Tag: Weekly Soap

Weekly Soap

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I have a question for you today? I want you to think very deeply about this.

Are you living peaceably or are you raising hell?

source: Giphy

Now, I’m not trying to call anyone out and I’m not making this a bash post. As I grow in Christ, I realize that this part of myself (and others…) needed to be dealt with. Now what am I talking about exactly? Let me give you an example.

Amy, a newly converted Christian, pulls into a parking lot in a very crowded area. As she drives up and down every aisle, she comes across a space with her name on it. As she is about to turn the wheel into the parking lot, another car out of the blue, steals her parking spot. Amy felt the rage inside her come to the surface. Her face was red with anger and she could hear the myriad of expletives running through her head directed at this driver. As she was about to open the door, she heard clear as day, “No, not today.”

HOLD UP! Amy deserved to get those feelings off her chest, right? Her anger would dissipate and she could be calm after confronting them. Right?

WRONG.

Let’s dive into the Word.

Scripture:

17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

(Romans 12:17-19 KJV)

Observation: Paul highlighted that in this world, we may get persecuted, face hatred, and endure downright awful things from people. Our human reaction to this is to retaliate, to fight back when wronged. But, now changed, we need to live peaceable lives with all men, those who love us and hate us. It is not our job, our responsibility, or our place to seek vengeance, but God will handle it. He fights our battles for us.

Application: In faith, fighting evil with evil only creates more evil. Amy would have received temporary satisfaction from cussing out that driver, but what does it do for her spirit? We are examples to people of who Christ is in our lives and what He does inside of us. We are new creatures in Christ Jesus, so that means throwing off the old man and picking up the new (2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:22). Even as Christ lived, people had hatred in their hearts toward him and sought to kill him, yet He met them with love and treated them fairly in peace. Know that God has the final say everything that happens to you. You no longer have to fight like the flesh wants, but fight with the Word! God fights for you!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for being an example of Christian living. As you walked peacefully among men, I pray that I follow in your steps. God, I pray that I do not combat evil with evil, but that I overcome evil with good. Remind me that vengeance is yours and that you will repay. Lord, let me be honest in faith and stay humble. Forgive me, Father, for not approaching every situation this way. I thank you for the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding that I can use going forward. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Weekly Soap

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Hey Everyone! How are y’all feeling? Let me know how you feel in the comments below!

This past week for me was ROUGH. In all caps! At times, my efforts to do anything were minimal and my head was not in the zone. I couldn’t seem to shake this funk at all.

It not only affected me naturally, but spiritually too. When I tried to pray, I felt such a mental blockage. When I tried to praise, I couldn’t get into it.

WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO ME?

Yet, God always has a way of snapping me out of it. Amid my turmoil, God called me to fast. It seems like every time there’s good eating or a show on TV I want to watch God gives a fast, but I know it is so necessary. These distractions keep us from seeking Him. Once removed, we can hear and see what God wants for us.

So now, after my week of surprises, I have a Weekly Soap for you:

Scripture:

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.

(Psalm 27:7-8)

Observation: In this Psalm of David, titled in the Holman KJV Study Bible as “My Heart Shall Not Fear”. I am not sure what part of David’s life this was, but this was certainly a time that he was seeking God heavily. Starting off strong in beginning with his psalm, verse 7 was a plea to God from David. He wanted God to hear his prayer, his song, so that God may have not just mercy, but to give an answer. He was desperate to hear from God, he needed him because life possibly had shifted. And by verse 8, he had it. God told him to seek his face. To chase after God passionately! But it wasn’t out of David’s mouth that his answered flowed, but his heart. His core, his mind, his character, his entire being would seek God.

Application: From my short narrative above, this is exactly what happened to me. Life was going great, just like the first half of Psalm 27, but everything slowly dwindled down. I felt like I couldn’t pray or do anything to get my connection to God where I wanted it. But just as the frustation overwhelmed me, God spoke, just as He did with David and gave instruction. “Seek ye my face.” He made it personal for each and every single one of us. Meaning, it’s our responsibility to go to the Father. In Matthew 11:28-29, it says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” You can’t want help and expect it, if you do not voice it. God knows what you need, but you have to come to Him. To lay out the issues you have before Him.

