S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

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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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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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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Giving Glory

  • November 30, 2022

When I give glory to God, my faith in God grows stronger. I cannot wait until the fulfillment of the promise in order to give glory to God–I must start today!
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Scripture
Romans 4:19-21
19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.
Observation
I love this description of Abraham’s faith, and God’s response to it. What unwavering trust he had, that God was able to overcome every obstacle and impossible circumstance in order to fulfill His promise!
According to this verse, Abraham “grew strong in his faith”–this means that as time progressed, his faith became stronger instead of weaker. How did this happen? His faith grew, because Abraham “gave glory to God” since he was convinced that God was able to do what He had promised.
Despite the challenges, the issues, the odds, and the impediments…Abraham gave glory to God.
Application
Words are powerful–not only in how they affect those around me, but in the way that my words affect my own heart. When I verbalize doubt and uncertainty about God’s power, I weaken my own faith in the Father. Conversely- when I speak out and give glory to God no matter the circumstances, my faith in God grows stronger. I cannot wait until the fulfillment of the promise in order to give glory to God–I must start today!
When life hits me hard…God deserves the glory.
When another obstacle arises…God deserves the glory.
When it seems like there’s no way for His promise to be fulfilled…God deserves the glory.
His promises are true, and His love is constant–and His word will come to pass, in His time.
Prayer
God, thank you for your faithfulness! Help me to give you glory in every situation, instead of merely when things look like they are going well. Teach me to speak life with my words–not only to encourage those around me, but so that my own faith would be strengthened as well.
I believe you are able to fulfill all that you have promised, no matter what challenges life may throw in the way.
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

 

Loving the Truth

  • November 29, 2022

When truth is not loved, lies, error, and deception become acceptable. When lies are acceptable, Satan’s work flourishes.
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Scripture
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
Observation
Truth: It’s such a simple concept, and yet so vastly powerful. Jesus declared himself to be ‘the truth’, and truth is at the center of God’s very nature. Those who do not ‘love the truth’ have separated themselves from God, because they have decided not to align with the core of who God is. When truth is not loved, lies, error, and deception become acceptable. When lies are acceptable, Satan’s work flourishes.
Application
What a sobering reminder of how critically important truth is! It’s easy to say ‘truth matters’ on the big stuff…but a love for truth must permeate every part of my heart and my thinking, if I am to follow God.
I must approach God in full truth about my own sinful condition. I must build my marriage and my relationships on truth, and not on hidden secrets. I must interact with the world on an unshakeable foundation of truth, not living my life with duplicity and hidden motives or agendas. I must value truth in the things which I allow to occupy my mind–instead of letting my thoughts be saturated by the false ideals and teachings of the world. I must celebrate truth in what I propagate–not sharing or spreading information that is false, or of questionable origin…even if it seems to support my opinions. When God is confronting areas in my heart that need to change, I must be willing to acknowledge truth about my imperfection so that His transformation can be accomplished in me.
When I love the truth, I will pursue it above all else–and the Spirit of Truth will lead me closer each day to the Father from whom truth flows.
Prayer
God, thank you that you are true. Help me to live each day with an unwavering love for truth, which guides my steps and defines my words and actions. Help me to discern truth when I am uncertain, and give me the courage to walk confidently in truth even when error would be easier. May the work of Satan never be given an opportunity to flourish in me, as I walk daily in the Spirit of Truth.
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Shake, Rattle, and Roll

