SOAP: elements for life

S - Revelation 2, read it here. (NLT)

O - Formulas for life (?)...
to Hard Work and Patient Endurance + Love = Good Fruit (Life)
in Suffering and Poverty + Faithfulness = Protection (Life)
to Loyalty and Faithfulness + Truth = New Food and New Name (Life)
to constant improvement of Love, Faith, Service, and Patient Endurance + Hold On Tight! = Authority (Life)

These are Jesus' words to the first four churches in Revelation. One who reads these to the churches and obeys them is blessed...

The church has been underway for awhile. Things have seemingly settled down and church is getting familiar. There are a lot of churches doing "good." Jesus says there is more to life than what they're experiencing. He honestly assesses each church where they are at. "Look," he says, "I see what makes you feel good about yourselves, and they ARE good. But that's not ALL I had planned for you. And look, you've got some blind spots. Let's take a look at things together..."

Is it any wonder what these churches are missing is LOVE, FAITH, and TRUTH. They perform well, suffer well, and hunker down together well... but Jesus wants more love, faith, and truth.

One church gets "off." They are constantly improving in these things, but Jesus clearly seems to think it would be VERY easy for them to get distracted, let go, or give up.

A - How have I settled? What do I think is "good" enough? This is not the perfectionist addict talking, this is the servant of Jesus. The one who wants all of the rich and satisfying life Jesus has to offer. The one who wants to see harvests of fruit. Wants to be filled with joy because of God's protection. Wants to feast on the things of God and know him in personal and secretive ways. He is calling me to love, faith (confidence), and truth.

P - Lord, this is going to take time. It's not a "get-r-done" today kind of thing. This is going to take careful, thoughtful, and deliberate action. I need you to secure my each step. I need you to confirm each person. I need you to shape each plan. I want all the life you have to offer.