S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge Day #13 - February 13,2022 "Shepherd God's Flock"

S. Acts 20:28 “Kedep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His blood.”

O. Paul is teaching elders in Ephesis to watch and protect the flock - another reference to the church. This would include watching themselves. The church will face opposition from the outside and the inside - so we are to do all we can to protect and nourish the church which was paid for with Jesus’ blood.

A. I will continue to pastor or shepherd the church God has raised up on my watch (Better Life Church). I will “take heed unto myself” and I will also teach, mentor and train leaders in various areas of its ministry to do likewise, guarding, protecting and nourishing others.

P. Thank you Father for your word today. Thank you Jesus for purchasing the church with your blood. Holy Spirit give me wisdom and insight to do all I can to shepherd, guard, protect, lead and encourage the local church. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge - Day #12 - February 12, 2022 "The Principle of Margin"

S. Leviticus 19:9-10 (NIV) 9 “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God.

O. God taught His people to not consume everything they worked for. They were to leave a little for those that were poor and/or had limited resources. This is, at least what I call, “The Principle of Margin.” Do not budget everything you produce/create or earn, rather, have some savings so that you can bless others.

A. I will continue to practice (observe) the Principle of Margin. Our church, Better Life Church Newaygo practices this and I will continue to practice this in my individual life and that is each year, budgeting 90% of the previous year’s income leaving 10% margin. By the way, the 90% includes the tithe, so that there is a true 10% margin of un-catogrized resource available to bless others or to handle what Dave Ramsey calls “emergency expenses.”

P. Thank you Father for your word today. Thank you for revealing to me this “Principle of Margin.” Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to faithfully produce fruit and set aside savings (margin) that I might be ready for any emergencies and/or to bless others. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge - Day #11, February 11, 2022 "Have No Fear - Keep Doing What God Calls You to Do."

S. Acts 18:9 “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: ‘Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

O. God encouragd Paul to not be afraid and to keep speaking not being silent. God had many people who needed to hear Paul’s the gospel through Paul’s preaching. Two verses later there is a united attack on Paul. God knew it was coming and refreshed Paul’s vision encouraging him to keep going and work through the opposition. NO ONE is going to harm you!

A. God encourages us often when we may need it most. Paul was making progress. People were coming to know Christ and churches were being planted. There was a heavy dose of opposition by some unbelieving Jews - yet God had people in this city. I take that to mean that there were people that God knew would listen to Paul and likely give their life to Christ.

I have had experiences similar to this. Not personal attacks on me physically, but the enemy trying to discourage me and keep me off balance through events that happen in my life (busy schedule, family life, negative thoughts that run through my mind, etc.) Yet I have heard the Lord very clearly in continuing to preach and not be silent. God has people in the Newaygo area that need to hear the Gospel of Jesus and He desires to use me to do this.

P. Thank you Father for this word today. Thank you Jesus for how you spoke to Paul, encouraged him and how you speak to me, encouraging me. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to boldly continue to lead, preach and mentor those you bring to me in Jesus’ name!