Yes this is much of what I’ve been thinking. Russia/Europe bad guy good guy. Who knows the exact truth but Jesus of course.
SOAP
S – Scripture
John 18:40 (NKJV)... View MoreSOAP
S – Scripture
John 18:40 (NKJV)
“Then they all cried again, saying, ‘Not this Man, but Barabbas!’ Now Barabbas was a robber.”
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O – Observation
The choice of Barabbas over Jesus exposes the pride of man and the reality of humanity’s fallen nature. Though created for fellowship with God, mankind lives in a fallen state, inclined toward self-rule rather than surrender. Just days earlier, the same crowd cried “Hosanna!” as Jesus entered Jerusalem on a colt, welcoming Him as King. Yet now they reject the Truth, the Light of the world, their Creator, and the Bread of Life.
This reversal reveals how easily the human heart is influenced by its surroundings. Scripture warns that counsel and companionship shape our thinking; those we are yoked to influence our mindset. When people remain connected to the world, they begin to adopt the world’s thinking—resisting truth and rejecting righteousness. In this moment, the crowd moves as one voice, driven not by conviction but by collective influence.
Barabbas, a robber, reflects the nature of the enemy who comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus, by contrast, confronts sin and calls for humility, repentance, and obedience. The people choose Barabbas because he demands nothing of them, while Jesus challenges pride, authority, and self-righteousness. This moment mirrors the fall in the garden, where Adam and Eve listened to the wrong voice and rejected God’s word.
John 18:40 stands as a sobering picture of the human condition: fallen man often rejects truth not because it is unclear, but because it requires surrender. Allegiance to worldly voices dulls discernment, and praise quickly turns into rejection when truth confronts the heart.
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A – Application
Today, I must examine whose voice and mindset are shaping my life. I do not want to drift into the same pattern of the crowd—praising Jesus when it is convenient, yet resisting Him when His truth challenges my will. To live differently, I must intentionally pursue the mind of Christ.
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. If my mind is to be renewed, I must consistently read, meditate on, and submit to Scripture. I choose to guard my relationships, seek godly counsel, and remain yoked to Christ rather than the world.
Practically, this means prioritizing time with God throughout my day—morning, noon, and night—allowing His Word to shape my desires, strengthen my faith, and keep my heart sensitive to truth. By doing so, I resist pride and walk in humility, obedience, and surrender.
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P – Prayer
Father God,
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Remove anything in me that reflects pride, self-reliance, or resistance to Your truth. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and renew within me a right spirit.
Place within me a deep and lasting hunger for Your Word. Help me to seek You in the morning, at noon, and at night, so that my mind is continually renewed and aligned with the mind of Christ. Guard my heart from worldly influence and surround me with godly counsel.
Sustain me by Your Spirit. Teach me to walk in humility, obedience, and surrender. I choose life. I choose truth. I choose to follow Him. In Jesus name amen
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🕊️ SOAP Devotional: “Breathing Life into the Dry Bones”
S – Scripture... View More⸻
🕊️ SOAP Devotional: “Breathing Life into the Dry Bones”
S – Scripture
Ezekiel 37:5 (KJV)
“Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live.”
O – Observation
• The Valley of Dry Bones: Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones scattered in a valley symbolizes a people without hope, lifeless and disconnected. Yet, God’s command to prophesy to these bones brings about a miraculous transformation — bones come together, flesh forms, and breath enters, signifying the restoration of life.
• Modern-Day Parallels: The tragic events of recent times — the murder of Charlie Kirk and the earlier incident involving Iryna Zarutska — have served as catalysts for awakening. These incidents, though deeply sorrowful, have ignited a global movement, stirring the hearts of many to rise up in faith and action.
• The Role of the Church: Just as Ezekiel was called to speak life into the bones, the Church today is called to speak truth, hope, and revival into a world that seems spiritually lifeless. The events that have transpired are not just tragedies but opportunities for the Church to rise and fulfill its prophetic role.
A – Application
• Recognizing the Call: The Church must recognize the signs of the times and respond to God’s call to prophesy life into the dry bones. This involves speaking truth, standing for justice, and being a beacon of hope in a world filled with despair.
• Empowering the Next Generation: Just as the rally in London honored Charlie Kirk as a voice for the next generation, the Church must invest in discipling and empowering young leaders who will carry the torch of faith into the future.
• Embracing the Awakening: The global response to these events signifies a spiritual awakening. The Church must embrace this movement, fostering revival, unity, and a renewed commitment to the Great Commission.
P – Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before You, acknowledging the lifelessness that has pervaded our world. Yet, we also recognize Your power to breathe life into the dry bones.
We lift up the Church, asking that You empower us to speak life, truth, and hope into a world that desperately needs it. May we rise as a prophetic voice, calling forth revival and awakening in every nation.
