NKJV Luke 4 S.O.A.P.

In Chapter 4 we learn about Jesus 40 day trip in the dessert where he was Tempted by the devil. The devil asks him to do several things and Jesus comes back to him with scripture on why he cant or wont. Jesus was then rejected at Nazareth, drives out evil spirits in Capermaum and heals many.

I am going to be honest, its been a heck of a day (as you can tell its nearly 3pm and I am finally getting around to doing this) and no particular Scripture really spoke to me. I did read it twice and took a break came back and read again. I wont give up!

Scripture
Luke 4:12
Jesus Answered "It Says: Do not put the Lord your God to the test"


Observation
How many times have we put God to the test? How many times have to tested the love or faith of someone we love only to do that to God?

Application
I don't know if we know we do it or not all the time, but we do it. We all have, some more than other and some more obvious than others. We test God, non believers test God or us Christians as well or ask us to test our God. In high school I learned a verse "Ask and you Shall Receive" well I found my self saying "Ok God, you said ask and you shall receive and I am asking so now I expect to receive." We cant test God, we know He loves us and forgives us, Look at Jesus on the cross or a rainbow in the sky..that's a promise from Him. So why do we need to test him?

Prayer
Dear Lord,

Help me not to test you, but to trust you have my best interest at heart and that you will always be there even when I doubt that.

Amen

NKJV Luke 3 S.O.A.P.

John the Baptist comes into the book of Luke in Chapter 3 , it talks about Herod of Galilee and all the teaching and advice John had handed out and what he spoke of Jesus. Luke 3:20 it says " Herold added this to them all: He locked John up in Prison" And that's all it said on that! So after this bible study...maybe before I am going to read up on John the Baptist! I want to know what happened...that's kind of a cliff hanger at the end of a book!
It goes on in Luke 3:21 to talk about Jesus being baptized as well, and how the Heavens opened up and God spoke to Jesus...and that's where we pick up on my S.O.A.P.

Scripture
Luke 3:22b
You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased

Observation
Keep in mind that the verse that's listed above is not the full verse but the part that made me tear up. Why did i tear up? I think for one of many reason...
1) I want to God to be pleased with me and I want his favor
2) As a mother I know the love that if felt for a child, and to know God was going to send his only son to die for our sins so we could live again..well that's a love so strong. I can only imagine the strength of His love for us!

Application
- Side note here, I kept on writing and writing on Observation, and realized that it was actually my Application. So I had to inject this in between paragraphs! -

After writing my reason I found that number two while writing made me tear up again, I believe God is trying to show me the ultimate depth of His love. I know I love my Kids...its such a powerful kind of love that I don't need physical reminders that they love me back. I would do anything for them, move mountains and wow I just realized that my rant was bringing me to this : Gods love for us is the same as we have for our kids. Powerful, boundless, and abundant! Our Physical reminders of His love can be found in the fact that the Sunshine's, forgiveness is given, prayers are answered and that we are given second, forth, fifth and 100th chances!! All we have to do is open up our self's and eyes to it. Accept it and its there...with out asking.

Prayer
Dear Lord

I know your love for us as your children can never be measured and is boundless. I know I have a history of thinking that I cant feel you love, I believe that it wasn't that I couldn't feel it, but that I couldn't open my self up to it or accept it. Lord I ask you open my heart and mind to feel the love you have for me. I ask that you help me with my daily dances with the devil, and help me be the person you want and intend me to be. Help me lead my children to you as well Lord. I want you love and your favor.

Amen



-While writing this I couldn't believe the beautiful sunshine that was flowing into my bedroom window. So much that I found my self staring at it and listening.

NIV Luke Chapter 2 S.O.A.P.

Here we are at Chapter 2. Caesar has issued a decree that a census should be done and Mary & Joseph head back to their home town to register. During that time she gives birth to Jesus and the Shepard's get visited by an Angel, Jesus goes Jerusalem to fulfill the Law of the Lord where they encounter Simeon & Anna. As Jesus is growing up in Chapter 2 they go every year to the Feast of Passover and at the age of 12 he got left behind but was found in the Temple with teachers listening and asking questions.

I kept looking for a verse that would stick out to me, and one did.

S.O.A.P.

Scripture

Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rest.

Observation
Glory to God! Peace on Earth to men who are in his favor. I know I know here I am back at Favor again. I think hes trying to tell me something!

Application
I tell my girls in good time Praise Him, in bad times Praise Him. Win or Loose PRAISE HIM. This would be a case of I need to practice what I preach!! I will pray and ask for God things or situations to work out etc but I forget to praise Him! I do get around to it..but I need to praise Him not only then but when things don't go as I would have them planned. I don't give Glory to God like i should in all situations. Then of course I am back to the Favor part. I do want God's Favor, I need to give the Glory to him!

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Glory be to you! I need your help today..I am stumbling and struggling and the Devil is sure in my way today. I want to do better in Praising and Glorifying you, I also want your favor Lord. Help me to do better in giving Glory to you.

Amen

NKJV Luke Chapter 1 S.O.A.P.

Must admit when I think or read about the story of Jesus birth I skip right to the days leading up to his birth..the shortened story we get in Sunday School...not all the events leading up to it. I know some of them but not all of them. I am quite excited about my adventure!

S.O.A.P.
Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture
The verse that stands out to me is Luke 1:28 & 30
28 Rejoice! Highly Favored one, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women
30 Do Not be afraid Mary, for you have found favor with God

Observation

Mary has been favored above all others! Out of all the God fearing women, who lived their lives like God instructed, praised Him, Worshiped Him, Rejoiced in Him..she among all women was found favored!!

Application
I want to be highly favored! I want to find favor with God! I need to get back to where I started as a Child..in God house, reading His word & Praising Him! I have stumbled along with this life of mine trying to do things my way because well I am hard headed and I don't ever like to give up. I need to let go and let God so I can too gain His Favor.

Prayer

"Dear Lord, I want to find Favor with you, I need you more than I need air to breathe. I need help getting back to you, finding a balance in my life and being the woman You meant and want me to be. I want to be highly favored, help me be that with you. Amen

Walk through Christmas with the Book of Luke

As Usual I am taking something from www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com She is doing a free bible study on the book of Luke for this Christmas Season. It starts on 12/1 and goes through 12/25..she will be using the S.O.A.P. Method (see links below). Now I started this bible study today...early...because I need to feel God's presence in my life and to find some grounding in it. My life feels like a mess and I have been looking for a good way to do my morning reading with Him...this opened up and I went right into it.

I am going to try each day to document my S.O.A.P. from my reading right here on this blog....but please go to www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com starting 12/1 to see the discussions with them. She is much more knowledgeable than me and while I hope you read my blog too...hers is where the study will really be at. Also check out the rest of her blog...shes got some really great stuff going on there.


Jill Craft is the owner and blogger of Blessed Beyond a Doubt, Shes a wonderful mother who homeschooling her kids and is a God Fearing Woman. And by personally trying all her recipes...shes an awesome cook as well. So Check out her blog daily if your looking for inspiration, home school advice, recipes or free giveaways! Shes really the total package.
Her Husband is my daughters 4H Leader and President of Lone Star Goat Club, and at the Louisiana State Fair..she Showed her First Goat!

Thanks for reading and check back later today for my SOAP on Chapter 1...I am running late for work...but I been talking with God...so that's a good excuse.

www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/free-luke-bible-study-daily-schedule-and-notebook-pages
www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/intentional-quiet-time-day-3-tos-5-day-blog-hop
www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com

( you may have to copy and paste the links, sorry)