SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Isaiah 54.

Scripture

“Enlarge the place of your tent; Stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; Lengthen your cords and strengthen your pegs. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left. And your descendants will possess nations and will resettle the desolate cities.” — Isaiah 54:2-3

Observation

God has always wanted His people to expand their territory and thus, expand the Kingdom of God.

“Be fruitful and multiply…” Genesis 1:28

“Go and make disciples of all the nations…” Matt 28:19-20

And here, enlarge…stretch out…lengthen…spread abroad…possess nations…

Application

Spare not! Keep advancing the Kingdom. Do not fear for God is with me! No weapon formed against me will prevail (vs. 17).

Prayer

Father, You want to bring the whole world back to Yourself and have followers in every nation. Thank you for raising me up to be a gospel worker. Use me in my remaining days/years to expand Your Kingdom with great zeal, courage and wisdom. Might I spare not, but give it all I’ve got. I know I won’t regret it!

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Isaiah 48.

Scripture

“They did not thirst when He led them through the deserts. He made water flow out of the rock for them; He split the rock and the water gushed forth.” Isaiah 48:21

Observation

God led the Israelites into the deserts–a difficult and dangerous place where one would not normally want to go. But while there, He provided for them and met their basic needs–usually in miraculous ways.

Application

Be open to God leading me in ways that might not make sense in my human wisdom.

Prayer

Father, You always provide my daily necessities. You have led me to places that were risky and humanly lacked sense, but You always took care of our needs. Our culture seems to battle between preparing myself to care of my family and looking to the government to do so.

Personally, I want to look to You! I want Your hand to guide me, protect me, and provide. I want to be a living, breathing, demonstration of the living God showing Himself strong!

And all the world will see and glorify You!

Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Isaiah 47.

Scripture

“You felt secure in your wickedness and you said, “No one sees me”; your wisdom and your knowledge led you astray, and you said in your heart, “I am, and there is no one besides me.” –Isaiah 47:10

Observation

It’s possible to FEEL secure even when we aren’t. The Babylonians were about to receive sudden disaster, but they didn’t realize it.

Their knowledge led them to the false sense of security. Knowledge can make a person proud and over-confident, as if he has total control over his destiny. This pride was expressed in the claim, “I am” (a name and title reserved for God).

Application

I am not the “master of my own destiny.” I have a part to play, but my life can change dramatically and suddenly, in ways beyond my control. Therefore, always stay humble, in God’s will and dependent on Him.

Prayer

Father, I work hard to educate myself and do the best I can in life, but ultimately, my life is in Your hands. And that is the most secure place for me to be and where I most want to be. Let Your grace, Your love, and Your angels continually surround me, I pray.

Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Isaiah 46.

Scripture

“I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, “My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.” –Isaiah 46:9-10

Observation

God is more than an idea we have opinions about; He is real, He has demonstrated Himself, and there is no one like Him.

God alone knows and declares what is to come

God will always accomplish His purposes

Application

Discover God’s purposes and get on His side. His purpose will prevail, and I can be a winner with Him.

Prayer

Father, I praise You as the one and only God. You reign over all–including Your enemies. You will accomplish all You purpose to do. Father, might I not presume I know or project my desires upon You. Sometimes I wonder what You are doing and am confused by what happens. But I trust Your wisdom, love,  and power will ( in due time) prevail. And so, I follow and I trust You.

Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Isaiah 45.

Scripture

“Woe to the one who quarrels with his maker–an earthenware vessel among the vessels of the earth! Will the clay say to the potter, “What are you doing?” or the thing you are making say, “He has no hands?” –Isaiah 45:9

Observation

God is our maker. He has every right to form us and make us just as He desires. The pot has no right to question the Potter’s work, design or plan. Often, the Potter has a purpose the pot simply doesn’t grasp.

Interesting: On a simple anecdotal note: I’ve noticed that people who are really into “modern art” and like to paint or sculpt weird designs often judge God for what He does. Evidently, they feel they have the right to do whatever they want with their “pots,” but the Almighty Potter doesn’t.

Application

Work with the Potter. Allow Him to form my life without complaining. Be “soft clay”–not hard and dried-out clay–in the hands of God.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the way Your skilled and loving hands have formed my life. Might I always be clay easily molded by the Potter’s hand so that You can use me in whatever way You desire.

Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Isaiah 43.

Scripture

“Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made.” Isaiah 43:7

“The people whom I formed for Myself will declare my praise.” Isaiah 43:21 (“will someday honor Me before the whole world.” – NLT)

Observation

God created us for a purpose–to bring Him glory and declare His praise before the whole world. This is what those of us called by His Name are to do, and we delight in it.

Application

Arrogant, proud people chafe at hearing we exist for God’s glory. They believe they exist for their own glory–not God’s. Humble people realize God made us for His glory and delight to sound forth His praise to the nations.

Prayer

Father, I didn’t evolve by chance, and I don’t exist for my glory. You created me, made me for Your glory, and I find my highest purpose and joy in living  for You. Thank you for these truths, and I pray they would be more and more real in my life.

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Isaiah 42.

Scripture

“The Lord was pleased for His righteousness’ sake to make the law great and glorious.” –Isaiah 42:21

Observation

In this chapter, Israel is blind and rebellious. They refused to live according to God’s law. But God would not be defeated by rebellious men; He would prevail. His law would prevail. Men would not obey His law, so they would be judged by His law. God would make –and will still make–His law great and glorious whether people follow Him or not.

God’s law/ Word is magnificent and glorious. He will bless where His Word goes forth; He will not allow it to return void (Isaiah 55:11).

Application

Exalt the Word! Preach the Word! God will bless His word. Human reasoning won’t ultimately save or persuade; God’s Word will give life!

Prayer

Father , thank You for Your Word. It is glorious. You magnify it. What a sin it is to ignore it or to trust mere human wisdom to change a life. Father, I pray You will magnify Your Word in and through me as I believe it, study it, obey it and teach it!

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Isaiah 43.

Scripture

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you.” –Isaiah 43:2

Observation

Waters are barriers to progress–we must go through them.
Fire refers to trials. In both cases, God will be with us, but we must do the walking.

Application

When Moses came to the Red Sea or Joshua to the Jordan River, they needed to step forth and trust God. There are barriers to fruitful ministry on campus, and I must step into them and go through them. When I do, God will be with me. And if there are trials with it, God will keep me from being scorched.

Prayer

Father, You delight to show Your strength by bringing Your people through barriers and obstacles. When I face obstacles in serving You, help me not to turn back but to press forward, trusting in Your power to get me through. Help me to truly make a difference for Your Kingdom and in Your strength.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.