S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

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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Letting Go Of Goshen

  • January 19, 2023
Israel knew that Egypt was not God’s best for his future. It was God’s provision for today, but the promise for tomorrow was greater. He accepted today’s blessing, but didn’t allow it to distract him from tomorrow’s promise.
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Scripture

Genesis 47:29-30
“And when the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “If now I have found favor in your sight, put your hand under my thigh and promise to deal kindly and truly with me. Do not bury me in Egypt, but let me lie with my fathers. Carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place.” He answered, “I will do as you have said.”
Observation
Israel was living in the blessing and provision of God. Joseph had given them a place to call home in Goshen, and was feeding them from Pharaoh’s storehouses. While the rest of the known world was selling off their possessions to buy grain from Pharaoh, Israel’s family was living in comfort and security. How could things possibly get any better?! Yet Israel knew that Egypt was not God’s best for his future. It was God’s provision for today, but the promise for tomorrow was greater. He accepted today’s blessing, but didn’t allow it to distract him from tomorrow’s promise.
Application
God has blessed me so abundantly! I have everything I need for daily life, and so much more. I’m grateful for what God has given me! If I’m not careful though, I can allow the blessing of today, to cost me the greater promises for tomorrow by becoming complacent. I can give up on the promised land, by hanging on to Goshen too tightly. This week, I need to choose to hold God’s blessings with an open hand so that I could see the fulfillment of His promises in my life.
Prayer
God, thank you for blessing me abundantly! Help me to live a life of gratefulness, but always hold your blessings with an open hand so that I would not miss out on the fulfillment of your best for me. Don’t let me get too comfortable in Goshen!

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Forgiveness

  • January 18, 2023
The most important moment wasn’t when Joseph’s brothers begged for forgiveness, but rather the moment when Joseph kissed them. The critical change wasn’t the change of their heart, but rather the forgiveness in the heart of Joseph.
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Scripture

Genesis 45:15
“And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him.”
Observation
The story of Joseph is an incredible saga of betrayal, tragedy, and ultimately God’s redemption. This amazing outcome was only possible because of Joseph’s forgiveness toward his brothers–and yet there still seems to be something missing. We read Joseph’s great moment of revelation when his identity becomes known to his brothers…but where is the moment when they begged his forgiveness, the moment when they showed their remorse and groveled at his feet? Whatever that moment was, it is summed up in the simple phrase “…after that his brothers talked with him.”
The most important moment wasn’t when they begged for forgiveness, but rather the moment when Joseph kissed them. The critical change wasn’t the change of their heart, but rather the forgiveness in the heart of Joseph.
Application
I’ve never been sold into slavery, but I’ve faced betrayal and broken trust. I’ve spent seasons waiting for vindication and wishing to hear an apology. I’ve spent way too much time in those seasons in fact, not recognizing that the thing which needed to change was in my own heart. If I am going to allow God to be glorified in me through those moments, then I must be ok with the response of my adversary being reduced to a mere footnote and passing comment–because the most critical thing is not the apology I do or don’t receive, but rather the condition of my own heart.
Prayer
God, thank you for your forgiveness in my life. Help me to forgive freely, and allow you to accomplish the things you desire in my heart–instead of allowing my life story to hinge on the words, attitudes, and actions of others.

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Walking in Favor

  • January 16, 2023
When my heart is right before God, the attitudes, motivations, and ambitions of those around me cannot prevent the favor of God in my life—and when my heart is right before him, his favor will spill over to bless those around me.
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Scripture

Genesis 39:3-4
“His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house, and put him in charge of all that he had.”
Observation
What an amazing story of God’s blessing. Though Joseph was a slave, he was blessed by God. Though he was in a pagan land, his pagan master had to acknowledge the success that Joseph’s presence brought–and Potiphar’s self-interest led to doors of opportunity opening for Joseph.
The situation and circumstances were very imperfect–and yet Joseph walked in the favor of God.
Application
As a child of God, I walk each day in divine favor. Despite ungodly people and circumstances around me, God’s blessing and favor are abundant in my life–and if I am walking in humility and integrity, then those around me will be blessed by God’s presence in me. When my heart is right before God, the attitudes, motivations, and ambitions of those around me cannot prevent the favor of God in my life—and when my heart is right before him, his favor will spill over to bless those around me.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder of your favor! Help me to walk each day with integrity and a heart that honors you, no matter what the circumstances and situation may be. As I walk in you, may those around me by blessed by your presence in me.

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