SCRIPTURE: John (NIV) 20:19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
OBSERVATION: Here Jesus declares His purpose…and ours. He was sent, and in the same way we are sent. He was the Sent One, now we are sent ones! If Jesus was sending them as He was sent, then they would have to be accompanied by the Holy Spirit. His ministry did not begin until anointed by the Spirit at his water baptism by John when the Spirit descended in the form of a dove. Jesus was not going to send his disciples out into ministry without the benefit of the Spirit. They would not be sent out with less than He had when His ministry began.
APPLICATION: It is not by chance I am where I am. I have been sent. If Jesus depended on the Holy Spirit to direct His ministry, how much more must I learn to be led by the Spirit. I must follow the example of Jesus in trusting the Spirit.
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, lead me to be like Jesus and to do what He would do in the places I am being sent today. Amen
Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!
On Facebook: Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
Separate Note:
Friends,
I have been amazed at how God uses the SOAPs He gives me every day! I never dreamed they would go as far as they have. Every week, and many times every day I receive reports of how they are reaching into new areas.
I am humbled to know that God uses these SOAPs to share His Word. I believe God uses these SOAPs because they are faithful and fresh every day—faithful for over twelve years and fresh every day. God wants to have a current relationship with His children. He wants us to listen every day to what He is saying.
Should you be interested, from time to time, in receiving updates in a separate email as to how this ministry began and how it is spreading, send me a reply by email at ernestlhiebert@gmail.com. Leon
SOAPs by Pastor Leon 