S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #30 - June 30, 2023 "Remember, It is the Grace og God That Teaches People."

S. Titus 2:11-12 (NIV) 11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

O. Paul teaches Titus (to also teach others) that the Grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It is also this grace that teaches people to deny ungodly living. We are saved by His grace and we are taught by His grace.

It can be difficult to wait for people to grow or mature spiritually - yet christian living cannot be coerced, it is taught with great patience. We must not become judgmental. It is God’s grace that actually does the teaching - we simply provide the instruction and example.

A. At times, I can become impatient with the spiritual development in the lives of family members or those that are under my pastoral care. I am reminded that it is the Grace of God that leads people n their spiritual life. Therefore I will continue to lead, mentor and provide the instruction while, with patience, I pray for God’s grace to develop them.

P. Thank you Lord Jesus for the word today. Holy Spirit fill me and lead me to faithfully mentor and instruct others as I wait for your grace to work in the hearts and lives of those. In Jesus’ name.

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge - Day #29 - June 29, 2023 "Pray For an Undivided Heart."

S. Pslam 86:11-12 (NIV) “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart, I will glorify your name forever.”

O. David prayed that he might rely on God’s faithfulness and that God might give him an undivided heart. David is known in scripture as a man after God’s own heart - meaning He desired to have the very heart of God. He chased after God. He pursued God and here he prays for an undivided heart. David did not want anything else to compete for his service to the Lord. He desired his heart to be whole and to have singleness of direction.

A. I too desire an undivided heart - a singleness of focus and direction. I do not want other things to crowd out or distort my focus and attention of worshiping God and serving HIM. There are many “competing voices” in our world that can divide and water down our faith. But I, like David, will pray for an undivided heart and then I’ll praise with Him with All of My heart.

P. Thank you Lord for your word today. As David prayed so I pray for an undivided heart. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to block out the competing voices that I might serve you with a whole heart - in Jesus’ name.

S.O.A.P. 30 Day challenge - Day #28 June 28, 2023 "Right Time Or Not - Preach the Word"

S. 2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV) “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season: correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.”

O. Paul gives a charge - more encouragement to Timothy. Timothy is to keep preaching God’s word. He is to be prepared when the opportunity occurs and when it’s less opportune. He is to always be ready. As he preaches, he is also to correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.

There’s a lot to unpack in this single verse. Today my focus is “in season and out of season.” The word for “season” is “kairos” which means “at the right time.” The thought is whether the time is right or not, we are to share God’s word.

A. I think we all want conditions to be just right to be able to share God’s Word or to start a ministry. We certainly need to wait to hear from the Lord for His leading but other than that, we are to proclaim God’s word regardless of the condition being “just right” or not. I think I often forget the principle of sowing and reaping. If we sow, plant, share - we will reap (there will be a good result from that planting) Galatians 6:7-9.

P. Thank you Lord Jesus for this word today. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to NOT wait for coniditions to be favorable, but to continue to preach your word, to invest in people, to develop outreach ministries knowing that “we will reap a harvest in due time.” Galatians 6:9.