S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

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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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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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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The Importance of Fruit

  • November 20, 2023
Growth rate, visibility, green leaves, and height are not the metrics by which to measure a healthy ministry according to Jesus. The only metric which matters in the end is this: Is it bearing healthy fruit?
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Scripture
Matthew 7:15-16
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.”
Observation
Jesus indicates here that false prophets are not a surprising and unexpected anomaly, but rather a common and routine issue which followers of Christ must address. Though they seem to display all of the right signs of health, they are missing one critical component: Healthy fruit.
A ministry or teacher which is not rooted in God’s word may look just the same as a healthy and Godly ministry. They may be growing and thriving in number, and they may be generating a lot of excitement. They may be teaching a message which attracts and motivates many people, and they may be using all of the right verbiage and phrases to sound Biblical and spiritually mature. They may even be operating in signs and wonders, astonishing people with the spiritual power that they display…but what kind of fruit are they producing? Do they have a track record of forgiveness, of kindness, of speaking the truth, of reconciliation, of integrity, of submission to the Word of God, and of personal accountability?
Growth rate, visibility, green leaves, and height are not the metrics by which to measure a healthy tree according to Jesus. The only metric which matters in the end is this: Is it bearing healthy fruit?
Application
The old saying says: “You can teach what you know, but you will reproduce what you are.” A tree does not produce fruit merely for the enjoyment of others–rather, it produces fruit in order to reproduce itself and to make more trees with the same genetic fingerprint.
This passage of scripture challenges me to value fruit in a new way–both in my life, and in the lives of others. When I am observing a teacher or influencer in my life, what kind of fruit are they producing? Does their fruit validate their ministry and bear witness to the Holy Spirit at work through them, or does their fruit reveal the empty promises of a false gospel, built on self-empowerment and humanistic ideas?
In my own life, what does my fruit say about the condition of my heart? As I reproduce what I am, what does my fruit demonstrate? Do I see the Spirit at work in the lives of those I influence, or do I see lives still ruled by the flesh? Do I see people developing a love for God’s word, or too busy to be inconvenienced by time spent with the Master? Do I see people boldly sharing the testimony of God’s radical transformation in their life, or merely content to slip by under the radar–unchanged, unchallenged, un-transformed?
This week, I choose to evaluate the world like Christ does: by the fruit shown.
Prayer
God, thank you for the wisdom that I find in your word. Help me to see the world as you do–and thank you for this reminder of the importance of fruit. Help me to clearly discern the fruit growing in the lives of those who would influence my life as teachers and mentors. Give me wisdom to understand the fruit being produced, which reveals the condition of their heart.
In my life, help me to cultivate the right kind of fruit–and not merely settle for green leaves and strong branches. I want to reproduce the transformation that you’ve accomplished in my heart, so that others could experience the same life-changing power!
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Qualifications

  • November 16, 2023
Paul’s encouragement to the church in Corinth was to remember that we are not sufficient in ourselves…but in Christ, we have been made sufficient by his righteousness to boldly share the Good News about the Savior.
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 3:4-6
4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2 Corinthians 4:5-6
5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Observation
The confidence that a child of God has in sharing the gospel, is not a confidence of self-perfection, self-righteousness, or self-qualification. Rather, it is the confidence of knowing that every child of God is sufficient in Christ, through the life that he has given. Our message is not good news about our own qualifications…but rather the Good News about the Savior who reached down and shined his light in the darkness of our own hearts.
Application
Satan loves to discourage God’s children–indeed, discouragement is one of his favorite weapons. I love this passage in 2nd Corinthians–it gives me a glimpse into the struggles that Paul faced, as the enemy tried to discourage him and convince him that he was unworthy to share the gospel. Paul’s encouragement to the church in Corinth was to remember that yes–we are not sufficient in ourselves…but in Christ, we have been made sufficient by his righteousness to boldly share the Good News about the Savior.
Today, I’m reminded to stay focused on the One who I am called to proclaim. I’m not here to prove myself worthy, or to call attention to my self-proclaimed qualifications: rather I am called to point people to the One who has redeemed and saved my soul, and who desires to do the same for every person who has ever lived. If he can illuminate the dark recesses of my own heart, then he can do that for others also!
Prayer
Thank you God for this reminder that my qualification, my identity, and my righteousness comes from you alone! When the enemy seeks to discourage me, help me to keep my eyes fixed on you. As I submit my own life to you, help me to point others to the same hope that I have in you.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

