S.O.A.P.

This week, I choose to clean out the clutter in my heart and in my life so that God can freely use me as He sees fit, to accomplish His plans and purposes.

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Scripture

2 Chronicles 29:33-34

33 And the consecrated offerings were 600 bulls and 3,000 sheep. 34 But the priests were too few and could not flay all the burnt offerings, so until other priests had consecrated themselves, their brothers the Levites helped them, until the work was finished—for the Levites were more upright in heart than the priests in consecrating themselves.

Observation

Hezekiah had instructed the Levites and the priests to consecrate (purify, or ‘set apart’) themselves and the house of God. This process was not only ceremonial: It was also physical. The rituals and ceremonies had to be followed, but there was also the practical work of cleaning out all of the filth and trash that had accumulated in the house of God.

The priests complied…to a certain degree. But the Levites took Hezekiah’s instruction to heart, and went above and beyond. They not only consecrated enough to handle their own duties…they consecrated enough of them to also handle the tasks that the priests could not keep up with.

Application

What a beautiful example of heart-first service to God! Since the Levites consecrated themselves wholeheartedly instead of half-heartedly, they had enough margin in their lives to step up to the plate when duty called. They had done everything they knew to do, to be ready when God called.

I want to have a heart like that! Not half-heartedly doing the bare minimum that I can get away with…but preparing myself in every way that I can, to be ready when God says ‘Go!’ When I serve God that way, he can use me in new and unexpected ways. When I prepare my heart that way, I have enough margin in my life to be there for a brother or a sister who needs help and encouragement. When I prepare my heart that way…God will be glorified.

This week, I choose to clean out the clutter in my heart and in my life–so that God can freely use me as He sees fit, to accomplish His plans and purposes.

Prayer

God, I choose today to consecrate myself to you. Wash me in your blood, and give me the courage to clear out any spiritual ‘dust bunnies’ that have accumulated in my heart so that you can use me in any way that you desire. I want you to be glorified in me!

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I don’t want to be among the nameless crowd who knows something is amiss, but waits for someone else to be brave enough to speak up. I would rather be an Azariah: willing to be personally inconvenienced. I want to be a Berechiah, willing to stand out awkwardly from the crowd of onlookers. I want to be a Jehizkiah, making a difference in someone’s life–or an Amasa, enduring temporary inconvenience in order to have an eternal impact.

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Scripture

2 Chronicles 28:12, 15

12 Certain chiefs also of the men of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against those who were coming from the war…

15 And the men who have been mentioned by name rose and took the captives, and with the spoil they clothed all who were naked among them. They clothed them, gave them sandals, provided them with food and drink, and anointed them, and carrying all the feeble among them on donkeys, they brought them to their kinsfolk at Jericho, the city of palm trees. Then they returned to Samaria.

Observation

The children of Israel were experiencing some family drama. The kingdom of Israel was at war with the kingdom of Judah! It seems that God allowed the conflict to happen in order to judge Judah. The war was a terrible thing to start with–but the men of Israel took it far beyond the bounds of reason. Not only did they win the fight…they also took 200,000 captives, and gutted the kingdom of Judah in gathering spoils of war to bring home.

Only 4 men stood up for what was right: Azariah, Berechiah, Jehizkiah, and Amasa. Though there was a price to pay, they stood for what they knew was right. They forfeited the spoils they could have pocketed, and took time away from their own responsibilities to personally make sure that the captives were treated well and returned home in safety.

Application

“Someone should DO something about that!” How often I’ve heard that phrase! I’ve heard it said as a fire raged out of control. I’ve heard it said at the scene of deadly traffic accidents, and spoken over people experiencing medical emergencies. It seems to be a natural reaction when something is going wrong, to wait for someone else to step up and take action. It’s so common, in fact, that psychologists have a name for it: the “Bystander Effect”.

