S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

Check Engine

  • January 2, 2024
The sudden flare of anger in my heart is always evidence of something that God wants to accomplish in me–some change or transformation that will bring him glory.
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Scripture

Genesis 4:4-7
“…and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”
Observation
Cain and Abel each brought a sacrifice to God, but only Abel’s sacrifice was accepted. Why? Scripture doesn’t say. All we know is that Cain didn’t “do well”…and because his sacrifice was rejected, he became angry. Though God was the one who rejected the offering, Cain directed his anger at his brother. He didn’t ‘rule over’ the sin which was crouched and waiting, and he committed the first murder in recorded history.
Application
Rejection never feels good. When the thing that I bring isn’t ‘good enough’, my emotions flare quickly…and anger swiftly follows. Sometimes though, the rejection is self-inflicted. Whether self-inflicted or not, that sudden flare of anger in my heart is always evidence of something that God wants to accomplish in me–some change or transformation that will bring him glory. When I reject his correction and stubbornly continue on my path, nothing good can result. Instead, I must cultivate a heart of humility which welcomes the correction he brings-knowing that he is waiting to welcome and accept me when I submit to him.
Prayer
God, thank you for the ‘check engine light’ you’ve placed in my heart. When my emotions flare and anger surges, show me the place in my heart that you’re working on so that I can choose to submit to your authority in my life. Today I choose to welcome the correction that you bring!

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Rest and Rhythm

  • January 1, 2024
Rest (like all of creation) was designed and instituted by God for his glory, and for our benefit.
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Scripture

Genesis 2:1
“…on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.”
Observation
“God rested” – What a startling announcement, that the almighty God who spoke the universe into existence should slow his pace and rest! God’s work in creation was done, but there was infinitely more work left to be done. He clearly had no compelling need to rest–he didn’t drop into his easy chair, exhausted from creating the world. Rather, he established and created something new even in his rest: He created a pattern and a rhythm, an ebb and flow to the pace of life. Rest (like all of creation) was designed and instituted by God for his glory, and for our benefit.
Application
Too often I find myself with an unhealthy view of rest. Either I avoid it as an inconvenience, or I drop into the uneasy rest of guilt, feeling as though I should still be working. This passage reminds me that rest is holy, and it honors God. Just as God hit ‘pause’ before beginning the next thing, I must be intentional to acknowledge the pause in between days, and seasons, and moments.
Rest humbles me, it keeps me healthy, and it honors God. Rest is holy!
Prayer
God, thank you for rest! Help me never to disregard this precious gift you’ve given me. This week, help me to move at your pace and at your rhythm–and help me to honor you with my ‘pause’ moments.

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The Blind Spot

  • December 27, 2023
The love of God confronts and reveals the self-blindness in my heart if I allow Him. Though the revelation is uncomfortable, it ultimately brings healing.
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Scripture
Revelation 3:15-17
“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.”
Observation
Being blind is a terrible condition. Being self-blind is far more insidious and dangerous to the soul. The one who is blind understands that they need to proceed with caution on their path–but the one who is self-blind strides confidently forward unaware that there is even an issue. The riches, success, and prosperity seem to indicate that all is well…but they hide the true and dangerous condition.
Application
I’ve been self-blind at times. I’ve confidently walked out the front door with my shirt inside out, or having forgotten to comb my hair. My issue is plain to see for those around me…but I can’t see my own problem.
The love of God confronts and reveals the self-blindness in my heart if I allow Him. Though the revelation is uncomfortable, it ultimately brings healing.
This week, I choose to seek understanding and truth from God to reveal my blind spots. I don’t want my past or present success to blind me to the issues that God wants to heal within me!
Prayer
God, thank you for the mirror of your word which reveals uncomfortable truth! Help me to always welcome your loving correction and guidance, instead of rejecting it through my own self-blindness.

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Understanding

  • December 26, 2023
Reading and absorbing God’s word doesn’t merely communicate a list of rules and expectations–rather, reading God’s word gives ‘understanding’…and that understanding will cause a teachable heart to avoid that which is contrary to God’s heart.
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Scripture
Psalm 119:104
“Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way”
Observation
Reading and absorbing God’s word doesn’t merely communicate a list of rules and expectations–rather, reading God’s word gives ‘understanding’…and that understanding will cause a teachable heart to avoid that which is contrary to God’s heart.
Application
Many people seem to view God’s word as merely a list of ‘do’ and ‘do not’ commands. What a different perspective this verse gives! A heart that lacks understanding will gravitate to it’s own desires and inclinations. A heart that lacks understanding begins to live in self-serving and unrighteous ways. But a heart that seeks divine understanding from the Word of God will come to understand ‘why’ God is fundamentally opposed to all unrighteousness and sin–not because He hates us, but because He loves us! Because of His love, He doesn’t want to see my life destroyed through my own foolish decisions and desires–and so His word guides me to live in ways which will allow His blessing to pour into me.
This week, I need understanding–and so I choose to seek it in the Word of God. For every dilemma, He is the counselor. For every uncertainty, He is the rock which will not be moved. For every looming obstacle, He is the way-maker…and in His word I will receive all that I need.
Prayer
God, thank you for your Word! Thank you for the understanding that you give me when I need guidance and direction. I ask you this week to guide me in every situation–both those that I know about, and those that haven’t arrived yet.

