S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

Walking With The Shepherd

  • February 20, 2023
I choose to trust the shepherd’s love for me, and keep following Him even when His path leads through places I don’t want to walk–because I know His love for me has not run out.
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Scripture

Psalm 23:3-4
“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Observation
The Lord is my shepherd, so He leads me in green pastures. He is my sustainer, so He leads me beside still waters. He is my guide, so He leads me in paths of righteousness. He is my savior and my protector, and so he leads me though the valley of the shadow of death.
Application
This Psalm is full of such promise and hope for every child of God! Each place the shepherd leads me reveals something new about His love for me, and about His goodness. I like the green pastures, and I love walking by the still waters, but the shepherd also leads me through the valley of the shadow of death! Why would He do that?!
The shepherd doesn’t lead me ‘into’ the valley of the shadow of death–He leads me ‘through’ it. Since He has already demonstrated and proven His love for me, I can trust Him even in this part of the journey–because He is leading my to a destination which will reveal His love for me yet again…even though I can’t see it yet.
This week, I choose to trust my shepherd. I choose to trust His love for me, and keep following Him even when His path leads through places I don’t want to walk–because I know His love for me has not run out.
Prayer
God, thank you for your love which has been proven over and over in my life! Thank you for providing all that I need, and help me to trust you each step of the journey…even when you lead me through places I would rather avoid.

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A Question of Ownership

  • February 15, 2023
God’s authority and ownership of all that exists, must govern the way that I steward the things He’s entrusted to me.
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Scripture

Leviticus 25:55
“For it is to me that the people of Israel are servants. They are my servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.”
Observation
This entire chapter deals with the question of ownership: Who owns the crops? Who owns the land? Who owns the servants? The reminder in all of it is that God owns it all. The Israelites were not free to manage their fields, servants, crops, or immigration policy in just any fashion that they wanted…because it all belonged to God.
Application
What a timely reminder, that everything I have belongs to God–not to me.
My home? It’s His.
My vehicles? Also His.
My wife? She’s His daughter.
My children? They belong to Him too.
My bank account, calendar, hobbies, friendships, and free time? Same thing!
When I remember who owns it all, it changes the way that I interact with life. I can’t simply lash out at others in anger…because they belong to Him. I can’t manage my finances carelessly, because it’s God’s bank account! I can’t neglect to spend time with my wife and sons, because they belong to the heavenly Father, and He has entrusted them to me…He cares about the way I care for them.
This week, I must acknowledge God’s authority and ownership of it all–and seek His wisdom and strength to manage what He has entrusted to me, in a way that pleases Him.
Prayer
God, thank you for the many blessings you’ve given me! Help me to steward them well, and honor you in the way I live my life.

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Join A Group Of People Gathered To Study The Bible

Unshakeable, Unchangeable

  • February 13, 2023
Paul had confidence in saying farewell, because he was not abandoning those he loved to their own devices–he was entrusting them to the care of the Holy Spirit, and the guidance of God’s Word.
Scripture

Acts 20:32
“And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
Observation
Paul is saying farewell to the elders of the church in Ephesus–reminding them of what they had been taught, and cautioning them about false teachers and divisive leaders who would arise. This had to be a difficult conversation for Paul as he said goodbye for the last time to these men in whom he had invested so much time, energy, and wisdom. Yet Paul had confidence in the farewell, because he was not abandoning them to their own devices–he was entrusting them to the care of the Holy Spirit, and the guidance of God’s Word.
Application
When I love and care deeply about someone, it can be hard to let go–whether in parenting, or as a church leader. But God hasn’t called me to lead and develop people who are merely dependent on me–He has called me to raise children and develop leaders who are dependent first and foremost on Him. If I am doing my job right, then health and stability should continue when it comes time for me to say goodbye–because the Holy Spirit is enduring and never failing, and God’s word never changes.
This week, I need to point people to the sure foundation of God’s word and God’s presence.
Prayer
God, thank you that you never change! Help me to daily rely on you, and teach others to rely on you as well–instead of teaching them to merely rely on me.
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Oil and Water

  • February 8, 2023
God gave us the solution for our sin problem—we must allow His transformation, instead of tolerating unresolved sin in our lives.
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Scripture