But this all starts with the matters of your heart. Without hesitation, David’s heart responded to God’s instruction. Our heart’s desire should be to stay in the will of God, and at that moment, this was the answer. We should do whatever it takes to please God.

I will never forget my mother’s story of tendinitis in her arm. For a while, her arm was in so much pain until God spoke to her. He told her to wear one of my old soccer socks around the arm until it healed. Now, how absurd does that sound? But because she was so desperate to escape the pain and she was obedient to God, she did it. I can’t even remember how long she wore those makeshift armbands, but what I do know is that her pain is gone.

And that’s what it takes for us a Christians. To seek God’s face with our whole hearts. To chase after him shows that we love him. How could we not serve him? In Matthew 8:27, which is after Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples said, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

I urge you all, even in the midst of turmoil, to push forward and seek God’s face. I know it gets hard to pray, I know it gets hard to praise and God sees that. But PUSH THROUGH! Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Prayer: Father God, I come to you today as humbly as I can, to seek your face. God reveal to me your will and your ways so that I may follow after you. Please Lord, remove any distractions in my way that are preventing me from seeing you. Remove any impurities from my heart so that I may be obedient to you always. Thank you God for seeing me as I am and changing me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Weekly Soap

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Welcome back wonderful people! It is a new month with new promises; We’re in the month of May!

Now I don’t know about you guys, but I’m focusing on knowing more about God. Starting with Jesus’s life and the miracles done by Him, I am super excited to dig deeper than just from what I heard as a kid.

Of course, I had to bring what I read to you, so here’s …

JOHN 4

Scripture:

13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Observation: This passage from vs 1-26 is the story of the woman at Jacob’s well. While traveling, Jesus and his disciples had stopped in that area. Though they were gone, he knew that this Samaritan woman would draw at the well in the day’s heat. He asks her to give her a drink, but she couldn’t wrap her head around who she was talking to or what Jesus was offering her. She was skeptical, questioning if He was greater than Jacob. But Jesus spoke vs 13-14. The natural water that we drink will never be enough to satisfy our thirst. When we drink from the well of living water, we will always be satisfied. We will thirst no longer. In Isaiah 12:3, it says, “Therefore with joy shall we draw water out of the wells of salvation“. Through Christ Jesus, we have salvation and eternal life. That is the well we must drink from!

Application: It’s uncanny to me how the thought process of the Samaritan woman is like that of those who don’t know Jesus. In the very beginning, skepticism and unbelief runs how we feel about faith. We question, make excuses, or say it’s just coincidence. But God is so personal with everything for us. He knows our lives, our fears, our character, our hearts. When the Word confronts us with a promise of a gift, that no man can take away, and a life of eternity, it is impossible to not want to get something so amazing.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for being the well of living water. Thank you for the gift of salvation and Holy Spirit. I pray that we continue to chase after your Word and that we choose to life every day. Let us never your love for granted. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Weekly Soap

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At the beginning of this month, my family and I chose a book of the Bible to read and share with each other. I wanted to read either Psalms or Romans, but I struggled a bit to choose. Then I realized it would be impeccably hard to read all of Psalms in a month! Can you imagine?

With choosing Romans, I am enjoying the teachings of Paul and I wanted to share!

So here we go with the Weekly Soap!

ROMANS 7

Scripture:

22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

Observation: Paul recognizes that as a believer, our inner man delights in the Lord and His laws. However, it is constantly at war with our flesh, the opposing force. Paul labeled this interaction as frustrating! Only deliverance through Christ Jesus would be his saving grace from the turmoil. He then concludes that in his mind, he will serve the Lord. He chooses the Lord even though his instinct or fleshly body wants to sin.

Application: This entire passage resonated with me. If you read further up at about verse 15 (honestly read the entire chapter), Paul’s writing played through my thoughts of how we can want to do right through Christ, but our flesh gets the best of it. His writing depicts this back-and-forth monologue that I have often had in my mind: whether or not to sin?

