S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #18 - June 18, 2023 "Devoted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

S. Colossians 4:2-5 (NIV) 2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.

5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

O. Paul shares two broad teaching points. First we are devote ourselves to prayer. While we pray, we are to be watchful and thankful. We are to be alert to how God responds to our prayers. Second, we are to be wise n how we interact with others - looking for opportunity to share and making a difference with what and how we say it.

A. I don’t always look to create conversations. I will pray on this and ask the Holy Spirit to lead me to more meaningful conversations that can produce eternal results.

P. Thank you Father for today’s word. Lord Jesus, as I get ready to preach and then later travel, I pray for wisdom to pray with alertness and to look for opportunities to talk about you. Holy Spirit, fill me and guide me to be devoted in prayer and to make the most of every opportunity in sharing the gospel of Jesus. In Jesus’ name.

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #17 - June 17, 2023 "I Work At _____, But I Work For The Lord"

S. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

O. Paul had just given instructions for Christian households regarding how we relate to one another. He closes this chapter teaching us to work with all our hearts at whatever we do, because God is a rewarder. Though we may work for an earthly employer, we work for the Lord. We ultimately serve the Lord. Paul shares at least one reason why we are to work with all of our hearts at whatever we do - The Lord is going to reward us. We are going to receive an inheritance - a future gift.

A. I love the work that God has placed me in. I enjoy cariing for my home and property. I enjoy officiating high school sports and I dearly love the work of the church. I love meeting people and encouraging them. So I work at this with all my heart because I love it and what a great “2nd blessing” (If I can call it that) - God will reward me for my work. Who doesn’t love getting gifts? And to get one from the Lord? I’m all in.

P. Thank you Lord Jesus for this word today. Thank you Lord that you are a rewarder. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to work with all my heart. To be a difference maker. To be encouraging to others. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #16 - June 16, 2023 "Developing the Strong Roots of Faith In Jesus"

S. Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV) 6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

O. Paul teaches us that we live our lives the same way that we received Jesus - by faith. By faith we are to develop strong spiritual roots to build ourselves up spiritually in the faith. As we do this, our lives should have an overflow of gratitude (thankfulness).

Developing, nurturing and building up your faith is important. We develop strong “in Christ” roots to protect us from false teachings (gnosticism in this context) also referred elsewhere as “every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14)

A. I have committed my life to developing strong spiritual disciplines (prayer, bible reading-study, witnessing) and teaching them to others - so that with a strong root system we can withstand attacks from the enemy, identify and reject false teachings that may come our way.

P. Thank you Father for your word today. I’m filled with gratitude for Jesus and the great salvation He has given to all those who believe in Him. Thank you for the filling and leading of the Holy Spirit Thank you for mentors who have played important roles in teaching me and helping me develop strong biblical disciplines. Continue to strengthen and energize me to also mentor and teach others these disciplines to develop a strong spiritual root system. In Jesus’ name I praise and ask these things.