Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 26, 2022: SOAP #4588: Jonah 1-4; 2Timothy 2

SCRIPTURE: 2Timothy (NIV) 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

OBSERVATION:  Paul is writing to his son in the faith.  He obviously loves Timothy and is training Timothy to be a capable and well-respected leader in the church.  In this chapter Paul gives some thing not to do, and some things to do.  In this verse, Paul is setting a goal: “Timothy, do your best, or make every effort, or do not let anything stand in your way…It is God’s approval you need.  If you teach, and present, and interpret the Word of God correctly you will not be ashamed in God’s presence.”

APPLICATION: This verse is specifically for Leon.  The SOAP ministry is God’s assignment and has become a major part of every day.  The SOAP ministry is built around the Word of God.  I must be faithful to correctly handle the Scriptures.  Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is always with me to teach me, to correct me, to keep me focused on the truth.  He guides me in applying the word to my life. 

This verse is specifically for every pastor, every teacher, every parent, and everyone who has a leadership role in the lives of others.  We all must “correctly handle the word of truth!”  Then, when we stand before our Lord, we will hear his words, “Well done!”

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, You are the One who enlightens our minds and hearts with truth.  We depend on you as the disciples depended on Jesus. May our hearts be sensitive to you. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 25, 2022: SOAP #4587: Joel 1-3; 2Timothy 1

SCRIPTURE: 2Timothy (NIV) 1:9 (God) who has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.

OBSERVATION:  When God “saved” me he forgave my sins and accepted what Jesus did on the cross as the necessary punishment.  I cannot do anything to earn this forgiveness; I can only receive it.  He then calls Me to live a holy life.  All of this happens in my life because of God’s purpose and grace.  Everything that happens to me either came to me as God’s purpose or something that can be used for His purpose.  My life is all about “his purpose.”   “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

APPLICATION: God has a purpose for my life, but I need His grace to fulfill that purpose.  The longer I live, the more I read His word, the more I fulfill what I presently understand of God’s purpose for me, the better I get to know and understand His full purpose for me.  I can now see how the various strands of my life were being woven together to develop His purpose.  I can look back and see how some strands were broken off because of doubt and disobedience.  I can see some strands that have been damaged and scarred.  But as I review my life, I can see a consistent single strand that has held everything together.  It is Jesus!  (Ecclesiastes 4:12)

At age 30, I did not understand how God was working toward His purpose for me when I would be age 70.  But being faithful at 30 prepared me to be faithful at 70. 

God is in the process of developing some great prayer warriors, great witnesses, great givers.  He is working in their lives now in preparation for much future fruitful ministry

PRAYER:  Lord, what a blessing to know that you have a purpose for my life and that you are working now in preparation for that ministry!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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