S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

Snakes on a Campfire

  • October 27, 2026
Scripture

Acts 27:23-25

23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 So take heart, men,
for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.

Acts 28:3-4

3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer.
Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”

Observation

What unshakeable peace, Paul had! Here he is in the middle of a violent storm, on a ship about to be broken apart by the waves–yet speaking life and hope to his shipmates, prison guards, and fellow prisoners. Though he was in chains–yet he had a divine purpose.
Though he was sailing through a storm–yet he had peace. Though he was about to be bitten by a poisonous snake–yet he still had a calling to fulfill. None of the problems could shake him, and none of the issues could sway his confidence.

Contrast that with the perspective of the villagers on Malta–where they could see only a convict, God saw a man who lived with conviction. Where they could see only bad luck, Paul saw only the protection of his Savior.

Application

Life brings storms–it’s just that simple! There is no uncertainty about that fact. The wind and rain is going to come!

The question is how do I respond when that happens. If my faith is balanced on the shaky foundation of getting what I want in life, then my faith will be shaken every time I encounter high winds and tall waves. But if my faith is rooted in the one who rules
over the wind and waves, then the storms can hold no authority over me.

My purpose and calling are not dependent on my circumstances–they are dependent only on the One who created me and called me. My path in life is not dependent on the guards who surround me, or the chains that bind me–it is dependent only on the God who created
me for this moment, in this storm!

Today I choose to speak life into those around me, even if they are my prison guards. I choose to declare the goodness of my God, no matter how the winds blow. And I choose to let God display His power through my life, even when the enemy puts snakes in my
campfire!

Prayer

God, thank you for the peace that I have in you! Thank you for being greater than the storms, greater than the wind and waves! Thank you for having authority over every serpent, and every attack of the enemy of my soul.

Use me today for your glory, and for your purpose. You are good, and your mercy endures forever!

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Do Not Disturb

  • October 15, 2026


Scripture


Nehemiah 13:19-21


19 As soon as it began to grow dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut and gave orders that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath. And I stationed some of my servants at the gates, that no load
might be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20 Then the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice. 21 But I warned them and said to them, “Why do you lodge outside the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you.”
From that time on they did not come on the Sabbath.


Observation


Nehemiah recognized the importance of keeping the Sabbath holy, and he understood the difficulty of fulfilling that when the merchants were bustling in and out of the city each Sabbath day. He reminded the people to keep the Sabbath holy…but he also enabled
‘Do Not Disturb’ mode for the city by forbidding the merchants from working and transporting their goods on the Sabbath day.


He created an environment where Sabbath rest was the normal outcome, instead of the difficult decision.


Application


I need to use Do Not Disturb mode a little more often! There are days when the work must happen…but where are the days and moments that I set aside and guard for rest? Good intentions about rest are wonderful…but what proactive decisions am I making, to
create an environment where my soul can be recharged and my heart renewed?


It starts with the simple decision of what distractions I permit and allow. When it’s time for a Sabbath, my email and social media notifications can wait! The task list reminders can be turned off, the calls can be muted, and an environment can be created
which leads to my heart being recharged.


Today I choose to honor God, by limiting my distractions.


Prayer


God, thank you for rest! Thank you for loving me enough to require me to honor the Sabbath. I’m choosing today to silence the distractions and the noise, to fully enjoy your rest and your blessings. The work must happen, but the work is infinite and I am not.
I trust you to handle the things I don’t see, as I shut out the noise for a time of rest.


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This Calls For A Celebration!

  • October 14, 2026


Scripture


Nehemiah 11:2


“And the people commended everyone who volunteered to resettle in Jerusalem.”


Observation


God had enabled the Israelites to rebuild Jerusalem, and the work required a huge commitment from all of those involved—not just to perform the physical work, but also lifestyle changes through relocating entire families to live in the city. The people of God
made a point of “commending,” or celebrating, those who made this commitment.


Application


Some things are worth celebrating. Birthdays, anniversaries, and milestones are worth recognizing—but so are decisions and commitments which move the kingdom of God forward.


Who do I celebrate? For the Israelites, this wasn’t just a private note or text message—it was a public acknowledgement, making sure that their names were known and remembered. Not for personal fame, but to celebrate the fulfillment of kingdom purposes.


I choose today to be the kind of person who celebrates others in meaningful ways. I choose to recognize and commend those who have made God’s purposes their own, and who have moved the mission forward. God gets the glory through lives that honor Him.


Prayer


God, help me to celebrate the right things and the right people—not just great achievements, but also great commitments. Help me to use my words and my influence to encourage your people to fulfill your calling and your purpose in their lives, so that you would
receive the glory!


