S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge - February 8, 2021 Day #8 "Differences Can Still Advance the Gospel"."

S. Acts 15:37-40

37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord.

O. Barnabas and Paul had a sharp disagreement. Barnabas, as he is seen, is ever the positive person, believing the best about Mark. Paul chose Silas who was a leader in the Jerusalem church.

Sometimes we (believers/leaders) will have disagreements over different matters - yet God can take those instances and use them to glorify Jesus and spread the gospel.

A. I have had to separate from other good, well meaning believers over more personal and philosophic matters. Yet despite the separation, I know we can still pray for one another and work together - indirectly - for the common cause of proclaiming Christ.

P. Thank you Father for this word today. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to give positive support to other leaders that I have had to separate from. Bless our combined efforts for Kingdom advancement. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge - February 7, 2021 Day #7 "Effective Preaching Wins Souls."

S. Acts 14:1-2

At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

O. Paul and Barnabas spoke effectively. Their speech was so to lead people to belief and faith in Christ Jesus.

Our words in preaching and teaching should be effective. Preachers should work on this skill. Some are perhaps more naturally gifted than others, but we (preachers / teachers) need to put some time in this area.

The enemy “poisons” the minds of people. This means that Satan oppresses and afflicts the thought processes of people. He stirs people up through lies and addicting habits of the mind. The Bible says that he masquerades as “an angel of light.” (2 Cor. 11:14). It is a spiritual warfare that we do not fight as usual. Satan wants to impose strongholds in our minds that control us. (2 Corinthians 10:1-6). The fight is on. It needs not a casual approach.

Knowing this, as ministers of the Gospel, we need to do all we can to be effective in preaching. Of course we need to pray daily for the power of the Holy Spirit to fill us and guide us. May He (the Holy Spirit) do this in our preparation and our execution of the message we are do share.

A. I will continue to study, learn from others and further develop the skill in message content and delivery so that I might effectively persuade people to come to faith in Jesus Christ.

P. Thank you Father for this word today. Than you for the example of Paul and Barnabas in their preaching and teaching. They obviously worked at this, knowing the opposition they would face. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me with wisdom, knowledge and skill in presenting your word to others. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge - February 6, 2021 Day #6 "Blinded For Misuse."

S. Acts: 13:6-10

6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”

Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

O. Bar-Jesus (also called Elymas) was Jewish, a sorcerer and a false prophet. He attended this Roman Procounsul, Sergius Paulus, who wanted to hear the Word of God. Bar-Jesus opposed Paul and Barnabas’ teaching and as a result, he was blinded for a time.

I think he might be a picture of Israel, God’s people. They should have been a beacon light to the world but through unbelief, God has blinded Israel for a time (Romans 9-11).

The good news here is that despite this false prophet’s failure and blindness, the proconsul received Christ as His Savior.

A. God desires us (believers today, the church) to be a light to the gospel of Jesus for others. I desire to serve Him as salt and light (to illuminate the way and to make a difference). I do not want to be set aside (for misuse) and certainly do not want to be unproductive (as was the case for Israel).

P. Thank you Father for this word today. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to be effective and productive in sharing the Gospel of Jesus to as many as I can. May my greatest ability be my availability for you! In Jesus’ name.