S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

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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Right for you, right for me…

  • April 4, 2023
Godly leadership points back to the heart of God. It defines what is right and what is wrong, what is Godly and what is self-serving. It changes the status quo, and establishes a clear direction.
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Scripture

Judges 21:25
“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Observation
What a sad lament of the state of Israel! No king, no unifying leader. No loyalty to God’s law, no moral compass. The only thing remaining, was for each one to do what was right ‘in his own eyes’.
Godly leadership points back to the heart of God. It defines what is right and what is wrong, what is Godly and what is self-serving. It changes the status quo, and establishes a clear direction.
Application
Mankind chafes against restriction. There is something in us that seems to automatically respond “but I want to!”, when we are told “you can’t”. The purpose of Godly leadership is to point people in a different direction than they would have gone. The purpose is to bring unity out of chaos, so that greater things can happen.
…Yet it is so easy to resent, push back, and reject those whom God has called to lead. In my life, I must choose to welcome those that God has placed in my life to alter my direction. I must desire to please God more than my own desires–because “I want to” isn’t a good enough justification.
In the areas where God has called me to lead, I must be courageous to establish a course and direction toward the heart of God–knowing that conflict and disagreement is inevitable on the journey, and must be navigated in a Christlike way. The world doesn’t need more leaders who turn a blind eye to wickedness, but rather who will model and teach a life that does what is right ‘in the eyes of God’.
Prayer
Help me Lord to align my heart with that which is right in your eyes! May pleasing you always take a higher priority than my own desires and motivations. Help me to lead well, where you have called me–to always point people to you, and not turn a blind eye to disunity and sinful decisions. Thank you for your righteousness, and your patience with me!

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I can see clearly now the veil is gone…

  • April 3, 2023
Because of Christ, mankind has the opportunity to be reconciled with God and have the veil removed in order to see and perceive clearly.
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Scripture

2 Corinthians 3:12-17
“Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
Observation
Those who are not walking in relationship with God, cannot clearly perceive and understand the things of God. Because of Christ, mankind has the opportunity to be reconciled with God, and have that veil removed in order to see and perceive clearly.
Application
I’m very rough on my sunglasses. A few months of mistreating them, and the lenses are clouded, scratched, and difficult to see through. Walking, driving, and working all become more difficult, because my vision is obscured.
The same is true in my spirit. Without Christ, I trip over things I should have seen…and get distracted by obstructions that don’t exist. Even the light which should illuminate my steps, becomes a blinding haze and fog. Christ’s desire is to remove the obstructions from my heart, so that I could walk in the freedom of clear vision and understanding. His desire is to reveal his glory to me, as I walk in covenant with him.
This week, I must walk in relationship with my savior so I could see clearly. I must allow him to remove anything from my heart which would obstruct my ability to see and perceive the things of the Spirit.
Prayer
God, thank you for the privilege of walking in covenant with you. Open my eyes to see you clearly, and thank you for the freedom you give me to walk with understanding. May your glory shine through me this week, to bring hope to someone who does not yet know you!

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Opening the Door for the Spirit

  • March 29, 2023
If we want to see the Spirit move in power, we must each do our part to create an environment where He is welcome.
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Scripture

1 Corinthians 14:12
“So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.”
Observation
Paul doesn’t discourage the church from seeking manifestations of the Spirit, but he does give some guidance. Instead of each one selfishly focusing on ‘their own’ gift, he instead told them to ‘build up the body’. As each one focuses on building up those around them, the Spirit will move. Verse 26 repeats this, “Let all things be done for building up.”
Application
Life in the Kingdom is not a solo, it is a symphony. When we each seek our own glory, chaos ensues and the spirit of God cannot bless our work. When we each come with the heart of a servant, with unity of purpose and vision, the Holy Spirit is free to move and to manifest in supernatural ways. This week, I must seek unity of heart and direction in the body. In the way that I work and lead, ‘building up the body’ must be the focus–not personal advancement, personal vision, or personal acclaim.
I want to see the Spirit move in power! …and I must do my part to create an environment where He feels welcome.
Prayer
God, help us to grow as a body, and help me to do my part to build up the family in unity, love, and maturity.
May you always be welcome to move and manifest your Spirit among us!

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