Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 18, 2023: SOAP #5037: Ezekiel 45-46; Luke 1

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 1:19 The angel [who had just told old Zechariah that the son they would have was to be named John] answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.”…
[later, at the time to name the baby] 62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God…67 …Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

OBSERVATION:  As Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit upon the arrival of the pregnant Mary [Luke 1:41], so Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit upon his obedience to name his son John.  His tongue was loosed and as on the day of Pentecost when people spoke in unknown tongues [Acts 2], Zechariah used his voice to praise God!  [Luke 1:64]. Here we see the gift of prophecy flowing through Zechariah.

APPLICATION:  The presence of the Holy Spirit in one’s life makes a big difference.  He accomplishes through us what we cannot do.  He makes the presence of God very personal. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, the world needs people who are walking and living full of the Holy Spirit.  Make me useful by keeping me full of the Holy Spirit.  In Jesus Name I pray,  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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