Just Say Yes...Part 4

Here is this past week's message a few days late. I think that everyone will find it quite relevant. You can listen to it here. Enjoy!


Just Say Yes...When You Have To Wait

David

We will spend two to three years waiting in line, approximately 6 months waiting at a stop light (maybe more since we live in Atlanta).

Even though we get a lot of practice waiting, we haven't gotten very good at it (In this case, practice doesn't make perfect.).

1 Samuel 16:1-13 : a twelve year old is anointed to become king but God does not give a timeline for when this will happen
>Why didn't God wait to anoint David shortly before he became king?
-->There is something that happens in waiting that is necessary in our becoming who we're supposed to be.
-->If we didn't wait, certain qualities would not be developed in us. (James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3-4)

We are supposed to wait actively.
1 Samueul 17:20-51
>Saul becomes jealous of David and tries to kill him for several years.
1 Samuel 24:3-12
>David knew that it was not his job to take out Saul so that he could become king. He trusted that God would fulfill his plans in his timing.

We are supposed to wait patiently.
>Abraham faced the consequences of his inability to wait on God for a son (Genesis 16).
-->We sometimes try to take God's promise and our plans and cram them together.

We should wait expectantly.
2 Samuel 5:4 : David becomes king nearly two decades after his anointing.
>David's waiting finally ends.
>Psalm 40:1-3
>Isaiah 40:27-31
-->We should have a sense of hope and excitement because we know that God's promise will be fulfilled.

Ultimately we are in a constant state of waiting - for the return of Christ.
>Romans 8:19-25
>Revelation 21:4


A reminder about waiting God is especially relevant in today's culture and economy. We're all about now and fast (Drive-Thrus, Speedos, Quik Trip, Rapid Release medication). At the same time there are many people who are in need of a job and have been playing the waiting game. I liked to reminder that we will always be waiting on something. If we're not waiting on God to lead us to a job, we may be waiting on wisdom regarding a certain situation. Even if everything in our life seems to be going smoothly, there will be an opportunity to wait coming up. It's always something.

For me, I am heading into a season of waiting with the book I'm working on. I am at the point of trying to find a publisher. I will submit summaries and proposals and then have to wait and see if I receive any response. I hope it will be easier to be patient throughout the process knowing that waiting has purpose and should be an expected part of life.

Right now, I suppose I am also sort of waiting to become a parent. I know that it is coming, but I don't know exactly when. In the meantime, I am trying to wait actively by preparing a place for the baby and reading about the various aspects of caring for a child.

What are you waiting for? Have you been able to wait patiently, actively, and expectantly?

Psalms S.O.A.P. Wrap Up

I was thinking that it would be kind of neat to compile the verses I selected for each of the thirty-six days. I realize that my "Day One" post does not reflect the first day of the plan but rather the second. I didn't SOAP on sermon days, but will still make a verse selection from each of the days. I think it'll be a good record for me to look back on. Hope you enjoy it as well! I really did enjoy the SOAP exercise and think I may use it for future Bible reading.

Day 1 (Psalm 1): He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. 1:1

Day 2 (Psalms 2-6): In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. 5:3

Day 3 (Psalms 7-11): Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. 9:10

Day 4 (Psalms 12-14,16-17): I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." 16:2

Day 5 (Psalms 18,20-22,24): For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. 22:24

Day 6 (Psalms 25-29): One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. 27:4

Day 7 (Psalms 30-34): Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord" - and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah. 32:5

Day 8 (Psalm 15): He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart 15:2

Day 9 (Psalms 35-39): Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 37:7

Day 10 (Psalms 41-45): My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 42:2

Day 11 (Psalms 47-51): "He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God." 50:23

Day 12 (Psalms 52-56): In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? 56:4

Day 13 (Psalms 57-61): I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills his purpose for me. 57:2

Day 14 (Psalms 62-66): My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. 62:1

Day 15 (Psalm 19): May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. 19:14

Day 16 (Psalms 67-71): May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the Lord Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me, O God of Israel. 69:6

Day 17 (Psalms 72-76): For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 73:3

Day 18 (Psalms 77-81): When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted. 77:2

Day 19 (Psalms 82-86): Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. 86:11

Day 20 (Psalms 87-91): Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 90:12

Day 21 (Psalms 92-96): The Lord knows the thoughts of man; he knows that they are futile. 94:11

Day 22 (Psalm 23): Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 23:4

Day 23 (Psalms 97-101): Know that the Lord is God: It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 100:3

Day 24 (Psalms 102-106): he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 103:10

Day 25 (Psalms 107-111): Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. 111:2

Day 26 (Psalms 112-116): How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. I will fulfill my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. 116:12-14

Day 27 (Psalms 117-118,120-122): It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. 118:8

