July 26, 2020: SOAP #3888:  Isaiah 46-49; 1Peter 5

Scripture:  Isaiah (NIV) 48:17 This is what the LORD says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. 18 If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

Observation:   God is interested in our success in life.  He, who created us, is wanting us to do well, so He takes time to mentor us and train us.  He is working to set us up to succeed. 

Application:  Years ago, while in the US Navy, I signed up for a personal management course.  I had misread the information and thought I was signing up for personnel management course.  I thought I would be learning more about how to lead people.  Well, to my surprise, it was about how to manage my personal life.  It consisted of topics to improve on my own life.  We considered principles of Dale Carnegie, Earl Nightingale, Napoleon Hill, and others.  It was an excellent class on how to live a good, successful life.  On the last day of the class, I presented the instructor an outline of the class, all taken from the Bible!  Every principle they taught was a Biblical principle.  

Is God interested in my success?  He definitely is!!!  If I set myself to daily read the Bible, will God be my teacher?  He definitely will!!!  If I ask God to forgive my sins because Jesus died on the cross, will He?  He definitely will!!!!  If I ask Jesus to be my Lord and live in my life, will He always be present to mentor me?  He definitely will!!!!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, do you love me enough to help me succeed in life?  Surely you proved that you do when you sent your Son, Jesus, to die for my sins.  Help me be successful today.  Father, I am be successful when I make you smile.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!