Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 26, 2022: SOAP #4437:  Exodus 14-16; Acts 2

SCRIPTURE:  Exodus (NIV) 16:35 The Israelites ate manna for forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.

OBSERVATION: God had led the Israelites out of Egypt into the wilderness to be crossed on their way to the Promised Land.  God delivered them from Egypt, God was leading them to the Promised Land, and God would provide their food and water. 

The manna that God provided came with a few specific instructions:  First, only take what your family needs for that day.  Those who felt they could not trust God to keep His word, gathered extra that they put aside for the next day.  But the extra in the morning smelled and had maggots!  Second:  on the sixth day, they were to take enough for two days because there would be no manna on the sabbath day.  Sure enough, some people who had learned their lesson about taking too much on the first day, went out looking for manna on day seven!  There was none.  The real lesson was not about how much manna to take but learning to be obedient!  

For forty years God was faithful!  When the Israelites were faithful, God faithfully provided manna.  When the Israelites were unfaithful, God faithfully provided manna.  God’s faithfulness is based on God’s character and on His promises. 

APPLICATION:  The promise of provision was not made to them individually, but to them as a nation.  There was no promise of provision to those who left on their own to make their own way to the Promised Land, or to return to Egypt!  God’s faithfulness provides for me in the place God has assigned me. 

When my faithfulness aligns under God’s faithfulness, I find blessing and provision.  I must be obedient to go where God leads me, AND I must be content to stay where God has placed me. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, your faithfulness to me is great.  I rejoice in your faithfulness to me.  It is my pleasure to follow you.  May I give you reason to rejoice in my faithfulness to you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 25, 2022: SOAP #4436:  Exodus 12-13; Psalm 21; Acts 1

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 1:21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
23 So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so, he was added to the eleven apostles.

OBSERVATION: The disciples were waiting in Jerusalem as Jesus had commanded them to do.   With Judas suicide, there were only eleven.  So, it was suggested that they choose someone to takes Judas’ place.  They “proposed” two men who had been with Jesus from the time He was baptized by John until the time Jesus ascended into heaven.  They “cast lots.”  It was a way of making a decision in which they would have no conscience choice.  They could not knowingly affect the outcome.  God would control the final decision. 

APPLICATION:  This passage applies to Leon in the times I need to make a decision with key parts totally out of my control.  It is like the vote of a congregation for me to serve as their pastor.  It can be like prayerfully applying for a position for which the final decision will be made by some committee. 

In times when things are out of my control, I do the best I can then leave the results in His hands.  I have made Jesus the Lord of my life; I can trust Him to work out the details that are beyond my control.  I am learning to rest in His will.  I do not need to “twist arms” to get other people to go along with my will.  It is for God to get them to go along with His will!  

PRAYER:  Lord, I trust you to lead and guide me.  I trust you to take care of the issues that are out of my control. I know you can work them out for my good and your glory.   The best wisdom for me is to trust you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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