Matthew 9:1-8 (NLT)
Mt 9:1 Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town.
Mt 9:2 Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven."
Mt 9:3 But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, "That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?"
Mt 9:4 Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, "Why do you have such evil thoughts in your hearts?
Mt 9:5 Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’?
Mt 9:6 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!"
Mt 9:7 And the man jumped up and went home!
Mt 9:8 Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen. And they praised God for sending a man with such great authority.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
SOAP: Saturday, April 19, 2008
Hebrews 13:1-6 (NLT)
Heb 13:1 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.
Heb 13:2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
Heb 13:3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.
Heb 13:4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
Heb 13:5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
"I will never fail you. I will never abandon you."
Heb 13:6 So we can say with confidence,
"The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?"
Heb 13:1 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters.
Heb 13:2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
Heb 13:3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.
Heb 13:4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
Heb 13:5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
"I will never fail you. I will never abandon you."
Heb 13:6 So we can say with confidence,
"The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?"
SOAP: Friday, April 18, 2008
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (NLT)
1Co 13:1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
1Co 13:2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.
1Co 13:3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
1Co 13:4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
1Co 13:5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
1Co 13:6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
1Co 13:7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
1Co 13:8 Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!
1Co 13:9 Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture!
1Co 13:10 But when full understanding comes, these partial things will become useless.
1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.
1Co 13:12 Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
1Co 13:13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
1Co 13:1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
1Co 13:2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.
1Co 13:3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
1Co 13:4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
1Co 13:5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
1Co 13:6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
1Co 13:7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
1Co 13:8 Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!
1Co 13:9 Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture!
1Co 13:10 But when full understanding comes, these partial things will become useless.
1Co 13:11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.
1Co 13:12 Now we see things imperfectly as in a cloudy mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
1Co 13:13 Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
SOAP: Thursday, April 17, 2008
Deuteronomy 7:6-16 (NLT)
Dt 7:6 For you are a holy people, who belong to the LORD your God. Of all the people on earth, the LORD your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.
Dt 7:7 "The LORD did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations!
Dt 7:8 Rather, it was simply that the LORD loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is why the LORD rescued you with such a strong hand from your slavery and from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.
Dt 7:9 Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.
Dt 7:10 But he does not hesitate to punish and destroy those who reject him.
Dt 7:11 Therefore, you must obey all these commands, decrees, and regulations I am giving you today.
Dt 7:12 "If you listen to these regulations and faithfully obey them, the LORD your God will keep his covenant of unfailing love with you, as he promised with an oath to your ancestors.
Dt 7:13 He will love you and bless you, and he will give you many children. He will give fertility to your land and your animals. When you arrive in the land he swore to give your ancestors, you will have large harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil, and great herds of cattle, sheep, and goats.
Dt 7:14 You will be blessed above all the nations of the earth. None of your men or women will be childless, and all your livestock will bear young.
Dt 7:15 And the LORD will protect you from all sickness. He will not let you suffer from the terrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all your enemies!
Dt 7:16 "You must destroy all the nations the LORD your God hands over to you. Show them no mercy, and do not worship their gods, or they will trap you.
Dt 7:6 For you are a holy people, who belong to the LORD your God. Of all the people on earth, the LORD your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.
Dt 7:7 "The LORD did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations!
Dt 7:8 Rather, it was simply that the LORD loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is why the LORD rescued you with such a strong hand from your slavery and from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.
Dt 7:9 Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.
Dt 7:10 But he does not hesitate to punish and destroy those who reject him.
Dt 7:11 Therefore, you must obey all these commands, decrees, and regulations I am giving you today.
Dt 7:12 "If you listen to these regulations and faithfully obey them, the LORD your God will keep his covenant of unfailing love with you, as he promised with an oath to your ancestors.
Dt 7:13 He will love you and bless you, and he will give you many children. He will give fertility to your land and your animals. When you arrive in the land he swore to give your ancestors, you will have large harvests of grain, new wine, and olive oil, and great herds of cattle, sheep, and goats.
Dt 7:14 You will be blessed above all the nations of the earth. None of your men or women will be childless, and all your livestock will bear young.
Dt 7:15 And the LORD will protect you from all sickness. He will not let you suffer from the terrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all your enemies!
Dt 7:16 "You must destroy all the nations the LORD your God hands over to you. Show them no mercy, and do not worship their gods, or they will trap you.
SOAP: Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Ephesians 5:1-20 (NLT)
Eph 5:1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
Eph 5:2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Eph 5:3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.
Eph 5:4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
Eph 5:5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
Eph 5:6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.
