Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 14, 2023: SOAP #5002: Jeremiah 16-17; Psalm 96; John 16

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 16:12 [Jesus speaking to His disciples]  “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

OBSERVATION:  These verses give us a glimpse of the relationship among the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit especially as they relate to man.  The Holy Spirit will not repeat the ministry of Jesus but will move it along toward its goal.  The Spirit will not visit them weekly or every morning; He will be in them! (John 14:16-17) The ministry of the Holy Spirit is about Jesus, His words, His actions, and His person.    

APPLICATION:  I am called to be like Jesus, so I need the Holy Spirit to teach me.  I can read the gospels and gain understanding in how Jesus lived when He was on earth.  The basics remain the same, but the world has changed.  How do the basics of love and holiness apply in the world where I live?   I need the Holy Spirit to be with me as I encounter situations that are unclear to me.  I need His still small voice to tell me, “move ahead carefully,” or “do not go there!” 

In times of trouble, I may not have a Bible with me or may not know where to look in the Bible for appropriate passages.  BUT I HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT with me!!!   He will guide me through the trouble, then later He will show me through the scriptures why His way was best!   

PRAYER:  Jesus, living as a man without sin, it was important for you to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit.  How much more important it is for me to follow the Holy Spirit.  How wise of you to have Him live inside me!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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