S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge – Day #28, September 28, 2023 “God Will Say ‘YES’ to Our Prayers”

S. Luke 11:9-10 (NIV) “So I say unto you; ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; the one who seeks finds; and the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

O. Jesus is teaching on prayer. After giving them a model of prayer (that is often referred to as the Lord’s prayer), Jesus teaches about being persistent in prayer. He says we are to ask, seek and knock and when we do, what we ask will be given, what we seek, we will find, and when we knock, the door that is closed will be opened.

When our hearts are aligned with God’s heart – He says “YES” to our prayers.

A. God is a giver of good gifts. He is a giver. He loves us and wants to bless us. He wants to say “yes” to us. The last few days He has reminded me of this. I need to align my heart with His. So, I pray and ask for things that He wants and when I do, He says “YES” – He gives. He blesses. He rewards.

P. Thank you Lord for reminding me that you love to give. You love to bless. You love to reward. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to be in alignment with the Father’s heart so that the prayer I pray will truly be effective – in Jesus’ name.

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge – Day #27, September 27, 2023 “The Cost of Following Jesus”

S. Luke 9:59-62 (NIV) “He said to another man, ‘Follow me.’ But he replied, ‘Lord, first let me go and bury my father.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the Kingdom of God.’”

O. There is a cost to being a Christ follower. The cost here is to prioritize following Jesus over our earthly commitments. Jesus often used hyperbole (speech that exaggerates) to teach spiritual truth. The Bible says it is good to honor our fathers and mothers (Ephesians 6) and that it is good to mourn the loss of family members (Deuteronomy 34:8). But we are not to prioritize these over our commitment to following Christ and proclaiming His Kingdom. We are to value our relationship with Jesus and sharing the gospel of Christ over anything.

A. Michelle and I try very hard to honor our family relationship and commitments. However, we do not participate in events that would keep us from attending a church service or a church related activity. We schedule our lives around the church calendar (because many of the things on the church calendar we know are for our spiritual benefit). Years ago, we made these decisions. If someone from out-of-town visits us on a weekend, we invite them to church. If they don’t want to attend, we let them know we will do something together after our service (as an example). If a family member hosts an event on a Sunday, we let them know we’ll arrive after our church service.  There is a cost to following Jesus and He has blessed us for making sure He is always first in our lives.

P. Thank you Lord for teaching us this truth. Holy Spirit, fill us and guides us to continue to honor you first with our schedule (our time) and still shine your light to our family members. In Jesus’ name!

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge – Day #26, September 26, 2023 “Fruit from Time with Jesus”

S. Luke 10:41-42(NIV) “’Martha, Martha,’” The Lord answered, ‘You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’”

O. Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. But Mary spent time at Jesus’ feet and that time with Jesus will not be taken away – meaning there will be good that comes out of it. You can never go wrong spending time with Jesus. That time is special and can’t be taken away. Time with Jesus can embolden your faith, build you up and produce great results continually in your life. That’s what I call fruit.

A. I do this well in my personal life – But in my “ministry” life I can get distracted by all the “preparations” (planning) that needs to take place. While there is always a place and need for organizational planning and effort – there must also be the balance of enjoying in a season of ministry what Jesus is doing in my life and in the life of our church.

P. Thank you Lord for your word today. Thank you for the reminder to make certain to pause from the busyness and distractions of ministry and enjoy what Jesus is doing in the life of the church (and my family). Thank you Lord and I praise you in Jesus’ name!