S.O.A.P.

Daily S.O.A.P Blog

Constant Communication


I must value those around me enough to communicate with excellence at all times.
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Scripture
1 Samuel 14:1,27
“One day Jonathon son of Saul said to his young armor-bearer, “Come, let’s go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side.” But he did not tell his father.”
“But Jonathon had not heard that his father had bound the people with the oath, so he reached out the end of the staff that was in his hand and dipped it into the honeycomb. He raised his hand to his mouth, and his eyes brightened.” 
Observation
Poor communication has a high price. Poor communication takes what should be a day for celebration, and turns it into discord, disunity, and tragedy. Neither Jonathon nor Saul did anything “wrong”, they both simply acted with questionable wisdom and unquestionably terrible communication. 
Application
Communication is critical! Counsel comes through communication. Coordination comes through communication. Crisis is averted through communication.
This week, I need to make sure that my feet do not outpace my mouth so that God would be glorified by the outcome. I must value those around me enough to communicate with excellence at all times.
Prayer
God, thank you for the clear communication I receive in your word. Help me to communicate well with others, so that we could walk in unity as we follow you. 

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That Compelling Feeling

The will of God will never put me at odds with the word of God.
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Scripture
1 Samuel 13:8-9, 12
“He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. So he said, “Bring me the burnt offerings and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering.”
“…I thought; ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor!’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” 
Observation
Saul was in a panic. Samuel had given him a timeline, and it looked like Samuel had dropped the ball. Saul had to do something! His men were leaving, the enemy was approaching, and the king had to take action! It was necessary!
Unfortunately for Saul, he let the compulsion of his panic dictate his actions instead of following the word of God. Instead of keeping God’s commands, he acted on a “compelling feeling.” 
Application
Sometimes things don’t go as I expect. Even when God has given me specific direction, the process and the outcome is not always what I think it will be. When things don’t go as I expected, it’s easy to react with panic and make decisions based on my own ideas instead of on God’s word. In order to avoid the same outcome as Saul, I must daily focus my mind and my heart back on God–trusting that His word is still sure, and His promises are still good. I must daily remember that the will of God will not put me at odds with the word of God. 
Prayer
God, thank you for this reminder that you hold my life in your hands, and I can trust you even when things don’t go as I expect. Help me to live daily in your word and keep your commands, even when the urgency of the moment would try to pull me in a different direction. 

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Giving and Receiving


I must live
with humility to accept help from those who can, generosity to pour
into those who cannot, and wisdom to know the difference between the
two.
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 11:9
“And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so.” 
Observation
There were things which Paul needed, things which he lacked–things for which he needed to lean on other people. Paul had to have humility to allow himself to burden other people with his legitimate need. At the same time, Paul had to exercise wisdom in remembering that he was in Corinth to minister to them–not to be a burden on them. The brothers from Macedonia were able to help bear his burden…the church at Corinth was not. 
Application
There are places in my life and times and seasons in life when I need someone to help me with the burdens I carry and the areas where I lack. At the same time, there are people in my life who are looking to me for support–and are unable to carry my burden. Both are needed, and both are part of living a healthy/productive life. I must live with humility to accept help from those who can, generosity to pour into those who cannot, and wisdom to know the difference between the two. 
Prayer
God, thank you for supplying all that I need, including friends and relationships that I can lean on. Help me to live with generosity, and not be a burden on those who cannot handle it. At the same time, help me to humbly accept help and encouragement from those that you’ve put in my life to draw me forward on the journey. 

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Joy and Generosity

Joy and generosity
are a condition of the heart, not a result of circumstance. 
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 8:2
“In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” 
Observation
Joy is not prevented by trial, nor is generosity hindered by poverty. Both are a condition of the heart, not a result of circumstance. 
Application
God has given me His joy, and He desires for me to live with the same generosity that He displays. If I don’t see these things at work in my life, then I cannot blame my circumstances or season. Through Christ, I have the freedom to let his joy overflow within me and his generosity flow through me day by day.
This week, I choose to walk in joy and live with generosity so that the world would see Christ in me. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your joy and for the ability to live a generous life. Help me not to allow my situation, season, or circumstances to steal my joy, or prevent me from living out your generosity!

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Justice

Today’s SOAP devotional is brought to you by James Begley.
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Scripture
1 Samuel 3:18
“So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.” 
Observation
What else could Eli say really? He knew what he and his boys had done. Its interesting that God spoke against him and his family but he continued to be an acting priest. I can imagine little Samuel laying there after hearing the words of the Lord and knowing that he was going to have to tell the guy who was his leader/mentor. How scary and nerve wracking a night that must have been. I can also imagine Eli laying there knowing God was talking to Samuel, maybe thinking “is the Lord talking about me? my sons?” I bet Eli’s night was not very restful either. 
Application
Justice comes for us all. What is done in the dark will be revealed in the light. God will judge us all and when we are watching people sin and hurt others, we can rest easy knowing that God is also watching. He is justice but He is also merciful so that we need to watch ourselves and not judge the judgement of the Lord. I enjoy the maturity of Eli’s statement. Let Him do what is good in His eyes is right. We are the clay, He is the potter and all that. There is something honorable about accepting justice. It seems to be rare these days and I’m here for it.  
Prayer
Lord help me to see things as they really are. Thank you that you are just and firm as well as kind and loving. I respect that about you and you have given me eyes that can see that and appreciate it. Help guide my path so that I can be stand up and honorable for you. Your ways are the right ways, your paths are the best paths.

