S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

Consistency

  • November 17, 2022
Paul walked in Holy Spirit confidence, instead of changing based on the opinion of others. He walked with consistent character, consistent values, and a consistent message. 
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 10:10-11
10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” 11 Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we do when present.
Observation
Some of Paul’s critics were minimizing the correction written in his letters, saying that his words were grand but his presence was weak. Paul confronted them directly in this passage–he let them know that he was aware of their statements about him, and that he was untroubled by their opinion…because his actions and his words were united. The same Paul that wrote to the church to confront sin, would confront and correct just as boldly face to face when he arrived.
Paul walked in Holy Spirit confidence, instead of changing based on the opinion of others. He walked with consistent character, consistent values, and a consistent message. 
Application
What strength of character and confidence is displayed by Paul! Confidence to confront sin, confidence to face his critics, confidence to continue pointing people to God no matter what opposition arose.
This strength only comes from a life fully and completed surrendered to the lordship of Christ. This is the strength that comes from a life lived for one purpose, with one set of values, and consistency through every area. I need to make it a daily prayer, for God to continue to cultivate that kind of heart and consistency in me! I must be willing to let God change me and grow me, when He sees inconsistencies in my heart. I must be willing to let the word of God confront sin, resulting in Godly sorrow which leads me to lasting change. I must be willing to keep on walking forward toward the savior, even when the ‘right thing’ leads to criticism and opposition. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your word and your Spirit which remain unchanging! Thank you for loving me enough to confront sin in my heart, which would separate me from you. Help me to walk with the strength of daily consistency–in speech, in action, in values, and in mission. 
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Another Perspective

  • November 16, 2022
None of us can benefit God, and there is nothing that he could gain from us–yet he loves us anyway! This is how he wants me to see people–through spirit-eyes, valuing people for their intrinsic worth as human beings, made in the image of God.
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 5:16-18
“From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;” 
Observation
Before we belonged to Christ, we did not value him fully or understand his worth. We saw him through carnal eyes, and a carnal perspective. Now that we belong to him, our perspective has changed and we see him for who he is. In the same way, he has changed our perspective of those around us. We are no longer to see people merely through our physical eyes, but rather we are to perceive the worth of people through Spirit-eyes, valuing and loving them the way that Christ does–so that lost souls would be reconciled to God. 
Application
Just as Christ has changed the way that I see and value the things of the Spirit, I must be willing to let him change my perspective of those who are made in his image. Through my physical/carnal eyes, I often see people based on how they have affected my life or how they can affect me. I see how people have helped me or hurt me. I see how people would be able to benefit me, or how they would not be able to affect my situation.
Christ doesn’t see people this way. We have all hurt him by rejecting his love and presence at some point. None of us can benefit him, and there is nothing that he could gain from us–yet he loves us anyway! This is how he wants me to see people–through spirit-eyes, valuing people for their intrinsic worth as human beings, made in the image of God.
When I see people this way I am able to let God’s love flow through me to them, offering them the same reconciliation with the Father that I have experienced.
This week, I need to be mindful to see people with God’s perspective–valued, loved, and worth pursuing…no matter how broken.
Prayer
God, thank you for loving me! Thank you for demonstrating your love for me, though there is nothing that I could do to benefit you or contribute to you. Help me to see people through your eyes, to love them the way that you love me. Help me to allow your love to flow through me, so that others could experience the same reconciliation that you have extended to me. 
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Painful Prayers

