S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

Offense

I can either choose to carry offense, or I can carry God’s blessing–but I cannot carry offense and blessing at the same time.
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Scripture
Matthew 15:12,25-26
“Then the disciples came to him and asked, ‘Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?'”
“The woman came and knelt before him. ‘Lord, help me!’ she said. He replied, ‘It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.'” 
Observation
Offense. What a contrast here: The Pharisees come and begin criticizing the disciples of Jesus, yet they get offended when Jesus points them back to the heart of God’s law. Then we see the Canaanite woman come to Jesus with a humble cry for help, and he calls her a ‘dog’! If anyone had the right to be offended, it was her. Yet at the end of the story she receives her request, and the Pharisees remain offended.
The Pharisees chose to take on offense, and missed a moment of transformation.
The woman chose not to pick up offense, and received what she needed from God. 
Application
I have opportunities daily to take on offense. Offense from how people speak to me…or don’t speak to me. Offense from how people treat me…or look at me…or talk about me. I can even take on offense at the word of God if I choose to. My level of offense is not determined by my situation–it is decided by my own heart. I can either choose to carry offense, or I can carry God’s blessing–but I cannot carry offense and blessing at the same time.
This week, I choose to set down offense so that God can continue to transform me into his image. I choose not to carry offense, so I can carry His blessing instead. 
Prayer
God, help me to live a life free from offense. Show me where I may be carrying offense in my heart, so I can lay it down at your feet. When there are opportunities for me to take up offense, help me to choose to carry your blessing instead. 
 
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Maintaining the Margins

Jesus made the decision to take a break while he was feeling “drained”, instead of waiting until he was “empty”.
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Scripture
Matthew 14:13-14
“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” 
Observation
Jesus needed a break. He was grieving the murder of his cousin, and the load and the pace of his ministry was weighing on him. He took time to recharge…only to have the crowds follow him there too. This would have been a prime opportunity for Jesus to lose his patience and lash out in irritation at those demanding his attention–instead, he “had compassion on them.”
How did he hold himself together? How did he continue to pour himself out, when he was clearly feeling drained? The simple/easy answer is that he was God…but there’s more to it, I think. Jesus was able to continue showing compassion even while drained and tired, because he had “emergency reserves.” He had made the decision to take a break while he was feeling “drained”, instead of waiting until he was “empty”. He had built enough margin into his life, to handle the unexpected crisis moments. 
Application
Life can be draining. Whether from sudden tragedy and loss, or from the day to day busyness, it’s easy to run low on my energy and emotional reserves. Like Jesus, I must pay attention and take time to recharge–before the gauge reads ’empty’. I must maintain a healthy margin in life so that I can continue to love and care for those around me when things don’t go as planned.
This week, I need to prayerfully inspect and maintain my margins. 
Prayer
God, thank you for teaching me. Thank you for coming and setting an example of what a God-honoring life looks like! Help me to put into practice the things I learn in your word so that I would daily continue to grow, deepen, strengthen, and thrive in you. 

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Character

I want to
live with a Godly heart that remains steady. Not
maintaining a careful facade for the sake of appearance, but rather
deeply and genuinely cultivating a heart of Godly character.
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Scripture
2 Samuel 1:24
“Daughter of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and finery, who adorned your garments with ornaments of gold.” 
Observation
David’s heart is astounding. After all the years spend running from Saul, fearing for his life, enduring slander and attacks on his character, and yet never lifting his own hand against the anointed man of God–now Saul lies dead, and I would fully expect David to breathe a sigh of relief and begin the party for his own coronation. Instead, I see David still defending Saul. Still speaking well of Saul. Still singing songs about Saul’s renown as a great warrior. David doesn’t lie about Saul’s shortcomings, he simply chooses to remember and proclaim Saul’s strengths and victories. The humility and honor that David showed while Saul was still alive, is now shown and proven to be genuine after Saul is dead. 
Application
I want a heart like David. I want to live with a heart of honor and humility, a heart of character which shines through when I have an opportunity to be raw and unfiltered. In the moments when people could excuse and justify me gloating or gossiping–I want to live with a Godly heart that remains steady even at those moments. Not maintaining a careful facade for the sake of appearance, but rather deeply and genuinely cultivating a heart of Godly character.
How do I do that? By daily spending time at the feet of Jesus, letting him change me and transform me. Not spending time with God “for others”, but spending time with God “for me”. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the inspiration I find in your word–stories of imperfect men like David who consistently displayed a heart to honor you in every circumstance. Change my heart to be more like you, so that you would be glorified by what is revealed in me day by day. Help me to honor you in the way I honor others, even when I have every reason not to. Help me to speak well of others and look for the best in them, even when their worst is clearly on display. 

