Soapy Joe 11
Average Joe Radio
presents
Soapy Joe
featuring
Average Joe American
Episode Eleven:
Phone: (317) 644-6129
Email Feedback: joe@averagejoeamerican.us
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Friday, August 29, 2008
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Thursday, August 28, 2008
End Times Prophecy
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
FOR TODAY'S FULL READING, CLICK THE TITLE LINK ABOVE.
- S: When I was thirty years of age, I was living with the exiles on the Kebar River. On the fifth day of the fourth month, the sky opened up and I saw visions of God. (It was the fifth day of the month in the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin that God's Word came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, on the banks of the Kebar River in the country of Babylon. God's hand came upon him that day.) I looked: I saw an immense dust storm come from the north, an immense cloud with lightning flashing from it, a huge ball of fire glowing like bronze. Within the fire were what looked like four creatures vibrant with life. Each had the form of a human being, but each also had four faces and four wings. Their legs were as sturdy and straight as columns, but their feet were hoofed like those of a calf and sparkled from the fire like burnished bronze. On all four sides under their wings they had human hands. All four had both faces and wings, with the wings touching one another. They turned neither one way nor the other; they went straight forward. Their faces looked like this: In front a human face, on the right side the face of a lion, on the left the face of an ox, and in back the face of an eagle. So much for the faces. The wings were spread out with the tips of one pair touching the creature on either side; the other pair of wings covered its body. Each creature went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit went, they went. They didn't turn as they went. The four creatures looked like a blazing fire, or like fiery torches. Tongues of fire shot back and forth between the creatures, and out of the fire, bolts of lightning. The creatures flashed back and forth like strikes of lightning. As I watched the four creatures, I saw something that looked like a wheel on the ground beside each of the four-faced creatures. This is what the wheels looked like: They were identical wheels, sparkling like diamonds in the sun. It looked like they were wheels within wheels, like a gyroscope. They went in any one of the four directions they faced, but straight, not veering off. The rims were immense, circled with eyes. When the living creatures went, the wheels went; when the living creatures lifted off, the wheels lifted off. Wherever the spirit went, they went, the wheels sticking right with them, for the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. When the creatures went, the wheels went; when the creatures stopped, the wheels stopped; when the creatures lifted off, the wheels lifted off, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. Over the heads of the living creatures was something like a dome, shimmering like a sky full of cut glass, vaulted over their heads. Under the dome one set of wings was extended toward the others, with another set of wings covering their bodies. When they moved I heard their wings—it was like the roar of a great waterfall, like the voice of The Strong God, like the noise of a battlefield. When they stopped, they folded their wings. And then, as they stood with folded wings, there was a voice from above the dome over their heads. Above the dome there was something that looked like a throne, sky-blue like a sapphire, with a humanlike figure towering above the throne. From what I could see, from the waist up he looked like burnished bronze and from the waist down like a blazing fire. Brightness everywhere! The way a rainbow springs out of the sky on a rainy day—that's what it was like. It turned out to be the Glory of God! When I saw all this, I fell to my knees, my face to the ground. Then I heard a voice. Ezekiel 1 [MSG]
- O: End Time prophecy in the Bible is often of a very symbolic nature. Why?
- A: These current readings through the book of Revelation, and now Ezekiel, are some of the richest, most colorfully descriptive passages in the Bible. End Times prophecy, full of symbolism. It has been argued by many opponents of Biblical End Times prophecy that the symbolism is so difficult to interpret that it's impossible to learn what to expect from such prophecy. While much of the Bible speaks in very literal terms of what did happen or what will happen, the books of Revelation, Ezekiel, even Daniel -- all with prophecy of the End Times -- are filled with rich symbolism. While much of that symbolism is difficult for the unstudied to interpret, God has blessed us with learned scholars of the Bible whom He has granted the wisdom to see the meaning behind the symbolism and share with us His message. Just as you would turn to a physician for clarification on matters of medicine, or a scientist on matters of science, or even a mathematician on the more difficult principles of algebra or calculus, you should also turn to the experts on some of the more confusing points of theology. When we don't understand E=mc2, we ask a scientist for help. When we don't understand the significance of Pi (3.1415926.....), we as a mathematician for help. When we don't understand the impact of high cholesterol or high blood pressure, we ask a doctor. It stands to reason then, when we don't understand the symbolism of End Times prophecy, we should ask a trusted theologian for help. Don't just write it off as so much fantasy. The fate of your soul for eternity could be at stake.
- P: Father, open my eyes over these next several days as I dig into the symbolism of Your revelation of what's to come. Help me to find understanding and communicate that clearly in my dealings with others.
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Joe
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Lord Will Return
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
FOR TODAY'S FULL READING, CLICK THE TITLE LINK ABOVE.
