November 5, 2015:  SOAP #2163:

Scripture:  Galatians (NIV) 1:15 But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased 16  to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man,

Observation:  Paul realizes that fulfilling God’s calling on his life brought pleasure to God.  It was God’s pleasure to reveal the truth about Jesus to Paul.  It was God’s pleasure to use Paul to reveal that truth to the Gentiles.  Paul was highly motivated to start churches and encourage the new believers.  When he was in prison and could not travel in person, he did the next best thing; he wrote letters.  I am sure that God in heaven looked down and said, “That’s my servant, Paul!  He is doing just what I hoped he would do!”  Of course only God knew how many lives those letters would bless!

Application:   I like scriptures that show me what pleases God—that show me what He likes.  Thinking that God is pleased to use me makes me want to be diligent in serving Him.  God is pleased to use me to send out the SOAP devotions He gives me.  I want to bring Him great joy by doing it the best I can.  God is pleased to use me as a school bus driver.  I want to bring him glory by doing more than required by my earthly boss.  I want God to get as much pleasure out of my service as a SOAP-sender or school bus driver as possible.

Prayer:   Lord, pleasing you has high priority in my life.  Surrounded by a world that surely brings you much grief, may my life bring you much joy.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!