S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

Don’t Panic!

Scripture
Mark 13:3-4
“As Jesus was sitting on the mount of olives, opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” 
Observation
The disciples were alarmed at what Jesus prophesied about the destruction of the temple, and they asked Jesus for more data: “When will this happen?”
Jesus gave them some more information, but more than that his answer also gave them wisdom about what to “do” with the information they’d been given. 
Application
It’s not enough to merely have Godly knowledge. I also need wisdom to apply that knowledge in a Godly way. When God reveals knowledge to me, it is for a purpose. If I apply that knowledge in the wrong way, then the result will not be what God desires.
Perhaps God simply wants me to pray over the situation–or maybe he wants me to confront hidden sin. Perhaps he desires me to get personally involved and be part of the solution to the problem, or maybe he’s simply giving me advance warning of a problem for my own safety.
I need to daily pray for wisdom to apply my knowledge in the right way, so that God would be glorified. 
Prayer
God, thank you for giving me every resource I need! Thank you for revealing the knowledge to me that I need each day–but help me to always apply that knowledge in the right way. Help me today, to walk in your wisdom so that you would be glorified in me. 

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By What Authority

Scripture
Mark 11:28,32
“By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”
They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet. 
Observation
The Jewish leaders didn’t know what to do with Jesus. He had boldly disrupted their money-making schemes and the status quo at the temple. Though they held a certain place of authority in the temple, they had in reality abdicated their responsibilities and authority, because they were living in a state of fear of what the people would think. Jesus upended their illusion of power because he did not let public opinion sway him from his purpose and calling, given to him by the Father. 
Application
It’s easy to get distracted by the opinions of others When God is not the primary focus, public opinion can become the default replacement. Whether through validation or criticism, people have an effect on us. Instead of chasing the ever-changing target of public opinion, I need to maintain the single-minded focus that Jesus displayed. His submission to the Father gave him confidence instead of fear. His submission to the Father gave him a place of authority. His submission to the Father gave him the ability to boldly influence every person in the crowd around him, because they were not his source of power.
This week, I need to follow my Father. 
Prayer
God, thank you for adopting me as your son! Thank you that you are constant and unchanging. Help me to walk daily in submission to Your authority, as I walk in Your ways. Thank you for fulfilling your plans and purposes in my life, as I follow you. 

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No Excuses

Scripture
Mark 10:25-27
(Jesus said…) “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” 
Observation
Jesus cautioned his disciples about what a seductive trap wealth and riches can be. The disciples were apparently shocked by this, but then Jesus told them that God is able to save anyone…even those who are rich, or have distractions vying for their attention. 
Application
There are circumstances that affect my life. There are forces that have shaped me, obstacles that have hindered me, and temptations that have tripped me. But there is nothing in my life strong enough to prevent God from saving me. His strength is great enough to overcome every challenge, and remove every excuse which would keep me from serving Him. This week, instead of leaning on excuses I need to say “thank you!” to the almighty God of the universe, who is strong enough to save me. 
Prayer
God, thank you for saving me! Thank you that there is nothing that can take me from your hand! Thank you that you are greater than any other force, influence, or obstacle in my life, so that I am without excuses before you. 

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The Purpose of Seed

Scripture
Mark 4:14
“The farmer sows the word.” 
Observation
This chapter in Mark compares the word of God to a seed, and then repeatedly reminds us that seed is meant to be sown–not merely stored. Seed that is never sown, will never grow. 
Application
God has entrusted a valuable resource to me: His word! If I allow it, it will grow and produce fruit in my life. The end goal though, is not that I would merely become more fruitful, with more and more seed stored up. The goal and intention is that I would plant the seed I’ve been given, so that the Kingdom would grow.
This week, I need to be faithful with the seed I’ve been given. I need to plant the seed of God’s word in the soil around me, and then let God’s Spirit do the work of causing it to grow. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the amazing gift of your word! Help me to be effective in sharing your word with those around me, and planting seed so that your kingdom would grow. Help me to not just be a “store-er” of seed, but rather a “sower” of seed. 

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Unseen Heroes

Scripture
Mark 1:30-31
“Simon’s mother in law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.” 
Observation
We read this passage and focus on the miracle that Jesus performed, but there is another unnoticed hero in this story: the mother in law! She is never mentioned in any other context but this story, yet it is clear that she played an important role in that family. How do I know? Because Peter asked Jesus to heal her! We catch only a glimpse of her role and gifting in her response after being healed. “…and she began to wait on them.” She had a gift for hospitality, supporting and encouraging Peter in his ministry as he lived out his own gifting and callings.. 
Application
God has gifted and called me to be who He created me to be, and do what He created me to do. The purpose is not for me to receive glory and recognition, but rather Him. I need to be willing to serve Him faithfully in obscurity, whether or not I ever have a moment in the spotlight.
At the same time, I need to have the heart of Christ to notice those who are serving faithfully in obscurity around me. I must be intentional to share a healing word, encourage, and show appreciation for those serving God faithfully behind the scenes–because they are truly the “greatest” in God’s kingdom. 
Prayer
God, thank you for having a plan and a purpose for each of us! Help me to serve you faithfully and humbly in every season. Help me to notice the unnoticed, see the unseen, and appreciate the unappreciated. Help me to love like you love! 
 
