S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

Growing Strong in Faith

  • May 23, 2024

Although I prefer the seasons when everything is going according to plan, those aren’t the moments when my faith is built. Rather–my faith has an opportunity to grow in the moments when my situation is the most precarious, and the future seems the most uncertain.

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Scripture

Romans 4:20

“No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God.”

Observation

Abraham’s faith wasn’t static and fixed–it was growing and increasing, even though he had plenty of opportunities for unbelief. How did his faith increase? By looking at the moments when he could have chosen unbelief, and instead choosing to give glory to God.

Application

Although I prefer the seasons when everything is going according to plan, those aren’t the moments when my faith is built. Rather–my faith has an opportunity to grow in the moments when my situation is the most precarious, and the future seems the most uncertain. Those are the moments when I must make the decision to give glory to God.

As I make the decision to direct the attention to God, he will prove himself faithful again just as he always has–and my faith in him will be increased.

Today, I choose to give God the glory that He is due!

Prayer

God, thank you for proving yourself faithful over and and over in my life! You deserve the glory, and I want to glorify you today with my words, my actions, and my heart. Increase my faith I pray, and teach me to trust you instead of turning to unbelief when the pressure is on.

 

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Unashamed

  • May 20, 2024

The change that Christ has brought to my heart must be communicated in the way that I speak, the way that I live, and the way that I interact–because I’ve experienced the power of God, and He has saved me!

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Scripture

Romans 1:16-17

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Observation

Paul’s statement is intriguing. Why would someone be ashamed of the gospel? Why be ashamed of the most incredible news that has ever been shared? It seems that the only reason to be ashamed of the gospel, would be if the gospel is not true. If there is doubt in one’s mind whether the gospel truly is ‘the power of God for salvation’…then shame would quickly follow.

Paul had no doubt in his mind of the power of the gospel. He had experienced God’s power and salvation, and now there was no viewpoint, philosophy, argument, or debate which could shake his confidence in this amazing message which had radically transformed his life.

Application

I’ve experienced the power of God. I’ve experienced his grace and mercy, and I’ve received his blessing and his forgiveness. There is nothing on earth that could cause me to doubt the truth and authenticity of what I’ve experienced. So when I share the gospel, it must always be from a place of confidence and certainty, not from hesitancy and shame! The change that Christ has brought to my heart, must be communicated in the way that I speak, the way that I live, and the way that I interact–because I’ve experienced the power of God, and he has saved me!

Prayer

God, thank you for saving my soul! Thank you for paying the price for my sin, and for showing me mercy. Help me this week to seize each opportunity to point people to you, with the full confidence that your gospel deserves. May I never be ashamed of the best news that has ever been shared!

 

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The Pursuit of Knowing God

  • May 16, 2024

At some point people will forget the projects I’ve worked on, the hobbies I’ve pursued, and the tasks I’ve completed. But I want to live and lead in such a way that my sons and those to whom I pass the baton in God’s kingdom will remember to ‘know God’ above all else.

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Scripture

1 Chronicles 28:9-11

9 “And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. 10 Be careful now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.” 11 Then David gave Solomon his son the plan of the vestibule of the temple, and of its houses, its treasuries, its upper rooms, and its inner chambers, and of the room for the mercy seat;”

Observation

David was approaching the end of his life, and the end of his kingly reign had now arrived. It was time to pass the baton to Solomon, and release him into his God-given destiny as the next king of Israel.

David was entrusting some huge responsibilities to Solomon’s hands–not only the management of the kingdom, but also David’s dream of building a temple for the Lord. His words to Solomon are particularly striking in that context. He doesn’t begin his words to Solomon by reminding him of his professional duties, or how important the construction of the temple was. Instead, he reminded Solomon to “know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and a willing mind”.

The rest of the duties were important–no question. But if Solomon missed the ‘main thing’, none of the rest of it would matter.

Application

It can be easy to get so busy serving God, that I forget to know Him. I can become so wrapped up in the tasks, the duties, the responsibilities, and the projects of God’s kingdom…that I push God himself to the back burner of my life. This not only impacts my own life and walk with God, but also those that I lead.