The same thing happens in families, churches, organizations, relationships, and teams! We see the catastrophe unfolding in slow-motion, and think ‘someone should DO something!’ The truly sad part is, the thing that needs to be done is often quite simple. A bully needs to be confronted. An apology needs to be offered. A face-to-face conversation needs to be arranged. A clarifying question needs to be asked. An uncomfortable truth needs to be shared. A gentle reminder needs to be given. A word of encouragement needs to be spoken. A personal sacrifice needs to be made.

I don’t want to be among the nameless crowd who knew something was amiss, but waited for someone else to speak up. I would rather be an Azariah: willing to be personally inconvenienced. I want to be a Berechiah, willing to stand out awkwardly from the crowd of onlookers. I want to be a Jehizkiah, making a difference in someone’s life–or an Amasa, enduring temporary inconvenience in order to have an eternal impact.

Prayer

God, help me to see the world around me–not with the passive gaze of a bystander, but with the active and engaged awareness of Azariah, Berechiah, Jehizkiah, and Amasa. Give me boldness to speak up when truth must be spoken, and help me to never value my own peace and comfort more than the well-being of someone whose life I could impact for you. Help me to become more comfortable, with being uncomfortable.

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I’ve heard it said that ‘leaders are the shock absorbers of an organization’. The storms will blow, the sun will beat down harshly, the desert will dry up the water–but the princes (or leaders) consistently operate as a shelter and a protection for those they lead. This is only possible because the Righteous King leads by example, and is a covering and shelter for the princes.

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Scripture

Isaiah 32:1-2

“Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice. Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.”

Observation

As the king rules in righteousness, the princes follow the example that he sets. Each one is like a shade covering to those under them–protecting, sheltering, nurturing, providing life and guarding from death.

Application

I’ve heard it said that ‘leaders are the shock absorbers of an organization’. What a beautiful example of this I see in Isaiah! The storms will blow, the sun will beat down harshly, the desert will dry up the water–but the princes (or leaders) consistently operate as a shelter and a protection for those they lead. This is only possible because the Righteous King leads by example, and is a covering and shelter for the princes.

Today I choose to lead well with the help of God, and guard carefully those entrusted to me. Sometimes that will mean absorbing the ‘hit’ for them, or enduring the heat of the sun–but I can do what I’m called to do, because my king leads the way in righteousness.

Prayer

God, help me to lead well! Help me to love those that you’ve called me to lead, with a self-sacrificing love that is willing to take the hit when necessary. Thank you for being my covering, and for sheltering me from the storm!

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God alone sees what I cannot see, and understands what I do not understand. He knows not only my past and my present, but also my future. Today I choose to seek the counsel of the Counselor, to guide me through the challenges of this season. I know He will not lead me astray!

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Scripture

Isaiah 31:1

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD!

Observation

What a sobering reminder for the child of God! It’s not enough to have the right strategy, resources, or alliances…if we lack the guidance of the Lord. There was a time in Israel’s history when Egypt saved God’s people from famine (in the time of Joseph). Later on, Egypt was the thing that enslaved and controlled them (during the time of Moses). There came another time in Israel’s history when Egypt became a safe refuge from those who wanted to prevent God’s plan (when Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fled to Egypt). Historical precedent could not solely provide the answer in each of these situations, nor could the urgent present need. In each of these situations the thing that was needed, was the voice and the guidance of the Lord.

Application

Seasons and situations change. The thing that aided and helped me yesterday, can become a slave master in my life today. The thing that formerly ruled and controlled me, may yet be used by God to benefit me. But what I truly need each day without fail, is the Word and the voice of God to guide me. He alone sees what I cannot see, and understands what I do not understand. He knows not only my past and my present, but also my future. Today I choose to seek the counsel of the Counselor, to guide me through the challenges of this season. I know He will not lead me astray!

Prayer

God, thank you for your word and your voice! Help me to not merely seek good strategy, but rather daily seek your guidance. When you steer me away from the thing that I thought I needed…help me to trust you! When you lead me back to the thing that I fear because of past history…help me to trust you! I need your wisdom to guide me.

