10 MAY 22 Tuesday SOAPS DEVO

 10 MAY 22 Tuesday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 45; Proverbs 10; Exodus 32:21-34; Matt 5:11-16

S- The way of the Lord is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked. Proverbs 10:29

O- The Lord pictures his people as a stronghold or fortress that can withstand the problems and enemies of life.  What does it take to become a stronghold? A person must live day by day pursuing holiness and righteousness as their purpose.  It is in the regular formation that we are made solid for defense.

A- I will devote myself to the pursuit of holiness and righteousness in order to become all that God wants me to be.  I will encourage others to do the same.

P- Lord, life throws at us all kinds of problems from the time we are a child until we are very old.  Guide us in your ways and make us into a people of integrity thereby making us a stronghold against the storms of life, amen.

S- A, J

9 MAY 22 Monday SOAPS DEVO

 9 MAY 22 Monday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 41, 52; Proverbs 9; Exodus 32:1-20; Matthew 5:1-10

S- Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.  Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt. Proverbs 9:7

O- God gives wise advice in order to save us pain and frustration.  We have to choose our battles and better understand people from a spiritual level.  The mocker and the wicked are not prepared for the truth, righteousness, or the things of God.  They will only respond with hate.  It is better to pray for them and model the action desired and help those that can be.

A- I will heed the wisdom of the Lord and save myself some pain.  I will pray for those that run counter to godliness and continue to live as a model for others to see.

P- Lord, we run into people that mock our faith, principles, and life.  We want to get back at them through rebukes and correction, but that just smacks us in the face.  Lord, please change the hearts of the mocker and the wicked so that they may hear, see, and live. Help us to obey your direction so that we bring you glory, amen.

S- P, J

7 MAY 22 Saturday SOAPS DEVO

 7 MAY 22 Saturday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 30, 32; Proverbs 7; Exodus 25:1-22; Matthew 4:18-25

S- While I was at the window of my house, looking through the curtain, I saw some naive young men and one in particular who lacked common sense. Proverbs 7:6-7

O- The passage looks at a story of a man who didn’t use wisdom or common sense and ended up dead.  God gives believers spiritual sense and notifies us before we step into sin.  The Holy Spirit will prick us so that we escape it if we listen and obey, but wisdom means nothing if you don’t obey.

A- I will listen and obey what the Lord tells me in his Word.  I will listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in daily life to do what he desires and his correction when I head toward sin. 

P- Lord, I know that any time that I have sinned against you that I had a moment of clarity before to escape and go another way.  I haven’t always listened and obeyed.  For that, I am sorry.  I do pray that you will give me ears to hear and a willingness to do.  In your name, amen.

S- dmc, fb, 

6 MAY 22 Friday SOAPS DEVO

 6 MAY 22 Friday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 105:1-22; Proverbs 6; Exodus 24:1-18; Matthew 4:12-17

S- What are worthless and wicked people like? They are constant liars. Proverbs 6:12

O- The most common sin that God hates and even detests is lying.  People lie to protect themselves from punishment, or someone else, for self-image, to impress people, or to evade conflict to name a few.  All of it is sin and breaks trust in a relationship and causes more damage as the lie mutates.  God commands us to be people of truth.

A- I will commit to being a person of truth and reconcile with those to whom I have lied.  

P- Lord, your word stings of rebuke when we see ourselves clearly in it.  We can point the finger at others, but in reality, we have all sinned against you in this manner.  We are all liars and need your forgiveness and empowerment to be people of truth.  Grant it Lord that our mouths would glorify you in our everyday life.  Amen.

S- L, S, 

5 MAY 22 Thursday SOAPS Devo

 5 MAY 22 Thursday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 37:1-18; Proverbs 5; Exodus 20:1-12; Matthew 4:1-11

S- You will say, “How I hated discipline! If only I had not ignored all the warnings! Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors?

O- When I talk to people who mock the gospel, promote sin, or are indifferent, I think of this verse.  At some point, it will be too late for them and they will stand before God in judgment.  While some will respond in disappointment others will be angry.  We cannot open the ears or soften a person's heart that is hard against God, but God can.

A- I will share the good news without filtering and pray for them to have ears to hear and prepared hearts.  I will not be offended by people who reject the message or spew hostility but leave them in the hands of God.

P- Lord, I have been the one in the past that didn’t listen to wisdom and warnings and suffered the consequences.  I ask that you help those that come to mind who mock and reject wisdom or the gospel, for the results are devastating. Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy. Amen.

S- J, V

4 MAY 22 Wednesday SOAPS DEVO

 4 MAY 22 Wednesday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 28, 28; Proverbs 4; Exodus 19:16-25; Matthew 3:13-17

S- Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.  Proverbs 4:23

O- The heart is the center of who we are and contains our identity.  When you were a child, your parents guarded your heart against the world, the flesh, the devil, and imprinted on you the ways of God in hopes that you might become a child of God.  When you left their care, it is up to you to use the tools given to embrace God’s identity for you.  Everything else will fight that so you must actively guard your heart.

