S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

Praying for Peace

  • October 9, 2023
Today, I pray for peace in our world and peace for Israel–but not merely the temporary peace of politics, ceasefire negotiations, and military action. Instead, I pray for the eternal peace which only comes through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray that our world would turn to the only one who can break the power of sin and bring peace to our chaos.
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Scripture

Nehemiah 1:4-9
4 As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5 And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. 7 We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. 8 Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, 9 but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’
Observation
Nehemiah was heartbroken at the state in which he saw God’s people, and the city of Jerusalem. He wanted to see the situation change–but he didn’t merely pray for God to reverse the circumstances: He prayed a prayer of repentance, and reminded God of his promise to his people if they turned back to him. He prayed God’s blessing on those of his people who sincerely turned their hearts back to God.
Application
A couple of days ago, Israel was attacked by Hamas 50 years after the Yom Kippur war. News reports are still coming out, rumors are flying, and social media is going crazy right now. Many are calling for prayer for Israel, and emotions are running high. Amid all of the chaos and clamor though, I was struck by the words of Nehemiah’s prayer this morning.
He didn’t merely pray for God to bless Israel: Instead, he prayed for God to hear the repentant heart of the people as they turned their hearts back to God. He reminded God of his promise to bless them…if they turned back to him.
Today, I pray for peace in our world and peace for Israel–but not merely the temporary peace of politics, ceasefire negotiations, and military action. Instead, I pray for the eternal peace which only comes through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray that our world would turn to the only one who can break the power of sin and bring peace to our chaos.
Prayer
God, turn our hearts back to you! I repent for my own sin, and ask that you would turn our hearts to you like never before. I pray for your peace over Israel, over Jerusalem, over the West Bank and the Golan Heights, and over Gaza. I pray that you would spark a revival of your spirit not only in the people of Israel, but also in the Palestinian community and even among the very members of Hamas. Help your people to shine the light of your gospel brightly in the darkness, and to remember that true and lasting peace is only found in your presence. Give me opportunities this week to speak your peace into the lives of those that I interact with.

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The King Is On His Throne

  • October 4, 2023
God is sovereign, and will fulfill His purposes—no matter what is permitted or tolerated by culture.
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Scripture

Esther 1:15
“According to the law, what is to be done to Vashti, because she has not performed the command of King Ahaseurus delivered by the eunuchs?”
Observation
Esther is a fascinating book not only for what it says, but also what it doesn’t say. Set in a pagan, secular culture, it gives a look at God’s people interacting with ungodly culture around them. It doesn’t condemn the king for his harsh treatment of the queen, nor does it record any protests against the kidnapping and forcible marriage of the young women.
It simply displays God continuing to rule in his sovereignty and continuing to fulfill his plans to save mankind from sin–no matter what the culture permitted or allowed.
Application
It’s easy to get caught up in the latest scandals from Washington DC or Hollywood and become so embroiled in the things of this world that I forget that God is still on the throne. In a world consumed with ‘here and now’, Christ calls me to keep my eyes on eternity, and trust that he is still on the throne. It is right for me to speak up against injustice–but Christ is the answer to the world’s problems…not merely another petition or another campaign to raise awareness.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder that you are still in control even when society is falling apart. Help me to trust your sovereignty, and keep my eyes on eternity instead of becoming consumed by the world around me.

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The Comparison Game

  • October 2, 2023
I choose to celebrate what God is doing–not only in my life, but in the lives of those around me. I choose to celebrate each outpouring of his spirit, each overflow of his provision and blessing, each example of his goodness…instead of playing the comparison game.
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Scripture

Luke 15:1-2
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
Observation
The religious leaders complained about Jesus spending time around ‘unholy’ people. Jesus (knowing their heart) didn’t just react to their words–he spoke to the heart of their complaint. In the next two parables, Jesus confronted what was truly going on in their heart: Not just irritation that he was spending time around sinners, but even more-so a heart of jealousy that Jesus was not devoting his full attention to their own expectations and demands. How dare he spend time with sinners, when the ‘holy’ and ‘worthy’ people clearly needed his time for far more noble reasons?
Jesus reminded them that a faithful shepherd cares about the whole flock–even those who wander away. He hadn’t come to satisfy the whims of the self-righteous…but to redeem the lost and restore them to a right relationship with the Father.
Application
A heart of jealousy is a dangerous thing, because it always presents itself in such a logical and reasonable way. Jealousy never comes right out and announces its presence–it creeps in quietly and then goes to work comparing, contrasting, and weighing what I have versus what I think is owed to me. One of the clearest ways for me to recognize when jealousy is at work, is in my reaction to God’s work in someone else’s life. Do I truly and honestly celebrate what God is doing in them…or do I begin to compare it with what God is doing in my own life?
This week, I choose to celebrate what God is doing–not only in my life, but in the lives of those around me. I choose to celebrate each outpouring of his spirit, each overflow of his provision and blessing, each example of his goodness.
Prayer
God, thank you for your goodness which knows no end. Thank you for blessing your children, and for pursuing those that are lost so that they might be restored to relationship with you. Thank you for every blessing that you’ve given me, and I choose this week to live with a heart of gratefulness instead of letting the seeds of jealousy and comparison take root in my heart.
You are good, and your mercy endures forever!

