21 Days of Prayer, Day 2 - Monday, August 8, 2022

Day 2 - Monday, August 8, 2022

Hosea 10:12 ESV Sow for yourselves righteousness;     reap steadfast love;  break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord,     that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

Every place where something that has gotten into your heart that is hard, break it up!

We need a mighty revival of God.  

How do you break up the hardness of your heart?

Luke 8:5-8 (NIV)  5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”

This gives us 4 heart conditions

V. 5  The Path.  I might call this “The Polluted Heart” - the one that the devil has got into.  Ask God, “Do I have a polluted heart?”(from sin that I have done or that curses people have done to me).

V. 6 The Rocky Soil. I call this, “The Distracted heart.”  I get busy thinking about other things and have not let God have most of the real estate of my mind and heart. For 21 days I’m going to be more focused on God.

V. 14 Weeds. Let’s call this, “The Immature Heart.” This person says I’m stagnant. I’m in the same place with God that I’ve been for 10 years. This year I’m not going to be immature anymore. I’m going to move forward in my faith. No more stagnation. I’m moving forward in my relationship with the Lord. I’m attending the Growth Track, I’m getting on the Dream To Serve and use my gifts. I’m going to be part of a small group and build relationships. I’m going to pray for people and invite people to Jesus and to the church. I’m moving my faith forward.

V.15. Good Soil. This is “The Prepared Heart.” - This is the one that produces fruit. This is the one we are desiring in our lives. How do we get there?  Repent.  It simply means I was heading in one direction but now I’m heading in a new direction toward God. I need to change some things but now I'm heading toward God.  I’m ready for God to refresh me.

Acts 3:19(NIV) 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

We want times of refreshing in the presence of almighty God. We need refreshing. Our families need refreshing and our churches need refreshing.

So let’s ask the Holy Spirit to do a work inside us and to break up the hard ground of our hearts, In Jesus’ name.

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day 23, June 23, 2022 "Elders Worth of Double Honor."

S. 1 Timothy 5:17-18 (NIV) 17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,”[a] and “The worker deserves his wages.”

O. Paul has been teaching on Elders in the church. He has provided instruction to Timothy on how they are to be cared for. He notes that Elders whose work is in preaching and teaching, they are worthy of double honor (that is compensation). He then supports this teaching with references from Deuteronomy 25:4 and 1 Corinthians 9:7-9.

A. I am very thankful for how the Lord has blessed me and supported me. Over the past 30 years of pastoral ministry, the Lord has supported me faithfully - and in this passage is the reason - those whose work is in preaching and teaching are to be supported by those who receive it.

P. Thank you Father for your word today. Thank you for instruction in the biblical care of Elders in the church (men and women) and in those whose work is in preaching and teaching. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to continue to labor in love of your high calling in my life. In Jesus’ name.

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge Day #22 - June 22, 2022 Spiritual Muscles For A Better Life

S. 1 Timothy 4:7 (NIV) 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

O. Paul encourages Timothy that while many ohters are leaving the faith, Timothy is to train himself to be godly. Just as physical training has some value - training in the spiritual realm has value for both the present life and for our after life in heaven. The word “train” is the word “gumnazo” of which we have our word “gymnasium (gym).”

Not only are there benefits from physically working out but spiritual fitness also brings us many spiritual benefits. Just as a person might lift free weights or work out on weight machines and devices designed to increase physical speed, strength, agility, flexibility, endurance, etc… there are also spiritual disciplines which can help to heighten our spiritual senses and strengthen our “spiritual muscles.” Disciplnes such as reading and journaling God’s word, studying God’s word, memorizing verses, an active prayer life, sharing our faith with others, etc..

A. I will continue my spiriutal workouts in such disciplines of bible reading, journaling, studying, prayer, sharing my faith, preaching, leading others to develop their faith, etc. These disciplines are like the weights in the gym. They help me build up my spiritual muscles and provide blessings for my life both now and in my life for eternity.

P. Thank you Father for your word today. Holy Spirit continue to fill me and guide me in practicing and teaching such spiritual disciplines rather than to follow others who are literally walking away from our great faith. In Jesus’ name!