S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

The Power of Prayer

  • December 28, 2022
This week, I need to cultivate the daily discipline of prayer–not because my words have inherent power, but because the One to whom I pray has ALL power.
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Scripture
Revelation 8:3-5
And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.
Observation
What an amazing visual picture of the power of prayer! Prayer may seem to us as insubstantial as a wisp of smoke, lacking the power to change or accomplish anything–but when directed to God, in a way which honors Him and captures His attention, it generates a response from the Father that is earth-shaking and powerful.
Application
God has been calling me to prayer. He has been drawing my attention to situations and circumstances over which I have no control, and only limited influence. Prayer may feel insubstantial in the face of specific, measurable, quantifiable problems…but the power of prayer is not in the prayer itself–the power of prayer resides in the One to whom my prayers are directed. When I offer my prayers as an incense before God, with a heart submitted to Him, His response is nothing short of earth-shaking and miraculous.
This week, I need to cultivate the daily discipline of prayer–not because my words have inherent power, but because the One to whom I pray has ALL power.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder of the power of prayer! Help me to cultivate the daily habit of prayer–not just talking to you, but listening also to your voice as you speak to me. Thank you for hearing my prayers, and for loving me enough to respond in power when I pray!
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Seen, Known, Loved

  • December 27, 2022

God calls me to serve Him with a heart of Brotherly Love, trusting that He will make a way when I cannot: …Because He sees me, He knows me, and He loves me.
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Scripture
Revelation 3:7-8 7
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.’
Observation
What an encouragement this letter must have been, to the church in Philadelphia! Reading between the lines, I can almost hear the fatigue of this church family–working, laboring, fighting the good fight, and sharing the Good News with a wicked world. How amazing, for God himself to recognize their faithfulness and to write this letter to them through John!
Though their strength was little, their faithfulness was great. Though their power was small, their hearts were mighty. Though they faced insurmountable obstacles, God himself was making a way.
Application
I love this passage. There are many churches listed and mentioned by God in the book of Revelation. There are mighty events happening, great conflicts occurring, and all of the forces of heaven and hell on display. …And there, in the middle of it all, is the little congregation of Philadelphia: The church of Brotherly Love. They weren’t the biggest, or the most famous, or the mightiest…but they were faithful. They had ‘but little power’, but they used what power they had, in pursuit of God. Instead of bemoaning their limitations they simply kept serving faithfully, and following God steadfastly.
AND GOD NOTICED!
God didn’t need for them to be somebody different. He didn’t need for their circumstances to be different. He didn’t need for their power to be different. He simply needed them to faithfully serve Him–and He was more than sufficient to make up for what they seemed to lack.
This week, I need to serve God with that same heart: Not waiting for my circumstances to change, or for more resource to appear–but simply following God faithfully and steadfastly with what I have, even when the things that I have don’t seem to be adequate. I need to serve Him with a heart of Brotherly Love, trusting that He will make a way when I cannot:
…Because He sees me, He knows me, and He loves me.
Prayer
Thank you God for seeing me! Thank you for loving me, even when I don’t feel adequate or capable. Thank you for making a way through impossible circumstances, as I follow you. Help me to walk steadfastly, trusting in Your power and not my own.
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People, not Problems

  • December 21, 2022

The community saw the beggar’s problem, but Jesus saw him.
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Scripture
John 9:1,8
1 – As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth.
8 – The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, “Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?”
Observation
The neighbors and community saw him “as a beggar” but Jesus saw him.
They couldn’t say for sure if this was even the same man…but Jesus knew him.
They saw him as an inconvenience and interruption to their day, Jesus saw him as a broken person who was made in the image of God.
Application
Do I see people, or do I merely see their issue, and the way they interrupt my life? Every one of us is broken in some way, and yet we are also all created in the image of God. Do I take the time to recognize His image?
His desire is that I would follow His example: giving generously as He gave, loving as He loved, and caring as He cared.
This week, I need to be intentional to see people–not just problems.
Prayer
God, thank you for seeing me and loving me. Help me to see people the way you do, so I could love the way that you love.
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Who, not Where

