S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge Day #19 - February 19, 2022 "However Long It Takes."

S. Acts 26:28-29 (NIV) 28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

O. Agrippa asks Paul if he (Paul) thinks he can persuaded to become a Christian in such a short time. Paul’s answer is great - However long it takes - to ultimately enjoy the new life in Christ without the prison chains.

Paul knew it was a matter of time. He didn’t know how long, but however long it took would be fine as long as Agrippa (and others ) might become Christians .

There is an urgency to get the message of Christ’s love and salvation out to the world. However, we must allow people to take whatever time they need (as long as it takes) for them to place their faith in Christ. That is one part we cannot control. We can pray and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to their hearts and minds, but we must be willing to not try to coerce people, rather witness and pray. The rest we leave into the hands of our Father through Jesus and the Holy Spirt working in concert together with the person we shared with.

A. I realize that people need time. Someone has once said it takes 5 hearings of the gospel before someone will come to know Christ. I am unsure about the trustworthiness of that statement however I am keenly aware that from Jesus’ parables of the soils (comparing soil to the condition of people’s hearts) there is a 25% “success” rate (at which people will be ready to receive God’s word c.f. Matthew 13). Therefore I will continue to preach, teach, witness and pray that people will ultimately respond to God’s word and the moving of the Holy Spirit no matter how long it may take.

P. Thank you Father for your word today. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to consistently and patiently share the Gospel of Christ with others that they might ultimately (however long it takes) be persuaded to become a Christian. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge - Day #18 February 18, 2022 "Integrity and the Rule of Law"

S. Acts 25:11 (NIV) “If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse it….”

O. Paul is falsey accused by this group of Jews that follow him around and oppose his teachings. Paul’s life is one of absolute integrity. His life is of such a quality and standard that he can make the claim that if he had violated the law, he would accept the penalty. His accusers could not find any fault in him.

A. I too desire to be able to live my life with such integrity. I am certainly not there yet but I pray that I can be. This reminds me of Daniel in the Old Testament. People tried to find fault with him but they could not. That’s what I desire, to be truly blameless or faultless. To have integrity that shines so bright that those who oppose me can find nothing in my life to even accuse me.

P. Thank you Father for the great example of the Apostle Paul. He upheld the rule of law and would submit to it; however he also displayed an integrity that was so evident, his accuser could not find fault. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to have that kind of integrity in my life and ministry. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge - Day 17 - February 17, 2022 "Choose Character Over Comfort"

S. Acts 24:24-26 24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

O. Felix set up frequent meetings with Paul hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. However, it is Paul who demonstrates integrity in not giving in to opportunities that might potentially have served in his own best interest. Rather, Paul stays on task sharing God’s Word.

A. I pray that I can maintain such integrity in moments of choice - that my own personal comfort can be set aside for allowing Christ’s character to be formed in me - that I can keep integrity, vision and focus in staying on task in preaching and teaching God’s Word.

P. Thank you Father for Paul’s example of integrity in a secnerio in which he might have personally benefitted by bribing the governing authority - he did not! Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to serve you with such integrity - That I will be committed to Christ’s character being formed in me at the expense of my own personal comfort. In Jesus’ name!