SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Isaiah 57.

Scripture

“For thus says the high and exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy, “I dwell on a high and holy place, and also with the contrite and lowly of spirit in order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.” — Isaiah 57:15

Observation

There are two places where a person can meet God: one is a high, holy place which only He inhabits. The other is a place of humility, brokenness, and contrition which is the place of humble, repentant sinners–people who are poor in spirit.

Application

I must have times of contrition over sin and make sure I have a humble spirit before God. But I am also grateful that, by God’s grace, I have been raised up and seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).

Prayer

Father, I confess that I have no hope to walk with You apart from Christ. You expose me and bring me low in order to exalt me in Christ to a high and holy place with You! Thank you for grace that goes far beyond forgiveness to actually making me holy!
Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Isaiah 56.

Scripture

“For the leaders of My people–the Lord’s watchmen, His shepherds–are blind and ignorant. They are like silent watchdogs that give no warning when danger comes. They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming. Like greedy dogs, they are never satisfied. They are ignorant shepherds, all following their own path and intent on personal gain. –Isaiah 56:10-11

Observation

God’s leaders are to be shepherds who protect the flock from danger. They should warn and sound the alarm. God’s leaders play a vital role, but these leaders were failing. They are called blind, ignorant, and greedy, following their own path and intent on personal greed. They’re even referred to as “dogs” twice — an incredible insult.

Application

I am one of God’s leaders–a watchmen who must warn people of danger and a shepherd who must protect the flock. Woe unto me if I remain silent or just look out for my personal gain. And yet, this rebuke can be applied to so many Christian leaders today. They don’t warn; they refuse to engage in any conversation or preach on any issue that might offend. They fear men more than God and are more concerned with weekly attendance and offerings than they are with the holiness of the people of God. I mustn’t be like this, and I must also have the courage to rebuke other leaders who are like this.

Prayer

Oh, God, Your church lies devastated and ravaged because Your watchmen are silent, fearing men and failing to warn Your people of the sin which is entangling them. So many fear men; so few fear God. So many see their provision as coming from men rather than from You.

Father, protect me from ever falling into these traps. Help me to faithfully warn the people and to open their eyes to the dangers surrounding us. And I pray for my fellow leaders to have courage and faith to speak Your words with full conviction and no partiality.

All this I ask for Your glory,
Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Isaiah 55.

Scripture

“Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord…’For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'” –Isaiah 55:7-9

Observation

God’s ways and His thoughts are infinitely superior to ours. True conversion calls on us to change the way we think and act. It takes faith and humility to acknowledge the superiority of God’s ways and to embrace them.

Application

Embrace God’s thoughts and His ways.

When I disagree with God, be quick to repent and acknowledge His ways are right and true.

Boast in the Lord. His ways are better. Don’t affirm the thoughts and ways of man in order to not hurt someone’s feelings. Expose them and call them to repentance.

Prayer

Father, I do believe Your ways and Your thoughts are infinitely superior to the best that man can come up with. I praise You for Your infinite wisdom, knowledge and love. It is the most foolish form of pride to think I’m smarter or wiser than You–or even that I care about myself more than You love me. Therefore, I freshly dedicate myself to You and simply say, “Teach me Thy truth.”

Lord, I desire to walk in Your ways and demonstrate the superiority of Your ways in EVERY area of life: relationships, conversations, values, planning, money, recreation, health, etc. Might I have the wisdom to discern, the humility to embrace, and the faith to obey You in ALL your ways.

This is life indeed!

In Jesus’ Name, I pray,
Amen.