SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading 1 John 1.

Scripture

“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” –1 John 1:5

Observation

This is, most likely, a message spoken directly by Jesus that is being passed on by John.

“Light” would refer to God’s holiness and purity. “Darkness” would refer to moral flaw, sin, and unrighteousness. There is no unrighteousness or moral flaw in God.

Men love the darkness because it is there that they do evil deeds (John 3:19). Those who love the darkness hate the light because the light exposes their sinful deeds (John 3:20). People who practice the truth come to the light, for they have nothing to hide (John 3:21).

Application

I must announce the nature of God as being light–morally good, holy, and pure–with no darkness. Arrogant atheists judge God and accuse Him of evil. They are so wrong; indeed, they are the ones in deep spiritual darkness, and they’ve been deeply deceived.

Prayer

Father, I praise You as the only morally perfect being there is.  I worship You. I will walk in the light so that I may have fellowship with You. Thank you, Jesus, for empowering me to do this!

Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading 1 John 4.

Scripture

“No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.” –1 John 4:12

Observation

NLT: “His love is brought to full expression in us.”
Simply put: People can’t see God, but they can see us. And if we love others, they will see God in us!

Application

Above all, might people see in me the love of God. There are so many important godly attributes that we should display: truthfulness, holiness, faith, goodness, justice, etc. But the greatest is the love of God abiding in me.

Prayer

Father, I remember how this verse/concept struck me 40 years ago, and I prayed that no one who knew me could remain an atheist because they would see the amazing and life-transforming love of God in me! Today, I renew that simple prayer. Show Your love in me! Abide in me! Let the world see Your love in me.

There’s so much evil in the world, and I sense Your judgment is coming. But in announcing that and warning people, might they see that I do this because I love them. Father, fill me with genuine love, I pray, for Your glory.

Amen

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading 1 John 4.

Scripture

“They are from the world; therefore, they speak as from the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” –1 John 4:5-6

Observation

John often makes a clear delineation between the people of God and those of the world. Here he is speaking of a “spirit.” This word refers to an unseen influence–most likely the Holy Spirit for truth and demonic spirits for error–that affect how people think, feel and will (choose).

There is a “spirit of error.” A demonic spirit that influences people’s thinking. This helps explain why many people simply can’t see or understand obvious truths. Changing their minds involves more than giving good, rational arguments–it involves setting them free from a “spirit of error.”

Application

Be careful that I listen to “the spirit of truth” and not the “spirit of error.”

Don’t be surprised, and don’t take it personally, if people of the “spirit of error” don’t listen to me.

Most importantly, recognize the real issue when I teach and evangelize. People must be spiritually liberated. Their spiritual eyes must be opened. Satan must be bound! Prayer for the lost is essential, or preaching will have no success. Remind myself EVERY DAY that this is a SPIRITUAL BATTLE above an intellectual battle.

Prayer

Father, I acknowledge that there is a great SPIRITUAL battle raging in the world. It’s so easy to only see the physical and to argue the intellectual and believe I can persuade people. Father, open my eyes to see where the real battle rages–in the spiritual realm. Train me in how to use my spiritual resources of prayer and the word of God. Help me to always rely on You to show Your power because You are far greater than he who is in the world. When I preach, I ask You to free people from a spirit of error–free them from demonic deception–so that they might listen to Your truth and be truly saved.

This I pray in the name of the Great Liberator, Jesus Christ!

Amen

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading 1 John 1.

Scripture

“These things we write so that our joy may be made complete.” –1 John 1:4

Observation

John had joy in GIVING and TEACHING others the truths of God. He gladly did what gave him joy–teaching others about God.

Later, John would say his greatest joy was that his children would walk in truth (3 John 4). They won’t walk in truth unless we teach them to.

Application

Teach, teach, teach people the Word of God. Take the initiative to do so. Direct conversation that way. Never tire of teaching the grand, old, time-tested, life-transforming message of the Bible.

Prayer

Father, what an honor and privilege it is for me to be a teacher of Your Word. It not only is of great eternal significance, but it also brings me great joy! Thank You for this opportunity to minister and be filled with the great joy of giving to others!

In Christ’s name and for His glory!

Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Isaiah 14.

Scripture

“For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His stretched-out hand, who can turn it back?” –Isaiah 14:27

Observation

God has plans.
He will execute His plans.
No one can prevent God from doing as He wants.

Application

Ever since the Garden of Eden, people have sought to thwart the plans of God. At times, it seems as if people are succeeding. But they aren’t. God will always prevail in the end. Make sure you’re on the Lord’s side and going along voluntarily with what He is doing!