Leviticus 7:19-20
“Flesh that touches any unclean thing shall not be eaten. It shall be burned up with fire. All who are clean may eat flesh, but the person who eats of the flesh of the sacrifice of the Lord’s peace offering while an uncleanness is on him, that person shall be cut off from his people.”
Observation
Holiness and sin, clean and unclean, is a big deal! God gave his people a way to address the sin problem, but they were never to blur the line between holy and unholy. The uncleanness of a person would not cut that person off from the community, unless that person brought their issue into contact with that which was set apart to God.
Application
I’m so glad God has given me a solution for my sin problem! I’m grateful for his cleansing power in my life! Yet even as I walk in his grace, I cannot allow the line to be blurred between holy and unholy. I cannot make excuses for those things from which he has already redeemed me, and walk with unresolved contamination in my heart while I interact with the holy things of God! The two are simply not compatible with each other, like oil and water.
I must daily allow him to wash me clean, and not prevent his power from fully transforming me into his image day by day.
Prayer
God, thank you for your grace! May I never abuse your grace, or allow it to become an excuse for unrepentant sin in my life. I want my life to be holy and pleasing to you.

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Attitude Check

  • February 2, 2023
How patient the Lord is, and how stubborn His people can be! How much better would it have been for them if they had only surrendered to his Lordship, instead of merely calling him the Lord!
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Scripture

Exodus 33:3-4
(The Lord said to Moses…) “Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.” When the people heard this disastrous word, they mourned, and no one put on his ornaments.”
Observation
How patient the Lord is, and how stubborn His people can be! The desire of God’s heart was to bless his people, to take them to a land overflowing with abundant resources, to pour out his extravagant blessing on them…and yet their attitude toward him was one of constant, ongoing stubbornness and rebellion. God’s goodness never stopped–he was still taking them to the promised land…but his presence would not be among them. Even this was an expression of God’s love for them! He didn’t withdraw his presence out of spite, but because he knew that in their sin they would be consumed by a direct encounter with his presence.
How much better would it have been for them if they had only surrendered to his Lordship, instead of merely calling him the Lord!
Application
God only knows I how much I need an attitude adjustment from time to time. Despite God’s goodness and his mercy, my attitude still stinks when I become focused on my own desires, my own wants, and my own way instead of His plans and His way. If I harbor a stubborn and unrepentant heart toward God, my attitude will drive his presence from me. I don’t want to push aside His presence from my life! I don’t want to reject the one who stands waiting, wanting to walk with me and lead me through the wilderness to a place of abundant blessing!
I choose today to check my attitude before the Lord Almighty. I choose to bow my knee and my heart to the God of the universe, and welcome His presence into my life!
Prayer
God, thank you for your presence and your love for me! Help me to keep my heart malleable in your hands and surrendered to you. I don’t want to drive your presence from me! Show me when my attitude needs an adjustment, so that I would be brought to a place of repentance before you.

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The Value of a Heart

  • February 1, 2023
God measures the value of a heart not by what people can do, but simply for who they are.
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Scripture

Exodus 30:14-15
“Everyone who is numbered in the census, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the Lord’s offering. The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when you give the Lord’s offering to make atonement for your lives.”
Observation
When sin offerings were given, the poor were allowed to give a lesser offering to atone for sin–but when a census was taken to measure the strength of the nation, every person paid the exact same amount. The rich were not of more value to the community, and the poor were not worth less.
Application
How do I gauge the value of people? Do I see them for their infinite worth as children of God, made in His image, or do I base my estimation of their worth on what they can do for me? Christ died for those who could do nothing for him, because he sees the true worth of people. This week, I must be intentional to see the worth of people–not for what they can do, but simply for who they are as sons and daughters of God.
Prayer
God, thank you for seeing value in me! Help me to value others the way that you do–not merely for what they can do for me, but simply because you made them and you love them.

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Public Statements, Private Reminders

  • January 31, 2023
Our private reality, must match our public declarations.
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Scripture

Exodus 28:36-37, 42
“You shall make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, “Holy to the Lord.” And you shall fasten it on the turban by a cord of blue. It shall be on the front of the turban.”
“You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs…”
Observation
The priestly garments of Aaron and his sons must have been an amazing sight! The gold…the jewels…the glitter…the glamor…and there on the front of the turban where it couldn’t be missed, was a gold tablet engraved to remind the whole community that Aaron was set apart for God.
Equally important as the golden tablet though, was the linen underwear made to accompany it. The golden tablet was to be a public statement, the underwear was a private reminder. Not only was Aaron’s public persona to be dedicated to God–his private life was to equally belong to the Lord.
Application
God has called me to be salt and light to the earth. He has called me to testify to His greatness, and to be an ambassador of Christ for the world to see. I must let that light shine for him, boldly and confidently modelling a life set apart to God. So also must my private life reflect this same truth. The hidden places of my heart must be surrendered to Him just as fully as the parts of my life that others see. This week, I choose to wear the complete ‘matched set’ of garments so that every part of me would reflect my Lord and Savior. I choose to not only make public statements–but also set private reminders.
Prayer
God, thank you for loving me! Help me to daily live a life that is set apart for your glory–not hiding my public witness, but boldly proclaiming your truth. Not merely portraying a public image, but fully surrendering my heart to your will. May every part of my life be set apart to you, and pleasing in your sight!

