S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

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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A Special Assignment

  • May 15, 2023
King David needed people he could count on to manage projects. He needed people who could make decisions and get things done. He needed people to follow orders and carry out his commands. But he also needed a trusted companion to perform no other function than be his friend.
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Scripture

1 Chronicles 27:32-34
“Jonathan, David’s uncle, was a counselor, being a man of understanding and a scribe. He and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni attended the king’s sons. Ahithophel was the king’s counselor, and Hushai the Archite was the king’s friend. Ahithophel was succeeded by Jehoiada the son of Benaiah, and Abiathar. Joab was commander of the king’s army.”
Observation
These chapters give us a glimpse into the structure and functions of King David’s court. We see the incredible scale of planning it took for David to manage not only the country, but also his estate. We see the names of advisors, of watchmen, of accountants, of military commanders, of ranch foremen, of artists, and of inventory control specialists. And there at the end of the list, almost unnoticed among the names of these incredible leaders that assisted King David in keeping the nation running smoothly, we find a man named Hushai.
Hushai was not a general in the army. He wasn’t the head of the national bank. He wasn’t a manager of David’s business interests. No–Hushai performed a different, but just as vital role: He was the friend of the King.
King David needed people he could count on to manage projects. He needed people who could make decisions and get things done. He needed people to follow orders and carry out his commands. But he also needed a trusted companion to perform no other function than be his friend. He needed someone that he could converse with as an equal in the relationship. He needed someone who wasn’t trying to win his favor or manipulate him for personal gain. He needed someone to walk with him on life’s journey, who didn’t have an ‘agenda’.
Application
God created us to desire companionship. The need is so deeply ingrained within us, that many people have self-destructed for the sake of finding or preserving companionship with someone who was not the right companion for them.
Wisdom dictates that we should be intentional to navigate relationships in a way which moves us toward our mission. There is a process of building trust in order to execute a plan, and we need people who can help us to accomplish our mission in life. Yet we need more than merely ‘allies’ on the journey. We also need friendship! If we reduce every relationship around us to a math formula of ‘success’, we will miss out on something important that God created us to long for: friendship.
This week, I need to take some time to invest in my friendships. I need to identify those people who may not be performing any specific ‘function’ in my life, but who are worth my time anyway. I need to value these people, and make time for them–because friendship is worth it.
Prayer
God, thank you for friends on life’s journey! Thank you for putting people in my life who bring out the best in me, and who I can enjoy spending time with as I pursue the mission you’ve given me. Help me not to get so focused on the tasks you’ve entrusted to me, that I neglect to invest time in friendship.

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Seeking His Face

  • May 12, 2023
David recognized that there were some things he could fix and affect…and there were some things that only God could do. Instead of operating in ego, fear, inadequacy, and human wisdom…he instead sought God and trusted God to do the things that only God could do. And God heard him!
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Scripture

2 Samuel 21:1
Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year. And David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “There is bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he put the Gibeonites to death.”
2 Samuel 22:7
“In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I called. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry came to his ears.”
Observation
David was a very capable guy, and able to handle a lot of issues. He was a warrior and a shepherd–accustomed to thinking on his feet, responding to the developing crisis, and creatively handling every problem that came up.
A lion attacks the sheep? No problem! Kill the lion, problem solved.
Over and over we see David creatively solving problems with God’s help, using his skills and strength to resolve every new emergency.
Now David is settled in as king, and suddenly a problem comes up that he can’t solve or fix. A famine has hit the land, and there’s simply nothing that a shepherd or a warrior can do to fix a famine. David could have fallen back on all of his talents and abilities to try to fix the issue on his own. He could have begun a nationwide effort to raise herds of sheep more quickly, and search for pastureland. He could have organized the army into raiding parties, to steal food from the surrounding nations. He could have pulled out all the stops, and just started trying everything that came into his mind to solve the issue…instead, he “sought the face of the Lord”.
David recognized that there were some things he could fix and affect…and there were some things that only God could do. Instead of operating in ego, fear, inadequacy, and human wisdom…he instead sought God and trusted God to do the things that only God could do. And God heard him!
Application
I don’t like ‘having’ problems, but I do like solving problems.
Flat tire? Inconvenient, but no problem–I can fix it!
Burnt out light bulb? Irritating…but I can fix it!
Broken shower valve? Frustrating…but I can fix it!
When problems come up, my first response is to begin looking for a way to fix the situation. Some things I can fix…but there are some things that I’m simply unable to fix or even significantly affect. Like David the warrior facing a famine, I look at the problem–then I look at my abilities…and realize that there’s simply nothing I can do.
When these moments come, it can be easy to go into crisis mode. Lose sleep, toss and turn, brainstorm, research, hash it over, waste energy trying things that won’t work…and then find myself back where I started.
Like David, I need to recognize that God allows me to face things that I can’t fix. God’s intention is not to destroy me, but to cause me to ‘seek His face’. When I seek the face of God, He gives me insight and understanding that I didn’t have. When I seek the face of God, He provides resource that I lacked. When I seek the face of God, He fights battles on my behalf. When I seek the face of God, He turns famine into fruition.
Prayer
God, thank you for hearing my prayers! Thank you for being greater than any issue I could ever face. Help me to remember to seek your face when problems arise–that you would be my first reaction, rather than my last resort. I choose today, to lay my problems at your feet instead of trying to scheme and strategize my way to a solution. I need your strength and your provision, and I choose to walk in the peace of knowing that you love me and you will never let me down.
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Passion and Purpose

