S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

Genuine Love

  • January 20, 2026
Scripture
Genesis 49:28
All these are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father said to them as he blessed them, blessing each with the blessing suitable to him.
Observation
Jacob blessed his sons as he was dying–but his some of his words sound pretty harsh! “Reuben–you are unstable. Simeon and Levi–you are violent and unstable! Dan–you are cunning and vicious.”
These don’t sound like a blessing at first glance, and yet they are the words of a loving father who cared too much about his sons to let their character deficiencies destroy them.
His words were a blessing–not because they were gentle, but because they offered an opportunity for his sons to become something greater than what they were at that moment.
Application
There are people in my life who have been courageous enough to be a true friend–those who have pushed through the discomfort to speak the uncomfortable truth that I needed to hear. I’m grateful for their presence in my life, when I know their words are spoken from a heart of love.
It makes me consider though: Am I willing to be a true friend? Am I willing to speak the truth that I know has the potential to end a friendship, if the recipient decides to reject it?
It takes courage to be a true friend–but anything less is not real friendship at all. It takes courage to love–but anything less is not real love at all. It seems almost self-contradictory, but the truest test of love is whether I am willing to risk an end in the relationship if my offer is rejected.
…but this is the same as God’s love for me. His love doesn’t merely smooth over my flaws to make me feel better: His love challenges me with the hardest truths I’ll ever face, so that I can become something more than what I am today.
Today I choose to be a true friend–not to merely make people feel better, but to offer the risky kind of love which compels a decision to either accept or reject the truth it carries.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder of what true love looks like. Teach me to show genuine love to those around me: Not to merely make people comfortable, but to offer the loving kind of discomfort which inspires those around me to become more like you. Keep my heart teachable before you, so that I would always be willing to receive the loving discomfort of the true friends you’ve given me.
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Seeing the Brokenness

  • January 15, 2026
Scripture
Genesis 37:26-27
26 Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him.
Observation
What a twisted tale! Joseph seems to have been an irritating younger brother, but his older siblings took things way too far. Not content to merely put him in his place, they decided that death was a better objective. Judah (whose name means ‘praise’) decided that might be going a bit far…and talked them into selling Joseph into slavery instead. These aren’t just random people making these decisions–these are the patriarchs! These are the sons of Jacob, the heads of the tribes of Israel! God had a plan which could not be impeded…but he accomplished his plan through broken, evil, sinful people. The fact that God used them wasn’t a stamp of approval on them, it was simply evidence of His sovereignty in a broken and messed-up world.
Application
I look at the world around me today: Humanity is broken, selfish and sinful leaders are abusing those under their care, and way too many leaders in the Kingdom are giving in to their fallen instincts and desires.
Where is God in all this? Does He not see the problems and the issues? Where are those who truly honor Him?
Reading through Genesis, I’m reminded again just how wicked and sinful these men truly were. How could God have used them?! Why would He allow someone like Judah to be the head of a tribe of Israel, or the ancestor of Jesus Christ?
God used them–not because they were perfect, but because God is merciful and sovereign. God worked through them–not because He approved of what they did, but because the story that God is telling is a story of mercy, grace, and redemption.
Maybe I shouldn’t be so surprised when leaders today fail. It’s not excusable…but it is expected. Christ didn’t come to this earth to tell us what a great job we’re doing–He came to save us from our brokenness!
When those that I respect display their humanity and even their sinful nature, I choose to not let it shake me, or shake my faith in God. God is still good, and still holy. He is unchanging and unfailing–and in the sinful brokenness of this world, He is still drawing mankind to Himself.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder that broken people do not change who you are. You are righteous, holy, and true–and you are unchangeable! Help me not to base my faith or my confidence on imperfect people, but rather on your perfect love.
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Cheated, but Not Harmed!

