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

Scripture

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” Galatians 6:7

Observation

mock: to sneer at, turn up the nose, deride, to treat with contempt.

This is not saying that people can’t mock God–it’s saying they can’t get away with it. God is a holy God; ultimately, He will not allow His authority to be usurped. The final accounting will be at the Judgment Day, but it is also shown on this earth in this life through the principle of sowing and reaping.

Application

Be careful where I invest my time, money, resources and heart. Choices I make to sow will produce a harvest–good or bad. Therefore, sow to the spirit: sow love, faith, the word of God, evangelize, teach God’s truth, serve people–live for God’s eternal Kingdom and by His eternal principles. There is a reward. It may take time for the fruit to come forth but be patient–it will come.

Prayer

Father, thank you that You will prevail in the end. Thank you for opening my eyes to eternal Kingdom values. Might I persevere in both living them and teaching them to others.
For Your glory, Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Galatians 3.

Scripture

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” –Galatians 3:26

Observation

All who have faith in Jesus are sons of God. There is not a hierarchy among God’s children.

Only those who have faith in Jesus are sons of God. The Bible does not teach that all are sons of God. Some are sons of the devil (Matthew 13:38, 1 John 3:10, John 8:44). A person becomes a child of God through faith in Jesus Christ (John 1:12-13, 1 John 3:1, Romans 8:14-16).

Application

Teach these important truths: 1) Honor all members of the body as sons/daughters of God. 2) Urge people to join the family of God. Inform them that they are not currently His children, but they can become part of His family.

Prayer

Father, thank you for making me part of Your family–for making me one of Your sons. I pray that I will honor each fellow believer as being a son as well. Help me evangelize and work diligently in Your heaven to bring others Your family through faith in Jesus Christ.

For His glory, I ask these things,
Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Galatians 3.

Scripture

“So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?” Galatians 3:5

Observation

God works in response to faith in Him. The implication here is that “works of the Law” (i.e., my ability to live a certain way and do good things) don’t impress God. Faith gets His attention. Faith unleashes His power.

Application

History shows God is willing to use deeply flawed people if they believe Him. He is transforming us to the image of Christ, and this is important. But this, too, is done by faith in Him rather than my self-effort.

GROW IN FAITH!
BELIEVE GOD!
BELIEVE HIS WORD!–HIS PROMISES AND HIS COMMANDS!
Test Him and PROVE Him every day!!

Prayer

Father, thank you for Your ways. Thank you that You choose to honor and respond to FAITH! Make me a man of faith! Forgive me for the pride that trusts in myself–my experience, my wisdom, my knowledge, my character, my money, etc. I trust You!! Show Your power in me and through me, I pray, and be glorified by doing so, I ask.

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading 2 Corinthians 10.

Scripture

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.” –2 Corinthians 10:3-4

Observation

Our weapons are to destroy fortresses–demonic strongholds

We are at war. We must clearly identify the enemy and ATTACK his strongholds.

We have the weapons of God, and we must use them rather than the weapons of man. We are to fight differently than the world.

Application

Divine weapons: Prayer, God’s word, Faith, righteous living/integrity, love, humility.
Worldly weapons: intimidation, manipulation, money, politics, deception, guns, etc.
Strongholds to destroy: bitterness, hatred, sexual immorality, homosexuality, pornography, pride, love of money, scientism, intellectual pride, drugs, alcohol, narcissism, ungodly music and entertainment, evolution, false religion, self-righteousness.

Prayer

Father, thank You for giving me/the church mighty weapons to fight the devil and liberate captives. Forgive me for times I’ve resorted to worldly weapons. Make me highly skilled in using Your weapons and might I destroy demonic strongholds for Your glory. Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading 2 Corinthians 5.

Scripture

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” –2 Corinthians 5:10

Observation

All of us–believer and unbeliever–will be judged by Jesus Christ. He is a worthy Judge for He faced the same tests and temptations as we do. It is at this time that we will be rewarded or recompensed. Our judgment will be based on what we have done “in the body.” There may be no further opportunity to gain reward after this life.

Ambition: a strong desire to do or achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work.

Application

I will see this day, again, at the judgment seat of Christ. Live in light of that day. How? By making it my AMBITION to please the Lord.

Prayer

Father, help me today to keep the finish line in sight–to remember that I will one Day stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Please deepen my ambition to please You and guard me from competing ambitions that would rob You of glory and rob me of eternal reward.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading 2 Corinthians 1.

Scripture

“For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.” –2 Corinthians 1:12

Observation

Paul’s credibility and confidence sprang from his integrity–living consistent with what he claimed to be true. It was not the worldly accolades many seek and trust in, but the power of God evidenced in a charged life.

Application

Walk the walk. So many believers don’t practice what they preach, or they dumb down scripture to make it within their reach in their own flesh. My integrity is one of my greatest assets. It can be gone in a minute, so carefully guard it.

Prayer

Father, thank You that Your ways are different from the world’s ways. You look deep within and then transform us from the inside out. Thank you that I’ll never be tempted beyond what I can endure and for your Spirit which strengthens me to walk the walk 24/7.

Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading 2 Corinthians 2.

Scripture

“So that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” –2 Corinthians 2:11

Observation

Satan does take advantage of people. He is the enemy of our soul–he is no one’s friend. We are to battle him and seek his demise. To battle properly and win, we’d better be aware of his schemes and strategies.

Application

I’m afraid most people–including most Christians–don’t understand Satan’s schemes. We continually yield to temptation, divide from those who can help us, get too busy to pray, neglect God’s word, hold grudges, listen to gossip, etc–all things satan uses to take advantage of us.

Prayer

Father, thank You that I have the victory in Christ. Satan has no power to take advantage of me unless I give it to him. Help me be spiritually alert to his schemes, resist him and walk in victory over his EVERY attempt to defeat me.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading 1 Corinthians 10.

Scripture

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” –1 Corinthians 10:13

Observation

• My temptations and trials are not unique.
• God will always provide a way out. I never have to give into temptation.
• My way of escape is based on God’s faithfulness.

Application

I never HAVE to sin. Many people believe they are victims of their circumstances–that they have no choice but to sin. This is not true. A faithful God will always provide a way if I’ll but look for it.

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness in my life. You are always there and always providing the strength and direction I need. Forgive me for the times I’m hesitant to walk that path. Sometimes it’s difficult, risky and scary. But it is the path of peace and the highway of holiness. Into that path might I always walk.

Amen.