Thursday 20 June 2024

SOAP

Scriptures

Ephesians 4

English Standard Version

Unity in the Body of Christ

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.”[a]

9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds[c] and teachers,[d] 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood,[e] to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

ObservationGOD wants all HIS children to endure trials and hardship, to be patient and to bear one another in love because this world is going to be very difficult, and there are troubles in every stage in life. GOD's command is direct, HE wants us to endure, to persevere, to be patient, to speak the truth in LOVE because only LOVE binds everything, binds families, without love, everything is separated and broken up.

ApplicationToday I find this word very encouraging because I am having a hard time with my mother, she has always been the challenge and difficult part of my life, but until I know how to deal with her and my reaction with her, until I graduate this test that GOD is allowing me to endure, then I can say I am already fit to be married to a husband.

PrayersDear AVI,HOLY and Awesome GOD who is every caring and loving to me! I pray that YOU enable me to love beyond myself, to endure and to be patient, to deny my own flesh because I can never do it alone. I pray for my mother, to be more considerate, to realize her sins and repent from it. I pray for YOU to heal me from all the pains and wounds in the past and to keep working for her even though I do not feel happy, but let YOUR joy be in me, and assure me with YOUR love, comfort me in all my troubles and insecurity and heal me O GOD. Heal me. I pray that my family will always learn to love one another. I pray that we will always be patient with each other. I pray for YOUR grace upon us all O GOD. Have mercy on us.
In the Name of JESUS, Amen