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When I am properly aligned with Christ as the cornerstone of my foundation, I can walk with confidence on the journey: No longer in a panic, no longer rushing, no longer with inefficient haste…but instead laboring peacefully as He has called me to.

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Scripture

Isaiah 28:16

therefore thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: ‘Whoever believes will not be in haste.’

Observation

God has placed a cornerstone in Zion, as a sturdy foundation. Jesus Christ is revealed in 1 Peter 2 as being the fulfillment of this promise: He is the the foundational element which aligns and guides the entire structure of the Church, and securely underpins everything which rests upon his completed work.

Application

The sun was just coming up over the lake as we broke camp–though we could barely see its glow, because of the thick smoke in the air. It stung my eyes, and burned in my lungs. The falling ash rained down on our campsite like a gentle dusting of snow as we hurried to take down the tents and roll up our sleeping bags. The forest fire was still over 20 miles away, but our backpacking trip was being cut short due to the direction that the wind had shifted. I quickly strapped the tents, sleeping bags, and other gear to my backpack, shifting extra weight and equipment from the family’s packs to my own so that we could hike more quickly–and we set off on the trek back to the trailhead. All was well…for the first 5 minutes. As I started up the slope of the first hill, I noticed that I was being pulled too far backward by the tent slung to the bottom of my pack–so I leaned farther forward. This shifted the sleeping bag and other equipment on the top of my pack, and began to pull me to the side. I staggered on for another hundred yards, before finally stepping off the trail and letting my family move on ahead of me.

As I began to look more closely at my pack, I realized my error. The problem wasn’t the amount of weight I was carrying–the problem was that the ‘foundation’ of my pack was all wrong. I had put the wrong things on the bottom of my pack, and strapped bulky items too far outward on the back of it away from my spine. The result was that the 85 pounds of actual weight I was carrying, felt more like 185 pounds!  I took a moment to catch my breath, then began to reassemble my pack with the right foundation and balance. Once it was reassembled, I started up the hillside and quickly caught up to my family. Though the weight I now carried was no less, my heart rate and breathing were now slow and regular–and my steps were now strong and steady.

This is a lot like my walk in life. When my life is built on the wrong foundation (or not aligned properly with the foundation!), my movements become frantic and rushed as I try to keep up with the stresses and pressures. I stagger off the trail one way, rebound, and then teeter for a moment as I try not to fall over backward. I struggle and strain, fighting and clawing my way up the hill with a rising sense of panic.

This isn’t how God intended my life to work! He has given me a firm foundation, a solid rock on which to build. He has given me Jesus Christ as a cornerstone, to guide and align my heart and my decisions. He has equipped me with everything I need to handle the weight of the journey! The question is…am I aligned with the cornerstone? Am I allowing Him to support and uphold the weight…or am I fighting to carry and support it all myself? Some seasons are heavier than others–but the foundation is designed to bear far more weight than I could ever hope to.

This week, I choose to realign my life with the cornerstone of the risen Savior. Instead of struggling to keep everything going on my own strength, I choose to take the time to unload my pack and breathe for a moment. Then, with the help of the Savior, I can reassemble the load with a proper balance and structure defined by the Cornerstone. There may be some things that need to get removed permanently from my pack…but even those things which remain may weigh a fair amount. With Christ as the firm foundation, I can then set off on the journey again: No longer in a panic, no longer rushing, no longer with inefficient haste…but instead laboring peacefully as He has called me to.

Prayer

God, thank you for this reminder of the importance of a cornerstone! When I see myself panicking, rushing, and stumbling back and forth on the trail…help me to slow down and get my foundation right. Things work so much better when I am aligned with the foundation of your Word and your Spirit! Help me this week to walk with intentionality, guided and upheld continually by You as my strong foundation.

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There is a great and eternal reward set before me in Christ! It is worth the discipline, and worth the discomfort of the training process. It is worth the cost of anything that must be endured or given up in the pursuit of God’s best for me. Today I choose to take a look at what I’m carrying– It may be time to set down some weights!