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We Promise Together

  • October 13, 2026
Scripture

Nehemiah 10:38-39

38 “A priest—a descendant of Aaron—will be with the Levites as they receive these tithes. And a tenth of all that is collected as tithes will be delivered by the Levites to the Temple of our God and placed in the storerooms. 39 The people and the Levites must
bring these offerings of grain, new wine, and olive oil to the storerooms and place them in the sacred containers near the ministering priests, the gatekeepers, and the singers. “We promise together not to neglect the Temple of our God.”

Observation

I’ve never noticed this ‘secondary tithe’ before! The people of Israel made a pledge to give a tenth of their increase as a tithe to God–but then the Levites were to take a tenth of the tenth (a tithe of the tithe?) to the storerooms of the temple.

The result was that as each family gave intentionally and in a structured way, not only were the immediate needs of the priests and Levites met but also there was a buffer created for future needs that would arise. When the community committed together to make
this happen, it wasn’t an unmanageable burden on any one person or family–it became a shared responsibility to which they all committed.

Application

God blesses His people, in order to meet needs. There’s nothing wrong with enjoying the blessings of God–but God has a purpose for the blessings that He gives! When His people commit to honoring Him with the things He has entrusted to them, the entire community
is affected. Needs are met, burdens are eased, difficulty becomes momentum, and God’s Kingdom keeps on growing.

I can’t make any of this happen on my own–but I can do my part, with the things that God has entrusted to me. This requires me to intentionally manage and steward the things that God has given me, instead of treating my blessings with carelessness.

Today I choose to be intentional with my blessings and resources. I get to enjoy them–and I get to enjoy being a blessing to those around me!

Prayer

God, thank you for blessing my life! I want to be a blessing to others, instead of wandering through life only focused on myself. I choose today to honor You with my finances and my resources. I can’t meet every need, but You can–and when I live and give with
intentionality I know that You will use the little that I have, to make a difference in someone’s life. Thank you for the privilege of serving You!

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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting
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Who Knows?

  • October 6, 2026
Scripture
Esther 4:11 – “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Observation
This verse is often mis-quoted as if Mordecai told Esther that she HAD been placed in the palace ‘for such a time as this’. But he didn’t state this to her as a fact–he asked it as a question: “Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
This is the distinction between courage and certainty, between faith and proof. Because what Mordecai was telling Esther was, “It’s time to take a courageous step, even though you don’t know for sure what’s going to happen!”
Application
There are moments when I face this same dilemma: It seems that God has put the right pieces in place for a specific course of action…but I don’t have complete proof. I have some information…but there are details that I lack! When this happens, there are really only two options: Either choose inaction until I understand all the details and have perfect clarity…or take a step of faith, trusting that God is capable of directing and correcting me mid-step if He needs to.
There have been a few times when I had 100% certainty about a specific decision that God wanted me to make. But the vast majority of the significant decision moments in my life have been steps of faith, when I simply had to act on the information I had, and trust God with the details that I lacked.
Today I choose to employ wisdom in the areas that I have information…but I also choose to walk in faith in the areas where I lack perfect understanding. My God is capable not only of putting the right pieces in place, but also of correcting my course if I mis-step. I just have to be tuned in to His voice, to hear Him if He’s calling me back on-course.
Prayer
God, thank you for leading and guiding me! There are many times when I wish I had more data, but that wouldn’t really be a walk of faith if I had perfect understanding every time. I choose today to walk by faith, trusting that you understand the things that I don’t…and you see the details that I’ve missed. I trust you to lead me, and I’m listening to your voice to guide me!
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Don’t Settle For An Answered Prayer

  • September 24, 2026
Scripture
Luke 7:6, 10 – “So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, ‘Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor.’
“‘And when the officer’s friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed.’”
Observation
This centurion is often lauded as an example of great faith—and indeed, Jesus himself marveled at his faith. But, the further truth is that this man missed out! He had called for Jesus, and Jesus was on his way. But the centurion stopped Jesus from arriving, and settled merely for an answered prayer…instead of an encounter with the Savior.
He settled for a healing, but Jesus had planned a visit.
Application
Where am I settling for less than God’s best? God does answer my prayers—but is it possible that I’ve interrupted His travel plans, when He was on His way for a divine encounter?
The centurion had great reasons. For him, it was his humility—“I’m not worthy!” But the result was the same: Jesus was willing to do more than He was allowed.
In my life it could be humility…or pride…or busyness…or distractions…or any number of things. But the results are the same, and I prevent God from fulfilling that which He was willing to do.
Today, I choose not to cancel Jesus’ invitation! I choose to give Him the freedom to do all that He is willing, rather than limiting Him to merely that which I’ve asked from Him.
Prayer
God, you have a standing invitation. You are welcome in my life—not merely to do what I want you to do, but to do all that you are willing to do! I welcome your presence, not merely your power!
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Supporting and Strengthening

