S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

The Approaching Victory

  • January 24, 2024
In Christ I know that the outcome will be deliverance and divine breakthrough, whatever the battle is–and so the longer the battle lasts, the closer my breakthrough becomes if I am in Christ.
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Scripture
Exodus 10:27-29
27 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go. 28 Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me; take care never to see my face again, for on the day you see my face you shall die.” 29 Moses said, “As you say! I will not see your face again.”
Observation
This could have been such a dark moment for Moses. Pharaoh had continually hedged and hesitated in letting the people go–seeming to be willing to relent, and then suddenly reverting to obstinate refusal. At least up until this point he had been willing to give them an audience–but now Pharaoh had given an ultimatum: ‘Drop the idea of leaving, or die’!
Never before had freedom been so far away…but never before had God’s deliverance been so close.
Application
I’ve heard it said that the night is darkest just before dawn. I don’t know if that’s true, but I know that breakthrough feels the farthest away, when it has never been closer. The longer the struggle has gone on, the longer the battle has lasted…the more discouragement grows.
In Christ I know that the outcome is deliverance and divine breakthrough, whatever the battle is–and so the longer the battle lasts, the closer my breakthrough becomes if I am in Christ!
This week, I need to keep my heart in tune with the victory bringer. Instead of focusing on how long the struggle has been, I need to keep my eyes on the approaching victory.
Instead of panicking over Pharaoh’s ultimatum, I need to listen for the voice of truth.
Prayer
God, thank you for being the God of breakthrough! Help me to trust you, even when the struggle continues and victory is not yet seen. Help me to see with eyes of trust and faith, instead of through the lens of discouragement and defeat. I know that you are sufficient, and that you have already made a way where there is no way!

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Fresh Perspective

  • January 23, 2024
Though the Israelites’ situation in Egypt had been terrible, it was the conduit through which God revealed to them a new and vital part of his identity in their lives.
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Scripture
Exodus 6:2-6
2 God spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the LORD. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them. 4 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they lived as sojourners. 5 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant. 6 Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment.
Observation
God had made himself known to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as ‘El Shaddai (God Almighty)’–but not as ‘Yahweh (The Lord/The Owner/The Master)’. As he prepared to bring his people out of slavery in Egypt, he revealed a new aspect of his identity to them, as ‘The Lord’, or ‘The master worthy of obedience’. They were accustomed to being forced to serve a master in Egypt, but this was the first time that they would be learning to serve the master who was worthy of being obeyed.
Though their situation in Egypt had been terrible, it was the conduit through which God revealed to them a new and vital part of his identity in their lives.
Application
I’ve never been a slave, but I’ve walked through some difficult seasons. As hard as some of them were to navigate, in retrospect I’ve come to recognize that many of those seasons were the times when I learned the most vital and transformative lessons about who God is–not just who he is in theory…but who he is in ‘my life’.
The difficult seasons are not finished yet. There are still struggles to navigate, but I know that through each struggle God will reveal his heart more fully to me as I keep following him. This week, I pray to see God more clearly. Through the struggles, through the difficulties, through the restrictions and limitations–I want to know God more, and truly make him the ‘The Lord’ of my life.
Prayer
God, thank you for your faithfulness through every season! Thank you for proving yourself more than sufficient time and time again. Help me to see you clearly, and understand you more each day. You are the only master worthy of obedience, and I choose today to surrender my life to you.

