Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

January 31: Exodus 28-29; Acts 7

Scripture: Acts 7:6 NIV God spoke to him in this way: ‘Your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and ill-treated for four hundred years.
7 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves,’ God said, ‘and afterwards they will come out of that country and worship me in this place.’

Observation: Stephen was reviewing Israel’s history. In these verses he mentions that God promised Abraham’s descendants would return to the very land where Abraham was standing. Looking at any map of the world today proves that God keeps His promises! The nation of Israel is exactly where God said it would be. 400 years did not cause God to forget His promises. At times some of the Israelites may have forgotten, or thought God had forgotten, but He remembered and was faithful to keep His word.

Application: God still keeps His promises. I benefit from the promises God made to my ancestors. It may not happen in my time schedule, but I can rest assured that God will keep His promises to me.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your faithfulness in remembering and keeping your promises. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

January 30: Exodus 25-27; Acts 6

Scripture: Exodus 26:30 NIV Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain. (also 27:8; 25:40; Acts 7:44; and Hebrews 8:5)

Observation: Moses went up the mountain to spend time with God. Not only did he bring down the Ten Commandments, he brought back plans to build a portable tabernacle. God not only told Moses; He showed Moses. Surely there must have been times when the builders went to Moses with questions about the plans and Moses said, “Here is how I saw it on the mountain.”

Application: When I have questions about living out my Christian life, I can think back to how my dad did it, or how Pastor Shurance did it. Their visual examples help me better understand the written words.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for coming to earth to show us how to live. And thank you for the people you placed in my life to show me how live in my world. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

January 29: Exodus 23-24; Psalm 14; Acts 5

Scripture: Exodus 24:9 NIV Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up
10 and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself.
11 But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.

Observation: What an amazing verse, perhaps one of the most amazing, to me, in the entire Old Testament. I sincerely doubt that their eating and drinking was something they brought with them. Surely the One who provided manna and water for the millions below could provide for the seventy now with Moses on the mountain. (Even if the only had what they brought with them, it would have been what God provided. That is all Israel had to eat and drink! There was no other food.) But this special meal was provided by God. And what made it special was that they were eating in His Presence. How greatly God desires fellowship!

Application: I do not want to lag behind when God calls me to the mountain for fellowship with Him! For me it is usually searching the scriptures on my laptop computer. I do not want to spend the time grudgingly. I do not want to complain about the climb. If the result is meeting with God, let no mountain path be too rough or too steep!

Prayer: Lord, it is a great privilege and honor to fellowship with you in the Bible. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

January 28: Exodus 21-22; Psalm 12; Acts 4

Scripture: Acts 4:34 NIV There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales
35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Observation: What politicians want to do by taxing the rich and distributing to the poor became reality in the book of Acts church because the Holy Spirit moved in the hearts of the wealthy to give willingly. The wealthy pay taxes grudgingly when the government makes tax laws. When the Holy Spirit moves on their hearts, they give willingly and joyfully and generously. On the receiving side, the poor are more inclined to receive with thankful hearts what is cheerfully and willingly given. However when they are given what has been taken from others by the government, they often begin to expect it and become dependent on “free” money.

Application: When the government takes the place of the Holy Spirit, everybody loses. The givers lose their joy in giving and the receivers lose their appreciation and joy in seeing God provide.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, lead me into the joys of giving and receiving. I want my appreciation for what I have received to be seen in how I give to others. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

January 27: Exodus 17-20; Acts 3

Scripture: Acts 3:14 NIV You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.
15 You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this….
19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

Observation: Luke, the author of the book of Acts here records Peter’s sermon. Peter is claiming that Jesus is “the Holy and Righteous One” and “the author of life.” This agrees with the apostles John (John 1:9-14) and Paul (Colossians 1:15-20). Jesus is the “Author of life.” He allowed himself to be killed in full faith that death was not the end. He assured his followers the he would return to life after being crucified.

Application: I have that same assurance. The Author of life has blazed the way through death’s door. Death is the end of my existence in a physical body here on earth, but not the end of my existence. In preparation, I must repent, by faith receive His forgiveness, and make Him the Lord of my life.

