Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 03, 2023: SOAP #4779: Genesis 6-8; Luke 3

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 3:16 John [the Baptist] answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

OBSERVATION:  My attention was drawn to the word “fire.” 

Fire is hot.  It can be felt.  The same is true of the Holy Spirit.  His presence moving in a life can be felt! 

Fire is the release of energy.  When energy is released, there is motion and change.  The Holy Spirit releases the life and ministry of Jesus in a believer’s life.  There is definitely change in that believer’s life, and it often brings change in the lives of others. 

Fire is seeable.  One can see the fire, and when it is not seeable, definitely the results of the fire are seeable.  The presence and ministry of the Holy Spirit are definitely seeable! 

APPLICATION: The Presence of the Holy Spirit in my life brings into action the life of Jesus in me.  He initiates changes needed.  He sets a holy standard for my life, my words, and actions. 

The anointing of the Holy Spirit brings into action the ministry of Jesus through me.  NOTE: The ministry of Jesus came into fruition when He was baptized and the Holy Spirit descended on Him (Luke 3:22), He was then led by the Spirit into the dessert to be tempted (Luke 4:1), and returned in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14) to the synagogue where He read, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…and Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:18&21). 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, be the fire in my being that of which John the Baptist was speaking.  Make the life of Jesus feelable by me and seeable by others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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