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The One Who Can Carry It

  • January 22, 2024
Instead of a warm welcome, Moses found himself rejected by Pharaoh and rejected by the children of Israel. Moses’ response wasn’t to start a PR campaign, or to try to convince the people to change their minds–instead, he turned to God and brought his burden to the One who could carry it.
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Scripture
Exodus 5:20-22
20 They met Moses and Aaron, who were waiting for them, as they came out from Pharaoh; 21 and they said to them, “The LORD look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.” 22 Then Moses turned to the LORD and said, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? 23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all.”
Observation
Moses was in a hard spot. God had told him to return to Egypt and lead the people to freedom. I would venture to guess that he expected to be welcomed with open arms by his countrymen…but that was not the case. Instead of a warm welcome, he found himself rejected by Pharaoh and rejected by the children of Israel. In fact, the Hebrew foremen in this verse came to Moses to tell him that he had merely made a bad situation worse! Moses’ response wasn’t to start a PR campaign, or to try to convince the people to change their minds–instead, he ‘turned to the Lord’ and brought his burden to the one who could carry it.
Application
I love the unvarnished honesty of Moses’ cry to God in this passage. “Why, God? Why have you not helped them? Why have you not helped me? Why did you bother to send me?! Why have you not delivered them, as you promised?!”
Moses didn’t vent to Pharaoh, or to the Hebrew foremen. He didn’t form a support group, or write an editorial in the newspaper about how ungrateful everyone was. Instead, he turned to the only one who could truly carry his burden–the God who had sent him.
I haven’t walked in Moses’ shoes, but I’ve experienced rejection and frustration from time to time while trying to do what God has sent me to do. Venting my frustration on those around me rarely helps anything–but bottling up my frustration doesn’t accomplish anything either. Instead, I must daily take my burdens to God–trusting that He is big enough to handle what I bring to Him, and He’s ok with me being raw and real in His presence. He may not always respond the way that I want him to, but His strength with never fall short and His grace will never run out.
Prayer
God, thank you that you hear me when I call on you. Thank you for being there when I turn to you, and for not rejecting me when life gets heavy. Today I bring my burdens to you, trusting that you will accomplish what only you can do. Thank you for being sufficient!

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God Opportunities

  • January 21, 2024
Scripture
Luke 21:10-13
10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and pestilences. And there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. 13 This will be your opportunity to bear witness.
Observation
God has a unique idea of what an opportunity looks like! When I see wars, conflict, natural disasters, persecutions, and oppression…I generally don’t think of it as an opportunity.
The opportunity that God defines in these verses is not an opportunity for self-gain and self-acclaim…rather these times of crisis are opportunities to testify to the power of God.
Application
When things are going well, I enjoy telling people about what’s happening. When my tasks are running smoothly, or I made good progress on a project, I don’t have any problem telling people about how well things are going for me.
Times of crisis are another story! When the car breaks down, or someone treats me unfairly, or an unforeseen bill arrives in the mail, or an ungodly leader makes a decision which negatively affects me…I don’t tend to see those moments as ‘opportunities’ at all.
This verse reminds me that if my goal is to point people to the Savior, then opportunities are to be found in every situation and every season. When my goal is to show people how strong He is, then the moments when my own strength runs out become open doors to tell people about the God who is faithful and strong.
This week, I choose to look for the ‘God Opportunities’ in every situation…so that He would receive the glory that He is due.
Prayer
God, thank you for your goodness and your faithfulness! Help me to see the ‘God Opportunities’ each day, and not miss a chance to tell someone of your power and your faithfulness.

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Knowledge and Love

  • January 20, 2024
The greatest amount of knowledge can leave a situation completely unchanged for the better…but the smallest amount of love will inevitably make its mark on the world around it.
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Scripture
Luke 20:45-47
45 And in the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, 46 “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 47 who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
Observation
The scribes ran a great PR campaign to prove their spiritual maturity. They knew the right information, they wore the right clothes, they knew the secret handshakes, they prayed the right prayers, and they got the right recognition at gatherings. Unfortunately, their carefully-groomed appearance and reputation glossed over one critical fact: They lacked love.
Though they knew the right information, their hearts lacked transformation. Though they prayed long-winded and holy sounding prayers to God, they never took the time to hear God’s reply to the prayers they prayed. Though they frequently were honored…they gave no honor to the most vulnerable members of their society.
Application
“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Cor. 8:1)
A little bit of knowledge can inflate an ego faster than almost anything–but love builds others. Knowledge must prove itself, and when challenged…it must defend itself. Love needs no defense or claim of sufficiency–it simply offers itself with an open hand. The greatest amount of knowledge can leave a situation completely unchanged for the better…but the smallest amount of love will inevitably make its mark on the world around it.
Today, I choose to walk in love. Instead of seeking self-advancement and laboring to improve my public image, I choose to let the love of the Savior flow through me to impact the world. It may not bring me the best robe or the best seat at the party, but it will make a lasting impact somewhere in the world.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder of the importance of love. Help me to obtain the knowledge that I need for the journey, but may I never become so infatuated with knowledge that I forget to love people. Give me eyes today, to see those that you want to love through me.