- S: I turned and saw the voice. I saw a gold menorah with seven branches, And in the center, the Son of Man, in a robe and gold breastplate, hair a blizzard of white, Eyes pouring fire-blaze, both feet furnace-fired bronze, His voice a cataract, right hand holding the Seven Stars, His mouth a sharp-biting sword, His face a perigee sun. I saw this and fainted dead at His feet. His right hand pulled me upright, His voice reassured me: "Don't fear: I am First, I am Last, I'm Alive. I died, but I came to life, and My life is now forever. Revelation 1: 12-18 [MSG] O LORD, what is man that You care for him, the son of man that You think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow. Part Your heavens, O LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, so that they smoke. Send forth lightning and scatter {the enemies}; shoot Your arrows and rout them. Reach down Your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful. Psalm 144:3-8 [NIV]
- O: Jesus Christ is returning, and the time is drawing near.
- A: The time is drawing near. That's what Bible scholars tell us. That's what the Bible teaches us. Jesus Christ is returning soon, in all of His majestic glory, and God's wrath will be unleashed on the Enemy. But what does "drawing near" mean? To God, a day is like a thousand years, a thousand years are like a day. Our finite minds cannot measure time from God's perspective. We created the 24 hour day, the 30 day month, the 365 day year. As God measures time, the Lord could return any day. And when He returns, He will collect His followers and take them to Paradise with Him. Those who have rejected Him will remain for a time of Great Tribulation. Life will not be easy then. Where will you be? Are you prepared for the Lord's return? Or for a time of Great Tribulation? The choice is Yours.
- P: Father, while those of us who choose You are ready for Your Son to return, there are so many who aren't ready. Use us, Lord, to reach them for You.
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Joe
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
God Almighty
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
CLICK THE TITLE ABOVE FOR THE FULL DAILY READING.
- S: By His power He made earth. His wisdom gave shape to the world. He crafted the cosmos. He thunders and rain pours down. He sends the clouds soaring. He embellishes the storm with lightnings, launches the wind from His warehouse. Stick-god worshipers look mighty foolish! god-makers embarrassed by their handmade gods! Their gods are frauds, dead sticks— deadwood gods, tasteless jokes. They're nothing but stale smoke. When the smoke clears, they're gone. But the Portion-of-Jacob is the real thing; He put the whole universe together, With special attention to Israel. His name? God-of-the-Angel-Armies! Jeremiah 51:15-19 [MSG]
- O: Wow! What a powerful description of an Almighty God!
- A: We grow pretty comfortable pretty quickly with God. All cake and cookies, we think, expecting Him to meet our every need, grant our every wish, fulfill our every desire. We think that He is here to serve us, and while Jesus showed His disciples the concept of servant leadership, by no means should we believe that the Almighty God is here to serve us. The vain and selfish nature of the human race so easily convinces us that all of nature is at our disposal, to do with what we wish, regardless of the outcome. Yes it was only after God -- the Almighty, all knowing -- created everything else that He made man in His own image. He didn't make earth and nature and all that it consists of to suit our needs. God made man last because He wanted someone to care for His vast creation. He wanted a steward of the earth. God didn't make man Because He wanted to serve someone. God made man to worship Him -- to love Him and spend eternity with Him. We are His. His creation, His people. He is our God -- to worship -- not our servant. Lest we ever forget.
- P: Almighty God, we see You in everything around us, in nature wherever we go, in love, in the songs of birds and the blowing breeze. You are our God, and we worship You.
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Joe
Monday, August 25, 2008
Deceivers
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: There are a lot of smooth-talking charlatans loose in the world who refuse to believe that Jesus Christ was truly human, a flesh-and-blood human being. Give them their true title: Deceiver! Antichrist! And be very careful around them so you don't lose out on what we've worked so diligently in together; I want you to get every reward you have coming to you. Anyone who gets so progressive in his thinking that he walks out on the teaching of Christ, walks out on God. But whoever stays with the teaching, stays faithful to both the Father and the Son. 2 John 7-9 [MSG]
- O: There have long been deceivers among us who would have us believe teachings that do not come from the Word. They would have us believe that Jesus Christ was not the Son of God in the flesh.
- A: I find myself from time to time engaged in discussion threads online that start off as political and quickly turn to religion. I have been berated by people who call themselves devout Christians while at the same time claiming that very key portions of the Bible are not true, or that Jesus didn't accomplish all that the Bible says He did. The Bible warns us of false prophets, charlatans, deceivers, antichrists -- warns us to stay true to our faith and not fall for their lies. Any scholar of Bible prophecy can show historical evidence supporting the fulfillment of more than 50% of end times prophecy from the Bible. We are nearing the end of days, and growing more likely every day to encounter one of these deceivers.
- P: Lord, keep me alert, strong, and determined to keep the faith in defense of the truth.
