S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

Tolerating the Intolerable

  • April 28, 2023
A leader is known not only for what they ‘do’, but even more by what they ‘tolerate’. A leader can have the greatest charisma, the wisest plans, and the most compelling vision…but if they tolerate behavior which violates their values, none of their positive traits can counterbalance this crack in the foundation.
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Scripture

2 Samuel 3:31
“Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn before Abner.” And King David followed the bier.”
Observation
David was now on the throne, but he now faced the gigantic task of picking up the fragmented pieces that Saul had left behind. The kingdom was divided, tensions were running high, and civil war was tearing the nation apart. In the middle of it all, David’s former enemy Abner realized that David was the right man for the throne and came to him to promise his support in uniting the nation. Unfortunately, Joab could not get past his anger and unforgiveness regarding his brother’s death in battle at Abner’s hand. Joab murdered Abner without David’s knowledge or approval, and David had to respond in order to avert a further crisis. He didn’t scold Joab for grieving his brother’s death–but for the sake of the kingdom he could not sit back and tacitly condone what Joab had done. He publicly reprimanded Joab, and called for God’s judgement on his family line.
The nation saw David’s integrity in what he ‘did’, and in what he ‘refused to allow’–and they united with him, instead of rebelling against him.
Application
A leader is known not only for what they ‘do’, but even more by what they ‘tolerate’. A leader can have the greatest charisma, the wisest plans, and the most compelling vision…but if they tolerate behavior which violates their values, none of their positive traits can counterbalance this crack in the foundation.
I want to live with Holy Spirit wisdom, and lead well as God has called me–and I must be mindful not only of how ‘I’ live, but also of the behaviors that I allow and permit to develop within the team. The best platitudes, the highest aspirations, and the most compelling vision cannot compensate for intolerable behaviors which I tolerate…in my own life, or in the lives of the leaders that I lead.
This week, I must seek Holy Spirit wisdom to navigate each season and each situation in a Christlike and God-honoring way–so we can cultivate true unity of heart and purpose as we fulfill the mission to which we’ve been called.
Prayer
God, thank you for loving me enough to call me out when something in my heart doesn’t align with you! Give me wisdom to lead well, and to love others enough to bring correction in a God-honoring and people-valuing way when it is necessary. May we never allow the things we ‘tolerate’, to derail us from the mission to which you’ve called us!

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Producing a Harvest

  • April 26, 2023
I can’t produce life–that’s the job of the seed-giver. I can’t bring the rain–that’s the job of the one who is the water of life. I can’t prevent the burning sun, or the rocks, or the birds, or any of the other obstacles…but I can pray for effectiveness, and walk in the wisdom that God gives as I keep on planting seed.
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Scripture

Matthew 13:3-8
3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow.4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away.7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Observation
“The sower went out to sow”…because that’s what a sower does. The sower is passionate about putting seeds into the ground, not just storing it neatly in jars on the shelf.
“Some seeds fell along the path”…There is no shortage of seed, that it must be conserved as a rare commodity.
“When the sun rose they were scorched”…The sower does not control all of the growing conditions: He simply continues sowing the seed.
“Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain”…The sower does not allow himself to become discouraged about the seeds which have not produced a harvest: He keeps on walking, keeps on sowing, and eventually his faithfulness results in a great harvest.
Application
God has given me his Word, a powerful source of life and hope which will grow and produce a harvest. He’s given me all that I need, and called me to be a sower. Not everything that I do will produce a harvest–some of those seeds will fall on the path, or on rocky ground…but I must keep on sowing, and keep on walking, until I reach the ‘good soil’ which will produce a harvest for my King.
I can’t get so comfortable on the path, that I never step out into the field. I can’t get so insistent on growing a harvest where ‘I’ want it to grow, that I miss out on producing a harvest where the soil is prepared and eager to receive the seed.
This week, I need to be faithful in planting seeds. I must be bold in sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, and not allow good seed to sit unused and unplanted. I must pray for wisdom to get seed into good soil–so that my efforts would be effective, and a harvest would be produced for my master.
This week I need to recognize places where I may be standing comfortably on the path, instead of walking through the field.
I can’t produce life–that’s the job of the seed-giver. I can’t bring the rain–that’s the job of the one who is the water of life. I can’t prevent the burning sun, or the rocks, or the birds, or any of the other obstacles…but I can pray for effectiveness, and walk in the wisdom that God gives as I keep on planting seed.
Prayer
God, help me to be effective and faithful in the things which you’ve entrusted to me! Give me tenacity and determination to keep on sowing seed even when I encounter obstacles, and give me your wisdom to get good seed into good soil…so that You would be glorified by the harvest that is produced. Help me to prepare the soil of my heart, so that your word would always find a place to grow in my life.

