S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

That’s Refreshing!

  • February 4, 2022

Scripture
Psalm 19:7
“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.”
Observation
I’ve never really thought of laws as being “refreshing”! Those two things don’t really seem to even relate to each other…at first glance. The reason that God’s law is refreshing, is that it makes me better. His law comes from His heart of love for me. I may be simple, but His desire is that I would be wise…and so He has given me His law. 
Application
I don’t always “prefer” to do things God’s way…that’s why I need His law to guide me. When I make the decision to obey God even despite my own preferences and desires, I reap the benefits that come along with His law. Though I am simple, I can walk in wisdom. Though I may feel discouraged and weary, I can be refreshed.
Obedience to God, leads to benefits for me. 
Prayer
God, thank you for loving me enough to give me your law. Thank you that your law is rooted in your love for me! Help me to daily walk in obedience to you so that my soul could be refreshed, and so I can walk in wisdom instead of foolishness. 

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When Hearts Unite

  • February 3, 2022

Scripture
Exodus 35:29
“All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the Lord freewill offerings for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do.
Observation
What an amazing passage of scripture! The mission was large and complex–but simple at its core: “Build a place for God to dwell”. God gave them a direction and mission, and the entire community responded to fulfill the mission given to them by God. Jewelry, gold, yarn, linen, leather, silver, bronze, lumber, cloth, gemstones, spices, olive oil, and anointing oil–the ‘whole community’ gave what they had, to be used by God to fulfill His plan.
Moses shared the vision, (35:5) and everyone whose ‘heart moved them’ brought what they had. They continued to bring their offerings ‘morning after morning’ (36:3), to the point that Moses finally had to send out a cease and desist order throughout the camp, to get them to stop bringing offerings.
When the vision is clear, hearts unite. When hearts unite, blessings flow.
Application
God has given us a mission! Our mission is to share the gospel of Jesus, make disciples, train leaders, and release the body of Christ to grow the Kingdom. There are many great things that we ‘can do’ as a church, but this is the one thing God has ‘called us’ to do.
The mission must be clear! It must be unchanging, and it must be consistently communicated. As we consistently share and live out the mission, God will draw the hearts of His people to unite together in purpose. As we unite together in following His lead, God will give us the resources and wisdom to accomplish what He has called us to do.
This week, I need to stay focused on living the mission, and sharing the vision.
 
Prayer
God, thank you for the body of Christ! Thank you for the privilege of working together on this mission that you have given us! Help us to each see the mission, catch the vision, and unite together with one heart and purpose as we follow you!

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The Power of Relationship

  • February 2, 2022

Scripture
Exodus 34:12
“Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you.” 
Observation
Relationships matter. Alignment with the right people will help propel us into the right “next”. Alignment with the wrong voices will derail us into the wrong “next”.
We need the discernment of God’s spirit to tell the difference between the two. 
Application
There is never a shortage of voices looking to unite, give advice, provide input, and walk together in life. All of these things are good and right…in the right relationships.
Allowing ungodly or toxic relationships to play that role in my life though, will hinder me from what God has in store. There are people to whom I am called to be a witness, and people to whom I am called to be an ally. Seeking God’s help to discern between the two, will save me from toxic alliances. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the leading of your spirit! Help me to walk in alignment with those who will guide me closer to you, and give me the discernment to avoid alliances with those who would draw me away from you or distract me from my calling and purpose. 

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True Worship

  • February 1, 2022

Scripture
Exodus 32:5
“When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, “Tomorrow there will be a festival to the Lord!” 
Observation
What a twisted, messed-up situation! While Moses is up on the mountain talking to God, Aaron and the people are busy at work building an idol. When the idol is finished, Aaron builds an altar and announces a festival…to the one true God! They wanted to build an idol and do the things that they enjoyed and made them “feel better”, and call it worship to God. 
Application
Worship must be “God-centered”, not “me-focused”. Worship is me giving up something of my time, resources, or desires, because God is worthy. Worship is not about merely slapping a Jesus sticker on the things I enjoy or that make me feel better.
This week, I need to direct my heart back to God–to worship Him in spirit and in truth, in the way that He desires. I must daily reaffirm and remind myself that this life is all about Him, not about me.
Prayer
God, thank you for who you are. Thank you for being truth, love, justice, grace, and everything else that defines you. Help me to daily worship you with my time, my words, my actions, and my resources–in the way that you desire! 