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Joe
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Words -vs- Actions
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
This blog is not intended to be a political blog, but when I feel the Spirit of God moving me to discuss a specific topic -- whether of a political nature or not -- after reading a passage of Scripture, I must obey that calling.
- S: Every person who believes that Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah, is God-begotten. If we love the One who conceives the child, we'll surely love the child who was conceived. The reality test on whether or not we love God's children is this: Do we love God? Do we keep His commands? The proof that we love God comes when we keep His commandments and they are not at all troublesome. 1 John 5:1-3 [MSG]
- O: The evidence is in our actions.
- A: We see it in the current political scene right now in the Presidential campaign. The candidates can say whatever they want about their faith. They can label themselves as Christians. Anyone can say he or she is a Christian -- a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. But it takes more than just the claim to make it so. To be a follower of Christ is to believe that Jesus came and died for our sins and that, as the Son of God, He arose and went to prepare a place for us with the Father. Actually believing it, not just claiming to believe it. And having that belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, our lives become changed -- renewed. We live a life that exemplifies our beliefs. We are a model of what Christ taught while He walked on Earth among us. We strive to obey God's commandments in all that we do. All of them, all of the time. God's principles are reflected in our own. No one is perfect -- just forgiven. It is the forgiven who understand the gift of forgiveness and want to live a life that pleases God -- not the voters. Don't fall for the rhetoric of the campaign ads, debates, and news reports. Talk is cheap, and anyone can say what is politically correct for the situation. We live by faith, and our actions display that faith in a tangible form. Hear their words, but believe their actions.
- P: Father, open my eyes -- and the eyes of voters all across America -- so that we might see through the pretense and choose wisely when casting our ballots in November.
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Joe
Thursday, August 21, 2008
God Communicates
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: Here's how we can be sure that we know God in the right way: Keep his commandments. If someone claims, "I know him well!" but doesn't keep his commandments, he's obviously a liar. His life doesn't match his words. But the one who keeps God's word is the person in whom we see God's mature love. This is the only way to be sure we're in God. Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived. ... Anyone who claims to live in God's light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. It's the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God's light and doesn't block the light from others. But whoever hates is still in the dark, stumbles around in the dark, doesn't know which end is up, blinded by the darkness. 1 John 2:2-6,9-11 [MSG]
- O: "Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived. ... Anyone who claims to live in God's light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark.
- A: Think God isn't in control? That He doesn't speak to us? Try this. Every day I pull the readings for my Life Journaling (Daily Soap) from an established reading plan. I don't make these up or try myself to find something that meets a particular purpose. Today, my own religious beliefs were challenged and I was called a racist because of some content that appeared beneath a recent article I wrote on Redstate.com. The content was not of my design, but rather appended to my article by Redstate without my knowledge or approval. Today, I sat down to Life Journal and read the above passage from 1 John 2. It's the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God's light and doesn't block the light from others. As I stood accused of being a racist, posting content that I did not post, my faith being called into question, it is comforting -- like reassurance from God -- to read such words of wisdom. By no design of my own, simply following my established reading plan, I was led to such a timely passage. Say it's fate. Say it's coincidence. Say it's my imagination. Say whatever you want, but I say it's the way that God communicates in our world today.
- P: Father, as I try to live a life that is an example of Your love, it is inevitable that I will face accusation and insult from time to time. Your Word says so, and I've certainly experienced it before. Thank You for using Your Word and my daily journaling to provide reassurance and affirmation in the face of such accusations.
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Joe
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
God is Knocking
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in—we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we're telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us. We saw it, we heard it, and now we're telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy! This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there's not a trace of darkness in him. If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we're obviously lying through our teeth—we're not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin. If we claim that we're free of sin, we're only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won't let us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we've never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God. 1 John 1 [MSG]
- O: "The infinite life of God Himself took shape before us."
- A: Different denominations of the Christian faith will sometimes engage in a dangerous debate. Was Jesus Christ a prophet? The Son of God? Or God Himself in the form of man? This question is answered several places in the Bible, though the answer often goes overlooked. Jesus Christ was God made man. Not "God-made man" (that would be Adam and all the rest of us), but God, made man. God made into a man. God in the flesh -- in the form of man. Emmanuel: God with us. Some stumble with the fact that Jesus referred to "the Father," meaning God -- even prayed to Him -- during His time on Earth. Does this mean that He prayed to Himself, or that He was not actually God in the flesh? If you are a believer of God and follower of Jesus, then you likely know that God is everywhere. Meaning that He was here, on Earth, as Jesus, and at the same time in Heaven, as the Father. If we believe that God has the power needed to have spoken the world into existence, why must we think that He might be limited by things of His own creation -- such as time, space, and the physical realm? Such a powerful God certainly isn't limited by the things of Earth. God is everywhere, all the time. Looking over my shoulder as I write this. Looking over yours as you read it. Hopefully living in your heart. Or certainly, at the very least, knocking and asking you to invite Him in. Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20 [KJV] Will you open the door and invite Him in?
- P: Father God, You are truly an awesome God, Creator of all things, in all places at all times. By Your awesome power You existed as both God and man at the same time. You died for us and live today, so that we might live forever with You. Knock, Lord. Knock loudly, so that others might hear, answer, and invite You in, to experience the awesome power of Your endless love.
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Joe
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
His Story
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: There are so many other things Jesus did. If they were all written down, each of them, one by one, I can't imagine a world big enough to hold such a library of books. John 21:25 [MSG]
- O: While the Bible is all true, it is not by any means a complete work. There is so much that has not been revealed.
- A: There are actually people who believe that Jesus Christ didn't know He was the Son of God until the ago of thirty. The Bible tells us of His birth in a manger. The Bible tells us of Him teaching in the temple at age twelve. The Bible tells of His miracles, ministry, death and resurrection at about age thirty-three. But so much is not told. Not because it didn't happen, but because, as John writes, even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. [NIV] We must remember that our view of the world is of very limited scope. Only God can know it all.
- P: Father, Thank You for Your Word, and for revealing to us the story of Your Son, Jesus Christ. While there clearly is so much more to know, You have chosen to reveal only a limited portion of His story. As wonderful as it is, I can only imagine the chapters that haven't been written.
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Monday, August 18, 2008
The Magic of Faith
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples told him, "We saw the Master." But he said, "Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won't believe it." Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you." Then he focused his attention on Thomas. "Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don't be unbelieving. Believe." Thomas said, "My Master! My God!" Jesus said, "So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing." John 20:25-29 [MSG]
- O: Seeing is believing. Faith is believing without seeing.
- A: The Gospel of John shows us a perfect example of the difference between having evidence and having faith. As the risen Christ had appeared to a group of his disciples, they recognized Him to be all He had said He was and more. Even though they had never been told that He would raise from the grave and walk among them again, upon seeing Him they knew that to be the case. With the exception of one: "Doubting" Thomas. Thomas hadn't been with them when the Lord appeared. When the disciples told Thomas of what they had seen, he replied that he wouldn't believe it without proof. Without tangible evidence supporting the divinity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Thomas wasn't buying it. When the risen Savior first presented Himself to Thomas, He told him, "Examine the holes in My hands. Stick your hand where the sword pierced My side as I hung dying on the cross." He told Thomas, "Believe." Of course, Thomas could no longer doubt the evidence he had seen with his own eyes and touched with his own hands. He believed. Not because he had faith, but because he had evidence. Christ said, "Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing." For some it is so easy to find themselves in doubt, needing evidence before they'll believe. Faith has no meaning for them. In my home hangs a sign that reads:
Faith is not believing that God can -- it is knowing that He will.I can tell you, having faith feels so much better than having evidence. Faith gives you something to look forward to -- anticipation. It's easy to believe what we can touch and see. To believe it upon faith alone is magical! For me, faith in God is the ability to see the evidence of His existence everywhere I look.
- P: God, You are. And I know it, because Your Word has said it. Thank You for being.
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Joe
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Fearing God
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor. The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing. Psalm 112 [NIV]
- O: He who walks with God will be blessed.
- A: Love God, and have a healthy fear of Him. Fear Him? Meaning what? To actually be afraid of God? Well, yes and no. To fear God means to respect Him, to have an understanding of His awesome power, and to know that He rules with passion and mercy for those who love Him, and a wrathful judgement upon those who do not. By fearing God, we have a strong desire to do His will -- to please Him. By doing His will and pleasing Him, we bring His blessings upon us. God provides for us all of our needs -- I've seen this personally. We find that we aren't afraid of death or bad news, because as God walks with us, we are wrapped in His protective arms. Nothing the world can do to us is of consequence when we are wrapped in the protective, loving arms of God.
- P: Father, Thank You for Your provisions, Your protection, Your everlasting grace. As unworthy as I may be, You never cease.
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Joe
Friday, August 15, 2008
God Answers Prayer
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: "This is what I want you to do: Ask the Father for whatever is in keeping with the things I've revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he'll most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks!" John 16:23-24 [MSG]
- O: Jesus instructs us to pray to God in His (Jesus') name.