The Purpose of Suffering

  • November 15, 2023
There is no grief too great, and no suffering too terrible for God to bring comfort.  The comfort that God brings is not only adequate for the present suffering, but rather an over-abundance of comfort which is intended to be shared outward to others who are similarly suffering.
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Observation
Though we may not see it in the moment, there is a purpose for the suffering that Christ allows. Suffering is not a result of God’s inattention in a situation, but rather a priceless resource that God uses and redeems in order to accomplish His divine purpose. He comforts his children in ALL affliction, not only some. There is no grief too great, and no suffering too terrible for God to bring comfort.
The comfort that God brings is not only adequate for the present suffering, but rather an over-abundance of comfort which is intended to be shared outward to others who are similarly suffering.
Application
I don’t like suffering, and I don’t like affliction. When I am hurting, I simply want the hurting to stop! This passage reminds me though, that God has a purpose for the suffering that He allows me to endure. As Pastor Wayne often says, “God never wastes a tear!”
I must ‘set my hope’ on Christ in every affliction and challenge, trusting that he is able not only to sustain me and comfort me, but also to redeem the situation and use it to encourage and bring comfort to others who may be walking through a similar trial.
This process of bringing comfort to others, requires that my heart be at peace with God so that the situation is no longer all about me. If my attention is focused on my own pain, I cannot be a source of Holy Spirit comfort to those around me.
Today I choose to allow God to use the discomfort of my past hurts and present challenges, to bring comfort and strength to those around me.
Prayer
God, thank you for your comfort which sustains me and empowers me in every situation! Help me today to comfort those around me, and I pray that you would receive glory through every painful season through which I’ve walked. I choose to fix my hope on you, knowing that you will never let me down.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Inviting the Spirit

  • November 13, 2023
The right way to see the Spirit move in power, is to build up the Body with love and Christ-honoring communication.
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Scripture
1 Corinthians 14:12
“So with yourselves, since you are eager for the manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.”
Observation
This chapter deals with letting the Spirit move in a way which honors God. Paul’s caution is that we can become so focused on the moving of the Spirit, that we neglect to build up and edify the Body of Christ. Though tongues is a common and very visible display of the moving of the Spirit, tongues by itself and in absence of an interpretation accomplishes nothing in the building up of the whole Body. According to Paul, the right way to see the Spirit move in power is to build up the Body with love and Christ-honoring communication.
Application
I want to see God’s spirit move in power! I want to see the gifts of the Spirit at work in the church, and God’s supernatural power on display. This chapter makes it clear that there are right and wrong ways to pursue the gifts of the Spirit. If we allow bedlam and pandemonium to become the normal state of things, then we may feel very spiritual…but God will not be glorified!
Instead, we must invite the movement of the Spirit by building up the people of God in love. An atmosphere of love, edification, and Christ-centered excellence in communication becomes an incubator to invite and nurture the manifestation of God’s power…in a way which honors Him.
This week, I choose to speak life into those around me and build up the Body in love. I choose to communicate with excellence so that the whole Body can grow, instead of merely settling for self-edification.
Prayer
God, I want to see your Spirit move–and I want to live and walk in a way which honors and invites your presence! Help me this week to build up those around me, and to speak in love which builds up instead of knowledge which puffs up.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Not Just About Me

