S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge Day #30, April 30, 2022 "Mountain Moving Faith"

S. Matthew 17:20-21 (NIV) “He (Jesus) replied, “because you so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

O. Jesus lets His disciples know that the reason they could not drive out the demon was that they had so little faith. Little faith doesn’t necessarily refer to “size” like in quantity, but rather, “dull of hearing the Lord’s voice and disinterested in walking with Him.” They were more or less, “going through the motions” of ministry but not with whole hearts, walking close with Him. The mustard faith Jesus describes is faith that has potential for growth and effectiveness. c.f. Matthew 13:31-32

A. I will continue to live my out my faith believing God for His leading and provision in the vision He has called me to. I desire faith that “checks in” with God regularly and does not go through the motions. I continue to believe God to move the mountains and obstacles that I might take more Kingdom ground for Him.

P. Thank you Father for your word today. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me with an emboldened faith that comes from a close walk with the Father and with the Lord Jesus. Remove the obstacles that may stand in my way that I might move forward and take more Kingdom ground for you. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge Day 29, April 29, 2022 "To Know God As He Knows Me"

S. Psalm 139:103 (NIV) “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.”

O. David writes this song in which he describes how all knowing God is. He knows everything about us. He is “familiar” with all our ways. That means God knows us intimately. David describes God in ways that are “too wonderful” (almost beyond comprehension) to explain.

A. As I read this passage, it gives me such a warmth and encouragement. God knows everything about me, when I’m “on” (feeling up) and when I’m “off” (feeling down). Yet He desires to have that intimate relationship with me. that’s just another aspect of His love, grace and mercy.

P. Thank you Father for yor great love, Grace and Mercy. You know everything that is to know about me and you still desire to walk with me, to have fellowship and for me to know you as well as you know me. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to walk with the Father closely that I might know Him as closely as He knows me. In Jesus’ name.

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge Day #28 - April 28, 2022 "God Blesses the Order of Leadership"

S. 2 Chronicles 12:18, 22 and 40 (NIV) 18 Then the Spirit came on Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said:

“We are yours, David!  We are with you, son of Jesse! Success, success to you,     and success to those who help you, for your God will help you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands.

19 Some of the tribe of Manasseh defected to David when he went with the Philistines to fight against Saul. (He and his men did not help the Philistines because, after consultation, their rulers sent him away. They said, “It will cost us our heads if he deserts to his master Saul.”) 20 When David went to Ziklag, these were the men of Manasseh who defected to him: Adnah, Jozabad, Jediael, Michael, Jozabad, Elihu and Zillethai, leaders of units of a thousand in Manasseh. 21 They helped David against raiding bands, for all of them were brave warriors, and they were commanders in his army. 22 Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God.

O. David had been fleeing from the enemy. He had undergone persecution - but God brought to him men to follow his leadership. These would be called by the Word, “Mighty Men.” These were men, who in their own right were men of great courage and worthy of respect and to be leaders of others. Yet they aligned themselves with David. The were willing to humble themselves and be subordinates to David as he would lead them. Because of this, God honored this divine order of leadership by blessing them with resources. They had all they needed and they had joy (v.40)

A. What a great word today. When people will align themselves to the visionary leaders that God has placed them before, it honors God and He is able to bless them with resources and there is joy. That’s such an encouragement to me. I am so honored by our Dream Team at church in that they have aligned themselves with the vision that God has birthed at BLC, God is blessing us with resources and they have joy. They love it! It doesn’t mean there isn’t hardships along the way but it means God blesses us and takes us through those times.

P. Thank you Father for your word today! How encouraging it is to know that as leaders we may go through tough times. But if we continue to seek you, you bring other leaders to us who align themselves with the vision and then you supply us with all we have (physical resources and genuine joy). Holy Spirit continue to fill me and guide me to lead as you have gifted and to know that you have others who you bring alongside to make the vision happen and they do so with humility and joy. In Jesus’ Name!