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Steve Wynkoop

Out in the Sticks

Steve's thoughts on life, faith, and the church


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Bible in 90 Days :: Day 12 SOAP reflection

The Bible in 90 Days reading for Friday, October 7 is Numbers 21:8 - Numbers 32:19.

Daily SOAP devotional:

Scripture: Numbers 22:38 - 
"Well, I have come to you now," Balaam replied. "But I can't say whatever I please. I must speak only what God puts in my mouth."

Observation
: The entire reading for today contains some of the strangest stories in the Bible. The verse that spoke to me most comes from the crazy story of Balaam. Not sure what to make of the Balaam story without a bit more study.

Application: The words, "I must speak on ly what God puts in my mouth" spoke to me as a pastor. Every week I preach and try to have something worthwhile to say. I seek to speak God's word to the good people of Wray. I desire to speak only the words God would have me speak.

Prayer: Father, help me guard my tongue and be wise with my words. Do not allow my words to be swayed by pressure from others or inappropriately influenced by the culture. Let me speak your words. Amen.

Bible in 90 Days :: Day 11 SOAP reflection

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The Bible in 90 Days reading for Thursday, October 6 is Numbers 8:15 - Numbers 21:7.

Scripture: Exodus 14:35 -
I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will surely do these things to this whole wicked community, which has banded together against me. They will meet their end in this wilderness; here they will die."

Observation: It is amazing that the Israelites would "band together" against God especially after all they have seen God do. Our fears are so powerful and can stop God's plans in their tracks. I fear that I and others could band together against what God desires to do here in Wray, in our community, in our church because we are afraid to do what God is asking us to do.

Application: Do not fear to do what God has called you to! Do we fear people or failure more then God? If we do, could we be "banding together" against God just as the Israelltes did and delaying or even missing God's current plan for our lives and our church? May it never be! May we be a people and a church that dreams outrageous dreams for God!

Prayer: Dear Lord, give me passion for your name! Keep me from fearing people or failure. Let me fear you alone and in so doing do what you have called me to. Allow our church to join you in your work rather then being banded together against you. Amen.

Bible in 90 Days :: Day 9 SOAP reflection

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The Bible in 90 Days reading for Tuesday is Leviticus 14:33 - Leviticus 26:26.

Daily SOAP devotional:

Scripture: Leviticus 18:5 - 
Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord.

Observation:
Here in this passage, God continues to give the religious laws to the Israelites and the Israelites are instructed to keep the law. To obey the laws means to live by them. This obviously means that the law functions as a guide for their lives by which they live. But I also believe it means that those who keep the law will also live; they will have life because they live by the law.

Application: Our society is antinomian. For the most part we don't like laws and decrees. We resent being told what to do. But here God says that if we wish to obey him, we will live by his laws and if we live by his laws we will have life. This idea, that living our lives according to God's laws is the best way to live, is difficult for most modern day Americans to understand. 

Prayer: Father, hep me to keep your laws and decrees. Empower me to obey you and to live. Let me never believe the lies of this world, that to live however I please is best. Remind me always that following your laws is the best way to live and that it is the only way that brings true life. Amen.

After the sermon :: God's Big Picture part 2

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Two weeks ago we began our current series God's Big Picture. So far we've seen that the Bible is one book about one person (Jesus) about one thing (God's kingdom). Yesterday we looked at Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:26-27. Here we saw the pattern of the kingdom. God's kingdom is God's people in God's place under God's rule and blessing. In Genesis 1:1 we see that God's people are Adam and Eve, God's place is the garden, and God's rule and blessing is rest (perfect relationships - God and human beings, man and woman, humans and creation).

If you haven't heard yesterday's sermon check it out here. 

Hopefully you are all participating in the Bible reading program. The Bible in 90 Days reading plan is available here and the e100 reading plan is available here.

If you'd like to use YouVersion, an online Bible, register for an account and use the reading plans: Bible in 90 Days or e100 plan.

If you create an account at Bible in 90 Days, you can login each week and listen to weekly audio lessons about your reading. The lessons are great and well worth your time! Check out week 2 here after you create an account.


Finally as you read, how should you respond? Let me suggest the S.O.A.P. method. Here's how it works:


Read the passage and find the one thing you believe God is telling you that day. Then journal about it using the acrostic SOAP as a guide.
S: Scripture-Write the ONE scripture that you feel God is using to speak to you in today’s reading
O: Observation-What might He be telling you with that scripture?
A: Application-How can you apply it to your life?
P: Prayer-What is your prayer to ask God in helping you to make that application?
If you use YouVersion, be sure to follow Steve's progress and comments on his Bible reading and you'll see how he uses the SOAP method. You can also follow his thoughts at stevewynkoop.net.

