Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 01, 2022: SOAP #4443:  Exodus 30-32; Acts 8

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 8:26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”…
29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

OBSERVATION:  Bibles were not abundant in the days of the early church.  But that did not hinder God from speaking to and leading His people.  In the above verses, God spoke through an angel and then by “The Spirit.”  From what I have read about angels and their ministry, I believe that the angel brought Philip a message He could both see and hear. 

Then when Philip arrived at the place of ministry, “the Spirit told Philip…”   This was not a “see and hear” message delivered to Philip by another being.  It was a message Philip heard in his spirit.  It was a strong inward compulsion.  The Spirit was living inside Philip.  The Spirit could communicate with Stephen’s spirit without audible words. 

APPLICATION:  Many times, God communicates to me through inward impressions of the Holy Spirit.  Often, he draws my attention to what He desires through reading His word.  Sometimes my attention is captivated like Moses with the burning bush. 

The better I know the Bible, the better I can discern what He is saying to me.  Many times, my daily reading prepares me for what God is giving me to do or say.  The better I know God’s character, the better I can understand why I should, or should not do something. 

Becoming familiar with God and how He speaks should be a priority of every believer. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help me to know the Heavenly Father so well—and to recognize Your voice so well, that I can quickly obey.  Amen.

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