My daily journaling from God’s Word. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 46.

Scripture

“Be still and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.” –Psalm 46:10

Observation

The Psalm speaks of horrific things–earthquakes, mountains falling, oceans roaring and kingdoms crumbling. But none of this dethrones God or catches Him off-guard. It shouldn’t me either! He always prevails in the end!

Application

The news of the world can be shocking. Atrocities and terrorism are so disturbing. Yes, I might fight for truth and righteousness (Psalm 45:4), but my soul must be at rest and trusting in the Lord. Cease striving and know He will prevail!

Prayer

Father, evil men seem to be everywhere–and at times, they seem to be winning. But they won’t! Their end will come suddenly. You will prevail and in fact, my soul takes refuge and rest!

Amen.

My daily journaling from God’s Word. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 50.

Scripture

“But to the wicked God says, “What right have you to tell of my statutes and to take my covenant in your mouth? For you hate discipline and cast my words behind you.” –Psalm 50:16-17

Observation

Even the wicked want to quote certain scriptures to justify their beliefs. There’s power in the Bible, and everyone wants to find a verse that justifies them. But the wicked pick and choose; they don’t take ALL the scripture but only what they want to believe–they reject God’s discipline and cast scripture they don’t like behind them.

Application

This verse certainly came alive on campus this week. An apostate (person who rejected the faith) chaplain–someone who publicly states he no longer believes in God–was offended by our banners. He rallied another religious leader against me–a “progressive” Christian who tried to tell me how to evangelize today’s “demographic” rather than follow Biblical principles. This, he assured me, is how a loving God would want me to evangelize.

Yes, I want to understand people today, but I believe God’s Word–all of it–is the best manual for evangelism.

Prayer

Father, might I be like the prophets of old–faithful to Your word and Your ways–and not yield to anyone–even religious people–who want to selectively quote Your word while really casting it away.

Amen.

My daily journaling from God’s Word. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 62.

Scripture

“God has spoken plainly, and I have heard it many times: Power, O God, belongs to You.” –Psalm 62:11

Observation

People are in pursuit of power–political power, economic power–anything to be in control of others. But the power belongs to God. He is the true authority. Our human “power trips” are simply exerting our own sinful selves.

How does God show His power? By His creation, His power over nature, His judgements, and His resurrection from the dead. Modern man seeks to undermine God’s power through evolution and denying His judgments.

Application

Willingly submit to God’s authority and obey His commands. But even more, be a vessel through which God can show His power to a doubting and skeptical world.

Prayer

Father, I believe You desire to show Yourself strong and powerful to a lost, doubting and confused world. Show Your power and strength through me! Confound the skeptics! Give me Your wisdom and knowledge that no one can refute or contradict. Transform me, provide for me, answer my prayers in such a way that Your power will be clearly seen!

For Your glory alone! Amen.

My daily journaling from God’s Word. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 60.

Scripture

“You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth.” –Psalm 60:4

Observation

The banner led troops into battle and was the rallying point to regroup if people were scattered or defeated.
God gives us a banner, this is His flag–His message, His name! He gives it to those who fear Him. It is a truthful message, and it is to be DISPLAYED–not hidden.

Application

Fear the Lord!
Display His truth (not mine).
Display it; do not hide it.

Prayer

O Father, thank You for Your truth! Thank You for the honor, the privilege and the freedom to display it. Might we display Your banners/Your truth more than the world displays its false messages. Father, let our banners be displayed all over our country!

For Your glory and because You are worthy to be praised!

Amen

My daily journaling from God’s Word. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 55.

Scripture

“Its walls are patrolled day and night against invaders, but the real danger is wickedness within the city.” –Psalm 55:10

Observation

We are at war–spiritual war. We have an enemy, and we must be on guard. Often, the enemy attacks from without, but sometimes the real danger lies within.

Application

I’m reminded of old castles with walls of protection that were impenetrable. But if the enemy got inside, there was no defense against him other than hand-to-hand combat.

In our day, with most, the walls have been breached; the enemy is already in our churches and our homes. Most believers have been deeply influenced by secular humanism.

Now, we must fight heresy hand-to-hand–not challenging foes without, but our own brothers and sisters in the body.

Prayer

Father, I value unity, and I love my brothers in Christ. But the enemy has penetrated the church. Godless, wicked ideas pervade the body of Christ. Sometimes, I feel so alone, as I stand for You and Your truth.

Give me greater boldness to stand on Your Word! Give me discernment wisdom and knowledge to teach what is right with accuracy, grace and perseverance.

In Jesus’ name and for the health of His church, I pray, Amen.

My daily journaling from God’s Word. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 43 and Acts 13.

