S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

The Source of Victory

  • May 6, 2022
Resources are great, technology is helpful, and strategy is important–but my victory and success must be built on nothing else but God.
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Scripture
Psalm 20:6-7
“Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” 
Observation
“This I know.” David is not writing about something he heard a rumor about, or something he merely suspects to be true. He is writing about a deep truth that he knows and is certain of.
“The Lord gives victory to His anointed”. Who was God’s anointed? The king. The king is the one that the nation looks to for leadership, for guidance, for decisions, for stability, for strategy. And yet David knew that his success as a king was not determined by his own ability to lead the nation to victory, but rather in keeping his heart aligned with the God who had anointed him. His success as a leader would not come from technology, or military might–but rather from God himself. 
Application
Resources are great, technology is helpful, and strategy is important–but my victory and success must be built on nothing else but God. He is the one who calls me, equips me, empowers me, and leads me. I have a responsibility to walk faithfully and fulfill what He has entrusted to me, to the best of my ability–but my trust cannot be in my own abilities. I must daily choose to turn to God, to seek God, to listen to God, and to lean on God. 
Prayer
God, thank you for being a sure foundation. Thank you for leading me, and providing all that I need. Help me to daily choose to lean on you instead of on my own strength and abilities. 
 
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Called and Empowered

  • May 4, 2022

God will not instruct me to do that which He will not also empower me to accomplish.
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Scripture
Matthew 21:1-3
“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 
Observation
God does not lack the resources to accomplish his plans. Though we may not see the resource presently, He does. He sent His disciples ahead to prepare, with instructions to boldly step into the resources he had prepared. If challenged they were to respond “the Lord needs this!” Their confidence came not from a greedy or self-centered motivation, but from the certainty that the Lord was coming, He had prepared the way for them, and now they were simply fulfilling their role in preparing the way for Him. 
Application
The King is coming! One day Christ will return, and He has tasked me with preparing the way before Him-not only preparing for His return here on earth, but also preparing hearts for His arrival as the Savior. He has provided everything necessary for me to fulfill his instructions to me. I may not see every resource yet, but He has provided all that I need. He calls me to be bold in stepping forward–not for self-gain, but because “the Lord needs” all of the resources that He has instructed me to prepare for Him.
This week I choose to obey with confidence: not to timidly go donkey-shopping, but instead to boldly claim that which Christ has established and prepared in advance. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the certainty of knowing that you will not instruct me to do that which you will not also empower me to accomplish. Give me wisdom to obey you boldly, so that your name would be proclaimed, and your kingdom established. 

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Motives

  • May 3, 2022

David’s response reveals his heart: “Ok God. I don’t fully understand, but I choose to submit. May You be glorified, whether through me or through someone else!”
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Scripture
1 Chronicles 17:1-4,23-24
“After David was settled in his palace, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of the covenant of the Lord in under a tent.” Nathan replied to David, “Whatever you have in mind, do it, for God is with you.” But that night the word of God came to Nathan, saying: “Go and tell my servant David, “This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in.”
23 “…And now, Lord, let the promise you have made concerning your servant and his house be stablished forever. Do as you have promised so that it will be established and that your name will be great forever. Then people will say, “The Lord Almighty, the God over Israel, is Israel’s God!” and the house of your servant David will be established before you.”
Observation
David didn’t seek the throne, or fame as a warrior, Nevertheless, here he was sitting on the throne and leading the nation. He had a dream and desire to build a house for God. This was a noble and God-honoring plan, and he even had a green light from the prophet Nathan to move forward…then suddenly the whole thing grinds to a halt and God says, “No.”
Not just “No for now,” but “No forever.”
David would absolutely NOT be the one to build a house for God. David could have become frustrated, angry, cynical, and bent out of shape. Instead, his response reveals his heart: “Ok God. I don’t fully understand, but I choose to submit. May You be glorified, whether through me or through someone else!”
Application
Motives are sneaky things. I can ‘do’ all the right things, and yet my heart can be far from right. There are times on the journey when God will test my heart, to see what is revealed. Am I serving Him for his glory, or for my own? Am I sharing the gospel so that people would know His name, or mine? Am I building His house so that His kingdom would be established, or mine?
I choose today, to point people to Him. Whether in publicity or obscurity, whether in fulfillmment or frustration. I choose to glorify God with my heart and not just with my hands–even when it means watching someone else get the credit for the thing that I poured my heart into. I choose to honor him when I hear “no”, not only when I hear “yes”.
Prayer
God, may you be glorified in my life. When my heart is tested, may the things revealed in me be pleasing to you. In each situation may you receive the glory, whether or not I get the credit. Thank you for loving me, and thank you for the privilege of serving you. 
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Complete Praise

  • May 2, 2022

He deserves for me to proclaim his greatness to those around me. He deserves for me to publicly declare how good He is. Anything less, is incomplete praise.
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Scripture
1 Chronicles 16:7-8
“That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the Lord in this manner: ‘Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done.” 
Observation
David appointed Asaph and the rest, for the purpose and calling of giving praise to the Lord. The praise they were to give was not just a quiet, internal, hidden and private acknowledgement of God’s greatness. David instructed them to give praise to the Lord and proclaim his name…and let all the other nations know what God has done. 
Application
God is great, loving, kind, just, merciful, generous, powerful, and so much more. I know this, because I have experienced his greatness and his presence in my own life. There is no doubt in my mind, how awesome my God is!
And yet, there are so many people on earth who do not know how great God is. They’ve not seen or experienced his blessing and his salvation. God deserves my praise and my worship in the quietness of my own heart-but he also deserves so much more than that! He deserves for me to proclaim his greatness to those around me. He deserves for me to publicly declare how good He is. Anything less, is incomplete praise.
This week, I choose to praise God and lift his name high. I choose to talk about what He’s done in my life, to those who do not yet know him. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your goodness and greatness. I choose to praise you with my life and my words, so that those who don’t yet know you would have a chance to catch a glimpse of your greatness.
 
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Search Me

  • April 29, 2022
David didn’t hide his heart, or excuse his heart. He bared his heart before God, and invited the discomfort of growth.
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Scripture
Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, oh God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” 
Observation
David was not perfect, but he desired to become the man that God desired him to be. He kept his heart transparent before God, and invited God to shape and mold him, and deal with anything impure within him. He didn’t hide his heart, or excuse his heart. He bared his heart before God, and invited the discomfort of growth.
Application
I am imperfect. On my own, I cannot measure up to what God desires. God sees all, so I cannot hide from Him. He knows all, so I cannot maintain a facade before Him. All I can do is accept the grace He offers me, and allow Him to continue to shape me into His image. 
Prayer
God, thank you for loving me! Thank you for seeing every part of my heart, and loving me anyway. I invite your transformation and growth in my life. Lead me in your ways, so that I would grow daily more like you. 
 
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Offense

  • April 28, 2022
I can either choose to carry offense, or I can carry God’s blessing–but I cannot carry offense and blessing at the same time.
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Scripture
Matthew 15:12,25-26
“Then the disciples came to him and asked, ‘Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?'”
“The woman came and knelt before him. ‘Lord, help me!’ she said. He replied, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.'” 
Observation
Offense. What a contrast here: The Pharisees come and begin criticizing the disciples of Jesus, yet they get offended when Jesus points them back to the heart of God’s law. Then we see the Canaanite woman come to Jesus with a humble cry for help, and he calls her a ‘dog’! If anyone had the right to be offended, it was her. Yet at the end of the story she receives her request, and the Pharisees remain offended.
The Pharisees chose to take on offense, and missed a moment of transformation.
The woman chose not to pick up offense, and received what she needed from God. 
Application
I have opportunities daily to take on offense. Offense from how people speak to me…or don’t speak to me. Offense from how people treat me…or look at me…or talk about me. I can even take on offense at the word of God if I choose to. My level of offense is not determined by my situation–it is decided by my own heart. I can either choose to carry offense, or I can carry God’s blessing–but I cannot carry offense and blessing at the same time.
This week, I choose to set down offense so that God can continue to transform me into his image. I choose not to carry offense, so I can carry His blessing instead. 
Prayer
God, help me to live a life free from offense. Show me where I may be carrying offense in my heart, so I can lay it down at your feet. When there are opportunities for me to take up offense, help me to choose to carry your blessing instead. 
 
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Maintaining the Margins

  • April 27, 2022

Jesus made the decision to take a break while he was feeling “drained”, instead of waiting until he was “empty”.
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Scripture
Matthew 14:13-14
“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” 
Observation
Jesus needed a break. He was grieving the murder of his cousin, and the load and the pace of his ministry was weighing on him. He took time to recharge…only to have the crowds follow him there too. This would have been a prime opportunity for Jesus to lose his patience and lash out in irritation at those demanding his attention–instead, he “had compassion on them.”
How did he hold himself together? How did he continue to pour himself out, when he was clearly feeling drained? The simple/easy answer is that he was God…but there’s more to it, I think. Jesus was able to continue showing compassion even while drained and tired, because he had “emergency reserves.” He had made the decision to take a break while he was feeling “drained”, instead of waiting until he was “empty”. He had built enough margin into his life, to handle the unexpected crisis moments. 
Application
Life can be draining. Whether from sudden tragedy and loss, or from the day to day busyness, it’s easy to run low on my energy and emotional reserves. Like Jesus, I must pay attention and take time to recharge–before the gauge reads ’empty’. I must maintain a healthy margin in life so that I can continue to love and care for those around me when things don’t go as planned.
This week, I need to prayerfully inspect and maintain my margins. 
Prayer
God, thank you for teaching me. Thank you for coming and setting an example of what a God-honoring life looks like! Help me to put into practice the things I learn in your word so that I would daily continue to grow, deepen, strengthen, and thrive in you. 

