S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

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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Kingdom Growth

  • January 13, 2023
The natural result of an encounter with the Kingdom of God, is permanent transformation.
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Scripture

Luke 13:20-21
And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? It is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”
Observation
Throughout scripture leaven (yeast) is used as a symbol of corruption, unholiness, and sin. When holiness was required…leaven was forbidden. When food was prepared for a sacred feast…leaven was not allowed. The pervasive nature of yeast seems to be a great analogy for the way that sin will invade and multiply in our lives.
But in this passage, Jesus flips that analogy on it’s head by using leaven not to describe sin, but to describe the kingdom of God! How could the kingdom of God be in any way compared to the same thing used to describe sin?!
Jesus understood something that we often miss about the Kingdom: God’s kingdom is the kingdom of life. Living faith, in the living God, will always multiply and grow. The natural result of an encounter with the Kingdom of God, is permanent transformation.
Application
I want to see God’s power at work in my life this way! I want His word to transform me and shape me into something new, and I want my life to be used by God to multiply His kingdom and impact others. This can’t happen with a dead, shelf-stable, ‘saltine cracker’ kind of faith–it requires living, active, vibrant faith in the living God. When I allow God’s word to grow in me and His spirit to guide me day by day, the result will be complete transformation of my heart–and that kind of relationship with God can’t be contained or limited. It will naturally overflow outward, to impact those around me as well.
This week, I need to take a look at God’s spirit at work in me: Is it causing growth and multiplication as God intended? Or am I allowing anything in my life to inhibit the natural growth of the kingdom?
Prayer
God, thank you for the life that you bring! Thank you for the work of your spirit in me, bringing growth and transformation! Help me to daily allow your kingdom to grow in and through me, and never inhibit the work of your spirit. May my life carry the transformative power of your spirit into every situation and every conversation that I encounter this week.

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Rooftop Broadcasts

  • January 12, 2023

The Kingdom of God is defined by integrity, light, and truth: not obscurity and manicured public perception.

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Scripture

Luke 12:1-3

In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

Observation

A life that honors Christ is one that doesn’t depend on secrets, cover-ups, and hidden truths. Communication which pleases the Savior, is appropriate for rooftop broadcast…not just for quiet whispers in a private corner. The Kingdom of God is defined by integrity, light, and truth, not obscurity and manicured public perception.

Application

Our world is consumed by a preoccupation with ‘image’. We have PR firms to manage public perception, Snapchat filters to hide the warts on my face, and carefully curated Instagram feeds to show only our best side. Proverbs 22:1 says “A good name is more desirable than great riches”…but too often we forget that a good name which lasts, must be built on truth.

The answer is not to suddenly flood social media with all of our dirty laundry and ‘junk’–but rather to begin living life so that the words we utter in private rooms, will not shame or destroy us when broadcast from the rooftops.

Prayer

God, thank you for strength and wisdom to live with integrity! Help me to walk daily in such a way that you would be glorified, no matter which of my words are proclaimed from a rooftop for all to hear.

 

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Fulfillment and Blessing

  • January 11, 2023

God’s love for me is not dependent on what I can ‘do’ for Him. The love that He models to me as a father is perfect and complete, and not a bargaining chip. His ‘completeness’ and identity are not dependent on me–and so He is able to love me even when I am being unlovable.

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Scripture

Genesis 27:1-4

1 When Isaac was old and his eyes were dim so that he could not see, he called Esau his older son and said to him, “My son”; and he answered, “Here I am.” 2 He said, “Behold, I am old; I do not know the day of my death. 3 Now then, take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me, 4 and prepare for me delicious food, such as I love, and bring it to me so that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die.”

Observation

What a twisted perspective Isaac had as a father! He wanted to bless his firstborn Esau…as long as Esau fulfilled his desires and preferences. Isaac was old, and no longer able to hunt and do the things he loved–and so he tied Esau’s blessing directly to Esau’s ability to tantalize his tastebuds. Instead of loving and blessing Esau simply because Esau was his son, he was more interested in what Esau could do for him. Rebekah displays this same twisted perspective a few verses later, when she says that her life would not be worth living is Jacob married a Hittite woman. She tied her own fulfillment and happiness as a parent, to the life decisions made by her children.

Application

God’s love for me is not dependent on what I can ‘do’ for Him. The love that He models to me as a father is perfect and complete, and not a bargaining chip. His ‘completeness’ and identity are not dependent on me–and so He is able to love me even when I am being unlovable.

What an example for me to follow as a father! To love my sons completely and without condition, and to remain healthy and fulfilled in my own identity as a son of God without looking to my children for my own happiness and fulfillment: this is the example that God has given me. At times they are stubborn, wayward, and disobedient–just like I have been at times to my heavenly father. If I’m looking to them for my happiness, then my love will be a conditional bargaining. When I find my fulfillment, identity, and joy in Christ alone…I can love my sons unconditionally the way that God loves me, and I can play my role as their father to see them grow into the men that God created them to be.

Prayer

God, thank you for loving me unconditionally! Thank you that you are unchanging, and your identity and completeness does not depend on me. Help me to love my sons the way that you love me, so that they would grow to be the men that you created them to be. Help me to always find my fulfillment and joy in you alone, so that my life would remain firmly rooted by the river of Life.

 

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Walking in Favor

  • January 10, 2023

God’s supernatural favor was on Isaac…but his fear prevented him from fully living in God’s favor.

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Scripture

Genesis 26:6-7

“So Isaac settled in Gerar. When the men of the place asked him about his wife, he said, “She is my sister,” for he feared to say, “My wife,” thinking, “lest the men of the place should kill me because of Rebekah,” because she was attractive in appearance.”

Observation

Isaac was the child of promise, and he was living in the promise of God. God was making a way, providing for him, blessing him, guiding him, and protecting him. Despite all of this…I see Isaac in this verse living a timid life, fearful of those around him. Instead of walking confidently as God led him, he was walking timidly in case he was attacked. Instead of living boldly in the unending provision of God, he was living fearfully and scheming to try to protect what he had. What a sad situation! God’s supernatural favor was on him…and yet his fear prevented him from fully living in God’s favor.

Application

How often am I like Isaac? I am a child of God– living in his favor, and walking in his promise. His is fighting my battles, and opening doors. Yet I too have found myself walking timidly, living in fear instead of in the confidence of God’s perfect love for me.

God desires to lead me, to bless me, and to provide for me. If I am following him, then I have nothing to fear. His supply is not in danger of running out, and his strength is not reaching its limit.

This week, I need to fix my attention on the Father who loves me. I need to trust his love for me, and walk in confidence–because my confidence is in him.

Prayer

God, thank you for your provision and favor in my life! Thank you for providing all that I need, and abundantly more than I need. Help me to truly place my confidence in you, so that I would live each day in the confidence of your love–instead of in the fear of my own weakness.

 

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The Role of the Spirit

  • January 4, 2023

Although we are called to walk in relationship, I must daily make sure that my relationships point people to the power of the Holy Spirit– rather than trying to become his replacement.

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Scripture

Luke 4:42-43

“And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

Observation

The people were responding…but Jesus had to leave. The people sought him…but Jesus must depart.

Why?!

This seems so counter-productive to the mission of Christ.

Jesus knew a secret: His Good News was not constrained by his physical location, and indeed he would not be physically walking the earth much longer. He could not allow the present crowd to cost him his opportunity to share the Good News with the next community. He could not allow his present success to cost him his future success.

Application

I am called to share the good news of Christ, with those who need hope. I love seeing people respond to the love of God, and watching lives be transformed–but even that cannot stop me or distract me from continuing to share the gospel! The power of the gospel is not in how I walk alongside someone, but in how they allow the Holy Spirit to work within them. Although we are called to walk in relationship, I must daily make sure that my relationships point people to the power of the Holy Spirit– rather than trying to become his replacement.

Prayer

God, thank you for relationships and the daily presence of your Holy Spirit. Help me to daily fulfill the call to share your good news with others, and never let anything hinder that from happening. Thank you that the seeds of your word keep on growing long after being planted, as you bring increase!

 

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

 

The Role of the Spirit

  • January 4, 2023

Although we are called to walk in relationship, I must daily make sure that my relationships point people to the power of the Holy Spirit– rather than trying to become his replacement.

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Scripture

Luke 4:42-43

“And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.”

Observation

The people were responding…but Jesus had to leave. The people sought him…but Jesus must depart.

Why?!

This seems so counter-productive to the mission of Christ.

Jesus knew a secret: His Good News was not constrained by his physical location, and indeed he would not be physically walking the earth much longer. He could not allow the present crowd to cost him his opportunity to share the Good News with the next community. He could not allow his present success to cost him his future success.

Application

I am called to share the good news of Christ, with those who need hope. I love seeing people respond to the love of God, and watching lives be transformed–but even that cannot stop me or distract me from continuing to share the gospel! The power of the gospel is not in how I walk alongside someone, but in how they allow the Holy Spirit to work within them. Although we are called to walk in relationship, I must daily make sure that my relationships point people to the power of the Holy Spirit– rather than trying to become his replacement.

Prayer

God, thank you for relationships and the daily presence of your Holy Spirit. Help me to daily fulfill the call to share your good news with others, and never let anything hinder that from happening. Thank you that the seeds of your word keep on growing long after being planted, as you bring increase!

 

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

Light in Darkness

  • December 30, 2022

Until God calls us home, our job is to continue walking as children of God– carrying light into dark places.

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Scripture
Revelation 18:4
Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;
Observation
Though we are not of the world, God has put us into the world to carry His name and His light in dark places. Even in the last days when evil and wickedness is overflowing, God wants His people to remain set apart to Him–in our thinking, in our speech, in our walk. God knows the limits of our endurance and our strength–and at some point, He will call His people out of Babylon so that we will not ‘take part in her sins’. Until then our job is to continue walking as children of God, carrying light into dark places.
Application
“In the world but not of it”–this is such a simple concept, yet so profound. In the midst of the greatest evil and wickedness, God has placed me where He wants me to be in order to carry His name and His image. When worldly philosophies and humanistic ways of thinking dominate society, it can be daunting to remain steadfast. Yet God knows my heart, my love for Him, and my weaknesses–and He knows the limits of my strength. If He has placed me where I am, then He has also given me all that I need to remain faithful to Him right where I am. If He has not removed me from my circumstances, then my job is to simply remain faithful and continue shining brightly for Him.
Prayer
God, thank you for the privilege of serving you! Help me to not allow my thinking and my actions to be tainted or corrupted by worldly philosophies. Help me to remain set apart for you, even in the middle of a sinful and fallen world. Thank you for giving me all that I need to walk in your ways, and thank you for knowing my limits and imperfections. May you be glorified in my life, as I shine your light in darkness!
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