How often have we known what is right through God’s law, but have turned at the last minute to sin? Although we were “born and shaped in iniquity”, our only saving grace is from God, our father, through Christ Jesus.

Once we are saved, sanctified, and Holy Ghost filled, it is Christ who keeps us. Romans 8:10 says, “And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for saving me from my sin. Although I know that I am made of flesh and that my nature is to sin, I know that by your grace and the gift of Holy Spirit, I am a free from the ongoing battle. Lord, I pray to no longer be carnally minded because it leads to death, but I pray to be spiritually minded because it leads to life and peace. Thank you, Lord, for easing my frustrations and helping me to always choose life. Continue to kill this flesh daily as you elevate the Spirit man inside of me. In Jesus name, Amen.

Weekly Soap

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Hey Y’all! It’s already week 2 in March and for some (me) it’s also spring break! Although it is my vacation, the work doesn’t stop.

In the previous blog, I mentioned going above and beyond just existing in this world and in church. But what does that look like?

All last week, God impressed upon me to fast from Monday to Friday. Now my first thought was “Now Lord hold up! You know it’s around the first and I like to take myself on a date?”. My second thought, “Lord, I am content with things in life right now. Why do I need to fast for more?”.

Little did I realize that I had much to learn this week as a Christian.

First rule of God calling a fast: It doesn’t matter when or what. Just do it. We all know obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22).

Second rule of God calling a fast: It is normal. It should be a regular part of your lifestyle. It allows you not only to turn down unhealthy food, but it draws you closer to God. Not only closer, but it allows us to see what more God has in store for us. God’s vision goes far beyond man’s (Isaiah 55:8-9).

From Monday to Friday, God dropped gems in my lap that I never even asked for, but I needed. He blessed me with so much clarity and focus that entire week that it left me speechless. And not just in days, but minutes. I heard God speak clearly about my lifestyle choices, my purpose, the Bible, and much more.

I just want to encourage you to fast as part of your daily walk with God. Whether it be for 5, 10, 21 or 40 days, fasting is so necessary for growth in God.

Scripture: 16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:16-18 NIV)

Observation: Fasting was originally an outward expression to the public by the tearing of clothes and smeared ashes to show repentance to the Lord. However, in this context, Jesus was talking about those who did it not genuinely. Now, those who fast should go about it normally. Dress normal. Look normal in fasting. Even though your fasting is between you and God in secret, there will be a reward, openly. It is not done in vain.

Application: Fasting is a normal duty in our Christian walk. We should not go around saddened or make others aware of what we’re doing. God sees us, and our actions in drawing near to him. Fasting is an act of humbling ourselves so that God can step in and take over our lives. Notice in verse 17, that Jesus said to his disciples when they fast, so it is expected. Our relationship becomes stronger, we dig deeper in Christ, and we are rewarded publicly.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for not only the responsibility of prayer and petition but also for pray. Lord, I understand that as I fast, it is an action of humbling, consecration and bonding that draws me closer to you. Forgive me for not fasting as regularly as I should. God, don’t let my fast be in vain, but let it be in your perfect will. I understand that what I do in secret will be rewarded, openly. I thank you for the many blessings you are sending my way through this duty. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Weekly Soap

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“We made it, We survived.”

To quote the gospel-great Hezekiah Walker, we have survived the month of February and thank the Lord for that!

Secondly, How’s your heart?

If you read the PKE from last week, we talked about daily heart checks to remind ourselves of where we stand with others and oursleves. However today, I want the Weekly Soap to have emphasis on our relationship with the Lord.

Specifically, what happens when we love God?

Let’s Dive in!

Scripture: “Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.” Psalms 97:10 NIV.