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Sojourning

  • January 19, 2024
There are tasks to be done, and calendars to manage. There are responsibilities to juggle, and emergencies to deal with. But none of them hold a candle to the importance of keeping my attention fixed on the eternity before me when this life ends.
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Scripture
Genesis 47:8-9a
8 And Pharaoh said to Jacob, “How many are the days of the years of your life?” 9 And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The days of the years of my sojourning are 130 years…
Observation
Jacob’s response to Pharaoh showed a remarkable insight into his view on life. He didn’t say ‘My life has been 130 years’…rather, he said ‘my sojourning has been 130 years’. To ‘sojourn’ in his day was to journey as a traveler, or to live as an immigrant in a foreign land. Jacob viewed his entire life (all 130 years!) as merely a journey toward a destination, a visit to a place that was not his true home. Though his life on earth was far longer than any of us would dare to dream of today, he still kept his eyes on eternity.
Application
I had the privilege a few days ago of visiting and praying with a precious saint in the church family who was nearing the end of his journey on earth. He had experienced many amazing things, and lived a full life. He had stories he loved to tell, and accomplishments that many could not hope to match. Yet the thing that I have always appreciated the most about him, is that he kept his eyes on eternity. He knew that this life, whether long or short, is not forever–and that the eternity before us is what gives meaning to these short years here on earth.
Last night, his journey ended. And I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that right now he is glad that he spent his 92 years here on earth…looking toward eternity.
Today, I choose to keep life in perspective. There are tasks to be done, and calendars to manage. There are responsibilities to juggle, and emergencies to deal with. But none of them hold a candle to the importance of keeping my attention fixed on the eternity before me when this life ends.
Prayer
God, thank you for the hope that I find in Jesus Christ! Thank you for the peace of knowing that my eternal future is secure, because of the price that you paid for my sin. Help me to keep my eyes on eternity, rather than letting my attention be consumed by the hustle and bustle and meaningless busyness of a life focused on this earth. Keep my eyes on eternity, and give me the grace and wisdom to point others to an eternity with you as well.

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Don’t Lose Heart

  • January 18, 2024
Discouragement is to be expected, but not accepted. The solution is not to stop praying, but rather to press on in prayer until a response from God is received.
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Scripture
Luke 18:1
“And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”
Observation
Prayer is powerful. Prayer is effective. Prayer is modeled by Jesus, and prayer is taught and commanded for his followers. Yet prayer can also lead to discouragement! What a surprisingly blunt acknowledgement we see in this verse: discouragement is to be expected, but not accepted. The solution is not to stop praying, but rather to press on in prayer until a response from God is received.
Application
I’ve faced discouragement in prayer–but I never noticed before how directly Jesus dealt with this subject. More often than not, my discouragement in prayer results from me not getting what I want, when I want, the way I want it.
The following parable in this chapter reminds me that there is power in prayer–not to merely get what I want, but rather to receive what I need from God in the right way, at the right time.
This week I choose to press on in prayer and to not let my heart become discouraged.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder about the power of prayer! Help me to trust your heart and your timing, so that I would never lose heart but rather trust you each day.