  • December 20, 2022
Jesus didn’t stand on the foundation of his birthplace, his family’s reputation, his social status, or his community connections. He stood on the certainty that he had been sent by the Father, to perform a very specific mission.
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Scripture
John 7:25-29
Some of the people of Jerusalem therefore said, “Is not this the man whom they seek to kill? 26 And here he is, speaking openly, and they say nothing to him! Can it be that the authorities really know that this is the Christ? 27 But we know where this man comes from, and when the Christ appears, no one will know where he comes from.” 28 So Jesus proclaimed, as he taught in the temple, “You know me, and you know where I come from. But I have not come of my own accord. He who sent me is true, and him you do not know. 29 I know him, for I come from him, and he sent me.”
Observation
The Jewish people thought they understood the possibilities and the limits in Jesus Christ’s life, because they knew where he came from. The truth was that they drastically underestimated who Christ was–because they knew where he was from, but not who he was from.
Jesus didn’t stand on the foundation of his birthplace, his family’s reputation, his social status, or his community connections. He stood on the certainty that he had been sent by the Father, to perform a very specific mission.
Application
Life is full of limitations. We each face limitations of income, time, opportunities, relationships, language barriers, and jobsite politics. For anything that needs to be done, plenty of reasons can be found as to why I can’t do it. Jesus Christ faced these same limitations when the community looked at his birthplace, family history, and social status. “Surely this man can’t be the Messiah!”
Jesus let none of their words discourage him from his mission, because his authority was grounded in who he was from, not where he was from. The Heavenly Father had sent him–and so none of the limitations mattered. The words, insults, insinuations, and assumptions had no effect on him–because he knew who had sent him.
I want to live with that kind of confidence! Not teetering on the unstable ground of family history or social connections–but standing firm on the knowledge of who sent me, who leads me, and who loves me.
Prayer
God, thank you for the confidence that I have in you! Not because of my own merit, connections, or qualifications–but because you have a plan and a purpose for my life. Help me to stand daily with confidence in you, so that you would be glorified in my life.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Mercy Wins

  • December 15, 2022
When I remember the depth of God’s grace toward me, how could I ever hold a grudge against someone for the small ways that they have wronged me? His grace has triumphed over judgement in my own life–and grace still triumphs over judgement, as I let His mercy flow through me to those in my life.
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Scripture
James 2:12-13 – So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Observation
‘Mercy triumphs over judgement’: This seems so backwards! Judgement is strong, judgement is harsh, judgement is about exerting correction on someone else–how can mercy be stronger than that?! Yet scripture teaches that this is how it works. Mercy doesn’t just ‘compete’ with judgement…mercy ‘triumphs over’ judgement.
Application
I have needed so much mercy in my life! God has been merciful to me, and He wants me to show mercy to others. My natural instinct is to react harshly when things don’t go the way I want: When people don’t fulfill their commitments, when they speak hastily or lash out in anger, when their selfishness causes inconvenience in my own life…it’s easy to react with judgement toward them. Yet when I take a minute to remember Christ’s mercy toward me, it shows me how inconceivable it would be for me to live in a judgemental way toward others. In Christ, I am judged by the law of liberty–not by the law of sin and death. In Christ, I am offered forgiveness even though I don’t deserve it. In Christ, I live in the daily blessing of God–though my sin should have separated me forever from him. When I remember the depth of God’s grace toward me, how could I ever hold a grudge against someone for the small ways that they have wronged me? His grace has triumphed over judgement in my own life–and grace still triumphs over judgement, as I let His mercy flow through me to those in my life. This doesn’t mean that I am supposed to ignore sin, or to pretend like the actions of others never hurt me–but it does mean that my savior has been astoundingly patient and forgiving toward me…and I need to pass that on to those around me.
This week, I need to be intentional to walk in the triumph of mercy.
Prayer
God, thank you for your mercy toward me, which triumphs over judgement! Help me to be patient, merciful, and forgiving toward others–always remembering the depth of your love for me.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Proven Faith

  • December 13, 2022
The strength of my faith is revealed not when I get what I want–but rather when I trust God even though the situation looks hopeless.
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Scripture
Hebrews 11:13
“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”
Observation
Hebrews 11 details the lives of some amazing heroes of the faith–men and women who put it all on the line, gave up the illusion of safety and security in their former life, and stepped out boldly into the greater security of a life surrendered to God. Many of them died without seeing the fulfillment of their faith–yet Paul commends them for living a life of strong faith, despite them not having yet received the promise.
Their faith was proven–not by the fulfillment of that which they awaited, but by their faithfulness even while the promise remained unfulfilled.
Application
It’s easy to develop a distorted view of faith.
“If I just had enough faith, then God would…”
“If you just had enough faith, then the situation would have turned out differently…”
The truth is that God is faithful, and my faith in Him is not misplaced–no matter whether I see the fulfillment of the promise yet or not. His promises are true, and His word is unfailing.
The testing of my faith is not a measurement of whether I have enough faith to produce the outcome that I desire. If my faith could produce the desired outcome, then I would be the hero of the story. God alone can bring the fulfillment of His promises–and my faith in Him is proven when I choose to trust Him even though the situation is messy, impossible, unfixable, and out of my own control.
This is the kind of faith that can move mountains: Not because I have any power to move mountains on my own, but because true faith in God acknowledges Him alone as God, and keeps my heart submitted and centered on Him. When my heart is properly aligned in this way with Him, then He is free to move mountains, bring the dead to life, fulfill His promises, and accomplish all of the things that I cannot accomplish.
The strength of my faith is revealed not when I get what I want–but rather when I trust God even though the situation looks hopeless.
Prayer
God, thank you for who you are. Thank you for being more than enough to handle anything that life could throw at me, and for being faithful and true. Thank you for your promises in my life!
Help me to trust you in every circumstance. Not merely when things are going the way that I want, but also when I don’t see any solution or chance of success. Thank you for proving yourself time and time again in my life!
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Practicing

