Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

December 8: 1Timothy 1-4

Scripture: 1Timothy 4:13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

Observation: Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus to guide the new church. In this verse Paul is giving young Timothy some directions for his ministry. The church goers in Ephesus very likely did not have personal copies of the scriptures. Public reading, preaching and teaching were necessary for individual believers to understand the scriptures. In the USA where most believers have their own personal copy of the Bible, they should have a daily time of reading it. They should also be faithful to gather with other believers to receive God anointed preaching and teaching. In areas where personal copies of the Bible are not so readily available, the leaders need to make sure the Scriptures are read, and preached, and taught!

Application: I rejoice in what the Lord shares with me every day through these SOAP devotionals. I further rejoice when I hear someone being encouraged in the Lord from what I believe the Holy Spirit has given me to write. But I rejoice even more when I hear these SOAP devotionals have encouraged someone to start or increase their personal time in Bible reading. That is great!

Prayer: Lord, use me and these SOAP devotionals to build others in their faith and to encourage them to read the Bible for themselves. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!