S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

Past Victory, Future Hope

  • March 16, 2023
God’s power is not proven through a lack of problems in my life…His power is proven through the way that he shows himself faithful through ‘every’ problem I could face.
==============
Scripture

Psalm 40:9-10
I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O LORD. I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
Observation
Some stories just can’t be held in–they’ve gotta be told! The writer of Psalm 40 has experienced the power of God, and he can’t stop himself from telling others about what God has done. But immediately after this verse, he goes on to talk about all the struggles he’s still experiencing, and the battles that he is still facing! The writer doesn’t wait until all of his present problems are resolved, to tell of the greatness of God: Rather he tells the story of what God has ‘already’ done, trusting that there is more that God is still doing. God’s faithfulness through past trials, gives him hope for the present battle–and that kind of hope cannot be kept silent.
Application
God has been faithful in my life. His power is not proven through a lack of problems in my life…His power is proven through the way that he shows himself faithful through ‘every’ problem I could face. I can’t wait for the day that no more issues exist, to tell the story of what he’s done–I must start today! The testimony of God’s faithfulness in my life is a reminder to me, and an encouragement to others. The same God who calmed the storm yesterday is the same God who is greater than the storm that I currently face–and his story must be told!
Prayer
God, thank you for your faithfulness in my life! Thank you for proving yourself worthy of my trust over and over again. Help me to never forget all that you’ve done for me, and give me boldness to share the story of your greatness in my life so that others would also come to put their trust in you!
Thank you for being greater than the storms I face today–I trust that you hold my future in your hands, and that no issue is too hard for you to handle.

Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!

You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

The Right Seed

  • March 15, 2023
Right harvest, requires right seeds.
==========================
Scripture

Galatians 6:7-8
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Observation
Sowing and reaping: It’s a principle established by God from the beginning of time. The law of the harvest is that you always reap ‘what’ you sow, and you always reap ‘more’ than you sow. There is a compounding effect that takes place: The seeds harvested then become next year’s seed, to be planted and harvested again and again in an ongoing cycle.
Application
I’ve reaped many harvests in my life- some good, some bad. But they are always a harvest of the seeds that I’ve planted! The harvest that I reap, reveals the kind of seed that I’ve planted. If I don’t like the harvest I’m reaping, I must choose to plant a different kind of seed. The problem is, my seed comes from my harvest! And so often I take the harvest that I don’t want, and plant it back in the ground…and reap an even greater harvest the next time.
The only place that the cycle of sowing and reaping can be broken, is at the time of sowing. The barn may be full of corn, but the farmer must choose to plant wheat if he wants wheat. My heart may be full of anger, but I must choose to plant peace if I want peace. The harvest of peace that I reap may be so small as to be laughed at…but that’s my seed for the next planting season. If I just keep planting peace, then eventually my harvest will be greater than whatever I had previously stored in my heart.
Keys for a right harvest:

True Friendship

  • March 10, 2023
True friendship requires confrontation.
======================
Scripture

Galatians 1:6
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel”
Observation
True friendship requires confrontation.
In today’s reading in Deuteronomy, friendship meant “holding the line” to not allow the community to turn to other gods. In Galatians, we see Paul holding the same line when the church began to drift from the gospel of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul’s allegiance was first and foremost to God, and he would have been no true friend at all to the church in Galatia if he allowed them to drift from truth without sounding the alarm.
Application
Confrontation (Godly confrontation) isn’t fun. It’s not about venting my own anger and emotions for my own satisfaction. It’s not about giving someone a piece of my mind. Biblical, covenant of grace, God-honoring confrontation is about being courageous enough to call out sin and error, so that people would be drawn back to the Savior. It’s about having the hard conversation, while leaving the door open for relationship as people turn toward truth.
This week I need to seek God’s heart for wisdom, boldness, and a Godly heart when confrontation is necessary.
Prayer
God, thank you for loving me enough to confront sin in my heart! Help me to cling to truth above all else, and care enough about those in my care to confront when necessary–with a Christlike heart that draws people back to you.

Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!

You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Past Blessing, Future Blessing

  • March 8, 2023
Israel’s future success hinged on their response to past blessing.
============================
Scripture

Deuteronomy 8:17-19
“Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth’, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. And if you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.”
Observation
The nation of Israel was enjoying immense blessing from God. He had delivered them from slavery in Egypt, and was leading them to a place of blessing and stability in the promised land. Now Moses was warning them that their reaction to the prior blessings of God could cost them the future blessings of God, could cost them the future blessings of God if they didn’t keep their heart right. If they began to reflect back and imagine that the prior blessings were a result of their own greatness, they would find themselves in a condition that God was unable to bless. Their future success hinged on their response to past blessing.
Application
And Stanley once said, ‘The greatest enemy of our future success, is our past success.’ This principle seems to be echoed in this passage from Deuteronomy. What a sad thing, to lose out on future blessings from God, because of a wrong reaction to past blessings from him!
To avoid this outcome in my life, I must take time to understand the reasons and causes of past success in my life. I must daily choose to keep my heart postured rightly toward God. I must daily acknowledge him as my source and supply, and give him glory–knowing that he has greater things in store for me, if I keep my heart submitted to the Lord of all.
Prayer
God, thank you for your blessings in my life! I don’t deserve your goodness, but I’m so thankful for it! Help me to keep my heart right before you, and daily give you glory as the giver of every good and perfect gift. Help me to never sacrifice your future blessings in my life, by responding wrongly to past blessings you’ve given me. All that I have is from you!

Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!

You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

I find that offensive…

  • March 7, 2023
This incident with the alabaster flask was certainly significant enough to cause some grumbling among the disciples, but it doesn’t seem ‘that’ significant to directly motivate Judas to betray Jesus. It makes me wonder–when did Judas first allow the seeds of offense to begin growing in his heart? The outcome shouldn’t surprise me though, because that’s how offense works.
=========================
Scripture

Mark 14:3-5,10
“And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her.”
“Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them.”
Observation
Scripture doesn’t tell us much about Judas. He was a necessary part of Jesus’ story, but we’re not given many insights into his heart and motivations. This passage is striking to me though, as a glimpse into his life and heart.
The woman in this story gave an extravagant gift to Jesus (nearly $53,000 in today’s money), and those who saw it were “indignant”, considering it a waste. Jesus defended her actions as being appropriate and beautiful, and immediately we see Judas slipping out the door to plot with the chief priests to betray Jesus.
This incident was certainly significant enough to cause some grumbling among the disciples, but it doesn’t seem ‘that’ significant to directly motivate Judas to betray him. It makes me wonder–when did Judas first allow the seeds of offense to begin growing in his heart? How long had this been festering and growing within him, unseen by the rest? How long had he allowed jealously, greed, or simply a critical spirit to grow, to the point that he could no longer even tolerate watching someone else worship the savior? The outcome shouldn’t surprise me though, because that’s how offense works.
Application
Offense, unforgiveness, and bitterness grow quietly like weeds. An irritation here, a frustration there, an unresolved tension over there…and the poisonous fruit begins to grow.
When I think back on the people that I’ve found it hardest to forgive, the ‘biggest’ issue often wasn’t the first one–it was simply the final one that I had allowed to pile on top of all the other little offenses that came before it. That’s the way offense works–one little thing on top of another, each easily resolved with a heart of humility and a conversation–but instead allowed to fester and permeate my heart like an infection.
I don’t want my heart to be ruled by offense! I don’t want to allow bitterness to grow in me until my stomach is turned merely by the sight of someone worshiping the one who deserves all worship!
So today, I choose to let go. I choose to let go of the small irritations and differences. I choose to confront awkward conversations instead of letting them linger. I choose to let God correct the things that are only up to him, knowing that he is much more effective than I.
Today I choose not to be Judas.
Prayer
God, thank you for your patience with me! Thank you for forgiving me, though you have every right not to. Help me to forgive others, and not allow offense to reside in my heart. Help me to confront what needs to be confronted, ignore what needs to be ignored, and forgive what needs to be forgiven…and give me wisdom to know the difference.

Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!

You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

The Right Support

  • March 6, 2023
Knowing the difference between who I am leaning on, and who is leaning on me, is the difference between fulfilling my mission or destroying those I’m called to lead.
=====================================
Scripture

Deuteronomy 3:27-28
“Go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes westward and northward and southward and eastward, and look at it with your eyes, for you shall not go over this Jordan. But charge Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him, for he shall go over at the head of this people, and he shall put them in possession of the land that you shall see.”
Observation
Moses was having a rough day. The promised land was right there in front of him, close enough to reach out and touch it! …Yet he was not allowed to enter into the promise, because of decisions he had made. It would have been so easy to Moses to let his frustration spill over onto Joshua, and vent his disappointment all over him–yet God told him to ‘encourage and strengthen’ Joshua! Encouragement was probably the last thing on his mind, but it was necessary. Joshua was not there to encourage Moses–he was there to be encouraged, mentored, taught, and led by Moses.
Application
Relational roles and dynamics are so important especially in leading. Knowing the difference between who I am leaning on, and who is leaning on me, is the difference between fulfilling my mission or destroying those I’m called to lead.
My sons bring me great joy, but I can’t lean on them to sustain me and lift me up when I’m having a rough day. The teams that I lead encourage me daily–but it would be unfair and even harmful to expect them to carry every weight that falls on me.
Like Moses, I must be intentional to speak encouragement even when I would prefer not to. Not with a veneer of fake joy, or a facade of confidence, but rather with the genuine confidence of knowing that my strength and joy comes from my heavenly father.
Prayer
God, thank you for your strength which sustains me and your joy which daily fills me. Help me to speak life and encouragement to those around me each day–not with empty platitudes, but with the unshakeable confidence that comes from understanding who I am, and who you are.

Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!

You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Hearing and Knowing

  • March 2, 2023
Hearing God’s voice is not enough. We must ‘know’ God, and walk with Him!
===========================
Scripture

Numbers 31:15-16
“Moses said to them, “Have you let all the women live? Behold these, on Balaam’s advice, caused the people of Israel to act treacherously against the Lord in the incident of Peor, and so the plague came among the congregation of the Lord.”
Observation
Balaam knew how to hear God. He was used in prophecy, and had angelic encounters. What a life! What a ministry! …except for one problem: Balaam knew how to hear God’s voice, but he didn’t know God. Despite the seemingly awesome spiritual sensitivity he had, Balaam was not an agent of God–rather, he was an agent of distraction and destruction for God’s people.
Application
Hearing God’s voice can never take the place of knowing him. Supernatural encounters can never be the test by which we judge God’s approval of a person or situation. I must daily seek not only to hear God, but also to know him–by submitting to him, surrendering to him, and walking with him. Only this way will I be an ambassador of Christ, not a distraction from him!
When I am interacting with people and situations, I must look at more than just their ability to hear God. I must watch if they know God, and are submitted to His plans and purposes.
Prayer
God, I want to know you! I don’t merely want to recognize your voice, I want to walk with you daily so that your perfect will would be accomplished in and through me!

Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!

