S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #3 "Building Others Up In the Faith."

S. Romans 15:1-2 (NIV) We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

O. Paul teaches that those who are strong in the faith should set a goal to build up those who are weak or (I would add) young in the faith. We are to be like Jesus and not seek our own pleasure (v.3) but do what we can to build up others in their faith.

A. In my church, Better Life Church, we design our services to attract, encourage and to build up those that are new or perhaps weaker in their faith. We are intentional in this as we want to connect them with Jesus and help them grow. We do not seek our own pleasure, but rather we seek to set aside our pleasures for the joy of people coming to Christ and being built up in their faith.

This is why we are proactive in various things, - we do not read from the KJV in our public worship services because that’s not the way we speak (thee’s, thou’s etc.). There’s nothing wrong with the KJV but it is a preference to speak in ways we can connect with people. We purposefully avoid the use of what is sometimes called “Christianese” (the terms we use as we grow in the faith: saved, saved by the blood, coming to the altar, traveling mercies, furtherance of the gospel, quiet time, etc.). There’s nothing wrong with these terms, but those new to the faith or young in the faith or not even in the faith might not understand your meaning. We favor contemporay music over hymns (hymns are great but not really what the person “in the public square” is listening to.) We further do not use some of the declarative gifts (tongues and prophecy) in our main service because the uninformed or unbeliever might not understand and think we’re out of our minds (1 Cor. 14:23-25). We do encourage these declarative gifts in our first Wednesday service (once we start these), our small groups and our prayer services. It’s all about looking out for the interest of those young, weak , or not of faith at all rather than our own interests.

P. Thank you Father for your Word today. Thank you for the reminder to set aside my own presonal desires to reach people for Jesus and build them up in their faith. Holy Spirit fill me and lead me to set aside my own interests for the joy in sharing Christ and buiding people up in the faith. In Jesus’ name.

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #2 - June 2, 2022 "Productive Work is the Antidote to Scarcity"

S. Proverbs 24:32-34 (NIV) 32 I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—34 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

O. In the context of teaching about those who do not work, Solomon commends those who do. A work ethic is praised. When we give time and attention to things, they generally flourish (look and function well). However, when we let things slide because we do not work, things fall apart and we have very little resource.

Thought: Productive work is the antidote to the problem of scarcity - and God commends it.

A. I am thankful for this teaching. I see the results everytime. When I actively engage in productive work - things improve. Whether it’s my house, my property or at church engaging and teaching. I see flourishing. The results of obeying some of God’s fundamental principles.

P. Thank you Father for this Word. Thank you for instilling in me a desire and appreciation for creative, productive work. Holy Spirit fill me and lead me to more effective levels of such productivity. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #1 June 1, 2022 "Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail"

S. Proverbs 21:5 (NIV) “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.”

O. Planning by purpose (diligence) leads to profits (having plenty or an abundance). Careful, sharp planning is commended by God and results in profitability. However, doing things without careful thought (haste) will lead to poverty (lacking resources).

A. I continue to work toward being a good planner. Plans give good direction. Planning gives one knowledge. Planning provides alternatives to think of. Good planning welcomes advice and gains knowledge with a result of having an abundance (plenty). As Benjamin Franklin once said, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.”

P. Thank you Father for your word. Thank you for teaching me that diligent planning will be beneficial and is the key to avoiding the pitfalls of poverty (scarcity). Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to prayerful, diligent plans that will ultimately produce great Kingdom results. In Jesus’ name!