Miracles in the Old Testament

I haven't shared a SOAP in a very long time.  I have a brief description of SOAP on the right side bar.


S: "See! For the LORD has given you the Sabbath; therefore He gives you on the sixth day bread for two days. Let every man remain in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.'  So the people rested on the seventh day."
Exodus 16:29-30


O:Moses is sharing with the people about manana.  They have recently left slavery in Egypt where they saw the devastating plagues, crossed the Red Sea which later swallowed up Pharaoh and his army, and are now in the desert.  They don't have a regular food source, so God provides them with a manana six days of the week.  That in and of itself is an AMAZING miracle.  God made it clear that the people were to totally rely on Him.  They could not gather extra and store it because when they did, the manana got worms and went sour.  However, here is another miracle.  On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much so that they'd be able to rest on the seventh day.  The food didn't go bad on that night.  


A: God knows the needs of His people.  He knew the Hebrews needed food, but they also needed rest.  He provided for both.  Not all of the Hebrews trusted God for that first seventh day.  They went out looking for manana, but there was none to be found.  


God still knows the needs of His people.  Do I trust that He can provide?


P: Dear God,
Thank you for your Word which continues to changes lives thousands of years after it has been written.  Help me to trust you.
In Your Son's Name,
Amen

1 Corinthians 2:1-2

This morning I praise Jesus because Eliana slept for 4 hours at a time during the night. I actually had to wake her up to feed her. It is amazing how getting sleep makes a difference in me! It is such a pleasant switch from two nights ago when she was wanting to eat 2-4 times every hour for just a few minutes from midnight to 6. Praise God for new making my little one sleep well!

I woke up at 7, read my Bible, and ate breakfast. So, I have half an hour to type before it is time to wake my little one up to eat again if she doesn't wake up on her own. Let's all hope I can type quickly and clearly!

This morning I was reading in 1 Corinthians 2. Having a baby gave me a new perspective on verses 1 and 2, "And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. ² For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified." Paul is talking to the Corinthians who were known to live in the intellectual capital of that time. The Corinthians loved to gather and discuss philosophy and new ideas. Paul chose to stay focused on Christ and nothing else.

What hit me is that God chose to let his Son Jesus die for man's sin. God chose to redeem us, imperfect people who sin against him, with the blood of his perfect Son. Grant it, I have only been a mom for 6 days, but I have this overwhelming protective love for Eliana. I've known for a long time that Jesus died for me, but my perspective as a new parent chances how I see God the Father's role in Jesus's death. I can't imagine choosing to let harm come to Eliana so that others could be helped. I can't imagine how the heart of God grieved when He was separated from His Son. I can't imagine being Jesus when He lived on earth. Jesus knew that the cross was coming. He predicted the details of His death many times. The kinds of suffering he would face are written throughout the Old Testament. Jesus knew that he would carry the sin of mankind, and yet He chose to submit the Father's will. Wow. I am in awe of the love God has for us, that while we sinners, He chose to have Christ die for our sins. I'm so glad that Jesus didn't just die, but that He rose again on the third day. His power over death gives me hope.

My thoughts today

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock." Matthew 7:24-25

People are drawn to the pastors that say Jesus will give you health and wealth. But that is a contradiction of what Jesus said. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with everything in you and to love others as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40). Our foundation in God is to be built upon loving Him and loving others. When the storms of life beat on us, we can stand firm in Christ.

What does is look like to love God with everything in you? How does your time reflect that you love God? Does it sound like you love others when you gossip and judge about people at church or even strangers at a restaurant?Are you holding onto something that God wants to clean up in your life?

Control is something I often grab a hold of and try to keep from God. I know, it sounds crazy for me with a three pound brain to keep something for the One who created the heavens and the earth. It comes in the form of worry, fear, and stress. I realized this summer that I was really worried, fearful, and stressed about the coming school year. Once I finally figured that out (it took half the summer to admit to myself and God these things), it was amazing the freedom I found in trusting God to take care of this school year. I don't have to fear because he will never leave me nor forsake me (Matthew 28:20). He is a compassionate God who asks me to cast my burdens upon Him, because He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7). He hasn't gotten off His throne and begun to fret and wring His hands because another school year is about to start.

Does fear continue to pop up (nearly daily)? You bet! But I have the choice to get a tummy ache over it OR I can pray and ask God to take my fears.

So, my in-laws are going today to serve for at least a year, if not more, over in Central Asia. I've been fighting the what if game. Could they get hurt? Yes, it is always a possibility (really it is no matter where you live). Is it going to be hard not seeing them regularly and calling just to say hi? Yes, it is going to be hard, but with technology we'll still stay in touch. Do I know that this is where their supposed to be? Beyond a shadow of a doubt, I know they are in God's will with the purpose of glorifying God. Does knowing that make it easier for me to handle their move? Sometimes.