The overall goal is to encourage you to read the Bible daily. So start today! Take up and read!
And be sure to join us Sunday for part 3 of God's Big Picture.

Bible in 90 Days :: Day 5 SOAP reflection

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The Bible in 90 Days reading for Friday is Exodus 1:1 - Exodus 15:18.

Daily SOAP devotional:

Scripture: Exodus 1:17 - 
The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live.

Observation: In this passage we read that 
Pharaoh
 wants the Hebrew midwives to kill the Hebrew male babies. But the women refuse. Why? Because they fear Go more then they fear Pharaoh. Why is it that we often fear people more then God?

Application: In my work as a pastor, it is sometimes tempting to fear a person more than God. Sometimes this causes me to not say something that needs to be said or not do something that needs to be done. I need to fear God above all other fears.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for fearing people more than you. Forgive me for trying to please others rather then you. Help me to fear you above all things and to follow you no matter the cost. Amen.

Bible in 90 Days :: Day 4 SOAP reflection

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The Bible in 90 Days reading for Thursday is Genesis 40:12 - Genesis 50:26.

Daily SOAP devotional:

Scripture: Genesis 50:20 - 
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Observation: A couple times in today's reading, we see that Joseph despite all of the pain and hardships in his life is able to see that God's hand has been upon him and that God has work his plan and purposes for Joseph and the world 
in spite
 of evil plans and horrible circumstances.

Application: We must trust that God is always at work. Even when Joseph was in prison for 2 years, God was at work. There are many times it will feel like God has forgotten us or abandoned us. But he hasn't and he is working.

Prayer: Father, thank you that you are always at work in our lives, in my life. Help me to always trust you especially when it is difficult to see what you might be up to. Amen.

Bible in 90 Days :: Day 3 SOAP reflection

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The Bible in 90 Days reading for Monday is Genesis 28:20 - Genesis 40:11.

Daily SOAP devotional:

Scripture: Genesis 39:23 - 
The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.


Observation
: Several times in this chapter we read that the Lord was with Joseph and granted him success and favor. No matter the circumstances, God is working in Joseph's life to accomplish what he intends.

Application: Any success or favor I have is from the Lord and not from me. Why does God grant me success and favor? So that He can accomplish what he desires. God will share his grace but not his glory.

Prayer: Father, thank you for the successes you have given me throughout my life. Thank you for the favor you have given me and my family with so many people throughout our lives. May you receive the glory for all that is accomplished through my life. May I never seek glory for myself. May you be the recipient of all fame and glory through my life. Amen.

Bible in 90 Days :: Day 2 SOAP reflection

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The Bible in 90 Days reading for Monday is Genesis 17:1 - Genesis 28:19.

Daily SOAP devotional:

Scripture: Genesis 28:16 - 
"When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, 'Surely the Lord
 is in this place, and I was not aware of it.'"

Observation
: God is omnipresent but we all have an amazing ability to block him out and not be aware of God's presence. The most obvious times that we do this are when we sin.

Application: Am I aware of God's presence in my life? Am I aware that no matter what it may feel like, he is with me and watching me? I want to be continually aware of God's presence. To accomplish this I must practice the presence of God each moment of the day.

Prayer: Father, help me to always be aware of your presence. Forgive me when I am not, especially when I intentionally neglect you so I might have may way rather then yours. Holy Spirit, gently remind me when I do space you out. Amen.

Bible in 90 Days :: Day 2 SOAP reflection

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The Bible in 90 Days reading for Monday is Genesis 17:1 - Genesis 28:19.

Daily SOAP devotional:

Scripture: Genesis 28:16 - 
"When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, 'Surely theLord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.'"


Observation
: God is omnipresent but we all have an amazing ability to block him out and not be aware of God's presence. The most obvious times that we do this are when we sin.

Application: Am I aware of God's presence in my life? Am I aware that no matter what it may feel like, he is with me and watching me? I want to be continually aware of God's presence. To accomplish this I must practice the presence of God each moment of the day.

Prayer: Father, help me to always be aware of your presence. Forgive me when I am not, especially when I intentionally neglect you so I might have may way rather then yours. Holy Spirit, gently remind me when I do space you out. Amen.
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