Day 28 (Psalm 119): I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 119:11

Day 29 (Psalm 40): Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. 40:5

Day 30 (Psalms 123-127): Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 127:1

Day 31 (Psalms 128-132): I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. 130:5

Day 32 (Psalms 133-137): to the One who remembered us in our lowly estate His love endures forever. 136:23

Day 33 (Psalms 138-142): The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever - do not abandon the works of your hands. 138:8

Day 34 (Psalms 143-147): Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. 143:10

Day 35 (Psalms 148-150): Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. 150:6

Day 36 (Psalm 46): God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 46:1


I'm glad that I reviewed the verses because I did not recall having chosen some of them. Perhaps that's a sign I could still improve in the area of meditation on scripture.

The Psalms: Week Five

This past Sunday, Jeff preached on Psalm 40. While I didn't get to hear it due to volunteering in the nursery, so many people had raved about the message that I knew I needed to listen to it. That, and the fact that when I was printing out the connection cards and saw that a Next Step was "Wait patiently on the Lord" and knew that was something I could use help in. Amber and Connie were referencing it all through our walking group yesterday and I felt a little out of the loop. So I listened to it on my way to work today. You, too, can listen to it here.

It was quite an encouraging message. It was all about waiting on the Lord. The focus was on the first four verses.

I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.

Blessed is the man
who makes the Lord his trust

I know that the band played U2's song, "Psalm 40" before the message. John Waller's song "While I'm Waiting" was also played.

I really like that Jeff addressed the question, "What does it mean to wait on the Lord?" That has been one of the questions I've had for quite some time without a helpful answer. (Another one being, "What does it mean to abide in Christ/How does one abide in Christ?") Jeff said that waiting on God involved being obedient to and trusting in Him. He gave us thoughts to consider. Biblical waiting does not mean doing nothing. It's not a way to evade responsibility. We are still supposed to do what we have been called to do. Waiting involves a daily decision to trust and obey God. How can we expect God to convene in our lives if we're not being obedient to him? Waiting patiently is saying that we will trust and obey God even if the circumstances of our lives are not what we want them to be. Even though they may not turn out in the way we would choose, still we are betting everything on God with no plan B. Sometimes waiting is just a painful hanging on.

What does it take to wait well? It requires patient trust. "Will I trust that God has reasons for telling me 'Wait'? Will I trust that God knows what he's doing? Will I remember that God sees things very differently than I do because he sees in the perspective of eternity?"

2 Peter 3:8-9 "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

The Psalms: Week Four

This past Sunday Neal spoke to us about Psalm 23. You can listen to the sermon here. What follows are my notes from the message.


From Psalm 23 we learn three things about the shepherd.

1. The Shepherd's Person

Psalm 23:1 > Our shepherd provides for all of our needs - we should be content in what God's given us.


John 10:11 > Jesus is the good shepherd

Isaiah 53:6 > We all, like sheep, have gone astray


Sheep are very easily led. They have great hearing, sight, and sense of smell. People also tend to be easily led. That's why we need a good leader.


An example of a good leader/shepherd (video Neal shared).

2. The Shepherd's Provision

Verses 2-5
Sometimes we have to be forced to rest. A sheep will not rest until four criteria have been met: Fear (danger), Friction (relationship issues, turmoil), Fleas (annoyances), Famine (hunger).

Restores my soul - rescuing a sheep that has become stuck (has rolled onto side and cannot get back onto its own feet) which is often due to laziness, being loaded down, or being too large. It has to be picked up/rescued by the shepherd and set back down on its feet again.

3b - What if we lived our lives in order to lift up the name of Jesus?

4 - Just because we're following God's leading doesn't mean that there won't be storms (valley of the shadow of death). Sometimes where God wants us to be means going through turmoil.

Our rod is God's word. It protects our lives and is also used for discipline. Our staff is the Holy Spirit that comforts us.

5 - Anoint head with oil - oil used to set apart (as in a king), protection/healing (from diseases).

3. The Shepherd's Promise
Verse 6 - Goodness and love/mercy will follow me all the days of my life.
Neal quoted out of Phillip Keller's A Shepherd's Look at Psalm 23. He was talking about how sheep have good quality manure that can help regenerate grass in derelict soil. "In other words goodness and mercy, goodness and love had followed my flocks. They left behind them something worthwhile, productive, beautiful and beneficial to both themselves and others and me. Where they had walked, there followed fertility and weed-free land. Where they had lived there remained beauty and abundance. And here's the question that now comes to me very pointedly. 'Is this true in my life? Do I leave a benediction and a blessing behind me?'"

Do I bless the things I'm involved in?

Would people be shocked to learn that I am a Christ follower based on their experiences with me?

