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

June 7: Ecclesiastes 4-6; Psalm 18; Ephesians 3

Scripture: Ecclesiastes (NIV) 5:1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
2 Be not quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.

Observation: When I go to church, I should go ready to listen. I should expect God to speak to me. I should not go to be seen by people. I should not go to make some sacrifice expecting God to forgive me on the basis of that sacrifice. That would be the sacrifice of a fool. God forgives me on the basis of the sacrifice of the sinless Christ Jesus on the cross. No amount of money, prayers, or good works can ever erase my sins.

Application: While in the Navy, God directed us to attend the military base chapel. Once I complained to God about some of the chaplains. I was not getting “fed.” God told me if He could speak to his prophet through a donkey (Numbers 22), He could surely speak to me through a chaplain! The problem was not with the chaplain, it was with my attitude! After that I could always tell you what God said to me after leaving the chapel. Listening is such a key part of my life. It is a key part of my relationship to people and to God. As I learned, and continue to learn, to listen to God in church I am recognizing his voice throughout the coming week.

Prayer: Lord, I draw near to you with open ears. What do you want to say to me today? Tell me what can I do today that would please you? Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!