S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

Wise Council

I need people in my life who care enough about me to speak up when something has escaped my attention–or to warn me about danger that I’ve not yet noticed.
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Scripture
Jeremiah 40:15-16
“Then Johanon son of Kareah said privately to Gedaliah in Mizpah, “Let me go and kill Ishmael son of Nethaniah, and no one will know it. Why should he take your life and cause all the Jews who are gathered around you to be scattered and the remnant of Judah to perish?”
But Gedaliah son of Ahikam said to Johanon son of Kareah, “Don’t do such a thing! What you are saying about Ishmael is not true.” 
Observation
Johanon saw danger approaching, and tried to warn his leader Gedaliah. His approach was bold and violent, and may not have been the wisest suggestion–yet his warning was still valid. Gedaliah rejected the proposed assassination, but unfortunately he also rejected the warning. His disregard for the counsel of his loyal general ultimately cost him his life and threw his kingdom into yet more chaos. 
Application
I need wise counsel. I need people in my life who care enough about me to speak up when something has escaped my attention–or to warn me about danger that I’ve not yet noticed. I can’t just live my life at the whim of everyone around me, or simply do what they think I should do all the time…but that doesn’t mean that I should disregard their perspective and insight.
Somewhere in the middle is the balance–taking time to understand their concern and perspective, then seeking wisdom from God to respond and react in the right way.
This week, I choose to pay attention to wise counsel–and then seek understanding from God in order to respond wisely. 
Prayer
God, thank you for putting people in my life who care enough about me to speak up when I need to hear their warning. Help me to listen to their heart with humility, and then seek your wisdom in order to respond in the right way. 
 
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The True Enemy

When the enemy stirs up trouble, I need to still see the value in the people involved–because they are not the true source of the problem.
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Scripture
Revelation 11:10
“The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.” 
Observation
What foolishness! The earth is seen here, celebrating the death of two prophets of God–imagining that their death will mean the end of God’s judgement!
The source of the judgement was God, not his prophets. The world’s preoccupation with what they could see, blinded them to what they could not see–their own sin, and their need for a savior.
Application
It’s easy to see the error in the world’s thinking in this passage–but how often am I guilty of the same mistake? When I see ungodly and carnal things being done, it’s easy to see the person involved as the source of the problem. I can begin to react in the situation, aiming my words and frustration at the individual–forgetting that the true enemy is the mindset and spirit behind their actions.
This week, I need to be mindful to not confuse the symptoms with the disease. When the enemy stirs up trouble, I need to still see the value in the people involved–because they are not the true source of the problem.
Conversely–when I am mistreated for following Christ, I need to be careful not to take it personally–because truly the attack is against God’s spirit in me, not against me. 
Prayer
God, help me to live, speak ,and react with your heart–not seeing carnal and ungodly people as the enemy, but instead recognizing the mindset and spirit behind their words and actions.
When attacks come my way, help me to remember that the battle is yours–and that our spiritual enemy is warring against your spirit inside me.
Thank you for your presence and your power in every situation! 
 
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Deeply Offensive

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is urgent. Eternity is at stake, and our time to make a difference in people’s lives is limited! 

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Scripture
Ezekiel 4:16-17
“He then said to me: “Son of man, I am about to cut off the food supply in Jerusalem. The people will eat rationed food in anxiety and drink rationed water in despair, for food and water will be scarce. They will be appalled at the sight of each other and will waste away because of their sin.” 
Observation
Ezekiel had a shocking and deeply offensive message to deliver to God’s people. They were about to be judged by God, because they had turned their back on Him. The message was shocking and offensive, and it could not be delivered in a gentle and positive way. God’s love for His people wanted them to return to Him, and they needed to be shocked out of their status quo. The message that Ezekiel delivered wasn’t shocking and offensive just because the prophet felt like being shocking and offensive–he delivered the message that God had instructed him to deliver, in the way that God told him to deliver it.
Application
There is a time for pleasant conversation and friendly dialogue–and there is a time to bluntly communicate urgent truth even if someone gets their feelings hurt. When life and death are on the line, the urgency of the situation demands that truth be valued more than eloquence.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is urgent. Eternity is at stake, and our time to make a difference in people’s lives is limited! I must remember the critical importance of the message, in order to communicate it with appropriate urgency. 
Prayer
God, help me to feel the urgency of sharing your Good News with the world! Thank you for caring enough about me, to shake me out of my complacency when necessary. When blunt and urgent communication is needed, help me to communicate with your heart. 

