“If These Were Silent…” (A Holy Week SOAP Journal from Luke 19)

In addition to regular articles, I will be posting some simple SOAP journals that were produced during a regular gathering of pastors to journal, pray, and encourage one another. These are not exhaustively studied as they are generally the work of 20 minutes of reading, 20 minutes of writing, and 20 minutes of sharing with each other what we have written. Hopefully, these brief devotional posts will be encouraging to the readers of this blog. If you are not familiar with the term, we used the SOAP acronym as a devotional guide, which stands for:

• Scripture—what verse or short section caught my attention today? 
• Observation—what can I briefly notice that the passage specifically says?
• Application—what will I do differently as a result of having read this today?
• Prayer—what will I ask the Triune God to do for, in, and through me today?

S = Luke 19:37-40 “As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives— the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying,

‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!

Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!’

 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples.’

He answered, ‘I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.’”

Jerusalem Wall, Photo by Greg Dueker

O = The great crowd of disciples, the whole multitude, was filled with joy that spilled out in praise—loud voices raised to testify of what mighty works they had seen—announcing the kingship of the coming Messiah. They almost certainly misunderstood his mission, but they offered praise nonetheless. He was not just “the king who was coming in the name of the Lord,” he was the king who was the name of the Lord incarnate. 

Another interesting and unusual phrase they used was “Peace in heaven...” Perhaps they realized that any true peace on earth must flow from peace with God in heaven. Here at Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the people were in solidarity with the whole creation in praising Christ! If the people didn’t do it, Jesus said the very stones would! (More on this in my next journal later this week)

"Come, follow me!"

A = How enthusiastic am I in testifying to what God has done in my life? Do I praise Christ with all my heart? Or, like the Pharisees, do I see such displays as unseemly? Do I seek the blessedness of Christ and the glory of God or my own position and power? Do I generally show gratitude for his plans or only when they agree with my own? If I am silent about the goodness of Christ today, then who will speak of the gospel of Jesus to those I know? If I don't speak of the great things that I have seen God do, then how will others be encouraged, and how will I be encouraged?

P = O Lord, you are blessed, and you make me share in your blessing, your peace, and your glory by means of your love poured out in my heart! You are the King, my king, and my Lord. You are God and I am not, and I desire to live with that knowledge, that awareness, rather than being a self-proclaimed prince in the kingdom of my own heart.    Amen.

No King in Gondor! (A Holy Week SOAP Journal from Luke 19)

In addition to regular articles, I will be posting some simple SOAP journals that were produced during a regular gathering of pastors to journal, pray, and encourage one another. These are not exhaustively studied as they are generally the work of 20 minutes of reading, 20 minutes of writing, and 20 minutes of sharing with each other what we have written. Hopefully, these brief devotional posts will be encouraging to the readers of this blog. If you are not familiar with the term, we used the SOAP acronym as a devotional guide, which stands for:

• Scripture—what verse or short section caught my attention today? 
• Observation—what can I briefly notice that the passage specifically says?
• Application—what will I do differently as a result of having read this today?
• Prayer—what will I ask the Triune God to do for, in, and through me today?

S = Luke 19:12-14 

“He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ 

But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying,

‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’”

O = It was in the context of correcting their faulty kingdom suppositions from immediacy to a time of delay that Jesus told this parable. Much could be said about the historical allusion to Herod and Archelaus’ previous trips to Rome, but what strikes me is the attitude of the citizens who rejected the man as their king. It reminds me of the scene in Lord of the Rings where Boromir (the son of the Steward of Gondor) rejects the ranger Aragorn (the true heir to the throne) as his king, saying, “Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king.” But later, having learned better, Boromir lay mortally wounded after a heroic effort to obey Aragorn’s command. He asked for forgiveness and confessed to Aragorn with his dying breath as “my captain...my king.” It is gripping cinema. But it hits a little too close to home. It is revealing that Jesus told this parable just before his triumphal entry into Jerusalem on what we call Palm Sunday. A week later, Pilate’s court would ring with orchestrated shouts of “No King but Caesar!” (John 19:15)

