S.O.A.P.

Scripture
‘But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?” Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.” ‘ 1 Samuel 15:14-15

Observation
Saul was instructed to totally destroy the Amalekites. He attacked them, but did not totally destroy them–instead choosing to save the most valuable and choice spoils of war from being destroyed.  Samuel confronted him, and his response was “They spared the best stuff…but we totally destroyed all the rest!”  They totally destroyed everything…except for the things that they chose not to destroy.

Application
Saul’s response reminds me of a phrase I’ve heard from time to time– “I always do this usually!”  I’ve never really understood the phrase–either I ‘always’ do something, or I ‘usually’ do something. This would be sort of like getting pulled over for speeding, and me telling the police officer “But officer–I always follow the speed limit most of the time!”. Samuel’s response to Saul makes it clear, that ‘usually always’ obeying God, is the same as NOT obeying God. We are either totally His, or totally not–there really isn’t any in-between.  So the question is…which is it in my life? Am I totally surrendered to God?  Or am I ‘mostly’ totally surrendered to God? Nothing less than my complete surrender will suffice.
This week, I need to be mindful of areas in my life where I may be ‘mostly totally’ living for God…and then make a decision to fully surrender those areas to Him.

Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder that you fully love me without reservation, and that you require my complete and unconditional surrender to you. Help me to see the areas in my life where I have not been fully surrendered to You, and give me the determination to release those areas of my life into Your hands.

-Trenton Johnson

‘All About That Place’ 

Scripture
“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ ” Matthew 20:25-28

Observation
The disciples were arguing over who would get to hold the places of honor in Jesus’ kingdom. Jesus’ response shows me two things: First of all, there is room in the Kingdom of God for imperfect people.  Second, greatness in his kingdom is not based on a place of status, but rather a place of service. The Almighty God came to earth robed in flesh, to restore us to relationship with Him. He took the form and the role of a servant, and he teaches us to approach life the same way.

Application
God has called me to serve in a new way, in this new season. My family and I are excited to step into this new season as the Campus Pastor of New Hope Legacy, but we know that this change is not a change of status–rather, it is a change of service. Through the weeks, months, and years ahead, we must keep our hearts aligned with Christ–and seek to bring imperfect people into a closer relationship with God. As I align my heart with His and focus on serving those around me with the love of Christ, He will be glorified in my life.

Prayer
God, thank you for this amazing church body that you have called us to serve! Thank you for the amazing people that we get to work alongside, to share your gospel with our community. Keep our hearts aligned with Yours, so that You would receive the glory through all that we say and do. Help us to love the way that You love, forgive the way that You forgive, and serve in the same way that You sacrificially served us.
 

-Trenton Johnson

Scripture
‘But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.’ Psalms 59:16-17

Observation
David wrote this psalm, on the night that King Saul sent men to David’s house to kill him. The situation was grim, and the outcome uncertain. David was in the middle of the mess, and could not yet see the end of the story–yet he writes ‘…in the morning, I will sing of Your love…my God on whom I can rely’.  David had learned that God was worthy of his trust, because He had proven himself reliable over and over again. David’s heart was certain of this truth, and so he was able to proclaim with complete confidence- “I don’t know exactly WHAT is going to happen in the morning…but I do know that I’ll be singing your praise!”

Application
What complete trust is shown by David! Fortunately I don’t have anyone camped out in my yard to kill me, but there are adversities that I face daily and there are situations that I am navigating with no clear certainty of the outcome.  Regardless of the uncertainties and unknowns, this much is certain and this much I know: God is worthy of my trust, and I must rely on Him alone to sustain me. This week, I need to take time in the middle of the unknowns to center my heart on the One who knows me.

Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder that my trust must be in You alone. Thank you for being being there with me, and leading me each step of the journey. This week as I navigate uncertainties and unknowns, help me to truly put my confidence in you, and resolve in my heart that no matter the outcomes–I’m gonna still be singing Your praises in the morning.

-Trenton Johnson

Scripture

‘However, there need be no poor people among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you, if only you fully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all these commands I am giving you today.

 If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. ‘

Deuteronomy 15:4-5,7-8

https://my.bible.com/bible/111/DEU.15.4-5,7-8

Observation

God promised the Israelites that He would bless them so richly, that no one among them would have reason to be poor. His blessings were not going to be adequate, they would be abundant. Immediately after this promise though, He says ‘If anyone is poor…be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need’.

God’s supply was abundant, as long as his distribution chain kept flowing.

Application

God’s love for me is without limit, and without expectation. While ‘I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me’. God has called me to love with the same measure, and without qualification or expectation of return. His supply is infinite, but I can become the limiting factor in God’s supply of blessing to those around me if I don’t keep my heart aligned with His.

God’s command to the Israelites to ‘be openhanded and freely lend’, implies that they had already received something abundantly into their hands, with which to bless others.

What has God given me? In my life, there are specific areas in which I can see abundance. It has been said that God asks us to give of our time, our talent, and our treasure. I may not be blessed equally in each of these areas, but God’s abundance is present in my life if I take the time to notice it. God has not given me these things for me to just sit on them like a dragon jealously guarding his pile of gold. Rather, God has entrusted them to me so that He can bless others through me. When the body of Christ is operating in health and in love, there is no reason for lack.

Prayer

God, thank you for your abundant supply in my life! Thank you that your resources are without measure, and your love for me is without limit. Help me to keep my heart aligned with yours, so that I can be a free-flowing conduit of your blessing instead of a stagnant catchment tank. Help me to notice those around me that you wish to bless through me, so that your abundance can flow in their life also. When I am on the receiving end of that same blessing from others, Help me to be humble so that my pride would cost me the blessings that you wish to give me.

-Trenton Johnson