S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

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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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/

Streams in the Drought

  • June 16, 2023
Scripture

1 Kings 17:2-10
2 And the word of the LORD came to him: 3 “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4 You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5 So he went and did according to the word of the LORD. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. 7 And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. 8 Then the word of the LORD came to him, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath…
Observation
Elijah was following as God lead, and speaking as God told him to speak. In the middle of God moving…the rain dried up. Not in spite of God moving, but because God was moving!
Elijah was still walking in the favor and the guidance of God, but he would not have received the provision of God without positioning himself in the right place to receive God’s provision. In the middle of the drought, water was still flowing. In the middle of the famine, oil was still being poured out. Elijah wasn’t responsible to make the water flow, or the oil to pour. He simply needed to align himself with what God was already doing.
Application
There are seasons of life, when it feels like the rain has stopped and the cupboards are empty. This doesn’t mean that God is not moving, but it does mean that he may be moving in a different way than I expect. Elijah didn’t organize a search party to find a brook from which to drink…but when God spoke, he was listening.
There are seasons in my life when God moves in a specific way, or provides through a particular source. It’s easy to go into panic mode when seasons shift, and forget that the God who provides water for my soul in a drought is the same God who can pour limitless oil from a small jar.
My God SHALL supply all my needs…I simply need to continue listening for his voice to speak, and then step out in obedience and faith as he directs me to move.
Prayer
God, thank you for providing all that I need. Help me to trust you, instead of trusting my season. Help me to hear your voice clearly, and give me courage to walk as you direct me.

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

Valuable

  • June 14, 2023
My God saw worth and value in me at my worst moments–and he has called me to be an agent of reconciliation and healing in the world–to point imperfect, messed-up, valuable people back to the savior.
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Scripture

Philippians 4:2-3
“I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.”
Observation
I don’t know what the argument was about, but the clash between these two women must have been pretty epic for Paul to immortalize it this way in scripture. He confronted the issue that needed to be addressed, but also went a step further–he reminded his ‘true companion’ of the worth and value of these women, and asked him to assist them in seeking a place of reconciliation.
Instead of merely highlighting their problem, Paul reminded the church of the incredible worth and value of these imperfect women.
Application
People are imperfect. If we weren’t, we wouldn’t need a savior! When imperfections arise, problems become public, and issues are aired…it’s easy to focus merely on the problem that needs to be fixed while forgetting the person who needs to be helped. My God saw worth and value in me at my worst moments–and he has called me to be an agent of reconciliation and healing in the world–to point imperfect, messed-up, valuable people back to the savior.
Prayer
God, thank you for seeing worth and value in me! Help me to value others the way that you do: Not to ignore things that cannot be ignored, but instead to be willing to walk with them through the middle of the mess toward you.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Knowing the Word

  • June 13, 2023
How vital it is to know and stand firm on the word of God! His word is unchanging, and he doesn’t have trouble making up his mind.
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Scripture

1 Kings 13:18-19
“And he said to him, “I also am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying “Bring him back with you into your house that he may eat bread and drink water.” But he lied to him. So he went back with him and ate bread in his house and drank water.”
Observation
This man of God had received an urgent and specific word from God to deliver a message to the king and then return directly home without eating or drinking anything. He knew the word of God, yet allowed his course to be changed by this older prophet who falsely claimed to have an updated message from heaven. Though the lie was made by the older prophet, the one who paid the price was the man of God who diverted course to the more convenient path.
Application
How vital it is to know and stand firm on the word of God! His word is unchanging, and he doesn’t have trouble making up his mind. Through my daily devotions, I have the opportunity to directly hear the voice of God on a daily basis–and despite countless voices telling me a more convenient word, God’s word stands unshakeable. The responsibility rests on no one but me, to know the word and the voice of God in my own life. I must know the word of God, follow the word of God, and not negotiate on the word of God.
Prayer
God, thank you for your unchanging word, given to guide me steps. Help me to hear your voice clearly, not just to know your word but also to daily follow it and live it out–even when other ways would be more convenient.

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Working on my ‘Serve’

  • June 12, 2023
Though king Rehoboam had a ‘right to rule’, he missed a critical opportunity to build trust and loyalty with the nation by serving them before demanding to be served. Leaders in the Kingdom of God must seek first to serve, not to be served.
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Scripture