You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

The Power of No

  • March 1, 2023
Like Jesus, I must be sure of my mission. I must know who I am in God, and know the authority I have in him.
And then…I must simply keep on walking. Without reacting, without retorting, without slowing down.
=======================
Scripture

Mark 8:11-12
“The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. And he sighed deeply within his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
Observation
The Pharisees had decided that they needed to form an ‘official’ opinion of Jesus, and take a stance on his ministry. Jesus had never asked them to weigh in, but they were the self-appointed judge, jury, and executioner. They brought their demands to Jesus, and Jesus said…no! I can just imagine the confusion, frustration, and bafflement on their face when Jesus simply refused to play their game. He knew who he was, he knew the authority he walked in…and so, he simply kept walking!
Application
People love to stick their fingers into situations and exert control! Our society is full of those who seem to have made it their mission in life to provide critique and commentary on everything:
“If you’re really following Christ, then you would do this…”
“If you really care about people, then you would focus on that…”
“If you really were a Christian, then you should…”
Often these are not the voices of those who truly walk with us and care about us, but rather it’s the self-appointed judges, critics, and commentators. Like Jesus, I must be sure of my mission. I must know who I am in God, and know the authority I have in him.
And then…I must simply keep on walking. Without reacting, without retorting, without slowing down.
Prayer
God, thank you for the confidence I find in following your footsteps. Help me to follow you daily, and not let self-appointed commentators slow me down or dissuade me from fulfilling the mission you’ve given me. Thank you for the love, truth, and wisdom that you speak into my life each day.

Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!

You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

The Heart That God Blesses

  • February 28, 2023
Nations and cultures are impacted not merely by the bold, but by those who walk in a way that God is able to bless.
================
Scripture

Numbers 27:6-7
“And the Lord said to Moses, “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them.”
Observation
What a bold move by these five sisters! In a culture and time where women had no right to inherit anything, these five stood up before the leaders of the nation to protest a great injustice…and God agreed with them!
Because of their boldness not only did they receive the inheritance that they asked for, but a new precedent was also set for women throughout the nation in a similar circumstance.
Their boldness to call out injustice with a right heart and attitude caused a shift in the entire culture.
Application
Culture and legislation are not always right. Just because things have always been done a certain way, doesn’t make it right and just. Some people will just go with the flow and never stand up for justice. Some people are quick to seize a cause and raise their voice in protest, but their heart and attitude prevent them from accomplishing lasting change–but there are a few people who possess not only the boldness to stand up, but also the humility and God-honoring spirit which God is able to bless and anoint–and those are the ones who make a lasting impact. I want to be in that category! Not merely raising a fuss and making demands…but instead boldly speaking up for what is right and just, with a heart that is aligned with the heart of God.
Prayer
God, thank you for the inspiration and guidance that I find in your word! Thank you that you are a just God. Give me boldness this week I pray, to stand up for what is right and just–and help me to walk each day with a heart that honors and pleases you.

Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!

You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Keeping Pace With God

  • February 27, 2023
Jesus taught his disciples not to let their season dictate their health. He showed them that it’s not ‘more holy’ to burn out and wear out. He reminded them that the success they were experiencing was because of God…not because of their own achievement.
===========================
Scripture

Mark 6:30-31
“The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.”
Observation
Great things were happening, and God was ministering through the disciples in amazing ways. Miracles were being performed and people were turning to God! If ever there was a time to push harder, work longer hours, and seize the moment…this was it! But Jesus didn’t give them a pep talk about making sacrifices, or about working harder–instead, he told them to take a break! He taught them not to let their season dictate their health. He showed them that it’s not ‘more holy’ to burn out and wear out. He reminded them that the success they were experiencing was because of God…not because of their own achievement.
Application
Some seasons are intense! When great things are happening and momentum is building, it’s easy to get excited and put my own health on the back burner–yet Jesus taught that my health and habits of rest should not be determined by my season. If I’m going to do things ‘His way’, then I must schedule time to rest and recharge. Pushing harder and harder past my limits is a sign that I believe it all hinges on me. Resting with intentionality is an acknowledgement that God is in control of the situation.
This week, I choose to honor God with my pace and rest habits–because He is God, and I am not.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder of the importance of rest. Thank you that your strength is sufficient, and that you hold all things in your hands–the world doesn’t rest on my shoulders! Help me to be intentional with my pace, and never fall into the trap of thinking that everything hinges on me.

Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!

You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Back To Top