  • November 15, 2022
After all the rest of the testing was finished, Job was faced with perhaps his most difficult test of all–forgiveness.
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Scripture
Job 42:7-9
7 After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. 8 Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the LORD had told them, and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer. 
Observation
After all the speeches were made and all the opinions expressed, God spoke. He defended his servant Job, despite the accusations and insinuations made against him. God was preparing to deal with Job’s accusers in judgement, but he gave Job an opportunity to pray for his accusers and avert God’s judgement on them. I don’t fully understand God’s reasons for doing this the way that he did, but God must have had so much confidence in Job, to give him this opportunity to play a role in his accusers receiving mercy!  When Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar obeyed God and came to Job with a repentant heart to ask for prayer, Job prayed for them and God showed them mercy.  What an astounding thing for Job to do!
Application
I have been hurt, and I have faced accusations. I have had people wound me deeply in life. Yet I don’t know if I’ve ever had one of them come to me later and ask me to pray for God’s mercy in their life. Would I respond like Job? I hope so.
This step was perhaps one of the greatest tests that Job faced. If God had restored Job’s fortunes and family, but he went on to live with a bitter and cynical heart…what good would his restored possessions have done him? If Job’s herds, wealth, position, and family were restored but he lost the Godly heart that made him so unique and special, finishing out his days twisted by unforgiveness…then Satan truly would have won the battle.
I don’t have to wait for my world to stop turning the way that Job’s did, to cultivate the same heart that he displayed. I can pray today for those who have hurt me. I can beg for God’s mercy on those who have shown me none. I can pray blessing on those who have accused me and spread rumors. I can display the same mercy to others, that God has shown me over and over again.
Prayer
God, thank you for the amazing story of Job. It’s heavy at times, and not lighthearted or fun–but it’s what I needed to read today. Help me to walk steadfastly in righteousness as he did–simply putting one foot in front of the other, daily making decisions that align with your heart and your word. When accusations and rumors swirl, give me strength and courage to forgive. Help me to extend your grace to those around me, so that your heart would be revealed in me even in seasons of suffering. Thank you for the mercy that I daily receive from you!
 
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Eternity

  • November 14, 2022
The gospel of Jesus is not a get-rich-quick scheme or a self-help method for finding fulfillment and happiness. It is the power of God unto salvation, and the only way by which our eternal future can be made secure in God.
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Scripture
1 Corinthians 15:19
“If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” 
Observation
The hope of the resurrection was everything to Paul–and that is where he consistently pointed his readers back to the gospel. The gospel of Jesus is not a get-rich-quick scheme or a self-help method for finding fulfillment and happiness. It is the power of God unto salvation, and the only way by which our eternal future can be made secure in God. 
Application
The gospel is first and foremost about my eternal future. God pours out his blessings on me here today, but His number-one priority is my future with Him. At times the journey here is rough and difficult. At times there is even suffering and persecution for the sake of the gospel–but the eternal promise ahead of me makes it all worth it.
I need to keep this focus not only in my own mind, but also in how I share the gospel with others. If I reduce the gospel to a formula for “happy living”, then I am presenting a false view of the gospel.
This week, I need to be thankful to God for my eternal future in Him–and let that eternal joy guide my conversations as I share His good news with others. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the gospel! Thank you for the price you paid–not merely to make my earthly life better, but to secure my eternal future. When life hits hard, help me to rest in the peace of knowing that you hold my future.
As I share your good news with others, help me to never misrepresent your gospel, or dilute it from its primary purpose! 
 
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The Whole Point

  • November 9, 2022
Paul didn’t confront sin to make himself feel important, or to make himself look better in comparison. He confronted the things that would destroy people, so that their hearts would be turned to the only One who can save and who can heal.
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Scripture
1 Corinthians 5:1-5
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.
3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. 
Observation
Paul was bold when confronting sin! He did so head-on, and directly. There was no beating around the bush, no sugar-coating his words. Right is right, and wrong is wrong. Yet when Paul confronted sin, he was crystal-clear on the intention and purpose. The entire goal was that people would turn to God and be saved. Paul didn’t confront sin to make himself feel important, or to make himself look better in comparison. He confronted the things that would destroy people, so that their hearts would be turned to the only One who can save and who can heal. 
Application
We live in a fallen, sinful world. The enemy of our soul has done a masterful job of destroying those made in God’s image (mankind). Right is still right, and wrong is still wrong today–and there often seems to be much more wrong than right. It’s easy to sit back and begin to pick things apart, and point out the problems, and pontificate on how messed up the world is. The question is, am I willing to boldly step out and make myself unpopular, in order to turn hearts to God? Am I willing to get my hands dirty in order to turn people to him? Do I care enough about my brothers and sisters in Christ to not stay silent when I see their life heading for destruction? Do I invest myself in pointing them toward Christ as the answer, or do I merely provide commentary on the problem?
This week, I need to pray for courage to be the unpopular voice in the room–and wisdom, to do it in such a way that people are turned back to God.
Prayer
God, thank you that you never change! Thank you for being dependable, trustworthy, righteous, and holy! Help me to always turn to you as the reference point for right and wrong, instead of allowing a fallen world to define that for me. When sin must be confronted, give me courage to speak out for what it right–and I pray for your discernment and wisdom, so that the result would be supernatural transformation in the hearts of hurting people. 
 
