. You can't turn on the television during prime time -- or even the day time soaps -- without a barrage of flesh and profanity. And try walking down the street or through any shopping mall -- what you don't see on other mall patrons you will see in the mall window displays. And current trends only promise worse to come. But there's another promise we can cling to: the promise of the return of God's Son, Jesus Christ, to rule over all nations in peace, and to "make a clean sweep of godless nations who haven't listened." There is hope yet.
• P: Lord, should I still be walking this Earth at the time of Your Second Coming, oh what a wonderful day that will be. To see You reign in glory and the Enemy defeated. Sweet, sweet victory!

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Soapy Joe 7 - God Rocks!

Average Joe Radio presents

Soapy Joe featuring Average Joe American

Episode Seven: God Rocks!

Phone: (317) 644-6129 Email Feedback: joe@averagejoeamerican.us

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The Richest Fortune

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: No doubt about it! God is good— good to good people, good to the good-hearted. But I nearly missed it, missed seeing his goodness. I was looking the other way, looking up to the people At the top, envying the wicked who have it made, Who have nothing to worry about, not a care in the whole wide world. Pretentious with arrogance, they wear the latest fashions in violence, Pampered and overfed, decked out in silk bows of silliness. They jeer, using words to kill; they bully their way with words. They're full of hot air, loudmouths disturbing the peace. People actually listen to them—can you believe it? Like thirsty puppies, they lap up their words. What's going on here? Is God out to lunch? Nobody's tending the store. The wicked get by with everything; they have it made, piling up riches. I've been stupid to play by the rules; what has it gotten me? A long run of bad luck, that's what— a slap in the face every time I walk out the door. If I'd have given in and talked like this, I would have betrayed your dear children. Still, when I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache . . . Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture: The slippery road you've put them on, with a final crash in a ditch of delusions. In the blink of an eye, disaster! A blind curve in the dark, and—nightmare! We wake up and rub our eyes....Nothing. There's nothing to them. And there never was. When I was beleaguered and bitter, totally consumed by envy, I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox in your very presence. I'm still in your presence, but you've taken my hand. You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me. You're all I want in heaven! You're all I want on earth! When my skin sags and my bones get brittle, God is rock-firm and faithful. Look! Those who left you are falling apart! Deserters, they'll never be heard from again. But I'm in the very presence of God— oh, how refreshing it is! I've made Lord God my home. God, I'm telling the world what you do! Psalm 73 [MSG]
• O: Those who seem to have it made -- with all of the money, the fine cars, the fancy houses -- are really missing out on the big prize.
• A: We run into people every day who are more concerned with appearances and with impressing others than just doing what's right and being themselves. The media flaunts it at us every day, it's no wonder. Inside Edition, Entertainment Tonight, all of the magazines in the checkout lanes -- even the local evening news seems to have turned into The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. We can find ourselves green with envy so easily. Hummer, Lexus, Mercedes. Cadillac, Lincoln, Infiniti. Fine suits, nice house -- all for what? We don't see their private lives often -- and when we do it's either been glossed over or the result of a tragedy. While my meager existence seems to sail smoothly. The peaks and valleys are more of a straight line than the mountains and canyons of the uber rich. Because I have what they may not. I have what their fame and fortune cannot buy. I have what the world can't take away from me. I have the richest of riches -- a fortune that won't preish with my physical body. I have the riches of Salvation and Eternal Life with God through Jesus Christ His Son. All the riches in the world pale by comparison.
• P: Father, help me to share the wealth of your love. Make it more in my life than just a silent prayer. Help me to make it a way of life -- to share your wonderful gift freely and openly.

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Selecting Elected Officials

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: Hosea 8:4 [MSG] They crown kings, but without asking me. They set up princes but don't let me in on it....
• O: God should be involved in the process of choosing our leaders.
• A: Election Day is less than four months away. We'll be choosing our next President -- the "leader of the free world." To what extent have we consulted with God on our vote? Have we gone to Him and asked Him for guidance? For enlightenment? Have we then listened for God's response? Have we truly given any consideration at all to which candidate most closely possesses the value God would want in our leader? Just two days ago I added to my prayer list "Future President of the U.S.," with the intention of praying that we select the best candidate for the job. Maybe it's time we stop listening to the campaign ads and start listening to God.
• P: Father, open my ears, open my heart, and open my mind. Then enlighten me. Help me to disregard my preconceived notions and listen to your guidance.

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God Conquered Death

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: Hebrews 2:14-15 [MSG]
• O: Christ saved us by taking control of Death away from the Devil. He did this by experiencing death Himself.
• A: On the cross, they mocked Him. They challenged Him to save Himself, as if by failing to meet the challenge He would prove their argument for them and disprove Himself as the Son of God. Jesus, who with God created all things, could surely have saved Himself on that cross. But His purpose on the cross was not to prove Himself, or even to save Himself. He was sent to the cross to save each and every one of us from sin. The wages of sin is Death, and to save us from that Death, God -- through His Son Jesus Christ -- experienced death on the cross. Ending Satan's hold on Death and saving us from sin, Jesus rose from the grave and conquered Death, once and for all time.
• P: What is there to say but Thank You, Lord, for making the ultimate sacrifice so that my price has already been paid. For giving me the gift of Salvation.

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Unity of the Trinity

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}

• S: Hebrews 1:1-3 [MSG]
• O: God and Jesus have existed together forever. By his Son, God created the world in the beginning.
• A: There are many people of many religions who can't seem to grasp the oneness of God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son. Some who even believe themselves to be Christians, but don't understand that God and His Son have been together forever and even created the world together. Raised in a Baptist church, I've never even questioned the unity of the Trinity. The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Three in One. How do you help others to understand that?
• P: Lord, help me to share Your Word and to help bring others to an understanding of Your Almighty nature. Give me the words to share and the courage and wisdom to know when to share them.

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Soapy Joe 6 - Prayer

Average Joe Radio presents

Soapy Joe featuring Average Joe American

Episode Six: Prayer

Phone: (317) 644-6129 Email Feedback: joe@averagejoeamerican.us

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