Soap - God's Holy Temple

S: Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.

O: The temple is ourselves. The Holy Spirit resides in every Christian and the residing place of that which is holy must become holy...By repentance, we are forgiven by God through the blood of Christ and made righteous-those who live in repentance are working towards sanctification.

As the temple is our body, is it anything else? I'm sure that it's not just our physical bodies, but our hearts as well as our mind and soul-as the Spirit is there, residing in the temple of God-which is all of those things as one. Christ has renewed our hearts and minds and redeemed our soul-

"The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands."

Acts 7:24

God has made us anew, bought us with His Son's blood, and readied us to be the residing place of His Spirit.

What does it mean to destroy the temple? I think to fill our hearts and minds with crap-trashy television, explicit music, sexual inuuendos, etc, we destroy our heart (as well as expressing it vocally), thus destroying a part of the temple.

"But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man."

Matthew 15:18

To disrespect our bodies, with even a lack of sleep or the controversial tattoo (for the wrong reasons and I doubt even good reasons), is the hold the temple in irreverence-As we no longer hold custody over our bodies, it's no longer our right to live the way we see fit...because we are the temple of God.

But above all else, when our soul is stained with sin, it is most definitely destroying God's temple-God cannot have fellowship with sin and love of sin breaks down the temple in far worse ways than lack of sleep or coarse talking (but those can lead to sin as well)...

Those who hold God's temple with litte regard will find themselves (unrepentant, for one thing which leads to) being condemned. God will destroy him-that's really quite straightforward and I understand that whoever lives in sin and does come into repentance, thus destroying the temple that which God intended to be holy, will be utterly condemned by the Lord.

A: I will remember that I (the entirety of who I am) am the temple of God. The Holy Spirit resides with me and I will not have a love of that which defiles the temple of God. I will strive for sanctification, with absolute hatred of sin-not only that, but I will strive to keep my body in shape and well-rested as it actually isn't my own body anymore.

P: Lord, with Your Son's sacrifice, you bought my life and I see that just knowing and applying the knowledge that my entirety is the temple of God means I need to live differently. Would you be glorified in my desire to be responsible and treat my body, heart, soul, and mind as a holy place? I also pray that you work up that desire to a diligent, daily action of living in repentance and keeping your temple holy. In Christ, amen.

Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them.

Exodus 25:8

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - Holy Spirit, Revealing Truth

S: Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

1 Corinthians 2:12-13

O: Who is the Spirit who is from God? First of all, this question automatically answers itself-The Holy Spirit is not a force or power used by God-the Holy Spirit is a person who comes from God. The Holy Spirit is the one who is at work in our lives-doing all the works as God instructs. He is also the 3rd person often overlooked in the Trinity-but He is the one who is with us at all times, working with us and against our flesh.

Through the Holy Spirit we've come to know the truths in the Word-The Spirit reveals truth in God's Word, especially in the Gospel, where salvation was given to us freely for Christ paid the cost. But not only does God freely pour out his mercy upon us through His Son, He freely pours out his grace and blessings as co-heirs with Christ. All testimony of the Gospel and of the Word are not spoken in words taught by our own human wisdom (which is foolishness in comparison to God's!) but rather spoken in words taught and directed by the Spirit, Whom alone knows the thoughts of God.

Spiritual thoughts? Spiritual words? Only by knowing the Word's true meaning, revealed by the Holy Spirit, we manifest spiritual thoughts and spiritual words. We who have received the Spirit know the abundant truth and goodness given to us from God-we testify of those truths not by our own conviction, but by the Spirit that reveals what to be true.

A: I need to be Spirit-filled and reliant upon the Spirit. To be Spirit-filled means that I will be equipped to speak the Gospel without any sugarcoating or my own wisdom or tact put into testifying of God's glory and it will move powerfully. My own words will always be foolishness, but by the Spirit, God's wisdom and power is at hand. To be Spirit-filled means I will consecrate myself and press towards sanctification. To Spirit-filled means I will strive towards submitting myself to God's will and God's kingdom. By the Spirit, I lead worship, speak Truth, and exist to reveal God's glory in me that which is not me at all, but Christ who saved me.

P: Who knows the mind of God? Who understands Your ways? I certainly don't. But Your Spirit Who was given to me by Your grace pushes me on in this race to do greater things. I want to a Spirit-filled servant! Would you spur on a greater passion for Your name in my life, Lord? This coming week used to look ominously large, looming over-and I used to wonder how I would get through it. But I understand that I won't, at least not by my own strength. I thank You for Your Spirit, revealing the great truth that brings me face to face with Your saving grace-humbling me beyond anything else in this life. I pray that as the Spirit intercedes for me, when I'm spouting off all the wrong words and desires-set me towards the direction that You intend for me. In Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - God's Foolishness and Weakness

S: Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Corinthians 1:25

O: Is God ever foolish or weak? It's not an example I've ever really seen used in Scripture-usually when defining God's character, Scripture explicitly says how mighty or how glorious God is. Rather than actually saying that God is ever weak or foolish, this Scripture points towards the comparison of man and God and how infinitely wide that gap is:

Paul uses a great example of showing God's infinite character through the comparison of men-That the wisest man that ever lived (take King Solomon as a good example:) possessed wisdom that in comparison to God's wisdom was still...foolishness.

Or look at Samson, the judge that brought two pillars of stone come crashing down with his bare hands-and yet, in comparison to God, he is puny.

A: I need to see straight when I'm looking at God-I must have the right perspective...Anything that I see to be especially great in men, is mediocre in comparison to the Lord. Too often I'm admiring the strength and wisdom of others rather than bowing down before the One who makes every man look weak and foolish. Infinite wisdom, power, etc...it's all impossible to comprehend-but every time I can be amazed by a person on this earth is yet another time for me to boast about how my God is greater, more amazing, and all the more glorious than me or those that I know. With that being said, I bet God is a ridiculous musician-He literally made the existence of music!

P: Lord, You are greater than I can imagine. You are beyond these words and beyond any description given to You. I pray that when I approach anything, from prayer requests to ministry-You are above and beyond what I ask. You can always do greater things than what I can imagine and I pray that You press that upon my heart-may I not see my own strength or wisdom, but see Your vast power and fall back in awe of the great things you promise to do in my life. Make a name for Yourself, by Your strength and wisdom that which humbles every man to bow his head before You. In Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Ch. 1 of Spiritual Leadership / Soap - Gideon

To aspire to leadership is an honorable ambition.

1 Timothy 3:1

Should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not.

