Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 09, 2022: SOAP #4754: 1Timothy 5-6; Titus 1-3

SCRIPTURE:  1 Timothy (NIV) 5:3 Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. ….
8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

OBSERVATION:  Mark 16:15 tells me to go into all the world.  Matthew 28:19 tells me to go to all nations.  My world starts at my right hand, encircles the earth, and reaches to my left hand.  All nations should include the nation in which I live.  Reaching the world starts with those who eat at the same table with me.  It starts with my family.  To be more concerned about those in far-away nations and ignore my own family misses the heart of true religion.  The above verses are in agreement with the teachings of Jesus.  Note:  Mark 7:10-13.

APPLICATION: When a person is concerned about reaching the older members of their family, or senior friends, they can rest assured that the Holy Spirit is also concerned.  Through spending time with our family members, we can become aware of their needs.  Know that God has already provided some way for us to minister to them.  Through prayer and Bible study, the Holy Spirit will reveal to us some specific things we can personally do. 

We minister to them as unto the Lord, knowing that “this is pleasing to God!” 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, I appreciate the blessings I have because Jesus spent time here on earth.  I appreciate the blessings I have in that the Holy Spirit spends time with me all day, every day.  Use my time to bless others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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