S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

The Testing Process

  • August 12, 2021

Scripture
Jeremiah 12:2-3
“You are always on their lips, but far from their hearts. Yet you know me, Lord; You see me and test my thoughts about you” 

John 12:30-31
“I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me”
Observation
There are struggles and situations that God allows me to encounter in life, to reveal the condition of my heart. These tests are not intended to push me past the breaking point and leave me injured and crippled, rather they are intended to reveal the hidden condition of my heart toward God and cause me to rely more fully on Him, so that the world will witness the depth of the love that we share. 
Application
I don’t enjoy the testing process. It’s not fun, relaxing, or enjoyable. It is, however, an expected and normal part of walking with Christ. There are situations He allows me to face, which would overwhelm me if not for His strength inside me. My reaction and response to these tests, reveals the true state of my heart. Either the love that I share with the Father is strong enough to carry me through, or else hidden cracks in the foundation will be uncovered.
His love for me is perfect and complete. When flaws are revealed, they are not flaws in His love for me-they are rooted in flaws in my love for Him.
This week, I need to watch my heart in the struggles, and in the moments of testing. Not to beat myself up over the flaws revealed, but instead to decide in that moment to step closer to the Father, and deeper into love.
Prayer
God, thank you for your love–love in the easy times, love which is revealed in the tough times. Reveal to me the flaws in my heart, and help me to walk daily close to you. May the world see you in me, through every situation! 

Will You Really?

  • August 11, 2021

Scripture
John 13:38
“Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” 
Observation
“Will you really?” What a pointed challenge that Jesus gave Peter! Peter was promising to stay true to the point of death-but Jesus wanted to know if he would stay true to the point of life…life lived for God.  
Application
It’s easy to promise the big, distant things. “I give you my life, God!” It’s much harder to give God this moment. I’ve given God my past and my future–but am I prepared to give him my present? Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is not yet here–my decisions today are really all that matters.
Today, I resolve to follow Christ. Not just with my words, but with every decision in every moment.  
Prayer
God, thank you for your love and your grace. Thank you that you love me enough to confront the areas of my life that have not been fully submitted to you. Help me today, to glorify you in every decision, in every moment. I choose to give you ‘today’.

I know You hold tomorrow, so I’m giving You today.
I’m giving up my will, my wants, to follow in Your ways.
I’m giving you the life I live, not just the words I say
This is my service of worship.

Motivations

  • August 10, 2021

Scripture
John 12:42-43
“Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in Him. But because of the pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.”  
Observation
What a sad story is recorded here! These leaders saw Jesus face to face, talked with him, knew him…and even believed on him. Yet the thing that was most important to them was their status in the synagogue, and the praise of those around them.
Application
There are decision points in life–some big, and many small. The outcome of these moments is determined by my decisions, and my decisions are formed by that which motivates me. I make decisions, in order to get the things I desire. I may desire “stuff”, or I may desire money in the savings account. I may desire self-gratification, or I may desire to be generous and giving. In all of these things though, the decisions come down to a question of who I most desire to please. Do I want to please myself? Do I want to please others? Or do I want to please God? If my deepest desire is for anything other than pleasing God, then I cannot expect anything other than disappointment at the end of the journey.
This week, I need to examine my motives in the decision moments–and choose to please my heavenly Father, instead of trying to please myself or those around me.
Prayer
God, help me to see when my motivations are wrong. Help me to put Your approval and Your pleasure above all else. May I live my life for Your praise, even when it costs me the fleeting and temporary price of earthly approval.