I really enjoyed the breakdown and the poignant questions at the end. Do I really make a difference for the better in the things I'm involved with? Does my behavior demonstrate love and mercy to others? These are questions I should constantly ask to evaluate my effectiveness.

During the message I was reminded of another video on this book. I have to attach it because it's awesome.

S.O.A.P. Day 19

Today's scripture section was Psalms 86-91.

Scripture: Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

Observation: We should ask God to show us how to spend our days/time so that we will gain wisdom to make good decisions. Making good use of our time increases wisdom.

Application: I need to ask God how my time each day should be spent. His guidance will help me to make good use of my life and please him in all I do.

Prayer: Father, I admit that often times I will make plans for the day without stopping to consider how you might want me to spend it. Other times I will ask you to approve or be present in the plans I make. Help me to instead seek your plans for each day and be willing to bend to your leading rather than try to stick to an arbitrary schedule. In Jesus' name, Amen.


Often times I will act like my days are mine. The free time I have is for my selfish purposes. I only have a finite number of days that God, in his infinite wisdom, has given to me. I should cherish this gift of life and seek God's purposes so that my life may be what it was meant to be. I want a life of meaning not of squandered time.

S.O.A.P. Day 11

This morning's scripture section was Psalms 52-56.

Scripture: In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? Psalm 56:4

Observation: David reminds us that we are not to be concerned with the opinion of men, but rather the opinion of God. Our hope and trust is to be in God, not men.

Application: I need to concern myself with being obedient to God, even when that means being unpopular with people. God is faithful and will reward me for my obedience.

Prayer: Lord, please help me to keep my eyes on you and to follow you at all times, even when there's the risk of rejection by others. My hope and trust are in you. You know what is best for me and what will glorify you. Use me, Lord. Amen.


I really liked this verse today because it reminds me of concerns I have about the book I am writing. In it I talk about things that most people have never heard or known. I do sometimes wonder whether others' opinion of me may change, but I have to trust that God can and will use every part of my life. If he can do great things through the sharing of my story, then I want him to do that regardless of what others may think or decide about me. I need to continue to be encouraged by God's word so that I do not give up or give in to fear.

S.O.A.P. Day 10

I had wanted to post yesterday's SOAP yesterday, but I've been preparing frantically for my parents' arrival today (!) as Adam can attest to and it did not fit into yesterday's schedule. It's a day late, but that's okay.

Once again, there were two verses that really caught my attention from Psalms 47-51. I decided that I would SOAP them both because I could. Plus, they are related in thought and go well together.

Scripture: "He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God." Psalm 50:23

Observation: Giving thanks to God shows him honor. Acknowledging what God has done allows him to continue to bless us and grow us in our relationship with him.

Application: I need to be sure to acknowledge God's hand in my life so that I do not miss additional blessings from him.

