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

July 22: Isaiah 36-37; Psalm 76; 1Peter 1

Scripture: 1Peter (NIV) 1:14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Observation: Role models have such an important place in our society. Sports figures, movie stars, musicians all seem to be saying to their generation, “Do it like I do it. Dress like I dress. Talk like I talk.” Merchants like pictures taken with these people wearing their clothes or eating their food. They are trying to pressure us into people who will wear their brand and eat their food.

Application: I am not to shape my life to conform to the world around me. I am to shape my life to fit into the image of God. Being holy today is so much more important than what I wear or what I eat. The heavy pressure from the outside to conform OR the gentle pressure from the inside to be like Jesus—to which pressure will I submit?

Prayer: Lord, when people hear me talk, or see me reaching out to others in need, may they see you living inside. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!