Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 11, 2023: SOAP #4787: Genesis 27-28; Psalm 4; Luke 11

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 28:10 Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran. 11 When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. 12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying….
16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”

OBSERVATION:  It was just a “certain” place to stop at the end of a day’s journey.  It was where he was when the sun was setting.  It was a convenient place to rest for the night.  There was nothing “religious” about this place.  Jacob had not planned on a meeting with God, but that is what happened.  So, in the morning Jacob called it “the house of God…the gate of heaven.” 

APPLICATION: The presence of the Lord turns any place into the “house of God!”  In the “house of God,” we can recognize God’s presence.  And we hear His voice.  He speaks to us personally!   Of course, I often sense God’s presence and hear His voice speaking to me in a worship service at church.  But being in a religious building has never been a pre-requisite.  God and I enjoy each other’s company on the school bus, in my office at home, and in many other places. 

PRAYER:   Lord, it is my joy to walk and talk with you.  I like it when you interrupt me in those “certain” places where I am not expecting you.  I like it when you reveal your plan for my life.   I am glad that you have found a way to use me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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