Going Forth

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer} FOR TODAY'S FULL READING, CLICK THE TITLE LINK ABOVE.

SCRIPTURE:

7-8 Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. He sent them off with these instructions: 8-9 "Don't think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple. 10 "And no luxury inns. Get a modest place and be content there until you leave. 11 "If you're not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way." 12-13 Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits. Mark 6:7-13 [MSG]

OBSERVATION: Christ has called us to His service. What will our answer be?

APPLICATION:

Christ has called us all to serve, to go forth and spread the Good News throughout the world. Just as when He commissioned the Apostles to go out preaching and healing in His name, He has told us that it would not be easy. He has told us that we would not live in luxury doing His work. He has even told us not to press the issue where we aren't welcome. Only the willing can be saved, and only God can soften a hard heart. Only God can make the unwilling willing.

He may use us, He may not. He may use circumstances to get to the most stalwart resisters. It is not for us to know God's methods, just as the sculpture cannot understand the sculptor's vision. But just as the clay that forms the sculpture must subject itself to the molding of the potter, we, too, must allow the Master to shape us and mold us and use us for His purpose. To go where He sends us, to do as He asks us, all in His glorious name.

PRAYER:

Father, I know that I sometimes resist Your will. I don't always faithfully answer Your call, despite my best intentions. I want to be used by You, Lord. Help me to strip away the excuses and to submit to Your will.

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All Things For God's Glory

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer} FOR TODAY'S FULL READING, CLICK THE TITLE LINK ABOVE.

SCRIPTURE:

"Don't you even know the basics, how things have been since the earliest days, when Adam and Eve were first placed on earth? The good times of the wicked are short-lived; godless joy is only momentary. The evil might become world famous, strutting at the head of the celebrity parade, But still end up in a pile of dung. Acquaintances look at them with disgust and say, 'What's that?' They fly off like a dream that can't be remembered, like a shadowy illusion that vanishes in the light. Though once notorious public figures, now they're nobodies, unnoticed, whether they come or go. Their children will go begging on skid row, and they'll have to give back their ill-gotten gain. Right in the prime of life, and youthful and vigorous, they'll die." Job 20:4-11 [MSG]

OBSERVATION: That which we gain through dishonest means does not last.

APPLICATION:

In Indianapolis Wednesday, three men robbed a bank. The IMPD was on the ball and picked up on the trio's trail before they could make a clean getaway. After a brief high speed chase, the crooks were involved in an accident that disabled their getaway vehicle. Before Police could move in to take the trio into custody, one of them shot himself in the head. The other two are now in Police custody.

What could the three have been thinking when they made their plans to rob a bank? Did they really expect to get away with it? Did they really expect to be livin' large on loot taken by force from a bank? Did they forget that, after the recent shooting of a pregnant teller during another Indianapolis bank robbery, that the IMPD has been on a constant state of alert for such behavior?

This trio could only have been thinking of one thing: the easy money. They could not have considered the long term effects of their actions, could they? Of course not, and as is so often the case when we fail to consider the long term effects of our actions, sacrificing what we really want for what we want right now, they paid a terrible price.

The good times of the wicked are short-lived. The love of God transcends all time.

PRAYER:

Father, comfort the families of this misguided trio. Use this terrible event as a deterrent for some future soul that might otherwise head down the same path. Let some good come of this, Lord.

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As Simple As Black and White?

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

SCRIPTURE:

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8 [NIV]

OBSERVATION: We seem to have lost our focus on Christ.

APPLICATION:

We live in a world now where deception has become the norm. We have even found a way to make it okay, by measuring it in degrees. We speak of "little white lies," even at the early stages of childhood. Problem is, those "little white lies" keep getting whiter and whiter, and soon the "little" white lies are no longer lies at all. Next, the "little white lies" become slightly bigger. It's a repetitive cycle of rationalizing away things that were once considered wrong, until they are no longer wrong at all.

This is not the philosophy we have been taught by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This is not His way. Certainly the Son of Man never intended for us to do many of the things that we as a society (or, at least, those we have elected as legislators) have deemed acceptable. Abortion? Divorce? Pre-marital cohabitation? Just to name a few.

At what point do we draw the line? Right and wrong is no longer as clear as black and white. The black continually moves through gray becoming whiter and whiter until we perceive nothing wrong there. How white do we allow the black to become before we say enough is enough?

What examples can you share of the black turning white? Of the wrong becoming right? Of the unacceptable becoming commonplace? Please share your thoughts.

PRAYER:

Father, keep my vision clear and my mind focused on You. Help me to always know wrong from right and to not accept shades of gray as okay.

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Perseverence

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer} FOR TODAY'S FULL READING, CLICK THE TITLE LINK ABOVE.

SCRIPTURE:

When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him. ... For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 28:16, 30-31 [NIV]

OBSERVATION: Paul, in adversity, never faltered.

APPLICATION: 

I found myself today engaged in a conversation with someone about the Presidential candidates. He described himself as "leaning Democrat," though he couldn't say why. He admitted that he hadn't studied the candidates and knew almost nothing about either one. We spoke for a while of the differences between Senators McCain and Obama. Our discussion turned to other issues such as education, taxes, the Supreme Court, and even state and local candidates. In the end I suggested he visit On The Issues.org for a non-partisan presentation of where both candidates stand on the issues. I doubt that he was swayed either way.

