S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

Merely Imitating

  • May 12, 2022

Because of Paul’s example of faith in the middle of suffering, the believers at Thessalonica learned to follow Christ and endure through their own trials.
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Scripture
1 Thessalonians 1:6
“You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” 
Observation
Paul knew what suffering was all about. He had endured plenty of suffering on his journey and had learned a depth of contentment in God, which transcended the present and temporary suffering. 

Because of his example, the believers at Thessalonica learned to follow Christ and endure through their own trials. 

Application
Some seasons are just hard. This is true for everyone-believers and non-believers alike. My walk with God cannot be a conditional negotiation of “if you make my life easy, then I’ll serve you.” This is not what service to the Lord looks like! Instead, my walk with God must be built on the simple foundation that He is sufficient, and His joy is all the strength I need.
I want my life to be this kind of example to the world, so that others would draw closer to God by imitating my example. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your joy which is my strength! Thank you for your joy which is present and sufficient, no matter my circumstance. Help me learn daily to follow you in such a way that those around me would be drawn closer to you and not farther away by following my example. 

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The Voice of Love

  • May 11, 2022

I must care enough for those around me to be the voice of truth- even when truth requires tension.
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Scripture
2 Samuel 19:5-7
“Then Joab went into the house to the king and said, “Today you have humiliated all your men, who have just saved your life and the lives of your sons and daughters and the lives of your wives and concubines. You love those who hate you, and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall. This will be worse for you than all the calamities that have come on you from your youth till now.” 
Observation
David had paid a terrible price for doing what was necessary and right. Unfortunately, more was needed from him. The kingdom didn’t pause, and the world did not stop turning just because the king was grieving. In fact, David’s grief had now begun to immobilize him to the point that the men on whom he relied were beginning to unravel. This couldn’t have been what David wanted to hear, but it’s what he needed someone to tell him. Joab stepped up to the plate and called him out, because he cared enough to not let David destroy himself.
Application
God has blessed me with valuable relationships. He has blessed me with people to pour into and mentor, people to walk alongside on the journey, and people who are able to pour into me also. Some of the most valuable people he’s blessed me with, are those who care enough about me to speak difficult things, to warn me about the precipice edge that I haven’t yet noticed. These people are not the ones who always agree with me, but rather the ones who love me enough to disagree with a Christlike heart when necessary.
This week, I need to honor the role they play in my life, to keep me growing forward. This week I also need to care enough for those around me, to be the voice of truth even when truth requires tension. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your ‘honest love’ – love which loves me where I am, but loves me too much to leave me unchanged. Thank you for those special friends and mentors you’ve placed in my life, who love me enough to confront me when needed. Help me to always love others enough to disagree–with a Christlike heart. 

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The Price Tag

  • May 10, 2022

Sometimes there is a high price for doing what is right. David chose to pay the price so that God would be glorified–through the pain, through the sorrow, through the agony.

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Scripture
2 Samuel 18:32-33
“The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.”
The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you O Absalom, my son, my son!” 
Observation
What a heartbreaking story, in every way! A rebellious son, a divided nation, a violent uprising, and a king who was forced to send elite special forces after his own child. David did what he knew he had to do and sent his army to quell the uprising–but his grief was real, raw, and agonizing–even though he knew what he had done was right. 
Application
Sometimes there is a high price for doing what is right. As a young man David had defended ‘the Lord’s anointed’ when Saul was on the throne–and now, David was forced to uphold this same responsibility now that he was the one sitting on the throne. The ‘right thing’ had not changed–but now the cost was much higher.
There are times in my life that the ‘right thing’ will cost me something. This may be a physical cost, or it may be an emotional and relational cost. David paid the cost, because he realized that the cost of NOT doing the right thing would be even higher–not only for him, but also for the nation and potentially even for Absalom. The cost of inaction was to give up and abdicate the anointing of God, and surrender the kingdom to evil men.
Instead, David chose to pay the price so that God would be glorified–through the pain, through the sorrow, through the agony. 
Prayer
God, thank you for guiding and leading through the hard moments as well as the easy ones. Thank you for being willing to pay an unfathomably high price to show you love for me! Give me courage and wisdom to make decisions that honor you, even when the price is high. May you be glorified not only in my joy, but also in my sorrow. 

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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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