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Worth Fighting For

  • November 8, 2022

When the unity of the Body is at stake, we all have a responsibility to pursue unity and health.
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Scripture
1 Corinthians 1:10
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.
Observation
Even in the early church, there was conflict–because the church is composed of imperfect people. Paul didn’t shy away from conflict, instead he stepped forward straight into it for the purpose of fighting for the unity of the Body. He engaged the difficult conversations, so that the outcome would be strength and God-honoring health.
Application
There is never a shortage of things to divide over. Each day there are opportunities to pursue my own goals and agenda and feed into conflict, or even merely sit back and watch conflict unfold. Scripture doesn’t teach us to get involved in all of each others personal disagreements or conflicts–but when the unity of the Body is at stake, we all have a responsibility to pursue unity and health. When one part of the Body hurts, the whole Body suffers. When one part of the Body is isolated or removed, the whole Body feels the loss.
When disunity and personal agendas begin to creep in, conflict avoidance doesn’t honor the Head (Christ).  This week, I need to be willing to engage hard conversations so the God-honoring unity would prevail.
Unity in the Body is worth fighting for.
Prayer
God, thank you for unity as we each pursue a closer walk with you day by day. Give me wisdom when conflicts arise, so that I would be a courageous voice of unity in your family–not feeding into conflict, nor yet avoiding it…but engaging the difficult conversations so that your love, your peace, and your unity would prevail. 

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Under the Influence

  • November 7, 2022
When I define my worth and my self-image by my influence over others, then I am not stewarding my influence in the right way–and my influence will very quickly break down into self-serving manipulation.
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Scripture
Galatians 6:13-15
13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 
Observation
Paul is reprimanding the Galatian believers here, for allowing manipulative people to put them back under the bondage of the law. They had experienced the grace of Christ, and now were reverting back to a mindset of works and performance. Paul calls out a deeper issue though–those who were pressuring the believers to become circumcised, were not putting this expectation on them for the benefit of the church. Rather, they were putting expectations on the believers out of a self-serving heart of pride. The influence and sway that these men held over the church was something that they boasted about, and fed their own ego. Paul on the other hand received his validation from following Christ–not by tallying up his influence on other people.
Application
Where do I receive my validation? Do I measure my value based on the amount of influence I hold over others, the number of followers I have on social media, and the speed with which my sons obey me? If I am looking to these things for validation, then I need to take a hard look at my heart. When I define my worth and my self-image by my influence over others, then I am not stewarding my influence in the right way–and my influence will very quickly break down into self-serving manipulation.
Christ has entrusted me with influence in many areas of life–in relationships, in my family, on the job, and in the church. He’s not entrusted these things to me in order to feed my ego–but rather so that His plans would be accomplished through me. I cannot pursue the heart of Christ, while simultaneously working to feed my own pride! My validation, my self-worth, and my security must be found in nothing other than Christ himself.
This week, I need to be intentional to understand my value in the eyes of my creator.
He made me, He loves me, and He values me–and that’s all I need.  
Prayer
God, thank you for loving me and valuing me! Help me to seek your validation instead of finding my self-worth in the things of this world. Help me to be worthy of your trust, in the things you have entrusted to me–to steward influence well, and daily point the world to you. 
 
