S.O.A.P. 15 Day Challenge Day #12 "How To Stay Effective & Productive for Christ." 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV)

S. 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV) 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

O. Our spiritual productivity and effectiveness increases when we add to our faith - goodness, knowledge, self-control, persevearance, godliness, mutual affection and love. These 7 virtues we are to ad to our faith in increasing measures. When we do, we are more productive and effective. We do not lose sight of who we are in Christ in contrast to those who have little or no spiritual grown and may even make a departure from the faith.

A. I will continue in the disciplines of prayer, Bible reading, journaling, church attendance, preaching, teaching and sharing with others so that I might increase these 7 virtues in my life and become even more productive and effective for Christ Jesus.

P. Thank you Father for your word today. Thank you for the provision to grow these 7 virtues in our lives an d by doing so, increasing our effectiveness for you. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to greater measures of growth and effectiveness for the Kingdom. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 15 Day Challenge Day #11 "Characteristics of an Undershepherd" 1 Peter 5:1-3 (NIV)

S. 1 Peter 5:1-3 (NIV)

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

O. Peter writes to encourage leaders who also experience suffering. He encourages them to be shepherds of God’s flock. This is a nice description for believers who comprise or make up the local church. Those in the local church need oversight, protection, and caring.

He adds how this is to be accomplished or what I would call “the characteristics of an undershepherd (pastor).” They must be willing as opposed to forced, or out of obligation or duty. To be willing it seems would mean there would be some aspect of enjoyment and in my opinion, deemed as necessary by the leader, elder or pastor (undershepherd).

The undershepherd must also be eager to serve. Undersheherds do not need to remind people verbally by saying “I’m the leader”; rather through their caring, willing service they influence those that they are entrusted with. There is no “my way or the high way.” It’s serving with humility (honoring others).

Finally, Peter teaches us that undershepherds must lead by example. Those in the flock should see how the undershepherd carries themselves (that is how they live life before others) and desire to follow. They are not to be replicas, per se, rather; they are to see the godly values and disciplines that the undershepherd works out in his or her life, and they are then to desire those similar values and disciplines in their own life. This also means that when the undershepherd has a failure in life, they are exemplary in how they manage that failure and move forward. Undersherds are to be “blameless” (1 Tim. 3) but are not sinless.

A. I thank God putting in my heart a willingness ot care for God’s flock (the local church). I am thankful for the example of other undershepherds (pastors) who have exemplary in their lives for the Christ and for the Lord putting that similar desire to serve Him (willingly, eagerly and I pray that I’ve been and will continue to be exemplary). In Jesus name!

P. Thank you Father for your word today and for calling me to serve you as an undershepherd (pastor) of the Lord Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to continue in that very special annointing. Thank you for the exemplarly lives of other undersherds that have served you with integrity and are such great examples. Holy Spirit grant me wisdom and insight to be a positive example of the Lord Jesus to all that I encounter. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 15 Day Challenge Day #10 "God's Protection Through Tough Times" - Isaiah 43:1-2

S. Isaiah 43:102 (NIV) But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel:“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

O.Isaiah reminds Israel that they have been redeemed and called by God by name. They are His people. He will guide aned protect them - through waters - through rivers and through the fires. God allows His people to go through tough times but He is also there to protect His people.

A. I am so thankful for this truth. It is not very pleasant to “go through” such things; however, it is a great comfort to know our Lord is with us every step of the way to protect us."

P. Thank you Father for your word today. Thank you for the times that I must go through trials and tests. I am comforted to know you are with me, will protect me and that you love me. Holy Spirit grant me wisdom, endurance and faith for such times. In Jesus’ name.