I love to see David’s heart in the way that he passed the baton of leadership to his son. There were so many things he could have said, and so many instructions he could have given…and indeed, he went on to give many of those instructions later. But the first and foremost thing that he wanted his son to build his life and kingdom on, was the pursuit of knowing God.

I want to leave that kind of legacy! At some point people will forget the projects I’ve worked on, the hobbies I’ve pursued, and the tasks I’ve completed. But I want to live and lead in such a way that my sons and those to whom I pass the baton in God’s kingdom will remember to ‘know God’ above all else.

Prayer

God, help me to always make the pursuit of knowing you my highest priority. May that be the life that I lead, and the example that I set for those who come after me.

 

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The Dissenting Opinion

  • May 13, 2024

It’s never fun to be the one to speak up in opposition to an idea, especially an idea from someone in authority. Yet that willingness to be the lone, unpopular voice of caution is the mark of a truly godly man.

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Scripture

1 Chronicles 21:3

“But Joab said, “May the Lord add to his people a hundred times as many as they are! Are they not, my lord the king, all of the my lord’s servants? Why then should my lord the king require this? Why should it be a cause of guilt for Israel?”

Observation

Joab knew his place–and his place was to follow orders. Yet he cared too much about David and the kingdom to silently go along with a plan that he knew would bring destruction. David persisted in his terrible plan, but Joab’s conscience was clean.

Application

It’s never fun to be the one to speak up in opposition to an idea, especially an idea from someone in authority. Yet that willingness to be the lone, unpopular voice of caution is the mark of a truly godly man.

This week, I choose to stand for what is right instead of what is popular and advantageous. I would rather be a Joab and trust God with the outcome, than a David and arrogantly push ahead with my own plan.

Prayer

God, give me courage and wisdom to stand for what is right, and to know which battles are worth fighting. I choose to trust you with the outcome!

 

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Broken and Contrite

  • May 6, 2024
God isn’t just interested in the quantifiable metrics of my life–he’s looking at the state of my heart. Instead of trying to navigate life solely by the actions I perform, I must instead go back daily to the ‘heart stuff’.
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Scripture
Psalm 51:16-17
“For you will not delight in sacrifice or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
Observation
Actions matter- but God looks beyond mere ‘good actions’, to see the heart behind it. Sacrifices from a proud heart are not what he’s looking for. Offerings from an unrepentant heart will not be pleasing to him. A heart that is repentant, broken, and aware of its own need is what he is looking for.
Application
Actions can be quantified and measured. Heart stuff…not so much. Yet God isn’t just interested in the quantifiable metrics of my life–he’s looking at the state of my heart. Instead of trying to navigate life solely by the actions I perform, I must instead go back daily to the ‘heart stuff’. I must allow God to convict me of my sin. I must acknowledge and feel my need for God. I must grieve with the grief of repentance–and I must come humbly to him…not claiming that I’ve already solved my issue, but aware that I cannot.
Prayer
God, thank you for your love and mercy! I come humbly to you today, with a broken and contrite heart. Cleanse me and wash me, and make me more like you!
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Integrity

  • April 29, 2024
Integrity goes beyond what I am explicitly obligated to do. It’s the thing that must define my actions when the situation isn’t completely ‘wrong’…but neither is it ‘right’.
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Scripture
2 Samuel 4:11
“How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and destroy you from the earth?”
Observation
David definitely benefitted from the death of Ishbosheth, and he had complete deniability in this situation. His hands were clean, and he could just sit back and reap the benefits of this man’s murder with no repercussions…but his integrity required him to enforce justice in the situation anyway.
Application
Integrity goes beyond what I am explicitly obligated to do. Integrity is the thing that must guide my steps even when I have plausible deniability. It’s the thing that must define my actions when the situation isn’t completely ‘wrong’…but neither is it ‘right’. I choose this week to walk in God-honoring integrity, even when it would be more personally beneficial to turn a blind eye.
Prayer
God, help me to follow the example of David and walk daily according to the heart-constraints of integrity…not merely by the requirements of a rule book. I want you to be pleased with the inward condition of my heart!
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Whispers in the Dark

  • April 23, 2024
The darkness doesn’t bring God’s voice any nearer–it simply gives me the choice of focusing on my fearful imagination…or on his quiet whisper. This week, I choose to focus on the quiet whisper of God’s voice.
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Scripture
Matthew 10:19-20, 26-27
19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops.
Observation
Our lives are not to be ruled by fear of men, but rather to be lived in the confidence of the Father’s love. Our words are not to be the anxious stumblings of self-defensiveness, but rather the confident assertions of eternal truth. That confidence comes from time spent in the dark and quiet places with God, focusing solely on His voice.
Application
I don’t like dark seasons. I like to be able to clearly see the path ahead, and know where my next step is going to land. But often, I find that God’s voice becomes the most audible in the darkest times. The darkness doesn’t bring God’s voice any nearer–it simply gives me the choice of focusing on my fearful imagination…or on his quiet whisper.
This week, I choose to focus on the quiet whisper of God’s voice. When facing the dark and unknown, I choose to listen intently for his voice of love instead of letting the real or imaginary dangers around me consume my attention.
There will come a moment when it will be time to shout from the rooftop that which he is whispering to me now–so I must listen closely.
Prayer
God, thank you for your quiet voice which guides and strengthens me. Help me to hear you clearly each day, instead of listening to the voice of my own fear. Give me boldness to let my dark seasons become an anthem of your faithfulness, so that my testimony could encourage someone else to walk closer to you.
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Learning, Not Just Admitting

  • April 22, 2024
When confronted by my failures, I want to learn and grow forward–not keep repeating the same dumb decisions.
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Scripture
1 Samuel 26:21
“Then Saul said, “I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will no more do you harm, because my life was precious in your eyes this day. Behold, I have acted foolishly, and have made a great mistake.”
Observation
Saul admitted his wrongdoing when confronted…but he was not truly repentant. He admitted guilt, but never truly changed his course.
Application
Scripture says that a double minded man is unstable in every way–and that’s what I see in Saul. The admission of guilt was not enough to turn his heart around, because he was still double minded.
I don’t want to be a Saul! When confronted by my failures, I want to learn and grow forward–not keep repeating the same dumb decisions.
Prayer
God, help me to learn your ways–and not merely admit my own shortcomings. Teach me to be daily more like you!
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

Taste and See

  • April 18, 2024
God’s goodness cannot be fully grasped without experiencing it. The step of ‘tasting’ God’s goodness brings awareness of more wonder, more blessing, more goodness than could be seen before.
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Scripture
Psalm 34:8
“Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”
Observation
God’s goodness cannot be fully grasped without experiencing it. The step of ‘tasting’ God’s goodness brings awareness of more wonder, more blessing, more goodness than could be seen before.
Application
There are glimpses I can get of God. I see His power displayed in nature. I see his provision in the lives of his children. I see his truth revealed in his word. But at some point, I must ‘taste’ his goodness for myself in order to more fully see him as he is. His goodness must be willingly experienced, to be fully understood.
This week, I choose to welcome all of God’s presence that I can see and understand, so that he can reveal his presence and power more fully to me.
Prayer
God, I don’t want to sit back and merely observe you! I want to experience you fully, and know your goodness like never before.
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The Cost of Worship

  • April 17, 2024
Worship always costs something. The only question is who am I worshiping, and what price am I willing to pay? Am I worshiping earthly success, and paying an eternal price? Or am I paying a temporary price in this life, to worship the Creator and receive an eternal reward?
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Scripture
Matthew 4:9-10
“And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'”
Observation
There is a cost to worship. Jesus was faced with this cost when tempted–and he chose to pay the price of earthly power and authority in order to worship the Father. But truthfully, there would have been a corresponding cost if he had given in to temptation and worshiped the tempter: He would have had to pay the price of his relationship with the Father.
Application
Worship always costs something. The only question is who am I worshiping, and what price am I willing to pay? Am I worshiping earthly success, and paying an eternal price? Or am I paying a temporary price in this life, to worship the Creator and receive an eternal reward?
I choose to worship God alone. The temporary rewards of this life, are simply not worth the cost!
Prayer
God, may my heart be set on you alone–because you alone are worth of my worship!
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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://www.newhopelegacy.com/soap/
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