We pray for the next generation of leaders, that You would raise them up to boldly proclaim Your Word and lead with integrity and passion.
In the midst of tragedy, may we see Your hand at work, bringing beauty from ashes and life from death.
We ask all this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
The Prostrate Poppy
The accidentally over watered poppy that had sprung up in our driveway was no match for the following night’s windstorm. The whole plant had blown over.
“What a shame,” I thou... View MoreThe Prostrate Poppy
The accidentally over watered poppy that had sprung up in our driveway was no match for the following night’s windstorm. The whole plant had blown over.
“What a shame,” I thought as lugged groceries to the house, as I’d been looking forward to seeing it bloom. “Oh, well. I’ll pull it up and throw it into the burn pile tomorrow.”
But the next day I was in for a surprise. The poppy had not wilted, shriveled up, or died as I had expected, but was instead alive, vibrant, and was, even while laying on the ground, blooming-and not just with one bloom, but THREE full, lush, spectacular flowers!
Delighted, I snapped a photo to send to my girls, then felt a familiar nudging at my heart.
“Uh, oh,” I rather cringed. “The Lord must have a lesson for me here.” And oh, He did. Admittedly, it took me a bit to share it, as it wasn’t exactly an easy lesson.
Like this poppy, I may be in a harsh and rocky place right now, exposed to extreme elements, and seemingly alone. This place may not be where I wanted to be, where I’d ever dreamed I’d be, but nevertheless here I am planted, exactly as God has planned it from before the foundation of the world.
I may be flat on my back right now. It may be that my roots were too shallow, that the supports I relied upon were inadequate, or that the storm unleashed was impossible for anyone to withstand, let alone me. But nevertheless here I am on the ground with dirt on my forehead and gravel in my teeth, and I am right where I need to be to accomplish His will at this moment.
Surely, I reason, I shall be upright again soon. Surely this is but a brief season, and I shall yet be tall, stately, respected, and normal again like others in normal, beautiful, well tended gardens, rather than being relegated to an object of pity, worth nothing more than to be thrown into the burn pile of disappointment and unmet expectations. Nevertheless, here I am, still in the driveway, sill laid low, still with my face down in the gravel. If I am never upright or well regarded again, what of it? This life, this whole universe is not about me, my comfort, my reputation, or my glory.
And though I am here, finite and weak, sometimes flailing, and sometimes very foolish, I am yet still alive. I still have breath. My mission and my purpose and my reason for existence have not changed. I am, no matter what has happened, what is happening around me, or what anyone else around me is doing or not doing, still to love the Lord, to trust Him, to obey Him, to praise Him, to find my utmost delight and satisfaction and beauty and joy in Him. When I do these things, when I truly, truly do these things, I can be used by Him. I can bloom. And when I bloom in these seemingly impossible conditions, these seemingly impossible blossoms show the world that there is a God who lives, who loves, who strengthens, who delights in showing mercy and grace, who performs what He promises, and who is worthy of all honor, glory, and praise. And He alone is worth it all.
So ends the story of the prostrate poppy that bloomed despite its circumstances in my driveway. If you’re curious, I made sure to save its seeds for next year. I just thought I’d share its small story in the hope that it would encourage you a wee bit.
No matter where you are or what your circumstances, there is a God who loves you more dearly than you can ever imagine, and who can give you peace, strength, joy, and beauty right where you are if you but turn to Him. And dear one, please, please turn to Him.
Have a very blessed evening full of peace and joy and hope
S – Scripture
“For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve.” – Revelation 16:6
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“For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve.” – Revelation 16:6
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O – Observation
This verse shows the sobering truth of sowing and reaping. When people sow bloodshed, they reap blood. God’s judgment is not random—it’s the just harvest of what has been planted in rebellion against Him. Evil cannot hide forever; it comes out into the open. What we are seeing in our world today—murders in public, attacks against leaders, violence in broad daylight—reflects the same principle. The line between good and evil is becoming clearer, and God will bring justice.
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A – Application
This week we saw a girl murdered on a train and Charlie Kirk assassinated during a speech—both in public, both carried out shamelessly. These acts make my heart sick, but they also remind me that evil has fully ripened and is bearing its rotten fruit. As the world grows darker, I must choose all the more to sow into God’s kingdom. I cannot afford to plant seeds of bitterness, compromise, or sin. Instead, I must plant love, truth, and obedience to Christ. These tragedies are a call to cling closer to God, to reflect His nature, and to refuse any partnership with the works of darkness.
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P – Prayer
Father, my heart is broken over the violence and evil in our world. Seeing bloodshed in broad daylight makes me grieve, but it also reminds me that Your Word is true—every seed bears fruit. Lord, keep me close to You. Help me sow only into righteousness and never into darkness. Strengthen me to stand on the side of good, no matter the cost. Let my life be a seed that produces eternal fruit in Your kingdom. Amen.
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