My daily journaling from God’s Word. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Romans 5.

Scripture

“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” Romans 5:1

Observation

Definition of peace (BCR Lexicon): the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatever sort that is. Harmony and concord between individuals.

This peace is the result of faith in Christ our Savior.

Application

I’ve experienced this peace with God for so long that it’s difficult to remember how my soul was once NOT at peace with God. I lacked assurance of His forgiveness. I was burdened with guilt, questioned the purpose of life and was troubled in my soul. I must remind myself that this is how others feel. To offer them the peace of God through Jesus Christ– so that their soul can be at rest–is a priceless treasure.

Share this message of peace with ALL people–saved and lost alike–so that they can experience rest in their soul.

This must be more of my gospel message–Peace with God!

God does not promise peaceful circumstances, but He promises peace with Him. In the world we have tribulation, but He gives rest to our soul, even in trials.

Peace with God comes first and then peace with ourselves, our friends, and even our enemies. The reason I hold not animosity toward others is because I have peace with God!

Prayer

Father, thank You for this awesome gift of peace with You through my Lord Jesus Christ. Your peace has sustained me through the raging storms of life. Thank You!

Help me not to project these feelings onto others. Most people don’t have peace with You. They’re seared of You–and rightfully so. But Jesus is the answer. He comes to reconcile us to the Father. This is the message You’ve entrusted to me. Might I preach this hope with all my heart.

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 Deuteronomy 1.

Scripture

“Yet in spite of this word, you did not believe the Lord your God.” –Deuteronomy 1:32

Observation

Moses is addressing the Israelites and reminding them of their journey from Egypt until this point–the 40th year of being in the wilderness. Moses reminded them of how God went before them, fought for them in Egypt, carried them through the wilderness, and guided them by day and by night. Yet, they still did not believe the Lord when He told them that they’d defeat the Amorites.

Application

God is always with me. He goes before me, He lives in me, and He works in all things for the good of those who love Him. He’s changed me over the years and grown me. He’s seen me through difficult times and transitional times and has blessed me immensely over the years…yet, it’s so easy to forget His goodness and faithfulness when I’m not focused on Him.

Prayer

Lord, help me to remember Your faithfulness, Your goodness, Your love and Your mercy.  May I never forget that You are not only with me–You’re in me. You give me the strength and power to live a life worthy of praise. Thank you.

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

Scripture

“Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises.” –Romans 4:20-21

Observation

Abraham was 100 years old, and Sarah was 90 years old–beyond child-bearing age. Abraham pondered this; he was not in denial. He knew how difficult it would be to have a child. He and Sarah had failed to conceive hundreds-perhaps thousands of times. And yet, he kept trying and kept believing because of God’s promise.

His faith was based on God’s promise–God’s word to him. The promise meant more than the adverse circumstance. Abraham believed in a big God–a God far bigger than the very laws of nature!

I’m struck with how long Abraham believed. He first heard from God 25 years earlier with no indication of hearing again until he was 100. What perseverance he had!

Application

Base my life on God’s promises rather than my circumstances. Realize God is at work even though His timing might not be the same as mine. We can’t put a time-limit on God’s promises.

There’s a popular quote going around, “The definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over, expecting different results.” There is certainly some truth to this, and yet, it’s not always this way with God. He has His purpose and his timing. Sometimes He wants us (like Abraham) to simply be faithful, and He will give us the desired results in His own time.

Persevere in faith. Never forget God’s command and His promises.

Prayer

Father, I thank you for the example of Abraham. I confess that I desire results in my timing, but I choose to submit to Your timing.

I pray I will not lose faith as I age and some of my hopes have not yet been fulfilled. I have believed–and continue to believe–that You will use me to raise up a mighty army of gospel workers to reach this world for Christ in my generation!!!

Where I need to change, let me do so, but might I never stop believing Your mission for me and Your promises to strengthen me for the task You’ve called me to.

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 Romans 4.

Scripture

“This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.” –Romans 4:17

Observation

We serve a supernatural God. He does the impossible! He gives life to the dead and creates things out of nothing! Paul was a CREATIONIST! He didn’t see God as only guiding natural laws but as a supernatural, miracle-working God.

Application

Do I believe God for miracles in my life? My ministry? Our churches? Is my expectation and hope based on what has happened in the past? On my present resources or on the power and promises of God?

I especially want/need to think this way in terms of raising up evangelists on campuses and the funds to help support them.

Prayer

Father, forgive me for having such small faith–actually, for misplaced faith. As I plan and work to further Your kingdom, might I do so based on a God who calls into being new things out of nothing rather than on my past experiences or current resources. FAITH pleases You! Make me a man of faith 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 Romans 4. 

