SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 25.

Scripture

“The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant.” –Psalm 25:14

Observation

God has secrets that He reveals to whom He chooses. He chooses to reveal them to people who fear Him.

secret: intimacy, counsel
fear: to stand in awe, honor, awe, afraid

Application

Fear the Lord; Stand in awe of Him; Deepen my fear of doing anything that would displease the Almighty.

Focus always on God. Everyone (myself included) fears displeasing men. But to focus on the fear of man hinders the fear of God.

Unbelievers often mock the idea of “fearing God.” And yet, most of them are terrified by the fear of man, particularly the fear of peer pressure.

There are so many promises for the fear of God. I must meditate on these. And the fear of God is so absent in our day/our culture; I must be more aware of this in my own life.

Prayer

Father, I believe you have secret counsel that You only reveal to those who seek You with all their heart; to those who stand in awe of You; to those who fear you.

Through the grace of my Lord Jesus Christ, I know You have forgiven all my sins. You’ve delivered me from the fear of eternal torment and assured me of eternal life. I’m grateful for that assurance.

But, Father, might I never abuse that assurance. Might I have a holy fear of displeasing or disobeying You.

Father, teach me to have a godly, reverential fear of You on a much deeper level. And, Father, might You reveal Your secret counsel to me! There are so many areas where I need to know Your ways and Your paths!

I love You, I fear you! And I follow You!

In Christ’s Name, Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 16.

Scripture

“As far as the saints who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.” –Psalm 16:3

Observation

NLT: “The godly in the land are my true heroes!”

Saints: God’s holy people. These are the people we are to respect, look up to, value and consider heroic. We are to delight and take pleasure in them.

David honored God’s holy people who are on earth now. This is important. Throughout Jewish/Christian history, people have had a tendency to oppose godly prophets while they were alive and honor them once they were dead.

Application

I have so much more reason to delight in and honor God’s people than David did. He honored them because of their godly character; I can honor them because they are a temple of the Lord! Christ dwells in them! In honoring God’s children, I am honoring Christ!

The celebrities honored by the world are often ungodly and even known for their ungodliness. I must choose carefully who I look up to and honor because I will tend to become like those people.

Prayer

Father, thank You that there are godly people in my life who I can look up to as “heroes” and models to emulate. Help me to choose my heroes carefully. And help me to carefully consider and intentionally choose who I elevate in my mind as someone to delight in.

Help me to delight in Your children; every one of them! Give me a deeper love and emotional excitement for the people who are Your chosen treasures. Let me see them as having been valuable enough that You would die for them and that I would value Your people in a similar way.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 15.

Scripture

“In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord.” –Psalm 15:4

Observation

These are two of about eleven characteristics of a godly man listed in Psalm 15.
Despise: hold in contempt, disdain; to be loathsome
Reprobate: A vile person; flagrant sinner
Honors: To hold in high estimation; to esteem

Application

There’s something natural about us to laugh at or be interested in vile, sinful people and their behavior. But a godly person is to hold such behavior in contempt. We are to be disgusted with it. And, although we are to love sinners and seek peace with our enemies, their may be times when, as in this verse, we are to consider the person contemptible and loathsome.

At the same time, we are to honor and hold in high esteem all who fear the Lord and seek to please Him.

I find times when good Christians violate  these qualities. For some reason, it’s not unknown for Christians to be more critical and mocking of other believers who may have certain proclivities and more respectful of unbelievers/ungodly people who, though not “weird” by worldly standards, nevertheless, engage in some pretty disgusting sinful behavior.

Which bothers me more: A Christian whose cultural taste is way out of date or a “hip” person who uses foul, blasphemous language?
A Christian with some wild worship practices or a nice unbeliever cheating on his wife?

I could go on, but the point is simple: learn to love and value what God values and learn to despise what God despises.

Prayer

Father, help me to live both of these qualities. Might I hold in high esteem EVERY person who lives for You, even if some of what they do is very different than what I’m comfortable with.

Likewise, might I hate evil. Show me how and when you want me to despise the EVIL DOER as well. All of this is because I love You above all else! Make me a channel of  Your love and of displaying both your love and your holy and righteous indignation to others.

For Your glory, Amen.

Here is a guest SOAP journal from Mandy, Administrative Assistant for TSCM.

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

Scripture

“When you bring injured, lame or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands? says the Lord.” Malachi 1:13

Observation

God desires (and is worthy of) honor and respect as our Father and Creator. He doesn’t want the leftovers or the unwanted/excess. He wants the very best–the things most important to us. He wants the first fruits of our time, energy, thoughts, money and heart.

