March 2 SOAP

March 2, 2012

Read 1 Samuel 17

To read this text go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%2017&version=NLT

 

Scripture- 1 Samuel 17:48-50- As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword.

 

Observations- We have already learned that Saul stood “head and shoulders” above anyone else in all of Israel (1 Samuel 9:2), but we have also heard that “people judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b) David has already been anointed by Samuel to be the next king, but there will be many obstacles to overcome on his journey to lead the nation of Israel. Saul may have been physically imposing, but not so much compared to the giant, Goliath. David saw a way to defeat Goliath that others couldn’t imagine. While David was humble and grateful to receive Saul’s weapons for battle, he chose to use what he was familiar with- a slingshot and a few small stones. Was David fearless or did he simply trust God more than anyone else on the field of battle that day?

 

Application- We will be confronted on a regular basis with battles to fight. While these battles might not ever seem quite as extreme as what David faced in the Valley of Elah 3000 years ago, we can still trust that God is just as present with us today as He was with David so long ago to give us the courage and strength we need as we need it. What giants are you facing? What unique and surprising tools has God given you to face them head on and “quickly run out to meet” your giants in battle?

 

Prayer- Dear God, thank You for all of the ways You try to communicate Your love, grace, acceptance, and presence in my life. I’m slow to pay attention, listen, and receive what You want to give me, but guide me to be more open to the unique and surprising ways You want to work in, through, and for me today. When I am most deeply connected to You and filled with trust, the “giants” in my life are right-sized and I can come to believe we can handle them together. Amen.

 

God is with us,

Pastor Jamie

 

 

 

March 1 SOAP

March 1, 2012
Read 1 Samuel 16
To read this text go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%2016&version=NLT

Scripture- 1 Samuel 16:6-7- When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the LORD’s anointed!” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Observations- David's own father, Jesse, thought so little of this son's gifts and talents that he didn't bother to send for him to come in from the fields where he was herding sheep and goats for the meal with the great and honored guest, Samuel, the judge of Israel. This story serves as a constant reminder that God views things differently than human beings do. God didn't choose the most likely candidate to be the next king; instead God chose the child who appeared to be the weakest and least significant option available. God had big plans for David and the nation of Israel, and David would have to grow into the opportunity God had in front of him.

Application- God is into surprising and delighting us! The Master of the universe has quite a sense of humor, because He chooses the likes of you and me to come alongside Him and gratefully love and serve others for His glory. I love the phrase, "God doesn't call the qualified, but He qualifies the called." Do our natural abilities matter at all? Yes, God usually chooses to use what we do well for His glory, and God also has the ability to see gifts in particular people they aren't even aware of yet. Here’s the deal- God has a higher opinion of you than you have of yourself! Are you open to the unique, challenging, and life changing call of God in your life?

Prayer- Dear God, thank You for seeing things about us we can't yet see about ourselves. Help us to see other people and various situations through Your eyes with great spiritual discernment that goes beyond how things look on the outside. We offer Your our hearts, minds, and hands. We belong to You! Amen.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." (Proverbs 3:5-6),
Pastor Jamie

P. S. - Feed the Bay, which is a great ecumenical food drive in the greater Brandon area, is on March 25 this year. We currently have 34 churches partnering together to do more with and for Jesus and the people He loves so much. We’ll be taking 2012 “Feed the Bay” T-shirt orders ($6 each) this Sunday only after all three services outside of the Social Hall or you may contact Carolyn Bass at Carolynbas@aol.com or 662-0663.

 

February 29 SOAP

February 29, 2012

Read 1 Samuel 15

To read this text go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%2015&version=NLT

 

Scripture- 1 Samuel 15:1, 22- One day Samuel said to Saul, “It was the Lord who told me to anoint you as king of His people, Israel. Now listen to this message from the Lord!” But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to His voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”

 

Observations- One of the keys to being a faithful king for Israel was the gift of listening to God, but Saul again failed in this area. He didn’t encourage the people to listen completely to God’s command that came through Samuel; instead Saul did what was convenient and more in line with what the people he served wanted, which didn’t happen to be what God wanted. The sacrifices to be offered would have been irrelevant, because they were going to be offered in a state of disobedience.

 

Application- The original root of the word “obey” literally means to listen carefully to, which is a perquisite for responding faithfully. Just because someone ascended to the office of king in Israel didn’t mean they could ever stop listening carefully to the voice of God. The earthly king didn’t have the authority to make up his own rules as he went along; rather he was still to be an agent of the King of the universe. We, too, must continue to listen carefully for the voice of God to speak through His Word, other people in our lives, and in the personal connection we have through prayer.

