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

February 21: Numbers 8-9; Acts 28

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 28:3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

Observation: Paul did not see himself as being too good to do the most menial of tasks. He was a servant, and as a servant he gathered wood for a fire. In the act of serving, he was bitten by the snake. God did not protect him from being bitten, but protected him from the effects of the bite. In the minds of the people living on the island, Paul went from being a villain to a god.

Application: God has many ways of making Himself known in my life. Sometimes He gives me victory by keeping me from trouble; sometimes He works the victory as He takes me through the trouble.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I trust you to work in my life for my good and for your glory. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!