Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.
My S.O.A.P. Box
Thoughts and ramblings from my personal Bible study.
Scripture / Observation / Application / Prayer
Monday, April 7, 2025
Revelation 8:1-4 - God Values Our Prayers
Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Philippians 3:13-14 - Pressing Onward
Like many older Christians, I sometimes feel the pull to slow down—physically and spiritually. But if I’m still breathing, God still has work for me. His purpose for my life doesn’t expire with age. Retirement in the world may mean stepping back, but in God’s kingdom, there’s no such thing as spiritual retirement. Caleb, at 85, declared in Joshua 14:10-12, “Now therefore, give me this mountain… As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me.” I may not have Caleb physical strength, but I can trust God to fulfill His promises, no matter my age.
The wisdom I have gathered is invaluable. Titus 2:3-5 calls older believers to mentor others, and Psalm 92:12-14 promises that the righteous will remain fruitful in every season. Whether through prayer, encouragement, or service, my contributions matter.
Though my physical energy may fade, God provides the strength to press forward. My limitations become opportunities for His power to shine. Isaiah 40:29-31 promises that “those who wait on the Lord… shall run and not be weary.” Trusting in God renews my strength to continue the journey.
My fellow believers are another source of strength. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds me of the value of companionship: “Two are better than one… For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.” Staying connected with the body of Christ provides encouragement and shared strength.
Finally, God’s Word is a powerful source of endurance. Spending time in Scripture equips me for life’s challenges and reminds me of His promises. Philippians 4:13 encourages me: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I will draw strength daily from God, His Word, and His people.
The impact I leave on others extends beyond what I can see. Leaving a legacy of faith means sharing God’s love and truth with future generations. Psalm 145:4 says, “One generation shall praise Your works to another.” When I share how God has worked in my life, I encourage others to trust in His faithfulness.
Investing in the next generation is vital. Whether through teaching, mentoring, or simple acts of love, my influence can inspire faith in those who come after me.
God calls me to press onward, no matter my age. I will let His strength sustain me, His purpose drive me, and His promises renew me. So I take a deep breath—my journey isn’t over—and the eternal prize awaits.
Thursday, December 19, 2024
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 - Paul's Formula for Honest Living
Paul offers timeless advice for living honestly and meaningfully. Here, he commends the Thessalonians for their love and urges them to take it further—into action. His formula is simple yet profound: live quietly, mind your own business, and work with your hands. These principles remain as relevant today as they were nearly two thousand years ago.
Paul’s call to “aspire to lead a quiet life” may sound odd. What does it mean to live quietly? It’s about striving for a calm, peaceful life free from unnecessary conflict and distraction.
Quietness fosters peace and godliness. Proverbs 17:1 says, “Better is a dry morsel with quietness than a house full of feasting with strife.” Quietness doesn’t mean withdrawing from life but creating harmony in our hearts, homes, and communities.
We can cultivate quietness by praying for it, practicing righteousness, and seeking peace. At home, we foster peace by handling conflicts with grace. At work, avoiding gossip and focusing on tasks can make us calming influences. In the community, being listeners rather than critics can build understanding.
Living quietly brings personal peace and reflects Christ’s power to transform lives.
Next, Paul advises us to “mind your own business.” This blunt-sounding phrase is a reminder to focus on our responsibilities instead of meddling in others’ affairs.
This wisdom prevents conflict and fosters accountability. Proverbs 26:17 warns, “He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears.” Our meddling just creates unnecessary drama and distracts from God’s purpose for us.
We can apply this by setting goals, resisting gossip, staying in our lane, and recognizing that everyone must make their own path. By minding our business, we protect our time, strengthen relationships, and show respect for others.
Finally, Paul encourages believers to “work with your hands,” emphasizing the value of honest labor and responsibility.
Work brings dignity, as Colossians 3:23 reminds us: “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” By working diligently, we meet our needs and contribute to others’ well-being.
This means embracing the work God places before us—whether in a job, ministry, or family—and doing it with excellence. Hard work glorifies God and prevents idleness, which often leads to trouble.