  • May 10, 2023
Passion without purpose cannot accomplish anything. Without purpose to direct our energy and our heart, we will inevitably relapse into self-satisfaction and self-fulfillment rather than fulfilling the mission to which we are called. Purpose brings definition and direction to my passion. It guides my decisions, to know when to act, when to refrain, when to speak, and when to stay silent.
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Scripture

2 Samuel 18:29
And the king said, “Is it well with the young man Absalom?” Ahimaaz answered, “When Joab sent the king’s servant, your servant, I saw a great commotion, but I do not know what it was.”
Observation
Ahimaaz had passion and calling. His calling was to be a message-bearer, and he served with passion. The ‘mission’ was to carry urgent news, so that the king and military commanders could make the right decisions in a timely way, for the good of the kingdom. Unfortunately, Ahimaaz began to take his eye off the target. His passion began to drift–not to carry important news to the decision-makers…but instead to simply carry news for his own sense of self-satisfaction and self-importance. Here he was at the battle, important things were happening, and Ahimaaz began to feel left-out because someone else got the most important assignment. He insisted on being included, but failed in his mission because he made it about himself. He outran the other messenger and blurted out his news to the king…only to realize that he had no ‘news’ to tell.
Application
Passion without purpose cannot accomplish anything. Without purpose to direct our energy and our heart, we will inevitably relapse into self-satisfaction and self-fulfillment rather than fulfilling the mission to which we are called. Purpose brings definition and direction to my passion. It guides my decisions, to know when to act, when to refrain, when to speak, and when to stay silent. Purpose keeps my heart humble–because the ‘purpose’ is the main thing, not my own role or preferences. As long as the purpose is fulfilled, then it really doesn’t matter who gets the glory.
This week, I need to be mindful to keep the mission at the center of all I do. Instead of letting situations devolve into disagreements about preference or position, I must instead focus myself and those I lead on the ‘purpose’–because it defines and guides all else. When we keep the mission of the gospel of Jesus Christ at the center of all we do, everything else becomes clear.
Prayer
God, thank you for the privilege of serving you! Help me to always ‘keep the main thing the main thing’, and not allow personal preferences or self-centered passion to distract me from the mission to which you’ve called me! May you be glorified in all that I do, so that souls would be saved, and hearts transformed for eternity by your Gospel!

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Walking in Anointing

  • May 8, 2023
Absalom sought acclaim, but David walked in anointing.
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Scripture
2 Samuel 15:1,17
“After this Absalom got himself a chariot and horses, and fifty men to run before him.”
“…and the king went out, and all the people after him…”
Observation
Such a contrast is shown between David and Absalom! Absalom was not anointed by God, but searched out people to ‘run before him’ to be his heralds and announce his presence. David sought no heralds to go before him, but ‘all the people’ followed after him…because the anointing of God was on him.
Absalom sought acclaim, David walked in anointing.
This wasn’t the first time that David had made the long walk out of the palace into the wilderness. The first time had been as he ran from Saul–with no entourage to accompany him. Now he was making the same trek again: with more followers this time, but with the same heart of a humble shepherd instead of kingly arrogance.
Application
There is strength, walking in the anointing of God. This strength doesn’t rely on public opinion, or a marketing campaign, or self-aggrandizement. It doesn’t require palace walls, rather it is equally at home in a wilderness cave. It cannot be bought or purchased–only humbly accepted, and gratefully received.
Walking in anointing is not always easy or comfortable, but it does have the power to change the world.
This week I need to seek, accept, and walk in the anointing of God.
Prayer
God, thank you for the anointing of your spirit! May I always seek your anointing, rather than earthly acclaim and recognition. Keep my heart humble, and may you be glorified through every season of my life–including the wilderness moments.

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