Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 14, 2023: SOAP #4971: Isaiah 19-21; Hebrews 11

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him….
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

OBSERVATION:  From the world’s perspective, many of the heroes mentioned in this chapter of faith, were failures.  Some of them died.  Some of then did not accomplish very much.  People of the world might have considered them failures.  But they succeeded in the greatest and most worthy task afforded mankind:  they pleased God!!! 

And even more, in verse 16 we read:  “God is not ashamed to be called their God…”  God liked to be known as their God.  It brought Him joy when they were recognized as His people.  Their actions did not bring God any grief. 

APPLICATION:  Here is a worthy goal for me.  I do not want to make God ashamed of me because of my responses to things around me, or my attitudes, or my comments.  May He not be ashamed to be known as Leon’s God. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, there are times I really need your righteous input into my heart and mind.  Help me respond with a sweet spirit when I think I am being mistreated.  May the kindness and gentleness of Jesus, along with His strength, be seen in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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