December 26, 2021: SOAP #4406:  Psalm 117; 119:81-176; 2John; 3John

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

OBSERVATION: In this chapter, the Psalmist is expressing praise and gratitude to the Lord for His word, the Bible.  In the above verse we can see two specific reasons to appreciate God’s Word. 

In the Word we find a light to cover our path and its surroundings.  In the light of day, I can look to the left and right.  I can look forward to see what lies ahead on my path.  I can prepare for danger ahead. 

A lamp is used to give light to a specific location or room.  I use a lamp to illumine my immediate location.  In the light of a lamp, I can make good choices as to where I place my feet.  Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Word often gives me specific direction and timing for my steps. 

APPLICATION:  Daily reading the Word builds my supply of wisdom to help me understand the world around me.  The light of the Word reveals the evil that is all around me.  The lamp of the Word shows me how to step to stay away from the evil.  The Holy Spirit uses the Word to show me how to respond. 

The Holy Spirit uses the light of the Word to give me confidence that everything will work out for my good and God’s glory.  The Holy Spirit uses the lamp of the Word to burn into my mind and heart things that I need to be doing today, now, immediately. 

In reading the chapters assigned in the Bible reading program I use, I grow in understanding of God and what He is doing in the world around me.  When the Holy Spirit draws my attention to a specific verse, I pause to read it again and meditate on it.  The Spirit makes it “a lamp to my feet.”  In those times, the Spirit gives me the thought for Today‘s SOAP. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word.  Holy Spirit, thank you for the skillful and gentle way you guide my steps in the Word.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 
On Facebook: Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Merry Christmas to all!  May Jesus and you enjoy each other’s presence today!  Make this day HIS; and make Him happy He is sharing it with you!  😊 

December 25, 2021: SOAP #4405:  1John 1-5

SCRIPTURE:  1John (NIV) 4:19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

OBSERVATION: In reading through the five chapters of 1John, two words stood out to me.  First is the word “love.”  When the One who loved the world so much that He sent His only begotten Son—when HE takes up residence in me there will be an increase in the love I experience and show to others. 

The second word is “know.”  How could it be that God would live inside me and I would not know?  The Presence of God in my life makes a difference. 

APPLICATION:  Life after death, heaven, and hell, these are issues that I do not want to leave to chance.  I want to know the truth about the future, and I want to know where I am headed. 

The Presence of God’s love working in my life raises my hope to the faith level and then to the “know” level.  The more I experience God’s love, the more confidence I have in what He has in store for me. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, I know you love me, and I know you are working in my life for my good and your glory.  I know I can trust you with my future.  Have your way in me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!