Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 16, 2022: SOAP #4608: Isaiah 25-28; Hebrews 13

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews (NIV) 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

OBSERVATION:  A sacrifice is something that costs.  It may cost effort.  It does not flow out of pleasing circumstances in which everything is going our way.  It flows out of a commitment.  It requires a definite choice.  Feelings are set aside. 

Listed above are sacrifices that specifically please God, praising Him, doing good, and sharing/serving others.  It is recognizing, and applying, what Jesus said about the greatest commandment and the second being like the first.  (Matthew 28:32-39)

APPLICATION: There are times when I praise God because I feel it.  My heart is so full that it would be hard not to praise God.  But even when my heart feels empty, even when circumstances look bad, even then it is right to praise my God!  He is worthy of my praise!  In those times, I am not responding to my circumstances or my feelings, but to the truth of the One living inside me.  I know He is in my life, so with my lips I honor and praise Him for who I know He is. 

And at times I have opportunity to do something good and to share with others.  The opportunity may not come at a convenient time or may require giving something I would rather keep.  Such sacrifices give me opportunity to demonstrate my love for the Lord. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you are always worthy of my praise.  At all times, in every situation, you remain worthy of my praise and my personal involvement in serving others!  With my lips, I honor you.  With my life I serve you; in serving others, I am serving You! Amen

Pastor Leon
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PERSONAL SOAP SAGA:  We have paused our trip in Pennsylvania.  Today, Sharon and I witnessed a “life group” living out a sacrifice as mentioned in this SOAP.  They brought together things from their homes to sell in a yard sale.  The purpose was to raise money to help one of their members make it through a hard time.  They made their sacrifices of time and possessions joyfully. 
-We lost Sharon’s cell phone, so after praying and searching the place of the sale and our car, we retraced our travel to a place we had visited.  When we asked the takeout window to see if a phone had been found—sure enough!  They had it!  Praise the Lord. 
-A financial need arose for help provide a computer and printer for SOAPs in Sierra Leone.  I am not driving a bus at this time and had no extra money to help.  So, we prayed that the Lord would provide.  About two hours later a lady handed Sharon an envelope with enough money to cover the need.