Jeremiah 45:5

-Most people shy away from leadership because they don't think it's appropriate to aspire towards leadership. It's emphasized that 'leaders must be servants' (which is so very true but...) and somewhere along the line the boldness and ambition was extinguished and the 'leaders must also actually be leaders' got lost somewhere along the way.

Ambition isn't necessarily a bad thing as long as the motives behind it are honorable-The difference between wanting great things for ourselves and God is distinct.

Back in the times when Paul was trying to raise up leaders, such a problem didn't really exist because along with carrying the mantle of leadership, suffering, rejection, hardship, and even death were possibilities. Even the greatest of Christians needed encouragement to lead so Paul brought out boldness by calling that which is honorable, an honorable ambition. Even today, people are suffering at the hands of communists and their governments for being church leaders in countries where the Gospel is illegal (China, North Korea, Nepal, etc).

In churches like our own, in America, being a leader brings privileges and respect that could easily tempt people to aspire towards leadership for the wrong reasons. Striving towards excellence could never be a bad thing, but the heart behind it is what determines whether or not the ambition is godly or self-seeking.

Christians ought to strive towards building up and edifying the church through our God-given talents and gifts (remember every Christian has their given gifts). They should never press towards the popularity or recognition, but rather press towards serving God and His people. In doing so, being the last means first-being first means being last: There will be a cost to count and true suffering refines the leader who will either be left with selfish ambition broken or a holy aspiration, realized.

S: But Gideon said to them, "I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you."

Judges 8:23

O: I remember very clearly at how I was amazed at the story of Gideon. Gideon was the biblical version (and OG, if I might add) of 300 - God separated 300 men from over 30,000 to help him overtake the Midianites and the two kings Zebah and Zalmunna-300 of God's chosen men took out 120,000 swordsmen!

At this point in Scripture, Gideon had avenged his brothers and he had gained victory-the men of Israel asked Gideon and his generation to rule over them and he refused by replying as such. After reading such an amazing story of how Gideon conquered, I was especially impressed by his humble answer. He knew that all along it was never by his own strength nor by the strength of his men that they were able to overcome the Midianites-through the many signs (Gideon's fleece, prophetic dream of Gideon's victory over the Midianites, Gideon somehow conquering thousands with a mere 300) God demonstrated his power and Gideon worshiped him accordingly.

A: It is not wrong to do great things-in fact it is a great thing, but only when it is for God's kingdom. I will not take credit for what I know to be God's talents and gifts given to me to demonstrate His power in me. I will know when thousands fall to a mere 300 I assembled, it was all the Lord's doing. I will also aspire to being greater and greater-meaning less and less, so that God's glory will never be diminished by my character.

P: God, you are worthy of all praise. For who amongst us could say we have done great things when we see that you do infinitely more beautiful works by a single breath? Lord, I pray that you may bestow a humble heart upon me, I want to do amazing things for You and Your people-would you fill me yet again with Your Spirit? Teach me not to be content with standards and norms-but rather pressing towards excellence for myself and Your church. In Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - Unified Church under the Word

S: Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:5-6

O: To be of the same mind means to share the same goals and core belief. With one singular vision, church is to be unified. I know that the church (the entire body) isn't connected in prayer or biblical foundation and this verse explicitly states that we should be.

Coming from different backgrounds and denominations, how can we possibly hope to be fully unified in what we believe and do for God? It is impossible without God-as the verse says, may God grant us to be of the same mind...

I've known conflict with several people amongst the church about certain issues-The best way to approach such issues would be "What does the Bible say?" rather than "What would Jesus do?" as I believe several people do a severely misconstrued impression of what Jesus would actually do.

To make a connection to loving God with our minds-I made references to stretching our mental capacity in reading the Word deeply...I'm sure God wants us to all be in the same mindset- as a Scripturally based church!

A: To be of one mind-we must derive all truths from the one truth that God gave us-which is His Word. If everyone was to focus upon the Word, I'm sure that all church politics and petty issues would fall away in a heartbeat and the glory of God would be the only concern of the body. I will do my best to be an advocate of God's Word as I know it to be what it is-to come in an accord with Christians is for Christians to understand and accept God's Word as the absolute and ultimate authority of our lives-correcting and encouraging one another with it, living in unity.

P: Father, unify Your church under the Word-as the supreme authority of our lives, teach us to both revere and do all we can to understand it so that we may all continue to strive for a unified goal to do Your will. Thank You for this Word, in Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - Wavering of the Unfaithful

S: Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.

The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:6, 8

O: Before the Israelites crossed the Jordan to enter into the promised land, Moses gave his last counsel. One thing that I absolutely love about these two verses is the repetition in emphasizing and reaffirming (to Israel) that God never changes-I feel as though these first books of the OT were pretty much this being repeated:

Israelites are delivered from ridiculous oppression from the Egyptians and immediately when they are being chased down, their faith in God is cast aside and they cry out and complain about how they would have been better off dying in Egypt serving the Egyptians. What does God do? He does not fail nor forsake His people and delivers them (miraculously I might add) across the Red Sea.

Fast forward to wandering in the desert, and yet again they complain about their living conditions and despair over lack of food and God, being the gracious and unfailing dude he is, provides a miraculous amount manna and meat from out of nowhere. (as a side note, God commanded them not to collect more than they needed and they did-which was a complete lack of faith and trust in God's providence with daily bread).

You'd think that by now the Israelites would have stopped grumbling but I suppose God used the whiniest and brattiest people of all to demonstrate how He could demonstrate his patience as well-the Israelites cried out again against Moses and God for water (yet again complaining that they left Egypt to be killed by them) and God brings water forth from a rock (what the heck, that's 3 miracles so far and counting) to yet again demonstrate his unfailing love.

There are tons of examples of how the people of Israel went back and forth upon their unfaithfulness and distrust in God but the true application of these verses happens in the repetition of verses-confirming the importance of knowing what it means to us personally and contextually. God will not fail me nor forsake me. God does not barely pull through when it comes to His providence-He does not come up short with resources or power.

When people are chased down by an army, he provides a way out (despite the impossibility in our eyes) and he crushes the army. When people are starving, he rains down food. When people are dry from thirst, God brings forth water from A ROCK. We forget the God we serve is well-beyond our thought capacity. With the unfathomable, I cannot put walls around any situation or limits by thinking up 'possible scenarios.' But that is exactly what I do, despite knowing God and some of the miraculous things He's done, I still somehow find a way to put Him in a box and I tentatively ask "God could you do this much? Could you move this much?" Why do I put numbers and logic upon the Infinite and Almighty?