Photo by Daniel Pascoa on Unsplash

A = How often have I done the same thing as the rebellious citizens in Jesus’ parable? Too often in willfulness and pride, I have as much as said that I don’t want the Lord to rule over me…I would rather do my own thing, but it always ends badly. God has an absolute claim on the kingship in my life, and my rejection of his rightful Lordship only causes pain to me and to those I love. I would much rather be one of the ten servants who were given a place, an opportunity to play a part in the king’s plan. What he is looking for from me is faithfulness. So, what is Jesus asking me to do this week? Will I respond obediently (i.e., immediately, thoroughly, completely, and cheerfully) and hear his commendation, “Well done, good servant”? Or will I be like those “enemies” who stubbornly refused to participate in the peaceful kingdom? My goal should be humbly living a daily surrendered life rather than seizing a daily selfish life.

P = O Lord, I repent once again of my self-rule and willful independence. May I, by your grace, be considered a servant that can be trusted until the return of the True King! Thank you that you have lovingly invited me into your kingdom, and you judge me not by my success, but affectionately call forth faithfulness. May I not forget that you exist and that you are a rewarder of those who seek you (Heb. 11:6), and may I seek you with all my heart! 

Standing Alone? (A SOAP Journal from 2 Timothy 4)

In addition to regular articles, I will once again be posting highlights of some simple SOAP journals that were produced during a regular gathering of pastors to journal, pray, and encourage one another. These are not exhaustively studied as they are generally the work of 20 minutes of reading, 20 minutes of writing, and 20 minutes of sharing with each other what we have written. These brief devotional journal posts will begin in the Pastoral Epistles (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus). Hopefully, they will be encouraging to the readers of this blog.

We used the simple SOAP acronym as a devotional guide... which stands for:

• Scripture—what verse or short section caught my attention today? 
• Observation—what can I briefly notice that the passage specifically says?
• Application—what will I do differently as a result of having read this today?
• Prayer—what will I ask the Triune God to do for, in, and through me today?

S = 2 Timothy 4:16-18

“At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me.

May it not be charged against them! 

                                     But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, 

   …So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed 

                 and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. 

  To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

O = Paul knew what it meant to be alone, surrounded by enemies. On this occasion, all had deserted him just as the disciples had done to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Paul, following the Lord’s example, forgave those who had abandoned him as Jesus had done before him. Paul also realized that even in being deserted, he was not really alone, for Jesus came and stood by him. Paul was spiritually strengthened by his presence in a way that reflects the psalmist’s declaration in Psalm 23:4,

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

    I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

     your rod and your staff,

     they comfort me.”

Paul had experienced “rescue” from, or through, the trials which he faced and also had great faith that he would continue to experience deliverance as certainly Jesus would bring him into the heavenly kingdom and would ultimately be the One to recognize and reward Paul for his faith (v.8). This doesn’t mean that he would avoid suffering and loss (see 2 Cor. 11 for an amazing list of what he suffered), but that such circumstances would not have the final word. He consistently dealt with hardship either by seeing it as purposeful or (when an obvious purpose could not be seen) by putting it into the perspective of eternity.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

A = I need to look to Jesus to be my defender, my rescuer, my strength, even when everyone else stops supporting me at the very moment that I think I really need them. I need to make sure that I am not deserting others when it becomes inconvenient for me to remain or when I no longer see how I can benefit from another. Relationships in Christ are not to be selfishly broken...we were meant to journey and minister together. 

Photo by Tobias Mrzyk on Unsplash

This week I need to more consistently function in forgiveness towards others who fail me and in faith towards my God who never does. I need eyes of faith to see the Lord’s presence and power at work on my behalf! He's got this, even (especially) when I don't!