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Uncomfortable

God brings joy, but He wants far more than for me to merely be “happy”! God wants me to be fully free, free from sin and regret, and fully alive in Him!
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 7:10
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” 
Observation
The joy of the Lord is my strength-but sometimes that joy comes through sorrow. The sorrow of this world brings condemnation, regret, and death. Godly sorrow causes repentance, and brings salvation, freedom, and life. 
Application
“God just wants me to be happy!” I’ve been told this lie before… The truth is that God brings joy, but He wants far more than for me to merely be “happy”! God wants me to be fully free, free from sin and regret, and fully alive in Him! At times, His spirit convicts me of sin so that I would turn back to Him. His desire is not to destroy me, but rather to purify and perfect me into His image.
This week, I choose to learn from sorrow instead of trying to constantly avoid it. I choose to submit to God, and allow Him to shape me as He sees fit–even when the process is uncomfortable. 
Prayer
Thank you for loving me enough to not leave me in a sinful state, “comfortable” in my problems and issues. Transform me daily into your image, and I choose to surrender myself to you!

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‘Today’


God’s presence and power is not a distant hope to be fulfilled “someday”–Now is the time of favor, and today is the day of salvation!
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 6:2
“For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; now is the day of salvation.” 
Observation
These words which Paul quoted were first penned by the prophet Isaiah, in Isa. 49:8. God is promising to fulfill his plan in the life of Isaiah, to bring his people back to him–and prophetically speaking forward to the time of Christ. Paul shows that through the power of Christ’s redemption, we also enter into this promise of divine help and salvation.
God’s presence and power is not a distant hope to be fulfilled “someday”–Now is the time of favor, and today is the day of salvation! 
Application
This passage is such an inspiration and encouragement to me! The confidence of knowing that God hears me, cares about me, and helps me, gives me the confidence to walk forward when the path is unclear. His salvation is here today, accessible to me and actively at work in my life. His favor is upon me, His purpose at work within me. God has invited me to become a part of His story, which spans from the beginning of time, through the days of Isaiah and Paul, and His story continues on in and through my life today. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your presence and power in my life! Thank you for the certainty of your favor and salvation. Thank you for the privilege of becoming a part of your story here on earth today. 

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Entrusted

Christ has done the reconciling, and we have been entrusted with the responsibility to share the good news with others.
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
“All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.” 
Observation
Through Christ we are reconciled to God. The gulf is bridged, the broken relationship is restored! This supernatural, God-sized message has been entrusted to us. Christ has done the reconciling, and we have been entrusted with the responsibility to share the good news with others. 
Application
God has already taken care of that which is beyond my ability to affect. Through Christ, I have been reconciled to God! Through Christ, the debt for all of mankind has been paid. God has not tasked me with an impossible mission, rather He has entrusted to me a life-changing message. What an amazing thought, that God in His love has chosen to trust me!
I want to live in such a way that God would someday look at me and say, “Well done!” I want to uphold the trust that He has shown me. 
Prayer
God, thank you for reconciling me to yourself, through Christ! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your kingdom, and for entrusting such an amazing message of good news to me! Help me to daily uphold what you’ve entrusted to me, by sharing your good news with others! 
 
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The Life Inside

The trials and struggles are temporary, but the renewal of God’s Spirit living inside is permanent and eternal.
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Scripture
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 
Observation
Trials, troubles, and struggle are part of life and affect nonbelievers and children of God alike. The difference is that the born-again child of God has a source of daily renewal inside them, which strengthens and builds them up even as this world tries to tear them down. The result is that those external forces which should have destroyed them, instead become a mechanism of growth with eternal importance.
The trials and struggles are temporary, but the renewal of God’s Spirit living inside is permanent and eternal-as are the eternal glories being achieved for us.
Application
My walk with God is not about escaping from trouble or hardship. He does not promise me a life of ease, free from all difficulty. What He does promise me is that the source of life living inside me is greater than any struggle or difficulty I could walk through, and that He is great enough to use even the most terrible, destructive experiences of my life to accomplish eternal blessing in and through me.
This week, I need to fix my attention on the source of life each day- instead of becoming distracted and consumed with the daily struggles. 
Prayer
God, thank you for your Holy Spirit living inside me, which is greater than any trial I could face. Thank you for redeeming every circumstance of my life, as I surrender myself daily to you. 
 
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More

God created mankind for more than mere existence!
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Scripture
Psalm 49:20
“People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish.” 
Observation
Wealth and wisdom are not always connected. It is possible to be a rich fool, or a wise beggar.
This verse indicates that a life without wisdom is not much of a life at all–no matter how much wealth is involved. God created mankind for so much more than just mere existence! 
Application
I need to seek Godly wisdom and understanding each day, rather than settling merely for acquiring possessions. God created me for more! Because of His holy spirit in me, I can grow daily in wisdom and understanding rather than stagnating at my current level. This week, I choose to live for more than just earthly possessions. I choose to spend time daily in God’s presence, letting Him deepen and develop my understanding. 
Prayer
God, thank you for creating me for “more”!
Help me not to become infatuated with earthly possessions, but rather live for a higher purpose in you, as you grow my heart to be what you want me to be. 

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