What Christ Commands

  • August 9, 2021

Scripture
John 11:43-44
“When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice “Lazarus! Come out!” The dead man came out…”  
Observation
This miracle of Jesus seems almost incidental. Jesus never laid hands on him, never prayed for him. He never even commanded Lazarus to come back to life! What did he do? Jesus commanded him to ‘come out’, and every other part of the situation supernaturally shifted, in order that the command of Jesus would be fulfilled.  
Application
There are times in my life that Christ will command something of me which is impossible–whether because I lack the strength, or because the physical realities of the world prevent it. Either way, something has to ‘give’–something has to yield to the command of God. This means I have no excuse–because if God has commanded something of me, then the very laws of nature will surrender in order to enable the thing which God has commanded. This week, I need to obey Christ completely and without excuses. He has empowered me to do what He commands, the only thing left is for me to obey.
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder that You alone have all authority–over life, over death, and over nature itself. Thank you for empowering me to do the things which you command! Help me to clearly hear your voice, and give me the resolve to follow your ways, your commands, and your desires.

Circumstances and Certainty

  • August 6, 2021

 

Thank God, that He is still God no matter the circumstances! He is still good, despite my present circumstance–and He is still the Lord, no matter the challenge.
 
Scripture
Habakkuk 3:17-18
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my savior.”  
Observation
Present circumstances do not determine the goodness of God. God is still the Savior, even when the salvation is not yet seen. He is still The Lord, even when the situation seems out of control.  
Application
I cannot allow my present circumstances to dictate my relationship with God. He remains the almighty God, even when the situation seems dire and the solution is not yet revealed. This week, I need to fix my eyes on God whether in good times or in trouble-whether in plenty, or in lack. He is still the Lord, and He is still God my savior.  
Prayer
God, thank you that your goodness is not determined by my circumstances. Thank you that you remain unchanging through time, and that you are worthy of my love, my trust, and my devotion– even when the struggles are greater than my ability to fix them.
You are my Lord, my God, and my Savior.

 

-Trenton Johnson

Perfect Obedience, Perfect Timing

  • August 5, 2021
Scripture
John 7:6 – “Therefore Jesus told them, ‘My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.”  
Observation
Jesus had perfect timing, and was perfectly obedient to the Father. Those around him didn’t understand or agree with his timing, priorities, or words–but he didn’t let that stop him…or start him. He simply kept his eyes on the Father.  
Application
There are always people who feel that they have a better or more perfect understanding of what should take priority in my life, or a better understanding of the timeline on which I should operate. God is not behind schedule, nor is he rushed by circumstantial pressure. Rather than letting circumstances and opinions of others dictate my actions, I need to keep my eyes fixed on my heavenly Father – and stay in step with him.  
Prayer
God, thank you for your peace and your guidance! Help me to keep my eyes on you–to say what you say, value what you value, wait when you wait, and move when you move. Thank you for your love, and your leading!  

-Trenton Johnson

Taking Refuge – 6/4/21

  • June 4, 2021

Scripture
‘Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. ‘ Psalms 34:8

Observation
David is writing this passage, after trying unsuccessfully to find refuge in the court of Abimilek. He made a bad decision, and ended up pretending to be insane so that Abimilek would not perceive him as a threat. In this passage, David says ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good!’  In other words, David had already tasted and seen what Abimilek was like…and Abimilek was not good!  David says ‘Blessed is the one who takes refuge in (the Lord).’  David had tried to take refuge in Abimilek, and David was not blessed for it.

David wrote this Psalm as an acknowledgement of his screwup, and was using his own mistake as an opportunity to point people back to God.

Application
Just like David, I make mistakes. I get myself into situations from time to time, and can begin to panic as I try to solve the problem and navigate my way back out of my mess. Just like in this story about David, my efforts typically end up making the problem worse instead of better. David’s solution was to say ‘Taste and see that THE LORD is good!’  When I am struggling to solve a problem and the solution seems to be making it even worse, this may be a hint that I am not truly taking refuge in God Almighty. The answer is to do as David says–and ‘take refuge in the Lord’.

Prayer
God, thank you for being my refuge! Help me to make you the first place that I run to, instead of my last resort after everything else fails. Thank you for your patience with me, that you stand ready to shelter me when the storms of life are rough. Thank you, that you are GOOD! 

-Trenton Johnson

Always Sometimes – 5/28/21

  • May 28, 2021

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 – 5/21/21

  • May 21, 2021

‘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

4/17/2021

  • April 17, 2021

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

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