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

Scripture

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” –Romans 1:16

Observation

• Power: dynamics– inherent power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature
• The good news of Jesus Christ is POWERFUL, indeed, it is God’s power. There is no greater power than God! The gospel is more powerful than money, military, political or any other type of power!
• The gospel has the power to save a person–to deliver them, to make them new, to make them ALIVE! Nothing else on earth can do this to and for a person.
• In spite of the awesome good news, many people–even those who have benefitted from the gospel–are ASHAMED or embarrassed by this good news. Why is this?
  Could it be our human pride doesn’t want to admit our need–that we are lost and in need of salvation?
  Humility is an essential,  necessary pre-requisite to saving faith.
• The gospel can and will save anyone–indeed everyone–who believes. No exceptions! No one is too far gone.
  The only obstacle is our pride, and God even knows how to humble the proud.

Application

• Preach the good news of Christ. Morality doesn’t save us–Jesus does. Apologetics won’t ultimately save us–only Jesus saves! Preach the gospel, and He will save people!
• Get out the gospel in every way possible. Preach it, literature, YouTube, audio, web, etc. Unleash the power!!

Prayer

Father, thank You for the mighty power of the gospel. Thank You that You save lost weak, needy people through the gospel. Unleash Your gospel! Use me, I pray, and raise up a mighty army of the redeemed to proclaim Your gospel throughout the world. We need it desperately!

And, Father, so many have distorted Your gospel. Help me declare it clearly and accurately. Help me fight for its truth. Let me speak it without watering it down or making it more difficult than it really is. The devil distorts the gospel in such cunning ways–might his deceptions be exposed and Your truth prevail.

In Jesus’ Name and for His glory,

Amen.

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

Scripture

“…work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” –Philippians 2:12-13

Observation

• Not work for salvation but work it out; “show the results of your salvation” (NLT)
• How do I “work out my salvation”? By yielding as He works IN me.
• God is working in me! He is giving me the DESIRE and the POWER to live a life that pleases Him.

Application

Always seek to please God in all things. This is what life is about. This is why God created me. Cooperate with God by allowing His work in me to be worked out through me.

Prayer

Father, thank You that You are at work in me. You have changed me! And you continue to do so. Deep down, my greatest desire is to please You. Might that desire be lived out in everything I do, say, think, and in every attitude I have. This will be the greatest life I can live. For in glorifying You, I fulfill the very purpose for which I was created! Hallelujah!

Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 145.

Scripture

“One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Your majesty And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.” –Psalm 145:4-5

Observation

It is the responsibility of each generation to teach the next one about the Lord. We are to 1) recognize what God has done 2) remember what He has done 3) declare what He has done to the next generations

Application

I must be PROACTIVE in telling my children, grandchildren and all youth of what God has done. It doesn’t just come up in conversation; I must bring it up. And when I do, people always seem to appreciate my stories.

I don’t want to seem proud or focus conversation on me. This is why I always prefer telling stories after people ask me. But I must realize that it’s not pride to give glory to God by telling what He has done.

Prayer

Father, You have done so much in me, for me and through me over the past decades. Help me to remember them and to confidently share Your stories not only in large meetings but one-on-one with individuals. Let praise for Your works flow mightily from my heart, I pray.

Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 143.

Scripture

“I will remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings; I muse on all the work of Your hands.” –Psalm 143:5

Observation

God is at work all the time and all around us. But due to our pride and spiritual blindness, we don’t notice His sovereign hand unless we stop and think about it–ponder it, consider it, meditate on it.

Application

Slow down, think and proactively consider what God HAS DONE so that I may be more aware of what He IS DOING now.

Prayer

Father, I forget so easily the wonderful ways you have worked in my life. I get busy and bothered by little, temporary things without remembering how You work in “Big Picture” ways. But not even a sparrow falls to the ground without Your notice; how much more are You at work in Your children.

Father, I thank You for Your work in my life, in my family, in my ministry, in GCC, in my church, in my nation and in creation. Thank You for how You have brought me through trials, grown me, brought people into my life, provided for me and used me in Your service. You are so faithful. I praise You, thank you and love You!

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 135.

Scripture

“Praise the Lord for the Lord is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely. For the Lord has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His own possession [special treasure]. ” –Psalm 135:3-4

Observation

Of all the beautiful things in this world–mountains, oceans, stars, plains, trees, gems–the Lord’s special treasure is the people He has chosen to be His own. He treasures His people; we are His possession.

Application

I need to treasure God’s people as well. I want to love and value/treasure God’s people the way He does! Every Christian has something beautiful in them worthy treasuring–Jesus Christ. Learn not to see believers according to the flesh but to see Jesus in them!

Prayer

Father, I praise You for Your amazing love. You humble Yourself to care for, love and treasure people/me! How awesome that the one who has access to the entire universe would consider us to be His special treasure.

O, Lord, soften my heart and open my eyes to see this treasure in every believer and this potential in every person. Fill me with Your love for others, I pray!

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

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

Scripture

“But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared…” Titus 3:4

Observation

Kindness: Good will; benevolence; the disposition which delights in contributing to the happiness of others, which is exercised cheerfully in gratifying their wishes, supplying their wants or alleviating their distresses. Kindness ever accompanies love (Webster).

God’s kindness led Him to come save us. We are not saved by our own merit of good deeds but by His grace motivated by His kindness and love.

In context, kindness shows up amidst our total unworthiness. Verse 3 talks of how sinful we were before salvation. Other references to God’s kindness follow this same theme:

Luke 6:35 : God is kind to evil, ungrateful men

Romans 2:4 : His kindness leads evil men to repentance

1 Peter 2:3 : Put aside malice if I’ve tested the kindness of the Lord

Application

Be kind to people–especially those who are not worthy of it. Remember, I, too, was once lost, ignorant of God, selfish, proud, hateful and bound by sin. And I didn’t even see it until God opened my eyes. Treat others with the same kindness with which God treated me.

Prayer

Father, I thank You for Your kindness and love toward evil, ungrateful men. You showed kindness to me when you saved this poor, ignorant, blind sinner. I’m grateful.

And I desire to be like You. Help me show Your kindness…

• when people are mean to me
• when people mistreat me
• when people speak evil of me
• when people make fun of me
• when people are in need
• when people don’t deserve it

Might I never hold a grudge. Might I never seek to get even. Might I have a kind disposition toward all. And might Your kindness in me–shown to evil and ungrateful men–lead to the salvation of many and prove to bring  great glory to You!

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.