Tag Archives: holy-spirit

Pleasing God

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 15, 2025: SOAP #5642: 1Chronicles 25-27; 1Thessalonians 4

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 4:1 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

OBSERVATION:   Here we see that our goal is to please God.  Our whole lives should be lived for the approval and pleasure of God.  When we accepted Jesus as our Savior (saving us from the wrath of God that will be poured out on sin), when we acknowledged Him as our LORD, He cames to live in us by His Holy Spirit. 

If I am going to please God, first, I need to know what pleases Him and what displeases Him.  Of course, there are many scriptures in the Bibe that can help us understand what God likes and dislikes.  But not everyone has a Bible—but every believer has something even better!!!   The scriptures were written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and He cames to live in us when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior!!!!   Amazing, the author of the scriptures actually lives within us!!!

APPLICATION:   Of course, if I have a copy of the Bible, I need to be reading it.  But if I do not have a copy of the Bible, I need to learn to hear the Holy Spirit speaking in my heart.  When things please God, the Spirit is peaceful.  When things do not please God, the Spirit stirs uncomfortable feelings or thoughts.  It is then I need to be quiet and open my heart to what He is saying.  Many times, the Holy Spirit will bring a strong thought to my mind to show me what to do.  Of course, God also uses people to bring us His messages.  When He does, you will sense the Spirit within giving approval.

Be sure to spend time every day, just talking to God—praying.  Be sure to make some of the time just being quiet and listening.  Whatever portion of scripture you have, value it.  Let God know that His word is important to you.   

PRAYER:   Lord, However you speak to me is important!  Speak into my heart and mind.  Speak to me through people you have sent to help me.  Help me understand how much you love me and how I can best please you.   Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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In me and Through me

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 29, 2025: SOAP #5595:  Judges 6-7; Psalm 52; 1Corinthians 14

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 14: 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace – as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people…
40  But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. 

OBSERVATION:   I have heard it said that the first law of heaven is “order.”   Heaven is definitely orderly.  Everything is in place.  Everything has purpose. 

I cannot imagine the control tower of a major airport being disorderly.  The order of the landings and the planes waiting their turn to land are maintained in an orderly fashion. 

The universe speaks of order.  The galaxies and solar systems all have order.   They are an expression of an orderly creator. 

So, it should not surprise us that God wants order in His church.  The highest order in a church gathering is when the Holy Spirit directs the body of Christ in ways that bring glory and honor to God the Father.   

APPLICATION:   There have been times when my path took me places that appeared very disorderly.  However, in looking back, I can see that God had ordered my steps with purpose.  Sometimes it was for me to be God’s instrument of peace and order. 

My life is peaceful and orderly when it is directed by the Holy Spirit.  First, the assurance of His presence in my heart maintains peace in me.  Then, the Holy Spirit directing my actions and words helps establish peace through me in my environment. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, bring your order to every area of my life.  Work through my words and actions to bring peace to others.    Amen

Pastor Leon
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What A Teacher!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 05, 2025: SOAP #5571:  Deuteronomy 1-2; Mark 12

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 12:1 He [Jesus] then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey…

OBSERVATION:   When Jesus taught heavenly principles, He always used earthy illustrations that would be easy for people to understand.  He used illustrations from their everyday life, things with which they were already familiar.  When Jesus returned to the Father, He sent the Holy Spirit to continue this ministry of revealing truth.  (John 16:3)

APPLICATION:   When the Holy Spirit shows me something new, I often come away thinking, that is so simple.  The most profound truths are put in the simplest of terms so that even I can understand them!  

The Holy Spirit is a good teacher because 1) He perfectly understands the truth, 2) He perfectly understands each of us, and 3) He communicates with each person individually. 

He is with me when I read the scriptures.  He is with me when I hear a preacher or teacher or a word of prophecy.  He rode the school bus with me and made me aware of things that demonstrated spiritual truth.  The Holy Spirit sparks my heart to receive truth and then apply it.  The Holy Spirit is my personal tutor.  I could not ask for a better teacher.  (And the same is true for each believer!)

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, thank you for being my teacher.  As I write these SOAPs give me clarity of thought.  Help me understand what you are saying and help me communicate the truth in ways that are easy for readers to understand, and easy to translate.  Thank you for being with each SOAP reader and showing them what is important for them to hear and apply.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon