S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day 4 - November 4, 2022 "Evidence Demanding A Verdict."

S. Mark 15:44-48 (NIV)

44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.

O. As I read this, I think of the evidence that is left for us - proving Jesus is who He claimed to be, the son of God, the Savior. This is just one piece of evidence that truly, as Josh McDowel wrote so many years ago, “demands a verdict.”

I observe that Pilate was suprised. Usually the victims of crucifixion would have to have their legs broken - yet Jesus was already found to be dead (He gave us His life). Because Jesus was said to be dead, Pilate sends a Roman centurion to verify this. Romans knew how to verify and certify death (likely for legal purposes), Yet Jesus was raised and shown Himself to be alive.

A. Ths short passage is one of many that disprove the “hypothesis” of many skeptics and prove, by evidence, that Jesus indeed was not only dead, but that He rose and appeared to many - proviing He was who He claimed to be, the Son of God, the Savior of the World.

P. Thank you Father for providing us simple and plain evidences that prove who you are and that Jesus is who He claimed to be. I pray for my family and friends who are skeptical, that they will examine the evidence and see for themselves and place their faith in Jesus. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 30 Day challenge - Day #3, November 3, 2022 "Faith, Love and Generosity"

S. Mark 14:3, 6-7 (NIV)

3 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.

4 Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? 5 It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.

6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. 8 She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. 9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

O. A woman poured very expensive perfume on Jesus head. Jesus understood this as an act to prepare him for his burial. The woman understood, to the very least, that Jesus was going to die and acted in faith, love and generosity, by honoring Him in this way.

What seemed like a waste to others, Jesus called it a “beautiful thing” and that it would be remembered wherever the Gospel would be preached.

A. There are times that my act of giving to the Lord might be viewed as others as a “waste.” Yet I know the Lord honors and commends such sacrificial giving. I will will continue to look for ways to give to the Lord in such sacrificial ways to show my faith and love for Him and desire to be known for such generosity.

P. Thank you Lord for preserving the testimony of this woman’s faith, love and generosity. I pray that you will continue to work in my heart to be a person of such faith, love and generosity. In Jesus’ name.

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #2, November 2, 2022, "Ingredients to Mountain Moving Faith"

S. Mark 11:22-25 (NIV) 22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

O. Jesus teaches His followers essentially 3 ways to build up their faith and to see their prayers answered. First, we should not allow doubt to enter our hearts and minds. Doubt has that negative effect - negative is from the word negate which means to cancel out. So we sure don’t want doubt in our mind and hearts. We don’t want to cancel out what God is doing in our life. Secondly, we are to truly believe that God can do what He says He can do. We are to be able to place our trust in Him that He will provide for what need and if He’s acted on our behalf in the past, there’s no reason to think He will not do so in the present and future. Thirdly, we are to make every effort to have healthy relationships with others. We should believe the best about people. When there are difficulties, we should work together to resolve those so that our spiritual life is not hindered.

A. Having a “mountain moving faith” is certainly what I desire. I will make every effort to guard my heart and my mind from allowing doubt to creep in. I will be sure to “speak” God’s word of all He has done, Is and does. I will make efforts to keep my relationships with others on the positive so I do not hinder my worship of the Lord and my spiritual growth. When I mix in all these ingredients, I know that God is there to literally move the mountatins or obstacles.

P. Thank you Father for your word today. Forgive me where I fall short on this and work in my life to keep my faith free from doubt, strong in your Word and to have positive relationships with others. In Jesus’ name.