- A: Much of what I have read lately has been about prayer. If so much of the Bible is about prayer, how important it must be. Yet it seems to me that prayer is highly overlooked in daily life. As a boy, every family meal began with my dad asking God's blessing and giving thanks: prayer. As an adult, that practice has been mostly reserved for special occasions such as Easter, Christmas, and, of course, Thanksgiving. Prayer should be so much more a part of our lives than just something we do in church on Sunday or before a special meal. The day should be like a prayer sandwich. We should start the day with prayer, end the day with prayer, and pepper it with prayer in between. God listens, and God answers prayer, and life is so much better when we walk and talk with God. One of my employees told me a story this week of his son who found himself in legal trouble. This employee (I'll call him "Ted") was struggling with whether to bail his son out or let him learn a lesson. Ted had spoken several times to the victim trying to get him to drop the charges. Ted asked me what I would do, and I wasn't much help. So he told me the next day that he had prayed. "Lord, tell me what to do," he prayed. He felt the Lord moving him to speak with the victim once again. He did, and God answered: the charges have been dropped! God answers prayers prayed in the name of His Son.
- P: Father, Thank You for giving me this real life, current day example of answered prayer. Help me as I commit to give prayer a greater role in my life.
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Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Works
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him—we'll move right into the neighborhood! Not loving me means not keeping my words. The message you are hearing isn't mine. It's the message of the Father who sent me. John 14:24 [MSG]
- O: We show our love for Jesus by keeping his word and doing his works.
- A: I've journaled before about the difference between belief and works, and how one gets us to Heaven and the other pays our rewards after getting to Heaven. While works don't make the grade, it is by doing God's works and obeying His words that we display our love for Him for all to see. It's like oxygen and carbon dioxide. If we breathe in oxygen, we must breathe out carbon dioxide. That's just the way out works. Similarly, if we take Jesus Christ into our hearts as our Lord and Savior, we must breathe out good works, and obey His words. It's not possible to do the first without the last. Not genuinely, that is, and not for long. If we say we love God and we don't show it, because we continue to wallow in sin, what kind of love is it really? If you say you love your spouse, yet you continually betray her, what kind of love is it? It is a deep and abiding love for Christ Jesus that first moves us to accept Him as our Savior, and second gives us the undeniable desire to obey His will. How can we love Him and not show it? How can we love Him and not want everyone to experience the power of His love? We cannot.
- P: Father, Thank You for your love, and for Your plan of salvation. Thank You for sending Your Son to pay the price for my sins. For that which I am wholly unworthy, Thank You. Guide me now, Lord, as I try to obey Your will, to do Your works, and to share Your love with those I encounter on a daily basis. Use me as tool, Lord, to grow Your kingdom.
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Joe
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Church
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: "Clean up your act—the way you live, the things you do—so I can make my home with you in this place. Don't for a minute believe the lies being spoken here—"This is God's Temple, God's Temple, God's Temple!" Total nonsense! Only if you clean up your act (the way you live, the things you do), only if you do a total spring cleaning on the way you live and treat your neighbors, only if you quit exploiting the street people and orphans and widows, no longer taking advantage of innocent people on this very site and no longer destroying your souls by using this Temple as a front for other gods—only then will I move into your neighborhood. Only then will this country I gave your ancestors be my permanent home, my Temple. Jeremiah 7:3-7 [MSG]
- O: God's house is more than just a church building where we go to worship. In fact, the church building is nothing but a building. God's house resides within us.
- A: "I go to church every Sunday." I don't know how many times I've heard people say that. They go to work Monday through Friday, relax, or work around the house, or party on Saturday, and go to church on Sunday. Like that's supposed to be enough to earn them a golden ticket, do not pass go, do not collect two-hundred dollars special pass to Heaven. But what is a church? Is it that big brand new building down on the corner with the multi-million dollar mortgage that seats thousands of people who don't know each other's names even though they worship together every Sunday? Or maybe it's a house church, where ten or twenty people gather together for a small worship service one or two nights a week. Is either of those a church? Is it someplace you can go to stay current on your Heaven membership and make sure that Saint Peter will let you through the pearly gates when your number comes due? A church is just a building. Well, the word "church" as most of us use it today is just a building. We seem to use it almost exclusively in reference to the building that we worship in. But a church is so much more than that. Sadly, the first definition of the word church is a building for public Christian worship. The primary reference is to the building. It's not until we get to definition three in the list that we learn what a church really is (or should be): the whole body of Christian believers. It's as if we think that we can get away with doing anything we want throughout the week as long as we gather together in some special building once a week to renew our membership. But the church is God's people. We are the church, no matter where we meet. In a building, in a field, in the street -- the church consists of the people, not the building. And as God's church, we should be living in a way that embodies His values. We should be living the example. If we aren't living the example, then no matter where we go or what we do on Sunday, we are not living up to the name we wear as Christians.
- P: Father, help me to live up to Your name, to your Son's name. To the example that others expect to see from a Christian. Help me to become a part of the church body, not just go to church every Sunday.
