S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

What My Father Is Creating

  • July 24, 2023
This week, I choose to walk in the confidence of knowing that my Father loves me, and is creating something amazing as I walk with him. I can’t wait to see what the finished result looks like!
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Scripture

Isaiah 42:7-10
7 The craftsman strengthens the goldsmith, and he who smooths with the hammer him who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good”; and they strengthen it with nails so that it cannot be moved. 8 But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; 9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; 10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Observation
In this passage God is speaking to Israel, using an analogy of goldsmiths working together in unity, creating something beautiful together. Then he goes on to promise his people that in the same way he will help them, strengthen them, uphold them, and create something beautiful in and through them. What an amazing promise!
Application
This passage gives me so much hope and confidence! I love creating things with my sons–swinging hammers, shaping boards, and teaching them how to work. Inevitably, somewhere in the project we encounter something too heavy, too sharp, too complex, or too dangerous for them to do it on their own. That doesn’t make my sons a failure, or cause me to walk away in frustration–that’s my job, to handle the things they cannot!
How amazing, to think that the almighty God is the same way with me–teaching, training, encouraging, strengthening, and guiding! His strength is limitless, his love is unending, and his patience is so much greater than my own.
This week, I choose to walk in the confidence of knowing that my Father loves me, and is creating something amazing as I walk with him. I can’t wait to see what the finished result looks like!
Prayer
God, thank you for upholding me, guiding me, strengthening me, and providing all I need. You are amazing!

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God’s Story, My Idols

  • July 21, 2023
Things used by God become and idol and a snare, when we begin to put our faith in the ‘thing’ instead of in the God who used the ‘thing’.
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Scripture

2 Kings 18:3-4
“And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done. He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (It was called Nehushtan).
Observation
What amazing courage Hezekiah displayed! It takes guts to tear down the ‘high places’ and Asherah poles of the nation–but Hezekiah took things a step further and smashed the bronze serpent made by Moses at God’s command! I can almost hear the gasps of shock, as the nation watched him commit this unthinkable act:
“What are you doing, Hezekiah!?!? Don’t you realize that God himself ordered Moses to create that serpent?! Don’t you understand the amazing role it played in delivering our people from a deadly crisis? Don’t you have any appreciation or respect for our heritage and history?!”
Yet Hezekiah understood something profound: Things used by God become and idol and a snare, when we begin to put our faith in the ‘thing’ instead of in the God who used the ‘thing’.
Application
Heritage is important, and history matters. But when my heart and spirit wander from true faith in God alone, then the thing that has replaced God in my heart must be shattered–whether would be my calendar, my plans, my bank account, my hobbies, or my deeply-treasured traditions and heritage.
God alone deserves my allegiance, my faith, and my trust. Anything else becomes an idol, no matter how important and appropriate it may have been at one point in time.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder of the importance of faith rooted immovable in you! Help me to never let anything else replace you in my life–whether it be my own idols, or an idol of tradition based on what you have done in the past.

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Super-Natural

  • July 19, 2023
As children of God we are born again into something greater–no longer governed by our most basic selfish motivations, but instead called to a life of selfless service as we emulate the greatest servant of all: Christ!
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Scripture

James 3:16
“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”
Observation
“Me first” is natural…but natural instincts don’t lead closer to a supernatural God. “Me first” seems like a small thing…but it leads to a violation of all other laws of God.
Application
Our world teaches that our basic instincts, desires, and motivations are something to be celebrated and pursued. Lady Gaga might be ‘born this way’, but we have been born again into something greater–no longer governed by our most basic selfish motivations, but instead called to a life of selfless service as we emulate the greatest servant of all–Christ!
My life in Christ has no room for a “me first” attitude. Instead of jealousy, I must celebrate the blessings that others receive. Instead of selfishness, I must give cheerfully with a generous heart.
This week I choose to grow beyond what is natural, to grow closer to the one who is super-natural.
Prayer
God, thank you for calling me higher! Help me to daily submit my desires and instincts to you, so that I would daily be transformed into your image.

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Divine Protection

  • July 13, 2023
God’s way doesn’t lead me along safe paths–but it does lead me safely through treacherous circumstances and deadly situations.
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Scripture

Hebrews 10:39
“But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”
Observation
“Shrinking back” is an instinctive response of self-preservation in the face of a threat or danger. The author of Hebrews shares that there is a natural tension between self-preservation and walking in faith. Self-preservation without faith leads to self-destruction. Self-sacrifice with faith leads to divine preservation.
Application
God’s way doesn’t lead me along safe paths–but it does lead me safely through treacherous circumstances and deadly situations. Though my instinct may be to walk in such a way as to preserve myself, faith calls me to step out boldly in the presence of danger, knowing that there is no safer place I could be than in the middle of the storm with the One who has authority over all things, and who preserves me by His divine power.
This week I choose to step out in faith, trusting my God to uphold me and supply all that I need.
Prayer
God, thank you for your love and your power. I choose to say ‘yes’ to you, instead of shrinking back and relying on my own power. I know that my life is safe in your hands, and I choose to trust you.

