Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 28, 2023: SOAP #4955: Amos 1-3, Psalm 80; 2Timothy 4

SCRIPTURE:  2Timothy (NIV) 4:1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge…
16 At my first defense, no-one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.
22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

OBSERVATION:  Although Paul is in prison, it is in the “presence of God and of Christ Jesus” that he is giving this charge.  His physical circumstances did not mar his awareness of spiritual realities. 

In court, Paul was deserted by everyone and had no human support, But the Lord was with him, and gave him strength! Physical disappointments did not mar Paul’s awareness of spiritual realities

And in closing his letter, Paul’s prayer is that Timothy experience the presence of the Lord!  May he never lose the awareness of the Lord’s presence!  

APPLICATION:  Surely Paul’s most valuable possession was the very presence of God!  God’s presence was the essence and strength of Paul’s life.  If there was anything he could leave with his dear son in the faith, Timothy, it would be that Timothy also experience the presence of the Lord.

What do I count as my most valuable possession?   What do I want to leave with others?   …an awareness of God’s presence! 

PRAYER:  Lord, whatever my circumstances, may I never lose the awareness of your presence!  And use me to encourage others to be aware of your presence.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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