From The Heart Of A Young Pastor!

SOAP Scripture, Observation, Application & Prayer!

 

April 28

1 Chronicles 12:14 (NLT) These warriors from Gad were army commanders. The weakest among them could take on a hundred regular troops, and the strongest could take on a thousand!

S. These warriors from Gad were army commanders. The weakest among them could take on a hundred regular troops, and the strongest could take on a thousand!

O. This is how I want to raise up "my army." These girls will be like the troops of Gad. They'll be able to take on a hundred to a thousand other troops and have real triumph over them in the name of the Almighty Lord!!

A. I will teach and show how to do this. My life and my battles will show them how to fight. How I respond to trials is how they will--I will respond the way God's called me to. I will be graceful.

P. Father, you're so amazing. I love you!!! Thank you for today. I'm so grateful Lord. Please forgive me. I repent. Fill me up today and help me SHINE like you!! Put your spirit in my heart. Write on my spirit Lord. I desire you. Shape my girls today to be the army of Gad. Help me show them. Let's rock it today. I love you

 

From Britney Archer ~ A junior in high school leading 7th graders and a few 9th graders in weekly devotions ~ Amazing!  

Not A Surprise At All!

It's funny how we get so moved, shaken, upset, bummed, excited, etc. when things happen around us. I have had to remind myself (especially when I feel I have been caught off guard in life) that what is happening around me is NOT a surprise to God!

Luke 12:7 (Amplified ~ Bible.com) But [even] the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not be struck with fear or seized with alarm; you are of greater worth than many [flocks] of sparrows.

God knows our name, sees our pain, fellowships in our weakness, is mindful of us, He loves us, He has been tempted, etc.

When tragedies happen or finances toil, when a check comes in the mail, or a few extra hours on a shift, NONE of this catches God off guard, so really it shouldn't catch us off guard either!

If we are allowing God to work and move in our lives than when the unthinkable (good or bad) happen we can smile and know that the Lord is God and He has our back!

Wait!

How many times have you told your kids to wait? Hold on a minute? Etc.?
How often do you feel that the Lord says the same thing to you? Or worse than that you feel that he doesn't say anything at all.

Isaiah 30:18 (Whole Chapter)
So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help. 

1 Corinthians 1:7 (NLT - Bible.com)
Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 5:3 (NLT - Bible.com)
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.

Don't wait any longer if you feel that you are not hearing from the Lord, try listening and waiting on Him! Sometimes He answers and we are not sure it's the right answer! Wow!

Lavish!

lav⋅ish (Dictionary.com)
–adjective
1. expended, bestowed, or occurring in profusion: lavish spending.
2. using or giving in great amounts; prodigal (often fol. by of): lavish of his time; lavish of affection.

–verb (used with object)
3. to expend or give in great amounts or without limit: to lavish gifts on a person.

Exodus 20:6 (Bible.com)
But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.

This verse is amongst the Ten Commandments right after God said that the sins of the father would be passed down to the third and fourth generation.

I find this very interesting because I have always wanted to make choices to break the sin cycle of my ancestors, and I have done that not wanting the sins of my "father" for myself or for our children.

Making right choices and following what God has for me I can now see that I do not have to carry the burden of verse 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.

I can trust God and to expend or give without limits his unfailing love!

The Book of ...

2 Timothy 4:7

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
(NLT ~ Bible.com)

You take over. I'm about to die, my life an offering on God's altar. This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that's left now is the shouting—God's applause!
(The Message ~ Bible.com)

I'm not one to recommend movies. The book of Eli was a violent film based on post-apocalyptic times. I'm not saying that the movie is biblically based however...there was a great message.
The message of memorizing the Bible, the message of following where God leads and the message of 2 Timothy 4:7.

I want to finish this race that I am in strong, I want to follow where God leads, I want to value and memorize the word of God and when it's my time I want to hear God's applause!

What is your Egypt?

Exodus 6:6-7 (NLT ~ Bible.com)

Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment.  I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt.

God is the God of freedom and promise! We are His and He will claim us as His own!

Have you been oppressed, and in slavery? This can be depression, a job, family, friends, an addiction, your own personal "demons"...

God can and will redeem you and set you free! He alone can bring you out of Egypt!

Don't wait any longer to tell Pharaoh that it's time to go!

Devo's from Vanessa

Luke 21:28 (NASB ~ Bible.com) But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. 

From my daughter's (13 yr old) perspective and how she applied this verse:

"Application from devos; Luke 21:28 I looked up the word redemption (or redeem). It says:buy back; set free; free from sin; make up for. When Jesus comes and the world is ending around me, I will know that I've been set free from sin. Set free from everything this world holds against me. I will be forever free from pain and sorrow. I will be brand new."

I love that the Bible is applicable to everyone! If you read it...you can apply it to your life!