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

October 21: Job 9-10; Acts 13-14

Scripture: Job (NIV) 9:33 If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together, 34 someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more.

Observation: Job was the battleground between God and Satan. And in talking about his suffering, Job expresses this desire. If only there was someone to go between God and men. If only there was someone who would satisfy God’s wrath against sin. If only… I like to put myself into the conversation Job is having with his friends. So I write in my comments. The following is my comment as I interrupted Job…

Application: Job, there is Someone who did exactly like you said. Jesus arbitrated between us! He laid his hands on both parties and drew us together. Through His death, Jesus removed the rod of God’s wrath from us. We now have boldness to enter the very Presence of God, just like you said.

Prayer: Lord, How clearly Job understood what we needed, and how perfectly you fulfilled that need! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 20: Job 6-8; Acts 12

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

Observation: Verse 6 tells us that Peter was sleeping, but verse 5 says the church was praying! The church was not picketing the jail nor contacting their representatives. The church saw itself as the representatives presenting their petitions before the throne of heaven!

Application: There are so many ways today a church can spend its time; sometimes it leaves little time for prayer. We can have counseling, group meetings, various activities, etc. If the church does not make prayer a priority there will be no time for it in our schedules. If the church does not make prayer a priority, people will choose other more enjoyable and entertaining activities.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, keep emphasizing the importance of prayer. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 19: Job 5; Psalm 108; Acts 10-11

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 10:22 The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”

Observation: This verse shows the same characteristic of God’s working as I wrote in yesterday’s SOAP. God used a divine/angelic messenger; AND He also used a human messenger. We are to point people to Jesus; but it is interesting to note that sometime he points people to us! He knows we will point them back to Him. It is teamwork! We cannot do it without Him and He will not do it without us! Even Jesus became a man to do the work required on the earth!

Application: If I lock myself off from the church and God’s people, I lock myself off from hearing much of what God would speak to me. If I am not open to God speaking to me through someone else, I am also not open to God.

Prayer: Lord, help me be open to hearing what you are saying to me through those around me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 18: Job 3-4; Acts 8-9

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 9:17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Observation: Jesus had miraculously appeared to Saul as he was traveling to persecute the Christians in the city of Damascus. In this verse the divine interruption of Saul’s life was confirmed by a human messenger, Ananias. God often uses humans in His work with humans. Even Jesus had to take on humanity to complete the Father’s will in the salvation of people.

Application: This verse speaks to me in two ways. First, I must be open to God speaking to me through other people. Second, I must me willing to let God speak through me to others.

Prayer: Lord, Thank you for the church! You have so designed the church so that I can both minister to others and receive ministry myself. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 17: Job 1-2; Acts 6-7

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 7:33 Then the Lord said to him (Moses), “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

Observation: Moses had come to see a bush that was on fire but was not burning up. Now God was speaking to him from that bush! God identified Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God had something specific to say to Moses, but first Moses would have to remove his sandals. It is my understanding that free persons wore shoes while slaves went barefoot. Sandals were a symbol that a man could set his own course and was responsible for his own decisions. Being barefoot was a sign that someone else was in charge. It needed to be established in Moses that Moses was not in charge. Moses was only the servant of the Jehovah God! Only as a servant would Moses successfully lead Israel!

Application: For Leon to be useful to God, Leon must walk barefoot before the Lord. Leon is not to do Leon’s business, but God’s business. Leon is not Lord. He is only the Lord’s servant. Leon will be a blessing to others only as Leon hears and does the will of God. Only as a servant can I be successful in God’s Kingdom!

Prayer: Lord, I walk as your servant. Use me for your glory. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 16: Malachi 3-4; Psalm 148; Acts 5

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 5:19 But during the night an angel of the LORD opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.
20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”

Observation: The high priest and his associates were jealous because all the people were gathering to hear the apostles preach and watch them heal the sick. They had the apostles arrested and thrown in jail. I noticed that when the angel set them free he gave them an assignment. They were set free so they could go and tell.

Application: When God has done something for me, it is my duty to tell others. My life is to be a visible demonstration of God’s power and glory. It is my responsibility to let others know Who is to get the glory from Leon’s life!

Prayer: Lord, may you find me faithful to let others know what you have done for me. I get to enjoy the freedom from bondage, sickness, debt; it is your right to enjoy the glory! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 15: Nehemiah 13; Malachi 1-2; Acts 4

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.

Observation: What a dirty trick it would have been for God the Father to send his son to die for the sins of man if there had been another way for man to be saved. Jesus was convinced that there was no other way. He had to die or man could not be free from sin. In this verse Peter is speaking before the religious leaders of Israel. Peter and John had been arrested because of a healing done in the name of Jesus who these leaders had recently crucified.

Application: God the Father was so convinced that there was no other way for man to be saved that He sent His only son to die for my sins. Jesus was so convinced that there was no other way that He was willing to suffer the great agony of the cross. The apostles were so convinced that they were willing to go to jail and give their lives for telling others that Jesus is the ONLY way. Now it is my turn.

Prayer: Lord, You are the only way. There is no other name under heaven by which we can be saved! Lord, I believe that now help me act like it is true. Help me tell others. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Duty or Delight

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

October 14: Nehemiah 11-12; Psalm 1; Acts 3

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 1:1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

Observation: Most Christians know that they should read God’s Word. They know that it is good for them to do so. They may even be able to give four or five very good reasons to have a daily time of Bible reading. This blessing is not for them. This blessing is not for those who "have" to read, but for those who "delight" to do so. They are eager to get into the Word. They are disappointed when they are interrupted. Instead of being quick to close The Book, they want to read just a few more verses.

Application: Like those eating a favorite meal, I need to do more than just read. I should savor it! As the day progresses, I can think back and "savor" it again in my thoughts.
More times than I want to admit, I have started reading out of “duty,” but ended up in “delight!” In those times I am so glad I did not let my feelings or busy-ness keep me from the Word.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the many blessings that come to me through your word! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 13: Nehemiah 9-10; Acts 2

Scripture: Nehemiah (NIV) 9:17…But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them, 18 even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, “this is your god, who brought you up out of Egypt…
19 “Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness… 20 …You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.

Observation: The Israelites were totally dependent on God to lead them through the wilderness and to provide food and water. When they broke God’s law and made an idol and sinned in other ways, God was still merciful. Out of anger He could have stopped giving them the food and water, but His mercy continued all the way till they entered the Promised Land.

Application: I have given God many reasons to give up on me, but He remains merciful to me and expresses His compassion in many ways. I know my thoughts and actions have hurt him but instead of anger He extends mercy.

Prayer: Lord, like Nehemiah, I know you are a merciful and compassionate God. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 12: Nehemiah 7-8; Acts 1

Scripture: Nehemiah (NIV) 8:2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.
3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

Observation: It is possible this square served as a market place during the week and maybe even as the city hall. It did not cross their minds that it would be a benefit to have a building in which to gather. Also the church in the book of Acts did not consider themselves bothered by not having a building. The early church met in homes, in schools, at the temple porch, then in the catacombs in Rome. The church is not a building; it is the people. The church is not located at the address of a building, but it is wherever two or three gather in His name.

Application: The church is in session at our regular gathering times on Sunday, but just as much in session when I meet other believers in the parking lot at the bus barn. It gathers when I meet one or two in the market. Whatever can happen in the building can happen when we meet each other around town throughout the day. The most important part of the church is HIS presence and he promised to be with us whenever two or three gather in HIS name! (Matthew 18:20)

Prayer: Lord, thank You for making me a part of Your church. Thank You for making Your Presence known when only two or three meet. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!