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Knowing What I’ve Got

God wants us to understand what He has already given us, so that we could fully benefit from His love and grace. 

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Scripture
1 John 5:13
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” 
Observation
John didn’t write this letter so that we would have eternal life. Rather, this letter is written so that those who believe would know what they already have.
The implication is that if I don’t know what I have, then I cannot fully benefit from having it.
Application
I want to fully benefit from everything that God has given me! I don’t want to slog through life, trying to figure out a solution that God has already provided. I don’t want to tremble through life, fearing that which He has already conquered!
This week, I choose to dig into God’s word and learn the magnitude of what He’s done for me and what He’s given me. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your incredible generosity in how you bless me. Thank you for all you’ve done for me! Teach me the full measure of your blessings, so that I could fully appreciate all that you’ve given me. 

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Demonstrating Love

Our love for God is either confirmed or refuted by the way we love our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

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Scripture
1 John 4:19-21
“We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command; Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” 
Observation
It is impossible to love “the God who loves”, without loving His children. Our love for God is either confirmed or refuted by the way we love our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Application
Love is demonstrated when there is an opportunity to be ‘unlovable’. When there is an opportunity to be impatient…love is patient. When there is an opportunity to be unkind…love is kind. When there is an opportunity to envy…love doesn’t envy. When there is an opportunity to dishonor…love gives honor instead.
1 John says that my heavenly Father has commanded me to love my brothers and sisters in Christ–this tells me that there will be times when my brothers and sisters in Christ are being ‘unlovable’, and a decision will have to be made. Will I love the way that God wants me to love, or will I react in my own sinful and ungodly way? Either way, the true condition of my heart is revealed through those ‘unlovable’ moments.
This week, I choose to react with love. I choose to extend the love that God has given me, on to the rest of His children around me. I choose to demonstrate my love for God, in the way that I react to difficult circumstances. 
Prayer
God, thank you for loving me when I am unlovable. Thank you for teaching me what love truly looks like! Help me to daily demonstrate my love for you, in the way that I love your children. 

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Who’s To Blame?

Ignoring God’s word doesn’t make it go away–and ignoring uncomfortable truth doesn’t change reality. 

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Scripture
Jeremiah 36:23-24
“Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe’s knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire. The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes.” 
Observation
What a fool the king made of himself, and what calamity his pride led to! Instead of letting his heart be moved to repentance by the word of God, he chose to react with childish anger–first by destroying the scroll (as if the scroll was the problem!), and then by trying to take out his anger on the prophet.
This visceral reaction should have clued him in that there was something amiss in his own heart, but his pride could only see fault in everything and everyone around him. 
Application
I’ve been just as guilty as the king from time to time. When confronted about issues in my own heart, I’ve reacted with self-righteous anger…refusing to see fault in myself, but only in those around me. The problem is, ignoring God’s word doesn’t make it go away–and ignoring uncomfortable truth doesn’t change reality.
This week, I choose to walk in humility. I choose to accept correction from God, instead of ignoring his reproof. I choose to use my mirror before my telescope, when looking for the source of the problem. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your word which stands unchanged and true. Help me to receive your word daily with humility, and allow you to accomplish your work in me. Help me to daily take responsibility, instead of casting blame. 

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Next Gen


I cannot fully love my children, without fully loving God.
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Scripture
Psalm 112:1-2
“Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.” 
Observation
Our submission to God’s authority not only has a profound and eternal impact on our life–it also has a profound and transformational impact on future generations. 
Application
I cannot claim to love God, and withhold my heart from being fully submitted to Him. I cannot fully love my children, without fully loving God.
This week, I choose to love my family by keeping my heart submitted to the King of kings. 
Prayer
God, thank you for changing my heart and saving me from sin. As I submit my heart to you, I pray that you would bless my sons and keep their hearts strong in you. Give me wisdom to raise them well, and to teach them to love and serve you also. 

