S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge – Day #17 February 17, 2024 “Denying Personal Comfort for Integrity

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge – Day #17 February 17, 2024 “Denying Personal Comfort for Integrity

 S. Acts 24:26-27 (NIV) “At the same time he (Felix) was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus.”

 O. The governor, Felix, was hoping that Paul would try to bribe him – yet Paul stayed true to the Lord – denying personal comfort for spiritual integrity. Paul used these opportunities to share the Gospel of Jesus to teach the governor on a variety of biblical topics. This went on for two years.

 A. My desire is to live my life with integrity for the Lord – using every available opportunity to reach and teach people about Jesus.

 P. Thank you Lord for Paul’s example. He did not use these moments for personal comfort – rather for opportunities to share and teach about Jesus. Holy Spirit, fill me and guide me to live a life of integrity (wholeness) before you and others. In Jesus’ name.

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge – Day #16 February 16, 2024 “God’s Promise of Provision.”

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge – Day #16 February 16, 2024 “God’s Promise of Provision.”

 S. Leviticus 26:3-10 (NIV) “‘If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit. 5 Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land.

6 “‘I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. 7 You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. 8 Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you. 9 “‘I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. 10 You will still be eating last year’s harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new.

 O. God promises to provide for Israel if they will walk in obedience to Him. God is willing to send blessing in the form of rain (for their crops and trees). He is willing to drive out wildlife that might be harmful to them. He is also willing to drive out their enemies (giving them His peace and protection). God is further willing to multiply their numbers. He is a rewarder of those who trust Him (Hebrews 11:6).

A. I will continue to walk by faith in obedience to God’s leading and call in my life. I know He is willing and able to grant me blessings and favor. My part is to obey him and keep working/planting/serving and having faith in His provision.

 P. Thank you Lord for this word today. Thank you for being a rewarder. You bless obedience. Holy Spirit fill me and guide me to keep trusting, obeying and serving you. I know you are a rewarder of those who obey and trust you. I’m claiming your favor today and the truth of this passage and of Galatians 6:9 “Let us know grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we WILL reap a harvest if we do not quit.”

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge – Day #15 February 15, 2024 “Growing Closer to God.”

S.O.A.P. 30 Day Challenge – Day #15 February 15, 2024 “Growing Closer to God.”

 S. Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV) Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

 O. David prays for at least 3 things in the these first few verses – because of his hope and dependance upon God. He asks the Lord to show him, teach him and guide him. He asked God to show him God’s way. God has a way for us to live and David wanted to see that.

He asked God to teach Him God’s path. God has a direction in life for us and David wanted to know that direction. He asked God to guide him in truth. He wanted to know the truth of God – perhaps greater revelation of who God is. I believe David was desiring to grow closer to God – he wanted to deepen that relationship.

 A. This is my desire – to be a lifelong learner and grow closer to God. What a great prayer – show me, teach me, and guide me.  To pray like that, I think, illustrates a heart that beats for God and truly desires a closer, and more intimate walk with Him.

 P. Thank you Lord for this word today. I want a closer and more intimate walk with you. I want to grow closer to you. Yes, Lord – show me, teach me and guide me. In Jesus’ name.