Observation  This ancient wisdom applies today.  It is for all who aspire to lead well.  It is for moms and dads who lead families.  The manager of a team, a tribe, a ten thousand employee company.

Pay attention to what matters is a long term view of taking care of who and what we have been entrusted with.

Application  This proverb has a romantic or noble air to it.  I mean, who doesn't want fat healthy sheep, increased profits and lower expenses, kids and a household that are fun and cared for?  Starting well isn't the challenge, finishing strong is the challenge.

It is the daily discipline, the returning to what really matters that wears a grove into the chaos, that builds rhythm and life.  Small steps repeated will take you anywhere you want to go.

Prayer  Help me to pay attention to the main thing, the critical path, to stay focused in spite of the distractions.

Check out the SOAP Bible reading plan.

Observation  The writer of this short Psalm reflects on the "who" and "how" of walking close to God.  First, he asks a great question "Who are the people who come to know and enjoy God?"  The answer is embeded in the "how"; i.e. "they walk with integrity."

Application  I note that it is the character quality of integrity rather than the unrealistic quality of perfection that equips you and me to walk with God.  I think at the root of integrity is a cultivated faith based lifestyle that learns to practice the presence of God at all times.  Think of it - God with you at all times - never alone, always cared for, a friend and leader who loves you no matter what!

Prayer  Father, as I write this SOAP I reflect on my walk with You.  Often I wander away from where I think You are and get tangled up in all sorts of things.  You draw me back each time with open arms - no questions asked.  Thank You!  Help me toady to remain close to You!

This post is from my daily SOAP.  Check out the reading plan.

Observation  Jesus offers a debt relief when he stands and says "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me...He has send Me to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord."  What is "the favorable year of the Lord?"  It is a game changing reference to an ancient principle that states "ALL DEBTS CANCELLED."

Jesus says in effect "This is what I am all about - canceling debts" and to "seek and to save that which was lost", and to restore broken relationships.

Application  Two thoughts stand out to me as I leisurely read Luke 4 over a cup of fresh brewed coffee.

First, Jesus was and still is all about forgiveness, short sales on our souls, fresh starts.  Jesus is not a bank officer unwilling to extend a helping hand.

Second, Jesus invites those of us who take Him up on the "ALL DEBTS CANCELLED" offer, He says "HELP ME HELP OTHERS" who are upside down in their lives.  Jesus calls His followers "salt and light" as though they were bank representatives on every street corner or grocery store bank kiosk.

Prayer  This is a new year for me Lord, a fresh start, a clean slate.  I feel lighter in my soul than I have for a long time.  I want to follow You today as salt and light as I meet and talk with people who are still hoping for a short sale of their soul.  Train my ears to hear Your coaching, to follow Your prompts.  Thanks that I am not alone and that You are in me, with me, and for me today!

This posting is from my personsl SOAP from the "run" reading plan.  Check out the reading plans and begin today.

PS  Contact me if you are interested in hearing more about debt relief for the soul.

O  Here we have Paul, the Apostle, writing perhaps his final letter to his young protege Timothy.  Pregnant words.  Lasting words.  Encouragement and principles to love, live, and lead by.

A  What got a hold of me in today's reading [2 Timothy 1-4] was that Paul had come to a place where at last his life was characterized by a clear conscience.

How does one get a clear conscience?  Choices made in line with what one belives?  Decisions to act out of conviction?  Radical "If your hand causes you to do something stupid cut it off" lifestyle u-turns?

A clear conscience, for me, is priceless.  Hope flows out of a clear conscience.  Will, the force of my will is set free by a clear conscience.  So too is my ability to love my wife, listen to my kids, perform my duties.

And what of a dark conscience?  Things all to familiar.  Sickness to my soul.  Shame like a wet winter coat.  Dread.

P  Father, thank You for your patience on my life journey.  You have seen every bonehead move I have made, every mess made in publice and in private and every time I have come back You have welcomed me with open arms.  Thank You that in a few key areas of my life I have a clear conscience - no secrets - just gratitude.

My journal entry from the "run" reading plan.  SOAP daily helps grow a Godly lifestyle.

Scripture  "Hold on to the good."  1 Thessalonians 5:21

Observation  My default is to let go of things after the new car smell wears off, or when the flat screen is everywhere, or what I have becomes so common I don't miss it.

Application  So, hold on to the good - what does that mean???  What is it the writer is trying to say?  I think it goes something like this;

If what you have as a follower of Jesus is worth anything make sure it becomes everything.

If what you have as a follower of Jesus has become ordinary make it everything again.

How?

By letting go of the plastic things, the digital images, the approval of others, the desire for the new the flashy the quick fix.

Prayer  I have traded away some rich blessings Father, help me regain them moment by moment as I made wise choices, following close to You today.

This SOAP is from the run reading plan.

