Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 16, 2024: SOAP #5431:  Malachi 3-4; Psalm 148; Acts 5

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 5:40 …They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Acts (NIV) 20:20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.

OBSERVATION:    The persecution of the Jewish Religious leaders did not stop the spread of the gospel.  Rather, it worked to increase its spread!   People who had found Jesus to be the Messiah and had invited Him to live in their lives were committed to Jesus.  Living for Jesus had become a daily way of life. 

They were Jews, so the temple had always been a major part of their religious life, and it still was.  But now their love for Jesus was expanding in their homes. 

APPLICATION:  The presence of Jesus in my life brings changes.  One big change is that I want to know Him better; I want to know more about Him.  What He thinks and what He has said become important to me.  I am drawn to people who can teach me more.   What a privilege to have someone visit my home to teach and proclaim the truth of Jesus! 

Another change brought by the presence of the Spirit of God—He makes me more aware of the people around me.  He speaks to my heart about what I can do to reach them for Jesus.   He shows me some way to be an expression of God’s love to them.  It is often something simple, but He makes it fit their need. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, make me like Jesus.  Reach out through me to my neighbors, my school, my work, my city.  When they see the changes you have made in my life, may they want to commit their lives to Jesus too.  In His Name I pray,  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Personal thoughts:  The time has come to begin the radiation treatments for the prostate cancer.  God has promised me that He would heal someone who touches me to help me.  The treatments will be daily except for Saturday and Sundays, for 28 treatment days.  Please pray for God to be glorified in me.  Thank you for the times you have already lifted my name before the throne of grace.  😊