The Lord is my God and I will serve Him with all my heart, soul, and might-He will not fail me nor forsake me.

A: If I truly believed that God is who He is and who He has revealed Himself to be, there is no reason to fall back on the rocky plains of sin. Sin in it's own right is faith in the world and unfaithfulness towards the Lord. I will not waver because His Word tells me that He will not fail nor forsake me. I will have faith in the only person who has never failed-With a proven track record, why should I trust anyone else? People fail, the world fails, and I fail, but God NEVER fails. I will trust in Him.

P: Lord, thank You. You've revealed to me that I am just like the people of Israel-sometimes I'm so wishy-washy and my weak desire for a greater trust to be anchored upon you has been given to me through Your Word-Thank You! I truly praise You because I know that You never fail and the same goes for Your Word. Teach me to trust You in the most impossible of situations. You are the Lord, my God. In Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Schedule

Finding it especially hard to keep up with my commitments - But, I break off at 12, no matter what to go at least to my bed and continue reading and then sleeping.

Wake up earlier than 8:40 - check

Always start with prayer and LJ - check

Breakfast - ...kind of check

2 hours of supplementary reading - fail - only got about 30 minutes

3 hours of practice on piece - fail - about 2 hours of practice

LJ at night - fail

Work out 3 times a week - have not worked out yet

Contact Student Activities - not yet

Cut out facebook/youtube/anime (although exceptions facebook only for administrative stuff for church and youtube for teaching guitar/practice) - kind of fail

I'm still adjusting to this new schedule...it's really strenuous in comparison to last week. But tomorrow is a new day, I need to press on! I'm sure it can only get better despite my shortcomings.

You shall worship the Lord your God and serve Him only...Make every thought captive to Christ.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - The Greatest Commandment

S: Here, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

O: After Moses had told Israel of the 10 commandments, he gave them other commands of obedience to follow - This particular commandment is a cliche used at church a lot, but I know that many people fall short of applying this verse.

In Mt. 22:37 Christ reveals this to be the greatest commandment in the Law

Key words: all your heart, soul, might (I suppose mind and strength derived from soul or might?)

Heart:

1. Emotional mood or disposition - after one's own heart appealing to one's own disposition, taste, or tendencies

I love the example used for emotional mood or disposition - after one's heart reminds me King David and how he appealed to God's disposition...whatever pleased the Lord, David plunged himself after it.

2. The vital center and source of one's being, emotions, and sensibilities.
The repository of one's deepest and sincerest feelings and beliefs

Wow, I mean talk about Christ-centered being put into words! Love God as the very center and source to everything we are-love Him, transparently with the most raw feelings that are tangible to us.

3. Courage; resolution; fortitude
The firmness of will or the callousness required to carry out an unpleasant task or responsibility:

Love the Lord your God with resolve (firmness of purpose; determination) - it's inevitable that we will carry our crosses daily-meaning we will suffer daily. But to do it with the glory of God in mind is to love Him with resolve.

Soul:

1 The spiritual part of a person, capable of redemption from the power of sin through divine grace

How could I not love Him for redeeming my soul?

2. A person; individual

Just as much, God made us uniquely different from one another and I believe God also calls me to love Him in a highly personal way-the way I can express my love that is most natural to me (music, praises, etc)...I will abide in the fundamental, but no one can love the Lord the way I do! My relationship with Him is the only one of it's kind (as it is with all other brothers and sisters :) and I know that I am the apple of His eye. Love the Lord your God with your soul.

Might/Strength/Mind:

1. Capacity or potential for effective action

Wow, this dictionary is convicting me. How many of us can say that we love God so much that we use all our capacity and potential for effective action to further build up his church and kingdom?

2. The faculty of thinking, reasoning, and applying knowledge

Definitely something everyone needs to work on - to push ourselves to the limit in terms of our mental capacity. My head must overflow with how to approach Scripture, understand it, and apply it (something we call...Soap) as well as taking other truths (the many, many books Lynn has for me) and applying them as well. Not only do we do all of the above, but we take every ounce of our mental capacity to understand and apply God's Word into our lives-that is loving the Lord with our minds.

A: I will love the Lord my God with my heart. I will be after His heart so that my heart would be more like His-I will throw myself at whatever His disposition is-What He wills is what I will do. I will love him as the very center and focal point of my entire being and I will do so as I am, not withholding my flaws or imperfections...I will also love Him with true resolve-never swaying in my goal of living for His glory.

I will love Him with the one part of myself that was saved by Him-His redeeming love leads me to love him with my soul. I will also love Him with my individuality-I love Him personally, unlike anyone else!

I will love Him with all of my might/strength by using all my resources, power, and actual actions to honor Him and build up his kingdom. I will also love Him through my (limited) mental capacity and do my best to understand the truths he gives me on a daily basis.

But to try to simplify it and compress it: I will love the Lord my God as the center of my life, striving to please Him in every way with a never-changing resolve. I will love the Lord my God as he saved me and made me who I am. I will love the Lord my God with everything He gave me-from my money to my hands, I will use the entirety of my physical and mental capacity to glorify Him. I will love the Lord my God, with all of my heart, soul, and might. I must actively strive for all of these things as well as praying for them to become impressed truths in my life-hopefully swiftly and surely.

P: Father, the greatest commandment You gave is difficult. Thank You for this, however-as I recognize not only the magnitude of how difficult it is, but how wonderfully right and good it is as well. You deserve nothing less and would You help me live in such a fashion? Not only do I want to love you in one way or others, but in all ways that you commanded-quite simply, to love You with absolutely everything I have. I can't do it without Your help, so please help me-break me and mold me to however which way You see fit. Make a name for Yourself through me for I want to love You with all my heart, soul, and might. It's a daily process of bringing more and more of You and less and less of myself and other useless things-Make it so, for Your glory! In Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - Live and Die for Christ

I had heard Pastor Jason's sermon based upon Luke 9 about 3 or 4 times. Each time I have been convicted by a great line in it-If you were arrested because you were a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

Tonight was no different. Is my faith based on shallow foundations? Or am I so stubbornly rooted in Christ that there would be no question that I am a Christ-following man, willing to lay down my life for Him?

And He was saying to them all, If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?