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Questioning Questions

  • September 27, 2023
Jesus didn’t feel the need to constantly speak–he was very comfortable listening, and used skillful questions to nudge people toward the truth and reveal their hearts.
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Scripture

Luke 10:25-26
“And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”
Observation
This lawyer wanted to put Jesus to the test, and ended up being tested by Jesus instead. Jesus had such an amazing way of answering questions with question, instead of allowing others to manipulate him or back him into a corner. Jesus didn’t feel the need to constantly speak–he was very comfortable listening, and used skillful questions to nudge people toward the truth and reveal their hearts.
Application
I need to be cautious of speaking and responding hastily. Not everyone who asks a question does so with right motives, or with a heart to learn truth. There are many who will ask questions or try to start a conversation in order to test me or manipulate my words. Our society loves to do this!
Like Jesus, I can’t avoid this kind of people–but I can be wise in how I respond to them. Instead of responding reactively or hastily, I need to take a little more time to listen. Instead of feeling obligated to answer, I need to become more comfortable using questions to dig deeper into the ‘heart stuff’ so that God can accomplish what he desires.
Prayer
God, give me wisdom this week to speak in a way which honors you–and to listen in a way which leads others to your truth.

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Wasted Time?

  • September 26, 2023
Hard work is a great thing–but ‘anxious toil’ shows a lack of faith in God. God doesn’t promise that every season will be easy, but he gives rest to those he loves.
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Scripture

Psalm 127:2
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Observation
Getting up early and working late sounds like a great way to maximize productivity and accomplish more each day! But this passage calls out a subtle danger in this approach to life: Though self-control honors God, excessive self-reliance displays a lack of trust in the one who provides for me. Hard work is a great thing–but ‘anxious toil’ shows a lack of faith in God. God doesn’t promise that every season will be easy, but he gives rest to those he loves.
Application
Some seasons are busier than others, and some stresses seem to weigh heavier on me than others. When things get intense and life feels like it’s beginning to spin out of control, it’s easy to slip into the rat race of pushing harder and harder to achieve more and more. One late night at work stretches into two, then into a week of exhaustion. Somewhere along the way my time with God starts getting postponed in favor of more work and more effort. If I’m not careful, my devotions, prayer time, and even my attendance and participation in weekly worship gatherings will be placed on the back burner. All of this comes down to one simple question–Is God the provider and the answer to my problems, or am I?
If God is the provider and the answer, then I can trust that my time spent in his presence is not wasted. If I am the provider and the answer to my own issue, then everything else can get set aside in favor of me working and striving harder.
Of course, the truth is that God is the provider and he always will be. As I deeply and truly accept this fact into my heart, I can learn to trust God enough to welcome the rest that he provides–even in the busy seasons.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder that you are the provider and not I. This week, I choose to trust you and welcome the rest that you give me–instead of striving in vain to solve my own issues by myself. I know that the time I spend in your presence is not in vain, and I thank you for being my savior and my God.

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Celebrating, or Sobbing?

  • September 25, 2023
I don’t want to ever find myself grieving for the past, when I should be celebrating what God is doing in the present. I don’t ever want to forget that God’s presence is the thing worth celebrating–not merely the method that he has used for seasons of my life.
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Scripture

Ezra 3:11-13
“…And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away.”
Observation
What an amazing time in Israels history! The foundation of the temple was being laid, and plans were coming together to rebuild the house of God. Solomon’s temple had been destroyed by the Babylonians nearly 70 years prior, and the rebuilding of the temple was a huge reason for celebration among God’s people. Yet the voices in the crowd were not all celebrating–some of them were raised in sorrow, weeping over the memory of the former temple. Those that were old enough to have seen the first temple saw this as a time of grief, perhaps recognizing that this new temple would never be quite the same as the original.
It seems that in the midst of their grief they forgot, that the thing which made Solomon’s temple glorious was not the gold and the silver and the stonework and the majestic architecture–but the God who dwelt there. The temple was merely the location and the method God used, to interact with those who served him.
Application
Seasons and circumstances change, and time keeps moving forward. Eventually the things which I work so hard to achieve today, will become a faint memory and a footnote in the pages of history–unless the things in which I am investing myself are eternal in nature. Like the Israelites who mourned instead of rejoicing to see the temple foundations laid, I can allow myself to cling so hard to the things which pass away that I forget the significance of the things which last. Projects that I work on, system that I create, ministries and classes that I put together, all will eventually come to an end–but if those things are all pointed toward the God of the universe, then their impact will continue on even when their time comes to an end.
I don’t want to ever find myself grieving for the past, when I should be celebrating what God is doing in the present. I don’t ever want to forget that God’s presence is the thing worth celebrating–not merely the method that he has used for seasons of my life.
This week, I choose to celebrate the eternal Savior!
Prayer
God, thank you for who you are: eternally good, eternally faithful, eternally true, and eternally loving. Help me to celebrate the right things in my life–not just the methods that you use, but the God who is faithful through every season. Help me not to cling so hard to what you have done in the past, that I miss out on what you are doing today.

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The River of Life

  • September 19, 2023
God’s river is limitless in its capacity to provide what I need. The only restriction is on how much of the current I allow to flow through me to those who need to experience his abundant life.
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Scripture

Ezekiel 47:10-11
10 Fishermen will stand beside the sea. From Engedi to Eneglaim it will be a place for the spreading of nets. Its fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. 11 But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt.
Observation
What a beautiful prophecy, of the river of life flowing from the altar of God! The spirit of God brings transformation as it flows–bringing life, sustenance, and provision. Yet this passage talks not only about the abundant blessing that the river of life brings…it also speaks of the salt marshes and swamps which remain unchanged. Why the distinction? What is it about the marsh and the swamp, which cause them to remain unchanged by the life-giving force of the river?
The difference between a river and a swamp, is that the river continues to flow. The movement is not restricted, and so the lifegiving nutrients and oxygen are able to accomplish their full effect. The swamp on the other hand, contains the same water as the river…but it doesn’t allow it to flow. It accepts what flows in, but allows nothing to flow back out–therefore the same nutrients which bring life in the river, eventually cause decay and stagnation in the swamp.
Application
God’s spirit affects every life. His blessing and provision keeps on flowing, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust (Matt 5:45). The question is not whether God will bless me…but rather how will I respond? Will I allow his spirit to flow through me as I become part of his river of life…or will I stay on the edges of the river, afraid of the current? Will I allow my life to be a conduit of his blessing and provision to others…or will I selfishly allow his blessings to flow into my life while preventing any drop of provision from flowing out of my hands into those around me?
God’s river is limitless in its capacity to provide what I need. The only restriction is on how much of the current I allow to flow through me to those who need to experience his abundant life.
This week, I choose to make my life part of the river…not part of the swamp. I choose to take the risk of wading out into the swift current, to experience the power of God’s spirit at work. I choose to allow his spirit to move and flow through me, to affect those around me–and I choose to give as abundantly as he has given to me, trusting that his supply will never fall short or run out.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder of the power of your Spirit! Give me the courage to experience the full measure of your river of life, to allow you to flow through me to impact the world with your love. Help me to always welcome your blessing with an open hand, ready to give generously of my time, my talent, and my treasure–just as you give so generously each day to me. May you be glorified in me as I become part of your river…instead of allowing my life to become a stagnant swamp.

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That’s Not The Devil In The Details

  • September 18, 2023
Worshiping God often involves communication and planning as much as it involves sacrifices and altars. Our worship was not intended to be a solo sport–it was intended to involve every one of us glorifying God as only we can, in unity together. This kind of unified worship can only happen when those who are called to lead fulfill their calling with excellence in the mundane details behind the scenes, as well as in the highly visible and public ways.
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Scripture

