S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge - February 26, 2021 Day #26 "Believing God When Others Doubt"

S. Mark 5:35-42

35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

36 Overhearing[a] what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.

O. People spoke to Jairus and tried to discourage him from seeking Jesus’ help for his daughter, because they thought and said she was dead. However, Jesus encouraged Jairus to not fear but believe. Jesus would then raise Jairus’ daughter to life.

While things looked doubtful, Jesus encouraged Jairus to believe - to believe that He Jesus can truly make a difference.

A. I desire to believe in God for big things. I also think He wants that too. When my life looks bleak or not moving along - I will continue to believe the Lord for big things, things only He can do. I will “drown out” the voices of negativity with a faith that is bold and trusts God for big things.. only things He can do (don’t get me wrong, I trust for everything, big or small).

P. Thank you Father for this word today. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to trust in your for that which only you can do. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge - February 25, 2021 Day #25 "Preaching Regardless of Results"

S. Mark 4:1-8 (NIV)

Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.”

O. The farmer sows his seed and it is received (as Jesus taught) in various way by the people who’s hearts are likened to soil conditions. For some, Satan comes in and takes away the seed. For another, the seed never takes root (v. 16), for others the worries of life choke out the seed (v.18) and finally others have good soil and the seed produces excellent growth.

The parable is Jesus’ way of teaching how the Gospel is received by others, according to the conditions of their hearts. In this parable, I see that there is a 25% “success” rate of the seed reaching good soil and being productive (which means 75% of the time, it does not grow). Regardless of the reception, the farmer sows. He doesn’t know which seed will be productive, so he faithfully continues to sow the seed regardless of the outcome.

A. Regardless of how people respond, we are to sow the seed of the Gospel of Jesus. We should pray that the soil conditions of the hearts of people will be prepared to receive the word. We must not allow the responses of people to dictate how or when we plant the seed of the Gospel.

P. Thank you Father for your word today. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to consistently share the Gospel of Jesus Christ regardless of the outcome. I do pray that you will prepare people’s hearts that the “seed” might take root and produce positive, eternal results. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge - February 24, 2021 Day #24 "Don't Go Where God Does Not Lead"

S. Numbers 14:40b-42 (NIV)

40 Early the next morning they set out for the highest point in the hill country, saying, “Now we are ready to go up to the land the Lord promised. Surely we have sinned!”

41 But Moses said, “Why are you disobeying the Lord’s command? This will not succeed! 42 Do not go up, because the Lord is not with you. You will be defeated by your enemies,

O. The people of Israel believed the bad report given by 10 of the 12 spies. They grumbled against the Lord and Moses. Moses lets them know that they will die for their sin and their children will inherit the land. They acknowledge this but then decide to into the land any way.

God forgave the nation, yet there are consequences for a sinful, disbelieving life - additionally, because of the presence of sin, God would not go before the people.

A. How wonderful that God forgives our sin - yet we must be aware of the consequences of our sin. I heard years ago this thought, “sin is against God, but the effects of sin are against people.” Before we embark on serving the Lord, we must “consecrate” (prepare) ourselves through prayer, confession and seeking the Lord’s guidance. I see again in scripture the important of going forward only when the Lord’s presence is leading us.

P. Father, thank you for your love, forgiveness and justice. Holy Spirit grant me wisdom to set aside time to prepare, pray, confess an see your leading. In Jesus’ name!