Prayer

Father, thank You that You are not a passive God. You have plans, and You are working to bring them about. Thank You that those plans include me! I want to cooperate with all that You are doing. I pray for strength to never compromise and be swayed by those who are fighting against You! They’ll never win. You will prevail!

Hallelujah!

Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Isaiah 12.

Scripture

“And in that day you will say, “Give thanks to the Lord, call on His Name. Make known his deeds among the peoples; Make them remember that His Name is exalted.” –Isaiah 12:4

Observation

• What are the great deeds of the Lord? Creation, Redemption (the cross) and Resurrection stand out as His greatest deeds.
• Declare these to the people. Remind them/make them remember that God created them (they didn’t come into being by evolution).
• Jesus’ Name is exalted above all others. Every knee will bow to Him (Philippians 2:10-11).
• Because of His great deeds and exalted Name, we should give Him thanks and call upon Him!

Application

• Stand firm in declaring He is our Creator, His death and resurrection. Make His deeds known.
• Call on God’s Name. What a privilege!
• Be thankful and express it verbally.

Prayer

Father, You are awesome! You made this beautiful and incredible world that bursts forth with life! You sent Jesus and then raised Him from the dead. I praise and thank You! I call on You today; give me strength, wisdom and love as I declare Your deeds to the people and urge them to follow you!

Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Isaiah 8.

Scripture

“The Lord has given me strong warning not to think like everyone else does..Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life. He is the One you should fear. He is the One who should make you tremble…Preserve the teaching of God; entrust His instructions to those who follow Me.” –Isaiah 8:11,13, 16

Observation

God’s ways are different, and therefore, we who follow Him are to THINK differently, and have a different motivation (the fear of the Lord). And I am to pass that teaching along to those who want to follow the Lord.

Application

I do think differently from the world and live to please God, but I can and must continue to press on in these areas. But I must also be pro-actively and aggressively entrusting these things to others–particularly my family, my interns, youth conferences and the campuses.

Prayer

Father, I love Your teaching. Help me to THINK Your thoughts, to know Your ways and to cling to them with all my heart. And might I proactively and unashamedly teach Your truths to the next generation so that they might walk in Your ways.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Isaiah 6.

Scripture

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” –Isaiah 6:8

Observation

God is looking for people to send. The work is far greater than the number of workers.

God is the One who sends. Our modern evangelical missions language refers to our financial supporters as those who send us. Certainly they play a part, but GOD is the sender.

The only reasonable response to this request–especially after having seen the Lord–is to say what Isaiah said, “Here am I. Send Me.”

Application

Whenever I’ve read this in the past, I’ve always focused on ME going for the Lord. Today, I sense God saying, “Recruit others.” We need more workers!

Prayer

Father, help me to see You clearly as Isaiah did. Might a vision of You humble me and motivate me to service. Lord, send me! Give me a fresh awareness of Your sending me and my life calling. And use me to recruit others to Your service–to help them see You and respond as Isaiah did.

In Jesus name, Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Isaiah 5.

Scripture

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.” –Isaiah 5:20-21

Observation

Some things never change! People reject God’s moral standards and replace them with their own–and they think they are wise and clever in doing so! Our country has taken this to a new extreme. Our education produces mounds of “research” and “studies” calling evil good. Our politicians create clever one-liners in which darkness is presented as light.

And Facebook and Twitter confirm this culture of clever, witty one-liners often exalting our wisdom and humor to the exclusion of God’s wisdom and truth.

But the prophet announces “WOE” to those who use such tactics to justify their sin. This is a judgment coming in which the Almighty God and those who are faithful to Him will be vindicated.

Application

Do not be swayed by our culture as it abandons God’s ways for its own foolishness. Keep my eyes on the end game, the final day, the Judgment, the prize.

Prayer

Father, I stand amazed at Your patience and long-suffering. You give people a long leash before You finally bring judgment.

But Your patience often brings trial and confusion to those of us seeking to remain faithful to You and Your ways. It doesn’t seem right that the wicked should prosper and prevail. Remind me that this is but a test of our faith and perseverance. If we stick to Your game plan, we will prevail in the end when it really counts.

Father, I pray for our country because I sense severe judgment is coming. Raise up Christian leaders to give guidance to Your church. Purify Your people that we might walk in holiness. Bring salvation to the lost. Tear down the strongholds and the people who war against You. Be glorified in me and in our nation both now and forever.

Amen.