Ask | Part 7

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S.O.A.P. – “Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer”

What is your ultimate purpose in life? Are you living it out?

After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!”

They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?”

“Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.”

Then he touched their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly warned them, “Don’t tell anyone about this.”

But instead, they went out and spread his fame all over the region. When they left, a demon-possessed man who couldn’t speak was brought to Jesus. So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” they exclaimed. But the Pharisees said, “He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons.”

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” Matthew 9:27–38 NLT

Do you feel closer to God because of how Jesus made himself accessible to the broken, the poor and the hurting?

Do you approach the throne of God in prayer with confidence as you are invited to?

Jesus’ legitimate power was highly suspect to the power-players of the day. In their envy, they totally misunderstood Jesus’ heart and power. Those who work for the Lord are also often misunderstood as we stand for truth and love. Are you intimidated in promoting Jesus out of a fear of being misunderstood?

Lord, teach me to have the faith that allows me to see. Teach me to have the trust that when you move, it is for my good. Teach me to follow your footsteps even when I don’t know where they will lead. Calm my spirit and help me find life even in dark and difficult places.

What have you been created by God to be (first) and do (second) on earth?

Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James’s brother), Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).

Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! “Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.

“Whenever you enter a city or village, search for a worthy person and stay in his home until you leave town. When you enter the home, give it your blessing. If it turns out to be a worthy home, let your blessing stand; if it is not, take back the blessing. If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. I tell you the truth, the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah will be better off than such a town on the judgment day.

“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10:1–20 NLT

Jesus’ instructions were unique to the disciples at this time. He wasn’t ready to take the good news to the world because he had not yet died and resurrected, so being “born again” through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit was not yet available to believers. Jesus’ blood had not yet been spilled to pay for the sins of the world. Jesus was inviting the Jews to help prepare the way for the Kingdom of God to come in power through God’s eternal and mysterious and best plan: the church—a combination of forgiven Jews and Gentiles (all nations)! How does this impact you and your relationships today?

Lord, thank you so much for inviting me to participate in your best plan ever—the body of Christ on earth!

When did you realize that Jesus is SO much more than a “good teacher”?

Jesus continued: “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel.

“Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!

“But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!

“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Matthew 10:21-31 NLT

What value does God place on you?

Are you completely convinced that Jesus loves and cares for you EVEN THOUGH you will go through difficulties? Difficulties are not proof that God does not love you; they are a part of following Jesus and aligning yourself with the truth the world hates and rejects. Are you committed to “enduring to the end”? What does God promise?

Why does the fear of God help you escape lesser fears?

Lord, teach me to fear and fixate on you, the author and perfecter of my faith, the creator and lover of my soul, the only true God who is worthy to be worshipped, my Father who will one day take me home for eternity!

In what ways have you seen the incredible generosity of God in your life?

Jesus continued: “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.

“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. ‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!’

“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.

“Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” Matthew 10:32–42 NLT

In what ways do you acknowledge Jesus publicly?

While a Christian may be an enemy to someone, he or she shows love and grace, serving the enemy in the ways Jesus served his enemies. In doing so, Jesus was able to turn many enemies into friends and even family. Who are, by virtue of their adverse commitments, your enemies? How are you loving and reaching out in love to your enemies?

Who are you receiving and serving so that you will be rewarded by Jesus himself?

Lord, thank you for loving me when I was your enemy in my mind and heart. I lived in sin, rebellion, and independence from your will. Thank you for loving and serving me, and turning me from a scared enemy into a beloved member of your family. Thank you for your forgiveness. Please use me to help others be reconciled to you so they can make the journey from enemy to beloved family member too!

Have you prayed this week for the Lord to “send more workers into his fields”?

Jesus said, “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.

God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:3–16 NLT

How would your life change if you were to live this out?

Since this list is a lifelong journey, what would be a good first step for you today or this week?

Which of the “beatitudes” means the most to you and why? Which one do you typically avoid and why?

How are you going to be “salt” and “light” for Jesus today?

Lord, thank you for giving me life and teaching me how to live. Help me surrender to your plan for my life, your presence in my life, and your power in my life!

Ask | Part 7

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