Today’s Scripture – John 9:3 (SOAP John 9:3)
“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.
Category: Bible study
Shame Breaker, Wk3-Wednesday The Shame of Dependence
Today’s Scripture – Mark 10:46-52; Psalm 121:1-2; Hebrews 12:2 (SOAP Hebrews 12:2)
Mark 10:46-52 Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus
Then they reached Jericho, and as Jesus and His disciples left town, a large crowd followed Him. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus (son of Timaeus) was sitting beside the road. 47 When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 “Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him.
But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 When Jesus heard him, he stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”
So they called the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, He’s calling you!” 50 Bartimaeus threw aside his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.
51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked.
“My Rabbi,[a]” the blind man said, “I want to see!”
52 And Jesus said to him, “Go, for your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.[b]
Psalm 121 A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.
I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!
Hebrews 12:2
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
Shame Breaker, Week 3-Tuesday Led To Repentance
Today’s Scripture – 2 Samuel 12:13; Romans 3:23-24; 2 Corinthians 7:10-11 (SOAP Rom 3:23-24)
David Confesses His Guilt
13 Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” — Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin. Read full chapter
Romans 3:23-24
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in His grace, freely makes us right in His sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins.
2 Corinthians 7:10-11
For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right.
Whatever We Do …
In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.
Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David ...
2 Samuel 11:1-4
It isn’t clear why, but in this story, David had stayed behind in Jerusalem. Perhaps there was nothing particularly wrong with this action. Maybe there wasn’t really a need for him to go out to war with his officers – but what happens because he chose to stay behind is something we must not miss.
- “from the roof, he saw her“
- “David sent someone to inquire about her”
- “Sent some messengers to get her“
- “he went to bed with her“
- … he murdered
For whatever reason David “stayed behind”, for whatever reason he got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of his palace – I am certain adultery … pregnancy …. and murder were surely not on the King’s agenda. However, they are exactly the events that transpired, and I believe we would be remiss to not ask ourselves why?
How could a nighttime stroll – which I imagine took place because he was home and couldn’t sleep knowing his men were out at war – end so tragically?
The answer is profoundly simple – but one that isn’t pleasant to face. Much like Eve, and all-to-sadly human beings throughout the centuries – including myself, David saw something he wanted and without any apparent thought or hesitation, he acted on his desire. To be clear, the first two actions – appreciating beauty and sending someone to inquire of that object – weren’t in themselves wrong. However, from there if we follow the story we read that the messenger reported to David not just her name but also that she was the “wife of Uriah”. Following this answer, David’s actions were clearly sinful. He took what belonged to someone else, used it for his pleasure, and set about covering up the evidence through deception and murder.
While you may not fall prey to adultery or murder what happened to David can happen to you – it can happen to anyone. We are, after all, all sinners. God’s Word is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword – and It is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. We must wield it as such here or we will miss the underlying message of impulsive actions and their consequences. We will miss how God is training us to not act impulsively but to think about what we do. and not just gratify the desires of the eye/flesh. We must make sure that what we do won’t hurt someone else … make sure it is loving and kind … make sure that it is a faithful act or a gentle and encouraging word … and make sure it will not cause someone else to stumble into sin. Above all, we must make sure that it brings glory and honor to God.
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT)
Clearly, David fell short of God’s glory here. Clearly, he thought of his desires alone. So then what? He was confronted, convicted, and repented and The rest of the story tells us that while David and others in the narrative suffered great consequences, David was forgiven by God and did not receive the punishment that his sins deserved. We have this same hope in Jesus Christ, whom God sent to take our punishment so that we are not punished as our sins deserve – but loved with unfailing love. Me-From the Insideout
He does not punish us for all our sins;
He does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
Psalm 103:10-11 a Psalm of David
I am blessed that you stopped by – If you would like to receive new posts from the NSIDEOUT please share your email with me here.
Shame Breaker, Week 2-Friday The Shame of Brokenness
Today’s Scripture – 2 Samuel 9; Hebrews 4:15-16 (S.O.A.P. 2 Samuel 9:7-8; Hebrews 4:15-16)
David’s Kindness to Mephibosheth
One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 He summoned a man named Ziba, who had been one of Saul’s servants. “Are you Ziba?” the king asked.
“Yes sir, I am,” Ziba replied. 3 The king then asked him, “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied, “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.” 4 “Where is he?” the king asked. “In Lo-debar,” Ziba told him, “at the home of Makir son of Ammiel.”
5 So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. 6 His name was Mephibosheth[a]; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.”
Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.”
“Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the king’s table!” Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?” Read the rest of the story
Hebrews 4:15-16
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Shame Breaker, WK2-Thursday Beauty In Brokenness
Today’s Scripture – Isaiah 50:7; 2 Cor. 4:10-12 (S.O.A.P. 2 Corinthians 4:10-12)
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.
