S.O.A.P.

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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When my attention is on the counterfeit, the counterfeit looks pretty good! My heart begins to pursue and seek after the glitter of the enemy’s paltry offerings, and my attention turns from eternity to temporary. The solution, and my only hope for true joy, happiness, and fulfillment, is to turn my eyes away from the counterfeit and instead focus on the real thing. The blessings of my Father are eternal, and will not bring heartache. His love is endless, and sufficient to provide all that I need.

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Scripture

Psalm 73:1-3, 16-17

Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. 3 For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

16 But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, 17 until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.

Observation

What an uncomfortable, honest admission from the psalmist! What humility to admit a close call. When his focus was on the apparent success of wicked men, his feet began to drift toward a painful fall. His envy caused him to only see the temporary earthly gain of wickedness, and blinded him to the long-term price that such men pay. Counterfeit success and blessing looked like the real thing until he took his focus off of the counterfeit, and instead turned his attention to the source of true blessing.

Application

For everything that God has created, the enemy has a counterfeit. Instead of the Father’s affirmation, the enemy offers pride. Instead of love, the enemy offers lust. Instead of eternal and abundant life, the enemy offers the temporary pleasures of sin for a brief season. Instead of divine provision, the enemy offers dishonest gain.

When my attention is on the counterfeit, the counterfeit looks pretty good! My heart begins to pursue and seek after the glitter of the enemy’s paltry offerings, and my attention turns from eternity to temporary. The solution, and my only hope for true joy, happiness, and fulfillment, is to turn my eyes away from the counterfeit and instead focus on the real thing. The blessings of my Father are eternal, and will not bring heartache. His love is endless, and sufficient to provide all that I need.

This week, I choose to turn my eyes to the true blessings of my Father instead of focusing on the false promises of this world’s cheap imitations.

Prayer

God, thank you for your blessings and your provision! I want to keep my eyes on you, instead of letting my attention be consumed by mere counterfeits of what you offer me. Thank you for your steadfast love, and for the eternal joy that I find in your presence.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace.”

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I may not see the culmination of God’s plans right away, but I can trust that the end result of His process will be abundant life for me in his presence. This week I must make the decision to trust His love for me, even in the uncomfortable times.

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Scripture

Hosea 6:1-2

“Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.

Observation

As a loving and involved Father, God disciplines his children. His discipline is intended to turn the hearts of his children back to him, so that he may bandage them, revive them, and raise them up to live in his presence.

Application

When I’m experiencing the discipline of the Lord, it can be difficult to see beyond the discomfort. When things seem to be falling apart and every one of my plans are failing, it’s difficult to see where his love could be. This verse is such an awesome reminder that his love is at work even in the most uncomfortable moments, and even when he is bringing correction to my life. His desire is not to destroy me, but to restore me. His desire is not to crush me, but to transform me. I may not see the culmination of his plans right away, but I can trust that the end result of His process will be abundant life for me in his presence.

This week I must make the decision to trust His love for me, even in the uncomfortable times.

Prayer

God, thank you for your love! I choose to trust your love for me, and I accept your correction in my life. I surrender to you as my Lord and my King, and I want to live my life in your presence–both here on earth, and in eternity to come.

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Like a freed slave who has not yet realized that his shackles are gone, I can still allow old fears and mindsets to keep me from walking in the full freedom which is mine in Christ. Today I choose to let go of fear, so that I can walk in freedom.

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Scripture

Hebrews 2:14-15

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

Observation

The wages of sin is death, and through sin the devil wields the fear of death to enslave mankind. Therefore sinful men spend their lives ruled and controlled by fear of the inevitable end they will reach regardless.

The child of God is subject to a different kind of servitude: not controlled by the fear of death, but instead released to freely choose a life of willing service to the King. No longer a slave fear, but anticipating eagerly the fulfillment of His promise of eternal, abundant life.

Application

What a difference it makes, to be able to view life through the anticipation of abundant life rather than through the fear of death! Because of Christ, I can walk with confidence through life in anticipation of what God has in store. But I must watch for areas where I am walking in fear of that which Christ has already conquered! Like a freed slave who has not yet realized that his shackles are gone, I can still allow old fears and mindsets to keep me from walking in the full freedom which is mine in Christ.

Today I choose to let go of fear, so that I can walk in freedom. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know I have the promise of abundant life.

Prayer

God, thank you for conquering sin and winning the victory over death! Help me to walk today in freedom and anticipation, instead of allowing my life to be ruled by fear of a defeated enemy.

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I don’t want to become so focused on the enjoyment of my freedom that I allow it to separate me from the very source of the freedom that I have! Instead of using my freedom merely to pursue what I desire, I must instead use my freedom to pursue the fulfillment of God’s desires for my life. Today I choose to live life to the fullest, and enjoy every freedom I have–for the glory of the One from whom my freedom comes.

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Scripture

2 Kings 15:3-4

“And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. Nevertheless the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places.”

Observation

The nation of Israel was enjoying a time of freedom. A Godly king was on the throne, and things were going well! There were not enslaved. They were not under siege. It was time to enjoy their freedom!

…and so they did. They exercised their freedom to keep their monuments to false gods. They exercised their freedom to ignore God’s commands. They exercised their freedom to worship idols. They used their freedom to move another step closed to judgement.

Application

I’m so thankful to live in a free nation! I’m thankful for the freedom to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But the danger of freedom is that it can become a distraction from the giver of freedom.

I don’t want to become so focused on the enjoyment of my freedom that I allow it to separate me from the very source of the freedom that I have! Instead of using my freedom merely to pursue what I desire, I must instead use my freedom to pursue the fulfillment of God’s desires for my life. Today I choose to live life to the fullest, and enjoy every freedom I have–for the glory of the One from whom my freedom comes.

Prayer

God, thank you for freedom! Help me to never allow the freedom and blessings you’ve given me to sway my heart from full surrender to you, or distract me from your ways. I choose today to use every freedom I have, to serve you and pursue you faithfully.

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