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Monday, August 11, 2008
Our Choice to Make
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: "I've got something to say. Is anybody listening? I've a warning to post. Will anyone notice? It's hopeless! Their ears are stuffed with wax— deaf as a post, blind as a bat. It's hopeless! They've tuned out God. They don't want to hear from me. But I'm bursting with the wrath of God. I can't hold it in much longer. "So dump it on the children in the streets. Let it loose on the gangs of youth. For no one's exempt: Husbands and wives will be taken, the old and those ready to die; Their homes will be given away— all they own, even their loved ones— When I give the signal against all who live in this country." God's Decree. Jeremiah 6:10-11 [MSG]
- O: As God's wrath builds, the time of the end is drawing near. How we will spend eternity is up to us.
- A: The Bible teaches us that we will all be judged in the end. God's people will be given the gift of eternity, then judged for their works and rewarded accordingly. Those who have rejected God and turned away from Him will be judged according to their works and then cast into the lake of fire for eternity. It sounds brutal and cruel. Many ask, "How can He be a God of love if He's going to send people to Hell?" Or, "Why would He send people to Hell if He's a God of love?" They justify their rejection of God by saying Hell can't be literal, because a God of love wouldn't send people to Hell. They're right. And wrong. A God of love He is, and He wants to reward everyone with eternal life with Him. We were created to worship and glorify God. And He's made it so easy for us to receive the gift of eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 [NIV] But there's more. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. John 3:18 [NIV] God has already given us the gift of eternal life. It is up to us to receive this gift by accepting His Son Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. By refusing to receive this awesome gift we are instead accepting the condemnation of eternal suffering in Hell. God doesn't send us to Hell so much as we choose to go there by failing to heed God's warning call. Eternal life to all who will accept it. For those too deaf and blind to heed the warnings: Hell. It's our choice to make.
- P: Father, You made the choise so clear to me at an early age. In fact, there is no choice at all. The only choice to make is eternal life. Help me now to understand how some can fail to heed the warning and choose eternity in Hell over eternity with You. Use me, Lord, as a tool to show them the Light.
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Sunday, August 10, 2008
Programming Note *UPDATE*
*UPDATED 8/11/2008 *
The shows of Average Joe Radio will be produced on a new schedule, effective this week. Rather than producing The Joe Show every Sunday and Soapy Joe every Wednesday, one show will be produced every five days, for a total of six shows per month.
This puts the next episode of The Joe Show out this Send feedback to Joe by email, or by calling 317-644-6129.
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Saturday, August 9, 2008
God's Time and Manner
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: A man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. This was the same Mary who massaged the Lord's feet with aromatic oils and then wiped them with her hair. It was her brother Lazarus who was sick. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, "Master, the one you love so very much is sick." When Jesus got the message, he said, "This sickness is not fatal. It will become an occasion to show God's glory by glorifying God's Son." Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus, but oddly, when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed on where he was for two more days. After the two days, he said to his disciples, "Let's go back to Judea." They said, "Rabbi, you can't do that. The Jews are out to kill you, and you're going back?" Jesus replied, "Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in daylight doesn't stumble because there's plenty of light from the sun. Walking at night, he might very well stumble because he can't see where he's going." He said these things, and then announced, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep. I'm going to wake him up." The disciples said, "Master, if he's gone to sleep, he'll get a good rest and wake up feeling fine." Jesus was talking about death, while his disciples thought he was talking about taking a nap. Then Jesus became explicit: "
- O: "To everything, there is a season, and a time to every purpose under Heaven." God accomplishes all on His own timeline and for His own purpose.
- A: Far be it from me to understand God's plan completely. To know why He does what He does -- that's not my job. It isn't any of my business. Yet. But I know that God has His plans. He has His own schedule. We all will go (or won't go) at a time of His own choosing, in a manner of His own choosing. Just as the daughter of singer Steven Curtis Chapman was struck down at an unexpected time, in an unexpected way, God doesn't always share His plans and schedule with us. If you've heard the Chapmans speak about their ordeal, you know that they're going through quite a rough time right now. Especially young Will Franklin Chapman, who was driving the vehicle that sent his little sister home to the Lord. But they're going through their ordeal with God. By all appearances, they haven't abandoned God. You see Chapman on shows like Larry King, and he can't stop praising God, even through the tears. Just as Mary and Martha had to go to the extent of burying their brother Lazarus so that the glory of God could be revealed when Lazarus walked out of his tomb, so today we might find ourselves in times of toil and strife. We may never know why God takes our loved ones when He does and in the way that He does. We may never know why we lose this job, or that house, or go through divorce and break ups. We may never know, but God does. And He has a plan that, in the end, if we are faithful and obedient, will glorify Him and benefit us.
- P: Thank You, Lord, for I know that no matter what comes my way in this life, I have You to guide me through it.