  • January 13, 2026
Scripture
Genesis 31:6-7
“You know how hard I have worked for your father, but he has cheated me, changing my wages ten times. But God has not allowed him to do me any harm.”
Observation
Jacob had his flaws, but what an amazing attitude he shows here! “Laban cheated me…but he couldn’t harm me!”
Jacob understood that mistreatment at the hands of men, cannot even be counted as harm in comparison with the blessings of God.
Application
I’ve been cheated and mistreated, and I don’t like it! It’s easy to get a ‘poor me’ attitude when I’m not treated right. Could I work 20 years for a man like Laban, without becoming bitter? I don’t know. But I do know that the more I stay focused on God’s goodness, the less harmful are other people’s words and actions.
Today I choose to stay focused on God’s blessing. Man didn’t give it to me, and man cannot take it away!
Prayer
God, you are so good to me! Thank you for blessing me, and being my fortress and refuge. I choose to trust you, instead of fearing mankind.
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Strategy vs. Trust

  • January 12, 2026
Scripture
Genesis 30:37
Then Jacob took fresh sticks of poplar and almond and plane trees, and peeled white streaks in them, exposing the white of the sticks.
Observation
What an odd little side-story in scripture! Laban had taken advantage of Jacob, and now Jacob is trying to extricate himself from Laban’s control and manipulation. Jacob tries to manipulate Laban’s flocks to produce sheep whose color is advantageous to him…but he relies on superstitious beliefs which clearly have no basis in reality. Nevertheless God does bless him, and his herds rapidly multiply.
The end conclusion seems to be that God has blessed Jacob, but Jacob remains under the impression that his success is due to his own cleverness and trickery.
Application
Reading about Jacob’s futile attempts at genetic manipulation of the sheep, reminds me of the many times that I’ve strategized and planned for my own success, unaware of just how ignorant I actually was. I can think back on so many wrong assumptions that I’ve made, and so much bad data on which I based important decisions. Yet God has blessed me, despite my limited abilities! Occasionally I’ve made the mistake of thinking that the blessings I enjoy were a result of my own intellect or ability–and then God reminds me that everything I have is a result of His goodness, not my own greatness.
Today I choose to walk humbly before God. All that I have is from Him: my possessions, my abilities, and my blessings. I choose to give Him the credit, instead of believing that I am anything on my own.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder that all I have comes from you! Thank you for being patient with me, and show me when I am beginning to walk in the arrogance of self-sufficiency instead of truly relying on you.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Effective Prayer

  • January 9, 2026
Scripture
Genesis 24:12-14
12 And he said, “O LORD, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.”
Observation
This servant of Abraham had been sent to find a bride for Abraham’s son Isaac. He followed his master’s instruction of where to go look for a suitable bride, and then prayed that God would show him the chosen young woman, out of those who were walking out of the village to draw water from the well.
He prayed a specific prayer–that the chosen young woman would offer to draw water also for his camels. Yet his prayer also assumed that God was already moving before his prayer had been prayed! For him to be at the right well, and for the right young woman to be on her way to draw water, required that God had already put the right pieces in place before he ever prayed his prayer.
Application
What a beautiful portrait of prayer! Prayer is not about me convincing God to do that which He doesn’t want to do: Prayer is about bringing my own heart into alignment with the things that God is already doing, and that which He already desires to do. Prayer is about me listening more closely to understand God’s desires: Not me expressing my own desires more emphatically to God.
Today I choose to pray specific, fervent, and intentional prayers. Prayer is a vital lifeline between me and my creator–not so that He will cooperate with me, but so that I may stay aligned with Him.
Prayer
God, thank you for seeing my need before I do. Thank you for moving in power, before I realize it. Thank you for setting the pieces in motion, before I ever ask you to. Help me this week to discern your heart and your desires so that I may stay aligned with you, instead of me simply demanding your cooperation with my plans!
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