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Scripture

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Observation

We are called by God to endure specific trials, strain, and tests of endurance in the pursuit of the reward which He has set before us. This is a process of discipline and strengthening, so that we would be strengthened, and learn what is harmful and what is helpful on the journey. Not everything is a question of ‘sin’! Some things are simply dead weight which must be cast off in order to run with endurance.

Application

Weights are not all bad, at the right time. The proper application of the right weights during training will build muscle mass, so that higher performance can be achieved when it’s time to go. But weights must be set down, when it’s time to run the race!

What are the weights which I need to cast off from my life this week? What are the things that aren’t necessarily a question of right and wrong, but simply are a hindrance and drain on my time? What are the things that may have played a helpful role in my life during the previous season, but which will drag me down and sap my strength in the race today?

There is a great and eternal reward set before me in Christ! It is worth the discipline, and worth the discomfort of the training process. It is worth the cost of anything that must be endured or given up in the pursuit of God’s best for me!

Today I choose to take a look at what I’m carrying. It may be time to set down some weights!

Prayer

God, thank you for this inspiration to start my day! Help me to understand my current season so that I wouldn’t cling to weights which may have served a useful purpose at one time, but which have become a hindrance now in my race. I want to run with endurance for your glory!

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It’s easy to put people in a box based on their past wrongs. But if the infinite and holy God of the universe is willing to call them His own…then I have no right to hold them at arms length for that which He has already forgiven. Today I pray for each ‘Egypt’ in my life, that I would have the opportunity to call them my brother and sister in eternity.

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Scripture

Isaiah 19:19-20, 24-25

19 In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border. 20 It will be a sign and a witness to the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt. When they cry to the LORD because of oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and deliver them.

24 In that day Israel will be the third with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, 25 whom the LORD of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.”

Observation

What an amazing prophecy, and what an amazing passage of scripture! Egypt (the nation symbolizing sin-bondage throughout scripture), is here described someday turning to God, and being named right alongside Israel as ‘my people’!

Though the history between them and God’s people in scripture is long and tense…the grace of God is just as available and applicable to them, as any other nation. The mercy of God available through faith in Jesus Christ is not only for some, it is for all!

“Blessed by Egypt, my people.”

Application

What an amazing reminder of God’s plan and purpose in Christ! All the way back in Isaiah, long before Christ lived and died and rose again, God saw the future that would someday be–and he called Egypt “my people“!

Am I willing to do the same? Am I willing to look at those who have hindered the kingdom of God, those who have opposed the word of God, and those who have harmed the people of God, and still see the potential that God sees in them? Am I willing to keep showing love to people who have consistently rejected God, believing that someday their hearts may be softened? Am I willing to forgive those who have wronged those that I love, so that they could catch a glimpse of the infinite mercy available to them?

I pray that I would be willing.

It’s easy to put people in a box based on their past wrongs that I remember. But if the infinite and holy God of the universe is willing to call them His own…then I have no right to hold them at arms length for that which He has already forgiven. Today I pray for each ‘Egypt’ in my life, that I would have the opportunity to call them my brother and sister in eternity.

Prayer

God, thank you for this reminder of the infinite scale of your grace and mercy! Thank you for adopting me into your family, and I ask that you would use me this week to lead someone to a saving knowledge of you. Help me not to reject those that you accept, and teach me not to hold unforgiveness toward those whom you have already forgiven.

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In the middle of stress, anxiety, chaos, tensions, and even an assassination attempt today on a presidential candidate…today’s SOAP reading reminded of the Biblical survival strategy for crazy times.

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Scripture

Hebrews 10:23-25

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Observation

The child of God knows where their hope comes from. The child of God stirs things up–not for turmoil and chaos, but for love and good works. The child of God knows the power of community when things get crazy.