A friend of mine named Karen Watson served over in Iraq bringing water and aid to people. God called her to serve, and she obeyed. Karen and others were shot and killed while driving in between cities.

So, sometimes I handle my in-laws move being so blessed to know that they are following God. Other times fear creeps in that they'll be hurt or killed while in service.

Think back to my summer struggle of fearing school starting. Did fear help me any? No, it just gave me plenty of nightmares. Did praying and handing over my fears help? Yes, I am much more at peace now. What does fear do to my foundation in God during storms? It creates cracks and weakens it. With that said, please keep my in-laws and our family in your prayers, specifically that we will hand over our fears and trust God.

SOAP

S: “And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions-them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.” Daniel 6:24

O: The men who were trying to destroy Daniel were jealous of Daniel’s excellence and power. These men were satraps, political leaders over regions of Darius’s kingdom. Daniel was one of the three governors over the satraps. Daniel was doing so well that King Darius was considering setting Daniel in charge over his whole kingdom.

The satraps and governors let pride and envy run their lives. They sought to find fault with Daniel, but they did not find any according to the law of the Medes and Persians. Instead they presented to King Darius that a decree that boosted his own ego. They suggested that for 30 days everyone could only petition to King Darius, otherwise whoever petitioned to another god or man would be thrown into the lions den.

You have to hand it to Daniel for being faithful. He knew the decree but decided to continue to pray three times a day kneeling with open windows toward Jerusalem. Daniel didn’t try to justify changing his conviction of how and when to pray. He didn’t even choose to close his windows.

The jealous men caught Daniel praying and reporting it to King Darius. The King was mad at himself for making the decree. But he knew that the laws of the Medes and Persians could not change. The King had Daniel thrown into the lion’s den and said to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” Daniel 6:16

The King them fasted, wouldn’t be entertained, and couldn’t sleep. Early in the morning King Darius returned to the lion’s den and found Daniel alive because an angel shut the mouth of the lions.

Then came the verse I found interesting, verse 24. Not only were the jealous men thrown into the lion’s den, but so were their wives and children.

A: The sin of one affects many.

People all the time justify their sin. They say it will only affect them. Plus, they won't get caught. And if they do get caught, God will forgive them. Here is a deadly example of jealously, pride, and envy not just destroy those who possessed these feelings, but also those they loved.

Idol Worship

I’m very grateful for Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). I’ve been reading through Jeremiah, Lamentations, and am now into Ezekiel in the Old Testament. In the New Testament I’m in Revelations. Needless to say I’ve been a bit lost while reading. The reason I’m grateful for BSF is because it has given me opportunities to dig deep into God’s Word in a way that makes more since than where I have been reading for SOAP.

Last night for BSF I read from Matthew 7 including the following verses: 7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

I haven’t been journaling due to a running late in the mornings, and also being totally lost in Scripture. So as I realized I’ll be in Ezekiel through most of December I prayed for understanding. Here is what I got today out of Ezekiel 6.

S: 6 In all your dwelling places the cities shall be laid waste, and the high places shall be desolate, so that your altars may be laid waste and made desolate, your idols may be broken and made to cease, your incense altars may be cut down, and your works may be abolished. 13 Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when their slain are among their idols all around their altars, on every high hill, on all the mountaintops, under every green tree, and under every thick oak, wherever they offered sweet incense to all their idols. 14 So I will stretch out My hand against them and make the land desolate, yes, more desolate than the wilderness toward Diblah, in all their dwelling places. Then they shall know that I am the LORD.’”’”

O: The Israelites had forgotten that God said in Exodus 20:3, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” They had put idols and themselves in the place of God. God sent prophets to warn the people, and they ignored Him. God sought His people, and they refused to turn back. So, God allowed them to fall captive to other nations.

A: I may not have an idol, burn incense, or bow down and worship a god on a mountaintop, however, have I put something, anything, before God? Is my selfish pride winning again? Am I taking credit for what God has done? Have I lost sight of the many blessings God has given me? What am I putting my time and energy into? Am I doing even the hard parts of my job with God in mind? Do I think about Him throughout the day?

P: Lord, thank you for answering my prayers to see some understanding into the Old Testament. Please help me to remember that you are worthy of worship, honor, glory, and praise. I pray that I will have an eternal perspective rather than getting wrapped up in the trivial things of this world.

Trying not to FREAK OUT!!!