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It’s All His

It all belongs to Him–He’s merely entrusted some of it to me.
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Scripture
1 Samuel 30:24,26
“Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.”
“When David reached Ziklag, he sent some of the plunder to the elders of Judah, who were his friends, saying, “Here is a gift for you from the plunder of the Lord’s enemies.”” 
Observation
David defended the right of the soldiers who stayed behind as a guard, to receive a portion of the plunder. David understood that it was only by God’s goodness and greatness that their families had been safely returned, and also the plunder of battle gained. David understood that it was only because of God’s generosity that he had these things to enjoy–and therefore he had no right to be selfish or miserly in how he managed the blessings. He modeled generosity to the kingdom, and set the expectation for how the nation would act. 
Application
God has blessed me so abundantly! He has not given me blessings for me to seize hold of them and jealously guard what I have–rather, he has generously given to me so that I can generously bless others.
The enemies are not mine–they are the Lord’s enemies
The battle is not mine–it is God’s battle
The blessings are not mine–they are God’s blessings
Prayer
God, thank you for the security I have in you–knowing that you love me and you are fighting on my behalf. Thank you for your abundant blessings in my life! Help me to live with the same generosity that you’ve shown to me, and remember that it all belongs to you. 

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Peace

This week, I need to rest in the security of knowing that God is greater than the storm–and therefore I can rest peacefully. 
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Scripture
Matthew 8:23-24
“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.” 
Observation
We remember this story because Jesus calmed the wind and the waves. That was remarkable, but I’m just as amazed by the beginning of this story. There are the disciples, battling the storm as the waves wash over them…and Jesus, fast asleep! The storm simply had no effect on him. 
Application
Storms happen, and sometimes they hit hard. God has given me his spirit and his power, to speak in faith and see the wind and waves grow calm. More than that though, He’s given me his peace in the middle of the storm–peace which says “Yeah, there’s a storm blowing…but right now I’m going to take a nap and get some rest, because He who is in me is greater than any storm which surrounds me!”
This week, I need to rest in the security of knowing that God is greater than the storm–and therefore I can rest peacefully. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the peace that I find in you–peace so great that it simply makes the wind and waves irrelevant. Help me to rest in you, secure in the knowledge that you hold my past, present, and future in your hands! 

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Wisdom and Foolishness

I want to be the wise man who is changed by God from what I was–not the fool who settles for merely knowing what God said.
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Scripture
Matthew 7:24,26
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock”
“But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.” 
Observation
Wisdom is not merely about the information we learn–it is about what we do with the information we have. God’s word is critically necessary-but if it is not followed up with action, the result is foolishness. 
Application
I need the word and the voice of God in my life. I need to make a habit of daily spending time with God-talking to Him, and letting him speak to me. It’s not enough for me to merely hear the voice of God though–I must allow his word to change me day by day. His voice must be a catalyst within me which causes me to speak, walk, act, and live differently than the way I used to.
I want to be the wise man who is changed by God from what I was–not the fool who settles for merely knowing what God said. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your word and your voice! Help me to accept what you teach me, and allow you to shape me daily to be more like you! 