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Community

  • January 17, 2024
God built me for community–to live in community, grow in community, and serve in community. I have a responsibility to fulfill the community role for which I was created–not just looking out for my own happiness and gratification, but also for the health of the family.
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Scripture
Luke 17:1-3
“And he said to his disciples, ‘Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the seas than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him…”
Observation
Followers of Christ are created to live in community, not just proximity. The spiritual growth and health of each one is a personal responsibility, but also a family responsibility.
Application
God built me for community–to live in community, grow in community, and serve in community. I have a responsibility to fulfill the community role for which I was created–not just looking out for my own happiness and gratification, but also for the health of the family. On the flip side, I must have the humility to accept the presence, voice, and accountability of the rest of the family, in order to keep growing as God intends for me to.
This week, I choose to value and walk in community.
Prayer
God, thank you for the Body of Christ, this precious community in which you’ve placed me! Help me to daily value each member of the family- to love them well, and to also value their voice in my life.

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Defining Success

  • January 16, 2024
I need to make sure that I’m seeking success on God’s terms, and not based on my own self-serving ideas. The result probably won’t look anything like I would have expected or chosen…but it will look exactly as God intends for it to look.
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Scripture
Genesis 39:2
The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.
Observation
Joseph was a slave…and he was successful. Joseph was not free to pursue his own desires and dreams…and he was successful. He had been betrayed by those closest to him…and he was successful. He had been forcibly taken from his family and culture…and he was successful.
Application
God’s measure of success doesn’t look like mine. I have my own criteria for success, which usually centers on one main thing: me. My possessions. My freedom. My options in life. My ideas. My dreams.
Joseph had none of those things–and yet, God said he was successful. Why? Because he was fulfilling the role that God needed him to play, and he was faithfully doing the best that he could to honor God with the resources he was given. His success was God-focused, not self-focused.
This week, I need to calibrate my tape measure to the one that God uses. I need to make sure that I’m seeking success on His terms, and not based on my own self-serving ideas. The result probably won’t look anything like I would have expected or chosen…but it will look exactly as God intends for it to look.
Prayer
God, thank you for this recalibration for my heart! Help me to gauge success by your standard, and not by my own ideas. May you be glorified in my life as you accomplish your plans in and through me.
 
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The Decision to Worship

  • January 14, 2024
I can’t wait until my issues are solved, in order to give God my worship–rather, I must make the decision today in the middle of the uncertainty and struggle…to worship him. He is worthy of my worship, and he will show himself strong in my life to fulfill my future as I honor him with my present.
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Scripture
Genesis 35:5-7
5 And as they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities that were around them, so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob. 6 And Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him, 7 and there he built an altar and called the place El-bethel, because there God had revealed himself to him when he fled from his brother.
Observation
Jacob was essentially on the run at this point, watching over his shoulder for the people of the land to attack him due to his sons violent vengeance on behalf of their sister. As Jacob journeyed to the place where God had instructed him to build an altar, God caused the people around them to experience a sudden, unexplainable, irrational fear. God protected and guarded Jacob, but Jacob didn’t see it until he made the decision to worship. God’s protection was always there–but it was made visible and accessible in Jacob’s life when he decided to purify his house and worship the Almighty God.
Application
God knows my fears, and he knows the dangers and obstacles that surround me. He is patient, despite my shortcomings and imperfections. He stands ready to strengthen and defend me, but requires that my attention remain on him. I can’t wait until my issues are solved, in order to bring him my worship–rather, I must make the decision today in the middle of the uncertainty and struggle…to worship him. He is worthy of my worship, and he will show himself strong in my life to fulfill my future as I honor him with my present.
This week, I choose to worship the God who saves.
Prayer
God, thank you for your presence and your faithfulness! Help me not to waste my time and energy worrying about the problems and issues of this world–but rather keep my focus on you, and direct the attention of those around me to your glory, majesty, and goodness. Thank you for strengthening and protecting me through every season and every battle!

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