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

October 5: Esther 3-8; Luke 18

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 18:9 He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people: 10 “Two men went up to the Temple to pray… 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers, or even like this tax man. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’”
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Observation: A person in prayer should have some concept of to whom he is praying. The God of the universe deserves thoughtful and respectful prayers. What a sham for a man to stand before God pretending to be something important because of his own accomplishments.

Application: Humility should be a major part of my life. But if there is any place where I should be humble more than any other place, it would be in prayer to God, the Creator of the heavens and earth.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, before you, I am only what I am. I cannot pretend to be important other than that you love me and gave your Son to die for my sins. Whatever value I have comes from the fact that you created me, your purpose for me, and your love for me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!