SOAP up! (S.O.A.P. Scripture. Observation. Application. Prayer.)
Since introducing Back to Basics, Calvary Miri’s members (should) have a collection of devotionals. Once in a while, it’s nice to pull them out for reflection. And that’s exactly what we’re doing today.
Daily Devotion: Day 40 Tuesday, 9 February, 2016
Title: The Holy Spirit in Missions
Reading: as per “Life Journal One Year Reading Plan” Day 40
Scripture:
“Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”
Acts 16:6-10 NIV
Observation:
The Holy Spirit played a valuable part in the mission of the early church. Where to minister, where to go, etc., were determined by the Holy Spirit. And the early apostles were in tune: spiritually sensitive and able to know what the Holy Spirit was saying. The next place for the mission was revealed by a vision to Paul, not by man but by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Application:
We need to depend and be guided by the Holy Spirit in our Missions, with where to go and when to go to be determined by the Holy Spirit. To be in tune, spiritually sensitive and to learn hear what the Holy Spirit is saying. To seek God and to be open to God for His guidance.
Prayer:
Father, help me hear your voice and be completely guided by you. Help me silence my own voice (my flesh) and the other voices so that I can hear clearly what you are saying to the me and to the church. In my life group and church planting planning, help me to be led and guided by your Holy Spirit. In Jesus name. Amen
This particular SOAP was from Ps. Hii. Not only does it remind me, personally, of the importance of the Holy Spirit’s leading, it reminds me how important it is to read the Word. The church planting ministry (CPM) is integral to Calvary Miri’s mission and it comes with hundreds of decisions to make – it must be tempting to make logical decisions, forgetting that our human minds can hardly comprehend God’s divine plan!
How great is it that God’s Word is not dead on paper, but is alive in our spirit?
Have you SOAP-ed up today? If you have, share your devotionals with us! We’d love to read them.