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Divine Interruptions

  • April 24, 2023
‘Divine Interruptions’ let me know when I am off-target from God’s plan. Humbly accepting His interruption of my plans, allows me to walk in the blessing of aligning my life with His plans.
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Scripture

1 Samuel 29:10-11
“Now then rise early in the morning with the servants of your lord who came with you, and start early in the morning, and depart as soon as you have light.” So David set out with his men early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. But the Philistines went up to Jezreel.”
Observation
Somewhere in this season, David began to drift off-target. Saul had driven him from Israel, and he responded by making himself a mercenary to the Philistines, the long-time enemy of Israel. It is unclear whether David was planning to betray the philistines or not…but what is clear, is that God interrupted David’s plans. Because David accepted God’s interruption, God prevented David from being pitted against his future kingdom in combat. Because David accepted God’s interruption, God kept him from having a role in Saul’s death. Because David accepted God’s interruption, God brought him victory against the Amalekites who had kidnapped his family from Ziklag.
Application
I don’t like having my plans interrupted. When I’ve taken the time to strategize and make a plan, I don’t like it when something gets in the way. When God interrupts my plans though, it is for a reason. It may be that my plan was completely outside of His will, or perhaps I was just a little off-target…either way, God in His love decided that I needed to be redirected. I can fight Him in arrogance…or accept that His perspective and wisdom are greater than mine.
This week, I choose to welcome God’s divine interruption in my life. I choose to acknowledge His right to direct my steps, even when it gets in the way of what I had planned–because His way is perfect, and the outcome is better when I allow Him to be the Lord of my life.
Prayer
God, than you for your divine interruptions in my life! Show me when I have drifted from your plan, and correct me back to where you want me to be. Help me to humbly accept your correction, instead of arrogantly trying to insist on doing things my way.

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The Packing List

  • April 20, 2023
Abiathar wasn’t able to fix David’s problem with Saul, or with the city who was about to betray him–but what he could do, was help David to get in touch with God.
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Scripture

1 Samuel 23:6
“When Abiathar the son of Ahimelech had fled to David to Keilah, he had come down with an ephod in his hand.”
Observation
Abiathar was the only survivor of Saul’s massacre of the priestly city of Nob. His father, Ahimelech, was the priest who had helped David, and given him the sword of Goliath. Now Abiathar was on the run with David–and it would have seemed reasonable for him to bring a sword and seek vengeance for his family. Instead, he brought an ephod–a priestly garment for ministering before the Lord. He wasn’t able to fix David’s problem with Saul, or with the city who was about to betray him–but what he could do, was to help David to get in touch with God.
Application
Our world is full of injustice and wounded people. It would be easy to get caught up in fighting battles, either for my own vengeance or in trying to solve problems in the life of those around me. But God hasn’t called me to fight battles for others–that’s his job! What He’s called me to do, is to help people get connected with God.
This week, I need to remember to bring my ephod and not my sword. As I point others to God and help them learn to hear His voice, He will fight the battles that need to be fought…and He will receive the glory.
Prayer
Thank you God for this reminder to help me re-target this week. Give me wisdom to point people to you, and may you receive the glory through every situation and battle!