P = O Lord, let me stand for you and stand by others more than I stand up for my own rights. My heart is to serve you in gratitude for the crown of righteousness that you alone provide! May I not be consumed by bitterness or frustration as I navigate this life, but freely extend forgiveness to others as you have forgiven me. Fill my heart with gratitude when I perceive you at work, and open my eyes regularly to see it! Please bring me safely into your heavenly kingdom, for there is no place I would rather be since you have planted a bit of your kingdom in my heart. To you, Lord, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be the glory forever and ever! Amen!

Breathed out by God (A SOAP Journal from 2 Timothy 3)

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

In addition to regular articles, I will once again be posting highlights of some simple SOAP journals that were produced during a regular gathering of pastors to journal, pray, and encourage one another. These are not exhaustively studied as they are generally the work of 20 minutes of reading, 20 minutes of writing, and 20 minutes of sharing with each other what we have written. These brief devotional journal posts will begin in the Pastoral Epistles (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus). Hopefully, they will be encouraging to the readers of this blog.

We used the simple SOAP acronym as a devotional guide... which stands for:

• Scripture—what verse or short section caught my attention today?
• Observation—what can I briefly notice that the passage specifically says?
• Application—what will I do differently as a result of having read this today?
• Prayer—what will I ask the Triune God to do for, in, and through me today?

S = 2 Timothy 3:15-17

“…and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

O = I have heard many sermons on the teaching, reproof, correction, and training part of this verse…it is truly amazing what the Bible can do to equip us as messengers of God’s love to the world. This verse is also used often to defend the authority and inspiration of all parts of the Bible, which is also correct. However, I think we often miss the forest for the trees. “All Scripture is breathed out by God.” Think about that for a moment. As I recently read those words again, I had the phrase “all scripture” echoing in my mind, referring to the whole, not just the collection of the various parts we like to read. It is the whole thing, the great majestic story of God’s redemptive love for mankind that equips us. It is the whole counsel of the Word of God that corrects, encourages, and trains us in righteousness. We need to learn to see the parts in relation to the whole if we are to avoid misunderstanding, error, and imbalance.

How is the Scripture described in this verse? I think we tend to jump to the word “profitable” (e.g., what is in it for me, my position, or for my mission) to the point of overlooking that it is first “breathed out by God.” It is the Triune God’s sharing of his life with us!

What happened the first time the breath of God was mentioned in the Bible? It is in Genesis 2:7, “Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.”

A = What if I looked at the Bible as God’s breathing into me his life (Eze. 37:9), his very Spirit (John 20:22)? How would it change the way I read it? What life does God want to breathe into my soul this week? What dry bones does he want to raise up to a life of effective ministry in me during the weeks to come? I find I need to read the Bible:

• Quickly — to pick up the overarching story of God’s love, catching God’s personality in how he speaks, acts, and thinks.
• Devotionally — so that I hear him speaking life and truth to me in the process.
• Continually — so my bearings don’t become confused and my love for him doesn’t grow cold.
• Communally — so that we can share and embrace what we are hearing together as a community. 

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

I must not approach the Bible as merely a vehicle for advancing my cause, but rather for receiving the divine life that God shares with us. 

P = O Lord, thank you for breathing out your Word for us—first in history lived out, then in words written on scroll or page so that your story could enter into and change our future for the better…that what was once dust and without life or meaning might become a living creature, and better than that a child of God in Christ by the Holy Spirit. May others catch wind of your invitation and be joined together in your great story! Amen.

Dead to Me, Alive to Christ (A SOAP Journal from 2 Timothy 2)

In addition to regular articles, I will once again be posting highlights of some simple SOAP journals that were produced during a regular gathering of pastors to journal, pray, and encourage one another. These are not exhaustively studied as they are generally the work of 20 minutes of reading, 20 minutes of writing, and 20 minutes of sharing with each other what we have written. These brief devotional journal posts will begin in the Pastoral Epistles (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus). Hopefully, they will be encouraging to the readers of this blog.

We used the simple SOAP acronym as a devotional guide... which stands for:

• Scripture—what verse or short section caught my attention today? 
• Observation—what can I briefly notice that the passage specifically says?
• Application—what will I do differently as a result of having read this today?
• Prayer—what will I ask the Triune God to do for, in, and through me today?