1 Kings 12:6-7
“Then king Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “how do you advise me to answer this people?” And they said to him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.”
Observation
A king has rights. A king has authority and people to serve him. Whoever heard of a king that was a servant!?
Rehoboam was attempting to establish his throne after the death of his father, king Solomon. The people came and presented their complaints and issues, and made a request to Rehoboam that he not rule harshly. This could have been a prime opportunity for Rehoboam to build trust and win loyalty, but instead he decided that his kingly ‘right to rule’ was more important than the trust of those he led.
Application
This short passage is a master class on marriage, parenting, ministry, and business leadership.
“Servant leadership” has become a common phrase and buzzword–yet every day we hear about marriages failing, leaders losing their way, and ministries blowing up because someone never learned the incredible power of servanthood. It runs counter to everything that my flesh, ego, and logic tell me…yet over and over throughout history, the greatest have been the most servant-hearted. It shouldn’t be a surprise–after all, this is exactly what Jesus told his followers in Mark 9:35.
This week, I need to work on my ‘serve’ so that God can accomplish his plans in and through me.
Prayer
God, thank you for coming to earth as the ‘servant of all’. Teach me to serve the way that you do, instead of living life based on my ego, rights, and demands. Teach me to lead well…as a servant!

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

Complete and Whole

  • June 8, 2023
When each part of the Body of Christ is fully involved and fully contributing, the entire body grows, heals, strengthens, moves, and fulfills it’s purpose as God intended.
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Scripture

Ephesians 4:15-16
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”
Observation
Christ’s desire is that we would not be derailed by false doctrine but rather that we would grow up and mature in love–not just individually, but together as a whole body. This only happens when each part is working properly.
Application
When one part of my body is not working properly, my whole body is affected. With some parts like my heart, the result can be instant and highly noticeable. With other parts, their absence or lack of contribution may take much longer to notice…but the end result can be just as devastating to the whole.
The body of Christ is exactly the same. Every single member has a vital role to play, for the good of the whole body. When each part is fully involved and fully contributing, the entire body grows, heals, strengthens, moves, and fulfills it’s purpose as God intended. This growth happens ‘in love’. Not through me sitting back to merely point out problems with a critical spirit–but instead through me being fully invested, fully committed, fully engaged, and fully loving the members around me. It happens through me fully investing my own heart, and teaching others to do the same.
This week, I choose to honor Christ by building up the body with a heart of love.
Prayer
God, thank you for the privilege of being a member of your body here on earth! Help me this week to be a catalyst of growth and healing as I fulfill your calling on my life with a heart of love. Help me to encourage and draw out the best in those around me, so that the whole body could work as you designed it, with each member fully engaged and involved.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Don’t Forget!

  • June 6, 2023
I must not allow regrets and wounds of my past to prevent me from walking forward in Christ, but I must instead allow the memory of them to point my heart back to the one who has redeemed and forgiven me.
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Scripture

Ephesians 2:11-13
11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Observation
Paul is speaking to the believers in Ephesus, and instructs them to ‘remember’ that they were at one time separated from Christ, and not members of the covenant or recipients of the promise. But the remembrance of their sin-issue was to point their attention back to the redeeming power of Jesus, which restored them to relationship with the Father and made them heirs of the promise.
Application
The past can be an anchor or a rudder. It can either lock me immovably in place and prevent forward progress, or it can allow me to navigate with clarity. If I spend my days staring with regret at the past, grieving missed opportunities and mistakes that I’ve made, then I cannot walk with confidence in my present. Conversely- if I put the past completely out of my mind, I’m unlikely to learn from it. The wise old saying tells me that “those who do not remember the past, are doomed to repeat it”.
Christ wants me to find a balance somewhere between the two: I must not allow regrets and wounds of my past to prevent me from walking forward in Christ, but I must instead allow the memory of them to point my heart back to the one who has redeemed and forgiven me.
This week, I choose to remember my past. I choose to remember the mistakes I’ve made, and the painful seasons I’ve lived through. I choose to let those memories point me back to the Savior, because He has redeemed me and I want His story to be told through my life.
Prayer
God, thank you for saving me! Thank you for restoring me to relationship with you, and for redeeming my most painful mistakes and seasons! Help me to not become frozen in the past, but may I always allow my memories and mistakes to point me back to the one who has saved me and who will never let me down. May your redemption story be told through my life–not only through the good seasons, but also through the tough times.
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The Giver and The Gift

  • May 31, 2023
God has given each one the right gift, in the right measure, to fulfill the purpose for which he created each person.
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Scripture

Romans 12:6-7
“Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching”
Observation
God gives grace for a reason. He instills gifts in each person–not to lie dormant, but to be fully utilized for his glory. He’s given each one the right gift, in the right measure, to fulfill the purpose for which he created each person.
Application
God did not create me by accident, or from a box of spare parts! He designed and built me exactly as he saw fit, with strengths and weaknesses. He has given me a purpose, and equipped me with exactly the right gifts to accomplish what he’s called me to do. I must be bold to use my gifts for him, always leaning on the Giver for strength instead of relying on my own ability.
Prayer
God, thank you for giving me a purpose in you! Give me confidence to serve you boldly, and may you alone receive the glory from my life!

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

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