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Callouses

Scripture
Acts 28:26-27
“Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.” 
Observation
Callouses form when something sharp or rough is continually rubbing or scraping my skin. It’s not enough to cut me, just enough to cause discomfort. A callous is my body’s way of avoiding and protecting me from the discomfort. The word of God is a sharp, two-edged sword. Its job is to cut away anything not pleasing to God. This cutting process is never fun or enjoyable in the moment–but God’s desire is not to merely cause discomfort, but rather to accomplish permanent transformation in my heart. 
Application
I don’t want to just expose my heart to the word of God until it becomes uncomfortable and then quit. This is how callouses form, and how my heart becomes hardened toward God’s word. Instead, I want to welcome the cutting and pruning process, as the word of God begins to cut away those parts of me that are ungodly, and transform me to be more like Him. The way I do this is by continually applying God’s word to my life, and making the decision to remain pliable and teachable in His hands even when I don’t like how it feels. My heavenly Father loves me, and I can trust that the change He brings is ultimately for my benefit, and for His glory. 
Prayer
God, I choose to surrender my heart and my life to you. Thank you for your word, and help me to never become hardened or calloused toward you, but always remain teachable in your hands. Thank you for being worthy of my trust, even when the cutting and transforming process is uncomfortable! 

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Focus

Scripture
Acts 26:27-29
“King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long–I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” 
Observation
Paul was on trial, defending himself against a prosecution team that were pursuing the death penalty for him. I would have expected his full attention to be on his legal defense–instead, we see that even in the middle of his courtroom defense, Paul was actively looking for opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus with those around him, despite his dire circumstances. 
Application
I don’t have that kind of single-minded focus on the gospel! It’s easy for me to let my mind be consumed with the urgency of the immediate crisis, instead of maintaining focus on the things that truly matter even when the pressure is on. I want to develop this kind of intentional focus that Paul had. I may be under pressure–but the good news must be shared! I may be inconvenienced…but the gospel needs to get out! I may be feeling frustration, or even anger…but people need a savior!
This week, I need to look for opportunities to share Christ with the world. When I am relaxed, and when I am tense. When it is convenient, and even when it isn’t. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the amazing news of the gospel! Help me to daily share your good news with the urgency it deserves–because that is the thing which truly matters, even when the pressure is on.
Thank you for being my Lord, and my Savior! 

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Welcoming the Tension

Scripture
Acts 15:2,4
“This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.”
“When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.” 
Observation
The church in Antioch had been thrown into an uproar by legalistic men who wanted to put requirements on them which Paul had not taught them. Paul and Barnabas traveled to Jerusalem to speak with the apostles and elders about the disagreement which had risen. The elders and apostles welcomed them, even through they were bringing a conflict and a difficult conversation. Instead of avoiding the difficult conversations, the apostles and elders leaned into the tension and welcomed the conversation, recognizing that it was an opportunity to develop deeper unity and communication. 
Application
Like the early church, I will face tension, conflict, and disagreement in life today. It’s just part of the journey. Instead of avoiding hard conversations, I need to welcome them as an opportunity to grow into deeper unity and understanding. Like Paul and Barnabas, I need to initiate the difficult conversations when I am aware of conflict or tension–and like the apostles and elders, I need to be grateful for people who initiate hard conversations with me–because these are the moments when we can intentionally step forward, or else carelessly slide into disunity.
Prayer
God, thank you for courage to initiate hard conversations! Help me to embrace them as an opportunity to grow in unity, and grow more like you. Help me to welcome and value people in my life who bring conflict to my attention in a Godly way, and always see them as a gift from you. 

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Kingdom Wins

Scripture
Acts 13:15,45
“After the reading from the law and the prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
“When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.
Observation
The Jewish leaders invited Paul and Barnabas to share a word of exhortation with the people, but they had low expectations of the result. When Paul got better results than they expected, they became jealous and started trying to hinder the results he was getting. They were only interested in supporting Paul as long as he was validating the same poor results they had been getting.
Application
It’s easy to become complacent about mediocre results. Whether in ministry or on the job, repeated and ongoing lack of growth will change and stunt our thinking eventually. When we become accustomed to mediocrity, it’s easy to feel threatened by excellence and effectiveness. I want to be the kind of leader who consistently strives for excellence and celebrates the successes of others. I cannot be kingdom-minded if I allow myself to become resentful toward those who are more effective than I.
This week, I need to be intentional to reach for excellence and celebrate Kingdom wins.
Prayer
God, thank you for the diversity you created in the body of Christ, and for those who are more skilled than I in their area of gifting. Help me to always celebrate Kingdom wins, rather than becoming threatened by those who are more effective than me in the areas to which you’ve called them. 

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The Weight of the Heart

Scripture
Job 6:2-3
“If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales! It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas–no wonder my words have been impetuous!” 
Observation
Job was in agony. His pain was intense, his grief was deep. His friends heard his impetuous words, but they really didn’t understand the depth of his anguish. His friends responded to his impetuous words, but what Job needed was for them to hear the anguish of his heart. 
Application
I have felt like Job at times–when my heart was too raw for the filter on my mouth to work properly. I have had those moments when talking to friends, when they heard my words but missed what my heart was trying to say.
I want to hear people’s hearts. When their words are rough and unpolished, or even impetuous–I want to listen beyond the words being said, to hear the heart behind them.
This week, I need to speak a little less, and listen a little more. I need to listen for the purpose of hearing and understanding, instead of listening to occupy my time until I have a chance to jump in and respond. I need to pray for God to help me understand the heart, and not merely the words. 
Prayer
God, thank you for hearing me! Not just hearing the words I say, but also the state of my heart. Help me to listen that way also. Help me to listen fast, and speak slow. When people’s words to me are rough or impetuous, help me to care enough to listen past the words to hear what their heart is trying to say. 

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You can also read past devotions on our website, by visiting https://testing.newhopelegacy.com/soap/

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