S.O.A.P. 15 Day Challenge Day #15 "The First Thing? Tell People About Jesus." John 1:40-42 (NIV)

S. John 1:40-42 (NIV) 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

O. Andrew became a Christ follower. John records the first thing Andrew did was to tell his brother Simon Peter about Jesus (The Messiah) and then he brought him to Jesus. He didn’t just tell him, he brought him to Jesus. I love this pasage - Andrew knew Jesus was the Messiah, the one who had the answers and reasons for life - so he made it a priority - The first thing was to not only tell Simon but to take him to Jesus.

A. I remember the zeal and excitement of when I trusted Christ as my savior and Lord. I told nearly all I came into contact with. This “desire” and zeal would then me on a pathway to the pastorate and lifetime of telling people about Jesus. I still have tha zeal and desire to not only tell people about Jesus, but to “take them to Jesus.” By this I mean use every available means and method to reach every available person.

P. Thank you Father for saving me and calling me to tell others about the Lord Jesus. Holy Spirit fill me and lead me to frequent, regular encounters of sharing Jesus with others and boldness to bring others to Jesus. In Jesus’ name.

S.O.A.P. 15 Day Challenge Day #14 "God's Patience Means Salvation." 2 Peter 3:14-15 (NIV)

S. 2 Peter 3:14-15 (NIV) 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him

O. Peter writes to encourage believers to continue to grow in Christ and continue efforts in reaching people for Christ. He does not want them pre-occupied about the timing of Christ’s return; rather, Peter teaches that the Lord will honor His word, returning, judging and bring about all new things yet He is patient only delaying so that more people might be saved.

A. I will continue to preach, teach, blog, podcast and encourage others to commit their lives Jesus and to grow in His greace and knowledge. He delays His return as He desire more people to know and receive Him.

P. Thank you Father for yoru word today. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to guard my life and not live carelessly; rather, to live purposefully using the gifts God has given me to reach and teach others for Jesus. In Jesus’ name.

S.O.A.P. 15 Day Challenge Day #13 "Placing Our Efforts Into Eternity" Isaiah 55:1-2 (NIV)

S. Isaiah 55:1-2 (NIV)

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare.

O. Isaiah is writing to God’s people who thirst spiritually. The satisfying of such a spiritual thirst is only found with the Lord. It is freely available. There is no price for the recipients. God’s people are encourage to cease spending money and labor on things that do not have lasting value and trust the Lord for their eternal provision.

In the New Testament, Jesus offered Himself as the true living water of which those who drink will never be thirsty again (John 4).

A. I desire to place my efforts into that which has eternal value. At times I suppose I place too much effort or emphasis on things that are here and now, having no true lasting spiritual value. I will continue to pray with priority for the Lord to use me in reaching out to those who thirst spiritually, offering them the true eternal living water, the Lord Jesus Christ.

P. Thank you Father for yoru word day and for the reminder that our true spiritual refreshment with lasting eternal results are found in your son, the Lord Jesus.