A- I will guard my heart, my identity in Christ, and your ways with God’s help.  I will remain devoted to the development of my life, to your will, and seek you above all.

P- Lord, you give us wisdom so that we can navigate through life and respond to the adversaries we face even our own desires.  You call us to die to self and follow and love you with all our hearts.  Help us to guard our hearts and defend us day by day. Amen.

S- V, A, K

3 May 22 Tuesday SOAPS Devo

 3 MAY 22 Tuesday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 26, 28; Proverbs 3; Exodus 19:1-16; Matthew 3:7-12

S- My child, never forget the things I have taught you.  Store my commands in your heart.  If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.  Proverbs 3:1-2

O- My mom has taught me many things about the Lord.  Frankly, I wouldn’t be here without her guidance and care.  She instilled in me the love for God’s word and encouraged me to read and memorize it from an early age.  Unfortunately, I didn’t understand that early enough and lived unsatisfying life for a season.  I understand now that God is my satisfaction and joy.

A- I will continue to read and memorize the Scriptures and remember the things that my mom has taught me.  I will be thankful that God has shown me how to be satisfied in him and find my true identity and purpose in him.

P- Lord, I thank you for the love of my mom to invest your wisdom in my life.  Thank you that your word took root in my life and that I have satisfaction in you.  Lord, help me to invest in others and encourage my children in your ways.  Amen.

S-M, D, R

2 MAY 22 Monday SOAPS DEVO

 2 MAY 22 Monday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 25; Proverbs 2; Exodus 18:13-27; Mark 1:1-17

S- So follow the steps of the good, and stay on the paths of the righteous.  Proverbs 2:20

O- The benefits of studying the proverbs help you chart the narrow path of holiness and righteousness.  There are times in life when you can barely tell how to proceed or are just blind.  It is given to you when you seek righteousness, and faith becomes your eyes as you walk through difficult times or decisions.

A- I will seek the wisdom of God so that it becomes light on my path.  I will trust it even though the world and culture around me think it foolish.  

P- Lord, life is difficult, filled with wicked and evil people, and there are difficult choices to be made every day.  Give me the wisdom to navigate this life and the faith to endure.  May you be glorified and I fortified.  In your name, Amen.

S- J, E, M, T

1 MAY 22 Sunday SOAPS DEVO

 1 MAY 22 Sunday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 148, 149, 150; Proverbs 1; Exodus 18:1-12; Mark 16:9-20

S- Come and listen to my counsel.  I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise. Proverbs 1:23

O- God is the initiator of our relationship and invites us to come and follow him.  He desires to share the depths of his heart with us in order to establish relationships and to give us wisdom and purpose for this life. This gives us insight into living and peace in the midst of uncertain and fearful times.

A- I will devote myself to the study of the Scriptures in order to discover more of God.  I will apply his word to my life and rest in his wisdom though I don’t always see the future outcomes.  I will obey his word no matter the consequences either positive to me or negative.

P- Lord, I thank you for your word and the wisdom you impart so that we can live abundant lives that glorify you.  Give me the desire to read, mark, and inwardly digest your word and apply it.  Give me a passion for those that don’t know you and share with them the hope I have in you.  Amen.

S- Mosaic, A, B (note: people’s initials or groups to share with)

30 APR 22 Saturday SOAPS DEVO

 30 APR 22 Saturday SOAPS DEVO

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 20; Proverbs 30; 1 Peter 4:7-19; John 16:16-33

S- First, help me never to tell a lie.  Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.  For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, Who is the Lord? And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.  Proverbs 30:8-9

O- I’ve been with very little, have had a lot, and everywhere in between.  Learning to be thankful at every point of the spectrum built gratitude and contentment. The writer here knows himself and the struggle with discontentment and sin.  Being open with God for your needs and trusting him to provide is an opportunity to build your faith and see Him move in your life.

A- I will continue to ask God to provide for my needs and help me to be content with all that I have.  I will build an attitude of gratitude through thankfulness and generosity no matter how little or much I have.

P- Lord, thank you for caring for our family all these years and the memories and strength we have from our ups and downs.  You have always been faithful to us and in that we give thanks.  Lord my satisfaction is found in you because everything else pales in comparison and leaves me wanting.  Please give us more of you in our lives. Amen.

S- M, L

Don't ignore affinity

Don’t ignore affinity

Much learning takes place in the Harvest.  Much of Jesus’ discipling of the twelve was on the road and doing “the stuff” as John Wimber says.  When we work in the harvest among the lost we are challenged.  We are tested.  We find out where our gaps in knowledge and sharing are.

This is where real learning and growth takes place.  It doesn’t happen in the classroom.  It happens in the everyday life.  God is teaching and developing us if we will let him.  He shapes us in to what he desires.  It brings him glory and draws us near to him.

