S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

Fighting for What?

  • October 10, 2022

I can’t fulfill the mission by sacrificing my primary objective–my family.

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Scripture
Nehemiah 4:14
“After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” 
Observation
The Israelites had undertaken a gigantic project, rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. It was a God-sized goal, and God was leading the way–But Nehemiah urged the people to distill it down to a personal level. They weren’t just investing in Jerusalem, they were investing in their families. They weren’t just defending the city, they were protecting their sons and daughters. They were not to become so mission-minded that they forgot or neglected the primary mission that God had given them–their own families. 
Application
God has given me responsibilities, dreams, a purpose, and a mission. He has called me to carry His light to a dark world, and share the good news with others. But the first responsibility He’s given me is to be a husband to my wife, and a father to my sons. In the middle of the busyness, projects, tasks, and outreaches I need to remember that my first and primary ministry is to my own family. I can’t fulfill the mission, by sacrificing my primary objective. 
Prayer
God, thank you for my family! Help me to steward that responsibility well, to be the husband and father that you want me to be. Help me to grow daily more like you, and effectively share your love each day with my wife and sons. 

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Expectations

  • October 5, 2022

Esther built a foundation of unity, mutual accountability, and clear expectations from which to step boldly forward into the mission that God had given her.
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Scripture
Esther 4:16-17
“Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.” 
Observation
Esther knew her place, and confidently operated in the authority she held. She knew what she needed from Mordecai and the Jewish community, and made the ‘big ask’ for them to join her in fasting. She also had a strength of relationship with her ‘young women’, to feel confident committing them to the fast also, even though they weren’t in the conversation. Her heart as a leader was plain to see, as she committed herself to the same fast…she wasn’t trying to impose an expectation on them, to which she was not also willing to commit. Once her people were mobilized behind her, she stepped out to take the required personal risk in order to save her people. 
Application
I need to know who I can rely on when the going gets tough, and not avoid making the ‘big ask’ of those that God has placed with me on the journey. There is a mutual accountability and expectation, that we each need each other to fulfill our specific roles. There are times for the leader to pay a personal cost, or take a specific risk-yet there must be unity of heart and purpose with the whole, if the mission is to succeed.
Like Esther, I must be willing to let those around me feel the ‘weight’ of the mission–and like Esther, I must hold myself to the same standard that I expect from those that I lead. 
Prayer
God, thank you for leaders in your word like Esther–who demonstrate and model strong leadership with a servant’s heart. Help me to inspire those around me to step up as we walk on this mission together, and never try to hold others to a standard of excellence to which I am not also willing to commit. Teach me to lead well, as I daily follow You. 

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Enduring Love

  • October 3, 2022

The work of Calvary is finished and complete–but I need God’s presence in my life today.
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Scripture
Psalm 138:8
“The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever–do not abandon the works of your hands.” 
Observation
David was a servant of the Lord, and had seen God do great things in his life–yet he knew that he still needed the ongoing work of God’s love in his life. The past things that God had done for him were not enough, he needed the presence and power of God in his life today. 
Application
I have experienced so much grace and mercy from God! He has proven His goodness over and over again in my life. I’ve watched Him work miracles and provide for my needs when I could not help myself. The work of Calvary is finished and complete–but I need God’s presence in my life today. I can’t just fondly remember what God did in the past for me, and then plow through the rest of life on my own power.  I need to daily seek His presence, His power, His provision, and His peace in my life. His love endures forever–it didn’t run out at Calvary.  His love still carries me when I am weak, and comforts me when I am discouraged. His love still draws me back to him, when my attention wanders.
Prayer
God, thank you for your love which never ends! Thank you for not abandoning me, for not growing impatient with my human imperfection. Thank you for giving me strength for the journey, and help me to lean on your strength each day instead of coasting on the memory of what you’ve done for me in the past. 

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Living with Purpose

  • September 30, 2022

Jesus had a mission to accomplish, and that was his first and only priority. He lived with purpose, instead of living in reaction mode.
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Scripture
Luke 13:31-32
“At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.” 
Observation
I have to wonder at the motivation of the Pharisees in this verse. As a group, they didn’t have Jesus’ best interests in mind. Were they trying to intimidate him? Either way, Jesus didn’t allow himself to be distracted from his mission. He not only continued on doing the things he was called to do, he also was blunt and open about what his plans for the future were. This isn’t the mindset or words of someone who is living in ‘reaction mode’, but rather the response of someone who is living life for a greater purpose.
Application
I’ve lived at times in ‘reaction mode’–twisting and turning to respond to the words and actions of everyone around me. The problem is that you cannot accomplish anything, when every outside influence has the power to change your actions. Jesus modeled such an amazing ‘mission-first’ mindset in this passage–it didn’t matter whether Herod was wanting to kill him. It didn’t matter if the Pharisees were trying to intimidate him. It didn’t matter whether his words were loved or hated. He had a mission to accomplish, and that was the first and only priority.
I want to be so crystal-clear on my mission and purpose, that the distractions around me lose their power to sway me. This requires not only that I know what that mission is, but that I also believe in it–more than anything else, including my own popularity or safety.  Christ has given me a mission–to share his good news with the world, and to be his hands and feed in sharing his love with my community. There will be countless distractions and opportunities to let others pull me off track, but I must follow the example of Christ and simply keep on walking forward. 
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for the example you have given me of a life lived with purpose. Help me to live in a mission-first way, not allowing all of the distractions, opinions, words, and risks around me to pull me off track. Help me to stay in step with you, and keep my eyes on you.

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Heartbeat

  • September 29, 2022
God is love. Not just in ethereal or theoretical ways–God cares about people who are messed up and hurting…and he wants his people to care for those around them who are hurting.
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Scripture
Zechariah 7:9-10,13
“This is what the Lord Almighty said: “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.”
“When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,” says the Lord Almighty” 
Observation
God is love. Not just in ethereal or theoretical ways–God cares about people who are messed up and hurting…and he wants his people to care for those around them who are hurting. His word to the Hebrew nation was to make sure they instituted justice, mercy, and compassion–and to root out and eliminate oppression and evil plots. Their prayers to God were hindered, because they did not fulfill his desires in loving those who were hurting. 
Application
I don’t want my prayers to be hindered or ignored! I want to live each day with the heart of God–caring about the things he cares about, promoting the things he promotes, and loving people the way that he loves them. If I have the heart of Christ, then it must be reflected in the way I love others. I should care deeply about those who have been oppressed, those who have endured injustice, those without a family, those who are poor, and those who are far from home and different than me. As I live out the love of God, my heart draws closer to His. 
Prayer
God, thank you for loving me and caring about me. Teach me to love the way that you do, and care for those who are hurting. May my heart beat with your heartbeat! Thank you for hearing my prayers, and for daily making me more like you! 
 
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Walking in Blessing

  • September 28, 2022
His blessing is not something that he pours out on some and withholds from others–rather, his blessing is accessible to those who make the decision to receive it.
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Scripture
Luke 11:27-28
“As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” 
Observation
The woman in this passage viewed God’s blessing as something happens to you–something that you either experience or don’t experience, depending on forces outside of your control. She saw Mary as the embodiment of this–an ordinary girl whom God had blessed by allowing her to be the mother of the messiah.
Jesus revealed a deeper truth about God’s blessing: Blessing comes from God (hearing his word), but the decision to ‘receive’ his blessing is our decision (keeping his word). His blessing is not something that he pours out on some and withholds from others–rather, his blessing is accessible to those who make the decision to receive it. 
Application
I want to walk in the blessing of God! I want to position my heart in a way that God can bless–walking in His ways, keeping his word, and heeding his voice. I don’t want to just wistfully watch his blessing at work around me–but rather live each day fully submitted, fully committed, fully surrendered to the Lord of all. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your blessing! Thank you for your word which guides me and transforms my heart. Help me to clearly hear your voice, clearly understand your word, and daily walk in ways that please you. 
 
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Work and Rest

  • September 26, 2022
When my heart is aligned with His, I can rest peacefully–because I understand that the load rests on His shoulders…not my own.
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Scripture
Psalm 127:1-2
“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat–for he grants sleep to those he loves. 
Observation
Hard work honors God…when it is performed under His direction. Without the guidance and leading of God, all the hard work and strategizing is ultimately in vain. When God is leading, He not only blesses the work to be fruitful–He also supplies rest. 
Application
It’s easy to get caught up in the rat race of “do-go-work-hurry” when I take my eyes off of God. God-sized dreams and visions quickly become nightmares when I forget who is in control. When my heart is submitted to God and in tune with Him, He blesses the work that needs to be done. When my heart is aligned with His, I can rest peacefully–because I understand that the load rests on His shoulders…not my own. 
Prayer
God, thank you for being the Lord of all. Help me to daily walk as you lead, instead of striving to merely accomplish my own plans. Teach me to walk daily in the rest that you give- trusting that you are faithful and you are big enough to handle any challenge that arises! 
 
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Power and Authority

  • September 21, 2022

Jesus Christ has not only authority, but also power. He is
the Lord of lords, and the King of kings. He holds all power and all authority, and there
is nothing that can stand against him!
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Scripture
Luke 4:35-36
35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”
Observation
Jesus understood his power and his place. This allowed him to walk confidently through confrontation and opposition. He spoke to the demon not only with ‘authority’, but also with ‘power’. The forces of darkness were unable to resist, and had no option but to do as he commanded–without even harming the demon-possessed man as the unclean spirit came out. 
Application
Authority AND power – what a combination! I’ve met many people who were in places of authority, but lacked the power to accomplish anything meaningful…Managers, committee members, figurehead leaders…those who wear the right name tag, but lack the means to truly fulfill the thing for which they are responsible.
I’ve also met those who hold power, but lack authority–those who have resource, influence, strength, and control…but lack the position from which to openly and confidently turn a situation around or change the outcome. Jesus Christ has both. He is the Lord of lords, and the King of kings. He holds all power, and there is nothing that can stand against him!
The amazing thing is that he has adopted me to be a co-heir with him, walking in that same power and authority! There is no power of darkness that can stand against Christ’s power in me–not because of my own merit or strength, but because of His power within me.
This week, I need to pray for wisdom, discernment, humility, and also boldness to walk confidently in the authority and power of Christ. I need to speak up in the face of spiritual opposition, knowing that Christ in me has authority over every power of the enemy. I need to be bold to walk in the power of God, knowing that His power is greater than anything I could face.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder of your authority and power! Thank you for being you–in authority over all things, and stronger than anything that would oppose you!  Thank you for living in my heart, and for the amazing privilege of walking in your power and authority on earth–as your son, and a co-heir with Christ.
Give me wisdom to fulfill your purposes, confidence to use the authority and power you have entrusted to me, and humility to point others to you in all that I do. 

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Point of Weakness

  • September 20, 2022

Godly character isn’t defined by the one or two large and highly visible moments, but rather by the small, daily, consistent, seemingly insignificant decisions.

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Scripture
Daniel 6:4-5
“At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” 
Observation
These jealous and wicked men wanted to destroy Daniel and bring him down, but were unable to find any flaw in his character to exploit. Their only recourse was to intentionally create a point of conflict between societal expectations and Daniel’s faith.
The only weakness they could find was the immovable strength of his love for God. 
Application
This world is full of opportunities to fail, to crash and burn. There seems to always be someone waiting to post an accusation or a misquote on social media, or drag someone’s name through the mud. God only knows how many Godly men have not passed the test, and who have been brought down by their own sinful actions.
Our enemy is watching for opportunities to kill, to destroy, to hinder what God is doing. I must be vigilant and lean on God, to live with the kind of character that can withstand the test. This kind of character isn’t defined by the one or two large and highly visible moments, but rather by the small, daily, consistent, seemingly insignificant decisions.
This week, I choose to keep my life and my walk so closely aligned with my savior, that the only flaw to be exploited would be the commitment I have to living life God’s way. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the stories I find in your word of men like Daniel–men of character and consistency. Give me strength each day to live that kind of life as I walk with you–that the only point of weakness in my life, would be my unwillingness to compromise on what is right and Godly. 

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A Ready Heart

  • September 19, 2022
As I share the good news about the Savior, I must do my part to exercise wisdom in how and when to share the message. I must look for moments when hearts are ready to hear the news, so that lives would be transformed.
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Scripture
Luke 2:10-11
“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” 
Observation
An amazing thing had happened–the Savior had been born! This fact should have caused great joy, and given great hope to everyone–but the shepherds continued on about their night like any other night.
The Savior was born…but no one had yet told them! The angel set the tone so that they were ready to hear the news, then shared the message which would change not only their lives, but the rest of mankind as well. 
Application
Hope un-shared gives no hope at all. The Savior has come, and I have both the privilege and the awesome responsibility of sharing it with others. I cannot keep silent, the world needs to hear the news!
In sharing the news, the Angel had to first take a moment to make sure the shepherds were ready to hear what he had to tell them. He could have simply appeared in an overwhelming flash of light, thundered the announcement, and left–but the shepherds would have been left shaking with fear, unable to receive the life-transforming message!
As I share the good news about the Savior, I must do my part to exercise wisdom in how and when to share the message. I must look for moments when hearts are ready to hear the news, so that lives would be transformed. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the Good News about the Savior who has come! Give me boldness and confidence this week to share your Good News with others, and wisdom to speak the right word at the right time–so that your transformation would be accomplished in the lives of those who hear it. 
 
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