Eph 5:7 Don’t participate in the things these people do.
Eph 5:8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!
Eph 5:9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Eph 5:10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.
Eph 5:11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.
Eph 5:12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.
Eph 5:13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them,
Eph 5:14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
"Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light."
Living by the Spirit’s Power
Eph 5:15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
Eph 5:16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
Eph 5:17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
Eph 5:18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
Eph 5:19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.
Eph 5:20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph 5:1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
Eph 5:2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
Eph 5:3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.
Eph 5:4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
Eph 5:5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
Eph 5:6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.
Eph 5:7 Don’t participate in the things these people do.
Eph 5:8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!
Eph 5:9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Eph 5:10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.
Eph 5:11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.
Eph 5:12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.
Eph 5:13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them,
Eph 5:14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,
"Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light."
Living by the Spirit’s Power
Eph 5:15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
Eph 5:16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
Eph 5:17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
Eph 5:18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
Eph 5:19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.
Eph 5:20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
SOAP: Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Romans 5:1-11 (NLT)
Ro 5:1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
Ro 5:2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Ro 5:3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
Ro 5:4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
Ro 5:5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Ro 5:6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
Ro 5:7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.
Ro 5:8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Ro 5:9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.
Ro 5:10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.
Ro 5:11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Ro 5:1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
Ro 5:2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
Ro 5:3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.
Ro 5:4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
Ro 5:5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Ro 5:6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
Ro 5:7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.
Ro 5:8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Ro 5:9 And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation.
Ro 5:10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.
Ro 5:11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
SOAP: Monday, April 14, 2008
Galations 5:13-24 (NLT)
Gal 5:13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
Gal 5:14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Gal 5:15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.
Living by the Spirit’s Power
Gal 5:16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
Gal 5:17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
Gal 5:18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
Gal 5:19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,
Gal 5:21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Gal 5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.
Gal 5:13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
Gal 5:14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Gal 5:15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.
Living by the Spirit’s Power
Gal 5:16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
Gal 5:17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
Gal 5:18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
Gal 5:19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,
Gal 5:21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
Gal 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Gal 5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
SOAP: Sunday, April 13, 2008
Matthew 5:27-30 (NLT)
Mt 5:27 "You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’
Mt 5:28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Mt 5:29 So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Mt 5:30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Mt 5:27 "You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’
Mt 5:28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Mt 5:29 So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Mt 5:30 And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
SOAP: Saturday, April 12, 2008
2 Corinthians 4 (NLT)
2Co 4:1 Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up.
2Co 4:2 We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.
2Co 4:3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing.
2Co 4:4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
2Co 4:5 You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake.
2Co 4:6 For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
2Co 4:7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
2Co 4:8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.
2Co 4:9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.
2Co 4:10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
2Co 4:11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies.
2Co 4:12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.
2Co 4:13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, "I believed in God, so I spoke."
2Co 4:14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you.
2Co 4:15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.
2Co 4:16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.
2Co 4:17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
2Co 4:18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
2Co 4:1 Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up.
2Co 4:2 We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.
2Co 4:3 If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing.
2Co 4:4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
2Co 4:5 You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake.
2Co 4:6 For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
2Co 4:7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
2Co 4:8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.
2Co 4:9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.
2Co 4:10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
2Co 4:11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies.
2Co 4:12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.
2Co 4:13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, "I believed in God, so I spoke."
2Co 4:14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you.
2Co 4:15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.
2Co 4:16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.
2Co 4:17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!
2Co 4:18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
SOAP: Friday, April 11, 2008
1 Timothy 3:1-13 (NLT)
1Ti 3:1 This is a trustworthy saying: "If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position."
1Ti 3:2 So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.
1Ti 3:3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.
1Ti 3:4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him.
1Ti 3:5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
1Ti 3:6 An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.
1Ti 3:7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.
1Ti 3:8 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money.
1Ti 3:9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.
1Ti 3:10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.
1Ti 3:11 In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.
1Ti 3:12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.
1Ti 3:13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
1Ti 3:1 This is a trustworthy saying: "If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position."
1Ti 3:2 So an elder must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.
1Ti 3:3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money.
1Ti 3:4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him.
1Ti 3:5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church?
1Ti 3:6 An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall.
1Ti 3:7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.
1Ti 3:8 In the same way, deacons must be well respected and have integrity. They must not be heavy drinkers or dishonest with money.
1Ti 3:9 They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.
1Ti 3:10 Before they are appointed as deacons, let them be closely examined. If they pass the test, then let them serve as deacons.