Normally I would write about a theology idea or strategy to share, but this is different.  This is about the mystery of relationships.  The idea is affinity.  It is a mystery how people connect with one another.  This should not be ignored.  You can’t reach everyone.  You can’t disciple everyone.  We are not meant too.

If we are going to expand our influence, we need to be thinking of others that want to make disciples.  Case in point, we visited Joe, a guy who we met in a neighborhood apartment complex.  He received us.  He was kind and not put off.  We prayed for him.  We shared the gospel with him, but we could tell there was a personal disconnect.  During our conversation, he gave us insight into a positive connection he had with one of our teammates (Tony) that had come by a couple of weeks prior.  Joe remembered Tony.  He liked his energy and showed a genuine interest in meeting with him. 

Joe didn’t want to meet with us.  It was subtle, not overt rejection.  The door was open, but not to us.  We could feel hurt or dejected about it.  But, Why? It’s not about us. What we learned is what psychologists call emotional intelligence.  It’s learning about people and how to make the most of relational situations.  We don’t have to get vexed over it.  What we “can do” is use this affinity to build up Joe and to further develop Tony that has been looking for an opportunity to disciple someone.

In this way it releases us to keep sowing the seed of the gospel and expands the reach of ministry in the community.  Don’t ignore affinity. We must become more aware of affinity as we reach out to others.  This benefits us all in the long run. 

How to Fail in Your Evangelism

3 circles gospel presentation

One verse evangelism version 2

One verse evangelism version 1

Simple gospel presentation using symbols

Death wish?

Death wish?

Do you have a death wish? That part of town is rough.  Did you see another person was shot in that apartment complex?  It’s too dangerous.  It’s not worth it.  I could never do that.

Those are some of the comments and questions we get from non-Christians and Christians when they hear where we go to share the gospel.  Fifteen years ago, this type of place was out of my comfort zone.  Today, I have peace in the midst of danger because my fear is in God, not man.  Jesus himself said, “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt. 10:28)

We see that Jesus did ministry among the people.  He modeled going to the places where sinners are located.  He went to where the broken were known to be. (The demoniac, woman at the well, etc.)

Definitely easier said than done. …. think about it.  Where in your town or city do you consider to be the bad side, crime filled, or just scary?  The police in our city label them HIZ (High Intensity Zones).  These are places that are known for violence, drugs, prostitution and crime of every flavor. 

Jesus said that people live in darkness (Lk 1:79). In fact, Paul says we were darkness (Eph. 5:8). We are slaves to sin (Jn 8:34). Because of that, we cannot expect non-believers to act holy or Christianly.  It is not in their nature.  Their “big” issue is not drugs, violence or poverty. Their issue is, they do not have Jesus! We must see through the darkness and to their heart.  Be willing to be offended and not show it, for their sake.

 Did Jesus have a death wish? Absolutely not; however, He was intentionally looking for lost and broken people (Lk 19:10) no matter where they lived. For what? Life! Jesus had (and still has) a life-wish! Jesus sought out those in darkness to bring light and life.  He always found ‘some’ or a ‘few’ that received him and the message.  The majority rejected the light because they loved the darkness.  They were not the right soil. (Mt. 13) They love their sin.  They are naturally evil, wicked, and self-focused.  

If only ONE receives the good news, it would be worth it. I was worth the time, you were worth the time, and THEY (those in the rough neighborhoods) are worth our time.  It is worth our risk.  It is worth our investment.  We were created and brought into relationship with Jesus for this very purpose. It is an honor and privilege to serve the living God. Do you have a life-wish?

“Some want to live within the sound
Of church or chapel bell;
I want to run a rescue shop,
Within a yard of hell.”
― C.T. Studd

Fish Tales 9/7/2016

Pastors of Peace

One of the aspects of pressing toward movement, is the idea of finding the "person of peace" as referenced in Luke 10.  Our hope is that we find people in the harvest that fit some basic criteria.

1. They receive the messenger.
2. They receive the message.
3. They receive the mission.

The work of the Spirit is preparing people in these communities we are going into.  Jesus is already at work and waiting for us.   You know one when you find one.  It's a real joy.

There is another person of peace that is out there, that needs to be found,  the "Pastor of Peace".  God is not done with his church as some may think.  He is taking it back and reforming it.  The leaders from many denominations, non-denoms, and house churches are feeling His pull. 

As we talk to pastors and explain Discipleship Multiplication Principles, they reveal their long desire to see the lost won in their city.  They want their people to be involved in the harvest. They realize that they have modeled and invested in a "come and see" church.  They want a "go and tell" church that embraces the Great Commission.

Pastors are receiving the messengers, the message and the mission.  They need to know how to do the stuff, so they can see the magic. (Fruitful and Multiply)

As you pray for laborers and persons/households of peace, don't forget to pray for Pastors of Peace!


Be encouraged, Go Fish!