Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 31, 2023: SOAP #5080: Job 22; Mark 7-8

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 8:34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

OBSERVATION:  The challenge Jesus gives is not just for His top followers.  It is for every follower.  It is for “anyone” who would come after Him!  He gathered “the crowd” “along with His disciples!”  This was not a special call to disciples, missionaries, and church leaders.  It is a call to be like Jesus! 

APPLICATION:  There will be requirements that we would rather not.  There will be times when we would rather look the other way or pretend that we did not hear.  The wonderful peace and joy we experience in our hearts will be challenged by living in an ungodly world.  Following Jesus is not always easy and pleasant, but it is ALWAYS worth it! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you knew we would have difficulty in living out this challenge so you sent the Holy Spirit to live in us just as He did in Jesus.  Holy Spirit, fill me, lead me, work through me, make me like Jesus.  In His Name I pray, Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon