S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

Truth and Freedom

  • December 20, 2021

Scripture
‘To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. ‘ John 8:31-34 
Observation
If we hold to Jesus’ teaching, then we will know the truth–and the truth will set us free. Not merely free from physical bondage and oppression, but free from spiritual bondage to sin. The ‘holding to Jesus teaching’ comes first, then the ‘knowing’ and the freedom. We are saved by faith, not by perfect knowledge. Not merely by ‘faith’, but faith in the God of truth. As we live out our faith in Him, He will lead us into truth and freedom.
Application
God desires me to follow him in obedience–whether or not I understand everything that He requires of me. My obedience of God can’t be dependent on my level of understanding of His reasons and motives, it must instead be based on my faith in Him–faith that trusts His love for me, and trusts His perfect perspective.
This week, I need to hold to the teachings of Jesus in my daily walk–trusting that He is daily leading me in His truth, and into His freedom. 
Prayer
God, thank you that you are worthy of my trust and my allegiance. Help me each day to hold to your teachings and walk in obedience to you, trusting that you love me perfectly and will lead me perfectly into your freedom. Thank you for your truth! 

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God’s Special Possession

  • December 16, 2021

Scripture
1 Peter 2:9-10
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 
Observation
“God’s special possession”–what an amazing reminder of how the Savior sees us! Once we were lost, unsaved, unholy, and nothing special–and yet the Savior saw us, chose us, loved us, redeemed us, and values us!
What an incredible thing, to be the “special possession” of God! 
Application
Identity and self-worth is such a huge topic right now. There are days that I feel awesome, and days that I feel…not so much. If I let my self worth be dictated by my emotions, or the attitude of the clerk at the store, or by the guy driving behind me on the highway, then my worth will be in constant flux. This verse reminds me that my value is not based on my performance, or my emotion, or by those around me. My value doesn’t depend on my fans or my critics. My worth come from the God who loves me and gave His life for me, and who considers me to be His “special possession”.
This week, I need to remember who I am in God’s eyes. 
Prayer
God, thank you for loving me!
Thank you for valuing me, and seeing worth in me.
Help me to daily let You define my worth, instead of letting it be defined by my emotions or the world around me. 

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Joy on the Journey

  • December 15, 2021

Scripture
James 1:2-4
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” 
Observation
Trials: I’ve had many, and I don’t like them. James says to count them as joy though, because of what they produce. Trials bring perseverance, and perseverance results in maturity and completeness. Uncomfortable processes produce healthy outcomes when they are surrendered to God. 
Application
God wants me to be mature, and complete in Him. Because of this, He will allow me to navigate uncomfortable circumstances in order to produce the results that he desires in me. If I am surrendered to Christ, then the outcome will be a good one. The decision for me is whether or not I count it all as joy.
This week, I choose joy! I choose to let God accomplish the growth that He desires in me.
Prayer
God, thank you for loving me enough to accomplish your growth in me! Help me to walk in your joy, even when facing discomfort-because I trust your love for me. 

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Desires and Instincts

  • December 14, 2021

Scripture
Jude 1:18-19
“…In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.” 
Observation
Those who follow their own desires sometimes want to do so from the church pew. Rather than going their own way, they instead stick around just closely enough to cause division.
Unity comes from Spirit-led desires and a priority on the health of the Body instead of a focus on self. 
Application
Being ‘in the church’ is not enough, if my heart and my life are not surrendered to God. No matter how spiritual I sound, the outcome will be division and discord if my desires are not surrendered to the Spirit.
Natural instincts will not achieve the Spirit’s desires for my life.
This week, I need to choose to surrender my desires to God so that I could be an agent of unity, and not discord. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the leading of your Spirit! Help me to daily submit my desires to yours, so that You would be glorified in my life. 

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The New Covenant

  • December 13, 2021

Scripture
Hebrews 10:16
“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” 
Observation
The new covenant established by the blood of Jesus is not written on stone tablets, but on our hearts. God is not looking for people who will merely follow a list of rules, but rather those who will walk by faith in relationship with Him. 
Application
I can’t reduce my walk with God to merely a list of “do’s” and “don’ts”. Rule books lead to loopholes. Instead of walking as far as I can away from God and looking for every available loophole, God desires for me to walk as close in relationship to Him as I can. This new covenant is a covenant of love, not legislation. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your covenant of love which you have written on my heart! Help me to walk closer each day in relationship to you, instead of trying to see how far I can stray. Thank you for your mercy, your grace, your love, and your power! 