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The Withheld Answer

  • November 2, 2022

Because Jesus was standing on truth, he was able to confidently withhold his answer until the right moment in order to make a difference.
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Scripture
Mark 11:31-33
“And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say ‘from heaven’, he will say ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But shall we say ‘from man’?–they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.” 
Observation
The Pharisees refused to give an honest answer out of fear. Their turmoil in answering was that they couldn’t figure out ‘what’ answer to give–and the truth didn’t even matter to them. Jesus only had one answer (the truth), yet he refused to let them coerce him into answering at all. Their dishonest reply was, “We don’t know”, and His confident statement was “I choose not to say”. Their reply was based on lies, fear, and weakness. His response was grounded in strength, truth, and wisdom. 
Application
Our society enjoys freedom of speech, and yet there is a growing mindset of ‘compelling’ people to speak. For every hot topic and issue, there are those eagerly waiting to stir the pot and try to force everyone to pick a side, take a stand, and make a statement.
Truth matters, and taking a stand matters. But because Jesus was 100% standing on truth, he was able to confidently withhold his answer until the right moment.
I must pray daily for that kind of wisdom! Not just giving answers and making statements for self-gratification or out of obligation, but patiently waiting for the ‘right’ moment to make a difference.
This week, I need to be bold enough to give an unpopular answer, but courageous enough to also withhold the right answer when the moment is wrong.
Prayer
God, thank you for your truth upon which I may confidently stand! Give me wisdom to know when to speak, and when to stay silent–so that you would be glorified, and hearts would be transformed! 

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Listen

  • November 1, 2022
When I am overwhelmed and on overload, God is not. He’s still speaking the words I need to hear, and still doing the things that only He can do.
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Scripture
Mark 9:5-7
“And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you, and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved son; listen to him.” 
Observation
Peter was overwhelmed, on sensory overload, and probably unsure of his role in the situation. He had no idea what to do or say…so he just started talking! The voice of God came from the cloud, and told Peter to do a little more listening, and a lot less talking. It wasn’t the right time for Peter to ‘do’ anything other than listen to the Savior, and allow His glory to be seen. 
Application
I’ve never seen Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah, but I’ve certainly been in Peter’s shoes…when life is overwhelming, when God is doing stuff, when I’m on sensory overload, when I’m not sure of my place or my role…sometimes the natural reaction is to just start ‘doing stuff’.
Start talking…
Start moving…
Start working…
But when I am overwhelmed and on overload, God is not. He’s still speaking the words I need to hear, and still doing the things that only He can do. At these moments, the Holy Spirit says “Just stop! Stop talking! Stop moving! Stop trying to figure it all out, and just LISTEN to the savior!”
This week, I need to spend time just listening to the savior’s voice, and watching what He is doing.
He is speaking. He is working. And He will lead me, if I allow Him. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your voice which cuts through the clamor, the noise, and the confusion. Help me to pay attention to your voice, instead of just speaking to hear my own voice. Thank you that you are never overwhelmed, never surprised, and never caught off-guard! 
 
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Heart Stuff

  • October 31, 2022
God deserves my worship, and He desires my worship. Not worship that consists of empty words and vaguely pleasant feelings–but true, honest, heart-first worship which is backed up and confirmed by my attitude of true submission to Him.
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Scripture
Mark 7:6-7
And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ 
Observation
The purpose of worship is to acknowledge the greatness and kingship of God–to affirm His place on the throne, and our place bowing reverently before Him. Worship is putting physical action to our verbal affirmation of God’s supremacy. Jesus said that the worship of the Pharisees and the scribes would be rejected by God, because their worship was merely verbal affirmation with no truth or substance to back it up. They said all the right words, but lacked a heart which was truly submitted to God. They did the right ‘tasks’, while circumventing the heart of what God truly wanted from them.
Because of this, God rejected the worship that they brought him. 
Application
God deserves my worship, and He desires my worship. Not worship that consists of empty words and vaguely pleasant feelings–but true, honest, heart-first worship which is backed up and confirmed by my attitude of true submission to Him. This kind of worship can’t be distilled down to a checklist or rule book, but instead flows naturally out of a heart which is kept in submission to the King of kings.
This week, I must daily choose to keep my heart in alignment with Him. I must make the decision to daily spend time in His presence, allowing Him to mold and shape me. I must daily choose to reject thoughts patterns and mindsets that are not aligned with His heart, and instead choose to incline my heart toward the things that please Him. 
Prayer
God, you are worthy of my worship! Not merely my words, but the true worship of my heart. Help me this week to make the daily decision to keep my heart in submission to you, so that the things that flow out of me would be pleasing in your sight. Thank you for your patience with me, when my heart is revealed to be flawed and imperfect! 
 
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