S = 2 Timothy 2:10-13

“Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. The saying is trustworthy, for:

   if we have died with him, we will also live with him;

   if we endure, we will also reign with him;

   If we deny him, he also will deny us;

   if we are faithless, he remains faithful—

                        for he cannot deny himself. (2 Tim. 2:10-13)

O = Paul was fully committed to an objective that all who are elect might be saved. He personally manifested the focus of a combat soldier, the disciplined effort of a world-class athlete, and the patient endurance of a hard-working farmer. Paul was bound by chains, but God’s word was not bound by such things. In his defense, Paul quoted an early Christian hymn or creed (v.12-13). The key for him centered on the initial phrase, “If we have died with him.” Paul had not just postponed his own agenda for a season—he had died to it—so that he might live for the wonderful redemptive purpose of Christ! He firmly placed his hope in the promises, presence, and purposes of God in Christ Jesus! He did not mourn his own death, but embraced the resurrection life of Christ!

A = I think that this example of Paul is the only way I can effectively “endure with him.” I must stop trying to carry my stuff along with the necessary equipment, gifting, and provisions that Christ has graciously issued to me by the Holy Spirit. I don’t need the civilian stuff anymore. Who am I trying to please? Why am I doing what I am doing? Is it for myself or for the sake of the elect? Is it to please the One who enlisted me or to please myself and/or the culture around me? I need to be dead with him so that I might endure and not deny him in a futile effort to save myself…for those who seek to save their own life will lose it (See Matt. 16:24-26).

I am certainly imperfect in pursuing this purpose, and thus I am so glad that Jesus remains faithful even when I am weak and overwhelmed (v.13).

In this chapter, there are so many commands to obey—yet so much grace to strengthen me to complete the objective. Jesus Christ will not deny himself working in me!

P = Thank you, Lord, for such a high calling—

May I be strengthened to fulfill it by your grace today, pleasing to you!

May I “pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace along with those who are pure in heart” (v. 22)! May I not sell out to culture’s demand that I fight for myself and my rights and desires, but rather, may I die to myself, so I can live with abandon for You!

More Than Pizza Parties and Pudgy-bunny

Photo by Evelyn on Unsplash

Youth ministry stereotypes abound, and like most stereotypes, they depreciate the value of a critically needed ministry. Next Generation discipleship is essential to fulfilling the mission of the church! Such ministry cannot be done either effectively or affectively, in isolation from the rest of the church, and yet it often is expected to do just that. Multi-generational ministry relationships and mentoring need to be more pervasively employed if our churches are going to be healthy and growing in love.

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Eph. 4:15-16)

Every part needs to be working properly, but too often we don’t expect that our youth can and should be providing something essential to the whole body and we silo them into their own activities, services, and missions as though other generations can get on just fine without them. False. Such approaches lead our youth to think that they are not really part of the body, and so once they graduate from the youth group, they are churchless. Though we too often make youth feel as though they're undocumented aliens, they should have as much ownership in our services and mission as any other generation!

If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.

And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. (1 Cor. 12:15-16)

The parts of the body described by Paul’s figure of speech are not merely individuals but include all the sub-groups of the congregation be it generations, ethnicities, and genders not just our skills and talents.

In 1 Corinthians 12, St. Paul further addresses how spiritually gifted diversity in unity can function within a congregation. By extension, we should also consider how the “parts of the body” metaphor applies to NextGen ministry. The two major arguments of Paul in this chapter are that we don’t all have the same gift/role/function and it would look monstrous if we did, like Mike Wazowski from Disney’s Monsters, Inc.

“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;

   and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;

and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God

                                                       who empowers them all

                                      in everyone.