  • November 10, 2023
My walk with God is not just about me: It’s about giving God my all, so that He can fully use me for His purpose in the lives of those around me. This week, I choose to love my family well by walking in full surrender to my God.
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Scripture
1 Corinthians 7:13-14
If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
Observation
Each person is called to a personal relationship with the Savior–but though the relationship is personal, it has far greater impact and reach than merely that individual person’s life. The effect of a believer on their unbelieving spouse is incalculable! The effect of a believing parent on their children cannot be computed.
Though each child of God is called to individual relationship, each one also carries the weight of community and family impact.
Application
As a father, it’s a sobering thought to realize how much my own walk with God will affect my family. When my heart is off track, it affects far more than just me–it also takes a toll on my wife, my sons, and those in community around me. Conversely, when my heart is right before God then my family all reap the benefits of His Spirit operating through me.
I can’t live for God ‘for others’–yet the weight of responsibility is still there to allow them to experience God’s best in their lives, by fully submitting my own heart to my King. My walk with God is not just about me: It’s about giving God my all, so that He can fully use me for His purpose in the lives of those around me.
This week, I choose to love my family well by walking in full surrender to my God.
Prayer
God, help me to walk daily in total surrender to you–not merely going through the motions of living for you because of those around me, but instead truly and honestly surrendering my heart to you because you are the Lord of my life. As I live each day for you, I ask that you would bless my wife and sons through me. May they reap the benefits of my heart being right before you!
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Passing the Final Inspection

  • November 8, 2023
That which is built of spirit and truth will survive, but that which is built of man’s wisdom and effort cannot last.
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Scripture
1 Corinthians 3:12-13
“Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw–each one’s work will become manifest for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done.”
Observation
The immoveable foundation of Jesus Christ has been laid, and will never pass away. However the building materials will determine what ultimately survives, of that which is built on him. That which is built of spirit and truth will survive, but that which is built of man’s wisdom and effort cannot last.
Application
Just because something has the name of Christ slapped on it does not mean that it is of the Spirit.
Programs, strategies, plans, and processes can all be good–but they do not result in an eternal structure if they are composed of earthly wisdom. I don’t want to invest a lifetime of work into something that cannot last! I must pick my building materials with care, so that it would endure the ‘final inspection’ of fire.
Prayer
God, I don’t want to merely build on the solid foundation–I want to build with the right materials! Guide me today, to build with Holy-Spirit inspired gold, instead of with the quick and easy wood and straw of earthly strategy and wisdom.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Hearing and Listening

  • November 7, 2023
Elihu’s lack of compassion turned what should have been a time to offer comfort and encouragement to Job, into a chance to vent his own anger and frustration.
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Scripture
Job 32:18-20
18 For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me. 19 Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins ready to burst. 20 I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer.
Observation
Job’s friend Elihu seems to have struggled with his listening skills. Though he had taken time to hear the words of Job and the rest of his friends, he wasn’t listening to hear them–he was listening in order to reply. He had originally come to comfort Job–yet he allowed his anger to be stirred instead of his compassion, and now all he could do was sit there biting his tongue until his turn came to speak. His lack of compassion turned what should have been a time to offer comfort and encouragement to Job, into a chance to vent his own anger and frustration.
Application
Like Elihu, I find myself from time to time listening merely in order to decide what I’m going to say. Though my ears hear the words being spoken to me, I’m not actually ‘hearing’ the person speaking–I’m simply waiting to get a word in edgewise. What this actually means, is that I don’t care about what the other person is trying to say–they have become merely an impediment to my own ability to express my thoughts.
I must daily make the decision to walk with a heart of compassion, so that I could truly hear what people are saying. The heart of Jesus was moved by compassion, and mine must be also if I am going to share His love and teach His truth.
This week, I choose to listen in order to hear–instead of listening in order to speak.
Prayer
God, thank you for hearing me when I call on you! Thank you for your heart of compassion. Help me this week to value and love people, and to take the time to hear their heart instead of merely trying to make my voice heard.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/
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