Luke 9:23-25

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose"

-Jim Elliot

S: for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

Romans 14:8

O: We have already denied ourselves-our lives belong to the Lord. Each and every single day belongs to God and how He will be glorified. This verse is straightforward-every single day that God gives us to live, we live for Him-and the day we die, we die for Him. From carrying our cross daily, to seeing God's righteousness through His Gospel from faith to faith (faith that which perseveres), everything connects perfectly, leading straight back to the Cross: My life was bought by Christ's blood-He claimed me by His mercy and the only reason why I carry my cross daily, live and die for Christ, and see and recognize God's righteousness through the Gospel, through faith that perseveres is because Christ dictates it. My will can only be the will of the Father, because He has justified me-my faith is only shaped by the fact that Christ lived, died, and rose for me (well, to demonstrate God's mercy, thus glorifying Him-but out of love for me as well, praise God).

A: And so, I will live and die for Christ. I will cast off all worldly things, and halt my clinging of my life-for it's not mine. I will cling to Christ, the only foundation. I want to be Christ-like, Christ-centered, and everything else can fall away.

P: God, I have made a schedule and mapped out each day. I'm cutting out more and more things that don't have any place in my life-I pray that I would not only adhere to this schedule because it's "good for me" or because it will lead to greater spirituality-but rather because it will push me towards a greater intimacy with You. Teach me to shed that which is useless and strive towards what is good in Your sight. God, Your Word is sweet like honey, and your Spirit strengthens, stills, surrounds, rebukes, refreshes, revitalizes, empowers, embraces, encourages, loves, heals, saves, teaches, does...everything I can possibly ask for. It's not enough to pray and read Your Word everyday-I want more of You and so I will strive to pray and read more deeply, with more focus-Would You please enable me, Spirit? Consume me with passion for Him, that I may live and die for Christ. But, Lord-as I always end, the glory is Yours alone. Take everything from me but You. In Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - Obey, He Will be Faithful

S: My soul will not reject you. I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.

O: Blessings of obedience - This particular verse really spoke to me, as God is consistent with blessing those who are obedient to Him. Through obedience we are enabled to draw near God and commune with Him-and there comes the personal attachment of how God took us as His people rather than 'some people' or 'those people,' but we're blessed to obey one Who takes us in personally.

In the entire chapter, God basically tells the Israelites of how if they hold fast to His statutes and commandments, Israel will receive His blessings (like rain, enemies falling to them, confirmation of covenant, etc)

A: Quite simply, obey, and blessings will come. Obey, and you can continue to abide in God and worship Him in spirit. As God's chosen people, God wants to pour out His blessings upon His people - this reminds me of a verse in Matthew 7, 'If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!' I will obey, ask for something to glorify God, whatever is necessary, and I know blessings will come through such.

P: Lord, teach me to walk in obedience - I want to embrace how You are my God and how you will provide for my needs as well as giving me gifts and blessings which are so plentiful right now. However, I pray that my motive for obedience would not be for blessings or gifts (which are awesome, praise You), but rather out of the love for Your revealed Law and out of love for You-as You have loved me and saved me, I would do well to follow and listen to my Saviour. In Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Revival

Yesterday, Aaron told me about how revival was coming to the church. He told me that as he prayed with Lynn and Mike, God revealed to them that our church was going to experience true revival-a sort of reformation, with a unified church that comes together to hold prayer and the Word in utmost reverence. A true church-a biblical church.

Today, I told praise team about how I was concerned about the lack of prayer. I was so scared of telling these older, far wiser people that I admired about how it didn't feel like worship, anymore. I said amongst my ramblings something along the lines of:

'Without the heart coming before God in repentance and without interceding for the praise team and congregation, prayer was forgotten as the anchor of ministry. It's like music being played very well without much a basis in knowing God or desiring to know Him more.' (and something like 15 minutes of talking about how important prayer and reading the Word was...over and over again, haha)

They took it quite well-praise God. I'm hoping that our team implements prayer and be well-rooted in Christ before we try to minister to anyone.

Today's post isn't a Soap or anything, it's just my thoughts and convictions-but I feel more called to remember today as the beginning. Revival doesn't start with huge events or explosive praise nights-it starts with the few who are faithful (as Lynn has told me many times) - By trying to be faithful to God and His people, I quietly and lovingly brought out my concern for a lack of biblical direction in the praise team I serve in. Not saying that everyone is a heretic, but prayer is a means of relying upon God's strength, which never fails-whereas our own strength can only fail so often-and I believe that revival starts with the important priorities, that somehow got left out, being put back in their rightful place.

Our ministries only fail because the leaders who lead it believe that they can lead it. The leaders who do not believe they can lead it come to God upon their knees, desperate for grace-and we have so few of those. Out Bible studies are frail because our teachers spend more time reading school textbooks than they do with the Bible-to teach the Word of God is to live in the Word of God.

Revival will occur with faithful followers of Christ. People who's lives revolve around the Almighty will certainly be in good habit of worshiping Him in spirit and truth. And those very people are called to lead others to do the same.

I am not close to being the most faithful. My life does not revolve around God all the time. My discipline in prayer and in the Word is still finding it's steady ground. But I have been called to be faithful and I will do my best, bringing everyone I know along with me on this path.

God, give me courage to do Your will. I cannot do anything aside from You. You alone will bring revival to this church and I pray that You would do so swiftly, so that You may shine and Your people would bow and confess before You. Humble Your elect, that they would take it upon themselves to pray for Your Spirit to do His works amongst us-that we would never go about anything in pride, but rather boasting in knowing You, only. I pray this Scripture -

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14

In Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - Called Once, Called Forever

S: From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Romans 11:28-29

ir·revo·cable (i rev′ə kə bəl)

adjective
-that cannot be revoked, recalled, or undone; unalterable

O: Paul is rebuking his brothers (the Jews) about how they refuse to acknowledge or accept the Gentiles-He simply states that God does not see a distinction between people in terms of race, age, etc, earlier in chapter 10.

The Jews have rejected God's gift of salvation, thus making the Gentiles realize how blessed they are in being included in God's choice. But as the covenant stands with Abraham, the Jews are God's chosen people and God stands by his promises-his gifts and his calling of Israel cannot be revoked.

God freely chooses who will serve Him. He brings a calling to whom he decides to call-And those people, once chosen cannot step back. When i read this passage about how His calling is irrevocable-it automatically clicked. God's people, once transformed by the love of God (chosen to be transformed by God), cannot turn back. There is no choice but to center our lives around Christ and live that cross-centered life, where everything and anything is about glorifying God more and more with that which we lost when we were transformed: Our life. Yes, we were given new life, but the calling of God is irrevocable-we can't turn back:

"But Jesus said to him, No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Luke 9:62

We have already counted the cost.