 

Prayer- (by Richard Foster) O Lord, my God. Form me more fully into Your likeness. Use the circumstances and interactions of this day to form Your will in me. From the frustrations of this day form peace. From the joys of this day form strength. From the struggles of this day form courage. From the beauties of this day form love. In the name of Jesus Christ who is all peace and strength and courage and love. Amen.

 

“You see and recognize what is right but refuse to act on it. You hear with your ears, but you don’t really listen.” (Isaiah 42:20),

Pastor Jamie

 

P. S. – Day 4 Challenge from Bishop Schnase in Cultivating Fruitfulness: “Write down the names of three persons—neighbors, acquaintances, co-workers—who do not have a church home. Pray for them daily. Pray also for a time ripe to invite them to a ministry of your church.”

 

 

 

February 28 SOAP

February 28, 2012

Read 1 Samuel 14

To read this text go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%2014&version=NLT

 

Scripture- 1 Samuel 14:18-19- Then Saul shouted to Ahijah, “Bring the ephod here!” For at that time Ahijah was wearing the ephod in front of the Israelites. But while Saul was talking to the priest, the confusion in the Philistine camp grew louder and louder. So Saul said to the priest, “Never mind; let’s get going!”

 

Observations- Even in the midst of some great victories over Israel’s enemies, we see things go from bad to worse for Saul in this chapter. Saul impulsively made a vow that put his forces at a huge disadvantage and unwittingly set his son, Jonathan, up for a curse and potentially death, he didn’t bother to take the necessary care and time to properly consult God about the next course of action before heading into battle, and set his men up to violate some of the dietary laws in their ravenous hunger. The crises for Israel weren’t forging Saul’s character; rather they were revealing what little character he actually had.

 

Application- Bold decision making can easily step over the line and become impetuous and impulsively destructive. A sense of shared sacrifice can build community and trust, but if it is too severe or goes too far it can lead to dangerous resentments and damage community. Refusing to wait on God’s best timing for a particular course of action can prove to be humanly successful, but will lead to all kinds of other problems down the road. Saul’s impulsiveness and disobedience serve to offer us a cautionary lesson for the development of our own character with God’s help. Are we ready for the challenges and crises that will come our way?

 

Prayer- Dear Lord, develop Your character in me, so that I can become a far better reflection of Jesus tomorrow than I am today. I want the qualities that You most want me to have flowing from You into my one and only life. Since You have chosen us to be the holy people You love, we get to clothe ourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love. (Colossians 3:12, 14) O God, help us be physically, emotionally, and spiritually ready for the crises that will reveal our character and that we will have to face along the way in this life, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

“May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ —for this will bring much glory and praise to God.” (Philippians 1:11),

Pastor Jamie

 

P. S. - 2012 Northern Alabama Mission Trip Date Change! We've had to change the date of our planned mission trip to Northern Alabama where we'll be helping make homes damaged by last year's tornadoes livable again. Our new dates are April 15-21.  No particular skills are required - just a willingness to help.  If you're 14 or older and would like to join us, contact Vicky Haney at markvicky@aol.com.

 

P. S. S. – Today’s (Day 3) challenge from Bishop Schnase’s book, Cultivating Fruitfulness: “With a family member or friend, share your thoughts about these questions: ‘Why do people need Christ? Why do people need the church? Why do people need your particular congregation?’”

 

 

February 27 SOAP

February 27, 2012

Read 1 Samuel 13

To read this text go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%2013&version=NLT

 

Scripture- 1 Samuel 13:12-13- So I said, ‘The Philistines are ready to march against us at Gilgal, and I haven’t even asked for the Lord’s help!’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.” “How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.”

 

Observations- In a surprising turn of events, the blessing of Saul by God was withdrawn as Saul chose to take the matter of an appropriate sacrifice before battle with the Philistine’s into his own hands. Saul was getting anxious about the condition and frame of mind of his troops. To keep the men happy and in line with the battle to come Saul made the offering to God that wasn’t his to make. He wanted the illusion of trusting in God more than he truly wanted to trust in God, so in his anxiety he acted in a way that didn’t please God.

 

Application- Saul’s actions revealed that he didn’t trust God and he believed he needed to take action on his own in a way that used God as his lucky charm before going into battle. Rather than being driven by faith he allowed himself to be driven by the fear of failure, and he gave up waiting on Samuel to arrive to appropriately make the sacrifice. One of the temptations faced by the Israelites was always that the living God would become just one god among many others. Does our fear ever drive us to “take matters into our won hands,” because we’re tired of waiting on God?

