Maybe this S.O.A.P. method of studying the Bible will give me and you some much guided help in our studies of the Bible. S.O.A.P. stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. Thanks Terry Yancey the Kansas A/G Superintendent for introducing it to me. Here we go...
My goal this year is to study, really, really, study the 4 Gospels this year. So we will start where I am at.
Scripture - Matthew 9:35-38.
Observation -
Matthew has just spent most of the last 2 chapters in Matthew (8-9) showing us just how powerful Jesus ministry was and still can be today. Jesus didn't show up just to carry on some religious traditions. He came to Earth so He could be close to His people. So He could meet them in their place of need, and have a real impact on their life. Jesus was powerful then and is just as powerful today. He has the ability to do far more than we could ever hope for or imagine.
The question here is what motivated Jesus ministry? As you read Matthew 9:35-38 we see that Jesus was motivated by His compassion on the state people were in. He was recognized the needs in their life and was motivated to go out and do something about it. He also recognized the eternal state people were in. He realized they needed a Savior. Read Chapter 10. Jesus sees people that are lost and recognizes the need for workers. Then He commissions His disciples to go out and preach the good news of His Kingdom with power.
Application -
What motivates me in my life and ministry? So many things could be our motivation. Pride and selfish ambition. Money. Fame. Attention. Jesus set the example for us to follow. I must to be motivated by God's compassion to reach out and help a world that is in need. We should have a real impact on the world, not just in a church setting. We must see the need to connect a lost and dying generation to a powerful God who can change their circumstances for all eternity. We are that link between them and God.
Prayer -
Jesus, please help me to be more compassionate in the world around me. Fill my heart with the same love and compassion that motivated your ministry here on Earth. Help me to recognize the lost around me and help me be the link that connects people to a powerful relationship with you. Thanks for all you do for me God. Jason.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Prayer with a purpose.
Prayer is one of those areas of a walk with God that is one of the most important. Yet often, it is one the most overlooked. Prayer is our way of being able to communicate with the Creator of the entire universe. It's our way of connecting with God like we do with people through Facebook and Twitter.
Jesus gives us several examples throughout the Gospels about what our prayer life should look like. He is great at reminding us why our prayer life is so vital. One example is in Matthew 7:7-8. Jesus said, "7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." He gives us this pattern of why prayer is so important when He says for us to ask, seek, and knock.
Asking has this way of reminding us that we are unable to provide for ourselves. We need God's help in our life. When we spend time communicating with God about the needs we have in our life we are expressing our great need for Him. It shows we are trusting in God to provide for us instead of coming up with ways to provide for ourselves.
Seeking can be the tough one. When we seek God we are saying "I am giving control of my life over to you God." Seeking is looking for God's will and direction in our moment of need. This requires setting aside our own wants and desires and pursuing God's. Then when He provides a response, it's up to us to respond accordingly. Even if it's not the response we were looking for. God knows best.
Knocking is our way of showing God just how determined we are at finding the answers we are praying for. To keep knocking is a sign that you and I lack faith. It's a sign to God that we are interested in God's answers to our life issues and not our own answers.
I guess the food for thought is am I that determined in my prayer life? Am I trying to find my own answers or am I turning to God? In seeking Him, am I willing to respond to the answer He gives even if I don't like it? Will I keep knocking on God's door for the answers? Or, will I try to look for them on my own?
Jesus gives us several examples throughout the Gospels about what our prayer life should look like. He is great at reminding us why our prayer life is so vital. One example is in Matthew 7:7-8. Jesus said, "7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." He gives us this pattern of why prayer is so important when He says for us to ask, seek, and knock.
Asking has this way of reminding us that we are unable to provide for ourselves. We need God's help in our life. When we spend time communicating with God about the needs we have in our life we are expressing our great need for Him. It shows we are trusting in God to provide for us instead of coming up with ways to provide for ourselves.
Seeking can be the tough one. When we seek God we are saying "I am giving control of my life over to you God." Seeking is looking for God's will and direction in our moment of need. This requires setting aside our own wants and desires and pursuing God's. Then when He provides a response, it's up to us to respond accordingly. Even if it's not the response we were looking for. God knows best.
Knocking is our way of showing God just how determined we are at finding the answers we are praying for. To keep knocking is a sign that you and I lack faith. It's a sign to God that we are interested in God's answers to our life issues and not our own answers.
I guess the food for thought is am I that determined in my prayer life? Am I trying to find my own answers or am I turning to God? In seeking Him, am I willing to respond to the answer He gives even if I don't like it? Will I keep knocking on God's door for the answers? Or, will I try to look for them on my own?
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