Category: SOAP Daily Devotionals
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SOAP: Please don’t let me mislead
Scripture: Psalm 69: 5-6 (partial) 5O God, you know how foolish I am; My sins cannot be hidden from you. 6.Don’t let hose who trust in you stumble because of me, O Sovereign Lord Almighty. Observation: You know the true me and all the mistakes I make. Please do not allow me to cause others…
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SOAP: Living it, not just talking it
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4: 20 For the Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk; it is living by God’s power (NLT) For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. (NIV) Observation: The kingdom if God is about living and acting as He would have us, more so than…
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SOAP: Don’t worry about flowering it all up. Just speak His Word
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2:1 Dear brothers and sisters, when I first came to you I didn’t use lofty words and brilliant ideas to tell you God’s message. Observation: Paul didn’t “flower-up” his language to impress those to whom he was speaking and sharing God’s message. Application: This is encouraging to me. Sometimes I worry that…
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SOAP: God’s measures aren’t the same as the world’s
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1: 27 Instead God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful. Observation: God’s way of measuring things is not the same as the worlds. And he will use those…
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SOAP: Free to serve from the heart
Scripture: Galatians 5:13 For you have been called to live in freedom-not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love Observation: Followers of Christ are given freedom from the law. This freedom, coupled with guidance by the Holy Spirit, doesn’t free you up to a life of sin, but…
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SOAP: Why do I do what I do?
Scripture: Galatians 4: 10 You are trying to find favor with God by what you do or don’t do on certain days or months or seasons or years. Observation: You are trying to please the Lord by following ritual. Application: Following ritual does not need to be done to please the Lord. He already loves…
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SOAP: Why the Law was given
Scripture: Galatians 3: 19 Well then, why was the law given? It was given to show people how guilty that are. But this system of law was to last only until the coming of the child to whom God’s promise was made. And there is this further difference. God gave his laws to angels to…
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SOAP: Fulfillment of the law
Scripture: Galatians 2:21 I am not one of those who treats the grace of God as meaningless. For if we could be saved by keeping the law, then there was no need for Christ to die. Observation: God’s grace sent his son to die as fulfillment of the law. Application: My confusion and questions earlier…
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SOAP: People pleasing or God pleasing?
Scripture: Galatians 1:10 Obviously, I’m not trying to be a people pleaser! No, I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ’s servant. Observation: Paul explains that what pleases God may not please people and that he is serving God, not men. Application: Ouch. I’m…
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SOAP: A question about the Law
Scripture: Deuteronomy 12:32 Carefully obey all the commands I give you. Do not add to them or subtract from them. Mark 16:16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. Observation/Application: (I’m taking a little liberty on the format today.) I found it interesting that…
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SOAP: His will be done
Scripture: Mark 14: 36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.” Observation: Jesus knew what pain and suffering was coming and asked God to prevent it, if it was in His will. Application: It is very humbling…
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SOAP: No procrastinating for this test
Scripture: Mark 13: 34-35 34“The coming of the Son of Man can be compared with that of a man who left home to go on a trip. He gave each of his employees instructions about he work they were to do, and he told the gatekeeper to watch for his return. 35 So keep a…
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SOAP: A model of teamwork
Scripture: Deuteronomy 1: 9 “At that time I told you, “You are too great a burden for me to carry all by myself. Observation: Moses was having a hard time hearing and judging all the people’s problems and disagreements, yet he knew it was his responsibility to oversee everyone. Moses ultimately was advised to appoint…
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SOAP: No doubting allowed
Scripture: Mark 11:22-23 22Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I assure you that you can say to this mountain, ‘May God lift you up and throw you into the sea,’ and your command will be obeyed. All that’s required is that you really believe and do not doubt in your…
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SOAP: Only God is good
Scripture: Mark 10:18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. Observation: Woah. Now THAT is humbling. Jesus, who looks and sounds pretty perfect to me, is saying that he is not to be called good. Yikes. Application: I wonder why he said that. Perhaps because of the fact that…