Paul’s formula—live quietly, mind your business, and work with your hands—may seem countercultural in today’s fast-paced, interconnected world. Yet it’s a path to peace, respect, and faithfulness.
When we live this way, we show Christ’s transforming love. Quiet strength, accountability, and purposeful work become a testimony of the Gospel in action.
Let’s strive to live honestly, reflecting God’s grace and wisdom in a world that needs His light.
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Proverbs 21:23 - Guard Your Words
When you first read this proverb you might think . . . “Well, that makes sense. Just be careful when you speak, and you’ll avoid a lot of unnecessary problems.”
But – take a closer look. You’ll find this verse contains a powerful lesson: the way we use our words has a direct impact on our inner peace, our relationships, and our witness to others.
How many times have you regretted something you said in the heat of the moment? You may have said a sharp word or two that hurt a loved one, or made an off-hand comment that created a misunderstanding with a friend.
Words are a little like toothpaste squeezed out of a tube – once they are out, you can’t just put them back in. That is why the Bible repeatedly tells us about the importance of controlling our speech.
For being such a small thing, the tongue sure has tremendous power – for bringing about both good and bad. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” With just words, we can either build others up, offering encouragement and hope – or we can tear them down with criticism and gossip. Ultimately, it is our choice, and the impact is long-lasting.
James 3:5-6 paints an even starker picture. It describes the tongue as a small spark capable of setting a great forest on fire. It’s a very vivid reminder that even a careless word can cause a lot of devastation. But the opposite is also true: when we speak with wisdom and grace, our words can bring healing and life.
Proverbs 12:18: The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
So how do we go about guarding our mouth, and especially our tongue? It all starts with being intentional. Proverbs 17:27 says, “The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.” Just pausing before we speak can give us a chance to consider if our words are true, kind, and necessary.
That is not always easy – especially when emotions are running high. But James gives us a practical guide in James 1:19: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” If we listen first, then speak, we can prevent an awful lot of troubles.
Something else that is important: prayer. Asking God for wisdom in our speech is vital, especially when we face challenging conversations. Psalm 141:3 offers a beautiful prayer for this: “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
By guarding our words, we don’t just protect ourselves from external conflicts – it also brings inner peace. Harsh words and unresolved conflicts can weigh heavily on the soul, but speaking with grace and wisdom leads to clearer consciences and healthier relationships. Paul, in Colossians 4:6, encourages us to let our conversation “always be full of grace, seasoned with salt.”
We will still make mistakes – we are human, after all, and sometimes words slip out before we can catch them. But by making a habit of thoughtful, prayerful speech, we can avoid many of the troubles Proverbs 21:23 warns about.
If all of this sounds daunting, don’t be discouraged. Just like any habit, it takes practice and God’s help. Start small. Just try to pause before responding in a tense moment. And – pray for wisdom before you have a difficult conversation. Just remember: watch your words – they are more powerful than you think!
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Matthew 10:29-31 - You Matter More Than You Know
Have you ever felt small? Like in the, “Wow, the world is so big, and I’m just one person” kind of way? It’s easy to feel lost in the vastness of life, especially when challenges stack up or when we wonder if anyone notices us. But here’s the thing: God notices. And not just in a “keep tabs on you” kind of way — He sees you, knows you, and cares about you in a way that’s deeply personal and intentional.
Think about the profound truth of Matthew 10:29-31 for a second. Sparrows, and according to Jesus, the cheapest birds in the market, are still under God’s watchful care. He sees every single one. And if that’s true for sparrows, how much more true is it for you? You’re not just a face in the crowd to God. He knows you so intimately that He knows the number of hairs on your head. That’s not just poetic language — it’s Jesus’ way of saying, “God knows every detail about you, and you are deeply valuable to Him.”
This passage tells us something incredible about God: He’s not just the Creator of the universe; He is also the caretaker of even the smallest details. He’s involved in both the cosmic — and the personal. If God is paying attention to a sparrow falling to the ground, how much more is He paying attention to the moments of your life?
This doesn’t mean life will be without challenges. Jesus speaks these words in the context of sending His disciples out into a world that won’t always welcome them. But His point is clear: even when life feels uncertain or overwhelming, you can trust that God is with you.