A: I will not regret, in fact I do not regret leaving the world. It was the greatest moment of my life when God called-and I must do well to remember the weight of how lucky (the word being used loosely as luck doesn't actually exist), or how tremendously blessed I am to have been called. I was once a sinner and it's a miracle that I stand justified, even tonight. God did not look at my skin, my bad habits, or anything else-He didn't compare me to anyone...He just chose me, and that's the only thing that has worth in my life: God's doing in my life. I must live in such a manner that truly reflects someone who knows that the calling has already happened-this is life, anew, lived out for no other reason to live except for the cross.

P: God, thank You for Your Word. You continue to remind me that You chose, You alone called, and You justify. Although it may sound repetitive to others, it truly isn't-It is, it was, and it will always be about YOU. Lord, as you have called, I pray for diligence and wisdom in this life-would you stir up a greater passion for Your name. Every time I sin against You, I know that it's as though I'm looking back-I don't want to look back...Your kingdom is my only concern. Be glorified in all things that I do-I won't hesitate, I won't step back, I will press on because You have long since turned my life upside down-I have no other choice because You have revealed Yourself to be worthy. Always for the greater purpose...You have done all these things-I love and praise You, Lord. In Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - Good News

S: How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!"

Romans 10:14

All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:18-20

O: How will people call upon the name of the Lord (and be saved) if they don't believe in Him? How can people believe in Him if they have not heard about Him? How can they hear about them without someone to preach about Him? How can someone preach unless they are sent?

Todays passage really reminded me of the Great Commission - Christ commanded that we go out and make disciples of all the nations. In other words, go out, preach and disciple those who are saved.

Being a missionary is a high calling, without a doubt. So high, it seemed, it used to be so easy to believe in 'at-home Christians' that lead completely mission-free lives and just serve at church or something. BUT, the crazy thing is that Christ did not just call a few to the mission field-he commanded all to go out and make disciples. People will not call upon the name of God, whom they don't believe in and they certainly won't believe in Him, whom that they have never heard of. They won't be able to hear of Him without someone to tell them and that someone won't tell them unless they're sent to do so. With the content Christian mentality, I'm reminded of how great the harvest is but how few the workers are...

The entire world is a mission field-at home, schools, and so forth. It would be a misconception to think that Mexico, China, and Cambodia are the "places to go witness to" - They have plenty of missionaries, but I think of my family and friends. How many people are witnessing to them? Chances are, it's probably very few to none-especially if I'm not witnessing to them like I'm commanded to.

It's as though the Gospel was a heavy burden that is hard to share. How could it be? It brings life-salvation, joy in finding the Father through Christ. To be unashamed of the Gospel is to share it.

A: I will minister to those around me. I have a few college friends and a whole family to witness to and I must be that one person that is available for God to work through. If I stand back idly, then nothing will change-if I want to see the Gospel do even greater things in my life (other than my own personal salvation), I need to share it with all and anyone willing to listen. Christ died for them, I am placed around them for a reason and it doesn't a rocket scientist to understand that they go together. I will minister!

P: Lord, I know that if my feet are sore from running after those who don't know You, to witness to them...it would be a beautiful sight. There is no greater gift or act of love I could show towards my family and friends other than by sharing the Good News that touched my heart 4 years ago and still touches my heart even today. I pray for them, that they would accept it joyfully and cling to it as I do. I know You have a plan for them and that in the end, it will all be for Your glory, all the more. As I gravitate to Your Cross, may I take those around me as well. But I also remember that it is by Your mercy and Your perfect timing-teach me to be patient and persevering so that I would understand how faithful You are. Thank You this Word and in Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - His Mercy Alone

Reminder to self: It's always best not to put off Soap...so you can get adequate rest for the next day.

S: So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

Romans 9:16

O: There was a time when I didn't believe in predestination (from the Calvinistic perspective-double predestination) because I didn't want to believe that people were chosen to be saved whilst others were left to be condemned. However, I understand the flaw in that view-that we all deserve to be condemned and that every Christian, no matter how kind or good-is only saved by the fact that God chose them to be saved-to demonstrate His loving kindness and mercy. Those who are condemned are to demonstrate His justice.

With that in mind, it is unbelievable how I am saved-my gratefulness towards God grows greater and greater because I am an object of mercy...I could have tried with all of might, but I would never have ran towards God if it had not been for the fact that He actively came into my life-it was never my own doing or my own merit that saved me.

This verse speaks volumes to me about God's mercy-it drenches me in God's love and the only thing I can think about is yet again the cross. No man could have done what Christ did, and it was the only hope man had, and despite the overwhelming fact that we deserved nothing but punishment, God willingly gave.

A: In serving, prayer, praise, life, whatever it may be-I cannot rely upon my own strength, ever. I may will for something to happen and I may press on towards it, but if the Lord is not with me, nothing will happen. All things fall upon God's will and I know everything that happens in my life is due to His mercy-what he allows and what he doesn't. Therefore, I must set upon God-revering only Him.

Asking for the Holy Spirit to come help us in leading worship? Mercy. Striving for a greater intimacy with God? Mercy. Fruitful ministry? Mercy. College acceptances? Mercy. Whatever happens, I will strive for His will-and when the time comes that I conform my will to His, it would be upon...His mercy. I suppose by pastor Chin's definition of mercy, it could sound wrong-mercy being something like withholding punishment when I deserve it, while grace is a gift given that which I do not deserve. God's mercy and grace is well-connected, as with the rest of His character. But, I see it as such-I don't deserve the privilege of serving, intimacy with God, or seeing His kingdom reign. I only deserve Hell, but yet He gives me the gift of salvation-along with all such privileges.

P: Lord I pray that all my dependence would be upon you. My faith would lie solely upon the Rock-for you are my shelter, the very salvation given to me. How precious is it, that within salvation, I am not only set to follow You or Your commands-but also to love and enjoy You as You are. Thank You for Your mercy-it was by Your hand that I was saved. Teach me not to have confidence in only myself. But, rather, teach me to have a greater confidence in You, who is infinitely greater, wiser, and more faithful than all the great Christians that I admire. For I know that You do not fail and neither does Your Word-I pray You and this Word would be close to my heart-and I approach this week knowing that it runs upon You ! Thank You for this life that I do not call my own...it is worth it. In Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - According to the Spirit

S: For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.

Romans 8:5

Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.

Matthew 15:17-19

O: Lynn quoted Kevin Chen on what would happen if we picked at our brain-would Scripture come spilling out or would there only be crap? This verse is very straight-forward but it is a great verse...