Scripture

“Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.” –Romans 4:4-5

Observation

God justifies an ungodly person who has faith in Him, not based on works for which we could boast. No one can ever claim that they deserve God’s salvation; rather, God chooses to justify on the basis of faith. Faith takes HUMILITY. Pride is the enemy of faith. Pride trusts in itself (its works). Humility trusts in God!

Application

Salvation is not earned–God owes us nothing. It is given on basis of faith. But so is spiritual growth. Our entire relationship with God is based on FAITH, not works. Our faith (and love) are to produce good works, but they are not the reason God gives us grace.

Prayer

Father, as I mature and serve you, there is a tendency to trust my good works and feel that you owe me a blessing. But that’s not true. You owe me nothing. All that I am is Your gift. And You choose to give me Your grace on the basis of faith.

Help me to always be aware of my dependence on You. Might I always walk in humble dependency on You. I know you saved me on the basis of faith in Christ–this is also how I will serve you.

I will not trust in my wisdom, my education, my money, or anything else. I will place all my trust in the Lord God! In You alone will I give glory.

Father, teach me deeper lessons of walking by faith. Do in and through me things I could never do on my own. Let me live a life that truly sparkles with the supernatural!

For the glory of Your name,

Amen.

My daily journaling from God’s Word. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Romans 3. 

Scripture

“No one is righteous–not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned aside; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”–Romans 3:10-12

Observation

This is the indictment on all human beings. And yet, most humans cling to a belief that we are basically good and can live “a moral life.”

To be wise, righteous and good, we must seek God. Atheists often claim to be good, they just don’t believe in God. But seeking God is foundational to being good and wise.

People often tell me they are “moral” without needing God. Scripture doesn’t talk about being “moral.” It talks about being “righteous” and “holy.” These words have a godly indication whereas, to many people, morality can be determined by society or the individual. Using appropriate Biblical words is important.

Application

Very simple: I’ve accepted the reality of how God sees me–a sinner in most need of salvation. I must help others see the same thing and to grasp their dire situation without Christ.

Prayer

Father, You are holy and You, alone, are GOOD. We humans can be so proud that we think we are good as well. Indeed, You created us to be good and gave us a conscience so that we want to be good, but we all fall so short.

Help me to be bold enough to speak this truth. It’s difficult to rebuke someone and point out their true condition before You, but it’s necessary. It’s like a doctor who must deliver a bad diagnosis (i.e., “You have cancer”) before he can provide a solution. People must grasp the seriousness of their sinful condition before they will look to Jesus for salvation. Indeed, this is how we plow up the hard soil before sowing the Gospel seed.

Strengthen me for this work today!

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

My daily journaling from God’s Word. SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Romans 3.

Scripture

“Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about Him, “You will be proved right in what You say, and You will win Your case in court.” –Romans 3:4

Observation 

God is truthful–ALWAYS. People are not. Satan is always a liar. People accuse God and judge God, but they will never prevail. God will always be proven to be good, just, righteous and faithful.

Application

I can and must TRUST God and His judgments. Wicked people accuse God every day, but their accusations are not true–they are based on lies. I can not/should not listen to them or allow them into my heart. I will build my life on Truth and not the lies of man.

Prayer

Father, I acknowledge You are good, righteous, just and truthful. Satan has fought You and accused You from the beginning of time. His primary weapon is to lie about Your character. The wicked of our day continue to do his bidding. Might I be steadfast in trusting Your character and never yield to accusations against You. I know You are trustworthy and will be vindicated in the end. And so I praise You and follow You.

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 119.  (I taught Psalm 119 yesterday, so I’m taking a break from Romans). 

Scripture

“From your precepts, I get understanding; therefore, I hate every false way.” –Psalm 119:104

Observation

The writer of this Psalm  LOVED God’s commandments and HATED the false ways. He had both emotions and so must we. If we don’t HATE error, do we really love truth?

Application

As a Christian and member of American culture, it is difficult to HATE something. We are taught not to judge others’ beliefs/ideas/teachings. Tolerance says we can disagree but not hate. I even once thought, as a very young Christian, that I shouldn’t hate the devil!

But I must hate the devil and his ways. Just like I would never want to ingest rat poison, I must reject the teachings that would poison my soul. I must see where false ideas lead and, in light of those consequences, HATE the destructive deception of sin. And, in a culture where “tolerance”has robbed us of moral courage, I must help other believers learn to “love righteousness” and “hate sin.”

Here are some “false ways” we must hate and battle against….

• whatever undermines the Bible
• whatever robs our Creator of His glory
• sexual sin: porn, adultery, fornication, homosexuality
• false religion/false theology
• hypocrisy-especially among Christians
• the love of money, power, reputation

Prayer

Father, I am in a spiritual battle. I love Your Truth-the positives it brings. But help me to see how destructive the false ways really are. Satan makes his deception so appealing, but it really isn’t. It’s poison to the soul. Let me not be passive toward Satan’s lies. Might I hate him and his ways with the same fervor that I love You and Your Truth.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.