Posted by: Jeremiah Hann
Scripture:
“And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.” Titus 2:7
Own Words/Observations:
Paul tells Titus that he needs to live by example and make sure that everything he does points others to Christ. We are examples to the rest of the world.
Apply It:
I want to always point others to Christ. I need to lead by example in everything I do.
Prayer:
Hey God, thanks so much for reminding me of this today. Help me to constantly be an example to people who don’t know you. I love you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Filed under: October
Here is my SOAP from Sunday October 26, 2008
Scripture:
Titus 15-16
“Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. [16]Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.
Observation:
- If corruption and disbelief have made a home in your heart it will be reflected in the way you perceive what is pure.
- This corruption causes you to act in a way that does not reflect your relationship with God.
- Paul describes this type of person with awful adjectives; detestable, disobedient, and worthless.
Application
- Have I allowed corruption and disbelief to take up residence in my heart and mind?
- I need to protect myself from these things that will destroy my relationship with God. I should be feeding my heart and mind pure things (Philippians 4:8) so that my actions will reflect my relationship with God.
- I do not want to be characterized as detestable, disobedient, or worthless.
Prayer:
God, it is my desire to live my life in a way that is honoring to You. I want the students that you have given me influence over, to look into my life and see You. I pray that Your word would take up residence in my heart to protect it from corruption and disbelief.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Posted by: Jeremiah Hann
Scripture:
“There are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk ant deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation.” Titus 1:10
Own Words/Observations:
Sometimes people get so caught up in rules that they forget about relationships. When people use their words to deceive others, they are wasting their time.
Apply It:
I can always remember to put people first. I need to make sure I am not deceiving my family and friends.
Prayer:
Hey God, help me to always remember to put relationships with people in front of rules. Thanks for sending Jesus down here to allow me to have that relationship with you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Filed under: October
posted by: Darius Sanders
Scripture
I Timothy 5:25
In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.
Own Words/Observation
When some people do good things, everybody finds out about what they did. They may get an award for what they did, they may get recognition from their peers, they might get to make speeches about it, they may even get on TV where the public makes it out to be a big deal. There are other people however that do good things that they get no recognition whatsoever for. That’s because they did these good things when no one else was around or they never told anyone about what they did. God saw exactly what these people did in secret; and one day, a lot of people will know about it. That day might not be while they are here on this earth, but rest assured, whether in heaven or on earth, their good deeds will be noticed by others at some time or another.
Application
This verse reminds me a lot of a verse I read last week in II Thessalonians 3:13 that says “…never get tired of doing good.” Some people feel that since they don’t get any recognition for the good things they do, they should just stop doing them. They get discouraged because they feel that other people are getting recognized for doing things while they aren’t getting any recognition for what they do.
The great thing is that God sees every single good deed done in secret and He will someday show others what you did. Sure, there are some people that will get recognized by hundreds of people here on this earth for what they’ve done, but that’s nothing compared to the billions of people that will recognize you in Heaven for what you’ve done in secret here on this earth. We need to keep doing good deeds knowing that God will choose when He wants those good deeds to be exposed to others, whether it be now on this earth or later in Heaven.
Prayer
God, thank You for the motivation to do good deeds, even when no one else is watching. I pray that the people in my life that do good deeds that I never recognize them for would one day get to experience how much greater Your recognition and timing are for bringing those good deeds to light.
Filed under: October
posted by: Darius Sanders
Scripture
Philippians 3:14
I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Observation
Paul was looking forward to the Heavenly prize he would receive when his life was over. He realized that the Heavenly prize he would receive was far more important than any earthly prize he would get here on this earth. He wanted to keep his focus on eternity without being distracted by the earthly prizes mid-race.
Being distracted mid-race reminds me of DeSean Jackson’s “touchdown celebration” on Monday night football a few weeks ago. DeSean Jackson, a Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver, was so excited about scoring a 61-yard touchdown that he threw the football behind him and began to dance in celebration. The only problem was that Desean was not in the end zone when he threw the ball behind himself, he was only on the 1-yard line. This cost his team a touchdown. DeSean’s problem was that his focus was on the praise of the fans when he celebrated as opposed to the excitement of his team for his contribution when the game was over. This is a classic example of the fact that when we lose focus on the end result, we often make decisions that we regret later on.
Application
I can’t get so focused on earthly prizes that I forget to work towards heavenly prizes. I can have a nice car, a big house, a lot of money, and be very popular here on this earth for 70 years, but if that was all I was living for, I would miss out on a greater Heavenly prize when my life was over. Instead, I need to focus on using the earthly things God has blessed me with to be a blessing to others. I can use my car to give others rides, I can use my house to host a home team, I can give of my money generously, and I can use the platform that God has given me to reach more people for Christ. The thing I need to keep in mind is that earthly rewards are fun for a season, but I need to keep my focus on the heavenly rewards which can be enjoyed for eternity.
Prayer
God, thanks for the reminder that the Heavenly prizes you have lined up for me are far more important than any earthly prize I could ever receive. I pray that I won’t lose focus of eternity while I’m here on this earth.