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Brotherhood of the (formerly) Broken

  • April 19, 2023
Broken people came to David looking for community in their bitterness. Instead they found a leader who was able to help them grow past their bitterness, to become a powerful and unified fighting force and men of great renown.
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Scripture

1 Samuel 22:2
“An everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.”
Observation
Birds of a feather flock together–and as David became an outcast ‘persona non grata’ in the kingdom that he had been anointed to rule, all of the other malcontents and misfits began to flock to him also. They must have sensed a similar brokenness in him, or thought they had found a kindred spirit. They were ‘bitter in soul’: This ‘bitterness’ means ‘poisoned’, or ‘acrid’. David welcomed them–but he didn’t allow their brokenness and bitterness to remain festering as their primary identifier. David had been hurt also, it’s true. But his soul was not poisoned, because he had allowed God to accomplish something through his pain.
These men came to David looking for community in their bitterness.  Instead they found a leader who was able to help them grow past their bitterness, to become a powerful and unified fighting force, and men of great renown.
Application
I have faced hurt, brokenness, rejection, and bitterness in my life. I’ve spent seasons with poison in my soul…and I’ve experienced the healing and transformational power of God, to accomplish amazing things through my brokenness. Recently it seems like God has been bringing people around me who are still navigating that bitterness and brokenness in their own life. Perhaps there is a connecting point, or an attraction because of mutual pain?
Whatever the reason, I have an opportunity to build the relationship with hurting people–but not so that we can simply remain broken and hurting together! God has accomplished amazing things in my heart, and I want to see them experience that same transformation!
This week, I need to walk prayerfully: To welcome those who are hurting, but not to allow our pain to remain as our primary identifying feature.
The only way to do this, is to daily place my triumphs and tragedies in the hands of God, to be used for His glory.
Prayer
God, thank you for the healing and transformation that you are daily accomplishing in my heart! Help me to welcome those who are hurting, and give me wisdom to walk with them toward the transformation that you desire to accomplish in their heart also.

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The Green Monster

  • April 17, 2023
One of the great tests of a leader, is a team member who surpasses them. Saul could handle David being ‘great’…but he couldn’t tolerate David being ‘greater’.
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Scripture

1 Samuel 18:7-8a
“And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him.”
Observation
One of the great tests of a leader, is a team member who surpasses them. Saul had no problem with David when he was killing Goliath. He had no issue with David when Jonathon was lavishing gifts on him. Saul had no problem with David being a military commander–but as soon as the minstrels and bards began to compare David’s heroism with Saul’s achievements, pride and jealousy took over. He could handle David being ‘great’…but he couldn’t tolerate David being ‘greater’.
Application
Jealousy is an insidious thing. It turns trust into doubt, victory into conflict, and celebration into suspicion. The mark of a great leader is someone who can not only raise others up to the leader’s level, but keep on inspiring, guiding, and elevating them up to their own full potential…even when that surpasses the skill or capacity of the leader.
A jealous leader quickly becomes a cap on the entire structure. A leader who refuses to let jealousy take root instead becomes a pillar that can elevate the entire structure to new heights.
This week, I need to celebrate the gifts and abilities of those I lead–and pray for wisdom to help them grow to their full potential…not merely to the limits of my own capacity.
Prayer
God, give me the courage to reject jealousy from taking root in my heart. Help me to recognize when I am about to act out of insecurity, and instead help me to celebrate and champion those in my care to become everything that you created them to be.

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It’s time to GO!

  • April 14, 2023
It’s not wrong to feel emotion, or to experience hurt. But God’s desire is that I would not allow hurt and offense to prevent me from stepping forward into the better things He has in store for me.
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Scripture

1 Samuel 15:35-16:1
35And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.
1The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.”
Observation
Saul had rejected God, God had rejected Saul, and the newly formed kingdom of Israel was in a bad spot. Samuel understandably felt like Saul had let him down, and he was grieving the betrayal of trust. It was appropriate for Samuel to grieve–but at some point during his grief journey, God told him it was time to keep on walking forward. Samuel’s grief, left unchecked, would have mired him down in a self-absorbed spiral of hurt, offense, and introspective emotional seething. His emotion wasn’t wrong…but it couldn’t be allowed to rule him and control his future. God’s command came: “Fill your horn with oil…and GO!”
Application
I’ve been wounded and betrayed before. I’ve been let down by those I trusted, and I’ve spent seasons of grief processing through the way that others have failed and hurt me. This is necessary and natural…but it can also prevent me from continuing the journey if I allow it. God Himself ‘regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel’…but God’s plans for Israel didn’t stop with Saul’s failure. God had a plan for the next king, and the next season…and he needed Samuel to be engaged in the process. Like Samuel, I must be willing to lay down my grief and offense…and ‘GO’ when God commands it. His plans have not run out, and his power has not been exhausted. His goodness and his mercy continue on, and he WILL give me strength for the journey as I follow his voice.
This week, I need to watch for areas where I’ve allowed grief and offense over past hurts to prevent me from walking forward into the greater things that lie ahead. It’s time to fill my horn with oil, and GO!
Prayer
God, thank you for your gentle leading which doesn’t allow me to wallow in self-absorbed offense and frustration. Thank you that your goodness and your power have not run out, and that no human failing can overcome your Kingship. Help me to walk at your pace. Help me to process through hurts and offense in a healthy way–so that it would be a marker on the map that I can learn from…but not an anchor which prevents me from sailing forward.