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

A Covenant Heart

  • July 11, 2023
God gave His greatest for me, and I can do no less in response to Him.
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Scripture

Hebrews 8:10
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Observation
The new covenant that Christ brought was not a covenant of rules, rituals, laws, and stone tablets: It was a covenant of love, written on our hearts. It was the covenant of a God who wanted a people who wanted Him.
Application
It can be so easy to slip into a ‘minimum requirement’ mindset:
What is the minimum that God expects of me?
How far can I push the boundaries, before His patience runs out?

The covenant of Christ is not a covenant of ‘least’, it is a covenant of ‘greatest’. It is a covenant offered by the greatest authority of all. It is a relationship offered through the greatest sacrifice ever made. It is an expression of the greatest love ever shown!
My response to Christ, must be a ‘covenant heart’:
How close can I grow to Him?
How much can I honor God with my life?
How well can I serve God in the freedom that He purchased for me with His own blood?

God gave His greatest for me, and I can do no less in response to Him.
Prayer
God, thank you for your love! Thank you for not looking for the minimum that you could do for me, but instead giving me the very best that you have. I don’t deserve it, but I’m so grateful–and I choose to give you the very best of me. Help me to walk this week with a ‘covenant heart’, honoring you each day and in every decision. I want you to be glorified in my life!

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

Marking the Seasons

  • July 3, 2023
The nation mourned the passing of King Uzziah: But while the nation marked the season by tragedy, Isaiah chose to remember it as the season when he saw God’s glory.
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Scripture

Isaiah 6:1
“In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.”
Observation
If anyone had reason to grieve the passing of King Uzziah, it would have been the prophet Isaiah. Uzziah had started out so well as the sixteen year old monarch, on fire for God…but his heart had drifted, and he died a leper- judged by God for his sin. The nation mourned his passing, but while they marked the season by tragedy, Isaiah chose to remember it as the season when he saw God’s glory.
Application
Tragedy is part of the journey of life…sometimes due to decisions made by me or others, and sometimes for no clear reason. It’s easy to let my focus and attention by consumed by the tragedies and turmoil–but God is still on his throne, and his glory still fills the temple. I can either focus on the turmoil, or keep my eyes on the God who sits on his throne.
This week, I choose to memorialize God’s goodness and his glory, rather than building memorials of grief and turmoil.
In the year that the king died…”I SAW THE LORD”.
Prayer
God, thank you for your goodness through every season! Help me to keep my eyes on you, and mark the seasons in my life by your presence and your glory, rather than by the turmoil around me.

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Standing Still

  • June 22, 2023
God told the nation of Judah to ‘hold their position’, and promised to fight the battle on their behalf. They weren’t merely to ‘stand still’…they were instructed to maintain the position of their heart before God.
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Scripture

2 Chronicles 20:3,13,17
“3Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek help from the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.”
“13Meanwhile all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.”
“17You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”
Observation
The kingdom was in a pickle! They were facing a vicious foe that outnumbered them, and their destruction seemed imminent.
King Jehoshaphat turned his own heart to God, and decreed a fast for the nation also. The entire nation assembled before God, and God responded to their earnest cry for help. He told them to ‘hold their position’, and promised to fight the battle on their behalf. They weren’t merely to ‘stand still’…they were instructed to maintain the position of their heart before God.
They honored God and obeyed, and God accomplished a miraculous victory on their behalf.
Application
There are battles that I simply cannot win on my own strength. My instinctive response is to wade into battle anyway…but the better response is to first position my heart before God, and let him take the lead. This isn’t the lazy response of passivity, but rather the intentional, active response of a heart submitted to God. God responds to a heart like that!
This week, I need to ‘hold my position’ before God, and let him make the battle plans.
Prayer
God, there are battles that I can’t win and obstacles that I can’t overcome. Thank you for being my strong foundation, my fortress, and my defender! I choose today to quiet my heart before you, and to ‘hold my position’ in your presence. I trust you to accomplish the things that only you can do, and I thank you in advance for the victory that I find in you.