 

Prayer- Dear Lord, help me to learn the joy of genuine obedience, even when my own anxiety and fear of failing come out to play in my mind and heart. I know that my life always goes better when I place myself in Your hands, but that doesn’t mean I’m not tempted to try to do something on my own because I’m not thrilled about Your timing or moving ahead on my own seems like a practical solution. Help me listen carefully for Your still, small voice to guide and bless me today. Amen.

 

Let’s not miss the ways that God is really with us,

Pastor Jamie

 

P. S. – To get a copy of what’s in store over the next 3 months of our daily Bible reading and SOAP you can go to: http://fumcbrandon.org.iis2001.shared-servers.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=95ZkPmvepc0%3d&tabid=124.

 

February 26 SOAP

February 26, 2012

Read 1 Samuel 12

To read this text go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%2012&version=NLT

 

Scripture- 1 Samuel 12:6-7- “It was the Lord who appointed Moses and Aaron,” Samuel continued. “He brought your ancestors out of the land of Egypt. Now stand here quietly before the Lord as I remind you of all the great things the Lord has done for you and your ancestors.”

 

Observations- Since we are beginning a new sermon series and Small Group study on “Cultivating Fruitfulness” and we are beginning with the topic of Radical Hospitality, I am drawn to the way God kept extending His gracious presence and care to His people in the midst of such extensive disobedience from them. It was easy for Samuel to list and outline all the ways that the Lord had time after time offered the gift of Himself to support them on their physical journey through the wilderness and their spiritual journey through the wilderness of their disobedience. God remained faithful!

 

Application- How have you experienced God extending Radical Hospitality to you? 1 John 4:9-10 reminds us that: “God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” Sending His Son for us is the ultimate act of Radical Hospitality, and we get to return the favor to others as those who have received so much from God. It is and easy task and good thing to be reminded “of all the great things the Lord has done for you and your ancestors.”

 

Prayer- O God, thank You for all of the ways You roll out the red carpet to receive the likes of us into Your very Self. We want to learn the art of extending Radical Hospitality to the people in our sphere of influence, especially in Your Church. The care and love You want so much for others to receive with joy requires us to come alongside You, make important sacrifices, and tell about the great things You have done for Your people- long ago and right now. Help us be the smile for someone in need that will make Jesus smile! Amen.

 

God is with us,

Pastor Jamie

 

P. S. – Start reading Day One of Bishop Robert Schnase’s devotional book, “Cultivating Fruitfulness” today. If you haven’t picked one up yet, a book will be available to you this morning at church for only $5.

February 25 SOAO

February 25, 2012

Read 1 Samuel 11

To read this text go to: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Samuel%2011&version=NLT

 

Scripture- 1 Samuel 11:13-15- But Saul replied, “No one will be executed today, for today the Lord has rescued Israel!” Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us all go to Gilgal to renew the kingdom.” So they all went to Gilgal, and in a solemn ceremony before the Lord they made Saul king. Then they offered peace offerings to the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites were filled with joy.

 

Observations- While Saul had been anointed as king by Samuel and introduced to the people as the one God selected to bring in the new reality, Saul hadn’t actually acted in any way as the “king.” He was presented with his first challenge by the king of the Ammonites, and he rose to the challenge quite effectively. There was a severe problem, God had Saul in place to be the solution, he took decisive action, and he humbly pointed to the Lord as the One who truly won the victory.

 

Application- So far so good in the story of Saul- he modeled humility and extended grace to his detractors. After all, he was the king; he didn’t need to act in such a way. Are we quick to extend grace to those who don’t think we’re up to a particular challenge? Are we quick to make sure God gets the credit when He uses us to accomplish something positive in our own lives and the lives of those we get to come alongside and serve? We are going to continue to encounter all kinds of problems- there will always be folks who’d like to figuratively “gouge our eyes” out just like King Nahash- and God is with us and empowers us to live victoriously.

 

Prayer- Dear God, thank You for the example of Saul in this particular incident as he mostly modeled the effective use of power, humble service, grace to his enemies, and a willingness to be Your instrument in this world. Help us long to be both effective and faithful in the way we live out loud our faith in Christ. We’ll be careful to give You all the credit and glory as we report for duty and offer ourselves completely to You, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Jamie

 

P. S. – Throughout the month of February we’ve been collecting diapers (sizes 3, 4 & 5) and baby wipes at the entrance to the Sanctuary for LifeCare of Brandon’s clients. To learn more about the mission and ministry of LifeCare of Brandon go to: http://www.lifecareofbrandon.com/.