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The Prayer

Jesus knew the agony before him, but his heart was focused on those he loved.
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Scripture
John 17
v11 “Protect them by the power of your name…so that they may be one as we are one.”
v15 “My prayer is…that you protect them from the evil one.”
v17 “Sanctify them by your truth; your word is truth”
v24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory…” 
Observation
This prayer is Jesus’ last prayer over his disciples before going to the cross. He knew the agony before him, but his heart was focused on those he loved. He prayed that the Father would:
  • Protect them…from the evil one
  • Unify them…as the Father and the Son were unified
  • Sanctify them…by his truth
  • Bring them…to where Jesus was
  • Show them…his glory
Application
I want to experience all that Jesus desired for me, all that He prayed for me. These things were so urgently on his heart, that they consumed his focus and attention even as he approached what He knew would be the hour of his own death.
I want to walk in the shelter of the Father, safe from any evil force.
I want to live and walk in unity with the church, Christ’s body.
I want to be sanctified by the truth, as I immerse myself in the word of God.
I want to be where Jesus is, both in my life here on earth, and also in eternity.
…and I want to see the glory of God, as I keep my eyes open and attentive to glimpse God at work each day. 
Prayer
God, thank you for loving me and paying the price for my sin. Help me to walk daily in ways that please you, and keep my heart aligned with yours so that I would experience the full measure of your power in my life. 

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Troubled

In the face of suffering and trouble, Jesus’ prayer was for greater glory to the Father- not for less suffering for himself.
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Scripture
John 12:27
“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? “Father, save me from this hour?” No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” 
Observation
Jesus knew the trial and suffering before him. He wasn’t looking forward to what was about to happen, but his prayer was for greater glory to God, not for less suffering for himself. 
Application
What incredible transparency Jesus had! He knew his purpose and his mission, but his soul was troubled. He allowed his disciples and followers to glimpse the turmoil within him, but established that the ‘main thing’ was for the Father to be glorified.
It is normal and natural for my soul to be troubled when facing adversity and suffering. Christlike integrity and transparency requires me to be honest about that. But in the middle of trouble and turmoil, God can still be glorified if I refuse to let my own comfort and preferences become the ‘main thing’.
This week, I choose to let God be glorified in my life and even in my suffering.
I choose to keep Him as the ‘main thing’, rather than my own comfort level. 
Prayer
God, thank you for this transparent glimpse into the heart of your son. Help me to live with this same integrity and intentionality–to acknowledge real challenges and even discouragement, but with a single-minded focus on bringing you glory through every season of my life. 

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Not The Final Chapter

The presence and power of Jesus turns ‘hopeless’ into ‘fearless’. Although we look at death as the last page of the final chapter, Jesus sees death as merely a paragraph on the way to the glorious continuation.
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Scripture
John 11:3-4
“So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When he heard this, Jesus said “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s son may be glorified through it.” 
Observation
Jesus knew that Lazarus was about to die–and yet he said “this sickness will not end in death.” Jesus knew that death was coming…but that the death of Lazarus was not the end. God would ultimately receive the glory through the tragedy, because Lazarus’ death was not the final chapter. 
Application
The presence and power of Jesus turns ‘hopeless’ into ‘fearless’. Although we look at death as the last page of the final chapter, Jesus sees death as merely a paragraph on the way to the glorious continuation.
Lazarus’ sickness led ‘through’ death, but it did not ‘end’ in death.
In my life, there are situations outside of my ability to control the outcome. There are chapters that seem dead, finished, and concluded. But the same God who refused to let Lazarus’ sickness end in death, is alive and present in my life today. His power is greater than death, His life is stronger than a gravestone. I choose to trust my future to His hands, so that He would be glorified not only in my life, but also in my death–because death is not the final chapter. 
Prayer
God, thank you for conquering death!
Teach me to live fearlessly in you, trusting in your love for me. May you be glorified through every day and every season of my life. 
 
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