1Ti 3:11 In the same way, their wives must be respected and must not slander others. They must exercise self-control and be faithful in everything they do.
1Ti 3:12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife, and he must manage his children and household well.
1Ti 3:13 Those who do well as deacons will be rewarded with respect from others and will have increased confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
SOAP: Thursday, April 10, 2008
Isaiah 40:9-11 (NLT)
Isa 40:9 O Zion, messenger of good news, shout from the mountaintops! Shout it louder, O Jerusalem. Shout, and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah, "Your God is coming!"
Isa 40:10 Yes, the Sovereign LORD is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.
Isa 40:11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
Isa 40:9 O Zion, messenger of good news, shout from the mountaintops! Shout it louder, O Jerusalem. Shout, and do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah, "Your God is coming!"
Isa 40:10 Yes, the Sovereign LORD is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.
Isa 40:11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
SOAP: Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Ezekiel 34:11-16 (NLT)
Eze 34:11 "For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search and find my sheep.
Eze 34:12 I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day.
Eze 34:13 I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live.
Eze 34:14 Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills.
Eze 34:15 I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign LORD.
Eze 34:16 I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes—feed them justice!
Eze 34:11 "For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search and find my sheep.
Eze 34:12 I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day.
Eze 34:13 I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live.
Eze 34:14 Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills.
Eze 34:15 I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign LORD.
Eze 34:16 I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes—feed them justice!
SOAP: Tuesday, April 8, 2008
1 Peter 5:1-11 (NLT)
1Pe 5:1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you:
1Pe 5:2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.
1Pe 5:3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.
1Pe 5:4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
1Pe 5:5 In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for
"God opposes the proud but favors the humble."
1Pe 5:6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
1Pe 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
1Pe 5:8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
1Pe 5:9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
1Pe 5:10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
1Pe 5:11 All power to him forever! Amen.
1Pe 5:1 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you:
1Pe 5:2 Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.
1Pe 5:3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.
1Pe 5:4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.
1Pe 5:5 In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for
"God opposes the proud but favors the humble."
1Pe 5:6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
1Pe 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
1Pe 5:8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
1Pe 5:9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
1Pe 5:10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
1Pe 5:11 All power to him forever! Amen.
SOAP: Monday, April 7, 2008
Jeremiah 23 (NLT)
Jer 23:1 "What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for," says the LORD.
Jer 23:2 Therefore, this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to these shepherds: "Instead of caring for my flock and leading them to safety, you have deserted them and driven them to destruction. Now I will pour out judgment on you for the evil you have done to them.
Jer 23:3 But I will gather together the remnant of my flock from the countries where I have driven them. I will bring them back to their own sheepfold, and they will be fruitful and increase in number.
Jer 23:4 Then I will appoint responsible shepherds who will care for them, and they will never be afraid again. Not a single one will be lost or missing. I, the LORD have spoken!
Jer 23:5 "For the time is coming," says the LORD, "when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land.
Jer 23:6 And this will be his name: ‘The LORD Is Our Righteousness.’ In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety.
Jer 23:7 "In that day," says the LORD, "when people are taking an oath, they will no longer say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who rescued the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.’
Jer 23:8 Instead, they will say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the people of Israel back to their own land from the land of the north and from all the countries to which he had exiled them.’ Then they will live in their own land."
Judgment on False Prophets
Jer 23:9 My heart is broken because of the false prophets, and my bones tremble. I stagger like a drunkard, like someone overcome by wine, because of the holy words the LORD has spoken against them.
Jer 23:10 For the land is full of adultery, and it lies under a curse. The land itself is in mourning— its wilderness pastures are dried up. For they all do evil and abuse what power they have.
Jer 23:11 "Even the priests and prophets are ungodly, wicked men. I have seen their despicable acts right here in my own Temple," says the LORD.
Jer 23:12 "Therefore, the paths they take will become slippery. They will be chased through the dark, and there they will fall. For I will bring disaster upon them at the time fixed for their punishment. I, the LORD, have spoken!
Jer 23:13 "I saw that the prophets of Samaria were terribly evil, for they prophesied in the name of Baal and led my people of Israel into sin.
Jer 23:14 But now I see that the prophets of Jerusalem are even worse! They commit adultery and love dishonesty. They encourage those who are doing evil so that no one turns away from their sins. These prophets are as wicked as the people of Sodom and Gomorrah once were."
Jer 23:15 Therefore, this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says concerning the prophets:
"I will feed them with bitterness and give them poison to drink. For it is because of Jerusalem’s prophets that wickedness has filled this land."
