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So this is my first SOAP entry. I got this idea from Mom's Toolbox and found it to be an amazing way to study the Bible. Already I am getting benefits from this method. The part that sticks out to me is prayer. Oftentimes I will study the Scriptures, learn a truth, and even pray beforehand, but I rarely (OK, never) pray afterwards and commit to God over what I just read. I did this entry on Friday but am just getting around to posting it today because I was sick all weekend.
Scripture: Pharaoh said, "The LORD be with you—if I let you go, along with your women and children! Clearly you are bent on evil. No! Have only the men go; and worship the LORD, since that's what you have been asking for." Then Moses and Aaron were driven out of Pharaoh's presence. Exodus 10:10-11
Observation: Moses & Aaron are pleading for the Israelites to leave, and Pharaoh has reluctantly agreed but putting conditions on them. The conditions are to leave the children behind and let the men do the ministry. I'm cheating a little and posting what Matthew Henry had to say on this verse because it blew me out of the water: Note, Satan does all he can to hinder those that serve God themselves from bringing their children in to serve him. He is a sworn enemy to early piety, knowing how destructive it is to the interests of his kingdom; whatever would hinder us from engaging our children to the utmost in God’s service, we have reason to suspect the hand of Satan in it.
Application: Not only should I be diligent in the spiritual upbringing of my daughter, but my eyes also must be open to any work of the Enemy that could prevent my child from growing in the Lord. How deceptive Satan is! How easy it would have been for Moses and Aaron to relent - "Could children really appreciate the value of going to worship God?" they could have said. It's so important we remember the Word and promises of God so we don't get derailed by Satan's subtle tactics!
Prayer: Lord, I place the spiritual care of my daughter before you. Lead me and guide me and show me every way I can be a light for You before her. I pray God that you soften her heart as she grows, making it a fertile and receptive ground for You and Your word. I pray a hedge of protection around her, Lord. Protect her from the world and also from the work of the Enemy. Lord I pray for discernment for myself and her father, that we might be able to see the workings of the devil clearly for what they are. Give us strength and wisdom to withstand his attacks.
Monday, July 28, 2008
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3 comments:
Wow! I am so excited and encourgaed that you have decided to incorporate SOAP into your life and your blog. Your entry today really got me thinking... and I look forward to sharing in your journey in the entries to come.
Wow, now that's the missing piece. It's interesting how we treat children in 2008. They are the add-ons, the ones that aren't as important.
Because children can rarely comprehend the Gospel, they're often left behind, and yet this passage, and those like Deut 6 and Christ telling the children to come to Him strongly proclaim that it's important to raise children to not only know their faith, but to know how to practice it.
The other day my wife was reading Shepherding a Child's heart and it talked about how it's interesting that when children are young and want to talk with you about mundane things we hardly get involved in the conversation.
And yet that changes when they become teens. We become the ones that want to talk and they are the ones that say "Yeah" and "uh huh."
Building that relationship with your kids, and founding it on the Word of God can never come too early.
i love this idea!
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