SCRIPTURE: Matthew (NIV) 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
OBSERVATION: The One who had willingly emptied Himself of His God-ness to live on earth as the Son of Man, was now empowered by the same Holy Spirit who was present at creation (Genesis 1:2). This was the same Holy Spirit the angel spoke of when explaining to Joseph, that Mary’s pregnancy was the work of the Spirit of God. (Matthew 1:18 & 20). The Holy Spirit was a major part of Jesus life and ministry.
APPLICATION: I am called to be like Jesus. But I am often not sure how Jesus would live in the USA in 2024. The specifics are not always obvious. I need help in living like Jesus in my clothes, in my family, in my city, at my age of 76. Jesus only lived 33 years as a man on earth. How do I live like Jesus as I grow older? Obviously, I need the Holy Spirit to be active in my life. I need Him to speak to me in ways I can understand. I need Him to open the riches of God’s Word, the Bible to my heart and mind.
I need to be like Jesus in hearing and following the Holy Spirit. I need to pay attention to the soft impressions the Spirit brings to my mind.
PRAYER: Holy Spirit, you understand every day of my life as you understood every day of Jesus’ life on earth. As I move through this day, reveal to me how I can best honor Jesus. And, through these SOAPs, make me a blessing to others. Amen.
Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!
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SOAPs by Pastor Leon 