Ezekiel 45:10-12
10 “You shall have just balances, a just ephah, and a just bath. 11 The ephah and the bath shall be of the same measure, the bath containing one tenth of a homer, and the ephah one tenth of a homer; the homer shall be the standard measure. 12 The shekel shall be twenty gerahs; twenty shekels plus twenty-five shekels plus fifteen shekels shall be your mina.
Observation
In this passage, God is giving instructions to the princes of Judah on how to honor God as a ruler of the nation. He gives specific instructions on leading the people with justice, respecting personal property, and other things that pertained to the life of a prince–and then God gives specific instructions on the establishment of accurate units of measurement. Why was this such a big deal to God? Why did He care about how many ephahs go into a homer?
The answer seems to be in verse 13. The standardized units of measure that God prescribed, were then used to give detailed parameters for the offerings that God required. Without honest units of measurement, business could not be conducted with integrity. Without honest units of measurement, tension and accusations would have flared between merchants and traders. And without honest units of measurement, the people would have been left without a way to know if they were fulfilling God’s instructions for worship.
Application
It’s way more fun to be the guy wheeling and dealing and making sales, than to be the guy who arrives at the store before sunrise to make sure that the produce scales are calibrated. It’s more glamorous to be the one charging the enemy line, than to be the one verifying map coordinates and distances. And it can seem much more exciting to be the one praying with people, sharing God’s word, and teaching the Good News than to be the one working late to pray over strategy, send emails to the team, and make sure the calendar is updated.
But the truth is that worshiping God often involves communication and planning as much as it involves sacrifices and altars. Our worship was not intended to be a solo sport–it was intended to involve every one of us glorifying God as only we can, in unity together. This kind of unified worship can only happen when those who are called to lead fulfill their calling with excellence in the mundane details behind the scenes, as well as in the highly visible and public ways. This kind of unified worship requires servant-hearted leaders who care enough to keep the weights accurate, the scales calibrated, the calendar updated, and the communication accurate and timely.
This week, I need to worship God in every facet of what I am called to do–both in the public and visible things, and also in the mundane details which allow the Body to worship in unity.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder that the devil isn’t in the details…You are! Help me to serve you with excellence–with my communication, with my planning, with my time management, and with the details of my day. You are worthy of the best that I can give!

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Seeking God

  • September 1, 2023
Knowing that God is my help is not enough: I must ‘seek God’. I must invest time in discovering his heart, and in finding His intentions and motivations. I must be bold to carry my dilemmas and problems to him, and ask my Father to help me. His help and deliverance is available…as I seek him.
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Scripture

Psalm 70:4-5
May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay!
Observation
The psalmist knows who God is (his help and deliverer)…but he knows that he is not yet experiencing the full measure of what God has made available to him. God is his help…but his help is not yet fully realized. God is his deliverer…but he is not yet delivered. Merely knowing that these things are available is not enough: the full measure of God’s help and deliverance is only found in ‘seeking God’.
Application
I need God’s help! I am not able to accomplish everything that needs to be accomplished in my life. I am not able to win every battle that I fight. I am not able to provide every resource that I need. This week has made it abundantly clear to me again, just how much I need God’s help.
Knowing that God is my help is not enough: I must ‘seek God’. I must invest time in discovering his heart, and in finding His intentions and motivations. I must be bold to carry my dilemmas and problems to him, and ask my Father to help me. His help and deliverance is available…as I seek him.
Seeking God is not about figuring out where he is hiding, like a game of spiritual hide-and-seek. God is not hiding from me, he is ever present and faithful. If I can’t see him, then it means that I have turned around and am looking in the wrong direction.
Prayer
God, I need you! I can’t solve every problem, or fill every need in my life. I humbly bring my burdens to you today, and ask for your strength, provision, deliverance, and wisdom. Thank you for being my help and deliverance, and I choose today to seek you and daily turn my heart back to you so that I could walk in the full measure of your provision and strength. Thank you for your faithfulness!

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The Lamb is Worthy!

  • August 31, 2023
Because of his sacrifice, Christ has declared us righteous and holy before God…no longer controlled by godlessness, but now priests to God, and walking in His authority on earth! Truly, He is worthy to be praised!
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Scripture

Revelation 5:9-10
“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
Observation
What an amazing thing Christ has done! Because of his sacrifice, he has ransomed people from the power of sin. Because of his sacrifice, he has established the redeemed as a kingdom–and because of his sacrifice, he has declared them righteous and holy before God…no longer controlled by godlessness, but now priests to God, and walking in His authority on earth!
Truly, the lamb is worthy to be praised!
Application
When I take time to understand and remind myself what Christ has done, I can’t help but lift my voice in praise to declare his greatness! While my mind can acknowledge that he should be praised, my heart must be reminded from time to time that he deserves every praise, every song, every accolade, every bit of worship that I can give. When I remind myself of what Christ has done for me, I can’t restrain myself from joining with the angels, the elders, the beings around the throne, and every living creature in heaven and on earth to lift my voice in a song of praise!
Prayer
God, you are so worthy of my praise! Thank you for redeeming me! May I never forget or lose sight of your greatness and the magnitude of what you’ve done for me. Help me today to seize every opportunity to lift up your name and declare your greatness–so that those I meet today would also have an opportunity to be redeemed and join their voice with the unending song of praise.

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