S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

He Sees Me

  • February 27, 2024
There are seasons and storms that I’ve faced, and felt completely alone. There are waves that have crashed on top of me, and I didn’t see anyone else next to me. But the truth is that I never have (and never will) face life’s storms alone–because THE SAVIOR SEES ME.
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Scripture
Mark 6:47-48a
47 And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
Observation
The disciples were battling the wind and waves throughout the night, and Jesus was nowhere around. They were working, struggling, fighting to make progress…and Jesus saw them. I don’t know how, but he saw them! Though the night was dark and the wind was howling, he had not taken his eyes off of his disciples. Though they saw no one in the boat with them, they were not facing the storm alone.
Application
Loneliness in a struggle is one of the worst things to experience. Being alone is not always bad–but loneliness is a whole different issue. There are seasons and storms that I’ve faced, and felt completely alone. There are waves that have crashed on top of me, and I didn’t see anyone else next to me. But the truth is that I never have (and never will) face life’s storms alone–because THE SAVIOR SEES ME. Even when I don’t see him, HE SEES ME. Even when things are dark…HE SEES ME. Even when I’m feeling adrift…HE SEES ME. Even on sleepless nights…HE SEES ME. And more than just seeing me…he has a personal interest in bringing me safely through the storms that I face.
This week, I choose to trust the one who sees me. I choose to rely on his strength, and rest in the peace of knowing that the wind and waves are not greater than the one who spoke the world into existence, and who speaks the storms into calm seas.
Prayer
God, thank you for seeing me! Thank you for being present and for being strong even when I don’t see you. I choose today to trust you in every storm, knowing that there is no situation I could face which is beyond your ability to bring me safely through.

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Conflict Management

  • February 21, 2024
Paul tackled conflict head-on in a Christ-like way, with the result that people around him came to know Christ.
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Scripture
Acts 28:17
“After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.”
Observation
Paul was in chains because of the Jewish leaders, and I would have expected him to keep a low profile when he arrived in Rome–yet here he is, directly confronting the issue and boldly proclaiming God’s truth! He tackled the issue head-on, with the result that some of those Jewish leaders came to know Christ.
Application
What a great course Paul could have taught on conflict management and dealing with difficult people! Instead of assuming the worst about these mend and judging them by their counterparts in Jerusalem, he gave them an opportunity to respond to truth. He tackled the issue with no apology, but also without a personal vendetta. He simply stated the relevant facts, and let them respond as they chose.
I need to learn from Paul this week! Some issues must be confronted without hesitation or apology, so that they are not given a chance to hinder the mission. I can’t control how others respond to confrontation, I can only work to keep my own heart right before God and let him accomplish what he desires through the situation.
Prayer
God, help me this week to handle conflict in a way which honors you. Not by avoiding it, or by allowing my emotions to fan the flames, but by directly confronting conflict with truth and a heart of love.

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Resting and Walking

  • February 20, 2024
The shepherd’s love causes me to rest, and also to move.  He causes me to lie down in the pasture, and urges me forward on the path in spite of my reluctance. He knows the limits of my strength, and he knows the path ahead.
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Scripture
Psalm 23:1-3
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
Observation
“He makes me lie down in green pastures” – Why?
Evidently, because the sheep doesn’t always know when a rest is needed.
“He leads me in paths of righteousness…” – Why?
Because a sheep at rest doesn’t always recognize when it’s time to start moving again.
Application
God knows what I need, long before I do. When I’m pushing full-steam ahead, it’s frustrating to be slowed down by obstacles. Whether illness, a flat tire, a delayed shipment, or anything else–often what I see as an obstacle is actually the shepherd causing me to lie down for a moment.
If I’m fixated on the path that I’d rather be walking on…I can completely miss the benefit of the green pasture.
Once I’ve rested though, I can become complacent and comfortable in the pasture and lose my urgency and interest in walking forward. At those moments, the shepherd’s love urges me forward in spite of my reluctance. He knows the limits of my strength, and he knows the path ahead.
So today, I choose to walk at the pace of my shepherd–resting when He causes me to rest, and walking forward when He leads me to move.
Prayer
God, thank you for rest! Help me to gladly receive your rest when you cause me to lie down in green pastures. I don’t want to miss the beauty and tranquility around me! Help me to cheerfully walk forward when it’s time to start moving, following you on the path instead of allowing rest to decay into laziness.
I choose to move at your pace.

