January 1, 2022: SOAP #4412:  Genesis 1-2; Luke 1

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 2:4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens—5 and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground,…
Genesis 2:15  The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

OBSERVATION: We note that the work of man was an integral part of God’s creation. God created and prepared the earth as a dwelling for man.  Having something for man to do was pre-planned.  Here it appears that some things in creation could not be completed until man was available to “work the ground.”

To work is a holy calling from the Lord.  Whatever the job, it should be received as a holy assignment from the Lord.  It should be undertaken as being done unto the Lord.  One’s concern for fellow workers should be no less than a pastor’s concern for his congregation.  The worker is not preaching weekly sermons from a pulpit but is preaching daily sermons with his life. 

APPLICATION:  When the Lord had me step down from being the senior pastor of our church, I asked Him what I should do.  He told me to drive a school bus.  My present employment as a bus driver is just as holy as the 30 years I spent being a pastor.  I am to serve those with whom I work at the bus barn, those who ride my bus, and those who live in my neighborhood as carefully as I served the members of the congregation to whom I preached every week. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you assign me responsibilities to fulfill for my good and your glory.  You have not designed me to sit around idle.  My work is my ministry.  My ministry is my work.  May my life bring joy to your heart.  Amen.

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