We are pressed on every side by trouble but we are not crushed. We are perplexed but not driven to despair. We are hunted down but NEVER ABANDONED by God. We get knocked down but we are not destroyed! 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
This was Paul’s testimony – considering Eternal Life for someone else worth danger and even the threat of death for himself – “So that the life of Jesus would be evident -“
Me – From the Insideout
Shame Breaker, Wk2-Wednesday The Shame of Weakness
Today’s Scripture – Judges 6:11-18 2 Cor. 10:3-5; Phil. 1:20 (S.O.A.P. Judges 6:12; Phil 1:20)
Then the angel of the Lord came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. 12 The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”
13 “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.” Read More
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 [a]We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.
Philippians 1:20 Paul’s Life for Christ
For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.
After thoughts: Two different circumstances, both men in precariously dangerous and disturbing situations – both men familiar with the LORD but one doubtful and the other determined to trust. One walking by faith and the other by sight … Both, I dare say, a familiar reminder of a scenario from our own lives at some point. Both, good lessons for us in our walk of faith when … like Gideon, we can’t see what God is doing and we feel like He has let us down but know He’s asking us to trust Him in what He’s calling us to do – we must remember the angel’s words – “The LORD is with us“. Or, when … like Paul, we find ourselves between the throes of life and death may we remember what God has done in the past and trust that He is with us – and honor Him with unshakable faith. – *Note the main difference between the two – Gideon’s eyes were on his circumstances and Paul knew his circumstances but his eyes were on what God had done/could do and His calling to be bold and live to honor Christ – whether in life or death.
Me – From the Insideout
Shame Breaker, Wk2-Tuesday Our Pasts Are Forgiven
Today’s Scripture – Romans 8:1-2; Galatians 5:1 (S.O.A.P. Romans 8:1-2)
Romans 8:1-2 Life in the Spirit
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power[a] of the life-giving Spirit has freed you[b] from the power of sin that leads to death.
Galatians 5:1 Freedom in Christ
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.
After Thoughts … What a beautiful passage! He has loved us with an EVERLASTING LOVE. With UNFAILING LOVE He has drawn us to Himself Just like Israel, we were sinful, broken, ruined, but now that we belong to Jesus Christ we have been MADE into a NEW CREATION! The old is gone, the new is here and we have reason to sing and dance and celebrate!
ME – From the Insideout –
Shame Breaker, Wk2-Monday The Shame of Past Decisions
Today’s Scripture – Ruth 1; Jeremiah 31:3-4 (S.O.A.P. Jeremiah 31:3-4)
Elimelech Moves His Family to Moab
1 In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him. 2 The man’s name was Elimelech, and his wife was Naomi. Their two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in the land of Judah. And when they reached Moab, they settled there.
3 Then Elimelech died, and Naomi was left with her two sons. 4 The two sons married Moabite women. One married a woman named Orpah, and the other a woman named Ruth. But about ten years later, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion died. This left Naomi alone, without her two sons or her husband.
Naomi and Ruth Return
6 Then Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had blessed his people in Judah by giving them good crops again. So Naomi and her daughters-in-law got ready to leave Moab to return to her homeland. 7 With her two daughters-in-law she set out from the place where she had been living, and they took the road that would lead them back to Judah.
8 But on the way, … Read More
Jeremiah 31:3-4
Long ago the Lord said to Israel:
“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.
With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.
4 I will rebuild you, my virgin Israel.
You will again be happy
and dance merrily with your tambourines.
Shame Breaker, W1 – Thursday A God Who Redeems Shame
Shame causes fear – but we don’t have to be afraid because we have a God who removes our disgrace 💜 He has forevermore removed our shame through the blood of Jesus that we might walk in freedom not just from sin but from the shame and disgrace that oppress us and hinder us from being who He called us to be. My encouragement today is this – rather than focusing on our sin and shame let’s, as Paul said to the Philippians, think about things that are true and honorable – what greater truth is there than we are REDEEMED!– Cleansed of our sin and shame – restored and made whole! Yeah, let’s let this TRUTH cover the thoughts of our sin and shame!
REFLECTION QUESTION OF THE DAY: THE SHAME WE EXPERIENCE CAN MAKE US FEEL INTIMIDATED OR HUMILIATED. WHAT ENCOURAGEMENT DO WE FIND IN ISAIAH 54:4?
Today’s Scripture – Isaiah 54:1-4; (S.O.A.P. Isaiah 54:4)
Future Glory for Jerusalem
“Sing, O childless woman,
you who have never given birth!
Break into loud and joyful song, O Jerusalem,
you who have never been in labor.
For the desolate woman now has more children
than the woman who lives with her husband,”
says the Lord.
2 “Enlarge your house; build an addition.
Spread out your home, and spare no expense!
3 For you will soon be bursting at the seams.
Your descendants will occupy other nations
and resettle the ruined cities.
“Fear not; you will no longer live in shame.
Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you.
You will no longer remember the shame of your youth
and the sorrows of widowhood.
Me From the Inside Out 