Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 21, 2024: SOAP #5375: Jeremiah 21, 24, 27; Psalm 118; 1John 2

SCRIPTURE:  1John (NIV) 2:27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

OBSERVATION: God knew that the temptation to sin is strong in this world.  He knew if He wanted us to live in this world, we would need more than the memory of what He has done in the past.  We would need Presence, His Presence! 

Like a small child needs the presence of a parent to provide instant encouragement or warning, we too need to experience God’s smile or frown.  

God’s wisdom is expressed in His word, the Bible.  And God’s wisdom is worked out in our lives by the Presence of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the anointing! 

In the Bible we read God’s wisdom and get it into our heads, but the Holy Spirit works it into our lives and gets it into our heart.  I have had things that the Holy Spirit impressed me to do even before I understood it in the scriptures.  Later when reading the scriptures, I saw what the Spirit was doing. 

APPLICATION:  If you are a believer and have accepted Jesus as the Lord of your life, then you have the Holy Spirit living inside you.  There may be times when you do not have your Bible with you, but there are no times when the Holy Spirit is not with you!   You may not even own a Bible, but in your life dwells the Holy Spirit!  

Just like a small child learns the value of bringing joy to its parents, so we can learn how to please the Holy Spirit, how to be led by the Holy Spirit.  When He is at peace in our heart, we can move ahead.  When He seems dissatisfied and we are troubled, it is best to stop what we are doing and ask for more instructions. 

Expect God to speak to you.  Be willing to follow thoughts that come strongly to mind. Trust Him! He will not lead you contrary to your knowledge of what honors God. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, speak to me and teach me to follow.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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