S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

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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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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