  • November 28, 2022
Even though the circumstances were unsettling, God was at work and still accomplishing what only He could do. The chaos didn’t prevent God’s plans–instead the chaos accommodated God’s plans.
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Scripture
Matthew 28:2-6
And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.
Observation
What a terrifying morning for the disciples and these women! Jesus has been crucified and buried, they are all at risk of arrest by the temple leaders, and now a huge earthquake has struck! Now as the women approach the tomb, an angel appears and begins to speak to them–they would have understandably been terrified! Yet the words that the angel spoke brought peace, and not fear. Even though the circumstances were unsettling, God was at work and still accomplishing what only He could do. The chaos didn’t prevent God’s plans–instead the chaos accommodated God’s plans.
Application
This morning we woke up to some unsettling news–Mauna Loa has erupted, for the first time in almost 40 years! Our home was rocked by a series of earthquakes last night as the eruption began, and today the community is all abuzz with news reports, social media posts, speculation, predictions, and theories.
The chaos this morning is the volcano–but chaos is nothing new…it is simply part of life! The type of chaos may change, and the way I experience it may be different from week to week, but chaos is just part of the journey.
In the middle of the chaos, God is still doing what only He can do. He is still speaking peace to those who are troubled, and still offering hope to the hopeless. He is never caught off-guard, and never uncertain in His plans. Though things may be unsettled and in turmoil around me, He remains constant.
This week, I need to still my heart before God and allow Him to direct me with His peace. Though circumstances change and seasons get crazy I must remain rooted in Him, moving as He leads me.
Prayer
God, thank you for your peace which never fails! Thank you for remaining the unchanging one, no matter what may change around me. Lead me this week, and help me to keep my eyes on your unchanging love even when the world shakes and rattles around me.
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Recharging

  • November 23, 2022
Jesus didn’t wear exhaustion as a badge of honor, or mark of distinction. He took the time to recharge and refresh his heart in the presence of his Father, before jumping back into everything that needed to be done.
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Scripture
Matthew 14:22-23
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.
Observation
This chapter is such an insight into the load that Jesus carried in his ministry. He had just been notified that his cousin, John the Baptist, had been murdered in prison over a thoughtless promise made by the local ruler. The season was intense, and the pace of ministry unrelenting. Jesus tried to take some time away from the crowds to grieve, but they followed him anyway. He fed the crowd, gave his disciples their marching orders, and then again returned to solitude in the wilderness. Jesus didn’t wear exhaustion as a badge of honor, or mark of distinction. He took the time to recharge and refresh his heart in the presence of his Father, before jumping back into everything that needed to be done.
Application
Some seasons get intense. Between the tasks that must urgently be done, to the emotional weight of tragedy in the lives of those around me, to the unrelenting and constant pace of pursuing the mission of the Gospel week after week, the weight can build as much as I allow it to. When the weight start becoming greater, I must follow the example of Jesus. My responsibility is to keep my heart grounded in the Father–His responsibility is to carry the load.
The danger comes when I begin to think that the weight is mine to carry. This is when I start trying to do the things that God didn’t intend for me to do, and neglecting the things that He does want me to do–like spending time in His presence.
I must daily course-correct back to the right hierarchy:
He is God, I am not.
He is strong enough to carry the burden, I must place the burden His hands.
He is the source of rest, I must choose to rest in Him.
He is the source of wisdom, I must seek the wisdom that comes from Him.
This week, I choose to protect my time with the Father. Even when distractions and urgent problems arise, I choose not to let anything else around me prevent me from resting in the presence of my Father. I choose to cultivate the spiritual disciplines of solitude and prayer, so that my heart can be sustained by the One who carries the weight of the world on His shoulders.
Prayer
God, thank you for the rest that only you can give! Thank you for never giving me more than I can carry, without also giving me your strength to rely on. Help me to never neglect my time with you, even when the task list gets long and the emotional weight gets heavy. You are God, and I am not.
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Good Seed, Good Soil