Prayer: Lord, may I not be blind or ignorant to your provision for me. I desire to receive all that you have for me. Please show me the salvation of God. Amen

~~~~~~~~~~

Scripture: Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12

Observation: David wants to fully grasp God's salvation in his life. He wants to be aware of all God has done for him so that it is reflected in what he does/how he lives. He asks for God to help him stay close to God and to live for God.

Application: I don't always feel the "joy of my salvation". I need to remember what God has done for me and live in light of it.

Prayer: Father, remind me of your provision. May I be filled with joy at the remembrance of my redemption. Fill me with your joy and peace that others may see you in me. Amen.

S.O.A.P. Day 9

Today's section of scripture was Psalms 41-45.

Scripture: My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42:2

Observation: I should long for God. He should be a daily necessity like water. Do I constantly desire more of God? Do I look for the next opportunity to be able to meet with God? Or do I feel it an obligation rather than a privilege?

Application: I should be desiring God so much that I am constantly seeking moments I can steal away with him. Time with God should be what I seek most. I should ask myself, "When I can I go and meet with God?" and take every opportunity.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for taking time with you for granted. I know how much I need this time. Help me to make the most of my time with you and to look for more opportunities to be with you. Amen.

I really enjoyed this Scripture today. It was very convicting to me when the psalmist asked about meeting with God. I have plenty of time each day, multiple times per day, and I certainly don't take advantage of all of them. Many times I'll choose instead to play Hearts on the computer or stare mindlessly at the television. I'm not saying that I'm not supposed to have any leisure time, but sometimes these are worthless habits. I'm staring at the TV not because I need a break, but because I can't think of anything better to do. I need to form new habits, such as reading my Bible or using my gifts to serve others, when I find myself with unoccupied time (re: bored).

S.O.A.P. Day 1

This morning I worked on the applications from yesterday's message. I read Psalms 2-6 as directed by the piece of paper I typed up last week at work. From this first day I can already tell that I am going to have to go back through Psalms when this is over. There were so many standout verses in these five chapters and I was supposed to pick just one?! Perhaps that's Jeff's hidden objective. To get us all interested in studying the book more intensely. And, for those other CCCers who are like me and follow directions, that means either having 3.5 hours of meditating time each day and trying to remember six different scriptures and applications OR just doing one now and coming back later to go slower through the chapters.

Thus, I forced myself to pick just one. It was mainly between Psalm 3:5 and Psalm 5:3 (interestingly enough). I like Psalm 3:5 (I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.) because it reminds me to trust in God to protect me at all times. I have a Life Application Study Bible and really enjoyed the footnote on the verse. It talked about how when you worry about a situation it's really hard to sleep at times. In stressful times, trusting in God's provision and protection will help you to sleep peacefully despite whatever chaos may be occurring in your life. That's not verbatim, but the meat of it. I enjoyed the reminder/encouragement. While, this was great, I ultimately chose the other for today.

Scripture: In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalm 5:3

Observation: David chooses to start his day in prayer to God. He is confident that God hears him. He is not afraid to ask God. Yet, when he asks, he also waits for an answer. He expects God to do something with his requests.

Application: I have chosen to have quiet times in the morning but I struggle with being consistent when my routine changes (generally the weekends even though I have more time - go figure). Often times, I will pray and then continue on with my day. I do not wait or look for God's responses to my prayers. If I truly believe in the power of prayer, I should be willing to do whatever is needed to pray daily. I should also be expecting an answer and be waiting for it.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for taking prayer lightly and for granted at times. I do know that You are able to do anything. Please help me to be diligent daily in prayer. Remind me to not only ask, but to also wait for and seek Your response. You know that I really struggle with waiting on You. Please help me to grow in this area. Thank you for this pertinent word. You are so good to me. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

I don't know if I will be posting these daily, but I thought I'd title it for the possibility of more S.O.A.P. posts.

The Psalms: Week One

Yesterday we started our new message series titled The Psalms: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. We are going to spend six weeks studying a few individual psalms. Our first psalm of study was Psalm One.

Psalm 1
1Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
2But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
4Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor the sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6For the Lord watches over the ways of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Jeff reminded us that the Psalms are not to be read as daily devotionals but as spiritual journals. Daily devotionals are generally purposed to encourage you each day but some of the psalms have angry or depressed moods. They won't all make you feel good.

Why aren't the psalms organized according to the various moods/tones? Perhaps because life is messy and consists of a variety of moods/tones at different times. Thus, the psalms are a reflection of real life.

The psalms remind us that God wants us to praise Him but to also bring Him our hurts, sturggles, and wide variety of emotions. There's nothing we can't tell Him or that He can't handle.

What does it mean to be blessed? Supremely happy, fortunate, envied, lucky (in the way that you don't deserve what you have received).

Verse 1 talks about the relational progression into the sinful life > walk...stand...sit. An example of this progression is found in Genesis 13,19 with Lot. He chooses the land that contains Sodom and Gomorrah (even though he knew the people of the cities were wicked and sinful) and sets up his tent outside of Sodom. He then moves into the city to live. Finally we find him sitting in the gateway of the city (as a leader). He was eventually drawn into what he knew from the beginning was harmful. From this is asked, "Who influences you? From whom do you seek council?"

Verse two talks about the blessed man delighting in and meditating on the law of the Lord. Jeff explained that delighting in the law means to want to know what it says. To meditate on it is to think about it. Worry is negative meditation - thinking and mulling something over and over. If you can worry, you can meditate on God's word and it'll be a lot more productive.

Suggestions for Meditating: 1. Choose a time and place. 2. Ask God to meet you in scripture. 3. Read. 4. Meditate on a brief passage.

We were given an outline for meditating using the acrostic S.O.A.P. (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer)

2 Timothy 3:15-17 (Message) "There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful in one way or another - showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us."

What a great reminder. At the end, we were challenged to follow a reading plan that was given to us to help us read through the entire book of Psalms during our series. We were also challenged to use the S.O.A.P. acrostic to meditate on scriptures within our reading.

Personal Application: I am taking up the challenge to follow the reading plan through the end of the series. I am also going to use the S.O.A.P. acrostic to meditate on what I read. Jeff mentioned that writing down what you learn helps you to apply it. I really do want to "do what it says" rather than just hear it (James 1:22). I want to be blessed. I do delight in God's Word, though I certainly don't always act like it. I also desire to yield much fruit and that comes from applying what I know. Hopefully this exercise will help.

If you'd like to hear the full message, click here. It may not be up for a few days because Neal's at camp and he is in charge of uploads.