  • December 12, 2022
We all start out as infants in the family, but God’s desire is that we would choose to grow instead of remaining an infant forever.
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Scripture
Hebrews 5:14
“But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”
Observation
God loves all of His children alike–but His children are not all alike. Some are mature, some are immature. Some are trained, some are untrained. Some are able to discern good from evil, some are not. We all start out as infants in the family, but God’s desire is that we would choose to grow instead of remaining an infant forever.
Application
God has given me everything necessary for me to grow. He’s given me the right environment, the right nourishment, and the right resources–but He expects me to use what he’s given me in order to become strengthened and mature.
As I practice the things of God and practice following God, my spiritual muscles are strengthened–and my ability to discern between that which is Godly and ungodly is increased.
This week, I need to take full advantage of the resources God has given me–and make the decision to daily grow in God by practicing that which pleases and honors Him.
Prayer
God, thank you for giving me all that I need in order to grow in you. Help me to grow daily in you, that I would not remain stagnant in a state of weakness and spiritual immaturity.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Stable, Steadfast, Unshifting

  • December 7, 2022
Spiritual health in Christ comes from a daily walk that is stable, steadfast, and unshifting–not rising and falling with the tides of impulse and emotion. This steady, daily walk with Christ is where his transformation takes place day by day in my heart.
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Scripture
Colossians 1:21-23
“And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Observation
Christ doesn’t want my walk with Him to be merely a moment in time that is quickly left behind and forgotten. His redemption and transformation is part of the lifelong process of a stable and steadfast heart which is rooted and grounded in Him.
Application
It’s easy to confuse emotion with faith. Intense worship services, gatherings where we experience the gifts of the Spirit, and conferences/events are wonderful experiences on the journey–but they are not the foundation of a strong and healthy walk with God. Spiritual health in Christ comes from a daily walk that is stable, steadfast, and unshifting–not rising and falling with the tides of impulse and emotion. This steady, daily walk with Christ is where his transformation takes place day by day in my heart.
Emotions will rise and fall, but Christ is steadfast through every season.
I must walk steadfast in Him.
Prayer
God, thank you for your steadfast love! Teach me to walk steadfast in you, not controlled by emotion but guided daily by your heart and growing daily in You.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

The Most Important Thing

  • December 6, 2022
Tension and conflict in the Body should not be ignored, but neither should they be allowed to cause catastrophic division within the Church. The most important thing is that Christ is proclaimed!
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Scripture
Philippians 1:15-18
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Observation
What amazing humility Paul shows here! Not every church leader like him, or supported him. Some were even leading in ways intended to cause further affliction to Paul! Paul doesn’t go into detail about what exactly this looked like, but he was up-front and honest about the mistreatment he was enduring. Yet in all of this Paul continues to rejoice that the gospel is being preached, and lives are being transformed.
Application
Conflict and discord within the body of Christ is inevitable. It’s doesn’t make God happy, but it’s simply the reality of interacting with imperfect humans. At times, I may have to clearly recognize and acknowledge the ungodly and carnal actions of those around me in the church. I shouldn’t just ignore these things, but neither does it have to lead to insurmountable chasms and fractures in the Body of Christ! The truth is that I am also imperfect, and God daily shows His grace and patience in dealing with me. If He is willing to be patient with me, then I have no right to lash out at those around me who are also imperfect. If my feelings are hurt, or someone else has a problem with me…I can still rejoice that God is moving in their life, and trust that He will receive the glory in the end.
Tension and conflict in the Body should not be ignored, but neither should they be allowed to cause catastrophic division within the Church. The most important thing is that Christ is proclaimed!
Prayer
God, thank you for your patience with me! Help me to be patient with others, even when I’d rather let my feelings be hurt and wallow in a pity party. Teach me to be humble, and to keep my eyes on the objective–that YOUR name would be proclaimed, so that the world would come to know the savior!
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Own It

  • December 5, 2022
God is good, despite my imperfection: and He does good, despite my flaws.
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Scripture
Psalm 119:66-68
“Teach me good judgement and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word. You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.”
Observation
The author of this Psalm has been through some hard times, and he attributes it to going ‘astray’, and exercising poor judgement. Instead of getting bent out of shape and blaming God, he owns his mistakes and uses it as motivation to keep the word of God and use better judgement in the future. He concludes that God is good, despite his own imperfection.
Application
I can empathize with the author of this psalm! I’ve at times done what I thought was right in the moment, and then realized that I had used very poor judgement. At times I’ve had to live with the results of my decisions, knowing that I had caused my own issue. It would be much more enjoyable at these moments to look for someone else to blame–but instead, I must ‘own’ the mistake and seek wisdom from God so that I could use better judgement the next time.
God is good, despite my imperfection: and He does good, despite my flaws.
Prayer
God, thank you for your goodness and for your patient mercy despite my imperfection. Teach me your wisdom so that I could use good judgement each day, and give me determination to daily align my life with your Word!
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/
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