Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 20, 2026: SOAP #6103: Jeremiah 48-49; Psalm 67; 1John 1

SCRIPTURE:  1 John (NIV) 1:6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

OBSERVATION:  Four verses all beginning with the big word “if.”  They acknowledge choices that we have: 
Verses 6 and 8:  These “ifs” have negative results.  If we claim one thing yet live another we lie.  If we claim to be sinless, we deceive ourselves. 
Verses 7 and 9:  These “ifs” have desirable results.  Walking in the light brings fellowship with others and cleanness of heart.  Confessing our sins brings forgiveness and purity. 

The choices of the Lord are clear and understandable.  He does not give me a choice between two closed hands and then berates me for making a wrong choice.  But He extends open hands, palms up, so that I can readily see the choice before me.

APPLICATION: When I come to a place of choice, I have usually found one of three general scenarios: 
First:  Examining the choice, I may find I already know which choice He would make.  The better I know Him the better I know what He would do. 
Second:  I may find that he has made or shortly will make His will clear through a scripture or input from another source. 
Third:  I may see that it is not a right or wrong choice, so I pray and do what I think would best please Him. 

Everything I know about the Lord convinces me that doing His will and making choices that please Him will always work for my good. 

PRAYER:  Lord, choices are the way I show my love for you.  And choices are the way I can demonstrate my love for you to others.  May even the smallest choices, that no one sees but you, show you my love for you.  Amen 

Pastor Leon
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