S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge Day #22 February 22, 2022 "This Isn't What I Signed Up For?"

S. Numbers 11:10-17 (NIV) 10 Moses heard the people of every family wailing at the entrance to their tents. The Lord became exceedingly angry, and Moses was troubled. 11 He asked the Lord, “Why have you brought this trouble on your servant? What have I done to displease you that you put the burden of all these people on me? 12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors? 13 Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ 14 I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. 15 If this is how you are going to treat me, please go ahead and kill me—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.”

16 The Lord said to Moses: “Bring me seventy of Israel’s elders who are known to you as leaders and officials among the people. Have them come to the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone.

O. I wonder if Moses might have been saying, “This isn’t what I’ve signed up for.” Moses gets somewhat emotional and has a bit of a complaint about the the problem of “complaining people.” (I love it.. he complains about their complaining). Moses felt like he was just about ready to die than to have to deal with these people (perhaps these problem people). He uses such language “did I conceive these people?… did I give birth to them? .. can I carry them? can I feed them?”

I often refer to this as “The Messyness of Ministry.” Dealing with and/or leading people is no easy task. However this “messyness” comes with the territory. People in the Bible are often referred to as sheep and I have learned over my years that sheep are not really that clean, that is - they can be messy. So it really is what “we signed up for.” However, as one person so wisely once said, “work smarter not harder.”

God understands this and does not intend leaders to “lead alone” or on “empty.” God will resource leaders. He will raise others up to help share the burden. This is what He did for Moses and I believe He will do the same thing for each leader who is dealing with some “messyness.”

A. I have been blessed in my years of ministry as I have witnessed God raising up leaders who have helped me or are helping me in leading God’s people. The work of shepherding is not made “less messy” rather, the work load is shared by other leaders so that it’s not all centered on one person and thereby the leadership is more effective in dealing handling the difficult times as well as the joyous times.

P. Thank you Father for calling me to Pastoral leadership and thank you for provision in that calling. Thank you for raising up other leaders who come along side me and help me to effectively and wisely manage your work and your people. Holy Spirit continue to fill me and guide me to wisely manage and share the various areas and aspects of leading the messy areas of ministry. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge Day # 21, February 21, 2022 "Enjoying God's Presence"

S. Numbers 9:23 (NIV) “At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order in accordance with His command through Moses.”

O. What dictated Israel’s movements was the Lord’s presence. It wasn’t the weather. It wasn’t market conditions. It was God’s presence moving them. They listened to God’s voice for their direction (timing, destination, etc.). Moses had asked the Lord to go before them and lead them (Exodus 33:13-16). He desired God’s presence to be the distinguishing characteristic that made Israel different from the other nations.

A. I desire to listen to voice of God and to be obedient to His voice. So I need His presence. I enjoy His hand but I need His face. I want Him to not only let me come before Hiim, but I will sure be happy if He will go before me, guiding me, directing me and that I also might reflect some of His glory. I want people who see me to know that I’ve been with the Lord Jesus.

P. Thank you Father for your word today. I so much desire to be in your presence, not for what you might give me, but for how you want me to be along for the journey you have for me, with you guiding me, leading me, going before me every step of the way. I pray that as a result of being in your presence, I will reflect a little of you to others; i.e., that others will know I’ve been with you. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge Day #20 February 20, 2022 "Keep Your Courage"

S. Acts 27:22, 25 “But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. …So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me.”

O. The situation looked very bleak. Luke writes in v. 20 “…we finally gave up all hope of being saved…” yet Paul’s faith endured. He encouraged them to hang in there and to not give up. He knew the times would be difficult yet none of them would be lost. Paul’s faith and leadership were needed to help the othes get through difficult times.

A. I can see the difficulties of church planting and really even in life in general. Some might be discouraged in their marriage. Some might be discouraged in their relationships with others. Perhaps things are not working out as they thought. Others might be discouraged and face obstacles in pursuing their education. Others might be experiencing the storms of health issue. There can be a variety of areas where we had a vision but then the “storms of life” are threatening and it seems like those dreams and visions may not happen.

However, my context this morning is where I am presently at, and that is planting a new church. I too, like Paul, need to reaffirm the vision and the mission, to rally the people and speak words of encouragement. The message is clear and simple, but the action is not. Keep your courage. Keep your focus and faith in what the Lord Jesus is calling us to do. I pray that I can be that source of encouragement to those around me. This is also the same message that we all need in those other areas of our life. We need to keep our eyes, our focus, our feelings and our faith on the vision that God has given us and the mission to what He is calling is to. We must not bail out. It really is true, “Attention determines direction.”

P. Thank you Father for your encouragment to me today. Thank you for Paul’s example of faith. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to the right words and to truly encourage others. In Jesus’ name!