S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

That’s The Power of Love

The decision to love comes first, the harmony follows after.
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Scripture
Colossians 3:14
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” 
Observation
Christ gives the power, but my heart must be engaged. I must make the decision to kill the desires of the flesh. I must choose to put on the spiritual attributes that are pleasing to God-and I must resolve to love. This kind of love is a decision, not an emotion. It is an action which allows Christ’s power to flow through me, to impact those around me. 
Application
Love is a choice. Before I loved Him, God chose to love me. His love holds things together in harmony, that would otherwise degrade to conflict.
This is the love that He instructs me to employ. The challenge is that this love doesn’t wait for people to be ‘lovable’…it simply loves anyway.
When there is tension at home, I must put on love. When there is discord at work, I must put on love. When there is conflict in the community, I must put on love.
The decision to love comes first, the harmony follows after. 
Prayer
God, thank you for loving me–before I loved you. Teach me to make the decision to love, so that your love could impact the world through me. Help me to choose to love, even when it’s not the easy decision–in my family, at work, and in the community. Thank you for the power of your love, to bring harmony where there is conflict! 

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Continue

Continuing in Christ, allows us to experience the fullness of his power.
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Scripture
Colossians 2:6-8
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental forces of this world rather than on Christ.”
Observation
A healthy relationship with Christ results in a life that is grounded, growing, increasing in strength, and overflowing. His power and truth allows us to live in freedom, recognize error, and see through the deceptive philosophies of this world. Continuing in Christ, allows us to experience the fullness of his power.
Application
What an assurance we read here, of the power of Christ! Our world is so often ruled by fear, weakened by constant change and turmoil, and manipulated by deception and half-truths. Through it all, Christ remains unchanging, trustworthy, loving, sufficient, and available to all.
I want to experience all that He offers me. Not merely settle for Christ being an acquaintance that I run into from time to time–but rather that He would be the foundation of my life, and the one I walk with daily.
Prayer
God, thank you for who you are! Thank you for being unchanging and certain. I choose to walk daily in relationship with you–rooted in your word, and grounded in your truth.

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Maturing

Scripture
Colossians 1:27-29
“To them God chose to make known how great among the gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.”
Observation
Paul knew the power of the gospel–not only to redeem from sin, but to transform hearts and lives. His goal was not just to bring people to repentance, but to cultivate mature disciples of Christ. This goal was motivated and empowered by God himself, who supplied Paul with the strength required.
Application
The grace of God assures my place in eternity, but His love is not a ‘someday’ promise. His power is in my life today, transforming my heart to be more like him. Like Paul, I want to allow God to work through me to develop mature children of God–not just a trail of abandoned newborns.
This cannot be accomplished merely on my own strength–I must walk in his wisdom, and lean daily on his strength in order to do what he has called me to do.
Prayer
God, thank you for your love in action in my life! Thank you for the change you bring, and that I am not who I once was. Give me wisdom to do all you’ve called me to do, so that others may experience your transformation in their lives also.

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The Now

Paul didn’t merely endure hardship, instead he learned from it.

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Scripture
 Philippians 4:12-13
“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
Observation
Paul had been through seasons of lack, and seasons of plenty. He had endured hardship, and also enjoyed blessings. Through it all, he learned the secret of being content. He didn’t start out with contentment–it was an acquired skill! The key thing is that he didn’t merely endure hardship, instead he learned from it. 
Application
Seasons keep on changing. Some are easy and some are hard, but they keep on changing. Am I changing with the seasons, or merely waiting for the current season to end?
God is working on a transformation in my heart, in and through each season. He’s not waiting for my season to end so that He can move–rather, he is right now accomplishing something in me, in this season. Am I allowing His transformation to continue?
This week, I choose to learn from my season. I choose to embrace the growth that God is working in me, and welcome His transformation. 
Prayer
God, thank you that you are accomplishing your plan in me, through each season. Teach me, and transform me to be more like you! Help me not to get so focused on the ‘next’, that I miss out on what you are doing in the ‘now’! 
 
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Changing Lanes

There is freedom and blessing in God–as I stay in my lane. There is strength and boldness to persevere–as I stay in my lane.

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Scripture
1 Kings 13:18-19
“The old prophet answered, “I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the Lord: ‘bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water’.” (but he was lying to him)
So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house.”
Observation
What a mess! The king was offering sacrifices, and ordaining random people to the priesthood. Now an old prophet was found traveling out of his way to intercept the man of God and attempt to distract him with a blatant lie. The end result was a nation judged by God, and a dead man of God who allowed distractions to sway him from the right path.
This entire story seems to center around changing lanes:
-The king who also wanted to offer sacrifices
-The farmers & merchants who would rather be priests
-The old prophet who wanted to insert himself into what God was doing, and caused the death of the man of God
-And the man of God, who knew what God had clearly told him, but stepped out of his lane anyway and paid the price.
Application
There is freedom and blessing in God–as I stay in my lane. There is strength and boldness to persevere–as I stay in my lane. The danger comes when I begin to look around at everything else happening around me, and drift out of my lane. There are areas of gifting and calling, which are outside my lane. There are even things that God is doing in and through others, which are outside my lane. I can celebrate all that God is doing, but I must remain aligned with the calling of God on my own life instead of allowing distractions to pull me off course.
Prayer
God, thank you for all that you are doing! Thank you for leading and guiding me through each season. Help me to remain focused on you, and stay in my lanes as I walk daily with you. Thank you for giving me all that I need, to do what you have called me to do.
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Discipline, not Punishment

