Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 15, 2023: SOAP #5125: James 1-5  (mostly a repeat from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  James (NIV) 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

OBSERVATION:  Note the progression:  Resisting the devil should be preceded by submitting myself to God.  Desiring God to come near to me should be preceded by my coming near to God.  Being lifted up by God is preceded by humbling myself.

APPLICATION:  So many of the victories God brings are preceded by having the proper attitude of heart.  As I work with the Holy Spirit in winning the battle on the inside, God works in my circumstances to win the battles around me.

PRAYER:  Lord, I draw near to you by keeping you in my thoughts; I submit myself to you by obeying you; and I humble myself before you by seeing myself as Your servant.   Amen.

Pastor Leon  
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