Jer 23:16 This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says to his people:
"Do not listen to these prophets when they prophesy to you, filling you with futile hopes. They are making up everything they say. They do not speak for the LORD!
Jer 23:17 They keep saying to those who despise my word, ‘Don’t worry! The LORD says you will have peace!’ And to those who stubbornly follow their own desires, they say, ‘No harm will come your way!’
Jer 23:18 "Have any of these prophets been in the LORD’s presence to hear what he is really saying? Has even one of them cared enough to listen?
Jer 23:19 Look! The LORD’s anger bursts out like a storm, a whirlwind that swirls down on the heads of the wicked.
Jer 23:20 The anger of the LORD will not diminish until it has finished all he has planned. In the days to come you will understand all this very clearly.
Jer 23:21 "I have not sent these prophets, yet they run around claiming to speak for me. I have given them no message, yet they go on prophesying.
Jer 23:22 If they had stood before me and listened to me, they would have spoken my words, and they would have turned my people from their evil ways and deeds.
Jer 23:23 Am I a God who is only close at hand?" says the LORD. "No, I am far away at the same time.
Jer 23:24 Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?" says the LORD.
Jer 23:25 "I have heard these prophets say, ‘Listen to the dream I had from God last night.’ And then they proceed to tell lies in my name.
Jer 23:26 How long will this go on? If they are prophets, they are prophets of deceit, inventing everything they say.
Jer 23:27 By telling these false dreams, they are trying to get my people to forget me, just as their ancestors did by worshiping the idols of Baal.
Jer 23:28 "Let these false prophets tell their dreams, but let my true messengers faithfully proclaim my every word. There is a difference between straw and grain!
Jer 23:29 Does not my word burn like fire?" says the LORD. "Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?
Jer 23:30 "Therefore," says the LORD, "I am against these prophets who steal messages from each other and claim they are from me.
Jer 23:31 I am against these smooth-tongued prophets who say, ‘This prophecy is from the LORD!’
Jer 23:32 I am against these false prophets. Their imaginary dreams are flagrant lies that lead my people into sin. I did not send or appoint them, and they have no message at all for my people. I, the LORD have spoken!
False Prophecies and False Prophets
Jer 23:33 "Suppose one of the people or one of the prophets or priests asks you, ‘What prophecy has the LORD burdened you with now?’ You must reply, ‘You are the burden! The LORD says he will abandon you!’
Jer 23:34 "If any prophet, priest, or anyone else says, ‘I have a prophecy from the LORD,’ I will punish that person along with his entire family.
Jer 23:35 You should keep asking each other, ‘What is the LORD’s answer?’ or ‘What is the LORD saying?’
Jer 23:36 But stop using this phrase, ‘prophecy from the LORD.’ For people are using it to give authority to their own ideas, turning upside down the words of our God, the living God, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
Jer 23:37 "This is what you should say to the prophets: ‘What is the LORD’s answer?’ or ‘What is the LORD saying?’
Jer 23:38 But suppose they respond, ‘This is a prophecy from the LORD!’ Then you should say, ‘This is what the LORD says: Because you have used this phrase, "prophecy from the LORD," even though I warned you not to use it,
Jer 23:39 I will forget you completely. I will expel you from my presence, along with this city that I gave to you and your ancestors.
Jer 23:40 And I will make you an object of ridicule, and your name will be infamous throughout the ages.’ "
Jer 23:1 "What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for," says the LORD.
Jer 23:2 Therefore, this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to these shepherds: "Instead of caring for my flock and leading them to safety, you have deserted them and driven them to destruction. Now I will pour out judgment on you for the evil you have done to them.
Jer 23:3 But I will gather together the remnant of my flock from the countries where I have driven them. I will bring them back to their own sheepfold, and they will be fruitful and increase in number.
Jer 23:4 Then I will appoint responsible shepherds who will care for them, and they will never be afraid again. Not a single one will be lost or missing. I, the LORD have spoken!
Jer 23:5 "For the time is coming," says the LORD, "when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land.
Jer 23:6 And this will be his name: ‘The LORD Is Our Righteousness.’ In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety.
Jer 23:7 "In that day," says the LORD, "when people are taking an oath, they will no longer say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who rescued the people of Israel from the land of Egypt.’
Jer 23:8 Instead, they will say, ‘As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the people of Israel back to their own land from the land of the north and from all the countries to which he had exiled them.’ Then they will live in their own land."
Judgment on False Prophets
Jer 23:9 My heart is broken because of the false prophets, and my bones tremble. I stagger like a drunkard, like someone overcome by wine, because of the holy words the LORD has spoken against them.
Jer 23:10 For the land is full of adultery, and it lies under a curse. The land itself is in mourning— its wilderness pastures are dried up. For they all do evil and abuse what power they have.
Jer 23:11 "Even the priests and prophets are ungodly, wicked men. I have seen their despicable acts right here in my own Temple," says the LORD.
Jer 23:12 "Therefore, the paths they take will become slippery. They will be chased through the dark, and there they will fall. For I will bring disaster upon them at the time fixed for their punishment. I, the LORD, have spoken!
Jer 23:13 "I saw that the prophets of Samaria were terribly evil, for they prophesied in the name of Baal and led my people of Israel into sin.
Jer 23:14 But now I see that the prophets of Jerusalem are even worse! They commit adultery and love dishonesty. They encourage those who are doing evil so that no one turns away from their sins. These prophets are as wicked as the people of Sodom and Gomorrah once were."
Jer 23:15 Therefore, this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says concerning the prophets:
"I will feed them with bitterness and give them poison to drink. For it is because of Jerusalem’s prophets that wickedness has filled this land."
Jer 23:16 This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says to his people:
"Do not listen to these prophets when they prophesy to you, filling you with futile hopes. They are making up everything they say. They do not speak for the LORD!
Jer 23:17 They keep saying to those who despise my word, ‘Don’t worry! The LORD says you will have peace!’ And to those who stubbornly follow their own desires, they say, ‘No harm will come your way!’
Jer 23:18 "Have any of these prophets been in the LORD’s presence to hear what he is really saying? Has even one of them cared enough to listen?
Jer 23:19 Look! The LORD’s anger bursts out like a storm, a whirlwind that swirls down on the heads of the wicked.
Jer 23:20 The anger of the LORD will not diminish until it has finished all he has planned. In the days to come you will understand all this very clearly.
Jer 23:21 "I have not sent these prophets, yet they run around claiming to speak for me. I have given them no message, yet they go on prophesying.
Jer 23:22 If they had stood before me and listened to me, they would have spoken my words, and they would have turned my people from their evil ways and deeds.
Jer 23:23 Am I a God who is only close at hand?" says the LORD. "No, I am far away at the same time.
Jer 23:24 Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?" says the LORD.
Jer 23:25 "I have heard these prophets say, ‘Listen to the dream I had from God last night.’ And then they proceed to tell lies in my name.
Jer 23:26 How long will this go on? If they are prophets, they are prophets of deceit, inventing everything they say.
Jer 23:27 By telling these false dreams, they are trying to get my people to forget me, just as their ancestors did by worshiping the idols of Baal.
Jer 23:28 "Let these false prophets tell their dreams, but let my true messengers faithfully proclaim my every word. There is a difference between straw and grain!
Jer 23:29 Does not my word burn like fire?" says the LORD. "Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?
Jer 23:30 "Therefore," says the LORD, "I am against these prophets who steal messages from each other and claim they are from me.
Jer 23:31 I am against these smooth-tongued prophets who say, ‘This prophecy is from the LORD!’
Jer 23:32 I am against these false prophets. Their imaginary dreams are flagrant lies that lead my people into sin. I did not send or appoint them, and they have no message at all for my people. I, the LORD have spoken!
False Prophecies and False Prophets
Jer 23:33 "Suppose one of the people or one of the prophets or priests asks you, ‘What prophecy has the LORD burdened you with now?’ You must reply, ‘You are the burden! The LORD says he will abandon you!’
Jer 23:34 "If any prophet, priest, or anyone else says, ‘I have a prophecy from the LORD,’ I will punish that person along with his entire family.
Jer 23:35 You should keep asking each other, ‘What is the LORD’s answer?’ or ‘What is the LORD saying?’
Jer 23:36 But stop using this phrase, ‘prophecy from the LORD.’ For people are using it to give authority to their own ideas, turning upside down the words of our God, the living God, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
Jer 23:37 "This is what you should say to the prophets: ‘What is the LORD’s answer?’ or ‘What is the LORD saying?’
Jer 23:38 But suppose they respond, ‘This is a prophecy from the LORD!’ Then you should say, ‘This is what the LORD says: Because you have used this phrase, "prophecy from the LORD," even though I warned you not to use it,
Jer 23:39 I will forget you completely. I will expel you from my presence, along with this city that I gave to you and your ancestors.
Jer 23:40 And I will make you an object of ridicule, and your name will be infamous throughout the ages.’ "
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