Scripture

“Oh send out Your light and Your truth”–Psalm 43:3
“For so the Lord has commanded us, “I have placed you as a light to the Gentiles, That you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.” –Acts 13:47

Observation

The peoples of the earth dwell in darkness (Matthew 4:16, Colossians 1:13). Jesus and His gospel bring light and enlighten every man (John 1:9)

God must send the light. We must pray for God to send the light. He did this when He sent Jesus, but now, He sends us! Paul took this verse from Isaiah 49:6, referring to the Messiah, and he applied it directly to himself.

Application

I must pray for God to send the light–to send workers into His harvest. But I must also embrace the reality that I am an answer to that prayer as God is sending me to be a light unto the nations!

Prayer

Father, what an awesome calling I have–to bring light to people dwelling in the domain of darkness! I feel so inadequate for this, yet I remind myself that I am not the light; rather, it is Christ in me that is the light of the world.

Oh Jesus, shine through me! Love lost sinners through me! Expose the darkness of Satan’s lies through me!

Father, You love the peoples of the earth. Jesus is the light of the world to bring salvation to the ends of the earth! So, Father, here am I. Send me where You will and whenever You choose in order to bring the Light of Christ where needed most.

For the glory of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

---

“Let us not grow weary in the work of love,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
Let us gather jewels for a crown above,
Send the light! Send the light!

Send the light, the blessed Gospel light;
Let it shine from shore to shore!
Send the light, the blessed Gospel light;
Let it shine forevermore!”

–Charles H. Gabriel

My daily journaling from God’s Word. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Matthew 28.

Scripture

“Disciples” –Matthew 28:19

Observation

mathéteuó: To make a disciple; to teach, instruct; to be a disciple of one; to follow his precepts and instructions
mathétés: A learner, pupil, disciple

What is a disciple? A learner; One who receives instruction from and adheres to doctrines of another

Because Jesus has “all authority,” every person should humbly receive instruction from Him and obey His teachings. Those who don’t are rebelling. Choosing to honor His authority versus my own ideas is at the heart of what it means to be a disciple.

Discipleship involves obedience. The first step of obedience is baptism. Then we are to obey ALL He has commanded us.

Application

1) I’ve been baptized. Baptize others.
2) Study the commands of Christ. Know what they are. Teach them to others.

Prayer

Father, I receive this command to make disciples of Jesus. He’s worthy of every person’s allegiance. I am a disciple of Jesus; I pray I will never stop becoming a better one. I freshly accept this mission of making followers of Jesus!

For His glory, Amen.

My daily journaling from God’s Word. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Matthew 28.

Scripture

“Make disciples…” –Matthew 28:18

Observation

Make: to compel; to constrain; to form, to fashion; to mold into shape; to create; to cause to exist.
These definitions are proactive. We are to do things that create, fashion and compel people to become disciples of Jesus.

Although a person must become a disciple based on their own decisions and will, we are to do more than just lay out the truth to them. We are called to take active measures to help them become disciples. We teach, encourage, inspire, reprove, rebuke, pray, believe–all in order to MAKE disciples.

Application

I am too Laissez-faire regarding disciple-making; too passive. I must give far more thought to next steps/actual things to DO in the people I am discipling. I must give clear, proactive thought to what the finished product (a disciple) looks like.

Prayer

Father, I’ve been way too passive in making disciples. Help me know how to proactively MAKE–compel, fashion and mold–people into followers of Jesus! For His Kingdom and glory, Amen

My daily journaling from God’s Word. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Matthew 28.

Scripture

“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “Go, therefore, and make disciples…” –Matthew 28:18-19

Observation

Therefore: When studying the Bible, and you encounter a “therefore,” always ask, “What is therefore, there for?” This word harkens back to the basis for the Great Commission: Jesus has all authority.

Authority: Greek “exousia” The power or rule of government; the power of him whose will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed.

The reason we should go and make disciples is because the Person who has ALL AUTHORITY–whose will must be obeyed–commands us to! To not obey the Great Commission is disobedience to the authority of the One with all authority!

Application

The Great Commission is not an option. But many believers treat it as optional, and thus, it bleeds over to me and affects me. I must resist this contagious lukewarmness toward our Lord’s final and most authoritative command.

I/We have a duty to make disciples. People say that love must be our supreme Christian motive, and I certainly agree. But duty and obligation must also be recognized as vital motivations. These two don’t contradict, they go hand in hand.

Prayer

Father, Your Son has All Authority in heaven and on earth! He earned it and deserves it! And He deserves to be obeyed completely! I’m sorry that I’ve let lukewarmness and apathy toward this command affect me. Please forgive me.

I embrace the Great Commission as my marching orders. I will do my best to obey these orders because I love You, and because it is my duty and responsibility to obey Your authority.

Father, strengthen me. Give me wisdom to make my steps count. And because You gave this command to all Your children, help me to ignite a fire in Your church.

Until there are disciples from every tribe, tongue, nation and people! I ask it in Christ’s name, Amen.