SCRIPTURE: Ezra (NIV) 7:27 Praise be to the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put it into the king’s heart to bring honor to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem in this way 28 and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the LORD my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leading men from Israel to go up with me.
OBSERVATION: Ezra did not take courage because King Artaxerxes was sending him back to Jerusalem to restore the temple. He did not take courage because the King had generously provided finances from the royal treasury. He did not take courage because the King had provided letters to the neighboring countries to help Ezra in his mission. He did not take courage because of those who would accompany him back to Jerusalem. Ezra took courage to move ahead because the hand of the LORD God was on him! Using the phrase “the hand of the LORD my God was on me” Ezra was saying that he had a conscience awareness of God’s presence and God’s nudging him in the way he should go.
APPLICATION: When I am discouraged or tired, I can look for a fresh source of strength. I might look for a break in my full schedule. I may look for a way to offload some responsibilities. I might look for something to distract me for a while. But the times I have the most strength is when I have a conscience awareness of God’s presence.
Having a conversation with HIM as I read His word or taking a quiet walk admiring His creation…these work to make me aware of His presence. That He is always with me is truth that I accept by faith. But I appreciate those times I become consciously aware of His Presence. He awakens my spirit.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know you are always with me; however, I greatly appreciate the times you make me especially aware of your presence. During those times you impart your peace and strength. Amen
Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!
On Facebook: Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
Special Note for October 7, 2023
Dear friends,
Next week will be a big step forward for the SOAP ministry. Pastor Andrew Borbor will be going to Central Africa, visiting Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania for the SOAP ministry. God gave him a vision to spread the SOAPs across Africa. What God has done in West Africa is proof of God’s favor and blessing upon this ministry. They have already been spreading in Central Africa, but Pastor Andrew’s visit will help them see what God can do. Please keep him and his travels in your prayers.
Pastor Andrew wrote: “I will be in Kenya with Pastor Victor Daraja from the 12th to the 28th October 2020, we will be having Crusade and conferences about the SOAP MINISTRY in Kenya. And also I will be in Uganda from the 30th to the 5nd of November to have a conference about the SOAP MINISTRY in Uganda. I will also be going to Tanzania to have a conference about the SOAP MINISTRY to teach pastors and leaders about the SOAP MINISTRY starting from the 7th to the 11th November 2023. So be praying for me as I go those three countries with the SOAP MINISTRY.”
In Uganda he will be with: Pastor Isaac, p.o box 339. Ogembo. Country Code 254. Kisii, Uganda.
In Kenya, He will be with Pastor Victor Daraja Makokha Kenya *Address .o Box 624-50205 Webuye via misikhu. *Email Address: Victordaraja@gmail.com. *Phone no: +254701625906, +254110726042
Hopefully I will have the information for Tanzania to post before too long.
This SOAP ministry is God’s ministry. Day by day He works His word into our hearts and actions. In daily honoring HIM, we bring Joy to His heart. There is so much in this world that hurts God’s heart, let’s try to make God a Happy God! 😊
Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!
SOAPs by Pastor Leon 