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Becoming


David
didn’t let those around him drag him down to their level-rather, he
elevated them to a higher level, to fulfill a purpose greater than they
could currently glimpse.
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Scripture
1 Samuel 22:2a
“All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around him, and he became their commander.” 
Observation
Birds of a feather flock together. David was on the run from Saul, and all the malcontents in the kingdom came flocking to him–certain they had found a kindred spirit. David didn’t stop them, but neither did he become one of them. David instead became their “commander”, and transformed this motley crew of misfits into a lean, mean, loyal fighting force. David didn’t let those around him drag him down to their level-rather, he elevated them to a higher level, to fulfill a purpose greater than they could currently glimpse. 
Application
I don’t control who will align with me and walk with me–nor do I control their assumptions and suspicions about me. The only thing I control…is me.
If I allow it, those around me can affect my heart with their own discontent, debt, and baggage–but if I keep my eyes fixed on Christ, he can use me to elevate those around me–and bring them to a greater purpose.
My job is not to judge them or join them–but rather to inspire them to grow forward in God. 
Prayer
God, thank you for the growth you’ve brought to my life-and for your patience with me as I continue to grow. Help me to daily keep my eyes on you, and allow you to work through me to encourage growth in those around me. 

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Imperfect


I need a merciful Savior, and I must show that same grace and mercy to others.
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Scripture
Matthew 5:48
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly father is perfect.” 
Observation
“Be perfect”. That’s a pretty steep expectation! No wonder the Israelites struggled under the law. God is perfect, and He expects the same from His children–and yet He still loves us despite the fact that we don’t measure up. 
Application
I am so far from perfect! This passage of scripture would be an unbearable weight to carry, if not for the One who is speaking–Jesus Christ, the sinless son of God, the one who loves me enough to pay my debt and cover me with His own righteousness!
I am so grateful to be loved by the Savior, and I don’t want to take His love for granted. This passage also reminds me to show grace to those around me who are also imperfect–like my sons, and those I am called to lead. I need a merciful Savior, and I must show that same grace and mercy to others. 
Prayer
God, thank you for being merciful to me when I don’t measure up to your perfection! Help me to live a life of intentional gratefulness, and extend that same grace and mercy to others. 

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Shout It Out!

His good news is too amazing to hold it inside–I’ve gotta tell someone!
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Scripture
Psalm 9:1-2
“I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.” 
Observation
The psalmist acknowledges how awesome God is, and expresses his gratitude directly to God. He doesn’t stop there though–it wasn’t enough for him to privately acknowledge what God had done–he wanted the world to know the greatness of God! 
Application
God has done amazing things for me!
He has saved me, he has provided for me, he has protected me, he has forgiven me, he blesses me, and he daily gives me strength. I can’t tell him enough, how thankful I am! I want to express these things to God–and I also want the world around me to see him like I do! I want the world to catch a glimpse of his love, his majesty, and his power.
His good news is too amazing to hold it inside–I’ve gotta tell someone! 
Prayer
God thank you for loving me, and for blessing me so abundantly! I don’t ever want to neglect telling you how grateful I am. Help me to seize every opportunity to share the good news of your love with those around me, so that they could see and experience you the way that I have!

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Risk and Reward

I want my life to be a daily sacrifice of worship to God, not a shallow pursuit for temporary acclaim here on earth.
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Scripture
1 Samuel 15:24,30
“Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them.””
“Saul replied, “I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord your God.”” 
Observation
Everything Saul is doing here seems to be motivated by his desire for the affirmation and admiration of the people around him–not the approval and blessing of God almighty. Even his worship of God seems to be motivated by his desire to personally be honored in the sight of the people. What a sad tale! Instead of pursuing the approval of God and risking the disapproval  of the people, he pursued the approval of mankind–and ultimately lost his standing with the nation and with God. 
Application
Life is full of risky choices. If I take option “A”, then I put thing “X” at risk. If I take option “B”, then I put thing “Y” in jeopardy.
The approval of people is never a sure thing, or a healthy measure. The approval of God is sure and trustworthy, thanks to the blood of Christ, and the strength of His spirit living in me. If I’m going to risk losing something, I would rather lose the approval of people rather than ever risk losing the favor of God. I want my life to be a daily sacrifice of worship to God, not a shallow pursuit for temporary acclaim here on earth.
Prayer
God, your approval is what I desire. May you be glorified in me as I follow you. 

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