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Friday, August 8, 2008
Soapy Joe 10
Average Joe Radio
presents
Soapy Joe
featuring
Average Joe American
Episode Ten:
Phone: (317) 644-6129
Email Feedback: joe@averagejoeamerican.us
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Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: Again the Jews picked up rocks to throw at him. Jesus said, "I have made a present to you from the Father of a great many good actions. For which of these acts do you stone me?" The Jews said, "We're not stoning you for anything good you did, but for what you said—this blasphemy of calling yourself God." Jesus said, "I'm only quoting your inspired Scriptures, where God said, 'I tell you—you are gods.' If God called your ancestors 'gods'—and Scripture doesn't lie—why do you yell, 'Blasphemer! Blasphemer!' at the unique One the Father consecrated and sent into the world, just because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? If I don't do the things my Father does, well and good; don't believe me. But if I am doing them, put aside for a moment what you hear me say about myself and just take the evidence of the actions that are right before your eyes. Then perhaps things will come together for you, and you'll see that not only are we doing the same thing, we are the same—Father and Son. He is in me; I am in him." John 10:31-38 [MSG]
- O: God and Jesus Christ -- Father and Son -- are actually one and the same.
- A: It can be difficult for our finite minds to comprehend how God and Jesus can be the same. How they can be One. The Father in Heaven and His Son who came to earth to save us from our sins. How can two be One? Think about this: you cannot see air. You can't touch it, taste it, or feel it. You can't smell it. It's not something tangible that you can measure. When the wind blows, you're feeling the wind, not the air -- rather the effect of air being moved. You may smell scents or aromas, but they are merely carried by the air, not actually the air. But we know the air is there, we know it's all around us. We believe that. Why? Because someone we trust told us. Similarly, our belief in God is based on faith -- because someone we trust told us. We can't see Him (though we see His works in nature around us), we can't touch Him, taste Him, or feel Him (though we may feel Him working in our hearts). We certainly can't smell Him. But we know that He's there. And if we believe in God, and believe that Jesus is His Son, then we must accept the fact that God's Son doesn't lie. And if God's Son doesn't lie, then all that He says is true. And if Jesus says that He and God are One, then it must be true, because someone we trust -- Jesus -- told us.
- P: Father, my finite mind may not be able to fathom all of your wonders, but I take it on faith that Your Word is true. Because I trust You and You've told me these wondrous things.
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Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Soapy Joe Delayed...
Soapy Joe delayed this week due to a scheduled Blogger outage that beings in approximately ten minutes. Watch for the show Thursday evening. Send feedback to Joe by email, or by calling 317-644-6129. Your comments? Joe
God's Divine Plan
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: They said, "Where is this so-called Father of yours?" Jesus said, "You're looking right at me and you don't see me. How do you expect to see the Father? If you knew me, you would at the same time know the Father." He gave this speech in the Treasury while teaching in the Temple. No one arrested him because his time wasn't yet up. John 8:19-20 [MSG]
- O: God has orchestrated and remains in control of events throughout history.
- A: Many of us live our lives in fear of death. We live worried that one thing or another might or might not happen. Mostly we worry about bad things: being fired or passed over for promotion, car accidents or house fires, divorce and, as I've said, death. And we waste so much time and energy worrying that we miss out on so many of the wonderful blessings that God wants to bestow upon us. But God has everything in control. All of history is already written. We have but one responsibility in order to reap God's reward: to live well sharing the Message of God's plan with others. Just as the Pharisees could do no harm to Jesus until His time on earth was up, we have no need to fear or worry over the happenings of life, because what comes will come at the appointed time. Live happy, live healthy. Be a beacon unto God, and receive His blessings. When your time is up, then, you will receive the ultimate reward, and all of your meaningless worries along the way will be forgotten.
- P: Father, I know that it is not my place to know or understand Your Divine Plan. It is my place only to do Your Will and to please You until my time is up. Help me to do that faithfully, Lord.
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Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Belief
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." John 6:26-29 [NIV]
- O: The one requirement of God: believe in the One He has sent.
- A: Good deeds, living right, going to church regularly, being Baptized -- these are all things too commonly accepted as tickets to Heaven. Jesus Christ Himself said only one thing is necessary to do the works of God: ...believe in the One He has sent. For it is by His grace, through our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, that we are saved. Meet that one small requirement -- believe -- and everything else will fall into place.
- P: Thank You for making it so easy to receive the gift of Salvation.
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Monday, August 4, 2008
Heeding the Warning
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and maintains his wrath against his enemies. The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet. Nahum 1:2-3 [NIV]
- O: God will punish His enemies.
- A: I had an online discussion recently with someone who claims to be a devout Christian. Someone who doesn't believe that God would cause harm to people as punishment. Many people believe that God is all cake and cookies, the He is all good and incapable of causing anyone any harm. Of course He is all good, but through his wrath God has and will punish His enemies. As Nahum warned Ninevah, God will take revenge and, though He is slow to anger, He will not allow the guilty to go unpunished. Ninevah did not heed Nahum's warnings and was exposed to God's might wrath. Why today do so many resist the call to salvation? Eternal Life if you choose, eternal fire if you ignore. What can be so hard about that?
