Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 27, 2022: SOAP #4619: Isaiah 50-52; 2Peter 1

SCRIPTURE: 2Peter (NIV) 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. …
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 
8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION:  Our Christian life begins with receiving by faith everything God gives us.    But that is only the beginning; Peter gives us seven things we are to add to our faith.  Having the Creator of life living inside makes a big difference.  Attitudes change.  Our view of life changes.  In verses 3 and 4, we see what God has done for us, but in verses 5 through 7 above, Peter lists seven things we are to “make evert effort to add.”  Thankfully the Holy Spirit is our helper!

As our relationship with the Lord living inside grows, changes come. We should become more like Jesus.  These qualities make believers effective and productive.  These qualities make a believer’s testimony believable.  When others see these qualities in a believer’s life, they want what the believer has.

APPLICATION: There is no mark of completion for these qualities.  I should have more self-control this year than last, but they are to always be increasing in my life.  I will never reach a place of having enough.  There will always be room for growth.

I only know that these are increasing as I see the increasing size of the obstacles that I can overcome.  Fewer things must be done to please me.  Fewer things offend me.  I am more “other-centered” than “self-centered.”  I am a more effective servant.  I am more an encourager and less a critic.

PRAYER:  Jesus, these are qualities of your life. Make me like you.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 26, 2022: SOAP #4618: Isaiah 46-49; 1Peter 5

SCRIPTURE: 1Peter (NIV) 5:12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

OBSERVATION:  Although not all, most commentaries identify this Silas as the one who traveled with Paul.  Here, this Silas is serving Peter by carrying this letter—hand delivering it to the churches in the provinces of Asia Minor listed in the first verses of this letter.  There was no mail service, nor an internet through which Peter’s letter could be delivered.  Someone was needed to personally carry and deliver it. 

I am amazed at how God uses these SOAPs.  But they would not have near the reach if it just depended on me.  God gave me the assignment to write them, and He emphasizes the scriptures I should use.  I put them on the internet and God takes them from there.  Some faithful servants of the Lord translate them into their languages, repost them, or distribute them.  God is using churches and individuals to provide finances for computers, printers, and internet connections.  Others read them and pass them along to family and friends. 

As I pondered this verse, the Lord showed me that as Silas delivered Peter’s letters in the provinces in Asia Minor, so God is using Pastor Andrew to spread the SOAPs in the nations of West Africa!  Pastor Andrew is not working to grow the SOAP ministry; Pastor Andrew is working to keep up with the growth that God is making happen. 

APPLICATION: In God’s kingdom, there are many ways to serve.  God’s rewards will not be given according to how important the position we held, but on how faithful we were.  People may consider the value of rank or authority, but God looks at the heart.  God is preparing us for eternal service in His heavenly kingdom. 

PRAYER:  Lord, we are all a part of your kingdom.  Keep me faithful.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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