It’s easy to think that our struggles or prayers get lost in the noise of the world. But Psalm 56:8 reminds us that God sees every tear and every struggle. Nothing about your life escapes His notice.
You’re not just on God’s radar — you’re carved into His very being.
Isaiah 49:15-16: “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.”
When Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid,” He’s not brushing off your fears. He’s giving you a reason to face them: you are valuable to God. This is the same God who created the stars — and yet He chose to knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-14). He sees you as His masterpiece, His child, and someone worth everything. God’s care for you is unwavering.
So, when you feel invisible or unworthy, remember this: God sees you. He sees your victories, your struggles, your laughter, and your tears. He sees your worth, even when you don’t. And because He sees you, you can rest in the assurance that you are never alone, never overlooked, and always loved.
So, the next time you see a sparrow flit by, let it remind you of these words. You’re worth far more than that little bird, and God has His eye on you every moment of every day. You matter more than you know.
Friday, November 1, 2024
Matthew 6:7 - Prayer: Heartfelt, Not Hollow
“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.”
Isn’t it funny how we sometimes slip into phrases in our prayers that, when you really listen to them, sound a bit...off? Like when someone prays, “...for the sick of the congregation.” And, if you’re half-asleep or maybe just prone to overthink things, it’s easy to picture a whole crowd of people who are just tired of everyone else! Or, consider the classic, “Bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies,” even if the table’s spread with a pile of deep-fried, butter-soaked comfort food. There’s something endearing and a bit funny about the way these phrases become part of our “prayer routine.” But if we’re honest, these habits reveal exactly the kind of “vain repetitions” that Jesus warns against in Matthew 6:7.
In that verse, Jesus tells us, “When you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.” Essentially, He’s reminding us that prayer isn’t meant to be a long-winded ritual or a polished script, but an honest conversation with God. We don’t have to layer on fancy language or fill the silence with stock phrases to “get it right.” God isn’t judging our prayers on grammar or originality, but on sincerity. He just wants us to speak from the heart.
Now, when Jesus says “vain repetitions,” He’s not talking about the familiar phrases we say out of habit now and then. He’s talking about the kind of empty repetition that misses the point entirely — like a chant we might say just to check off a box. In His time, many religious groups believed that repeating the same phrases over and over (often in very elaborate language) somehow made their prayers more effective. Jesus’ message is that God isn’t impressed by the length or sophistication of our prayers. He’s interested in the authenticity behind them.
Think about it like talking with a close friend. Imagine if every time you met up, you said the same thing: “Thank you for your presence here today,” followed by some well-rehearsed phrases about “guiding your spirit” as they go about their day. Sounds funny, right? At some point, your friend would probably wonder if you were actually paying attention to them at all! The same goes for prayer. Jesus wants us to approach God with the kind of sincerity we’d bring to any real conversation. It’s less about the exact words we use and more about showing up with an open heart, speaking naturally, and really being there.
Right after this verse, Jesus gives us the Lord’s Prayer, which has all the essentials: honoring God, asking for what we need, seeking forgiveness, and asking for guidance. But, this isn’t a formula or a magic spell; it’s a framework for meaningful prayer. Jesus is showing us that prayer doesn’t need to be elaborate to be powerful. It’s about connection, not performance. In fact, He also cautions against “babbling like pagans,” reminding us that “your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Our goal in prayer isn’t to “inform” God but to grow closer to Him.
So, the next time we pray, maybe we don’t have to worry so much about getting the words just right. We can leave out the church-speak and just be real with God, letting Him know what’s on our minds. A bit of humor never hurts, either. After all, God knows us inside out; He knows when we’re sincere, and He knows when we’re just going through the motions. Jesus isn’t trying to put limits on how we pray — He’s giving us permission to keep it simple, heartfelt, and human.
In the end, what matters isn’t how we say it but that we mean it. Prayer is just us, connecting with a God who loves us, quirks, habits, and all. And maybe, by remembering that, we can worry less about impressing Him and focus more on just being ourselves.