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Problems and Possibilities

  • January 31, 2022

Scripture
Acts 7:22,27
“Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.”
“But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, “Who made you ruler and judge over us?” 
Observation
What a contrast between the words of Acts 7:22, and the response that Moses gave to God when he was called from the burning bush! Acts describes Moses as being ‘powerful in speech and action’, yet Moses describes himself to God in Exodus 4:10 as being “slow of speech and tongue”, and not eloquent.
What happened? What caused the Moses who was raised in Pharaoh’s court to be a leader, and was powerful in speech and action, to become the fearful, hesitant, reluctant man that we see in Exodus 4?  It seems to be a result of the words from the Hebrew men after he killed the Egyptian: “Who made you ruler and judge over us?”
Though God had begun to prepare Moses to lead the Hebrew nation, he was still human and imperfect. He still made mistakes, still made foolish decisions from time to time. Instead of giving him room to grow, the Hebrew men cut him down with their words and their attitude…creating a deep-rooted hesitancy and uncertainty in the heart of Moses.
Application
People make bad decisions…it’s just a fact. As I pour my heart into developing the leaders God has placed under my care, their humanity will display itself from time to time–just as I show my own humanity and imperfection in my life.
My response in these moments can determine the long-term result. I can use the opportunity to help people grow, develop, and mature…or I can lash out at them, criticize their lack of wisdom, and create a root of doubt and uncertainty in their heart which may take decades for God to heal.
God’s desire is not that bad decisions or unwise behavior would be covered up and ignored, but rather that we would each learn from the decisions we make–and keep growing forward into the calling for which He created each of us.
This week I must choose to see beyond people’s flaws and imperfections, to glimpse the possibilities and potential inside of them–then help them grow through the mistakes into the identity for which God created them.
Prayer
 God, thank you for loving me despite my own bad decisions! Thank you for helping me to grow, and for your patience as I develop into the person you created me to be! Help me to extend that same grace to others, even when their own humanity and imperfection is on display. Help me to see beyond the flaws, to see the potential that you have placed inside of them. Help me to care enough, to help them grow through their worst decisions.

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Who Gets The Credit?

  • January 27, 2022

Scripture
Exodus 17:12
“When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up–one on one side, one on the other–so that his hands remained steady till sunset.” 
Observation
The Israelites were engaged in battle against the Amalekites, and Moses was leading the battle from a hilltop with the staff of God in his hand. Staff went up, Israel prevailed. Staff dropped down, Amalek prevailed. Aaron and Hur observed Moses’ arms becoming tired, and ran to help. They could have fought over who should carry the staff, or squabbled in order to take the credit and gain prestige. Instead, they recognized that the mission was more important than the question of who got the credit and the recognition. 
Application
It’s nice to receive credit or recognition when I’ve worked hard on a project. If I allow that desire to influence my behavior and decisions though, the mission will be hindered. The mission is the important thing, not my own ego.
Like Aaron and Hur, I must be quick to support what God is doing–even when He is using someone else to accomplish His will. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the privilege of serving in your Kingdom! Help me to always celebrate and support the victories and successes of others, instead of merely feeding my own ego. Help me to be quick to give credit, and swift to take blame–so that the mission may continue unhindered. 

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Be Still

  • January 26, 2022

Scripture
Exodus 14:13-15
“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on.” 
Observation
The Israelites were all in a frenzy. They wanted freedom, but they wanted security. They wanted deliverance, but they wanted to avoid conflict. They wanted the freedom to worship God, but they didn’t want to rely on Him. The instruction they received was, “Stop! Stop moving, stop pacing, stop complaining, stop worrying. Stop, and still your heart before the Lord.”
Once they did this, the very next instruction God gave them was, “Move on!” 
Application
It’s easy to live life in reaction mode, torn between desires- panicking as questions appear, uncertainties increase, obstacles rise, and enemies advance. When this happens, the Spirit calls me to stand firm and be still. God is fighting on my behalf, and before I do anything else I must still my heart before God. Once I have done this, I give Him the opportunity to intervene and guide me. Then His word comes, “move on!”
After I still myself in His presence and center my heart on Him, He can direct my steps to move forward in the peace that He gives–secure in the certainty that He has made a way for me. 
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder to stand still when things get crazy, and center my heart on you. Thank you for your leading and guiding. Help me to clearly hear your voice, so that I may “move on” in step with you as you make a way for me. 