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Seeking His Favor

  • April 12, 2023
To walk in God’s favor, I must submit to God’s kingship.
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Scripture

1 Samuel 13:12-13a
“I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly.”
Observation
Saul acknowledged that he needed the favor of God-but he sought the favor of God by doing things that caused him to lose God’s favor. He wanted the favor of God, but he wanted it on his own terms. He wanted the blessings of God on ‘his’ kingdom, but neglected to honor the kingship of God.
Application
I need the favor of God! The things he has entrusted to me are too much for me to do without divine favor and guidance. I must pursue his favor–and his favor is mine when I acknowledge his kingship and walk in the ways that his favor can accompany. He cannot favor that which is contrary to his nature.
This week, I need the favor of God–and so I must walk in the ways of God.
Prayer
God, thank you for giving me strength and favor to do all that you’ve called me to do! Help me to never forget your kingship, and give me wisdom to walk in your ways. I need your presence and your Spirit, not merely your blessings.

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Communication

  • April 10, 2023
Paul did not fear the voice of his critics, because he walked and communicated with consistency and integrity.
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Scripture

2 Corinthians 10:11
“Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present.”
Observation
Paul did not fear the voice of his critics, because he walked and communicated with consistency and integrity. His views, opinions, commands, and expectations expressed in his letters were the same things that he communicated when with them in person. His communication was planned and proactive, not impulsive and reactionary. His stance was reasoned and prayerful, not hasty and mercurial.
Application
Effective kingdom leadership requires effective communication. New situations arise, but must be met with consistent values and principles–because God is unchanging. Our society seems to be built on reactions, impulses, and communication intended to appease the moment, rather than shape a better future. We have become accustomed to unfulfilled political campaign promises, PR spin, and leadership that will move fluidly with the tides of public opinion. Effective, Christ-like, Godly communication doesn’t need a PR firm or a spin tactic. It is gentle but unyielding. It is loving but uncompromising on truth. It is applicable, but not reactionary. It is humble, but fearless in the face of criticism.
This week, I need to be mindful and prayerful in my communication so that Christ’s will would be accomplished in and through me.
Prayer
God, thank you for being the unchanging God who loves me! Help me to honor you in my communication, instead of following the patterns of this broken world you came to save!

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Prayerfully Involved, Personally Invested

  • April 5, 2023
As Boaz invested himself to be a part of God’s blessing to Ruth, God blessed him in return.
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Scripture

Ruth 2:11-12
“But Boaz answered her, “All that you have done for your mother in law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before. The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!”
Observation
Boaz understood the law of the harvest, and he knew that Ruth would reap a harvest of blessing for the way she had taken care of Naomi. He prayed God’s blessing on her, but didn’t see himself as a mere observer in the situation. God had given him the opportunity to directly be a blessing to Ruth, and so that’s what he did. As he invested himself to be a part of God’s blessing to Ruth, God blessed him in return.
Application
Prayer is powerful, and prayer is always appropriate. But God has given each of us the ability to make a difference, and to invest our own energy and resource to be a part of His blessing to others. As we allow God to use us to accomplish His plans on earth, His blessing is made complete in our lives.
This week, I must allow God to use me. I must be willing to be inconvenienced, to be interrupted, to expend my own resources and cheerfully give when God directs. When I do this, eternity is affected and God’s blessing is released to others and to me.
Prayer
God, thank you for blessing me abundantly! Teach me to be a cheerful giver, so that your plans would be accomplished in and through me. Help me not to miss an opportunity to impact eternity for your glory!

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