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Boldness and Restraint

  • February 12, 2024
Whether in boldness or restraint, Paul’s objective was that people experience more of God–and he didn’t let his own ego and desire to be ‘right’, derail what God was wanting to accomplish.
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Scripture
Acts 19:2,9
2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.
Observation
Paul displayed an amazing blend of boldness and restraint. When he had an opportunity to speak further truth into the believers at Corinth, he boldly addressed some gaps in their spiritual understanding–with the result that they were filled with the Spirit and experienced more of God’s power. Yet when some of them became stubborn and resistant to Paul’s teaching, he backed off and didn’t become contentious or argumentative with them–with the result that God’s word was shared throughout the Roman province of Asia.
Whether in boldness or restraint, Paul’s objective was that people experience more of God–and he didn’t let his own ego and desire to be ‘right’, derail what God was wanting to accomplish.
Application
I have so far to go on finding this balance! The courage to be bold, with the humility to gracefully accept rejection–that’s a learning curve which I must daily pursue. I can’t accomplish Christ’s purpose in me if I simply sit back to passively watch the world around me–I must be fully engaged, bold, and confident. Yet when people reject the truth that I speak, I must be just as ready to handle rejection in a Christ-honoring way. My job is to speak truth in love–his job is to convict, redeem, and transform hearts.
When I find myself becoming pushy, aggressive, argumentative, or defensive, I must ask myself “Why?”
This kind of a reaction in my heart usually indicates that I’ve begun to overstep the role that God has called me to play…and I need to take a step back and let Him be the Lord in the situation.
This week, I pray for boldness to speak truth…and humility to gracefully accept rejection.
Prayer
God, thank you for the strength and courage you give me, to live boldly for you! Help me to never slip into a mindset of passive observation of the world around me. You created me for a purpose, to speak your truth and to share your Good News! When people reject the truth that I speak, help me to handle it gracefully instead of becoming argumentative. I invite you to be the Lord, and to take your rightful place in my life. May all that I say and do result in hearts being drawn to you, and in your name being glorified!

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

I’m Conflicted!

  • February 8, 2024
How do I react when conflict happens? Some things are worth disagreeing over, but how does it affect my heart? Do I let it come between me and God, or derail me from the mission? Instead, I must keep my heart right before God and keep walking forward.
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Scripture
Acts 15:38-39
“But Paul thought it best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them in the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other.”
Observation
Disagreement is never fun, but it’s certainly no stranger to the family of God. Even while Jesus walked on earth, the disciples squabbled–and we’ve never stopped since!
Paul and Barnabas had a ‘sharp disagreement’, and parted ways–but they parted ways while still walking forward in the kingdom, still pursuing the same mission…and eventually God brought restoration to their relationship.
Application
Disagreements happen. Large or small, major or minor…put two or more people in the same room, and there will be something to disagree about.
How do I react when this happens? Some things are worth disagreeing over, but how does it affect my heart? Do I let it come between me and God? Do I let it derail me from the mission? Or do I keep my heart right before God and keep walking forward?
I must walk with a heart that is ready to forgive and reconcile. It may not happen right away, but eventually Christ’s presence will inevitably lead toward reconciliation if I keep walking toward him.
Prayer
God, help me to navigate conflict in a way which honors you! Even when conflict is necessary, help me to keep my heart on track and ready to reconcile. May I never allow unforgiveness to hinder the purpose for which you created me.

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Speak In Such A Way

  • February 7, 2024
Words have tremendous power! Today, I choose and desire to speak words of life and blessing rather than death and cursing.

Today’s SOAP journal is brought to you by Carrie Phipps. Carrie serves in the Kingdom by teaching discipleship classes, and by leading one of our weekly SOAP journaling groups.
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Scripture
Acts 14:1, 19
1 Now at Iconium, they (Paul and Barnabas) entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.
19 But Jews can from Antioch and Iconium and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
Observation
These two verses reflect the power of our words/tongues. In the first case, Paul and Barnabas spoke words of life that brought salvation and eternal life in Jesus to the Jews and Greeks who heard them. In vs 19, the words of the Jews brought death as the hearers heard words of death and destruction and stoned Paul.
Application
My words too, have tremendous power and I should never underestimate their power. Deuteronomy 30 tells me to choose life and blessings rather than death and cursing. Prov 18:21 also warns me that my tongue has the power of life and death, and James 3:6 tells me that my tongue is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. Today, I choose and desire to speak words of life and blessing rather than death and cursing.
Prayer
Father- thank you for your Holy Spirit – your spirit of truth that brings conviction and correction. Holy Spirit keep my heart, my thoughts and especially my words in check that I may think and speak words of life and blessing rather than death and cursing. Let me speak in such a way that will lead others to Jesus – in your mighty name I pray!

