Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 21, 2022: SOAP #4675: Daniel 7-8; Psalm 137; Luke 4

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert,…
Luke (NIV) 1:14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

OBSERVATION:  It is good to note the progression.  Verse one mentions two notable things.  Jesus was both “full of the Holy Spirit” AND he was “led by the Spirit.”  In verse 14 we read that He returned from the wilderness in the “power of the Spirit.” 

APPLICATION: The first two descriptions go hand in hand.  If a person is truly “full” of the Spirit, he will be “led” by the Spirit.  And if a person is not “led” by the Spirit, then very likely he is not “full” of the Spirit.

And we should note that the Spirit does not always lead us into places that are pleasant and enjoyable.  Jesus was being led into the desert where He would be tempted by the devil after fasting 40 days.  But if the Spirit leads us there, He will be with us there!  And like Jesus we can return from the desert in the “power” of the spirit.

PRAYER:  Lord, I know that Your goal for me is not just to be filled (at one time) with the Spirit, but to live FULL of the Spirit being LED by the Spirit.   It is your desire to release the POWER of the Spirit through me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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