Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 27, 2023: SOAP #4923: Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8 (Reworked from 2014.)

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 7:7 … I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law… .
Romans (NIV) 8:11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

OBSERVATION:   In many ways, it is like a mother and her child.  The Mother knows that it is important to warn her child of the dangers in the room, but she also understands that he is focused on those things; they hold an attraction for him.  Even her warning brings them to his attention.  So, she stays with the child and works to keep the child’s focus on herself and those things she knows are not harmful.  Her presence is protection for her child.  Her wisdom is now available to guide and protect the child. 

Her presence makes all the difference. If she had just warned the child, then left the room, the child would soon wander to the forbidden things, but her watchful presence keeps him safe. Her warning teaches, but her presence insures! 

And in addition to all this, it is the joy of the mother to spend the time with her child, and so it is not grievous for God to spend the personal time with each of us!   He joys in us even as a mother in her child.

APPLICATION:  How true of our walk with God.  God desires that we learn and grow in understanding, so He gives us His Word, the Bible. 

God also knows that we need His watchful eye on us, so He is present with us by His Holy Spirit.  

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, may I be a child that brings you joy.  I want you to enjoy our life together!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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