  • November 22, 2022

The seed of God’s word is always capable of producing a harvest.
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Scripture
Matthew 13:23
23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” 
Observation
The word of God is depicted here as seeds being sown into the ground. Jesus indicates that the seed remains the same, regardless of the outcome–whether the harvest is large, small, or nonexistent…the seed was the same in each case. The difference in the outcome, is the quality of the soil into which the seed is sown. Some hearts are tilled, prepared, and ready to grow a harvest. Some hearts are stony, hard, and unwilling to allow the seeds of God’s word to take root.
The seed of God’s word is always capable of producing a harvest.
Application
I want God’s word to flourish in my heart, and I want my life to bear the harvest that God wants to see in me. This means that my heart must remain prepared to receive and understand God’s word! There have been many seasons in my life when I’ve allowed my heart to become hard and stony, and refused to allow God’s word to change me. I’ve allowed the challenges and struggles of life to cause me to become hard, walled-off, and unwilling to let anything in.
I don’t want to be that way again! Instead, I want to allow God to use my circumstances and even my struggles to keep the soil of my heart turned and the clods broken up, so that His word could easily take root in me and yield the fruit that He wants to see. The same pressure that can compact the soil, is the same force which God can use to break up the stubborn clods.
This week, I need to be mindful of how I react to pressure. Do I allow it to compact the soil of my heart into a hard and unyielding barrier, or do I allow God to use the difficult seasons of my life to make me more ready to grow, more eager to absorb His word, and more capable of producing the harvest that He desires to see in me?  
Prayer
God, thank you for your word which is always powerful, always true, always applicable, and always life-giving. Help me to keep my heart prepared to receive your word, and give me understanding to not just hear your word but also let it take root within me. May my life produce the fruit and the harvest that you desire to see in me! 
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The Need

  • November 21, 2022

Jesus came to save sinners, not to reassure the righteous.
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Scripture
Matthew 9:10-13
10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” 
Observation
Jesus didn’t target those who were positioned to give him a strategic advantage in society. He didn’t aim his outreach at those who were popular, well-connected, or self-managed. He invested his time and energy in those who were messed up and knew it. He targeted those who new they needed a savior, those who knew their own righteousness was inadequate.  
Application
I read the other day about a medical clinic that has made some questionable decisions in order to protect their ‘success rate’ in dealing with certain types of disease. In order to protect their reputation, they’ve been turning away medical cases that are ‘too far gone’ for them to help. In essence, they’ve been catering to people who are mostly healthy, instead of those who are urgently ill.
This isn’t how Jesus works. He didn’t come for those who have it all together, but rather for those who are unable to fix their own problem. He came to save sinners, not to reassure the righteous.
This is how he wants me to live–with an intentional focus to show His love to those who are messed up, hurting, and wounded. This week, I need to look for opportunities to share His love with those who need it…not merely those who think they deserve it. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your love! Thank you for your mercy, which reaches into the middle of my worst decisions and greatest pain. Help me to show that kind of love to others–to help those who cannot help themselves, so that you would receive the glory as your transformation is accomplished in their hearts. 
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Counterfeit Apostles

  • November 18, 2022

Though Paul’s words were harsh, his heart was a heart of love which cared too much to ignore dangerous deception.
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 11:12-15
12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. 
Observation
Not all of those who claimed to be men of God, were truly led by God. Paul loved the church enough to confront false doctrine and false men of God, who were leading the believers away from the savior. Though his words were harsh, his heart was a heart of love which cared too much to ignore dangerous deception.
 
Application
False teachers are not an extinct species. Carnal men who claim to speak for God are still just as present, and just as much of a threat to the Body of Christ today as they were 2000 years ago. Left unchallenged they have the ability to teach false doctrine, bring bondage and condemnation, introduce doubt, and cause spiritual disease among the church. A critical component of a healthy body is an immune system–that part of the body which remains alert to intruders and toxins, and sounds the alarm when they are found. Though their job is often thankless, the whole body would die without them. Their actions may seem harsh and their words confrontational–but when their motivation and guiding force is love for Christ and love for the church, they perform a critical and necessary function.
This week, I need to be mindful of ideas, thoughts, teachings, and mindsets that are not aligned with the word of God. I must be willing to confront in love, so that the whole body would be healthy and continue to grow. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the unchanging truth of your word! Thank you for the Body of Christ, which is designed in such an amazing way to bring you glory, and share your hope with the world! Help me to always value those in the body who are willing to confront error in a spirit of love–and give me that same discernment, boldness, and wisdom to love enough to confront. 
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

 

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