S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge - February 5, 2021 Day #5 "A Life of Integrity Is a Life of Security"

S. Psalm 15:1-5 (NIV)

A psalm of David.

1 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
    Who may live on your holy mountain?

2 The one whose walk is blameless,
    who does what is righteous,
    who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,
    who does no wrong to a neighbor,
    and casts no slur on others;
4 who despises a vile person
    but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
    and does not change their mind;
5 who lends money to the poor without interest;
    who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

Whoever does these things
    will never be shaken.

O. The word for dwell means to abide or to settle down, to not be removed, to be at rest or peace in security. The idea of walking blamelessly is coming and going with integrity. The Hebrew word for integrity is “taw-meem” and means to be complete or sound, intact, unblemished, whole or blameless.

The person who desires to approach God in serving Him must have a wholeness to their life. Their life must be absent of slander, wrong doing and bribery. It is not a sinless life but a lifestyle that seeks wholeness in honoring God and people.

A. This is certainly a goal in my life - to be a person whose life style could be characterized as blameless, whole and walking with integrity. The Psalmist closes this psalm by saying that a person who lives this way “will never be shaken.” That is, they will not be moved, slip up or falter.

P. Thank you Father for your word today. Thank you that we can enter your presence and experience true security in life - that is to be at peace, restful and secure. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to be a person who’s life on a whole is a life that is blameless, of integrity and sound. In Jesus’ name ..Amen!

S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge - February 4, 2021 - Day #4 "The Revealing, Restoring and Rewarding Power of God's Word."

S. Psalm 19

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5     It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
    like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
    and makes its circuit to the other;
    nothing is deprived of its warmth.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
    refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
    giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
    and all of them are righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,
    than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
    than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
    Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
    may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
    innocent of great transgression.

14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

O. This Psalm is about revelation, restoration and rewards.

V. 1-6 The Psalmist praises God for the revelation of creation (namely the heavenlies).

V. 7-9 The Psalmist praises God for the restorative power of His word (refreshing, wisdom, joy, light and enduring).

V.10-13 The Psalmist praises God for the rewards that come from His word (value, forgiveness, protection).

V. 14 The Psalmist concludes praising God through words and reflections of praise.

A. I am thankful for God’s revelation that speaks of Him so clearly. I enjoy the restorative power of His word. It truly does so much for my spirit, soul, heart and mind. I’m thankful for the rewards God’s word brings. I will continue to praise Him through words and moments of reflection.

P. Thank you Father for this wonderful word today. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to greater levels of spiritual growth as I reflect upon your revelation, your word’s restorative power and upon the rewards that come from bringing your word into my life. I thank you most of all for Jesus Christ, the true and living Word.

S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge - February 3, 2021 - Day #3 "The Perks of Preaching"

S. Acts 10:47 (NIV)

“Then Peter said, ‘Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”

O. God poured out the Holy Spirit onto the Gentiles as they listened to Peter share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gentile believers were then water baptized.

Consistent with the sharing of the Gospel and upon belief (as seen in the book of Acts) is water baptism and the reception of the Holy Spirit. The order is not always the same, but the work of Holy Spirit and the practice of immersion water baptism is consistently present.

But even more than that, is the joy, excitement and new boldness that new believers often exhibit. How thrilling that God calls us (pastors) to share the gospel and then to share in the joy that follows when these new converts place their faith in Christ. The “Perks of Preaching.”

A. It has been my joy to witness the work of the Holy Spirit and be present in the baptisms (not only in my own life) but also the lives of others who have professed faith upon hearing the Good News. The results are often joy, excitement and boldness in these new converts lives and it simply spills over and blesses those who are witnessing this wonderful moment.

P. Thank you Father that salvation and all that comes with it is available to all people of all walks of life. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to faithfully share the gospel where ever I am sent. Thank you for the “Perks of Preaching” in that I too have my faith built up when I see others responding to you. In Jesus’ name!