Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 04, 2023: SOAP #5114: Ephesians 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no-one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

OBSERVATION:  This scripture indicates that God had assignments in place before we arrived on the scene. These tasks were prepared with us in mind that we would be fulfilled in participating with Him in His great work. Of course, they are designed way beyond our personal abilities. They were designed to make us dependent on the indwelling Holy Spirit for completion. They force us to keep in close relationship, which is His number one goal for each of us.

APPLICATION:  I knew God’s call on my life as a young child.  I made major plans according to that call.  Then God interrupted my plans and sent me much different than how I had planned to fulfill His calling.  Sometime later He  gave me a place of ministry that seemed to fulfill the original calling…Then He clearly directed me to a location completely contrary to the expectations I had as a child.  But I had to do what God was telling me.  Upon stepping down from being a senior pastor, the new pastor asked me to start writing SOAPs.  And through God’s expansion of His ministry, God’s original call is being fulfilled in a much greater way that I ever dreamed.  Of course, God knew what He was doing all the time!  

Not only did God prepare the SOAP concept for me; He prepared my life, my heart, my understanding to be able to write them.  It is humbling to see how God has been at work for all those years. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, being obedient and faithful gives you the time to properly prepare us in advance for your assignments.  Continue your work through the SOAPs.  Continue your work in Pastor Andrew.  May your healing and restoring work be seen in him.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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