Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 06, 2023: SOAP #5025: Ezekiel 29-32; Revelation 11

SCRIPTURE:  Ezekiel (NIV) 29:1 In the tenth year, in the tenth month on the twelfth day, the word of the LORD came to me:

OBSERVATION:  In Ezekiel 29-32 one finds five more similar verses.  Each one has a specific year, month, and day.  Each one ends with, “ … the word of the LORD came to me.” 
     Obviously, God is a speaker!  One of the first things we see about God in the pages of the Bible is that He is a speaker!  He created by speaking!  His words have creative power.
     Several things came to my mind when reading chapters 29-32 of Ezekiel.  First, Ezekiel must have kept a diary.  Second, God spoke in specific times.  Third, Ezekiel recognized when God was speaking to him.  Fourth, God’s words were important enough to Ezekiel to write them down.  Fifth, God is interested in nations and their governments.  Ezekiel could have used the SOAP format.  

APPLICATION:  God speaks today; He speaks to you; He speaks to me!  Isn’t it just logical: if it is important enough for God to tell me, it is important enough for me to write it down!   Like Ezekiel, I should write it down and date it. 
   The SOAP format lends itself to this.  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer.  Prepare a sheet of paper with those four words spaced for writing your thoughts.  Preparing the sheet is done in faith that God will give you something to write.  Remember, God responds to faith.  As you read through the chapters in your daily reading schedule, make note of the verses that seem to stand out in your thoughts.  When you are through reading, choose one of those verses and write it under Scripture.   Then write an observation of something you noticed in that verse.   Third: write why you believe God brought that verse to your attention.  How are you going to respond to what you feel God is saying to you.  Lastly write a short prayer of thanksgiving or commitment to follow through with what God has given you. 

PRAYER:  Lord, use this SOAP to encourage others to listen and apply what you say to them.  Amen 

Pastor Leon
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