Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 3, 2022: SOAP #4565: Proverbs 25-27; Romans 15

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

OBSERVATION:  When people are accepted by God, they start a life of praise.  When they accept others, they are joined by people praising God. 

APPLICATION: If I am to accept others as Christ accepted me, then I need to consider how it was that Christ accepted me.  His example tells me how to accept others! 

God knew I was not perfect; I needed His forgiveness.  He knew I would still fail; I needed his long suffering (with the emphasis on long!)  He accepted me knowing I would need Him a whole lot more than He needed me.  He accepted me and let me know that I am very important to Him.

Christ not only gave me an example, He gives me the command to do it!  Not accepting others would be disobeying His instructions.  Not accepting others would be de-valuing what Christ has done for me.  Rejecting others decreases the value of what Jesus did for me.  Accepting others increases the value of what Jesus did for me. 

Desiring to appreciate the value of God’s acceptance of me, starts with me accepting others. The Life of Jesus is in me and He wants to do through me what He has done in me. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, make me aware of those around me who need acceptance.  Use me.  Let your love and acceptance flow through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 2, 2022: SOAP #4564: Proverbs 22-24; Romans 14

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 14:10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling-block or obstacle in your brother’s way.  14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself.  But, if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.  15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit,

OBSERVATION: There are some matters that are very important — but only important to us as individuals.  Mentioned here in this chapter are two:  first, what day we worship and second, what foods we eat. If Paul was writing today, I believe he may have added what type of clothes we wear and what style of music we use in our worship.

In the context, it is clear that we are free in such matters to live in a way that we personally believe is pleasing to the Lord.

APPLICATION: There are two limitations given in exercising these freedoms: first: I am not free to go against my conscience and second: I am not to exercise my freedom when it would be a stumbling block to someone else.

The limitation I place on my freedoms is an expression of the love I have for the Lord and for my brother and sister in Christ. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, it is good to know that you relate to your children as individuals. I want to know you better.  I want to know how I, personally, can make you smile. Amen

Pastor Leon
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