S.O.A.P.

Genesis 20:2,11

2 – And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimalech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah.

11 – Abraham said, “I did it because I thought, ‘There is no fear of God at all in this place, and they will kill me because of my wife.'”

Observation

Abraham had just watched God wipe out Sodom and Gomorrah completely, and he had watched God supernaturally protect Lot. Abraham knew God’s power…but he apparently didn’t trust that God would use his power to protect Abraham if Abraham did what was right and honorable.

Abraham saw God generally, but didn’t trust Him personally.

Application

There’s a difference between knowing ‘about’ God, and ‘knowing’ God. There’s a difference between knowing that God ‘can’ do something, and trusting that God ‘will’ do it for me.

I don’t want to be like Abraham: observing God’s power, but not certain if I can trust Him. I’d rather be a Peter: ready to jump out of the boat at a moment’s notice…imperfect and flawed, but with an almost illogical degree of trust in the Savior.

Prayer

God, thank you for your faithfulness and your power which I daily see at work around me. I choose to trust you in each situation–not merely to know that you can handle it, but also trusting that you will accomplish what is needed to bring me through.

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/

Genesis 9:6

“Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image.”

Observation

Life holds value to God. He is the creator of life, and he values his creation. But among all of creation, humanity holds a specific and unique value to the Creator: We were created in His image! God decreed to Noah that out of all the animals and creatures that were to repopulate the earth, the blood of mankind held a special significance.

Application

It boggles my mind, to really stop and think about the idea that I am created in God’s image! Out of all of creation–why me? Why us? Why?

This reality doesn’t change based on a person’s behavior, or financial status, or social standing, or reputation, or appearance, or smell, or any of the other things that I would potentially use to classify and evaluate someone new that I meet. None of these things change the fact that every person who has ever walked the face of this earth, was created in the image of the Creator–and they are VALUABLE!

This understanding causes me to see others in a different way. Instead of merely seeing how they benefit me, or inconvenience me, or amuse me, or frustrate me, or intrigue me…I must cultivate the awareness that they are first and foremost, above all else, a priceless soul created in God’s own image.

Prayer

God, help me to value people the way that you do! Help me to give up my shallow grading system based on what I see and hear, or even merely imagine! Help me to see the eternal value of each soul that I meet, so that I could truly carry your love to those around me. Thank you for valuing me, even when my measurement scale says that my own value is deficient. You are so amazing!

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/

Luke 310-14

10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”

“What must we do?”

I don’t know what kind of response these people expected, but the reply they received from John seems so very simple: “Love others and treat them well, and be content!”

These instructions were not about achieving salvation through works, but rather of showing evidence of God’s spirit at work in their hearts.

Reading the Bible? That’s sacred.

Praying and fasting? Yup, sacred also.

Interacting with the checkout clerk at Costco? That’s secular.

God, thank you for this reminder that following you really isn’t that complicated. It simply requires a heart that is truly surrendered to you–not only in the huge, destiny-defining moments…but equally in the small, daily decisions which you call me to live out with integrity and a Christlike attitude.

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/

Acts 7: 1- 2

“And the high priest said,”Are these things so?” And Stephen said, “Brothers and fathers, hear me. The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran…”

Observation

Application

Prayer

God, thank you for leading and guiding me through each season. Help me to see opportunities for Kingdom wins, and give me the courage to pay any price that you would require of me.

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/

Ezra 3:12

“But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy.”

Observation

While the city celebrated the construction of God’s house, these men mourned. While the rest of the people celebrated what God was now doing, these men mourned for what used to be.

Application

It’s right and appropriate to remember heritage and history…but not at the expense of seeing what God is doing today. So long as I draw breath here on earth, God’s work in and through me will not be completed. So what is God doing today? Am I watching with awe and wonder what God is doing, or am I blinded by tears for what used to be?

Today I choose to honor and remember miracles and victories from my past–but I choose to live in the miracle of what God is doing today.

Prayer

God, thank you for your faithfulness! Help me never to forget what you have done, but help me also not to miss out on what you are doing today by allowing yesterday to consume my attention.

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/

Daniel 11:1

“As for me, in the first year of Darius the Mede, I stood up to confirm and strengthen him.”

Observation

This angel of God ministered to king Darius on God’s behalf, by confirming and strengthening him. There were specific things he needed as king. God knew the need, and supplied the need.

Application

Today I choose to learn how to speak with the heart of God. Not with shallow and self-serving flattery, nor yet with harsh criticisms…but with honest truth which confirms the calling of God on people’s lives and leaves them strengthened from having been around me.

Prayer

God, thank you for your confirmation and strength in my life! Help me to carry that same heart in my speech and interactions, so that others would be strengthened and elevated from having spent time with me.

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/

Ezekiel 47:21-22

“So shall you divide this land among you according to the tribes of Israel. You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the sojourners who reside among you and have had children among you. They shall be to you as native-born children of Israel. With you they shall be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.”

Observation

Although God’s people were to be holy and distinct from the nations around them, God didn’t want them to have a superior or clique-ish attitude. Not only were they to welcome foreigners and immigrants into their land, they were specifically commanded to welcome them into the family! They were not merely to show hospitality to others as guests: they were to welcome them into their lives and their community.

Application

Letting someone into my life is risky business. As long as they are a guest, I can keep strict boundaries in place: guests don’t get to wander in and out of my home unsupervised, or dig through my pantry. They don’t get to stay for indefinite periods of time. But when I let someone into my life, those boundaries change. I still have boundaries, but now that person is part of the family, and they have all of the rights and privileges that go with being part of the family. They also have far greater ability to cause me frustration and pain. It’s far simpler and safer to merely be hospitable to people as guests–but God calls me to welcome people into the family.