Prayer: Lord, you are the “Author of life,” and the “Creator of all things.” You know this earthly life because you not only created it, you lived it! I trust your forgiveness and your guidance. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

January 26: Exodus 14-16; Acts 2

Scripture: Acts 2: 1 NIV When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

Observation: They had been told to go into the entire world. Then they had been told to wait—to wait in Jerusalem until they received what was promised. (Acts 1:4) But when the right time arrived, the promise was given suddenly. I am reminded of Joseph who “waited” in prison for over two years, yet when Pharaoh had the dream, suddenly, within a day, Joseph was made 2nd in charge of all Egypt! (Genesis 14:14 & 40)

Application: Yesterday the Lord spoke to me about the importance of waiting, today I hear Him telling me that when the time is right, he often moves suddenly. Waiting on Him is never a waste of time. Moving ahead of Him is the real waste of time. When He moves “suddenly” it makes the waiting worthwhile! “My waiting” PLUS “His suddenly” is always quicker than “my running ahead on my own.”

Prayer: Lord, I trust your leading and your timing. I am certain that you know what is best. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

January 25: Exodus 12-13; Psalm 21; Acts 1

Scripture: Acts 1:4 NIV On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

Observation: The same One who gave the disciples the Great Commission to go into all the world (Matt 28:19) is the same One here telling them to wait. They were not to go anywhere until. The One who gave them the gift of salvation was going to give them the gift of the Holy Spirit!

Application: When God tells me to wait; I can be assured that it is well worth the wait. God’s timing will prove perfect. His equipping will be exactly what I need.

Prayer: Lord, waiting on you is never a waste of time. You are worth the wait. What you have for me is worth the wait. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

January 24: Exodus 9-11; Luke 24

Scripture: Luke 24:45 NIV Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

Observation: Jesus had just been crucified and had risen from the dead. He was now walking with two disciples who had not yet figured out the identity of this healthy man walking with them. Jesus was not just interested that they know the scriptures, but that they would understand. He was explaining the scriptures that referred to his coming to die for our sins.

Application: The Holy Spirit now has the ministry of opening my mind and giving me understanding. As I read the scriptures, I pay attention to thoughts that cross my mind. Often a verse is linked to another verse I have read, or to something that I have experienced in my life, or something that is presently happening. I gain understanding in how the scripture applies to me.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I am blest that you help me understand and apply the scriptures to my life. Use me to help others. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

January 23: Exodus 6-8; Luke 23

Scripture: Exodus 6:1 NIV Then the LORD said to Moses, "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country."

Observation: In the preceding verses one could see what Pharaoh was doing to the Israelites. He had been flexing his power to show them that they had no hope in withstanding him. But now it is God’s turn. He was going to show them what He could do.

Application: Surely the God who planted God-fearing people in a new land back in the 1600’s and has been so evident throughout our history—surely He will not allow the USA to slide quietly into insignificance without showing what He can do! So far our efforts to stop abortion, prohibit gay marriage, stop the removal of the Bible from our schools has proved futile. I believe I can hear God say, “Now you will see what I can do!”

Prayer: Lord, remember the many prayers of dedication for our nation, our government and our people. Bring another spiritual awakening to America! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

January 22: Exodus 3-5; Luke 22

Scripture: Luke 22: 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover."
9 "Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked.
Luke 22:12 He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there."
13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

Observation: Peter and John were sent with an assignment. They were to make preparations for the Passover meal. It was at this meal the Lord commanded us to eat the bread and drink the cup in memory of the sacrifice he was about to make. God had been carefully making preparations for Jesus death since the prophecy given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Application: Very few things in life are done with a spur-of-the-moment decision. Even those opportunities are made possible because one has prepared to be ready. Most things require preparation. Important things require more preparation. Very important things require much preparation. My value of things can be seen in the preparation I am willing to make. The way my wife prepares for the visit of children to our home shows how she values them. My life today is preparation for eternity. My speech and actions will demonstrate how important eternity is to me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the preparation you made to provide the payment for my sins. May the esteem I have for you be seen in the preparations I make to stand before you on judgment day. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!