S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

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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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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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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A Feast Prepared

  • May 30, 2023
The feast of blessing that God gives is not a feast in absence of struggle–but an abundant daily provision even in the middle of chaos.
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Scripture

Proverbs 15:15
All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
Observation
What a difference ‘perspective’ makes! For those who are afflicted, each day is another evil added on top of all the other evil. Bad on top of bad, trouble added to trouble.
Those who are ‘cheerful of heart’ experience all of the same trials, struggles, and battles as the afflicted…yet in the same circumstance, they find a continual source of strength and sustenance for life’s journey. This kind of joy comes from a heart that is grounded firmly in the God who holds the world in the palm of His hand.
Application
Some days are harder than others, and some seasons weigh heavier. Affliction seems to make every day darker and more gloomy, every problem larger, and every challenge more insurmountable.
I have a choice each day–either to allow my heart to be afflicted, or to walk with the joy of the Lord. Walking in his joy doesn’t mean that all of the problems go away or that the battles are any smaller–but it does mean that I keep my eyes on my savior instead of on the wind and the waves. It means that I eagerly look for the ‘feast’ that he gives each day, because I know he is faithful and will give me exactly what I need each day.
Psalm 23 says that he will ‘prepare a table before me, in the presence of my enemies’. The feast of blessing that God gives is not a feast in absence of struggle–but an abundant daily provision even in the middle of chaos.
Today, I choose to be cheerful instead of afflicted. God has prepared a feast for me, and I can’t wait to taste it!
Prayer
God, thank you for your abundant blessing! Thank you for your joy which is my strength. Help me to choose cheerfulness in you each day, instead of letting my heart become ‘afflicted’. You are good, you are great, and your love never fails me!

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Enduring Love

  • May 24, 2023
His steadfast love endures forever, and he is worthy of my praise–not just tomorrow, but also today!
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Scripture

Romans 5:3-5
“…we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us”

Psalm 126:16
“to him who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
Observation
Suffering is by definition not enjoyable…that’s why it’s called ‘suffering’! Yet for the child of God, adversity is about more than the discomfort of the present moment–it is a process by which God’s divine plan unfolds, and his power is revealed. In the times of suffering, God’s love is poured out by the Holy Spirit. In the wilderness seasons when the land is dry and resources scarce, “his steadfast love endures forever”.
Application
What an awesome reminder of God’s love and power! Suffering happens, and difficult seasons come-but as a child of God, I cannot let my heart be shaken by temporary circumstances. I must daily find joy in the love of God as he accomplishes the transformation that he desires in my heart, knowing that the end result will be something amazing. I must make the decision to glorify him today, instead of waiting for the wilderness season to end. His steadfast love endures forever, and he is worthy of my praise–not just tomorrow, but also today!
Prayer
God, thank you for your steadfast love! Thank you for the joy of your Holy Spirit, even in the middle of adversity. Thank you for the hope of knowing that you hold my future, and for the privilege of being a part of your great story that you have been writing since before time began!

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Unwavering

  • May 23, 2023
Faith is strengthened by the decision to glorify the creator in spite of adversity.
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Scripture

Psalm 135:5
“For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.”
Romans 4:20
“No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God…”
Observation
The psalmist and Abraham both agree in their unwavering faith, that God is good and that he deserves to be praised. They had the opportunity to waver in unbelief, but instead chose to glorify God anyway. Their faith wasn’t strong because of easy seasons, but because of the struggle.
Faith is strengthened by the decision to glorify the creator in spite of adversity.
Application
I want this kind of faith! This unwavering faith doesn’t come through a life of ease or an absence of struggle–but by walking with God through the fire, and watching his power at work when we are unable to change our circumstance.
This faith comes by making the conscious decision to glorify my Father even when I can’t see the solution.
His strength does not run short, his faithfulness has not been exhausted. My God has never failed me, and he never will!
This week, I choose to glorify God in every situation.
Prayer
God, thank you for your faithfulness and your love! You have never failed me, and I know you never will. May my heart, my words, and my life be a testimony of praise to you.