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In Sync

  • February 5, 2024
I must pay close attention to what God is doing. Is he moving forward? Is he remaining still for a time? My life must be so closely connected to his heart, that his steps become my own. When I do that, I can navigate even the hostile wilderness with confidence–because the cloud of God’s glory and power will lead the way.
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Scripture
Exodus 40:36-38
36 Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.
Observation
The people of Israel kept God in sight and in mind. When God moved, they moved. When God didn’t move, they stayed put. The tabernacle was ‘in the sight of all the house of Israel’ at all times.
Application
I’ve gotten out of step with God many times…and it never works out well. Whether I’m charging ahead faster than he is leading, or lagging behind him as he moves forward, or even when I’m heading in a completely different direction, life just doesn’t work out well when I’m not in step with God.
The only way I can stay in step with him, is to make sure that I’m watching him at all times. If I’m not paying attention to what God is doing, I can’t stay in sync! Like playing my guitar without listening to the drummer, my life will inevitably drift out of sync with the reference point.
This week, I must pay close attention to what God is doing. Is he moving forward? Is he remaining still for a time? My life must be so closely connected to his heart, that his steps become my own. When I do that, I can navigate even the hostile wilderness with confidence–because the cloud of God’s glory and power will lead the way.
Prayer
God, thank you for the presence of your Holy Spirit! Lead me this week I pray, through every situation and circumstance. May I not lag behind when you are moving forward, nor charge ahead when you remain still. Help me to clearly see you move, so that I would stay in sync with you!

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My Chosen Portion

  • February 2, 2024
Though life presents many tempting and attractive options, I know that the Lord is the only one who will never fail me or let me down. Over and over he has proven himself faithful and trustworthy. Over and over he has shown his love and mercy. Over and over he has extended his forgiveness and compassion.
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Scripture
Psalm 16:5
“The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.”
Observation
“The Lord is my chosen portion“. This implies that the psalmist had other ‘portions’ he could have chosen…and he chose the Lord.
Application
It’s usually not hard to make a choice when I have only one option. If vanilla ice cream is the only flavor we have…then I’ll pick vanilla! But what about when all the options are laid out before me?
Though life presents many tempting and attractive options, I know that the Lord is the only one who will never fail me or let me down. Over and over he has proven himself faithful and trustworthy. Over and over he has shown his love and mercy. Over and over he has extended his forgiveness and compassion.
Today I declare with the writer of Psalm 16, “The Lord is my chosen portion!”
Prayer
God, thank you for choosing me! Thank you for offering me your love and forgiveness. Today I declare and resolve that you are my chosen portion. I need no other options or backup plans–you are sufficient, you are good, and you are my king.

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Here am I

  • February 1, 2024
The Levites were chosen and ordained by God to holy service not because they were the most skilled, the most highly qualified, or the smartest. They were ordained for one simple reason: When push came to shove, they chose to stand on the side of Godliness and truth.
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Scripture
Exodus 32:26, 29
“…then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the Lord’s side? Come to me.” And all the sons of Levi gathered around him.”
“And Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for the service of the Lord, each one at the cost of his son and of his brother, so that he might bestow a blessing upon you this day.”
Observation
The Levites were chosen and ordained by God to holy service–not because they were the most skilled, the most highly qualified, or the smartest. They were ordained for one simple reason: they were on the Lord’s side. When push came to shove, they chose to stand on the side of Godliness and truth.
Application
My opportunity to be used by God is not dependent on technical skill, PhD’s, or personal achievement. My service in God’s kingdom is dependent on just one thing: when the call comes, will I answer the call and stand on the side of the Savior?
When my answer to him is “Here am I!”, I open the door for him to accomplish exactly what he desires in and through my life.
Today I choose to answer God’s call, and to stand boldly on his truth.
Prayer
God, give me the courage today to say “Here am I!” when you call. Use me for your glory, as I stand for you my King.

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The Sound Of My Heart

  • January 31, 2024
What sound accompanies my heart when I enter God’s presence? Do I enter His holy presence with the discordant cacophony of strife and disunity? Or do I take the time to prepare my heart to enter His presence with the God-pleasing sound of humility and repentance?
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Scripture
Exodus 28:33-35
“On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet yarns, around its hem, with bells of gold between them, a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, around the hem of the robe. And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the Holy Place before the Lord, and when he comes out, so that he does not die.”
Observation
Aaron and the priests were to make a specific sound as they worshipped. Their movement through the tabernacle was to be accompanied by the sound of bells, and they were cautioned not to approach God with the wrong sound.
Application
I’m glad I don’t live in the days of robes and incense and sacrifices. But this verse makes me wonder: what sound accompanies me when I enter God’s presence? Not the audible sound of bells and adornments…but the sound of my heart.
Do I come before God with the selfish sound of grumbling and complaining? Do I enter His holy presence with the discordant cacophony of strife and disunity? Or do I take the time to prepare my heart to enter His presence with the God-pleasing sound of humility and repentance?
This week, I choose to make sure that my heart-sound is right, as I approach the throne of the King of kings.
Prayer
God, thank you for the privilege of being able to spend time in your presence. May the sound of my heart be pleasing to your ears, as I reverently enter the holy place of your presence this week.

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