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Traditions

  • January 25, 2022

Scripture
Exodus 13:8,14
“On that day tell your son, “I do this because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt.”
“In days to come, when your son asks you, “What does this mean?” say to him, “With a mighty hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” 
Observation
“Why, Daddy? Why? How come?”
This question is often heard in our house, and it seems that children in Moses’ time had the same habit. God told his people to establish habits and traditions which would call their attention back to the greatness of God, to capture the attention and curiosity of their children. The purpose and intention was not for it to become a boring, meaningless repetition “just because,” but rather that it would create opportunities to teach the next generation about the goodness of God. 
Application
People often criticize “tradition”…because all too often we allow traditions to lose their heart and meaning, and become dry and empty repetition. In my home, I need to take the time to create habits and family traditions which bring our attention and focus back to God–so that my sons will learn of His greatness and goodness. This can’t happen though, if I become irritated or impatient with their questions and curiosity.
Consistent conversations about God, create opportunities for generational change. 
Prayer
God, thank you for my family, and for the privilege of raising my sons! Help me to daily seize every opportunity to teach them your greatness–so that they may go on to serve you and carry your light to the next generation. 

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Hope

  • January 24, 2022
Scripture
Luke 24:21a
“but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” 
Observation
Hope.
Hope can give us strength to carry on during the darkest days and most difficult seasons. Losing hope is enough to defeat the greatest of us, regardless of how well things may be going. These men had ‘hoped’ that Jesus would redeem Israel from the rule of Rome, and now they felt that their hope was gone. Jesus had been crucified, and it was all over and done as far as they could see. The truth was, their hope wasn’t gone–it simply was too small! Christ did come to redeem Israel–not just from Rome, but from sin itself! …and not just Israel, but all of mankind as well! 
Application
There have been times that I’ve felt hopeful, and days when all seemed hopeless. No matter how I feel though, hope in Christ is never misplaced. He has a plan and a purpose for me, and He has defeated every enemy–even death! When my hope in Christ does not seem to be fulfilled, He may just be working out the situation differently than I expected…or, my hopes may be too small–and they may need to expand to match the greatness of our God.
Regardless of what I may see with my eyes, He is the God who brings hope. Not empty, shallow hope–but real, dependable, trustworthy hope. 
Prayer
God, thank you for hope! Thank you for having a plan and a purpose that is even greater than my hope can currently glimpse. Help me to trust you in every season, and not allow my hope to be shaken by the temporary things that my eyes see. 
 
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Defense

  • January 21, 2022

Scripture
Luke 21:13-15
“And so you will bear testimony to me. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.” 
Observation
Defensiveness. We’ve all felt it, all experienced that same reaction as our heart rate goes up, and our mind starts scrambling to find the best words to use or the best actions to take, to defend ourselves and ‘spin’ the situation in our favor. Christ tells us to expect these moments, but reminds us that we serve a higher purpose–not to merely defend ourselves, but rather to bear testimony to the greatness of God. As we continue to bear testimony and point others to God, He will give us the words to say, and He will defend us. 
Application
I get defensive. I don’t like being attacked, or accused, or judged. But God has not placed me where I am, merely to spend my time defending myself. He has placed me here to be a witness, and to bear testimony to His greatness. I can’t do that, if all my energy and focus is taken up by defending me. This week, I need to focus on lifting His name high, and let Him fight my battles. Battles come and go, but He remains worthy of my attention and my focus. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your faithfulness! Thank you for defending me and fighting my battles. Help me to keep my focus on you, and just keep pointing others back to your goodness and your greatness. 

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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

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