'For those who are according to the flesh' - What does according to the flesh actually mean? Flesh meaning body, rather than mind or soul, and according to the flesh means living by the carnal desires that dwell within all of us. Whether it would be lust for men or being whatever it is that plagues women(maybe holding grudges against one another? Wanting to kill each other? Who knows!), living according the flesh is being led by what our body desires-and to be led by such things only leads to sin, which leads to death. "...those who are in the flesh cannot please God."

What's more, by setting our minds upon that which is not pleasing before the Lord, our hearts decay and we become increasingly more worldly and sinful in obvious ways-through what we discuss and constantly bring up. If we're spitting curses while singing praises, we're only reflecting hypocrisy in our hearts. If we're talking about sex casually and from a worldly perspective, we're reflecting lust in our hearts. What we say and do is a legitimate representation of what's really deep inside.

'But those who are according to the Spirit' - What does according to the Spirit mean? Holy Spirit? Communing with God in spirit?

According to the Spirit means in agreement with the will of God - All things that are pleasing to God - Living for the glory of God and to further His kingdom by any means possible. Those who live according to the Spirit find themselves immersed in Scripture and giving all things up the Lord in prayer-for in Scripture we find that which the Lord commands (Oh...how I love your precepts, Lord - Somewhere in Psalms) and how to pray. In short, living according to the Spirit is being led by the Holy Spirit, which leads to peace and joy-and it leads us down that narrow path to eternal life.

By giving up our life in the flesh and turning to the Spirit, we set our minds upon that which is pleasing before the Lord and it brings us what truly is life that Christ wanted to bring for us through His sacrifice. If Jesus is all we can talk about, Scripture is all we quote, and every day and moment is a time to worship God, then we are truly in the Spirit-like God intended. And the Spirit does so much for us on our account-He intercedes for us, He leads us into worship, He heals, He reveals truth (like now), He heals, He guides us in life, He provides comfort, He gives us all gifts, He...basically does everything for us in this life. And how crazy, that with His unbounding love and righteousness in saving us, He adopts us as His children and gave the Spirit to us. Living according the Spirit is the only way a Christian can live.

A: Live according to the Spirit. Christ gave His life for me-by living according to the Spirit, I arm myself with the Word and discipline in prayer as well as receiving what is necessary to conquer for the sake of God's holy name-and the only way to react to cross is to give up my own life and let the Spirit use me however the Lord wills.

P: God, I pray that I would live according to the Spirit. All that you have commanded and all that you call me to do, I pray I would respond with obedience. Overflow in me, Lord! May my heart be filled with nothing but Scripture-that their would be no room for anything else in my heart except for You and You alone. That all of my days, I would meditate upon what you have given me...not so that I would only have godly things to say or to be of godly character, but to live a life worthy of your calling. Thank You for the unending joy You have given me through Your Spirit! I couldn't imagine living any other way, as I live for Christ-may it always be so, for Your glory. In Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - Sin Revealed as Sin

S: I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive and I died; and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me; for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.

Romans 7:9-13

O: This passage deeply reminds me of my younger days (maybe still today)-whenever my parents told me to do something, I would immediately have a desire to do the complete opposite..."Do your homework, vacuum the house, practice piano!" And instead I played computer games, left the house a mess, and practiced electric guitar instead (HAHA). Just like the Law, the moment the good was revealed, so was the antithesis to it-which was sin.

But the Law was never bad-it was good. As God's holy precepts, "the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good."

But the main part of the passage that confuses me is the bolded section-First off what is sin? Sin is that which what God hates-Sin is everything and anything against His will (will of disposition and preceptive will but not His sovereign will, for His will is STRAIGHT and anything in the way is owned).

So sin (everything that displeases God and breaking His revealed commandments), was to be revealed as what it is through bringing us death through the impossibility of upholding the Law (the Law, that which is good...). Sin is so terrible, that it could use that which is good (the Law) and turn everything upside down. Thus, comes the seriousness and weight of what sin is-through the commandment we saw what sin was as well as falling to it, realizing that sin is abhorrent in the sight of the Lord.

To simplify, sin was recognized clearly as sin through the condemnation we received by trying to follow the good Law and failing (to the max). Through the Law, sin became utterly sinful-this I feel doesn't mean that sin was any less acceptable before-but rather, the Law finally uncovered how truly disgusting sin is to God and how He cannot have fellowship with anyone in it.

A: To bring it all back, sin is a terrible offense against the Lord and as God's child, I must be vigilant about clinging to the faith. I may live under grace, but the Law is still good as it always will be and I must follow the Law-as I have the willingness to do so...The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. This passage continually points me towards Christ-how great His love must have been for us, that He would free us from sin rather than judging us (which would have been righteous and just) to Hell...but instead He saved me. So crazy. Absolutely unbelievable.

P: God, words cannot describe how thankful I am for Your sacrifice. The sin that covered us and shackled us to hopelessness-you could have left us to rot in our depravity and it would have been completely justified. 100% fair and it would not have even been cruelty in the slightest. Yet despite that fact, you took it upon yourself to save us. How could you do that? I can't even understand. Your love runs so deep that it hurts to think about how You took the blame for something that you were not responsible for. Thank You. I pray that I may understand that sin is no joke-I cannot fight it other than by Your Word and by Your grace. So equip me and continually hide your Word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you. I pray for Your heart, that I may see and feel how You hate sin, so that I may also hate sin just as much as You do-that I may be conformed to Your character that I may walk in righteousness. In Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - Freedom in Him and His Word

It was an hour before class started and all I wanted to do after practicing for a few hours was take a nap. So I crawled into bed after mumbling a request to my mom about waking me up before class started. Then the Lord called and told me "Go, to My Word." Groggily, I grumbled, "Oh, noo, not now, Lord-I'm so tired..." Once again He told me, "Go, to MY Word." Who was I to refuse Him? So I sleepily slumped back into my chair and turned on my Kim Walker playlist and began to pray in preparation to read the Word.

As I sat in my chair, He whispered to my soul, "Know that I am worth it." It was only a moment of speaking with the Lord about how I wanted to be greater than all other men before me. He replied to my ambition with "You shall be. Remember that you will be last-serving all. You will suffer and you're going to go through a great deal of hardship. However, Know that I am worth it."

"Now is not the time for rest. My Son has paid the cost and you must proclaim it to all those around you. Do not sit idly. Give your entire being for I am worth it."

Like a total culmination of all that I've been learning from the Word, God spoke to me today with this. How truly worthy he is of all my devotion and time. Praise Him, praise Him, praise Him.