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Pride

  • June 21, 2023
Today’s SOAP journal is brought to you by Stacey Fukushima
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Scripture

2 Kings 5:13
“Naaman’s servants went to him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, wash and be cleansed.”
Observation
Naaman was a very important man, one who had access to his king. Because of his importance, he thought highly of himself; and rightfully so. He had earned the position. I’m sure he tried everything within his power, ability, and resources to treat his leprosy. Finally, he humbled himself enough to seek out a man of God at the advice passed along from his wife, a captive Jew.
The advice? To wash himself in the Jordan river. But his pride reared its head. He humbled himself to seek advice from an enemy nation, to seek out advice from an opposing God, and he was told to take a bath? In the Jordan river at that? But his servants were able to appeal to him, and what did he have to lose?
His pride almost cost him; but he humbled himself, put down his pride and ego, obeyed – and he was healed!
Application
Pride is an important part of being human. There are things we should have pride in – and there are things that we should humble ourselves for. When God asks me to do something, that is when I should abandon my pride (that pride being in how others perceive me), but it is really hard for me! Embarrassment has stopped me from doing what God has asked of me. Not only do I hinder God moving through me, but I miss opportunities to bless others – by allowing my pride to get in the way. My embarrassment at being seen as the “weirdo at Walmart” has stopped me more than I’m willing to admit, but if I chose to obey and be the “weirdo,” I would be a blip on the radar, and everyone would go about their day. Except for that one person that I ministered to because my Heavenly Father told me to. What I did wouldn’t be a blip, but instead a God moment, a moment where ministry happens, and a prayer could be answered.
So today, I choose to put down my pride, to obey, even if it makes me uncomfortable, because my Heavenly Father knows best.
Prayer
Thank you God for helping me to deal with my pride. To put it down at your feet, and humble myself to be a servant, willing and obedient. Thank you God for giving me a boldness to move in your name, with the confidence and pride of being a child of Christ, so that I can be a light to others. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.

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The Makings of a Miracle

  • June 20, 2023
The widow woman in this story didn’t understand the size of the miracle that God was preparing to bring through the resource she had already been given. Her cupboards looked bare, but she still had the makings of a miracle.
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Scripture

2 Kings 4:2
“And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.”
Observation
The widow woman in this story was in a dire situation. Her husband and provider was dead, and his creditors were now on their way to exact payment from the widow and her sons by force. She understood the size of her problem, and the limitation of the resources at her disposal. What she didn’t understand, was the size of the miracle that God was preparing to bring through the resource she had already been given. Her cupboards looked bare, but she still had the makings of a miracle.
Application
This story reminds me so much of the story of Moses. God came to Moses and said, “What is that in your hand?” For Moses, the makings of his miracle consisted of a stick of wood. For the widow woman in 2 Kings 4, the makings of her miracle looked like an unassuming jar of oil in her kitchen. The resource wasn’t much…but it was all that God needed in order to accomplish a miracle in her life.
There are days that I look at the resources in my hand, and then look at the size of the task before me…and wonder how on earth things are going to work out. Whatever the challenge is–financial obstacles, relationship issues, communication barriers, or something else completely…the resources in my hands rarely seem adequate to the task. But perhaps that’s the whole point–if my resources were adequate for the challenge, then I wouldn’t learn to trust in the God who provided what I hold in my hands.
Like the widow woman in this story, I must recognize what God has put in my hands…and then put it back in the hands of God to be used as he sees fit. No matter the size of my problem, or the limit of my resource…when I place all that I have in the hands of God, it is enough for the makings of a miracle.
This week, I must place my cares on the God who has never let me down. I must trust him to supply solutions, even when I see no solution in sight. I must surrender all that I have to him, to be used for his own glory.
Prayer
God, thank you for being my provider and my protector! Thank you for giving me the ‘makings of a miracle’, and for accomplishing the things that only you can do–no matter the size of the obstacles I face. You are awesome, and I want you to be glorified in my life!

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

A Time and Place

  • June 19, 2023
There’s a fine line between “this isn’t the right moment”, and simply ‘never dealing with problems’.  Godly wisdom requires a prayerful response to difficult situations…but action is still required when the time is right.
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Scripture

1 Kings 1:29-30
“And the king swore, saying, “As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my soul out of every adversity, as I swore to you by the Lord, the God of Israel, saying “Solomon your son shall reign after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,” even so will I do this day.”
Observation
David was a great king, but he seemed to have a problem with decisiveness and follow-through. This became evident in his later years, as he consistently avoided the tough conversations and necessary decisions in parenting Solomon and Adonijah. This continued on with the messy situations that he dropped in the lap of Solomon–known troublemakers in the kingdom, that he had never dealt with. His lack of action became a burden that others were forced to deal with.
Application
There’s a fine line between “this isn’t the right moment”, and simply ‘never dealing with problems’. David was right to proceed with caution, but at some point it was his responsibility to make a decision with the guidance of God.
Like David, there are situations I’ll face which must be handled with great care and patience. There are times that the right call will be ‘not yet’…but at some point, a decision must be reached.
This week, I must pray for wisdom to know when to wait, guidance to know what direction to go, and courage to take action when the time is right.
Prayer
God, thank you for the guidance of your Holy Spirit! Help me to walk in wisdom–to wait when you say ‘wait’, and to take action when you say ‘go’!

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

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