Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 24, 2022: SOAP #4678: Ezra 1; Psalm 84-85; Luke 7        

SCRIPTURE:  Ezra (NIV) 1:1 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfil the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing: 2 “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “‘The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. 3 Anyone of his people among you—may his God be with him and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 And the people of any place where survivors may now be living are to provide him with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.’”
5 Then the family heads of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests and Levites—everyone whose heart God had moved—prepared to go up and build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem.

OBSERVATION:  If God wants something done, He is certainly able to get it done! He can even use a pagan king to build His temple! God has no shortage of resources. He does not need to twist people’s arms to give to His projects. He allows us the privilege of participating in what He is doing, but it is not because He is running short and is relying on us to bring the victory.

In God directing and allowing us to give, God is giving us the privilege of having a part in the task.  Then we have the joy of sharing in the victory.

APPLICATION: If it is my work, then it is my responsibility to raise the necessary provisions. If it is God’s work, then He has the responsibility. My part is to walk in faith and obedience. When people are asking for money and using gimmicks and gifts to motivate people to give, I wonder who has authorized that ministry.  Is it their ministry, or God’s ministry? When it is God’s ministry, I can trust God to move the hearts of His people to give. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, sufficiency of Spirit and finances is your stamp of approval that I desire on the things you have given me to do. Amen

Pastor Leon
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