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My Duty

  • May 22, 2023
I was not created to serve God in privacy and isolation–I was created to be a witness, pointing others to the Savior of my soul and declaring his greatness! When I do this with a humble heart in unity with the family of God, God shows up.
…And when God shows up, his presence and his power cannot be hidden, controlled, contained, or ignored!
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Scripture

2 Chronicles 5:13-14
“…and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord), and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,” the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.”
Observation
What a worship service that must have been, as the temple was dedicated! The priests, the Levites, the leaders, and the people were all engaged and operating in unity to welcome the presence of God…and God showed up!
The worship team was given very specific instructions–they were not to merely give praise and thanksgiving to the Lord–rather, their duty was to “make themselves heard in unison” as they gave thanks and offered praise.
Private praise and worship is necessary–but their calling and duty was to lead the people in praise, by letting their voices be heard.
Application
God loves it when I come to him to spend time one on one in conversation. Those times are to be guarded, protected, and treasured. But my relationship with God was never intended to begin and end in the quietness of my own heart. It must begin in the sincerity and integrity of my heart–but at some point, it must spill over into a public and visible expression of praise to my creator. I was not created to serve God in privacy and isolation–I was created to be a witness, pointing others to the Savior of my soul and declaring his greatness! When I do this with a humble heart in unity with the family of God, God shows up.
…And when God shows up, his presence and his power cannot be hidden, controlled, contained, or ignored!
Prayer
God, you are great! You have demonstrated your power again and again in my life–your steadfast love is so amazing! I want to let my life be used for your glory–not only to serve you in the privacy of my own heart, but to boldly and publicly declare your greatness so that others would come to know you also!

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Vital Vision

  • May 19, 2023
Solomon could have pressured Hiram to help in many ways–but instead, he cast a vision so compelling that Hiram couldn’t help but want to be a part of it. Because the vision was plain, resource could flow. Because the vision was plain, skilled and capable people wanted to be a part of it.
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Scripture

2 Chronicles 2:3-7
“3 And Solomon sent word to Hiram the king of Tyre: “As you dealt with David my father and sent him cedar to build himself a house to dwell in, so deal with me. 4 Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of the LORD my God and dedicate it to him for the burning of incense of sweet spices before him, and for the regular arrangement of the showbread, and for burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths and the new moons and the appointed feasts of the LORD our God, as ordained forever for Israel. 5 The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. 6 But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him? 7 So now send me a man skilled to work in gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue fabrics, trained also in engraving, to be with the skilled workers who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem, whom David my father provided.”
Observation
Solomon had a huge task ahead of him–and he desperately needed resources and the support of ‘allies’ to help him complete the project. He understood where the resources existed and used such wisdom in communicating with king Hiram. Solomon could have pressured Hiram to help in many ways–but instead, he cast a vision so compelling that Hiram couldn’t help but want to be a part of it. Because the vision was plain, resource could flow. Because the vision was plain, skilled and capable people wanted to be a part of it.
Application
The curse of knowledge is that once we know something, it’s hard to imagine or remember ‘not’ knowing it. When the vision is clear in my mind, it’s easy to assume that everyone else sees the vision also. When I assume that everyone sees the vision, it’s easy to jump straight to pursuing resource. Like Solomon, I must be intentional to speak vision, not merely needs. I must daily point those that I lead toward the vision that God has given, and not allow myself to skip this vital necessity. God can and will supply all of the resource that we need in order to fulfill his calling–our job is to tell the story of his greatness in such a way that hearts would engage and ‘catch the vision’!
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder of the importance of vision. Give me wisdom to share the vision of what you’ve called us to do, and who you’ve called us to be! What a privilege, to be a conduit of your life-transforming eternal power here on earth!

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Home.

  • May 16, 2023
The presence of God is not to be my vacation spot that I visit occasionally, but rather it must be the place that I choose to dwell full-time.
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Scripture

Psalm 91:1-2
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
Observation
The place that a person dwells, determines many things. The psalmist in Psalm 91 is establishing his residency in God. This wasn’t just his favorite vacation spot when life got crazy, this was his full-time occupancy. His place of residence gave him protection, peace, and security.
Application
I love going on vacation and visiting new places! I love seeing the geysers at Yellowstone, or gazing at the towering sequoias in the redwood forests. I love eating gelato in Venice, or simply standing in silent wonder in the Sistine Chapel. But all of those are simply places that I’ve visited. My home is Kailua-Kona, on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Home is where there is safety, purpose, and a future. Home is where I invest my time, and find fulfillment. The presence of God is not to be my vacation spot that I visit occasionally, but rather it must be the place that I choose to dwell full-time.
It has been said that the three most useless things for a pilot are: Altitude above you, Runway behind you, and…Fuel back at the airport. For the child of God, surely the most useless thing would be the presence of God…somewhere else.
I must daily make the decision to reside in God, and in His word! I must choose to dwell in the fortress which keeps my safe from harm, and provides all that I need. He has given me an open invitation to dwell in Him, and so I choose to make my residence in God.
Prayer
God, thank you for giving me access to your presence! What an amazing privilege–not just to have freedom to visit you, but to be welcomed to dwell in you! May I never relegate you to being merely a favorite vacation spot, but instead that I would live, breathe, grow, and move in you each and every day.

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