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Expecting the Unexpected

  • December 20, 2023
Instead of assuming that something is not of God merely because it doesn’t fit my own parameters, I need to look for where God is moving beyond my own boundaries. As I align my life with His divine plan, the impossible becomes possible–and the improbable becomes likely!
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Scripture
John 7:50-52
Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”
Observation
There is a common theme running through this chapter, of people who were so convinced they knew exactly how God needed to operate. The disciples were convinced that Jesus needed to begin a marketing campaign to broadcast his teachings and miracles. The people were so convinced that no one would know where the Messiah came from, when he arrived. And the Pharisees had already stubbornly made up their minds that anyone associated with Galilee could not be a prophet!
Yet Jesus just kept doing what he was called to do, and what he came to do. He confounded their expectations, baffled their minds, and operated on a higher level than they could comprehend.
Application
God is not bound by my expectations. In fact, He is not bound by anything other than his word and his nature. He is not limited by my understanding, and He is certainly not required to take my advice. When I invite God into my situation, I can expect the unexpected–because the things which limit me are not an obstacle to the God of the universe!
This week, I need to give God room to operate as only He can. Instead of assuming that something is not of God merely because it doesn’t fit my own parameters, I need to look for where God is moving beyond my own boundaries. As I align my life with His divine plan, the impossible becomes possible–and the improbable becomes likely!
Prayer
God, thank you for being who you are. Thank you for moving in my life, and for doing what only you can do. I acknowledge your kingship and your power, and I invite you today to accomplish all that you desire in and through my life. Help me to see where I have been trying to limit you to my expectations, so that I can instead surrender to your better plan.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Being and Doing

  • December 15, 2023
This week I choose to ‘be’ a ‘doer’. Not in order for God to love me, but because He already does. Not in order for God to save me, but because He already has.
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Scripture
James 1:22-25
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Observation
Salvation comes through faith–but the book of James makes it clear that the follower of Christ cannot have a vague ‘feeling’ or ‘belief’ in absence of action, and still call it ‘faith’. Hearing truth and believing truth are essential…but they are useless unless also accompanied by ‘following’ what truth requires.
Application
Recently I’ve heard many Christian authors and speakers talking about the significance of ‘being’ versus ‘doing’. The idea seems to be that a person’s identity in absence of any action is the most significant thing about them. This thought is good…to a point. But this passage in James 1 commands a slightly different perspective–James says that we must understand our identity…but that we must then ‘be‘ a ‘doer‘. Our identity must include the fact that we follow what our Lord commands.
My relationship with God must start as belief–believing “that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). But once I believe on God, my faith MUST bring me to a place of ‘doing’ what He expects of me as He gives me the strength to do what He commands.
This week, I choose to ‘be’ a ‘doer’. Not in order for God to love me, but because He already does. Not in order for God to save me, but because He already has.
Prayer
God, thank you for loving and redeeming me! Thank you for forgiving me, though there’s nothing I could do to earn your forgiveness. Help me this week not to merely believe on you, but to respond with a heart of love and submission to your authority, which causes me to live out the things which please you.
Help me this week to be a doer of your word, and not just a hearer.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

The Promise and the Past

  • December 13, 2023
The only way to walk in the promise, is to let go of the past.
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Scripture
Hebrews 11:13-15
“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return.”
Observation
This passage points to the importance of our “heart direction”. Abraham was on his way from his homeland to a promised land…but his feet would have followed his heart, if his heart had been leaning toward what was instead of toward what would someday be. The only way to walk in the ‘next’ is to let go of the ‘was’.
Application
Like Abraham walking away from Ur, or the Israelites walking out of Egypt, I have a choice each day in the direction I allow my heart to lean. God continually draws me onward and upward, but he gives me the freedom to cling to the past if I desire.
Which direction do I allow my heart to lean? Do I cling to past seasons, past relationships, past victories, and past places? Do I let my mind remain stuck in old thought patterns, and my heart keep tugging me toward the things that used to be? …Or do I keep my heart fixed on Christ, knowing that His promise before me is better than my past behind me?
This week, I choose to direct my heart toward the promise instead of the past.
Prayer
God, thank you for your promises! Help me never to go back to where you’ve brought me from, but daily fix my eyes on you as you lead me forward.
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Heart Talk

