S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

The Task List

  • September 27, 2021

Scripture
Luke 10:39-42
“She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s fee listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed-or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken from her.” 
Observation
Martha had a lengthy agenda, which was weighing on her mind and causing her stress. She was upset at Mary for not sharing the same priority list. Jesus was kind to Martha, but reminded her that he was not the one who had caused her task list to grow to such an unmanageable size. Indeed, Jesus revealed that there were ‘many’ things weighing on her mind, not just the choices of her sister. He expressed genuine care for Martha, but reminded her of the one thing that truly matters–our individual relationship with God. 
Application
Task lists seem to grow all on their own. The number of things waiting to be done rarely diminishes, and my own lack of healthy boundaries will drive a wedge between me and those around me if I allow that to happen. Christ has truly only called me to do a few things, and I need to regularly compare my list with his to keep from drifting off-course. My own relationship with God must be the number one thing, followed by those few things to which He has called me.
This week, I need to make sure that I am spending time at the feet of the savior–learning his heart, and focusing on the things which matter to Him.
Prayer
God, thank you for desiring a relationship with me! Help me to keep that as my highest priority, and set healthy boundaries in my life instead of allowing my task list to control me.

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Perspective

  • September 24, 2021

Scripture
Luke 7:3-7
“The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.” 
Observation
What a difference perspective makes! This guy wanted Jesus to heal his servant, so he sent his friends to Jesus to brag about how much he deserved a miracle. He didn’t even bother to make the time to come to Jesus in person to make the request! How arrogant could he be?!
Jesus looked beyond the surface of what appeared to be an attitude of arrogance, and chose to see him through the lens of grace–giving him the benefit of the doubt. When further truth was revealed, the centurion confessed that the reason he hadn’t come in person was because of his own insecurity and lack of confidence–he didn’t feel he was worthy to meet Jesus face to face! What had appeared to be arrogance, was insecurity and fear. Jesus looked beyond the surface and the bad first impressions, to see the heart behind.
Application
First impressions are not always accurate. When someone jumps into a conversation with me, it’s easy for me to make assumptions about their attitude and motives…and then interact with the rest of the conversation based on the assumptions I’ve made.
I need to remember to respond like Jesus–by being slow to react, quick to show grace, and intentional to look deeper than the surface level appearances.
When I do this, it creates an opportunity for healthy communication–and gives the other person room to grow as an individual. 
Prayer
God- thank you for knowing my worst, but seeing my heart through the lens of calvary. Help me to show grace to those around me, and take the time to see past the surface-level appearances. Help me not to make hasty assumptions about people, but rather see them with your eyes…and care enough about them to help them grow through their own fears, insecurities, and imperfections.

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Hearing and Practicing

  • September 23, 2021
Scripture
Luke 6:47-48
“As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.” 
Observation
Everyone who ‘hears my words’, AND ‘puts them into practice’.  This is the distinction that Jesus made–not merely those who HEARD his words, but those who PRACTICED what Jesus taught. All of the head knowledge about God will do me no good if I am not actively putting into practice that which I know.
Application
This is where faith gets uncomfortable! This is where I have to put action to my knowledge–to put skin in the game, and iron resolve to my good intentions. It’s not enough to merely know what I should do. Jesus is calling me to do that which I know I should do. I am not saved by my works, but my savior expects my works to align with the faith that I profess.
This week, I need to work on cultivating the Holy Spirit fruit of self-discipline. I need to put action to my faith, and sink the pillars of my life down deep to the bedrock of Christ alone. The world may shake, and storms may blow–but I choose to anchor my life in Christ. Not merely with the words that I speak, or with good intentions in my heart–but with daily, active, living, growing faith which is supported by the choices I make each day.
Prayer
God, thank you for being the solid rock on which I can build a strong life! Thank you for your patience with me, as you transform me daily into your image. Thank you for giving me wisdom to live, and strength to make the decisions each day that I need to make…to align my life with your Word and your heart!

Listen First

  • September 22, 2021

Scripture
Daniel 10:12
“Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard and I have come in response to them” 
Observation
God responds to a humble heart. When Daniel set his mind to “gain understanding,” instead of merely wanting to be heard, it caught God’s attention The result was that Daniel’s words were heard by God, as he humbled himself to hear God’s voice. 
Application
I need to listen before speaking, and seek understanding before seeking to be understood. I need to approach God (and every part of life) with enough humility to value what is being said to me.
As I approach God with a humble heart to hear him, he will also hear me. 
Prayer
God, thank you for speaking to me. Thank you for loving me enough to share your heart and your word with me.
Help me to walk in humility.
To listen before speaking.
To understand before trying to be understood.
Help me to hear your voice, discern your voice, understand your voice, follow your voice, and most of all…to obey your voice. 

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God Opportunities

  • September 21, 2021

Scripture
Luke 4:24-26
“Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown. I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon.”
Observation
There were many “good things” that Jesus could have done during his time on earth–but only a very few things that he was sent to do. There were many widows affected by the famine in Elijah’s day, but only one to whom he was sent. There were many “good opportunities”, but only a very small number of “God opportunities” (…as James B. likes to say) 
Application
As I follow Christ, there will be many “good” doors and opportunities that will appear…like being offered a GM position at the resort, mere weeks before God opened the door to step in as Campus Pastor at NHL. These opportunities may not have anything wrong with them, except one thing: God didn’t call me to do that! These things are good opportunities, but not “God opportunities”. In order to follow God’s leading, I have to be able to say “no” to everything else, so that I can say “yes” to God.
Prayer
God, thank you for guiding my steps! Help me to clearly hear your voice, and discern the difference between the “good opportunities” and the “God opportunities” to which you have called me, so that your plans would be accomplished in me. 

