ScriptureEzekiel 8:6, 11:19"And he said to me, "Son of man, do you see what they are doing--the utterly detestable things the Israelites are doing here, things that will drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see things that are even more detestable.""I will...

Today's SOAP journal is brought to you by James Begley. ScriptureRevelation 1:8“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”ObservationI love it when God reminds us of who He is. It's so easy for me to just...

ScripturePsalm 143:3-6"The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead. So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and...

Scripture3 John 11"Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God." ObservationEvil is the natural state of my heart-and without seeing God, I will do what is...

Scripture Jeremiah 38:16-17 "But King Zedekiah swore this oath secretly to Jeremiah: "As surely as the Lord lives, who has given us breath, I will neither kill you nor hand you over to those who want to kill you." Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "This is what the Lord...

ScripturePsalm 74:1,23"O God, why have you rejected us forever? Why does your anger smolder against the sheep of your pasture?""Do not ignore the clamor of your adversaries, the uproar of your enemies, which rises continually." ObservationAsaph was in a dark...

ScriptureJeremiah 32:2"The army of the king of Babylon was then besieging Jerusalem, and Jeremiah the prophet was confined in the courtyard of the guard in the royal palace of Judah."ObservationZedekiah, King of Judah had a real problem. The city was under siege, his...

Scripture1 John 2:28"And now, dear children, continue in Him so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming" ObservationContinue. A short word, but it requires long-term commitment. It's easy to start things, but not always...

Scripture1 John 1:8-10"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out...

ScriptureJohn 21:21-22"When Peter saw him, he asked "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." ObservationJesus had just opened a conversation with Peter, reinstating his...

Scripture Jeremiah 26:23-24 "They brought Uriah out of Egypt and took him to King Jehoiakim, who had him struck down with a sword and his body thrown into the burial place of the common people. Furthermore, Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, and so he was not...

Scripture John 19:26-27 "When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, He said to her, "Woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home."  Observation Even...

ScriptureJeremiah 22:15-16"Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He did what was right and just, so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it...

Scripture Jeremiah 12:2-3 "You are always on their lips, but far from their hearts. Yet you know me, Lord; You see me and test my thoughts about you"  John 12:30-31 "I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me,...

Scripture John 13:38 "Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!"  Observation "Will you really?" What a pointed challenge that Jesus gave Peter! Peter was...

Scripture John 12:42-43 "Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in Him. But because of the pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from...

Scripture John 11:43-44 "When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice "Lazarus! Come out!" The dead man came out..."   Observation This miracle of Jesus seems almost incidental. Jesus never laid hands on him, never prayed for him. He never even...

  Thank God, that He is still God no matter the circumstances! He is still good, despite my present circumstance--and He is still the Lord, no matter the challenge.   Scripture Habakkuk 3:17-18 "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,...