Observation: The verse makes it plain about what we as people of God should do. We cannot love God and love sin. We must love God and hate evil. Notice the word choice in this scripture. Hate in this scripture is used to highlight the disgust we should have about evil/sin. But why? In the next part of the verse, we should hate evil BECAUSE God protects and delivers his people from the evil in this world, things not of Him. God is faithful to those who are faithful to Him and even to those who are not (2 Timothy 2:13) It also reinforced that because God cares, we have no reason to fear. We don’t have to fear events, people, or things that are in this world, because God’s got our back To quote Andy Mineo’s lyrics from Lost, ” He didn’t say that we wouldn’t go through it, He just said that we wouldn’t be alone.”

Application: Often, I always pray that I flee from evil or temptation when the time comes, but this scripture puts it into perspective for me. It’s not about asking God to help you flee; you also willingly must run. Here’s a better thought process behind hating sin:

Loving God with all our heart should be our desire, something we strive after every day. Whether it be by reflecting on the word or praying, we are building a long-standing relationship with God that cannot break. The same way we understand a significant other’s likes and dislikes, we understand what God likes and dislikes: God hates sin.

So what do we if we come in contact with something our partner dislikes? We avoid it like a rotten tuna sandwich sitting in the sun on a hot day in the middle of August! We should be the same way with sin.

If I sin, it’s like hurting someone I love repeatedly. That’s neither healthy nor acceptable in a loving relationship. God doesn’t hurt us because his grace and mercy follow us.

So, why then do we continue to sin if we know it hurts our relationship with God?

God always remains faithful to us, even when we cheat with sin. However, this isn’t a one-sided relationship, it’s a joint effort. It’s time for us to cut off our affair with sin and focus our primary relationship with God. He is our life-giver, deliverer, protector, our everything. By loving God, we receive so much more than if we love sin.

Prayer: Father in Heaven, I thank you for being my protector and deliverer. I did not realize how much you keep us from daily, but I am so grateful for you doing just that. Lord, you don’t ask for much except that we love you and hate sin. So today, I decree and declare that I will do just that. I pray that when I face tough spots in my life where temptation may come that I turn towards you. Let me be constantly reminded of your love, grace, and mercy. Thank you for looking out for me. I love you, Lord, with all my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe with your email, or comment on this blog! I would love to hear your feedback!

Be Blessed!

–Chan

Weekly Soap

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Happy February! It’s a brand new day and a brand new month and I am so thankful to God for it. This month, there are many holidays, celebrations, etc. that we observe, but I wanted to focus solely on one thing this month: LOVE.

Now I know what you’re thinking. “Oh, how cliché!”

But hold up!

How many of us crave love or want to give love in some form or capacity?

With that being said, why don’t we learn from our Father in Heaven what it means to love, how we’re supposed to love, and most importantly what love is.

Scripture: 34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.‘ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22: 34-40

Observation: Although the question asked may have come from curiosity or to tempt, Jesus gave the answer that covered the basis of all law. He told us to love God with every fiber of our being, which is our heart, soul, and mind. Loving God is always first which includes knowing to not put any other thing before Him (Exodus 20:3-5). Secondly, Jesus called us to love our fellow brothers and sisters like we love ourselves. Check out 1 John 3:16. Overall, the two commandments that Jesus spoke among the people were the foundation for all the other laws written. They could not follow everything else if they didn’t love the Father or the people.

Application: Now that we know the greatest commandments of the Law, how do we carry this out? Jesus told us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (vs. 37). To do this, we have to allow God to move in our lives on every level. With our hearts, we seek the Lord daily to develop a lasting relationship (Psalms 24:6). In learning more of God, his Word penetrates our soul and transforms us. We realize that He has been faithful to us, even when we were not; who wouldn’t love a God like that? (2 Timothy 2:13). However, we can’t let our love stop there. In the same passage, we are called to love our neighbors, the surrounding people, strangers or not. Not to just love them, but to love them the way we want to be loved. What does love look like among fellow man? We look out for each other. We take care of each other. We are helpers one to another (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Take into account that the self-love described here is not selfish self-love. Our society tends to lean towards the “I’m gonna do me, and you do you” mentality, but this self-love requires an awareness of who we are and takes into account the welfare of ourselves. Self-love should reflect in love we share for others: to build, to grow, to learn.

