SOAP – Page 4 – The Beautiful Unfolding

Ask First

S: They were surprised and impressed – his teaching was so forthright, so confident, so authoritative, not the quibbling and quoting they were used to. Luke 4:32 (MSG) O: There is nothing like a good teacher – especially one who models both positional and personal leadership – confident in their teaching, as well as theirContinue reading “Ask First”

Word of God Speak

S: “A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel.” Luke 2:32 (MSG) “This child marks both the failure and recovery of many in Israel, a figure misunderstood and contradicted – the pain of a sword-thrust through you – but the rejection will force honesty, as God reveals who theyContinue reading “Word of God Speak”

Details Matter

S: And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. Luke 2:12 (ESV) O: Why shepherds? And why mention the swaddling cloths? Here’s what I discovered: it is believed that these particular shepherds were responsible for raising the sacrificial Passover lambs. “So,Continue reading “Details Matter”

What I Need to Hear

S: But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you. Mark 16:7 (ESV) O: “…and Peter…” Called out by name. How personally and intimately You know us. I can only imagine how specific You were with Your angel(s), “BeContinue reading “What I Need to Hear”

You Made A Way

S: And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. Mark 15:38 (ESV) O: Just one line. That’s it. One sentence describing what took place in the natural, but oh, what it means in the supernatural! “Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant lawContinue reading “You Made A Way”

What Will I Choose?

S: And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God. Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.” Mark 11:22-23 (ESV) O: DoubtContinue reading “What Will I Choose?”

Let Go

S: And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Mark 10:21 (ESV) O: I have read this verse a dozen times without seeing what I sawContinue reading “Let Go”

I Have A Question

S: But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. Mark 9:32 (ESV) O: Why were they afraid to ask You? Were they afraid because of how You responded to their bickering over the Pharisee’s yeast – their lack of understanding? Were they embarrassed that they still didn’t understand? Were theyContinue reading “I Have A Question”

Am I Hearing You Right?

S: But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. “Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works.” Mark 8:32-33 (MSG) O: Doubt has crept in and it has brought confusion with it. Not able to comprehendContinue reading “Am I Hearing You Right?”

Take A Break? Now?

S: And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. Mark 6:31 (ESV) O: The apostles had just returned to You, Jesus, telling You all they had done and taught, and this wasContinue reading “Take A Break? Now?”