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

March 27: Judges 1-3; 1Corinthians 12

Scripture: 1Corinthians (NIV) 12:11 All these [the gifts mentioned in verses 8-10] are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines. …
18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

Observation: Verse 12: " … just as He determines." That God is sovereign there can be no question. Not only did He create the world according to his divine plan, he has created the church according to His divine plan. And that plan included placing the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the individual members. He who makes no mistakes has equipped each of us for success as we rely upon His provision to accomplish His will.

Observation: Verse 18: “…just as he wanted them to be.” That these parts are present in the body is obvious, but how they got there must be deduced from an outside source. Here the Bible says that the parts of the body were designed and placed by God, just as He wanted them to be. They are present at His design and pleasure!

Application: God has placed me in His body and given me gifts for His glory and for the good of the church. To let petty preferences hinder me from being useful and using the gifts God has placed in me robs God of the glory He deserves and robs the church of God’s gifts.

Prayer: Lord, help me to be useful, using the gifts you have placed in me to benefit others and glorify you. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!