Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 03, 2023: SOAP #5052: Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 16:9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?
13 “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

OBSERVATION:  Many people have big dreams about how they will help the kingdom of God once they get a raise in salary, or once their inheritance comes, or once they are finally able to live comfortably.  But if they cannot give a little out of the little they receive now, they should not expect God to increase their income. 

APPLICATION:  God uses money as one way to teach us to trust Him.  As we are faithful in following His financial directions, He knows He can trust us with more.  We can demonstrate our faithfulness to God.    

God uses money to teach us how to exercise our faith.  We learn to have faith in His promises. 

God uses money to teach us that it all belongs to Him.  He deals with the roots of selfishness. 

God uses money as a way to make us useful in His kingdom.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for the school of finances.  I can see that I have grown, but there is much for me to yet learn.  Thank you for encouraging me to grow.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 02, 2023: SOAP #5051: Zechariah 13-14; Psalm 147; Luke 15

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 15:20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he [the younger brother] was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him … . 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So, his father went out and pleaded with him.

OBSERVATION:  Read the whole story (verses 11-32) and take note of the two verses above.  I see that the main character in the story is the father. His consistency in loving his sons is the main subject.  When he saw his youngest returning home, he left his watching post and ran to greet him.  The Father’s heart of love would not allow him to remain at home! 

AND when the oldest son refused to come to the celebration, the father left the celebration to go out and plead with him to join the party.  The Father’s heart of love would not allow him to remain in the celebration! 

APPLICATION:  The love in my heart is proved by my words AND my actions.  My love can be seen in the sacrifices I am willing to make.  Love calls me to leave my comfortable places.  Love calls me to be vulnerable.  Love calls me to reach out and go out to contact those God is loving through me.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, your love motivated you to welcome the younger brother and to plead with the older brother.  May your love flowing through me motivate me to do what is appropriate.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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