S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

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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Worthy of Worship

  • September 15, 2022

God’s greatness cannot be contained or ignored!
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Scripture
Psalm 145:10-12
“All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you. They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.” 
Observation
God’s greatness cannot be contained or ignored! His creation sings his praise, and all that He does, reveals His power and might. 
Application
God is great, and He deserves my attention and my worship. Not only the worship songs that I sing each weekend, but also the worship of my life–in the way that I focus my own heart to see and acknowledge His power, and in the way that I point out His greatness to those around me.
This week, I choose to worship God with my daily life so that others could see Him the way that I do. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your greatness and goodness! Help me to live a life of worship, so that others would come to know you as I do! 

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When you see it…

  • September 14, 2022

One glimpse of the identity and power of Jesus Christ changes everything
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Scripture
Revelation 19:11-13
“I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.” 
Observation
What an amazing glimpse of the power and majesty of Jesus Christ! The humility displayed by Jesus here on earth was not a humility necessitated by weakness-rather it was a willing decision by Him to subject his infinite power and majesty to the humiliation of the cross, because of his love for mankind. 
Application
Some of my friends regularly post images on Facebook, with captions like “When you see it…” The image will appear a certain way at first glance –but there will be something hidden or concealed in the image which changes the whole picture once it is glimpsed.
This is how Jesus is! The world sees him as merely a guy who lived a long time ago…but one glimpse of his true identity and power changes everything.
This week I need to take time to see and recognize the power, majesty, and identity of Jesus Christ. I must once again acknowledge and submit to His kingship in my life. In my interactions with others, I must daily point people to him so that they can also see him–because “when you see it”…everything changes. 
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for this glimpse of your majesty and power!
Help me to see you as you are, to glimpse your true nature as the king of kings and Lord of lords. Help me to point others to you, so that this world would be changed by your identity. 

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The Role of the Watchman

  • September 13, 2022

The watchman was not responsible for the people’s decision in responding to his warning cry, but he was responsible to sound the alarm.
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Scripture
Ezekiel 33:5-6
5 He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand. 
Observation
This passage is a sobering wake-up call, both to Israel and also to her prophets. Destruction was drawing near, and God wanted the alarm to be sounded. The city watchman is used as a symbol of God using His prophets to warn God’s people of His coming judgement–if the watchman sounded the alarm and the people listened, they could be saved from the destruction. If the watchman didn’t sound the alarm though, then the watchman would bear responsibility for the resulting deaths. The watchman was not responsible for the people’s decision in responding to his warning cry, but he was responsible to sound the alarm.
Application
There’s a fine line of responsibility in how I interact with others. No matter how much I love them and want the best for them, they are ultimately responsible for their own decisions. God requires me to do the things He’s called me to do, but the outcome doesn’t rest on my shoulders. This can be frustrating when I see people that I care about destroying themselves with unwise decisions, but it also means that I don’t get to take the credit when they do heed my warning and turn around–the glory belongs to God, not me.
This personal-responsibility boundary is what keeps me grounded and healthy through the crazy times as well as the great moments–as long as I’m fulfilling the things to which God has called me, then I don’t get to take the credit or beat myself up with blame.
This week, I choose to sound the alarm when danger looms near. I choose to be courageous to speak up to get the attention of those who don’t see the approaching destruction. I choose not to blame myself for the destructive decisions of those around me, and with the grace of God I choose to remain humble instead of puffing myself up in pride when my warning results in a life saved–because the glory belongs to God.
Prayer
God, thank you for loving us enough to warn us when danger is approaching! Give me courage to speak up when needed, so your love could save people from destruction. As I fulfill my calling, help me to keep a healthy boundary in not blaming myself when people decide to ignore the warning cry–and help me to always give you the glory when I see you accomplishing transformation in people’s lives…because I cannot take the credit for the work that you are doing. 

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