S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge Day #25 February 25, 2022 "The Power of Kingdom Planting"

S. Mark 4:26-29 (NIV) 26 He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

O. Jesus is teaching that when we are faithful in planting seeds (Kingdom teaching) on the ground, the seed will sprout and produce grain. There WILL be growth. This is the power of God’s word - it will produce. It will work its way into the good fertile soil and will grow. That is the power of God’s word - it will and does produce. God wants us then to be faithful in spreading His word (planting the seed).

A. No gimmiks are needed for spiritual growth to occur. We don’t need to be overcerned with branding efforts. We must not wait until we are “polished” communicators (getting some training in sharing your faith is helpful) - However we need to be faithful and wise in planting the seed of the Gospel of Christ.

I will continue to preach/teach God’s Word and offer opportunities for people to receive Christ and renew their faith, knowing that this seed will produce much. I will do as Pastor Craig Groeshel once said, “do everything I can short of sin to see people come to know Christ.” Or as “home with the Lord now” Pastor Jerry Falwell once said, “… use every available means with every available method to reach every available person.”

P. Thank you Father for the your word..the “power” (dunamis or dynamite) of the Gospel of Christ that can be that explosive power into the rock hard hearts of people and produce much fruit. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to faithfully and with wisdom, proclaim the Gospel of Christ in as many ways as possible that those in our community might come to Know God, Find Freedom, Discover their Purpose and Make a Difference! In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge Day #24 February 24, 2022 "Living By The Faith Report."

S. Numbers 14:8-9 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

O. The people of Israel heard two reports about their potential in entering the new land God had led them to. One was a good report which I will call “The Faith Report.” It focused on what God was able to do. The other report was a bad report, which I will call “The Fear Report.” It focused on how the size of the opposition.

The Faith Report was all about what God could do. The Fear Report was all about what the enemy could do.

As I read the rest of the passage it is abundantly clear that God honored the Faith Report. He wants us to not focus on the size of our opposition (the giants that we face) but rather to focus on just how really big our God is.

A. I will focus on God’s “Faith Report”, i.e., I wil focus on who God is and all the wonderful things I know He has done in my life and will continue to do. In the areas of my life that I want to advance forward in, I will do my part in researching the details but then I’ll trust the Lord in faith that He is and will continue to lead.

P. Thank you Father for this word today - “The Faith Report.” Holy Spirit fill me and lead me to do my part and then to trust the Lord to do as He has always done, guide and provide. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 28 Day Challenge Day #23 February 23, 2022

S. Mark 2:3-5 (NIV) 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

O. Jesus forgives the man’s sins and then heals him (v.10-11) because (primarily or initially) of the faith of the men (his friends) collectively speaking. Jesus “saw their faith.” These four men carried their friend to Jesus. With such a large crowd gathering, they found a way to get him right in the presence of Jesus. I suppose they could have thought “Jesus will know we’re back here with our friend and will heal Him from a distance” (which Jesus could have done.) However, Mark is noting the initiative of faith that these men expressed. They cut a hole through someone’s roof to lower the man right in front of Jesus. That’s impressive!

Jesus saw their actions - faith demonstrated by works. He was moved. God is moved, I think, by our bold prayers, requests actions and movements that seek His attention and/or favor.

A. I deisre to be as bold as these men in the expression of my faith. I will continue to list out names of people to pray for and then bring these before God (both in prayer and in actual invitation), maybe even offering transportation to church so they can hear the gospel of Christ. Our crowd isn’t so great that we need to cut a hole through the roof and I’m not sure how the owner of our building would take it if we did , but I will continue to invite people and provide opportunities for people to hear God’s word proclaimed.

P. Thank you Father for the example of bold faith. Lord Jesus I pray that I can honor you with such faith as these men, that my friends might come to know you as Lord and Savior. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to move my faith forward as these men did. In Jesus’ name!