S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

Uncomfortable

  • April 7, 2022
God brings joy, but He wants far more than for me to merely be “happy”! God wants me to be fully free, free from sin and regret, and fully alive in Him!
============

Scripture
2 Corinthians 7:10
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” 
Observation
The joy of the Lord is my strength-but sometimes that joy comes through sorrow. The sorrow of this world brings condemnation, regret, and death. Godly sorrow causes repentance, and brings salvation, freedom, and life. 
Application
“God just wants me to be happy!” I’ve been told this lie before… The truth is that God brings joy, but He wants far more than for me to merely be “happy”! God wants me to be fully free, free from sin and regret, and fully alive in Him! At times, His spirit convicts me of sin so that I would turn back to Him. His desire is not to destroy me, but rather to purify and perfect me into His image.
This week, I choose to learn from sorrow instead of trying to constantly avoid it. I choose to submit to God, and allow Him to shape me as He sees fit–even when the process is uncomfortable. 
Prayer
Thank you for loving me enough to not leave me in a sinful state, “comfortable” in my problems and issues. Transform me daily into your image, and I choose to surrender myself to you!

Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!
You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

‘Today’

  • April 6, 2022


God’s presence and power is not a distant hope to be fulfilled “someday”–Now is the time of favor, and today is the day of salvation!
====================

Scripture
2 Corinthians 6:2
“For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; now is the day of salvation.” 
Observation
These words which Paul quoted were first penned by the prophet Isaiah, in Isa. 49:8. God is promising to fulfill his plan in the life of Isaiah, to bring his people back to him–and prophetically speaking forward to the time of Christ. Paul shows that through the power of Christ’s redemption, we also enter into this promise of divine help and salvation.
God’s presence and power is not a distant hope to be fulfilled “someday”–Now is the time of favor, and today is the day of salvation! 
Application
This passage is such an inspiration and encouragement to me! The confidence of knowing that God hears me, cares about me, and helps me, gives me the confidence to walk forward when the path is unclear. His salvation is here today, accessible to me and actively at work in my life. His favor is upon me, His purpose at work within me. God has invited me to become a part of His story, which spans from the beginning of time, through the days of Isaiah and Paul, and His story continues on in and through my life today. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your presence and power in my life! Thank you for the certainty of your favor and salvation. Thank you for the privilege of becoming a part of your story here on earth today. 

Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!
You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Entrusted

  • April 5, 2022
Christ has done the reconciling, and we have been entrusted with the responsibility to share the good news with others.
=====================

Scripture
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” 
Observation
Through Christ we are reconciled to God. The gulf is bridged, the broken relationship is restored! This supernatural, God-sized message has been entrusted to us. Christ has done the reconciling, and we have been entrusted with the responsibility to share the good news with others. 
Application
God has already taken care of that which is beyond my ability to affect. Through Christ, I have been reconciled to God! Through Christ, the debt for all of mankind has been paid. God has not tasked me with an impossible mission, rather He has entrusted to me a life-changing message. What an amazing thought, that God in His love has chosen to trust me!
I want to live in such a way that God would someday look at me and say, “Well done!” I want to uphold the trust that He has shown me. 
Prayer
God, thank you for reconciling me to yourself, through Christ! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your kingdom, and for entrusting such an amazing message of good news to me! Help me to daily uphold what you’ve entrusted to me, by sharing your good news with others! 
 
Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!
You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

The Life Inside

  • April 4, 2022
The trials and struggles are temporary, but the renewal of God’s Spirit living inside is permanent and eternal.
======================
Scripture
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 
Observation
Trials, troubles, and struggle are part of life and affect nonbelievers and children of God alike. The difference is that the born-again child of God has a source of daily renewal inside them, which strengthens and builds them up even as this world tries to tear them down. The result is that those external forces which should have destroyed them, instead become a mechanism of growth with eternal importance.
The trials and struggles are temporary, but the renewal of God’s Spirit living inside is permanent and eternal-as are the eternal glories being achieved for us.
Application
My walk with God is not about escaping from trouble or hardship. He does not promise me a life of ease, free from all difficulty. What He does promise me is that the source of life living inside me is greater than any struggle or difficulty I could walk through, and that He is great enough to use even the most terrible, destructive experiences of my life to accomplish eternal blessing in and through me.
This week, I need to fix my attention on the source of life each day- instead of becoming distracted and consumed with the daily struggles. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your Holy Spirit living inside me, which is greater than any trial I could face. Thank you for redeeming every circumstance of my life, as I surrender myself daily to you. 
 
Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!
You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

More

  • March 31, 2022

God created mankind for more than mere existence!
===============

Scripture
Psalm 49:20
“People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.” 
Observation
Wealth and wisdom are not always connected. It is possible to be a rich fool, or a wise beggar.
This verse indicates that a life without wisdom is not much of a life at all–no matter how much wealth is involved. God created mankind for so much more than just mere existence! 
Application
I need to seek Godly wisdom and understanding each day, rather than settling merely for acquiring possessions. God created me for more! Because of His holy spirit in me, I can grow daily in wisdom and understanding rather than stagnating at my current level. This week, I choose to live for more than just earthly possessions. I choose to spend time daily in God’s presence, letting Him deepen and develop my understanding. 
Prayer
God, thank you for creating me for “more”!
Help me not to become infatuated with earthly possessions, but rather live for a higher purpose in you, as you grow my heart to be what you want me to be. 

Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!
You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

What’s Wrong With Me!?

  • March 30, 2022

What God wants is my heart–the good, the bad, and the ugly.
================

Scripture
Psalm 42:5
“Why my soul are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my savior and my God.” 
Observation
The psalmist was having an ‘off’ day, and he doesn’t seem totally sure why. Something in his soul was disturbed…but what?
Instead of trying to put on a fake smile and just keep going, he instead took his turmoil to God. “Why, God?” Why am I feeling this way?” God wasn’t afraid of his emotions, and he wasn’t afraid to bring them to God. He made the decision to be raw and real before God and those around him–and he made the decision to continue praising God, even on a bad day. 
Application
I have ‘off’ days from time to time–when there’s nothing urgently going wrong, and yet I’m just in a funk. It can be easy to feel like I’m supposed to put on a plastic smile and just power through, but that’s not what God wants. What God wants is my heart–the good, the bad, and the ugly.
What He desires is the real me, without a filter or facade. What he deserves is my praise and my worship, even when my emotions are off-kilter.
This week, I choose to remain transparent in God’s presence, and give Him glory–even when my day isn’t Instagram-perfect. 
Prayer
God, thank you for loving me–the real me, with all my flaws and imperfections. Thank you for being big enough and gracious enough to handle my off-days. Help me to remember to praise you through every situation and circumstance, because your worthiness does not depend on my emotions. Thank you for sustaining me with your joy! 

Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!
You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

The Overflow

  • March 29, 2022


My walk
with God must be a daily, regular, ongoing part of my daily life–so
that the overflow of my personal walk could be used by God to encourage
and build up His church
=======================

Scripture
1 Corinthians 14:18-19
“I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.” 
Observation
Some gifts of the Spirit build those around me, others are for my own growth. All are beneficial and useful, when used properly. Paul must have operated in the gifts of the Spirit as a regular, daily part of his walk–not just as a Sunday church thing.  In church though, his focus was on doing things in a way that would bring growth to all–not just bring attention to himself.
Application
My walk with God must be a daily, regular, ongoing part of my daily life–so that the overflow of my personal walk could be used by God to encourage and build up His church. This starts with me personally spending time in God’s presence for my own edification, not just trying to pour out of an empty container. As I spend time in God’s presence, receiving from Him, this results in an overflow which can encourage and build up those around me. This is never to be for my own glory or ego, but for the growth of the body of Christ. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the privilege of spending time each day in your presence! Help me to never take this amazing privilege for granted. May my heart be open to daily receive all that you have for me, so that I could be a conduit of encouragement and edification for your family.
May you be glorified in all that I do!

Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!
You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Never, Always, Every

  • March 28, 2022

God’s love for me has no limit!
====================

Scripture
1 Corinthians 13:7
“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 
Observation
God’s love is a constant. Everything else may be moving, changing, succeeding, or failing, and yet love (real, genuine, Godly love) remains constant. “Never”…”always”…”every”…these descriptions are absolute, and without limit. This is a description of the scale of God’s love for me, and the kind of love that he desires me to show to those around me. 
Application
The world operates on calculations of limits.
“How much current can this wire carry before it melts?”
“How much weight can this beam support before it breaks?”
“How far can my truck go when the gas light is illuminated, before the engine sputters to a halt?”
God’s love doesn’t work like this! He doesn’t love me until I reach His limit–He simply keeps loving me! His love for me is unending, faithful, hopeful, and enduring.
Christ has called me to love others in the same way. My own love is often limited, sometimes runs low on faith and hope, and does not always endure. I must receive and accept Christ’s love in my life, so that my understanding of love can grow and my capacity to love can be increased. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your limitless love!
Thank you that your love is unending, faithful, hopeful, and enduring. Help me to truly accept your amazing love into the core of my being–to grasp and understand its magnitude, and let it increase my own capacity to love, as I am transformed daily to be more like you. 

Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!
You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

What I heard was…

  • March 25, 2022

Disagreements are inevitable, drama is optional.
=================
Scripture
Joshua 22:11-13, 31
“The rest of Israel heard that the people of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had built an altar at Geliloth at the edge of the land of Canaan, on the west side of the Jordan River. So the whole community of Israel gathered at Shiloh and prepared to go to war against them. First, however, they sent a delegation led by Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, to talk with the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.”
“Phinehas, son of Eleazar, the priest, replied to them, “Today we know the Lord is among us because you have not committed this treachery against the Lord, as we thought. Instead, you have rescued Israel from being destroyed by the hand of the Lord.”
Observation
What a prime opportunity for strife, tension, drama, and discord to break out! Some of the tribes had built an altar which was not approved by God for sacrifices, and the rest of the nation was ready to take up arms against them. Every party in the situation had a logical, valid, righteous reason for doing what they had done… including the guy who originally spread the rumor. Unfortunately, he was missing one critical piece of information which nearly started a civil war. The situation was ripe for tragedy, but fortunately someone was wise enough to realize that the thing which was lacking…was a conversation.
Phinehas was sent directly to the ones mentioned in the recent gossip, and God used him to avert the crisis and bring unity and healing.
Application
Disagreements are inevitable, drama is optional. When the rumor mill starts, the Godly response is for me to go directly to the other party instead of leaping into action based on a rumor or spreading the rumor farther. God can receive the glory even in very imperfect situations, if I walk in His principles and refuse to play along with gossip and rumors.
This week, I choose to be a catalyst of unity. I choose to “go directly” when rumors or issues sprout up, so that the drama is nipped in the bud and relationships can be preserved.
Prayer
God, thank you for the practical wisdom that I find in your word. Thank you for the unity of your spirit, which allows us to navigate disagreements and put an end to drama. Help me to bring you glory through my conversations-both the conversations that I initiate, and the ones to which I put an end.
Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!
You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

The Way We Run

  • March 24, 2022

Christ gives me strength for the race, and freedom to choose how I run.
===================
Scripture
1 Corinthians 9:26-27
“Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
Observation
Paul lived with intention, purpose, and discipline. He cared about not only avoiding wrong things, but also about getting the right results–and he recognized that God has given each of us a large degree of choice in the results we get. Aimless running gets aimless results. Disciplined running gets disciplined results. This in no way removes the foundation of faith, divine direction, or trust in God–rather, it affirms the necessity of submitting to God and following His word.
Application
God has given me the freedom to choose how I follow Him. I can run with purpose and self-discipline, or I can cruise along on autopilot…drifting from season to season in life. He decides what the prize is, but I decide how I run.
This week, I choose to run with intention. Not perfection, but with the intentionality of knowing that God has empowered me to run the race to which I am called.
Prayer
God, thank you for the freedom and the strength to run the race to which you’ve called me! Help me to run with faith and trust in you, relying on your leading and guidance.
Help me to daily honor you through my self-discipline, living in your ways instead of merely pursuing my own desires. 
Interested in getting daily devotions delivered straight to your inbox? Subscribe HERE!
You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/
Back To Top