Thursday, March 24, 2011

Sacrificial Love

SOAP from Ephesians 5:2 NLT

S = "Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God."

O = We are to follow Christ's example of love. We are to show mercy to people who have wronged us. We are to be patient with those who bother us. We are to be quick to forgive. We are to believe the best. We are to give of ourselves to meet the needs of others even if at means we may do without. Love is what the Gospel is all about. That kind of love rises before the face of God and is like a pleasing aroma to Him.

A = I want to smell good to God! Its better than the alternative;-). I will work more diligently to walk a life of love to those close to me and to those I don't even know. I want to be like Jesus. He loved me so much that He became a man, became my sin, and died on the cross for me. I will allow the Spirit of Christ to lead me thru the life of love.

P = Father, You give me strength and life to live by love. I want my life to be pleasing to you. I want my sacrifice of love to be like a sweet aroma before You. I ask that You would help me live with sacrificial love. May this life-style lead people to Jesu
s.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Put on Jesus!

S(scripture) + O(observation) + A(application) + P(prayer)

S = "Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires." Romans 13:14 NLT

O = "Instead", at the beginning of this verse is referring to the previous verse where Paul is telling us what not to do. The opposite of living in darkness and sin is to actually be a carrier of the presence of Jesus. Thats how we defeat sin in our lives. No matter where we go or who we're with we are to always be clothed with Jesus. We can guard ourselves from thinking sinful and damaging thoughts by always being consciously aware of who Jesus is and that He lives in us!

A = I must meditate on the truth that the power and presence of Jesus is in me. I must be "God inside minded". My only hope to live a victorious life resides in the power of Christ in me...the hope of glory.

P = Father, I love Your presence more than life. You are the air I breath. Thank you for loving me and empowering me to live holy. I ask for Your strength and wisdom to walk free from the trappings of this world in a way that opens the door for me to share Your life with this world.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Who Do You Think You Are?

We are currently in a teaching series at Family Life called "Who Do You Think You Are?". The main idea is that our Beliefs lead to our Decisions which in turn lead to Outcomes. If we're currently not experiencing Biblical outcomes in life, we most likely have been believing something false.

I want to share my SOAP for today from Romans 12:2 NLT. It speaks to this truth.

S = "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. THEN you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."

O = The way to change the way you live is by changing the way you think. Our life-style must be different from the world's (those who do not know or live for God). We must live according to God's way described in His Word. God can only bring about a supernatural transformation in us when we plant the seed of His Word in our thinking. God doesn't change the way we think; we do. His Word is powerful and living. His Word has the ability to change us, heal us, give us wisdom and understanding, restore us, and cleanse us. However, we must apply His Word to our lives. We must believe what the Bible says about God, life, and ourselves. And then, our new thinking produces new decisions that produce new fruit.

A = I must spend more time meditating and thinking on God's Word. I must take time each day praying His Word over my life. I must be more diligent to memorize scripture for specific areas of need in my life. I must put a greater emphasis on the power of the Word of God to bring about change in my life.

P = Father, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for giving me clear direction from Your Word. Your Word is life, strength, and help to me. I ask that as I spend time in Your Word that it would truly come alive and transform me according to Your will.