January 1, 2018: SOAP #2951:  Genesis 3-5; Luke 2

Scripture:  Luke (NIV) 2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,

Observation:  Although this passage is in the New Testament, it really comes at the end of the Old Testament days.  The emphasis in the New Testament, after the resurrection of Jesus, was that the Holy Spirit would dwell within believers.  That was the promise of Jesus.  In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit was said to “come upon” prophets and kings.

In this passage we see two expressions of the Holy Spirit’s ministry.  First:  the Holy Spirit brought revelation to Simeon of truth that applied to Simeon.  And second:  the Holy Spirit directed the actions of Simeon.  Simeon was motivated to do a certain thing at a certain time.  In the five verses following, I believe we see a third:  the Spirit’s anointing in Simeon’s prophetic prayer.

Application:  How wise of the Father to send the Holy Spirit to live in me.  How I need the ministry of the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to me, to influence me to go to the right place at the right time, and to bring the right words and thoughts to my mind as I pray and speak/write.  Like Simeon, the Holy Spirit is my only hope of fulfilling God’s plan for my life.

Prayer:   Heavenly Father, in your wisdom, you knew what I would need to live for you. Thank you for the Holy Spirit!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!

January 1, 2018: SOAP #2951:  Genesis 1-2; Luke 1

Scripture:  Genesis (NIV) 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Observation:  The first things we learn about God in the Bible are in these verses.  First:  God exists.  There is no explanation of who He is or where He came from.  He is just there in the beginning.  Second:  God is the creator of all I see.  Third:  God speaks!  God is a speaker.

Application:  God has been faithful to speak to me every day during 2017 and I expect He will continue to do so in 2018.  Writing down these SOAP devotions causes me to read the Word in faith that He has something to say to me.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, thank you for your faithfulness in speaking to me.  Use these daily devotions to encourage others to have faith that you are speaking to them also.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!