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

December 17: 2Peter 1-3; John 1

Scripture: Genesis (NIV) 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…3 And God said…6 And God said…9 And God said…11 Then God said…14 And God said…20 And God said…
John (NIV) 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all people…14 And the Word became flesh…
Colossians (NIV) 1:16 For in him [Jesus] all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

Observation: Through the writings of Moses, John, and Paul the Bible clearly teaches that this world was created by Jesus. The baby in the manger was none other than God the Son, entering as a man into the stream of humanity through the virgin. “The Great Creator became my Savior, and all God’s fullness dwelleth in Him!” (From the song “Down From His Glory” by William Booth-Cllibborn, grandson of William Booth the founder of the Salvation Army.)

Application: When I see the Salvation Army’s red kettles at the entrances to the stores during this Christmas season, I need to make a donation and express my thanks for the work of the Salvation Army. As I walk back to my car, I need to express my thanks to “The Great Creator who became my Savior!” As the song says, He was “Born in a manger; to His own a stranger” but he is no longer a stranger to me!

Prayer: Jesus, You are the Word in the beginning who created all things! Yet you became a man to pay my penalty for sin. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!