In the kingdom of God, it’s easy to welcome people as guests and visitors: “Here’s where you can put your jacket and slippers until you leave, and the bathroom is down the hall.” …but it’s different to welcome them in as part of our future and our family. That requires accepting their issues and baggage, and letting them share the inheritance. It means giving them ownership, not just an open door.

Today I choose to open my heart to allow people in–not just as guests, but as family.

Prayer

God, thank you for welcoming me into your family! Give me courage and wisdom to welcome others as you have welcomed me, so that your family would grow as you desire. May the halls of your house show the marks and mess of a growing family, instead of the sterile spotlessness of a museum exhibit!

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/

Ezekiel 2:7

“And you shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear, for they are a rebellious house.”

Observation

Ezekiel was appointed as a watchman by God, and given responsibility to share a life-and-death message. God knew that his audience was stubborn and rebellious, and he gave Ezekiel this reminder: “Their response is not your responsibility, Ezekiel. Just be faithful to do what you’re called to do, and let me work in their heart.”

Application

There’s a fine line in obedience, between taking responsibility for ‘my part’ vs. trying to take responsibility for someone else’s decisions. I should own my choices and decisions, but I cannot own the choices of others.

This realization gives me confidence to boldly obey my Lord even in the face of rejection. My purpose in God is still my purpose, and I must trust him with the outcome rather than trying to control others. When others turn a deaf ear, I must keep speaking truth. When others turn away, I must choose obedience instead of discouragement. When others ridicule, I must be faithful.

Prayer

God, I trust you with the outcome. Give me strength and courage to serve you faithfully, regardless of what others may choose. I would rather be approved by you, than agreed with by all 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/

Jeremiah 48:30-31

30 I know his insolence, declares the LORD; his boasts are false, his deeds are false. 31 Therefore I wail for Moab; I cry out for all Moab; for the men of Kir-hareseth I mourn.

Observation

The prophet Jeremiah is recording God’s words of judgment toward Moab, because of their wickedness. God’s judgment and wrath was about to fall on them…yet God says that He was ‘crying and mourning’ for them. His righteousness demanded that there be a correction and consequence for their wickedness…but His love still mourned for them as people that He had created in His own image.

Application

When we talk about righteousness, holiness, wickedness, and judgment…it’s easy to just stop when we get to judgment. Wickedness is wickedness, judgment is judgment…end of story.  But that’s not how God sees it! Yes, there are times when His righteousness requires a correction of those who have turned away from him…but He mourns for those He must judge.

In my interaction with those around me, it can be easy to get very task-oriented and process-oriented. “If you do ‘x’, then I’ll have to do ‘y’.”  When I let myself become focused merely on tasks and processes, I start to become hard-hearted toward those that that I’m dealing with. I become just a little bit less loving, a little bit less caring, a little bit less merciful.  There are some lines that must be drawn, and some boundaries that must be enforced: but if God can mourn as His judgment falls on the wicked Moabites, then I must learn to care just as deeply for those around me.

Today I choose to let my heart rejoice, celebrate, mourn, grieve, and ‘feel’ for those around me–instead of reducing my interactions to mere processes and tasks.

Prayer

God, help me to love the way that you love! Help me to care about people: Not merely when they do what they should…but even when they turn away from you and when they let me down. Thank you for loving me, even when I’ve turned away from 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/

As Jesus said in Matthew 6:10, “Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven!”

Jeremiah 14:11-12

The LORD said to me: “Do not pray for the welfare of this people. Though they fast, I will not hear their cry, and though they offer burnt offering and grain offering, I will not accept them. But I will consume them by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence.”

Observation

What a curious instruction God gives in Jeremiah 14:11 – “Do not pray for the welfare of this people!”

Why would God not want him to pray for them? What reason could God have for not wanting the prophet to pray God’s blessing on them?! Quite simply, God didn’t want Jeremiah praying prayer that were misaligned with His plan. God’s desire was not simply to bless them here on earth: He wanted to draw their hearts back to Him, so that their eternal future could be blessed.

Application

As I navigate situations in life, I often find myself praying for specific outcomes: “God, bless that person in this way.” Or maybe: “God, you see the healing needed in this situation…and here’s how you should heal them.” Or sometimes: “God, you see the problem over here…and here’s how you should fix it.”

The problem with praying this kind of prayer, is that I’m going beyond identifying the need and asking for God’s help: I’ve now begun to insert my own ideas, thoughts, and plans into the situation–because clearly, I understand the situation fully and I understand exactly how it should be handled…

Instead of telling God how to be God…I must bring my prayers to Him with an open hand: “God, here’s the situation. It’s out of my control, but I know you are sovereign. I’m inviting you into the mess, and I’m asking you to resolve this in a way which fulfills your plans and desires, and brings glory to you!”

As Jesus said in Matthew 6:10, “Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven!”

Today I choose not only to bring my needs to God, but also to trust Him with the outcome. He is wise, loving, and sovereign…and I must trust Him to be God.

Prayer

God, forgive me for trying to tell you how to do your job! I invite you today into the mess of each situation that I navigate this week. May your plans be accomplished, and may you receive glory as you draw hearts to you! I trust you, and I choose to follow you instead of trying to talk you into following me.

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/