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Certain and Sure

  • December 9, 2021

Scripture
Titus 1:2
“In the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time.” 
Observation
Before life began, God promised us eternal life. Before we ever faced sin, and death through sin, the promise of eternal life was ours. His promise came before our problem! His word is certain and sure, and His promises are trustworthy. 
Application
I don’t know what life has in store, but my Father does. I don’t know what challenges will arise today, but my Father does. I don’t know where my humanity and imperfection will be revealed, but my Father does. I can trust that He knows my needs before I do, and He has already promised to supply all that I need.
This week, I choose to walk in the confidence and peace that I am walking in the promises of the almighty God. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your promises and your provision! Thank you for knowing what I need, and for being my source and my supply. 

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

Learning and Living

  • December 8, 2021

Scripture
1 Timothy 4:16
“Watch your life and your doctrine closely. Persevere in them because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” 
Observation
Doctrine is important. Equally important is the way I live my life. It is not enough to merely have head knowledge about what God’s word teaches–it must be lived out in daily life. 
Application
It can be easy to get narrowly focused on points of doctrine. Doctrine is vitally important, but it is only half of the equation. I must also “live out” God’s principles in my life–because true transformation doesn’t come from mere knowledge. It comes from walking daily with the Savior and letting Him be the Lord of the decisions I make and actions I take.
Godly talking, plus Godly walking, leads to God-sized change. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the sacred truths found in your word! Help me live with daily discipline to not only learn about you, but also walk daily with you. 

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

Simple

  • December 6, 2021

Scripture
Philippians 3:1
“Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.” 
Observation
Paul repeated himself a lot. It wasn’t from being absent-minded or forgetful, rather it was a very intentional decision on Paul’s part to keep coming back to the basics over and over again, for the good of those to whom he was speaking. Instead of getting frustrated at having to repeat himself, Paul instead embraced the simple power of the gospel. 
Application
The gospel is not complicated, and living for God isn’t too complex either. Instead of over-complicating things, I must consistently point people back to the simplicity of the God who loves us, and gave His life for our redemption. Paul was not concerned about repeating himself, and neither should I be.
As I keep the message simple and point people back to Christ, He will do the hard work of transforming us each into His image. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the simplicity of the gospel! Thank you for your patience in pointing me back to your grace over and over again! Help me to keep the message simple each day, as I share your good news with others. 

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Smooth Talk

  • December 3, 2021
Scripture
Romans 16:17-18
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naive people.”
Observation
Division and obstacles. There is never a shortage of people in life who will cause these things, often for their own benefit or gratification. Paul points out that these people don’t always come with open hostility or conflict, but rather they frequently arrive with “smooth talk and flattery”. The intention behind the words matters! 
Application
There are people in my life who talk smooth, and people who are rough around the edges. It’s easy to accept or reject the words of others based on how ‘comfortable’ they make me. This passage from Romans is a good reminder that “comfort” is not a good criteria for what I accept into my life. Smooth words can hide a divisive heart, and compliments can conceal manipulation and flattery. By the same token, uncomfortable but healthy confrontation can reveal those who care enough about me to challenge me. In my own interaction with others, I need to care enough about those around me, to speak loving truth even when it causes discomfort. The goal is unity and growth–not complacency which ultimately leads to division. 
Prayer
God, help me to look past surface-level words, to discern hearts and motives. Help me to reject division, and choose unity. Help me to care enough about those around me, to speak the truth in love at all times. 
 
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Can’t Hold It In!

  • December 2, 2021

Scripture
Romans 10:13-14
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” 
Observation
Salvation is freely available to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord. His infinite love and mercy is available and accessible to all. This amazing news must be shared! This life changing salvation story must be told, so that the world may call on the name of the Lord. Our savior has invited us to be a part of the process of sharing this amazing news with others. God doesn’t operate in our lives for us to just live in silent appreciation of Him–we must share His story with others!
Application
God has been so good to me! He has been faithful through every storm and every season. He is there when I call on Him, and He is strong when I reach the limit of my own strength. How could I not share how good He is? How could I ever hold inside, the amazing greatness of His power and His mercy?
This week, I choose to tell God’s story.
This week, I choose to look for opportunities to tell people about His goodness!
Prayer
God, thank you for your love, your mercy, your greatness, and your goodness. Give me boldness this week to share your story with those around me. Help me to seize each opportunity to tell the world about the savior who loved me and redeemed me! 

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

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