Application

God deserves the best of my heart, life, money and time. He deserves all the credit in my life, and He deserves thanks in all things. I wouldn’t have anything or be who I am today without the power of His love and mercy.

Prayer

Lord, all my life is yours. May I live in light of that. May I leave the things I care about in Your hands and trust that You will work for my good. Thank you for the gifts you give (and have given) to me and for the spiritual blessings I have through Christ Jesus. Amen.

My daily journaling from God’s Word, SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 9.

Scripture

“The wicked boasts of his heart’s desire, and the greedy man curses and spurns the Lord.”–Psalm 9:3

Observation

The wicked boast about themselves. They spurn the Lord. The righteous boast in the Lord and deny themselves. These wicked are the essence of PRIDE.

The Psalm further describes this progression:
vs. 4 He says to himself, “There is no God.”
vs.11 He says to himself,” God has forgotten.” He has hidden His face; He will never see it.”
vs. 13 He as said to himself, “You will not require it.”

Same as today; things don’t change. Today skeptics say:
1)There’s no God (doesn’t exist)
2)But there might be a higher power, an impersonal force (doesn’t see)
3) If there is a God, He loves me and will not judge me.

Application

In our increasingly secular, anti-theist culture, I must continue to confront people with the reality of the God of the Bible–a God who is there, who sees and who judges. And in a culture that is more and more about SELF, I must more aggressively boast in the Lord!

Prayer

Father, I praise You as being the God who is there, the God who sees, and the God who will hold people accountable. The skeptics don’t believe this; I fear many Christians have lost sight of it as well.

Father, I pray that my LIFE would be a prophetic message of Your reality. I pray that I will LIVE in such a way that a person couldn’t remain an atheist once they get to know me and see my life–my faith.

I pray I will never abuse Your mercy by using the blood of Christ as an excuse for ungodliness.

Father, I boast in You! I boast in the Cross! I live in light of eternal judgment!

For Your glory, Amen.

My daily journaling from God’s Word, SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 8.

Scripture

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars which You have ordained; What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for Him? Yet you make him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty!” –Psalm 8:3-5

Observation

The heavens belong to God! He made them to display His power and bigness! David sensed this long before the invention of the telescope. He felt awe as he looked into the night sky.

And he felt small–insignificant. Don’t we all when we look at the stars? I’m just one person in billions on a planet that is just one of billions. I shouldn’t count. I shouldn’t have value. And yet, down deep, we know we have value; we’re not insignificant! Where does this innate sense of value come from? From God our Creator! He gave us value! This inner sense that tells me I matter makes no sense unless there is a God who made me in His image!

Application

Make time to go out and look at the night sky. Allow myself to FEEL God’s presence and awe during those times!

Prayer

Father, You are the great and awesome Creator of the heavens and earth; of life; of all things seen and unseen! I praise You!

I realize I’m less than a speck in this universe, and yet, I know I have value and significance. It’s because You have created me in Your image–just a little lower than You Yourself! What an honor!

Father, live in me! Show Your mighty power in me and through me. Help me fulfill Your purposes for my life.

For Your glory! Amen.

My daily journaling from God’s Word, SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 4.

Scripture

“O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him.” –Psalm 4:2-3

Observation

So many people seek after and aim for that which is deceptive and dishonorable. The godly man embraces God’s honor, even if others mock and dishonor him for doing so. The godly man aims for and seeks the truth. Often, the godly will need to stand alone with only God by his side, but God will be by his side.

Application

As taught here and in Psalm 1, don’t walk in the same path as the world; be a godly man who walks in the ways of the Lord. Value what God values.

This week will be a test in this. My football team had a great victory and is heading to the championship. Sure, I’m excited, but our city will be going nuts. In the greater scene of life, this is still just a game and thus, win or lose, shouldn’t affect my emotions. In fact, my highlight from yesterday was not an awesome game, but the opportunity to meet our evangelistic team in Nepal and teach them the word via Skype. In eternity, that simple ministry will mean a lot more than a football championship.

Prayer

Father, I only have one life to live. I want to make it really count!

There are so many things on earth that can distract me from that which matters most. For me, I can enjoy a game, but unlike others, it isn’t my life.  You and Your kingdom are my life! And so, today, Lord, might I be a godly man set apart for You! Might I love what You love, hate what You hate and be a bit more indifferent to things that don’t really matter to You.

You’ve called me to aim for godliness and not for that which is worthless and deceptive. Might I answer this honorable call on my life!

For Your glory, I pray, Amen.