Last night Kyle and I went to a wonderful BBQ at my principal's house to kick off the school year. We were talking about the training that we'll be getting on Monday and Tuesday. I asked if we would be doing something similar on Wednesday, and I quickly corrected myself as I realize that Wednesday was the first day of school!
I was just about to fall asleep when I spoke in a panicked voice,"Kyle! School starts in four days!!!" Now mind you I have been very good so far. I haven't been like a chicken with no head. I even got a compliment on Friday morning from a Superintendent from another school. He said I looked very calm, and for the whole day yesterday I was good until right before I fell asleep.
"Tasha, you're NOT allowed to freak out."
Although he couldn't see me through the dark I gave Kyle a dirty look and thought, "Who are you to tell me not to freak out. I've been good so far. School IS starting and all..." Realize I thought all of those things in the brief pause it took for Kyle to take a breath and then continue.
"You can pray, and you can plan. But, you are not allowed to stress and worry."
Have you ever realized that you are forgetting something? In the moments when I was relaxed and reflecting on my day I forgot that God was with me.
This morning I was reading through Isaiah 40. Woah! Have you read Isaiah 40 lately? If not, you should, especially if you are working on not freaking out.

S: Isaiah 40: 28-31

28 Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,
And the young men shall utterly fall,
31 But those who wait on the LORD
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.

O:Did you forget? Did you get so wrapped up in this world that you forgot that God is still on His throne. He isn't off His throne pacing, bitting His nails, and saying, "Poor me. Poor me! What am I going to do?." Nor is He saying, "Wow, now that's a surprise. I didn't see that one coming."

Our God is magnificent. He does not loose strength. He is our might Creator. I like verse 22.

It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
And its inhabitants are like grasshoppers,
Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.

Did you notice that God told us the earth was round ,"circle of the earth"? I bet that was hard for people to understand long ago. But that didn't mean that God was confused about the shape of the earth. The same thing is for now. We are small like grasshoppers compared to all that God is. He has a plan and He isn't worried.

A: We will grow tired and weak,but our God doesn't. Through Him we can have strength and can choose to not grow weary of heart.

P: Lord, please use these four remaining days of summer to bring You glory. Help me to continue to learn about You throughout the school year, and to remember all that you have taught me this summer. Help Kyle and I to communicate as we encounter the wirl wind known as school. Amen

SOAP Gal. 6:1,2

S: "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." Gal. 6:1,2

O: Paul is telling the Galatians to not be "Bible thumpers."

A: Pray for others. When they're making choices you don't agree with, pray for them. When you are grieved because you are watching that person you care about make mistakes that they might not even see, we are to be gentle in how we handle them. While trying to help, we need to pray for ourselves too. The reason being that we too might get swept away in the situation and loose sight of God's plan.

I'm reminded of what Pastor Roger said last Sunday. "You know that God's not done with you. Remember that He's not done with others either." (my paraphrasing)

P: Lord, help me to have wisdom to know when to help with actions and words, and when to be silent. Please help me to not give up on those that You haven't given up on. You are awesome and working. Please help me to remember those two amazing truths about you. Amen

SOAP

SOAP is a way to study the Bible. S=Scripture. O=observation. A=application. P=prayer. The Bridge Bible Church in Bakersfield has been studying the Word this way for over a year and a half that I know of. In the bulletin you get where to read. We read a chapter from the old testament and then a chapter of the new. Example, yesterday I read Isaiah 15 and 1 Corinthians 12. Today I read in Isaiah 16 and 1 Corinthians 13. Here is what I found.

S:"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

O: I've read 1 Corinthians 13 before, but in the NIV. Today might have been the first time I read it in NJKV. Something hit me about what love is. In the NIV it says first that love is patient. Love takes on a whole new meaning when it is described as suffers long. You can be patient with a stop light, but you aren't suffering to be there for a minute. You can be patient while continuing to help a child learn to tie her shoes, but the two minutes it takes each time doesn't cause tremendous grief in your life. Love suffers long. When a relationship is broken and you have anger, bitterness, and you don't even want to be polite; that is where this kind of love comes in. When your spouse, parent, best friend, or coworker betrays your trust; that's when this kind of love comes. This love is God, because humanly we want to throw in the towel and be done forever with the person who hurts us. However, when you let God help you to forgive that person, and you finally see that it is only through God's love that you can heal; you begin to understand why you have to suffer long. Broken relationships don't heal over night, and the other person might not even be seeking God. But as a believer, others know we are Christians because despite the brokenness God teaches us to love and forgive. Truly, it isn't in us to do it. But, remember what Christ did. He was beaten, whipped, cursed at, and tortured to the point of not being recognizable and what did have to say about it. While on the cross dying for our sins, not his, he said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34
Jesus chose to forgive, and He calls us to be like Him. To be willing to suffer long as an act of love.

A: Love.

P: Lord,

Please work on my heart as I learn to understand your Word. Please be with the people that read this. May they seek your face and chose to live a life that glorifies you.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Checkout the bookmark to keep up with the chapter readings at http://www.thebiblechurch.com/ .  Look for the orange journal on the side that says Life Journal.  Click on it to see the bookmark that you can print.