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God First

  • September 20, 2021

Scripture
Daniel 5:17
“Then Daniel answered the king, “you may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.” 
Observation
Daniel had not had an easy path in life. God had shown him favor, but he was still the bird in the gilded cage. He was still exiled from his home, still in captivity, and still not in control of his own destiny. When Belshazzar offered him rewards to read what was written, there must have been a moment of temptation to negotiate. “Tell you what, king–make me the SECOND highest ruler in the land instead of third, and let me return home–and THEN I’ll read the writing!”  Instead, Daniel’s response shows tremendous peace and humility. “Thanks king, but I’m good. No worries about rewards, I’ll just read what’s written for you and then go back to what I was doing before you summoned me.”
Daniel made zero effort to manipulate the situation for his own benefit, but simply trusted that God was going to accomplish something through his situation. The result was that God’s name was glorified to the entire known world.
Application
I want to have this kind of “God-first” mentality in life. Whether my season is easy or hard, I want to stay ready to point people back to God instead of campaigning for my own benefit. God alone deserves our focus and our attention. Whether I receive rewards or not, I want to be available for God to use. Whether I receive recognition or not, I want God to be recognized.
This week, I need to listen and watch for doors that God is opening. Not for what I can get out of it, but for what God wants to accomplish through it. 
Prayer
God, may you be glorified in my life today. Help me to seek first to follow you, instead of seeking reward and recognition. 

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Holy Moments

  • September 17, 2021
Scripture
Ezekiel 42:14,20
“Once the priests enter the holy precincts, they are not to go into the outer court until they leave behind the garments in which they minister, for these are holy. They are to put on other clothes before they go near the places that are for the people”
“It had a wall around it, five hundred cubits long and five hundred cubits wide, to separate the holy from the common.” 
Observation
The priests ministered in the very presence of God–but they lived in the “real world.” When their time of service was done, they would exit the temple and step back into a fallen world of sin, dirt, grime, unclean animals, and death. God knew this was the reality, but he didn’t want them blurring the line between that which was holy, and that which was “common”.
Application
I live in a fallen world, and I interact daily with the temptations and results of sin. God no longer lives in a physical temple, but in my heart. I need to recognize and respect the holiness of His presence in me. I still interact with the world around me, but I need to honor and guard the presence of God’s spirit in me. Just like the priests of the old testament, there needs to be an intentionality in my walk with God–“Holy moments” that I guard and protect in my day. These are the moments when God and I meet on-on-one, and His presence and His word transforms me and give me the strength to navigate the challenges, battles, and temptations of the day.
This week, I need to guard the ‘Holy moments” in my day.
Prayer
God, thank you for the privilege of knowing you, and that I no longer have to rely on a priest to communicate with you on my behalf! Help me to never take that for granted! Help me remember to guard and protect the holy moments in my day, when you and I meet and communicate. Thank you for your strength, your holiness, and your righteousness! 
 
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The Blessing

  • September 16, 2021

Scripture
Psalm 128:1,3
“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.
…your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.” 
Observation
Walking in obedience to God doesn’t just have an impact on one person. There’s an overflow impact on everyone else in the household. The fear of the Lord, and obedience to him causes everyone around to flourish. 
Application
I want the blessings of God on my home! Not just physical, tangible, or monetary blessing–I want to see my wife and children flourish like a strong and healthy vine. This scripture gives me God’s assurance that my walk with God will have a long-term impact on my whole family, to cause them to grow like a strong and healthy plant. Plants don’t become strong the first time I water them. Plants grow strong over time, as they are consistently given the water and nutrients they need. In the same way, my family is impacted not just by the one or two ‘big decisions’ that I make, but by the small, consistent, daily decisions I make to honor and obey God.
Prayer
God, thank you for blessing my family! Help me to consistently serve you and honor you, not only for my benefit but for theirs as well. Thank you for your consistent love and faithfulness to us. 

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Faithful

  • September 15, 2021

Scripture
Psalm 145:13-14
“The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” 
Observation
Though I am not always faithful or trustworthy, God is! Though I fall, His footing is sure and His arms are strong to catch me. Though I become bowed down when the season is heavy, He lifts me up with His great strength 
Application
God is not waiting for me to attain perfection–rather, He is daily perfecting me each step of the journey. When I am discouraged, I need to lean on Him. When the season is heavy, I need to turn to Him. His strength is more than enough to see me through, and His patience with me is great! 
Prayer
God, thank you for your faithfulness and love! Thank you for catching me when I fall, and lifting me up when I am weary! 

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Keep Pointing

  • September 14, 2021

Scripture
Revelation 19:9-10
“Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the lamb!” and he added, “These are the true words of God”
At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.” 
Observation
This must have been a slightly terrifying moment for the angel. He had watched as Lucifer was cast out of heaven for wanting to be like the Most High, and now here is John- bowing to worship him! I can imagine the pitch of his voice rising as he yanked John to his feet and exclaimed “Don’t do that!!!”
The angel understood his place. It was his job to speak the words of God for John to write, and point John’s attention back to the God who had spoken. It was not the angel’s place to receive the glory and the honor and the worship. Those things belonged only to God. Even as the angel did what God required, he had to guard his own heart in the process. 
Application
Serving God doesn’t mean that I won’t face temptation–indeed, there are temptations I will face because I am serving God. As opportunities arise for my pride to become inflated, I need to remember the automatic reflex of the angel, and point people back to God every time the focus begins to drift. I need to personally keep my attention on God, so that I can point others back to Him also. 
Prayer
God, thank you that you are worthy of my worship. Thank you for your incomparable greatness! Help me to always keep my eyes fixed on you, and point those around me back to you every single time. You alone deserve my adoration! 

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

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