The Importance of Knowing

  • January 8, 2026
Scripture
Genesis 22:2-3
2 He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” 3 So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.
Observation
God gave Abraham a command: “Sacrifice your son–the son which I had promised to you–on an altar!” Abraham was willing to fulfill this command, and began to do just that. Just before taking his son’s life, God stopped him and told him that it was merely a test of his obedience and allegiance to God.
Never again in scripture do we find God commanding someone to sacrifice another person to God. In fact, many years later in Deuteronomy 18:10, God very specifically forbids human sacrifice for all time. This test of Abraham was not only a test of his obedience–it was also a test of his knowledge of God’s word. Since no law had been given by God to prevent human sacrifice at that time, the command was valid. Today, such a command could definitely NOT be from God, because it would now violate His written word.
Application
This is a difficult passage in many ways. Why would God command such an unthinkable action from Abraham? Why would Abraham willingly go along with such a thing? Why didn’t Isaac protest or resist? And last but not least…how am I supposed to apply such an extreme story to my own life?
Perhaps the greatest takeaway is the importance of knowing God’s word. Because of God’s word, I can be certain when things line up with what He has established- and I can know for certain that the things which don’t align with His word, are not from Him!
There are many who make decisions based on what makes sense to them, and on their preferences. If I like it, or if it makes strategic sense, then it must be the right decision! The question of whether it aligns with God’s word become a distant after-thought. This mindset lulls me into false peace, while allowing sin to continue un-challenged in my heart.
I must know the word of God: What it allows, what it forbids, what it encourages, and what it prioritizes. God’s word is trustworthy. What God has said is established. He’s not struggling to make up His mind, and he doesn’t leave right and wrong up to my own preferences and personal interpretation.
Today I choose to invest time in learning and knowing God’s word. I want to be obedient to the word of God even when it’s difficult, not obedient to every other voice around me.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder of the importance of knowing your word! Give me a heart to know you! I want to live a life based on your word and your principles, not merely on my own preferences and limited understanding.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Genuine Love

  • January 7, 2026
Scripture
Luke 7:44-48
44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Observation
Jesus loved to flip the script on the Pharisees! They ruled through formulas, rule lists, and detailed commands…and, of course, all of the loopholes that they could get away with.
This woman was different. She wasn’t following the rules, she wasn’t toeing the line on the holy formula that the Pharisees had written: She simply loved. She loved Jesus enough to anoint him with her tears and with her costly possessions. She loved him enough to make a spectacle of herself. She loved him enough to intrude where she wasn’t wanted, in order to demonstrate her love for the Savior.
Jesus said that her sins were forgiven–not because she followed the formula or expectations of those around her, but because she lived out a real, honest, genuine love for God.
Application
What defines my walk with God? Is it the formula? My daily and weekly habits, the rules to which I hold myself, the religious expectations of those around me…they all may possibly have a place, but those are just the formula.
What defines my walk with God? Is it the clothes I wear, and the vocabulary I speak with?
I choose today to live for God not by a formula or rule book, but with raw, genuine love which makes me willing to be unpopular, willing to be a spectacle, willing to be criticized–and willing to live out my love through action.
Prayer
God, I want you to know and feel my love for you! In the way that I live, speak, and act, may you see evidence of my love for you. You have shown your great love for me–I want you to know how much I love you.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Future Fulfillment, Current Reality

  • January 6, 2026
Scripture
Genesis 15:2
And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.
Luke 6:20-21
20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
Observation
God had promised amazing things to Abram, and Abram believed that it would happen…he just didn’t know if God was able to fulfill the promise without help. When Sarai suggested a plausible way to help solve God’s problem, Abram jumped at the opportunity. Ishmael was a son…but not the son that God had promised. He became a nation…but not the nation that God had foretold.
In Luke, Jesus is speaking about the promises of God. Jesus encourages his followers to keep their eyes on the promises of God, but he makes an interesting statement: “Blessed are you (present tense) who are hungry now (present tense), for you shall be satisfied (future tense).
Application
In God’s eyes, His blessings are already a done deal! Whether I currently see them or not, whether they seem possible or not, whether the heir is born or not, whether I’m hungry or not…God’s blessings are already a current reality that I can count on and trust.
Instead of working and scheming to solve God’s problems for Him, I must trust that the things which are a problem to me, are not any problem to Him. He is not constrained by my limits, or limited by my constraints. The future fulfillment of His promise is a currently reality on which I can stand.
Today I choose to trust God–not only for the things that I can’t solve, but also for the times when I think I could scheme and strategize a solution. His promises are trustworthy, and I choose to be reliant on Him instead of pursuing self-reliance.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder of your faithfulness! Help me choose to trust you, even when I can’t see how you will fulfill your promise. You are faithful and true, and I choose today to trust your strength instead of my own abilities.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Be A Blessing!

  • January 5, 2026
Scripture
Genesis 12:1-2
Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
Observation
God promised incredible blessings to Abram, not just to him personally but also to his lineage after him. But God didn’t leave any ambiguity for the purpose of these blessings: He said the purpose of the promised blessing, was so that Abram would ‘be a blessing’. Blessings were not just his to possess: ‘Blessing’ was to be his identity, and his role in the world.
Yet just a few short verses later, we see two instances where Abram’s blessings became a curse instead: Sarai (Abram’s wife) became a curse to the household of Pharaoh, and Abram’s herds began to be a curse to his nephew Lot.
It wasn’t enough for Abram to be blessed by God–he had to walk with the right heart, in order to be a blessing to others. In the case of Sarai, Abram had to learn to trust that the God who had given him Sarai would protect him from Pharaoh’s selfish demands. With Lot, Abram had to choose to depend on God to sustain his herds even while allowing Lot to take over what seemed to be the more fertile grazing land around the town of Sodom.
In both of these situations, Abram’s integrity, courage, and trust in God (or lack thereof…) was the deciding factor in whether Abram would actually be a blessing to those around him or not.
Application
God pours out His blessings on His people. In my life, in the organizations I help to lead–His blessings are so clearly seen, and so abundant! But merely ‘having’ His blessing is not enough: If I want to ‘be’ a blessing, I must use and manage those blessings in a way which allows me to be a blessing instead of a curse. The integrity of my walk, the character with which I navigate life, and the grace I show to others–all of these things determine whether I will be a blessing or not.
God’s purpose is larger than just my life. His desire is to bless the world around me, through me. Today I choose to be a blessing, by walking rightly after the Giver of all true blessings!
Prayer
God, I want to be a blessing! Help me to interact rightly with the many blessings you’ve given me: Not to view them through selfishness, or fear, or scarcity, or carelessness–but to manage them faithfully for you, so that your goodness could impact the world around me.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

The King Is Coming!

  • January 3, 2026
Scripture
Luke 3:3-6
3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall become straight, and the rough places shall become level ways, 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
Observation
The arrival of the King is a monumental occasion, and not to be treated casually! The roads must be leveled and smoothed, the gates must be in good condition, and the city must be put in good order. The King is coming! Get ready!
John the Baptist came to prepare the way of the Lord – to prepare the hearts of the people, for the One who was coming. He prepared the way, for Christ to accomplish what only Christ could do.
Application
In my life, how am I preparing the way for the king? The king is coming again, and the king has plans and purposes to fulfill. Am I prepared for His arrival? Am I actively working to prepare my life for the things that God wants to do? What steps am I taking, to prepare my heart to receive the King?
Today I choose to invest time in preparing my heart, for the coming of the King. I cannot do what He can do–but I can either help or hinder Him in His work. I choose today to make sure that my heart is prepared to receive Him! I choose to remove the things which would hinder Him and slow Him down. I choose to take a walk through the streets of my life, and look for clutter and rubbish to remove. I choose to keep my heart in an attitude of humble submission–so that I am prepared to receive Him in His glory.
Prayer
God, I can’t wait to see you when you return! But I know that you are actively at work right now in my life and in this world–and I want to facilitate your plans, instead of hindering them! Help me to prepare my heart to receive you each day, instead of letting the streets of my heart fall into disrepair. You are my King, and I welcome you in!
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/
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