It occurred to me while reading through the book of Acts about how Paul persevered in preaching the Good News, even under the watch of a Roman guard, that so many today will expend a great amount of energy extolling the virtues of their chosen candidate for public office. So many people get so passionate when speaking about the man or woman they support. I know that I do. Sadly, I cannot remember the last time I spoke of the Son of God with such intensity.

PRAYER:

Father, use me to tell the story of salvation through Your Son with the same conviction that I tell others of my Presidential pick. Please put my passion to work for the Kingdom.

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Soapy Joe 12 - Hope In Christ

Average Joe Radio presents

Soapy Joe featuring Average Joe American

Episode Twelve: Hope In Christ

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

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Let Us Pray

Wow, how quickly time can escape us when we get caught up with the politics of the current Presidential election. It's been how long since I last Life Journaled? Just check the date on my last post. I've been wrapped up at work with staffing up for the holidays, caught up in the election campaigns, trying to spend time with the kids, and preparing for NaNoWriMo that I've not cracked open my Bible as I should. I intend to get back on track. In the meantime, I invite you to have a moment of silent prayer. Prayer for the people of our nation as we all prepare to go to the polls in just over a week. Pray that we vote smartly and vote our morals and values, not just because we're caught up in the moment of a certain candidate, or opposed to a candidate due to race, gender, or age. None of those things will make or break a President (or, by extension, the nation). What matters is what the next President can do for (or to) our country. Prepare your mind by studying the candidates and ignoring the hype. Prepare you heart by spending a little time with God. And, while you're under the tree, pray that those in support of either candidate who have been committing illegal, despicable acts of violence, vandalism, theft, or fraud, put an end to their shameful ways. This is no way for our country to act. Stay tuned, as the Daily SOAP will return soon. In the meantime, let us pray. Your comments? Joe

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All For His Purpose

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer} FOR TODAY'S FULL READING, CLICK THE TITLE LINK ABOVE.

• S: "And now, friends, I know you had no idea what you were doing when you killed Jesus, and neither did your leaders. But God, who through the preaching of all the prophets had said all along that his Messiah would be killed, knew exactly what you were doing and used it to fulfill his plans. Acts 3:17-18 [MSG]
• O: God uses all things to His glory and purpose.
• A: Just as God used the "trial" and crucifixion of His Son, Jesus Christ, to fulfill His purpose of the gift of salvation, so does He use the events of today for His purpose. We may feel that we're in control, that we choose the leaders whom we feel can best take us into the next decade, but no matter what choices we make -- no matter what the final outcome -- God uses both our successes and our mistakes for His purpose. In the end, for those who have chosen Him, all will be well.
• P: Thank You, Father, for having control.

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One Eye Closed

Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer} FOR TODAY'S FULL READING, CLICK THE TITLE LINK ABOVE.

• S: Dear friends, let me be completely frank with you. Our ancestor David is dead and buried—his tomb is in plain sight today. But being also a prophet and knowing that God had solemnly sworn that a descendant of his would rule his kingdom, seeing far ahead, he talked of the resurrection of the Messiah—'no trip to Hades, no stench of death.' This Jesus, God raised up. And every one of us here is a witness to it. Then, raised to the heights at the right hand of God and receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he poured out the Spirit he had just received. That is what you see and hear. For David himself did not ascend to heaven, but he did say, God said to my Master, "Sit at my right hand Until I make your enemies a stool for resting your feet." "All Israel, then, know this: There's no longer room for doubt—God made him Master and Messiah, this Jesus whom you killed on a cross." Acts 2:29-36 [MSG]
• O: Christ knows Hell from the standpoint of Creator.
• A: There has been debate among Biblical scholars about where Christ went during His three days in the tomb between His crucifixion and resurrection. I'm not one to claim to be a Biblical scholar. I can offer only my viewpoint (or, if you prefer, my opinion). Some have suggested that Christ might have made a trip to Hell during those three days. The book of Acts seems to refute that, saying that Christ "was not abandoned to the grave." [NIV] As He was indeed in a grave -- or tomb -- the term "grave" in this passage is likely in reference to the eternal grave of Hell. It stands to reason, therefore -- to my finite mind, at least -- that Christ did not taste of Hell. But what, then? Heaven? When He would be ascending to Heaven shortly after His resurrection, I think that is unlikely. I ask you this: why did Christ have to go anywhere during His three days in the tomb? Or better yet, why couldn't Christ be everywhere during those three days? As God in the flesh, Christ is one part of a triune God. God is omnipresent -- everywhere all the time. Christ, then, must be omnipresent, too. Close your right eye, and you're still here and can still see through the left eye. God in the flesh while in the tomb -- in my opinion -- was still everywhere in the form of God the Father. Just because a body lied in a tomb doesn't mean something had to happen to Christ during that time. As He is God, I believe there was no change to Him. With one eye closed, our God was still in control.
• P: Father, the very Being that is You is a wonder. How You came to earth and died for my sins, yet never lost control of Your creation. You are truly and Almighty God.

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