S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #12 - June 12, 2023 "The Light of Positive Spirit Led People."

S. Philippians 2:12-16 (NIV) 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

O. Paul writes that belevers should “work out” their salvation (not work for their salvation). Salvation is free. Additionally we are to allow the Lord to work in our life. Our actions should be positive (not grumblers) with the word of God held firmly in our life. Positive, spirit-led people who hold firmly to God’s word WILL stand out - that is, SHINE as lights of hope in this world.

A. This is my desire - to be a positive, spirit-led person who lives completely (reads and obeys - a hearer and a doer) God’s Word. I know that when I do, I will stand out - I will be a light for others to see and I pray to influence others with my light for the Lord.

P. Thank you Lord Jesus for your word today. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me with wisdom and insight from God’s word. I pray that I will be a positive example of God’s leading to othre people. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #11 - June 11, 2023 "Parternship Blessed By God"

S. Phil. 1:3-6 (NIV) 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

O. Paul expresses his thanks to the church at Philippi. He always prays for all of them. He has great joy because they are a team. The actual word is partnership in English or koinonia in the Greek. It describes the deepest and most intimate association that believers can have together - fellowship. Because of this, Paul is confident (fully persuaded) and he will continue to be confident that the Lord will bring to completion the work they have started together.

A. It is a good thing to express thanks to those who partner together for the cause of Christ. When that type of fellowship (partnership) occurs, the Lord is freely able to bless it and bring that work to completion, that is that it will fully accomplish the goal of what was started together.

P. Thank you Lord Jesus for the team of people you have brought to BLC to partner together for the gospel of Jesus. I pray that we will continue to express thanks and enjoy the unity that it is evident here in this letter to the Philippian church. Holy Spirit continue to fill us with wisdom and guide us, bringing to completion the work we have started together. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge Day #10 - June 10, 2023 "Praying All Kinds of Prayers"

S. Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

O. Paul is teaching on the armor of God. Our struggle is against the powers of darkness and that is why we need the full armor of God. One piece of this armor that is not often not attributed as part of the battle suit is “Praying In the Spirit.” Paul concludes this teaching by emphasizing how vital it is to pray in the spirit on all occasions - with all kinds of prayer - being alert and continuing.

A. I am so thankful to have received the baptism of or in the Holy Spirit that has manifested itself in bold faith and a private prayer language. But also I’ve learned many types or methods of prayer that I will also teach others. I have some of these listed in the margin of my bible. Prayers of: thanks, praise, forgiveness, confession, intercession, praise and prayers of reflection upon the Word of God.

P. Thank you Lord Jesus for baptizing me with the Holy Spirit and for developing in my a desire to pray. Thank you for teaching me how to pray because we do war against the powers of darkness. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to pray all kinds of prayers to the praise of Jesus!