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit

                                               for the common good.” (1 Cor. 12:4-7)

The second argument is that the body is not complete without each part, and each part is not viable without the rest of the body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,”

nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor… (v.21-23)

Photo by Alexis Brown on Unsplash

It is time that we took these verses to heart and discussed how we need each other and seek to bestow greater honor on others! Such a shared glory paradigm takes the risk of giving subsequent generations full participation in the gathered worship of the church, if not every week, then with regularity. Are our young people included in prayer meetings and on the worship team? Do they get to work alongside teachers from the time they first show interest? But this critique is not all about the young. How well does the church honor our older members and look for ways that they can continue to be valued participants in the mission of the church? Grey is the color of experience, and of dust. May our elder saints be so active in using their experience, in support of the next generations, for the good of all, that they never gather the dust and doubts of disuse.

But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (v. 24-26)

Youth Ministers face increasingly complicated issues and concerns. Issues that require a depth of understanding, sensitivity, and wisdom that comes from intentional preparation and mentoring. Youth ministers need a biblical and theological depth combined with a relational authenticity that surpasses our stereotypes. So, how are we as the church working to come alongside them and support them? Do we dare to ask them what they need and how we can help? One way to do so is to help your youth workers get further training to stay current and fruitful in the mission for the long term.

We believe that Youth Ministry is inseparable from the mission of the church. If you are a senior pastor, I would challenge you to consider subsidizing the costs for your youth leaders to participate in a learning community!

For those who don't know what "pudgy bunny" or "chubby bunny" is, there is Wikipedia and YouTube, of course.

Who Put Me Here? (A SOAP Journal from 2 Timothy 1)

In addition to regular articles, I will once again be posting highlights of some simple SOAP journals that were produced during a regular gathering of pastors to journal, pray, and encourage one another. These are not exhaustively studied as they are generally the work of 20 minutes of reading, 20 minutes of writing, and 20 minutes of sharing with each other what we have written. These brief devotional journal posts will begin in the Pastoral Epistles (1 & 2 Timothy, Titus). Hopefully, they will be encouraging to the readers of this blog.

We used the simple SOAP acronym as a devotional guide... which stands for:

• Scripture—what verse or short section caught my attention today? 
• Observation—what can I briefly notice that the passage specifically says?
• Application—what will I do differently as a result of having read this today?
• Prayer—what will I ask the Triune God to do for, in, and through me today?

S = 2 Timothy 1:1, 6-7, 8-9, 11 

v.1 “…an apostle by the will of God”

v. 6-7 “Fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

v. 8-9 “Do not be ashamed…but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace.”

v. 11 “…for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher which is why I suffer as I do.”

Photo by Cristian Newman on Unsplash

O = When faced with hardship and suffering for my trust in Christ, and for my work as a pastor/teacher, I need to be reminded of how I got here, why I am here, and what resources I have available to me. Paul knew he was an apostle by God’s will, not by his own choice. It was God who had commissioned him to go forth with a gospel message of reconciliation. Timothy, to who Paul was writing, had been gifted by God for his ministry assignment. When Timothy was tempted to give in to the fear that what we do makes no difference in the kingdom when tempted to become cynical about people and their motives and ability to change when tempted to give in to his laundry list of subtle appetites that make it easy to forget the nature of the Spirit that God has given him/us Paul reminded him to fan the gift into flame (v. 6-7). It is by that Spirit—the Holy Spirit that enables Christians to trust, love, and obey—that Timothy and, by extension, we today, can guard the good deposit that has been entrusted to us by Christ.

A = I will remember that I am here because God put me here. I will remember that I am called because of Christ’s purpose & grace, not because of my own abilities and general awesomeness. I am his and am not my own… my life is to be lived today, this week, and always, for His glory, not my own! I don’t have to appear externally successful to bring glory to God, but rather internally faithful to his voice and responsive to his love. So, I can embrace the suffering for he is with me in it!

P = O Lord, thank you for your plan. Help me to follow boldly in love and purity—empowered by your Spirit today! Lord, if there is a gift that you have given me for the benefit of the church and the common good of the community, please move on my heart this week to create some margin to remember how it felt when it was first given and show me how to fan it into flame! You waste nothing, so may I not waste another day heeding discouragement and criticism more than the indwelling Spirit of God!