Application

What a timely scripture for today! In the middle of stress, anxiety, chaos, tensions, and even an assassination attempt today on a presidential candidate…I am reminded of three critical things:

• Hold fast to my source of hope. I do not need to lose hope–and I cannot afford to put my hope in the wrong things.
• Stir up the right things, not the popular things. There are many voices stirring up many things right now on the news and on social media. Christ has called me to rise above the chaos, and ‘stir up’ love and good works which glorify God.
• Lean into community when things get crazy. When everything goes nuts, it’s time to lean into relationship with those whom Christ has placed in my life. It’s not time to withdraw and isolate, or to allow pettiness to fracture my relationships. It’s time to hang on tightly to the family of God!

Today I choose to apply Jesus’ recipe for navigating crazy times. I know that God is sovereign, and He will be glorified.

Prayer

God, thank you for this reminder of the right way to navigate life when things get crazy! I pray today for your peace on our nation–but I choose to be an agent of your peace in the small circle that I influence. Help me to stir up the right things! Help me to fix my hope on you, and not on anything else. Help me to lean into community, and value those that you’ve placed in my life. Above all, may you be glorified!

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When I take the time to look at the enemy that God defeated on my behalf yesterday, it gives me faith to stand strong knowing that my Savior’s strength is no less today than it was yesterday.

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Scripture

Isaiah 14:16-17

16 Those who see you will stare at you and ponder over you: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, 17 who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who did not let his prisoners go home?’

Observation

What a fearsome judgement is pronounced here over Babylon, and against those who set themselves against God’s sovereignty! When God’s judgement is complete, people’s reaction will be “Is this the same guy?! Is this the one who seemed so terrifying, who seemed so strong? What happened to him?!”

Application

There are obstacles and enemies I’ve faced, which are insurmountable and unbeatable. There are problems I’ve encountered which I simply have no ability to solve–and it’s easy in those moments to let my heart become shaken by the size of the issue I face. But when I look back at the unbeatable enemies of yesterday, my consistent reaction is the same as what I read in Isaiah 14. “Is THAT the enemy I was so scared of?! Is THAT the problem that had me so worried?! Is THAT the storm that I wasn’t sure I could survive?!”

I face no fewer obstacles today–but when I take the time to look at the enemy that God defeated on my behalf yesterday, it gives me faith to stand strong knowing that my Savior’s strength is no less today than it was yesterday.

Today I’m taking the time to look some of my old enemies in the eye, and remind myself of the sovereignty of my victorious God.

Prayer

God, thank you for this reminder of your faithfulness and your sufficiency. Thank you for fighting my battles, and for bringing me through every crisis and trial which I’ve faced. You are amazing! Thank you for reminding me of the victories you’ve already won, and I choose to trust that you will bring me safely through today’s challenges as I continue to follow you.

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Heaven’s conspiracy is one of joy and hope: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…” Today I choose to focus my attention on heaven’s conspiracy theory, and let my heart by ruled by the fear of God.

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Scripture

Isaiah 8:11-13

“For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.”

Observation

The nation was in turmoil, and judgement was coming. Conspiracies, rumors, and fears were swirling–yet God’s command to his people was, “Stop worrying about the latest conspiracy, and stop getting wrapped up in the things that everyone else fears!” They were so distracted fearing all the things around them, that they had forgotten to walk in the fear of the Lord.

Application

What a timely message! Our world is full of conspiracy theories to occupy every group and segment of the community. Society feeds on fear, and fear seems to be the preferred motivational tool for many leaders.

But what is worth fearing? What conspiracies are worth allowing to weigh on my mind? This passage reminds me that living in fear of temporary issues and problems will not help my eternal future. Instead I must daily fix my attention on the King of kings with reverent awe and respectful fear. The condition and state of my heart cannot be dictated by society’s conspiracy of the week! God alone holds my eternal future–and just a few verses later, he gives me a completely different conspiracy…but this conspiracy is one of joy and hope:

Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…”

Today I choose to focus my attention on heaven’s conspiracy theory, and let my heart by ruled by the fear of God.

Prayer

God, thank you for being higher, greater, deeper, and truer than anything of this earth. Thank you for your grand conspiracy to save and redeem mankind! I choose today to focus my attention on you, instead of allowing my peace to be shaken by every new danger and conspiracy in the headlines.

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