I used to…

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: Hebrews 5:12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.
14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Observation: As in infancy our physical life depended on “milk,” so our early spiritual life depended on the “elementary truths of God’s word.” As our physical life matured to be able to eat “solid food” so our spiritual life is to mature to know and understand the “teaching about righteousness.”

Physical maturity comes gradually; spiritual maturity also comes gradually. (Our granddaughter Taelyn grows every day but we do not recognize it until her clothes do not fit or we take time to draw a line on the wall at the top of her head and compare it to the previous line.)

Faithfully taking in the “solid food” of the scriptures matures us to “distinguish good from evil.” We can then do the good and abstain from the evil. (Measuring lines for spiritual growth can be: “I used to think that way.” Or “I used to do that.”)

Application: As I read the Bible faithfully, I grow in understanding your plan for my life. I grow in understanding right from wrong. As I grow, I leave behind the worldly things and embrace the spiritual things.

Prayer: Lord, may my spiritual growth not be stunted. Amen.

July 8: Hosea 13-14; Psalm 100, 102; Hebrews 5

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!