S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #3, April 3, 2022 "Faithful Service is Fruitful Service."

S. 2 Corinthians 3:3 (NIV) 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts

O. Paul writes to the believers at Corinth. He commends them for making spiritual progress in their lives as a result of his ministry to them or among them.

Their spiritual progress is obvious - just like reading a letter. Their lives communicated to others their spiritual growth and for that Paul was pleased.

A. It is deeply satisfying to see the spiritual growth and prgress in the lives of those that I am able to minister to. As Paul said in V. 5, not that it is about his “own” competence, but that which comes from the Lord working through him.

P. Thank you Father for your word today. Thank you for working through me to serve others and to see their positive movement forward. Holy Spirit continue to fill me and to gide me in ministry to others to the extent that they are growing spiritually and that it is obvious. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #2 April 2, 2022 "Our Call Has a Nice Smell To It."

S. 2 Corinthians 2:14 “But thanks be to God who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphed procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere.”

O. Despite Paul lacking peace through an open door of ministry (2 Cor. 2:12-13), he was reassured by God that their work was pleasing to God. The idea of the “aroma” is that while the work God called Paul to was not always peaceful or pleasant, it was received by God as a “pleasing aroma” - there is a sweet fragrance when we share the Gospel of Jesus. Perhaps another way of saying it would be, “Our call has a nice smell to it.”

A. I am encouraged by this word - yes sometimes the call of God brings me opportunities that may provide some difficulty and a lack of peace. However, as I continue to “stay the course” of the vision and call that God has set before me, I realize it is a sweet fragrant offering that is pleasing to Him.

P. Thank you Father for your word today. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to continue in the call and following the vision you have placed in my heart. Thank you for the reassurance that it is a fragrant offering to you. In Jesus’ name.

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge Day #1 April 1 - God Secures Our Standing In the Face of Difficult Cirmcumstances

S. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

O. Paul had just stated (v.9) that he and those with him “felt they had received the sentence of death.” They were experiencing great persecution and they had some very unsetttling feelings. However, in the end or overall they knew that in Christ, God’s promises are “yes” and that God is able to help them stand (or withstand), hold up and endure because of His call in their lives (anointed, seal and Holy Spirit).

A. I know that I have had times (as I’m sure many of us do) that I’ve had uneasy feelings about possibly dealing with difficult situations, people, family, work, or ministry decisions and relationships. Yet I know that the Lord continues to speak “Yes” and “Amen” to me. He continues to be the voice of more and reassures me of who He is and what He has called me to do. He props me up and causes me to stand (secures, establishes or guarantees).

P. Thank you Father for your word today. Thank you for being the voice of more, the “Yes” and “Amen” to me. Holy Spirit continue to fill me and guide me to live out your call in my life with faith, courage, love and Grace. In Jesus’ name!