  • December 11, 2023
We will always have opportunities for relational rifts and communication breakdowns, but Christ can still receive the glory even in these situations if I keep my heart right and seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to guide my words and responses.
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Scripture
Philemon 1:8-10
“Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you– I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus– I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment.”
Observation
This small book of the Bible is a master class on Christ-honoring communication. Paul was preparing to send a runaway slave back to his master, but he wanted to clear the way for Onesimus to be welcomed back with love rather than punishment. Paul felt that he had the authority to order Philemon to obey his instructions-but instead he wrote with a gentle heart of love. Paul modeled to Philemon the same heart that he wanted Philemon to display to Onesimus.
I see three things in Paul’s communication:
    • He was consistent in his values (he modeled what he taught).
    • He was clear and specific in his expectations.
    • He didn’t make his appeal solely based on emotion or on information-instead he used both together to share inspiration.
Application
I have so much to learn in my communication!
This kingdom-hearted and Christ-honoring blend of love and truth, of data and heartfelt emotion, of principles and clear expectations, challenges me to be so much more intentional this week in how I communicate. There will inevitably be opportunities for relational rifts and communication breakdowns, but Christ can still receive the glory even in these situations if I keep my heart right and seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to guide my words and responses.
Prayer
God, thank you for the example of men like Paul. I have to much to learn in my communication! Help me this week to speak and to walk with a heart that honors you–not just sharing information, but rather Holy Spirit inspiration which points people to a closer walk with you. I want to be effective in your kingdom!
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Imitating My Father

  • December 5, 2023
As a child of God, I can bring joy to the heart of my heavenly Father when I imitate his speech, his actions, and his love. Imitating my Father helps me grow into something greater, and it changes my own heart in the process.
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Scripture
Ephesians 5:1-2
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Observation
‘Be imitators of God, as beloved children’: God’s children are to imitate the way that he loves, the way that he forgives, the way that he speaks truth, the way that he willingly gave himself up for us, the way that he conducts himself in all that he does.
Application
I love when my sons imitate me! Whether it’s the way they fill their pockets with gadgets and tools before going out the front door, or the way that they speak when telling a story–it makes my heart so glad when they express their love and admiration for me as their father, by imitating me. As a child of God, I can bring that same joy to the heart of my heavenly Father when I imitate his speech, his actions, and his love. Imitating my Father helps me grow into something greater, and it changes my own heart in the process.
This week, I choose to imitate my Father in all I do. When I’m faced with a dilemma, I choose to run it through the filter of ‘how would my Lord respond?’ When I encounter an obstacle, I choose to look for a way to navigate as my Father would.
Prayer
God, thank you for the example you have set for me! Help me to imitate you in all that I do–so that I would become more like you, and so that my life would bring you joy. I want you to be pleased when you see me!
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Unoffendable

  • November 22, 2023
If I want to receive the full measure of God’s blessing in my life, I must choose to be ‘unoffendable’ by him. He is God, and he is sovereign. He will not always do things my way–but I know that I will be blessed in him, as I choose to remain unoffended.
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Scripture
Matthew 11:4-6
And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
Observation
This statement from Jesus to the followers of John is striking. Here he was healing blind eyes and lame feet, raising the dead, and all the other amazing miracles he was performing–and yet he says ‘blessed are those who are not offended by me’. What kind of a person would be offended by that?! The following chapters go on to show the offense that people carried toward Jesus–not offense necessarily at what he was doing…but offense at him because of ‘how’ he did the things that he did. Jesus didn’t dance to the tune of the Pharisees or follow their rules–and so they were offended by him.
Application
Very few times in my life have I disagreed with ‘what’ God was doing–but there have been many times that I have had a big issue with ‘how’ he did things. I may recognize that I need humility–but I don’t like the way that God humbles my heart. I may need God’s provision–but I want it to happen my way, on my schedule. I may appreciate the growth and maturing that God causes in me–but I don’t appreciate the struggles and challenges which he uses to cause my heart to grow.
I must daily take to heart this warning and encouragement from Jesus. If I want to receive the full measure of his blessing in my life, I must choose to be ‘unoffendable’ by him. He is God, and he is sovereign. He will not always do things my way–but I know that I will be blessed in him, as I choose to remain unoffended. This week, I choose to submit not only to ‘what’ God is doing–but also to humbly accept the ‘way’ that God is accomplishing his plan and purpose in me.
Prayer
God, thank you for your love and mercy! Thank you for blessing me each day! I choose today to remain unoffended by you–I submit to your kingship and surrender to your authority, knowing that when you do things differently than I prefer, it is for my benefit. I choose to trust you, even when things don’t make sense.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/
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