- P: You made the choice clear to me twelve years ago, Lord. The choice of Eternal Life. Help me to tell others of this wondrous gift.
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Sunday, August 3, 2008
Faith
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: ...there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe." The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies." Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed. While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. 52When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, "The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour." Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live." So he and all his household believed. John 4:46-53 [MSG]
- O: It is by our faith that God answers our prayers.
- A: To have the faith of this official, who traveled for two days to see Jesus, not having any guarantee that Jesus would still be there when he arrived, with nothing more than his own belief that Jesus could and would heal his son. For having the faith to make the trip and approach Jesus, he was rewarded b finding Jesus. For having the faith to believe Him when Jesus told him that his son would live, he was rewarded with the restoration of his son's health. How often do we have so little faith that we don't trust God to provide for us, or to get us through the rough spots? It is written that faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains. True faith brings miracles.
- P: Father, I have seen You provide for myself and my family -- seen You reward us and bless us for our faith. Thank You!
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Saturday, August 2, 2008
One Faith
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. John 3:16-18 [NIV]
- O: Jesus came to be our Savior, and failing to believe in Him is an eternal death sentence.
- A: It is often quoted -- John 3:16. That Jesus came to give us everlasting life. It's quite clear, really, that He is the one and only path to Heaven. But lest we fail to understand completely, John also explained in further detail in verse 18 that by failing to believe in Jesus Christ as the One and Only Son of God, our Savior, we can just as easily condemn ourselves to eternal death. Many politicians will try to say that any faith is good, that we all believe in the same God, and that if we live a good life we will go to Heaven. That just isn't true. Only one faith teaches that Jesus Christ is the path to eternal life. Believing in God is important, yes. But knowing His Son as your Savior is irreplaceable.
- P: Lord, help me today to share the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ with someone.
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Friday, August 1, 2008
Calling Out To God
Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: Oh, thank God—he's so good! His love never runs out. All of you set free by God, tell the world! Tell how he freed you from oppression, Then rounded you up from all over the place, from the four winds, from the seven seas. Some of you wandered for years in the desert, looking but not finding a good place to live, Half-starved and parched with thirst, staggering and stumbling, on the brink of exhaustion. Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God. He got you out in the nick of time.... Some of you were locked in a dark cell, cruelly confined behind bars, Punished for defying God's Word, for turning your back on the High God's counsel— A hard sentence, and your hearts so heavy, and not a soul in sight to help. Then you called out to God in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time.... Some of you were sick because you'd lived a bad life, your bodies feeling the effects of your sin; You couldn't stand the sight of food, so miserable you thought you'd be better off dead. Then you called out to God in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time.... Some of you set sail in big ships; you put to sea to do business in faraway ports. Out at sea you saw God in action, saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean: With a word he called up the wind— an ocean storm, towering waves! You shot high in the sky, then the bottom dropped out; your hearts were stuck in your throats. You were spun like a top, you reeled like a drunk, you didn't know which end was up. Then you called out to God in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time.... If you are really wise, you'll think this over— it's time you appreciated God's deep love. Psalm 107 [MSG]
- O: Why do we always wait until times are at their hardest to call out to God for help? And when we do, how great is it of Him to always come to the rescue?
- A: Just after 9/11, when thousands of people died and millions of others were affected by the attacks on our nation, there was a massive outcry to God. When disaster strikes -- hurricane, earthquake, tornadoes, floods -- we turn to churches for assistance with cleanup, food, and shelter. Recently I heard a traveler with car problems mention that he was contacting local churches to ask for help with the repairs. When times are tough, we call on God for help. When we suffer great loss, we call on God for comfort. When we are in dire need, we call on God to provide. But when things are going well -- we're prosperous, happy, and successful -- we seem more likely to credit our own hard work than the good grace of God. When we have our fifteen minutes of fame, whom do we credit? When was the last time you saw someone in a crowd caught by a TV camera call out to God? Not likely, but I'll bet you can't count how many times you saw someone wave and mouth "Hi, Mom." I love my mom, and I miss her dearly, and she did a great job of raising me and molding me into the man I am today. But the reason she was so successful in doing so was because she was a Godly woman. She taught me to love, respect, and fear the Lord. She taught me to give thanks in all things. She taught me to call out to God in praise as well as in need. To my mother I owe so much, but to my God who blessed me with such a wonderful mother, then continued to bless me with an awesome wife and two great kids, and gave me the ultimate gift of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ, I owe everything. To Him I call out in worship and praise, "I love You, God! Thank You for Your mercy and grace!"
- P: Lord, You've given me so much in life. So much that there's nothing I "need" right now. To You, God, I call out with thankfulness.
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