S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge - February 14, 2021 Day #14 "Finding Common Ground"

S. Acts 21:23b-24 (NIV)

23 so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law.

O. Paul was willing to observe Jewish rites though such law observance was eliminated by the cross of Jesus Christ. Paul wanted so much for the Jewish people to receive Jesus as their Messiah, he would “become all things to all people” for the cause of Christ. (1 Cor. 9;22)

A. Paul understood the heart of God in reaching out to all people. Pastor and author Craig Groeschel has taught his church to reach people for Christ in every possible way, short of sinning. I too desire to reach out to as many people as possible that “some” might be saved.

P. Than you Father for your word today and for sharing your heart of reaching as many as possible, as modeled in Paul’s life. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to know when you would have me speak. Grant me boldness. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge - February 13, 2021 Day #13 "Despite Hardships - Finish The Race"

S. Acts 20:24 (NIV)

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

O. Paul was leaving Ephesus and returning to Jerusalem where there would be potential hardships for hm. Yet he wanted to finish what God had started in him. He wanted to complete what God had called him to do - testify to the Gospel of the Grace of God.

Paul would not let hardships stand in his way; he would press on and find a way to complete the call of God in his life.

A. The Christian life is like a marathon not a sprint. It requires patient endurance. One person said to me one time, “it’s not how you start, but how you finish, so finish well.” (I think they may have quoted the late Howard Hendricks. I desire also to be one who completes the task, finishing the race and doing it well. At the end of 2017 my church plant closed it’s doors. That was not how I had wanted to finish my ministry. I am enduring some hardship now because I know God has more for me to do. I am going to stay at it through tough times and I pray resume what God has called me to do, so one day I can truly finish well.

P. Thank you Father for calling us to serve you in a variety of ways. Holy Spirit fill us and guide us to finish the race you have called each of us to and that we may complete the task of sharing the Gospel of The Grace of God. in Jesus’ name.

S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge - February 12, 2021 Day #12 "Tell Your Problems About Your God"

S. Psalm 13:2, 5

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
    How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
    and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
    How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
    Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,”
    and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
    my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
    for he has been good to me.

O. David struggled with a “busy mind.” He had many things on his mind that depressed him. (my term depressed, he was certainly sad, down, could not seem to sleep, etc.) He made a choice though to focus on his faith in the Lord, to think about God’s love for him and all that God had done for him.

A. When we find ourselves with so many thoughts that keep us awake or cause anxiety within us as well as other physical/mental manifestations, the key to overcoming these is to focus on our faith in the Lord., that is to trust God, to give Him our problems and to be reflectively thankful for all He has done for us. I heard it said that “while it’s good to tell God about our problems, it might even be better to also tell our problems about our God.”

P. Thank you Father for your unfailing love and for all the blessings you have given me. Holy Spirit, fill me and guide me to hold fast all that the Lord has done for me and to literally tell my problems about the greatness and faithfulness of my God, His goodness and working in my life.”