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.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Luke 24.

Scripture

“He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and He said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” –Luke 24:45-47

Observation

Many people don’t understand the Scriptures–only those who have been enlightened by God to comprehend His message.

This verse seems to be an overview of the entire Bible–the ultimate purpose of the Bible’s message: that beginning from Jerusalem, we are to proclaim repentance for forgiveness of sins available to us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Application

This must be our life purpose. All who name Jesus as Lord should contribute to the mission of proclaiming Jesus Christ to all the nations.

Call people everywhere to repentance and faith. Educate them on what this means–what to do, how to do it and why.

Prayer

Father, thank You for Jesus Christ, Your Son and my Lord. I believe He is the hope of the world–the ultimate hope and only true hope–for He fulfills Your ultimate purpose to reconcile the nations to Yourself.

Give me strength, boldness and clarity as I lift up my voice and call people to repentance and faith. Give me fruit in my evangelism so that You will be glorified.

Father, I pray for the unreached peoples of the world. Send forth workers into that harvest. Sustain the workers already there. Show me what role I can play in reaching the nations for You!

Here I am, send me!

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Luke 24.

Scripture

“They said to one another, ” Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” –Luke 24:32

Observation

Their hearts were set on fire by God’s Word.

This was not a formal teaching but simply talking while walking down the road.

Application

Never, ever share God’s Word in a boring manner. This is God’s LIVING Word; it is meant to set us on fire. Aim for the heart.

Fire is caught, not taught. To set others’ hearts on fire, I must first be on fire for God.

Talk of God’s word “on the road” –not only during formal meetings.

Prayer

Father, nothing in this world is more precious than Your Word.  Too often do I allow myself to be set on fire and speak with great enthusiasm about things far less important.

Set me on fire with Your Word, I pray, and anoint me in such a way as to cause men’s hearts to burn within them as they hear me teach it, preach it and speak of it. This I pray–not for my glory– but for Yours.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Romans 4.

Scripture

“Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about 100 years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform.” –Romans 4: 19-21

Observation

Abraham was a realist. He didn’t minimize his dire, impossible situation. He also didn’t minimize the power of almighty God! He thought about/pondered/contemplated his circumstance and God’s promise and power.

Abraham built his life and hopes upon the promises of God. Thus, he grew strong in faith, gave glory to God and brought glory to God.

God is ABLE to perform what He promises!

Application

Don’t deny my circumstances. Sometimes things look difficult–humanly impossible. “But God promised…”changes everything!

Do I have promises from God that are guiding my hopes, goals and life? I must have promises if I want to be strong in faith.

Prayer

Father, thank You for how You showed Your mighty power through Abraham–a man as good as dead who simply believed in You!
Might I, too, be a mighty man of faith, a man of God through whom You display YOUR power. I don’t trust in myself, and I refuse to let dire circumstances deter me from living in accordance with Your promises.

You promise

• eternal life  — John 5:24
• provision — Matthew 6:33
• life transformation — Philippians 2:13
• fruitful life — John 15:16
• power — Acts 1:8
• to be with me — Matthew 28-19-20
• victory — 2 Corinthians 2:14

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.