Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 07, 2022: SOAP #4691: Ezra 7-8; Luke 20

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 20:20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?” 25 “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” 26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

OBSERVATION:  It was not something difficult to understand.  It was rather simple.  What had Caesar’s image should be given to Caesar, what had God’s image should be given to God!  The coin had Caesar’s image, but the people had God’s image. 

APPLICATION: Every morning, when I look into a mirror, I need to remind myself that what I see was made in the likeness and image of God.  I need to dedicate myself to living each day in such a way that people who see the image of God can also experience the presence of God through my life.  

PRAYER:   Lord, you know me very well.  You know that I cannot live Your Life; I have trouble living my own life.  If people are going to experience Your Life in me, you will have to come and live your own life in me.  Forgive my sins; come into my life and live your life through me.  Thank you for taking charge of my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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