Scripture "...go quickly and tell..."  Matthew 28:7

Observation  Two women came to the empty grave of Jesus and were met by an angel of God and told to "go quickly and tell others."  Note the angel gave clear instructions to these followers of Jesus.

Application  I don't feel particularly contagious about going and telling others.  Three thougths come to mind about getting contagious;

1. I become contagious being around invected people
2. I become contagious by practicing gratitude [fake it till you make it]
3. I become contagious reading, reflecting, and applying the Bible to my life

But there is a deeper principle than being contagious.  Note the words from the angel were "go quickly and tell" not "go get contagious and then tell." And so I would add another;

    4.  I become contagious when I go quickly and tell others.

Doing precedes feeling frequently.

Prayer  Father help me be open to the prompting of Your Spirit to go quickly and tell others.  I'm counting on You go know what to say, or simply love people rather than hit them up about You.

This SOAP is from the run reading plan.

O  This is the story of Jesus feeding five thousand people.  Can you imagine the catering  for feeding that many people?  The miracle of five loaves of bread and two fish is amazing.

A  Amazing things come in small beginnings.  All too often I hold out for big beginnings, stunning promotion, compelling announcements, lots of buzz.  Small has the aroma of humility.

P  Father, all too often I look to the big to make a difference for You in the world and in my life.  This verse today reminds me to look at small beginnings, small things that You make come alive.  Begin with me, my heart.  Thank You!

Reading plan for this SOAP is from the "run" reading plan.

Observation  First of all Jesus is talking to regular Christians.  Second, Jesus wants us to learn how to pray even when things are difficule.  And finally, and unavoidably, Jesus is talking to me in the middle of my life as a husband, father, son, friend, and pastor.  When I read this verse what I observe is that sometimes I pray and I DO LOSE HEART.

Application I look to another verse to roust my heart out of this place of overwhelm.  Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways invite Him into your concerns..."  Rousting my heart is not some passive thing I do but something active, a movement of my heart where I will my heart to a place of trusting God type movement.  These small steps are actually the micro-steps of trusting faith where I listen for the whisper of God saying "Yes, now take another small step.  And another."

Prayer Father, You alone know how much heart I have lost.  And where else can I go but to You for help to gain some spiritual momentum as I follow Jesus.  Thank You that I do not have to make these small steps alone...You are very near.  Amen

My SOAP from the "run" reading plan.

Observation  Do you se the progression of growing intimacy in this Psalm?  We enter through the front door.  We come closer.  We are invited to meet personally with God.  How cool is that?  There is a problem though - sometimes I stay at the front door and don't get all the way in to sit close to God.  Why is that?

Application  For me, it is busyness, guilt/shame, or indifference that keeps me at the front door with God.  And at the root of it I think is laziness.  These three movements;

• to enter
• to come near
• to meet intimately

3 Movements can take place in my heart in a New York Minute.  How?  By a simple honest prayer where I accept Jesus invitation to be the Lord of my life [to enter], when I make time to sit and listen [to come near], and as I share my concerns with Him [to meet intimately]. 

Prayer  How I want to be comfortable and familiar with You God.  And I am trusting that as I take small steps toward You, that You will make giant steps toward me!  Thanks that I don't have to do this all on my own.

My SOAP from the "run" reading plan.

Observation  This is a benchmark passage in the Old Testament story of the "chosen people of God" [known also as the Jews, Hebrews, the twelve tribes and others].  After hundreds of years of walking away from God all but a few are exiled from their homeland in Judah leaving only the poor, uneducated, unwanted.

Jeremiah chooses to remain in Judah "with the people left in the land" - to settle there, build a home, carry on with life even in harsh circumstances.

Application  So too with me and other Christians.  We are in a sense "people left in the land" - our spiritual home is heaven - our physical home is here/now.  The take-away for me is to settle here, build a home, and carry on with the life of the Kingdom of God even in harsh circumstances.

• We who know Christ are people of hope to those who do not know Christ.
• We who know Christ are people of love and holiness and purity.
• We who know Christ are to settle in, be salt and light.

Prayer  "Father, this is hard stuff - to live as an alien.  But You know all about that.  You sent Jesus to show us a better way.  And because of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection the Holy Spirit is here/now - in us, with us, and for us!  Help me today walk in this truth."

My SOAP from the "run" reading plan.

God is restoring to me the joyous rhythm of reading the Bible.

One verse caught my attention.

"The things of God are no more important [to them] than any daily task."  Ezekiel 22:26

What I observed was how far people had drifted.  Drifted from living close to God.  They were like kids a few days after Christmas who had lost the joyous rhythm of their new toy.  I get like that.

How can I apply this to my life?

By doing my part of getting the rhythm back...

• read today
• repeat
• repeat

The habit will return as I do my part.  After all, God hasn't moved away I have.

My prayer in all this goes something like this; "Father, I have moved away and want to move closer.  Take these simple small steps of reading a little every day and restore the joyous rhythm back to me!  Amen"

Follow along the SOAP reading plan - and post your comment!