Prayer: Father in Heaven, I am so grateful for the love you have given us. Thank you for teaching us the greatest commandments of all: to love you and to love others as we love ourselves. Lord, I ask right now that if I struggle with any of these that you help me. Help me learn to love you more. Help me love others. Help me love myself so I can love others. God, I know that your love covers a multitude of sins, so let me operate only in the love of Christ. I pray that even now my heart is changing to be more compassionate than I was before. Thank you, God, for showing me the way to love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe with your email, or comment on this blog! I would love to hear your feedback!

Be Blessed!

–Chan

Weekly Soap 2

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Welcome Back to the Weekly Soap! This week we will dive into a passage that convicts me to be more aware of what I say. I remember when I pranked my parents into thinking I had received a speeding ticket coming back from work one day. Not knowing the importance of my words, two days later I was stopped by a sheriff and given a speeding a ticket. When I confessed to my parents, all they could say was “there is power in the tongue”. They used the Bible to always remind me of actions, but let’s see where we find it!

Without further ado, let’s dive into James 3!

(Note: I encourage you to read the entire chapter.)

Scripture: ” [5] Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. [9] With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. [10] Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and my sisters, this should not be.” James 3:5, 9-10 NIV.

Observation: James writes about taming our tongue or as my mother calls it, our “pink tornado”. He mentions that although it may be the smallest thing on our bodies, it can do the most damage as described in the verses following verse 5. James notes that how can we as humans praise the Lord, but with the same mouth curse our fellow neighbor. We cannot do both if we be in the Lord; “this should not be.”

Application: Often, we fail to recognize the weight of our words and what they can do to our friends, family, strangers, or ourselves. What comes out of our mouths not only has power but can cause things to manifest in our lives, both positive and negative. It reminds me of the phrase, “Do you kiss your mother with those lips?”. But I say to you, “Do you praise God with the same lips you curse people out with?”. Are we careful about the words we say? Are we being intentional about speaking life over ourselves and everything connected to us?

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for entrusting me with so much power in my words. Although I am not always aware of the words spoken in anger, malice, or bitterness, God help me be more mindful. Forgive me for all the hostile words that I may have said over myself and others. Lord, constantly remind me to speak life to all surrounding things. When I want to say something negative, correct me and turn it into a positive. Let me focus on you, God. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe with your email, or comment on this blog! I would love to hear your feedback!

Be Blessed!

–Chan

Happy New Year!

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Welcome to The Heart of a Preacher’s Kid, a new blog reflecting the contents of my heart as a PK and weekly posts on music, the Bible, and whatever else flows through this mind. So feel free to spend as much time as you like here. Get acquainted, look around, but most of all please keep an open mind.

To Kick off 2020, let’s dive into our very first Weekly Soap!

Weekly Soap 1

Scripture: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Observation: These verses fall at the end of Paul’s letters addressed to the Philippians. Paul is encouraging them to continue to press their way through and to not worry about the journey ahead of them as believers in Christ. In verse 6, Paul relays to the church in what seems like the easiest way to get rid of anxiety: by prayer, worship, and by “present[ing] (y)our requests to God”. Paul makes getting rid of anxiety as easy as pie! And it is! When we pray for the peace of God to enter our lives, it surely will come!

Application: As we enter into the New Year with new goals, a new mindset, and the unknown ahead, be reminded that the love of God covers a multitude of things. Remember this scripture when you fear what’s to come on a new project or a new season of your life. That God is bigger than anything that we face; He is always here for us. Be reassured today that when life gets overwhelming to follow these steps: pray, give thanks, lay it before Him, and He will take care of the rest.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the peace that you give to me. I thank you for protecting my heart and mind from the things that could possibly trigger me. I pray right now that in this new year, if I do become anxious or am overwhelmed, that I am reminded of who you are and what your Word says to me. Lord, forgive me for turning to others before turning to you. You have always been here for me and I should come to you first with whatever is troubling me. Lord, I thank you for taking on my burdens and caring for me. Keep my mind and my heart guarded. In Jesus name. Amen.