S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #15 - June 15, 2023 "God Looks For Fully Commited Hearts"

S. 2 Chronicles 16:7-9 (NIV) 7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: “Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the Lord your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. 8 Were not the Cushites and Libyans a mighty army with great numbers of chariots and horsemen. Yet when you relied on the Lord, he delivered them into your hand. 9 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.”

O. For 35 years Asa’s heart was fully committed to the Lord. He relied upon the Lord and the Lord strengthened him, gave him courage and blessed him. Yet, he began making plans without asking and trusting God. He relied upon others rather than relying upon God. Because of this, God did not give him victory and he later died from illness (and in that time, he did not seek God).

We must continue to always seek the Lord FIRST for His leading and guidance. He only is able to give us direction and the resources we need.

A. I have in my past, made decisions without first pausing to seek God’s leading and receive confirmation. Yet the word says God looks for those whose hearts are fully commited to Him that He might strengthen them. God actively looks to give us strength and provision. I will continue to seek the Lord, initially and primarily, for His guidance and provision. I will make plans but I will fully commit my plans to Him before acting upon them.

P. Thank you Lord that you actively look to bless those whose hearts are fully committed. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to live so that my heart is always fully committed to the Lord. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #14 - June 14,2023 "I Choose to Rejoice-No Matter What"

S. Philippians 4:4-8 (NIV) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

O. Paul provides great encouragement. He teaches us to always rejoice and to let people see that rejoicing in our lives. Further, we are not to let anxiety overtake us - and we can succeed in that area by giving everything to God in prayer. The positive result will be that we will enjoy God’s peace in our life. He offers a final word about such rejoicing - that is.. we are to think about the good things of life.

A. For me, to overcome anxiety and potentially depression, the key is to rejoice, pray and think about good things. This is a great teaching. What I take away from this is - choices lead and feelings follow. I can choose to be negative and experience all the consequences of that thinking, or I can be posiitive, thinking about good things and rejoice. When the negative thinking starts to come into my mind, I pray and give this over to the Lord - again by rejoicing and thinking of His goodness to me.

P. Thank you Lord Jesus for this great word today. Thank you for teaching and reminding me that choices lead and feelings follow. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me. With your leading I know I can choose to rejoice and think about the good things of life that you have provided me. When negative thoughts come up, I’m giving everyone of them to you in prayer and returning to that posture of rejoicing and being thankful. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #13 - June 13, 2023 "Pressing Toward the Goal of Christlikeness."

S. Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV) 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

O. Paul knew his past and considered it behind him. He was certain of God’s call - yet he knew had not “arrived.” He knew that he was not as much like Christ as he desired or could be. That was his goal - to become more like Christ Jesus and using the time he had on earth to move toward that goal.

A. Similar to Paul (but nowhere near where he was spirituall speaking), I know my past and I know what the Lord has called me to. I have put the past behind me and have pressed on toward the call of God in my life - but I have certainly (like Paul) not arrived. There is much more growth I need. There is so much more grace I need. I have much more room for spiritual growth. I am willing to listen. I am willing to learn. I am willing to try new things. I am willing to press on, to stretch forward to be more liike Jesus.

P. Thank you Jesus for your word. Thank you for Paul’s example. I too desire to grow more amd more toward that goal, the goal of becoming more like you. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to press forward in becoming more like the Lord Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen!