S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

The Issue Isn’t The Issue

  • February 23, 2023
Hidden issues require divine wisdom, and a Spirit-led response.
===============
Scripture

Numbers 12:1-2
“Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. And they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it.”
Observation
“The ‘issue’ is never the issue.”
I remember my father telling me this often during my childhood. People often act and react in specific ways because of some unresolved issue of which they may be unaware, or unwilling to face.
In this passage, Aaron and Miriam were rebelling against Moses and trying to usurp his God-given role… because they were harboring bitterness in their hearts toward Moses’ wife, their sister-in-law. Moses may have been completely unaware of the true issue, but God understood exactly what was happening–and He knew exactly how to deal with it. Instead of accusing Aaron and Miriam of racism, God gave Miriam a small taste of the way she was treating Moses’ wife. Being cut off and shunned from the community for a reason over which she had no control, probably had a greater impact on Miriam’s heart than any words which could have been spoken to her.
Hidden issues required divine wisdom, and a Spirit-led response.
Application
Sometimes I just sit back and scratch my head when I see how someone responds or reacts. An everyday conversation suddenly spirals out of control, leaving both parties hurt and confused…and the reaction doesn’t seem to fit the cause. The ‘issue’ isn’t the issue…but what is the issue?!
Instead of just pushing through with human understanding and making the situation worse, I must pray for Spirit-led wisdom to address not just the visible thing…but the root thing.
Sometimes the issue is in my own heart, and I find myself reacting because of issues the I’ve not truly addressed or surrendered to God–and once again I must go to God with a humble heart and ask Him to reveal the things in me that are unresolved, so that I can surrender more fully to Him.
Prayer
God, thank you for seeing below the surface to understand the true issues at stake–not just in others, but also in me. Give me discernment when tensions flare, to react with Holy Spirit insight so that your will would be accomplished. Show me when there are unresolved issues in my own heart, so that I would be transformed day by day to be more like 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/

Discernment

  • February 22, 2023
Today’s SOAP journal is brought to you by Stacey Fukushima:
Scripture

Acts 14:2
“But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.”
Observation
God was moving – with signs and wonders – and He desires for ALL to be saved. The Gentiles had dynamic ministers come to them ready to share what good things God was doing. But the Jews who were enmeshed in their religion poisoned the Gentiles’ minds, and robbed them of the good news of Jesus Christ. The Gentiles allowed this poison in – they chose to let it corrode and ruin what wonderful things God had, because they allowed the wrong people to have a voice in their life…the Jews. These people were openly rejecting Christ, and they also didn’t want anyone else to enjoy the blessings that God had through Jesus Christ.
Application
It’s critical to be aware of who I am allowing to speak into my life and influence my mind. God can have good things for me, but the enemy doesn’t want me living my best and will bring people along my path who will poison my mind and rob me of the good things my Heavenly Father has for me. These people who are living on a lower plain will drag others down to their level. I do not want to miss out on the great things that God has for me, to live a life that isn’t God’s best: so I need to be vigilant, and guard my mind and spirit to not allow that toxin in and derail me from the good things God has for me.
Prayer
God, I thank you for your guidance. I thank you for the Holy Spirit as my guide, who allows me to discern what is good and bad and to make sure that only the good things are taking root in me. Thank you for your grace for when I miss the mark, and for sending faithful steady ministers along my path to speak life into me, to encourage me when I am weak, and to point me back to you so that I continue to build my life on your foundation. Thank you for your Word which is life unto me, and for your Son Jesus, who has born the price of my sin, and allows me to fellowship with you regularly. I pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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/

Room to grow, Protected to grow

  • February 21, 2023
Kingdom service is about so much more than a task list—it is about serving each other, creating room for leaders to grow, and protecting the health of the Body.
==========================
Scripture

Numbers 8:25-26
“…from the age of fifty years they shall withdraw from the duty of the service and serve no more. They minister to their brothers in the tent of meeting by keeping guard, but they shall do no service. Thus shall you do to the Levites in assigning their duties.”
Observation
What a beautiful process was laid out for the Levites in their temple service! Each one was to help carry the load in ministering, and each one was to help preserve the ‘team culture’ of the priesthood by creating room for the next generation to serve. This was about so much more than merely taking a break though, or getting out of the way of those with more zeal and energy–this was about intentionally making a shift in their priorities. At the age of fifty, no longer were they to be stressing about keeping the table of bread filled, or the candles trimmed, or gold polished. They instead were to minister ‘to their brothers’, by keeping guard. Their focus was to be on the health of the priesthood, by guarding against any foe or obstacle which would hinder them.
Application
What a beautiful example for me to follow, in service to the King! The daily tasks and ‘stuff’ of ministry are important–but the greatest care and wisdom must be directed toward guarding, protecting, mentoring, and encouraging the leaders who bear the weight of responsibility in the Body. Without this critical priority, growth ‘today’ will be pursued at the cost of Kingdom health ‘tomorrow’.
This week, I need to make sure that I’m creating room for the leaders of tomorrow to grow. Not merely creating a place for them, but actively investing myself in developing, encouraging, and protecting them. The tasks and processes may be important, but I must be intentional to value people more than process.
I must also welcome the voice of mentors in my life who care enough about me to guard me from the pitfalls of ministry–people who have some miles on the journey, and are willing to support, encourage, and guard me in my own walk.
Prayer
God, thank you for this beautiful passage, displaying the heart and priorities behind all the details and ceremonial trappings of the temple! Help me to always value people, and to have a kingdom-centered heart which creates room for leaders to grow, and protects the long-term health of your church.
Thank you for the mentors in my life who guard me, and who watch out for my own health as I serve in your kingdom!

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/

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.
=======================
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.

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/

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.
==================
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.

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/

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.
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/

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.
==========================================
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.

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/

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!
=============================
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.

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 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.
=================
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.

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/

Public Statements, Private Reminders

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

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