Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 29, 2023: SOAP #4895: 2Samuel 4,5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 16:1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

OBSERVATION:  In Jesus day people would look at the sky in the evenings to predict what the weather would be in the morning. Jesus took them to task because they were better at understanding the signs in the sky than understanding what was happening around them in life!

APPLICATION:  One of the first things I do every morning is to look at the weather forecast.  It helps me know how to dress for a day of driving the bus.  Today we have instruments to measure wind and moisture and air pressure. With satellites it is possible to see the jet stream moving across the oceans from one continent to another.  We know so much more about the weather; we prepare for hurricanes and potential tornados days in advance.

All the while, we make no preparation for coming judgment, even though our wickedness is flaunted in the face of God.  Judgment is already happening, yet we do not make the connection between God’s hand of judgment and our sin. 

The southern border of the United States is a place of judgment as God brings in new people to replace the 70+ million children that were not allowed to live.  It is a place of judgment as drug organizations send thousands of colorful pills into our country to entice children even to their death.  It is a place of judgment as known criminals can slip across the border while the border patrol is busy dealing with the large groups trying to gain entrance.  It is judgment that can be seen in  every large city

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, keep us alert and aware of what is happening in our cities and nation. We need your input to fully understand what we see. Help us not be taken by surprise when judgment comes. Amen

Pastor Leon
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