S.O.A.P.

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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My job isn’t to stress about the future, but simply to be obedient in the ‘now’…and trust that God is putting the pieces in place today, to fulfill a divine plan in my tomorrow.

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Scripture

Micah 5:2

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from old, from ancient days.”

Observation

What a beautiful prophecy of the coming Messiah! This verse, penned by the prophet Micah, is the same passage which later guided the wise men as they traveled to worship the newborn king in the manger. As Micah wrote to confront the sin and wickedness of the people, I wonder if he had any idea just how far-reaching an impact his message would have. Though he was dealing with the present issue, God was using him to speak into a God-sized future.

Application

I exist in the present…and most of my attention is consumed by simply navigating the present in the best way that I can. But like a chess master lining up the pieces for a checkmate 15 moves ahead, God is sovereignly operating in the present to accomplish His plan in the future. My job isn’t to stress about the future, but simply to be obedient in the ‘now’…and trust that God is putting the pieces in place today to fulfill a divine plan in my tomorrow.

Prayer

God, thank you that you hold my tomorrow! I trust that you are putting the right pieces in place today, to fulfill your will through me. I choose to be obedient event when I can’t see the final outcome.

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God is interested in more than just my victory today: He wants me to learn that true victory is found only in him, and not in my accumulation of resources, wealth, influence, and power.

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Scripture

Micah 5:9-10

“Your hand shall be lifted up over your adversaries, and all your enemies shall be cut off. And in that day, declares the Lord, I will cut off your horses from among you and will destroy your chariots.

Observation

Deliverance. Salvation. Victory. We want all of these things! And this chapter promises them to the people of God. But then God continues: “I’ll defeat your enemies, and conquer your oppressor! …and I’ll take away your military might, and the resources in which you’ve been trusting.” God was going to save them, but he wanted no doubt in their minds: Their victory was from God, not from their own ability and resources.

Application

Micah’s word from God must have caused a swirl of emotions for his listeners. “Victory! Yay! …and no more chariots?! What on earth, God! Don’t you know we need those?!”

Like the Israelites, I love experiencing divine victory…but also like the Israelites, I don’t like losing resources that I view as essential. But God is interested in more than just my victory today: He wants me to learn that true victory is found only in him, and not in my accumulation of resources, wealth, influence, and power.

Today I choose to trust the provider (and remover…) of resource, knowing that my victory comes from Him alone.

Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in horses, some trust in chariots, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” This is my declaration today. In plenty or in lack, my victory comes from God!

Prayer

God, thank you for supplying all I need–and I choose to trust you when you remove resources from my life. I know that you will not fail me, even as you remove the things which I don’t need…but thought that I did. My victory and my hope are in you alone!

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Today’s SOAP journal is brought to you by Stacey Fukushima:

Scripture

Hebrews 5:14, But solid food is for the mature, for those who have the powers of discernment, trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Observation

A mature Christian is known by their ability to discern, and it is in fact one of the markers of a mature believer.

Application

Discernment [noun] (1): The act of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure (2): an act of perceiving something.

‘Gullible’ is the sign or mark of someone who is easily fooled by others, a person who lacks discernment. When I was a kid, my dad would prank us regularly by pointing to the ceiling and say, “Someone wrote ‘Gullible’ on the ceiling!” Of course I would look, and wonder why someone would do that, not knowing what gullible meant or discerning the joke.

When I was 5 my grandpa told me that if I ate my bread crusts I would be able to whistle… and sure enough not too much longer I learned how to whistle. Let’s not think about the fact that I practiced regularly, it was the bread crusts that I ate faithfully from each sandwich…

Of course, as I grew, I was able to discern what was teasing, and what was helpful instruction of the people in my life. This is just like our walk of faith that each of us take when we accept Jesus as our Lord and savior. We will have people who speak into our lives, some will speak into our life for our good, some for their good, and some just to hurt us. It is so important to make sure that baby Christians are surrounded by mature Christians who can speak God’s word and truth into their life, and not false doctrines and wayward beliefs. And as we grow, that we feed on God’s word- making that the central truth of our life, going from simple thoughts and ideas to profound and life changing beliefs. This is how our discernment grows: our ability to tell what is right and good and of Christ, and what is not. It is a skill that we need to utilize and practice regularly, because it is the mark of a person who is growing with Christ, and not drifting away or stagnating.

The dictionary defines discernment as “to comprehend what is obscure”. Not everything is going to be in neon lights, and obvious. Sometimes things are hidden and hard to find. But with the help of Holy Spirit, and God’s word in my heart, I can and will navigate the path ahead of me with confidence; I can navigate relationships, situations, and decisions by practicing discernment.

Prayer

Thank you, God, for the gift of discernment, that I can walk out the life you have called me to live. That my life is a testimony of your goodness, and grace daily. Thank you that your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path. In Jesus name, Amen.

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