S: What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:1-2, 11

Like a dog that returns to its vomit Is a fool who repeats his folly.

Proverbs 26:11

O: Paul is speaking adamantly against those who he knew would try to twist his words - God's grace is infinitely abundant so as to always pardon us when we fall short. But those who would continue to live in sin and give such a petty excuse such as "...so that grace may increase" would make me question how they perceive God-as if He were a fool to put up with those who would intentionally sin while giving the excuse of giving glory to Him. But, I know I have been guilty of this-as so many are plagued with an addiction to pornography and lust, I am one of those men who returns to his folly, like a dog returning to it's vomit. Even as this week goes on, I fought desperately for what I thought was freedom when I was already free from the shackles. As I went deeper into the Word, I found it easier to 'flee from sexual immorality' as I hid the Word in my heart so that I would not sin against Him (psalms 119:11) and I made every though captive to Christ.

A: I am not to live in sin-and if I am to fall, I must get right back up, walk again in repentance and live humbly under grace. I must never give into thought "I'll eventually sin," but I must know that I am DEAD to sin because Christ truly took my old self to be crucified with Him upon the cross. But not only was my old self crucified, but I was raised to new life with Him, as He proved to be master, even over death. By this, I must remember that the Word reminds me of my new life and by clinging to it, the very weapon to conquer all things is in my possession.

P: Lord, praise You for all that you have revealed to me! To think that I've gone so many years without even taking a second glance at your Word-where all along, all the guidance from You that I thought was never there was right upon my desk. Lord impress upon my heart the fact that I am freed from the binding of sinfulness and flesh-Give me a greater desire to delve deeper and deeper into Your Word, for Your voice has truly found it's place at the top of my heart. I don't want to ever live in sin or to forsake your commandments-because there is no longer a chain on me! I wish to live by obedience and by a faith strengthened by suffering-prepare me Father and ready me for war. It was never enough to 'not-sin and live' - But Lord, as I take this step to understand that I am free, would you prepare me for greater things-that only a servant could possibly want to do...Do as You will, mold me and break me into the very person you intended me to be. Would you be glorified, magnified, and worshiped! In Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - Exult in all times

S: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

Romans 5:1-4

O: Paul is stating the result of being justified by Christ - He is saying that we have been made right thanks to Christ-who took upon himself the wrath of God. Because we have been saved, we should exult, meaning express deep joy in God's glory as well as expressing our deep joy in times of pain and trouble. By all things, God is to be praised-even when things are going terribly as troubles and failures help us grow in character, as Paul says.

I went up to school earlier today for an appointment I had with my counselor-I spent 30 minutes in prayer only to find out that I had to go up to the front desk to confirm my appointment, which meant I had to reschedule and I had been there for nothing but prayer (which, I found out was the main reason why God brought me out-mysterious ways...mysterious ways). Went down to my car to find that I had gotten a parking ticket (which promptly reminded me of the other reason why I came to school...to get a parking permit) and my first reaction would have normally been something I wouldn't like to say or type-but as God has been working upon my character, I first gave thanks and praised God that it wasn't at all that expensive and God had already provided money to pay for it beforehand. Praise God for everything-as it may be inconvenient and worrisome, God gave me a peace in my heart instead.

A: A parking ticket is nothing though. What will happen when I need to pay tuition but I have little to nothing? Or worse-how would I react to someone close and dear to me passing away (I've never had this happen...yet)? My faith could only be stretched so far and I know I must react in such a way that glorifies the Lord-as it says in this Word, "but we also exult in our tribulations" - This can be so hard and overwhelmingly difficult, only those who place their whole faith in God could possibly express joy in such times. But I must strive for it and be ready to be tested-as God will not baby me, He wants me to grow and I want myself to grow!

P: Lord, I pray that I would be joyful and at peace at all times. You have saved me and given Your Son-what greater thing can be given? None! For all things fall under your gift of salvation, and therefore I pray that I would exult in all times that test my faith-I pray that you would build up my character to be one of Godly character...forever praising Your name despite the weather because I have hope in the One that never fails. Thank You for giving me the strength to stand up against the day's troubles-I'm so glad that You pushed me to have patience. By all these things, In Christ, Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - Unwavering Faith in Craziness

S: "...he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God"

Romans 4:20

O: When God promised that Sarah was going to have a child, Abraham held onto his faith and remembered that God kept His promises. Abraham was credited with faith and that is what justified him. I used to wonder how people in the OT could be saved as Christ had not yet been born into this world. Later, I realized that they still had faith in God the Father-where I can see how God judged men by looking at their hearts, as He still does now. Paul speaks yet again about how we are justified by faith.

A: It was absurd for Sarah to have a child at her age and yet Abraham, knowing that it was most unlikely, believed in God nonetheless, "giving glory to God." Even in the most ludicrous moments, God is still in control-still gracious (when Sarah heard that she was to have a child she laughed because she did not believe) and still forgiving. Limiting God to what we believe is possible is an insult to Him and I would do well never to put Him in a box.

P: God, You can do anything! Your power and might is far beyond this world's understanding and I pray that I may have a greater faith in Your strength. For when I am weak (pretty much everyday), I pray that you would give me strength. When I am wavering, be my ever-constant foundation-that I may not fall. Would you bring about even more ridiculous things in my life that my faith in You would only grow stronger? I know it will be tough, but I pray that my dependence would only be upon You so that the glory would never be for me. In Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - By His Righteousness

S: But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

Romans 3:21-22

O: Earlier in this chapter, Paul talks about the Law and how it ultimately shows us how we are sinful-leading to no justification through the works of the Law (as no one can/could uphold it perfectly, other than Christ). God is righteous in judging the sins of man-in 'the Law and Prophets,' God reveals his righteousness, as such. Also, through His mercy and grace-God's righteousness is yet again revealed upon those who have faith in Christ. From what I can see, it is all about God and how wonderfully righteous He is-if men could "achieve" salvation through works, they could boast about how they had earned their way into heaven. As that is clearly impossible, the only alternative is to be saved by grace, through faith, in Christ, alone. And in that alternative, it is myself and others, having no other hope in anything-complete utter despair, without the righteousness of God. For we cannot help ourselves-it is entirely and solely by God for faith in Christ to have even existed.

A: I must know and remind myself each day that it is not by my works nor my hands that I am saved. In my total depravity I had no hope of salvation through others or myself-the Law itself condemned me and if it were not for His righteousness, I would not be saved. It is by His works (Christ), and His hands that I have faith in Christ. He chose me (PRAISE GOD!) and that is all.

P: Lord, as Your righteousness, mercy, grace, lovingkindness, strength, wisdom and all the other infinitely awesome things remind me of who You are and what You've done, I realize that "who You are" and "what You've done" is so beyond my comprehension. I cannot contemplate enough upon how Christ's sacrifice screams glory to Your name as well as being my one and only hope of being saved. Please, remind me daily of this and especially in times when my focus is blurred. I pray that I would fall more deeply in love with You as each day should be filled with another fresh, new realization about the sacrifice You made and how it perfectly illustrates Your righteouness. Thank you so much, for Who You are-that's all I can say! In Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - Practice what you teach (preach)

S: you, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?

Romans 2:21

O: Paul, speaking directly to the Jews who carried a 'holier-than-thou' attitude towards the Gentiles, hits a hard point in how people are always willing to teach while not following up with the very teachings they present-in other words, hypocrisy. We must always be careful to always follow that which what we teach to others-I'm planning to teach all that I've learned about becoming a worship leader to a few people in the church and I would lose all credibility and respect if I did not exemplify the very beliefs that I advocate and encourage. Worst of all, such a way of going about things tears apart the church by bringing disunity between "teachers" and students (James 3:1 - Those who teach will be scrutinized strictly).

A: As I feel the Lord calling me to handle His Word with a greater reverence, I need to be meticulous in making sure that there is no fault in me when I teach-that I believe what I teach, practice what I teach, and of course, understand what I teach.

P: Lord, thank You for this Word. Today, you have been incredibly gracious and as You always are-You have been faithful. Thank You for giving me the strength to get through the days work and I ask that you continually push me forward on Your path. Through what you have said, I pray that I would approach Your Word with the utmost care and respect-that my errors and own man-made ideas spells out a life and death situation for those who hear my words, whether it be through devotionals, small group, etc-Teach me and guide me in the ways of wisdom. May Your Holy Spirit illuminate anything that I may not fully understand and may Your Spirit also empower me to teach Your truths with authority and clarity. In Christ, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - Faith to faith

Today was a pretty good day - I had planned to clean my room and guitar room because they're getting a bit out of hand (car is still clean, praise God) and I could do with some tidying up...but unfortunately I didn't...hopefully tomorrow I can catch up on my tasks. Had praise practice today and it was quite good, which wasn't expected because I am totally not a bass player-but definitely by His grace.

Also, Jonathan took me to eat out and we had a good talk about...life.

Anyhow, I have finished the book of Acts finally and I'm moving into Romans. I suppose my Soap/LJs aren't exactly following everyone else's in Pathway but I enjoy going forward from where I am-I have no idea why I'm out smack in the middle of the NT, but who I am to question anything!

S: For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is writtten, "But the righteous man shall live by faith."

Romans 1:17

O: Letter to the Romans. I'm trying to figure out this verse but I have no other means of understanding it than by breaking it down. What does "faith to faith," mean? "For in it" being the gospel/the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes - God's righteousness is revealed in the gospel...from the beginning of faith until the very end of life, with faith still intact (rather, more and more grown and mature) from perseverance. Through the Gospel, God's righteousness (in the form of a gift) is revealed through Christ-a righteousness only from God inherited by a man who lives by faith in Christ. God's grace is a gift-but also a righteousness above ours.

A: True faith perseveres. Faith to faith. If I am to see God's righteousness clearly, I must live by faith to faith. From the beginning to the end.

P: Lord, thank you so much for this Word. Once again reminding me that it was Your will for me to come to know and love You. By Your Son's humility and sacrifice, Your righteousness is revealed-Teach me to live by faith and faith alone. For You are the great Rock, never-changing and never shaken foundation I place my hope and trust upon. Thank You and all glory and praise to You, O' King. In Christ, Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Soap - Safe and Sound

S: But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, "Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live." However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm.

Acts 28:3-5

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters

He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness

For His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for You are with me.

Psalm 23:1-4

O: DANG. If anything should make me feel safe it would be this passage. This Sunday we sang an awesome song based on Psalms 23 and it is so true-I shall not fear death nor disease nor any other power on heaven or earth because the Lord is with me. As Paul came safely upon the island of Malta, he knew that the Lord was faithful, all along-even as he was bitten by a viper, he shook it off into the fire like it was nothing. Out of all things that come to mind, I can see Paul merely taking a glance at the viper after being bitten and casually resuming whatever he was up to at the moment. He demonstrated a great faith and trust in the Lord's providence.

A: I must be bold. Who can oppose me if God is with me? From sharing my faith to praying from complete strangers, there is nothing to stop me. With my U.S. passport to my musical aspirations, God will send me anywhere and He will keep me under His watchful eye. With this, I need to trust that God will never deliver me into harm's way unless He knew I could handle it and grow from it.

P: God, would you reassure me of the great protection You have over me. Reassure me that you guard me jealously-O, Lord I pray that I would know that You are with me always. Also, thank you for everything up to now (and what is to come)-how You have always been faithful and how You always will be. My heart is at peace when I know You are always near-thank you! In Christ, amen.

The Path is Narrow

I remember back in the day when I used to read the Bible occasionally, whilst serving on praise team as a singer. I prayed sometimes and I pretty much led a lukewarm Christian life. I thought I was a saint-being saved and abstaining from very visible sins like cursing, substance abuse, etc. Hilarious how I was so sure of my salvation then and yet as I dig deeper into the Word and pray more now in present, my fear of Hell grows-I can always see that Christ took my sins and that it is by His works that I am saved. By grace, through faith, in Christ, alone. But I suppose it may be that I fear the Lord, more. In any case, I feel more wretched than I have ever felt in my life and yet I am "purer," (for lack of a better word) than I have ever been in my life. God's grace is prevalent in my life-that must be it, that with a greater presence of grace, a greater perspective of my depravity comes into light. The Lord illuminates the fact that He is perfect while I am infinitely far from perfect. With a lot of people my age, I don't think most of them even care anymore...church was a fad and the Lord...well I suppose they put Him on hold. It's a terrible thing to see people go from leaders of the faith in high school to drug abusers and drunkards in college. The path is narrow and only a few find it.

Oh, fallen-do not play the harlot against the Lord any longer. Repent.

Lord, would you save them-Your mighty hand and outstretched arm can free them.

Go to this people and say,

You will keep on hearing, but will not understand;

And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;

For the heart of this people has become dull,

And with their ears they scarcely hear,

And they have closed their eyes;

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,

And hear with their ears,

And understand with their heart and return,

And I would heal them.