S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #6 - June 6, 2023 "No Longer On The Outside Looking In"

S. Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV) 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

O. Because of God’s great love and Grace, He has brought us not only near to Him, but we now have the Holy Spirit indwelling us - we each are a holy temple of the Lord and collectively we are His church. We are a Holy temple built upon the foundation of the apostle and prophets, with Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone. Jesus gives us the alignment we need to be that dwelling in which God lives.

We are no longer people on the outside that look in. We are members of God’s household. We are a part of what He is doing in the world today.

A. I am continually humbled by what God has done for me. He has taken me on a journey - from being far from Him to now, only only near to Him, but to actually be a part of His household, His family, His church and what He is doing in the world. He values all of us that much. I am humbled and also filled with praise.

P. Thank you Lord Jesus for bringing me not only near the Father , but to be a member of your household. I praise you for including me in your family and being a part of what you are doing to reach the rest of the world. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #5 - June 5, 2023 "Focusing on God's Unfailing Love"

S. Psalm 33:18 (NIV) “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love.”

O. The psalmist (I think King David) teaches that all other things people might turn to (v.16-17) are useless. But for those who fear the Lord (fear means being in '“awe” of Him) and put their hope in His unfailing love - there is provision and guidance. His love never fails! That’s one thing God cannot do.. He cannot fail.

A. When I give the Lord continued first place in my life - when I hold Him in with reverence (fear or awe), because He loves me and cannot fail, He gives me the provision and guidance I truly need. I don’t have to look to others things in the world. His unfailing love gives us great hope and provision.

P. Thank you Father - Thank you Jesus for your unfailing love. Because of your unfailing love, I have no other need. Fear and concern for things in my life will go away and I am able to worship you, to praise you and to completely trust in you - because your love never fails. Holy Spirit fill me and guilde me with the single focus upon God’s unfailing love. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #4 - June 4, 2023 "Faith is the Antidote to Fear."

S. Proverbs 29:25 (NIV) “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”

O. Solomon teaches that fear is a trap. It locks us into solitude. It’s like quicksand. You can’t move and if you do, it isn’t forward. It keeps us from forward movement spiritually and from being productive. However, FAITH in the Lord frees us. We can move forward in life and know that with God’s leading, we are safe.

A. Since faith is the antidote to fear, then I will do all I can to build up my faith. I’ll pray more. I’ll read the Bible more. I will read other books by christian authors that will build up my faith. I’ll listen to not only my own messages, but messages of other preachers/speakers that are also champions in the Christian faith. I’ll then be like a sponge, I’ll soak it all in and then give it all out to encourage and build up others.

P. Thank you Father for your word. The enemy often uses fear to keep me (and God’s people) stagnet. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to build up my faith and in doing so, overcoming fear, bearing fruit which builds others up in their faith. In Jesus’ name!