  • September 23, 2026
Scripture
Daniel 11:1 – “And as for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him.”
Observation
What an interesting statement Daniel makes here! Darius was not a Hebrew king, indeed he was ruler of the nation that held the Israelites captive! Yet Daniel says that he “stood up to confirm and strengthen him.” Daniel gave public support and encouragement to the leader over him, despite not being in agreement with all that Darius stood for.
Application
How do I interact with the leaders over me? Do I only show up when I have a problem or complaint to drop in their lap? Do I only voice support when I agree with every decision they are making?
Like Daniel, I want to be a blessing and encouragement to those in authority over me. I choose to show support where I can, and to strengthen them where I am able.
Prayer
God, give me wisdom and discernment to be an encouragement and a blessing to those in authority over me! May my life build others up, instead of constantly wearing them down.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Blessing My Father

  • September 15, 2026
Scripture
Psalm 145:1-3
I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
Observation
God blesses His people, but His people also bless Him. Not by supplying Him with something that He lacks, but by giving Him what He deserves–Praise!
Application
It seems almost arrogant–the idea that I could bless God. I have nothing that He needs, and I cannot give Him anything that He did not already give me! But when I think about Him as my heavenly Father, the idea becomes clearer.
My sons have nothing that I need. They cannot pay my mortgage, they cannot afford to put food on the table, and they cannot do my job for me. Yet when they bring me a drawing that they sketched, or when they show me gratitude, or when I hear them bragging about me to one of their friends…it blesses me! Not because I lacked something, but because I value their love.
I want to bless my heavenly Father’s heart like that!
I want to give Him my very best.
I want Him to overhear me, telling someone how amazing He is.
I want to let Him know how grateful I am for His love.
Not because I can give Him anything that He lacks, but simply because I am grateful for His love.
Prayer
God, thank you for loving me as my heavenly Father! You have been so good to me, over and over again! You have supplied all that I need. You have proven yourself capable and strong. There is no one like you, and I want the world to know how amazing You are!
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

When He Speaks

  • September 14, 2026
Scripture
Ezekiel 36:4
“Therefore, O mountains of Israel, hear the word of the Sovereign Lord: He speaks to the hills and mountains, ravines and valleys, and to ruined wastes and long deserted cities that have been destroyed and mocked by the surrounding nations.”
Observation
God spoke into the void and created the universe. But He also speaks to the things that once hummed with life, and now are silent and dead. God doesn’t lose interest or become discouraged when things fall apart! He is still the universe-speaker, the life-breather, and one who replaces hopelessness with certainty.
Application
A blank canvas is exciting. It carries the scent of limitless possibility, and the promise of something new. But a torn and water-damaged painting abandoned in the corner is a very different thing. Instead of excitement, it carries the weight and the grief of what used to be, but which is no more. But it is to these places of discouragement and failure that my God speaks!
He sees my defeat, and speaks victory.
He sees my discouragement, and speaks hope.
He sees my failure, and speaks His strength.
He sees my sin, and speaks His righteousness.
Today I choose to hear what my God is speaking.
Prayer
God, there are places in life that look dead, and it’s hard to see a future. But you are the God who breathes life, and speaks hope! Help me to hear you when you speak, and to believe your voice instead of accepting present reality. I know that in You, there are always better things ahead.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Judgement and Hope

  • September 9, 2026
Scripture
Obadiah 1:16-17
16 For as you have drunk on my holy mountain, so all the nations shall drink continually; they shall drink and swallow, and shall be as though they had never been. 17 But in Mount Zion there shall be those who escape, and it shall be holy, and the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions.
Observation
Today’s reading from Lamentations, Obadiah, and Revelation is heavy! Judgement is the main theme–but although these passages are heavy, they carry such a vital reminder: Sin is a big deal! Decisions carry consequences, and the wages of sin is death.
This realization is what brings grace into perspective. Without an awareness of sin, grace would have no meaning or value. Without a looming debt owed, the price that was paid would have no context.
And here is the beautiful reminder in these heavy passages: “In Mount Zion there shall be those who escape, and it shall be holy.”
Application
Today’s reading reminds me of the cost of sin. It carries such a high price tag! Yet the point is not to merely be aware of the price–the point is so that I will be more aware, more grateful for the payment that was made on my behalf.
What a God I serve! What a Savior, who would pay my unpayable debt!
I choose today, to keep His payment in perspective.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder of the cost of my sin! You are merciful–but you are also just and righteous. Thank you for your unfathomable love, which is greater than my worst sin. Thank you for making me aware not only of my sin, but also of your grace!
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/
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