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Counting the Moments

  • January 25, 2023
God’s desire is that the reference points and most significant moments in my life would be those that He defines, because only then will all the other things fall into the right sequence and priority.
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Scripture

Exodus 12:1-2
“The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you.”
Observation
Time is measured, calculated, and referenced in many ways–but God defined for His people what their reference point would be. A reference point establishes what is immovable, non-negotiable, and unshakable. They were not to calculate time based on the harvest or the decree of Pharaoh, but rather they were to calculate and start counting from the time when God moved them to apply the blood of the lamb to their lives.
Application
I have reference moments in my life: The opening time of my favorite coffee shop…the date of my upcoming vacation…the hike I’ve planned with my son…the dinner I’ve got planned with my wife…the list goes on. Some people count time until the weekend, or the opening day of hunting or lobster season, or the Superbowl.
God’s desire is that the reference points and most significant moments in my life would be those that He defines, because only then will all the other things fall into the right sequence and priority:
-The day I got baptized and gave my heart to the Lord
-The day I surrendered my own plans and ideas to Him, and stepped into the called He placed on my life
-The day that He brought freedom from things that would destroy me
When those things are the reference point that I count ‘from’, then they also affect what I count ‘toward’…and my priorities begin to align with the priorities of my Father.
Prayer
God, thank you for these moments in my life that I’ve seen you move so clearly! Help me to keep those as a reference point, so that my desires, priorities, and eager anticipation would align with your heart!

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The Identifying Feature

  • January 24, 2023
Jesus wasn’t recognized by his speech, his knowledge, or his wisdom. His primary identifiable mark was the way that he served.
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Scripture

Luke 24:30-31
“When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight.”
Observation
What an experience that must have been for the two disciples, to have the risen savior appear to them and spend the day explaining the prophecies in scripture. And yet…they had no idea who they were talking to! They didn’t recognize him by his speech, by his knowledge, or by his wisdom. No- it wasn’t until the moment that he broke bread and served them, that they knew him.
Application
Christ came not to be served, but to serve. Service was such a vital part of who he was, that it became his primary identifying mark. What an example for me to follow! There are many things that people are known by…but as a disciple and follower of Christ, the way that I serve must be so integral to who I am, that it becomes the thing I am known by. This week, I need to work on my ‘serve’. I must love others the way Christ does, and allow the blessings and provision of the Father to flow through me to others the way that Christ does.
Prayer
God, thank you for loving me and for robing yourself in flesh to serve me! I pray that you would cultivate that same heart in me, that I would be known as your child by the way that I serve. Not by my bumper sticker, or my Spotify playlist, or even my knowledge of scripture…but by the way that I serve.

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Patient Love

  • January 23, 2023
Because of the price that Jesus paid, mankind has the ability to experience the mercy of God TODAY. How much better to surrender our lives to God now, instead of waiting for the last possible moment!
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Scripture

Luke 23:42-43
And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Observation
What amazing mercy Jesus showed to the thief on the cross! He was at the end of his road, and had no ability to change his path or alter course. His life was what it was, crimes and all. God had desired so much more for him, and yet still had mercy on him in his final moments. The amazing thing is that because of the price that Jesus paid, mankind has the ability to experience the mercy of God TODAY. How much better to surrender our lives to God now, instead of waiting for the last possible moment!
Application
I want to see God’s best in my life. I don’t want to spend a lifetime doing things ‘my way’ and suffer the consequences, and then throw myself on the mercy of God at the end of my road, as my journey on earth ends in agony and heartbreak. I must surrender my life to God daily, and trust Him to lead and guide me even through difficult circumstances. As I surrender my life to God, I want to be bold to speak life and hope into those around me so that God’s best would be accomplished in their life also. Jesus didn’t force the thief to change his ways prior to the cross, but this wasn’t the first opportunity the thief had been given to repent and turn to God. I must let God’s love operate through me, wherever people are on their journey–offering hope even when it is rejected, because one day their heart may be ready to turn to God.
Prayer
God, thank you for giving me your peace, strength, and hope for the journey. Help me to extend your love and hope to others, so that they would turn to you today instead of waiting for their world to fall apart. Help me to be patient in speaking truth and hope, and trust that you are great enough to turn their heart to you even if they reject you today. Thank you for not giving up on me!

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