My daily journaling from God’s Word, SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Psalm 1.

Scripture

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law he meditates day and night.” –Psalm 1:2

Observation

Delight: To take pleasure in; joy; satisfaction of the mind
Meditate: To dwell on in thought, to contemplate, to turn or revolve in the mind.
Blessed: Enjoying spiritual happiness and the favor of God

A person who views life (or understands life) from the perspective of ungodly people will be divinely favored and will enjoy the happiness of the heart.

We are to delight in God’s word–not read it solely out of obligation.
We are to have God’s word on our heart day and night–to always contemplate it and allow it to revolve in our mind.

Application

Enjoy God’s word. I find that allocating enough time in the word is essential to move beyond dutiful reading to joyful meditation. Allow time to be in the Word without being rushed. Meditation takes time–both initially (i.e. journaling) and throughout the day (i.e. stopping to remind myself of scripture during a busy day).

Prayer

Father, You begin this wonderful book of worship (the Psalms) with an exatlation of Your word. Might the word of God be more exalted in me, more magnified, more central to my thought, values, faith and speech than it was last year.

Father, I delight in Your word. Help me to delight even more. Speak to my soul in deep, personal ways. Fill my heart with Your truth. Give me more  understanding. Give me spiritual wisdom. Might your word be more delightful than entertainment, the victory of my favorite team, money, a great meal or even a good friendship.

Father, remind me and help me allocate the time in Your word that is necessary to truly feed my soul to the realm of spiritual delight. Short amounts of duty don’t cut it. I desire to FEAST on Your word day and night. Bread of heaven, feed me till I’ll hold no more!

For Your glory I ask this! Amen.

My daily journaling from God’s Word, SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Romans 6.

Scripture:

“Therefore, my brethren, you were made to die to the law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.” Romans 7:4

Observation:

I must “die to the law” in order to be truly “joined to Christ.” Legalism kills true faith in Christ.

Being joined to Christ is the key to fruitfulness. All who are truly joined to Christ will bear fruit. The fruit of the Spirit, the fruit of good deeds, the fruit of making disciples – all come form our union with Christ.

Application:

Abide in Christ (John 15). Never slip back into believing that God accepts me because of my morality, my goodness, my law-keeping. I am accepted in Christ and in Christ alone! Remember this, glory in it, and preach it!

Help others as well. I regularly encounter Christians who bear no fruit for God. Is it possible they’re not really “joined to Christ”? That they attend church, read the Bible, etc, but are still trusting in their own righteousness; and thus, their religious striving doesn’t produce fruit? Preach the gospel even to church attenders who may not be born again through saving faith in Jesus!

Prayer:

Father, thank you for Jesus Christ, my Lord and my Savior. Jesus, in You alone do I trust for my salvation. And in You alone do I trust to make me fruitful. Yes, I want to work hard, discipline myself, prepare for service, obey You, etc, but I know that apart from You, I can do nothing.

And so, I will abide in Christ. I will remember You; I will seek You.

Jesus, I know You, but I want to know You better, to desire You more, to trust You more deeply, to see You live Your life more fully in me.

And use me to help others who are religous but not born-again to find You in truth and reality.

My daily journaling from God’s Word, SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Romans 6.

Scripture

“For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification.” –Romans 6:19

Observation

Both sin and righteousness are processes. As I choose to DO something good or bad, it affects my future choices as well.

Many people give themselves to sin. They spend money on sin, stay up late to sin, wear themselves out to sin, make plans to sin, etc. We believers should give ourselves to righteousness in the same way.

Application

As an unbeliever, I didn’t “give myself to sin,” but I did have my idols: particularly sports. I was dedicated to getting better and winning. This was my passion, and it filled my mind and heart. I had specific areas to focus on and improve through practice. HAVE THIS SAME DILIGENCE TO PRACTICE LOVE, FAITH, SERVING, EVANGELISM, etc.

Prayer

Father, You have made us humans to be creatures of habit. I can have habits of my body that make it easy to sin and habits that make it easy to live righteously. In Christ, You have freed me from the power of sin; now it is my responsibility to give myself–the members of my body–to You as instruments of righteousness. And I do offer myself to You!

I pray I will be habitually righteous! I pray that I will never give any part of myself over to sin, impurity or lawlessness.

In the same way I dedicated myself to basketball, I give myself to You to become the best disciple of Christ I can possibly be. O Holy Spirit, coach me in holiness. Help me to see where I am not like Jesus and lead me into the path of greater Christ-likeness. Thank you that You have been doing that all these years and will continue “coaching” me until the very end!

For Your glory! Amen.