His plan for me!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 21, 2025: SOAP #5740: Jeremiah 21, 24, 27; Psalm 118; 1John 2

SCRIPTURE:  1JOHN 2:1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

OBSERVATION:  God’s desire for us is to live without sinning.  That becomes John’s desire in writing his letter.  John’s prayer for his readers as he was writing, was that that they not sin.  But being human John knew that sinning was highly likely.  Before we become believers in Jesus, our lives are very susceptible to sin.  It seems to be part of our nature.  Oh, but when Jesus moves into our life, we have a new nature.  

The Holy Sprit tries to speak to us about potential sin!  He warns us.  We ignore His warnings to our peril.  In these verses we see that Jesus who made the necessary sacrifice for our sins, who  suffered and died for our sins, who experienced death, hell, and the grave for our sins…He is still involved in defending us to the Father. 

APPLICATION:  When I realize what Jesus has done for me and how little I have done for Him, I want Him to receive my heart-felt, never-ending appreciation.  Knowing what Jesus has done for me is a great motivator to live din-free.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, helping me to live above sin is not some minor issue in your work with me.  It is a major part of your plan.  I set my heart to work you priorities into my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
Also on:  soapsbyleon.wordpress.comKno 

Being confident in Him!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 21, 2025: SOAP #5740: Jeremiah 21, 24, 27; Psalm 118; 1John 2

SCRIPTURE:  1John (NIV) 2:28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

OBSERVATION: John writes about so much that we know.  We know that we are at peace with God, by the presence of the Holy Spirit.  He lives within us!  We sense His approval and joy when we do what pleases Him.  We sense His disapproval when we do that which displeases Him. 

After all He has done for us, it is our great desire to please Him.  All who are born again have this one inward desire—to please our Heavenly Father.  That is what the Holy Spirit was doing in Jesus, and that is what the Holy Spirit is doing in us. 

APPLICATION: So, we continue in Him.  It is a never-ending relationship we have begun.  It is a relationship in which we bring joy to the Father through honoring and obeying His Son Jesus.  It is a relationship closely monitored by the Holy Spirit.  We are learning to hear how He speaks to us.  

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, lead me, guide me.  I know you are working for my good.  May my life honor you and bring you great joy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
Also on:  soapsbyleon.wordpress.com