The end result of God’s discipline in my life will be blessings, as I yield to His kingship and authority.
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Scripture
Psalm 94:9-13
“Does He who fashioned the ear not hear?
Does He who formed the eye not see?
Does He who disciplines nations not punish?
Does He who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile. Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law; you grant them relief from days of trouble, till a pit is dug for the wicked.”
Observation
God hears. He sees. He punishes, and He does not lack knowledge. When He disciplines, it results in blessing-because those who learn to follow His word are kept under His protection. 
Application
In the daily onslaught of life, it can be easy to forget that God hears and sees.
He sees the wars and violence. He hears the cries of the victims…and the punishment of God will fall on those who do evil- in His time.
I want to be disciplined by God, not punished by Him! I want to daily learn to be more like my heavenly Father, even when His correction comes in uncomfortable ways. I know that the end result in my life will be blessing, as I yield to His kingship and authority. 
Prayer
God, thank you that you are not unseeing or unhearing! Thank you for being the ruler of all things. I choose to surrender my life to your authority, to be taught by your loving discipline so that I would daily become more like you. 

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One


Although the world looks to many things to save them, there is still just one savior. Although people may place their hope in many things, there is still just one hope.
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Scripture
Ephesians 4:4-6
“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” 
Observation
Our world loves variety. 57 varieties of Heinz’ Ketchup, 31 flavors at Baskin Robbins, and 6 brands of toilet paper at the store to choose from. Paul is reminding us in this passage that while there is incredible variety within the Body of Christ, it is still just one Body. Although the world looks to many things to save them, there is still just one savior. Although people may place their hope in many things, there is still just one hope. 
Application
Christ desires His body to be unified. One in heart, one in purpose, one in allegiance, to present to the world the one hope of salvation–Jesus. I must daily align my heart with this–not my own wants, desires, preferences and purposes–but rather the one calling, with one heart, part of one body, to present the one Savior. This must guide my words and reactions when differences and disagreements arise–because we are still one body. This must guide my priorities and decisions-because we are one in purpose.  
Prayer
God, thank you for the certainty of knowing you as the hope of the world. Thank you for the solidity I find in you, in a world overwhelmed by differences, disagreements, and discord. Help me to always be an agent of unity in your Body, not a source of disunity. Help me to daily align with your heart and your purpose! 
 
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With Confidence

David walked with confidence in his calling, and used the place and influence God had given him to bring glory to God.
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Scripture
Psalm 18:43,49
“You have delivered me from the attacks of the people; you have made me the head of nations. People I did not know now serve me.”
“Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.”
Observation
God had accomplished amazing things in the life of David, giving him not only a throne-but a place of honor and authority among the known world of the day. It was a perfect place for David’s pride to grow and consume him–and yet he remained humble. He walked with confidence in his calling, and used the place and influence God had given him to bring glory to God.
Application
God has put me exactly where I am, at exactly this time, for a reason. Not for me to walk timidly, but to walk with confidence. Not for me to draw glory to me, but to give all glory to him. The circle of influence He’s given me, has been entrusted to me so that I would point people to the Savior.
Prayer
God, thank you for guiding my steps! Thank you for putting me right where you want me, to do exactly what you’ve called me to do. Thank you for giving me all that I need, to accomplish what you’ve called me to do for today. In every season and every situation help me to point hearts to you–because you alone deserve the glory! 
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Made for this!

I was created for a purpose, and a purpose was created for me.
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Scripture
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” 
Observation
I was created for a purpose, and a purpose was created for me. There is a duality in the mission–not merely what I accomplish for God, but also the growth that occurs in me as I step forward into the calling He has prepared for me. 
Application
God has given me life for a reason–not merely to pursue my own pleasure and satisfaction, but to ‘do’ that which He has called me to do. I cannot find true and lasting fulfillment, without saying ‘yes’ to the purpose He has for me. This purpose is not merely a task list which I must fulfill before leaving this life. The things which God has called me to do, were prepared for me by a heavenly Father who loves me. The task was prepared for me, as much as I was prepared for it. Instead of simply ‘checking the boxes’ on the list, God’s desire is to accomplish growth and transformation in me as I daily say ‘yes’ to Him.
What confidence this gives me when the task seems too large to handle!
This week I choose to say ‘yes’ to God. I choose to do what He’s called me to do, to the best of my ability-and I choose to say ‘yes’ to the growth that He is daily accomplishing in me. 
Prayer
God, thank you for this assurance in your word–thank you for giving me a purpose, which you’ve prepared in advance for me. I choose to say ‘yes’ to you! ‘Yes’ to your calling, and ‘yes’ to the transformation that you are accomplishing in me day by day. 

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Social Influencers


We become a product of the relationships with which we surround ourselves.
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Scripture
Proverbs 22:24-25
“Do not make friends with a hot tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” 
Observation
We become a product of the relationships with which we surround ourselves.
Want a better future? Choose your relationships carefully. 
Application
Who am I surrounding myself with? No one is perfect, but who am I inviting as an influence in my life? Are they displaying the fruit of the spirit and walking closer to God each day…or something different? My future will probably look a lot like their present–so what future am I choosing?
This week I choose to pick my influences with care–and I choose to be the friend that draws others closer to the savior instead of driving them away. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the wisdom I find in your word! Give me discernment in my relationships, to choose influences that will draw me closer to you.
Help me to display and cultivate the fruit of your spirit within me so that I would build up those around me, inspiring them to walk closer each day to you. 

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