S.O.A.P.

Scripture

2 John 1:5-6

“And now I ask you, dear lady–not as though I were writing a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning–that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.”

Observation

John says that the commandment “from the beginning” was to love. But then he goes on to explain what it means to love one another. It’s not open to personal definition: true love can only be found and expressed through following God’s commands.

Application

I need to keep learning what real love looks like! My opinions and my best efforts are not enough, apart from God! I can only show love in the right way, by staying aligned with Him. I can’t love my sons, without learning how a Godly father operates. I can’t adequately love my wife, if I don’t learn how Christ loved His church. And I can’t love my neighbor, if don’t treat them as the Creator commands.

True love is not blind agreement. It is not enablement. True love is expressing the unchanging nature of God’s character to those around me, by following His commands in my life.

Prayer

God, teach me to love! Help me to learn what real love is, by following your commands and knowing your heart.

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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Scripture

Jeremiah 7:9-10 

9 Will you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, make offerings to Baal, and go after other gods that you have not known, 10 and then come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, ‘We are delivered!’—only to go on doing all these abominations?

Observation

The people of Judah had a dangerous misunderstanding. They thought that their location at the temple of God would deliver them from judgement, though they continued to go out and do the same things that had already brought judgement on them! 

They confused their coordinates, with consecration.

God told them that they had been deceived: What mattered was not the location of their body, but the orientation of their heart!

Application

I’m so grateful for a church where I can fellowship, grow, and worship! But the critical thing is not the location where I place my body each week–the critical question is, what direction is my heart oriented?

I may be in God’s house each week–but is my focus straining outward, away from His presence? I may be around God’s people daily–but is my heart aligned with this fallen world?

Today I choose to keep my heart aligned with the King. My feet will follow where my heart is.

Prayer

God, thank you for the way you feed my soul each day! Help me today to keep my heart aligned with you. It’s not enough to merely spend time in the right location–I choose to orient my life in the right direction!

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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Scripture

Micah 7:8

Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.

Observation

There are moments when the enemy seems to have reason to celebrate. The prophet Micah was in one of those moments–He was bruised from the fall, disoriented by the darkness that surrounded him. Yet he told his enemy, “Don’t celebrate just yet!”

Micah knew that there will be moments of falling down–when everything collapses around, leaving bruises and pain.

Micah knew that darkness was real–when there is no path forward, and when you’re not quite even sure where you are.

But with the same certainty, Micah declared “I SHALL rise, and the Lord WILL be a light to me!”

He knew: Present problems are powerless to prevent God’s promise.

Application

The ‘down’ moments happen–and sometimes they last a lot longer than just a moment! The enemy loves to seize these opportunities to rob joy, and steal hope. But like Micah, I must face these moments honestly and with courage. It doesn’t help to deny the darkness and the fall! 

There are two keys to overcoming these seasons: First, a non-negotiable determination to keep getting back up over and over again. Second, an unwavering confidence that God will supply enough light for the next step, when I need it. There are times that He chooses not to give enough light to see the next three steps…but He’ll give me enough light for the next step.

Today I choose to get back up, no matter how hard I’ve been knocked down. I choose to take the next step forward, trusting the amount of light that God has given me for this moment.

Prayer

God, thank you for your faithfulness in the difficult moments! Give me the courage to get back up when the enemy knocks me down, and I’m so grateful for the unwavering light of your Word which guides me step by step!

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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Scripture

1 Kings 4:5

“Azariah the son of Nathan was over the officers; Zabud the son of Nathan was priest and king’s friend;”

Observation

What a fascinating detail to include in this list! Amid the names of King Solomon’s officers, leaders, and administrators, comes the name of Zabud: A priest…and the friend of the king.

Solomon’s father, King David, also had a friend: Hushai, the Archite.

These men were not just passing mentions in the historic record–they were the known and trusted inside circle. They were the one that the king could be open and transparent with, the one that the king could bounce ideas off of, before making a public decision. They were the one that the king could count on to be loyal, when the tide of public opinion turned.

Application

If the king of Israel needed a specific and intentional friend to rely on, how much more do I need to be intentional in the circle that I place around me! Our world places a high value on social interaction–but the king placed value on friendship.

There’s a difference! My social circle may be large, but it is not always stable or worthy of deep trust. My social circle plays an important role–but my friends are those that I can truly count on.

It’s amazing to me that out of an entire kingdom (…and all the surrounding kingdoms of allies!), King Solomon lists one friend. He undoubtedly had healthy interaction each day with many people who played a vital role–but he had one friend.

Friendship doesn’t happen by chance. It takes wisdom, courage, boldness, risk, commitment, and a long-term investment of time. The cost is high–but the payoff is incalculable!

This week, I choose to invest in specific and intentional friendships. They are not many in number, but they are priceless in value.

Prayer

God, thank you for friendship! Give me wisdom in navigating the friendships I hold dear–to take the risk of letting those into my inner circle who belong there, and discernment to allow those into my larger social circle to remain in the right role for them. You created me to live in relationship, and in community!

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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Scripture

1 Chronicles 22:9-10, 19

9 Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. 10 He shall build a house for my name. He shall be my son, and I will be his father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.’

19 Now set your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the LORD.”

Observation

David and his son could not be more different! David was the giant-slayer, Solomon was the wise scholar. David was a man of decisive action, Solomon was a man to stop and consider. David’s kingdom was defined by conflict and conquest, Solomon’s kingdom would be defined by rest and peace throughout the land.

But David doesn’t use these differences as an excuse to disrespect his son, or to try to force Solomon to be more like him. He calls out the differences and names them, then sets up Solomon to thrive as the next king, uniquely as God created him to be. In fact–David exerts his own influence while still on the throne to lend extra momentum that he knows Solomon will need, by stockpiling wealth and resources for the temple that Solomon will someday build.

Yet David also sees the accompanying weaknesses in Solomon. He sees the tendency toward inaction, and the necessity of Solomon not using his God-given personality as an excuse in life. David tells him “Arise! Build! Set your mind and heart to seek God!”

Application

It can be hard to relate to people who thing very differently from me, and who are built very differently than me. I see places where my own personality and strengths have led to good outcomes in my own life–so therefore, everyone else should do the same things…right?

But my natural strengths also define my natural weaknesses–and like David, I must be intentional to appreciate those who are strong in areas where I am not. They may not be called to fill the same role as me–just as I am probably not called to fill the same role as them. But the question is, do I value them enough to help set them up for success? Do I invest myself, and lend my own influence to give them the momentum they need in order to succeed?

…and when the moment is right, do I call them out in areas where they need to grow?

I’m grateful that God saw value in me, despite my own issues. I choose to see value in others today.

Prayer

God, thank you for seeing value in me! Help me to see the value that you have instilled in those around me, instead of merely wishing they were more like me. What a boring and ineffective world that would be! Help me today to speak encouragement when needed, and corrective inspiration when necessary. Help me today, to lend momentum to the success of someone around me.

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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Scripture

Matthew 24:10-12

10 And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.12 And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.

Observation

Jesus says that in the end times a few specific things will happen, which will be signs and confirmations of what is about to take place. One of the primary signs is that those who profess to follow Christ will turn on each other and hate one another. It’s not just a matter of them turning generically away from God: Jesus says that ‘their LOVE will grow cold’, because of an increase in lawlessness.

Application

This sounds so much like the world today! Lawlessness abounds, at every level. And the reaction to lawlessness, has been an increase in hate and betrayal. Those who claim to serve the same King, are at each other’s throats! What’s the solution?

Jesus says that those ‘who endure to the end will be saved.’ Those who ‘endure’ to the end: not those who ‘fight’ to the end. The result is that the Gospel of Christ will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all nations.

When I’m frustrated or anxious, it’s easy to take out my discomfort on those around me. The person I’m interacting with isn’t the problem…they’ve just gotten caught in my crosshairs! How can I not fall prey to the destructive behavior that Jesus describes? By enduring. By proclaiming the gospel. By choosing to love, even when I can’t agree. By pointing back to that which is eternal and perfect, instead of focusing on that which is temporary and flawed.

Today I choose to value the family of God, instead of participating in division. I choose to speak the truth of the gospel, instead of speaking the frustration with which the enemy would try to fill me. I choose to value God’s law, instead of making excuses because of the lawlessness around me.

Prayer

God, this world feels pretty lawless right now! Those who should be upholding righteousness instead seem to be perpetuating more chaos. And it’s easy for me to make excuses about the way that I treat people! Help me instead to love as you love: Not with compromise of truth, nor by moving the goalposts for convenience or to avoid conflict. Rather–with an unapologetic stand on the truth of your Gospel which welcomes sinners to repentance. Don’t let my love grow cold!

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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Scripture

1 Chronicles 13:9-10

9 And when they came to the threshing floor of Chidon, Uzzah put out his hand to take hold of the ark, for the oxen stumbled. 10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he put out his hand to the ark, and he died there before God.

Observation

The ark of God was returning to Jerusalem! What an awesome day! But on the way, the oxen stumbled and the ark began to tip over. Uzzah tried as hard as he could…and died there on the spot for his trouble.

The problem was, Uzzah tried his hardest…instead of obeying. God has already told them how to transport the ark of the covenant…and God’s plan didn’t include an unstable cart pulled by animals! God’s plan would have worked, if Uzzah had followed it. Instead, Uzzah decided to ‘try’ as hard as he could.

Application

‘Trying’ is a funny concept. “You’ll never know until you try!” That’s true…but you can ‘try’, without putting in any preparation or sincere effort. You can ‘try’, without educating yourself or investing time into obtaining the right outcome.

God wants me to try. But more than that, He wants me to follow His instructions and obey His voice. If I’m not paying attention to His instructions, then all the trying in the world will not accomplish a good outcome in my life–in fact, that’s the whole reason why Christ came! My own trying is simply inadequate.

Today, I choose to take the time to listen to God’s voice so I can follow His instructions. Then I can put my full effort into following as He leads, instead of trying my hardest without His blessing.

Prayer

God, thank you for this reminder of what you truly require! You’ve not called me to fail, nor have you called me to try my hardest at an impossible task. Instead you’ve called me to follow you, to obey you, and to rely on you. Help me today to do that, and show me when I begin to ‘try harder’ instead of staying in step with you.

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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/