S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

Steadfast

  • September 30, 2021

Scripture
Luke 13:31-32
“At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, “Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go tell that fox, “I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.” 
Observation
It’s interesting that the Pharisees are the ones who warned Jesus about Herod’s desire to kill him. The Pharisees themselves were the group who was constantly scheming and plotting to bring an end to the ministry of Jesus. Why were they suddenly so concerned for his safety, to warn him about Herod? It seems that this was just another tactic and underhanded effort on their part, to hinder what Jesus was doing. Jesus cut straight through all the scheming, plotting, subterfuge, and hidden agendas when he replied. “Here’s my plan, here’s what I’m going to do, and here’s when I’m going to do it.” He countered duplicity and scheming with honesty, clear intention, and steadfastness. 
Application
There are times when the intentions of others around me seem to be hidden or disingenuous. When rumors swirl, it’s easy to get caught up and distracted in the drama. Like Jesus, I need to answer rumors with plain and open communication. I need to counter duplicity with honesty. I need to respond to distractions with unyielding conviction and steadfast purpose. God is big enough to handle any hindrance, if I keep walking toward him. 
Prayer
God, thank you for being unchanging and steadfast. Help me not to get distracted by the schemes, rumors, or hidden agendas of people around me, but rather just keep walking toward you each day. 

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Peace

  • September 29, 2021

Scripture
Luke 12:49-51
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until is is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No I tell you, but division.” 
Observation
What a contrast this passage is to the words of the angels who announced the arrival of the savior on the night of his birth! (Luke 2:14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.”)
Why was his arrival heralded with “peace”, yet Jesus says he did not come to bring peace? The key here is that Jesus did not come to bring peace “on earth”, rather he came to make a way for peace with God. 
Peace with God means turning away from all that is not of God.
Application
I want the peace of God in my life. Not the false peace of complacency in my sin, but the true peace of a life redeemed and transformed by the power of the cross. Not the imitation peace of a life approved and celebrated by a sinful world, but the real peace of a life lived for the approval of the Father. 
This will at times require conflict with ideologies and worldviews that are not submitted to God’s word. This will at times mean disagreeing with people that I love and care about. But God’s peace is what lasts, and God’s peace is what truly matters.
This week, I choose to live a life surrendered to the peace of the Savior. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the peace that you bring. Not peace with the world, but peace with you. I choose to align with you, even when it puts me at odds with the world around me. I choose to surrender to you, and seek first your approval. 

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Blessed

  • September 28, 2021

Scripture
Luke 11:27-28
“As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you!” He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” 
Observation
As Jesus was teaching on spiritual authority, this woman called out with a comment about how blessed the mother of Jesus was. They way she just blurts this out in the middle of him speaking, almost feels like this was some kind of jealousy that she had been hanging onto. She didn’t even seem to hear what Jesus had been teaching, because she was so wrapped up in how blessed Mary was. Jesus reminded her that God’s blessing is not just for the “favorite few,” but for everyone who hears the word of God and chooses to obey it. 
Application
I want the blessings of God in my life! Not out of coveting what others have, but because I desire the favor of my heavenly Father. Instead of letting myself become distracted from his voice as I stare around jealously at those around me, I must instead fix my eyes on him and attune my ears to his voice-and then make the conscious decision to obey him with my daily actions and decisions. This is the thing which will unlock his blessings to flow in my life.
Prayer
God, thank you for not playing favorites! Thank you for desiring to pour out blessing on me. Help me to choose daily to listen for your voice, and obey your word so that your blessing may flow in my life. 

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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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