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Character

  • April 26, 2022

I want to
live with a Godly heart that remains steady. Not
maintaining a careful facade for the sake of appearance, but rather
deeply and genuinely cultivating a heart of Godly character.
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Scripture
2 Samuel 1:24
“Daughter of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and finery, who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold.” 
Observation
David’s heart is astounding. After all the years spend running from Saul, fearing for his life, enduring slander and attacks on his character, and yet never lifting his own hand against the anointed man of God–now Saul lies dead, and I would fully expect David to breathe a sigh of relief and begin the party for his own coronation. Instead, I see David still defending Saul. Still speaking well of Saul. Still singing songs about Saul’s renown as a great warrior. David doesn’t lie about Saul’s shortcomings, he simply chooses to remember and proclaim Saul’s strengths and victories. The humility and honor that David showed while Saul was still alive, is now shown and proven to be genuine after Saul is dead. 
Application
I want a heart like David. I want to live with a heart of honor and humility, a heart of character which shines through when I have an opportunity to be raw and unfiltered. In the moments when people could excuse and justify me gloating or gossiping–I want to live with a Godly heart that remains steady even at those moments. Not maintaining a careful facade for the sake of appearance, but rather deeply and genuinely cultivating a heart of Godly character.
How do I do that? By daily spending time at the feet of Jesus, letting him change me and transform me. Not spending time with God “for others”, but spending time with God “for me”. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the inspiration I find in your word–stories of imperfect men like David who consistently displayed a heart to honor you in every circumstance. Change my heart to be more like you, so that you would be glorified by what is revealed in me day by day. Help me to honor you in the way I honor others, even when I have every reason not to. Help me to speak well of others and look for the best in them, even when their worst is clearly on display. 

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It’s All His

  • April 25, 2022

It all belongs to Him–He’s merely entrusted some of it to me.
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Scripture
1 Samuel 30:24,26
“Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.”
“When David reached Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah, who were his friends, saying, “Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the Lord’s enemies.”” 
Observation
David defended the right of the soldiers who stayed behind as a guard, to receive a portion of the plunder. David understood that it was only by God’s goodness and greatness that their families had been safely returned, and also the plunder of battle gained. David understood that it was only because of God’s generosity that he had these things to enjoy–and therefore he had no right to be selfish or miserly in how he managed the blessings. He modeled generosity to the kingdom, and set the expectation for how the nation would act. 
Application
God has blessed me so abundantly! He has not given me blessings for me to seize hold of them and jealously guard what I have–rather, he has generously given to me so that I can generously bless others.
The enemies are not mine–they are the Lord’s enemies
The battle is not mine–it is God’s battle
The blessings are not mine–they are God’s blessings
Prayer
God, thank you for the security I have in you–knowing that you love me and you are fighting on my behalf. Thank you for your abundant blessings in my life! Help me to live with the same generosity that you’ve shown to me, and remember that it all belongs to you. 

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Peace

  • April 21, 2022

This week, I need to rest in the security of knowing that God is greater than the storm–and therefore I can rest peacefully. 
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Scripture
Matthew 8:23-24
“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.” 
Observation
We remember this story because Jesus calmed the wind and the waves. That was remarkable, but I’m just as amazed by the beginning of this story. There are the disciples, battling the storm as the waves wash over them…and Jesus, fast asleep! The storm simply had no effect on him. 
Application
Storms happen, and sometimes they hit hard. God has given me his spirit and his power, to speak in faith and see the wind and waves grow calm. More than that though, He’s given me his peace in the middle of the storm–peace which says “Yeah, there’s a storm blowing…but right now I’m going to take a nap and get some rest, because He who is in me is greater than any storm which surrounds me!”
This week, I need to rest in the security of knowing that God is greater than the storm–and therefore I can rest peacefully. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the peace that I find in you–peace so great that it simply makes the wind and waves irrelevant. Help me to rest in you, secure in the knowledge that you hold my past, present, and future in your hands! 

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