Self-Portrait

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

November 30: Rom 1-4

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Observation: It could be said that nature is God’s self-portrait. In it God has revealed his invisible qualities such as His power and Godliness. What tremendous power is locked up in earth’s tornados, volcanoes, and hurricanes! What power is held in the moon to pull the oceans tides from one side of the ocean to the other! What tremendous power is released in the firestorms on the sun’s surface that explode out hundreds and thousands of miles affecting the radio signals on earth 93 million miles away! What power is released from the heat of the sun that can warm a sidewalk hot enough to fry an egg! Who, in the study of nature can rationally deny His divine nature, His Godliness? Obviously, whoever put this universe together is higher than man in knowledge and wisdom and design and planning. One has only to look! Man is without excuse for not believing God!

Application: No wonder I like to sing, “How Great Thou Art” as I drive the school bus through the country to pick up children for school. What beauty can be seen in creation! What diversity! What order! I see the variety of life: plants, animals, people. I see death as what we on the bus call a “stinky-sprayer” has been lying dead in the road for several weeks. I see the clouds which cover the earth as my blankets cover me at night. I see the hand of God everywhere! Indeed nature is God’s self-portrait.

Prayer: Lord, you have made yourself known through your works. You are amazing! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 29: 1Thes 4-5; 2Thes 1-3

Scripture: 1Thessalonians (NIV) 5:16 Rejoice always
17 Pray continually,
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Observation: One of the things Paul writes as he closes this letter is to pray continually. If we really believe that God is always with us, then we should talk with him continually. When someone comes to visit we politely carry on a conversation with them. Speaking with them is the best way to acknowledge their presence. Praying is the best way to acknowledge His Presence. Continual prayer reminds us of His Presence.

Application: I almost always close my prayers with the word "Amen." Often is say, “In Jesus name, Amen.” Amen means "so be it" or "may it be." It is a formal way of ending my prayers. It is almost like saying "goodbye." But if God is really with me continually, I never need to say "goodbye!" God is always present. He is always a part of my life. He is always a part of my conversation. I should pray without ceasing.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your continual presence. I like to sing the old song to you: “You walk with me and You talk with me, and you tell me I am your own…” Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 28: Matthew 28; 1Thessalonians 1-3

Scripture: 1Thessalonias (NIV) 1:2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers.

Observation: I see two ways of looking at the thought contained in this verse. The first would be from the heart of the writer. Paul is expressing his gratitude to God for these who received his message and responded to it. These were ones that made his hard work and suffering worthwhile. In this expression of "thanksgiving to God," Paul would be encouraging his readers. He would be letting them know that he sees the good in their lives. They are loved and considered valuable by Paul. They were a common topic in Paul’s conversations with God.

Application: Now to consider this verse from the reader’s perspective. It warms my heart to think that someone else sees something in me that is worth mentioning to God in prayer. I want to live my life in such a way that it will be easy for people to give thanks to God for me.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the people you have placed in my life. Each one is special. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 27: Psalm 125; Matt 26-27

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 27:42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.

Observation: If Jesus would have come down from the cross they would have believed in him—or so they said. But their believing in him would have gained them nothing. There would have been no forgiveness of sin if Jesus had come down from the cross. Our sins are forgiven because he stayed on the cross. The wages of sin is death, not suffering. Jesus had to do more than suffer; he had to die. He stayed on the cross until he died, and now we can believe on him!

Application: I am so thankful that Jesus did not take a short cut in dealing with my sins. He took my sins as if they were his own. He suffered, shed his blood, and died. My sins are more than covered by the payment Jesus made.

Prayer: Lord, such love is worthy of continual thanksgiving. As Andre Crouch sings, “How can I say thanks…the voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude!” Lord, your love is worthy of my worship. It is worthy of committing my all to do your will. It is worthy of saying, “No,” to what pleases me in order to say, “Yes,” to what pleases you. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 26: Matt 23-25

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 24:12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,
13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Observation: Jesus is talking about the end time. There will be lots of trouble in the world and trouble for his followers. It will not be easy for those going through these times, but salvation is promised to those who endure, who stand firm to the end.

Application: Like everyone else, my faith will be tested. The important thing is not how much my faith can accomplish, but how long it will last. It must last till the end.

Prayer: Lord, for my faith to endure to the end I need your Word planted in my mind and heart. I also need your Holy Spirit to keep me aware of your presence. Obviously I cannot do this by myself. I am so thankful that you are aware of my need and have made the necessary provision. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Questions – Others, Mine, & His

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

November 25: Matt 20-22

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 22:45 “If David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?”
46 No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Observation: The Herodians (verse 15), the Sadducees (verse 23), and a lawyer from the Pharisees (verse 34) had all asked Jesus questions to trap him. He gave wise answers. Then He asked them a question. They had no answer.

Application: I can trust the Lord with questions of others. He does have the answer! I can trust the Lord with my questions. There too, He has the perfect answer. I can also trust Him when He questions me. He may be teaching me something. He may be helping me see something I am overlooking. He may be showing me how much greater His wisdom is than mine.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for using your wisdom to show me your love. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 24: Matt 17-19

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 18:15 If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.
16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church, and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or tax collector.

Observation: These guidelines have great benefit. First: They are relational. There is high value on the relationship. Second: They allow for misjudgment and correction. One may find out that things are not as they appear. Third: There is a strong emphasis on restoration and working to restore the fallen. Fourth: They allow for sin to be dealt with without hanging out the dirty laundry for all to see. Fifth: They show that the church is too important than to allow sin to continue. Sixth: They show the Father’s love flowing through people. The guilty person is important to the one doing the confronting and there is a desire to help and not cause further hurt.

Application: I should not be surprised that God gave specific standards for dealing with sin. Sin harms the individual, the church, and the Savior. There is great wisdom in following the scriptures.

Prayer: Lord, Thank you for caring enough to provide for correction and restoration. How you love us, and how you love your church! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 23: Matt 14-16

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 14:15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16 Jesus replied, “The do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

Observation: When Jesus said they do not need to go away, he did not say that they could not go away. Maybe some had already evaluated the situation, seeing the time of day, the size of the crowd, and the eating possibilities available, or not available. Perhaps some left early in order to be home in time for "dinner." Maybe some had left, but they would not have needed to. There was nothing wrong with their evaluation of the visible facts. They had not lost their mind. They could see what was obvious. They could be compared to the baseball fans who leave disappointed in the 8th inning because their team is losing, only to hear on the radio the roar of the crowd as their team wins in the bottom of the ninth, or to hear about it on the news the next day. They could have been there! What a blessing for those who stayed!

Application: What was about to happen did not depend on the disciples. It was because of His presence. It was at His direction. Everyone was fed because of Him! The disciples did what Jesus first commanded; they fed the people. But first they took what was available and gave it to him. Only when He had placed it back in their hands could they do as he directed.

Prayer: Lord, check me when I want to give up too soon. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 22: Matt 11-13

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 11:4 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.

Observation: Jesus had a message for John’s disciples to take back to John. It was not only a message of words to be repeated, but of things witnessed to be reported. They were to report both what they heard, and saw! Jesus’ ministry was more than just one of words, but also one of action. The actions of Jesus were as important as the words.

Application: Will people talk about me? Not everyone, but some do and will. What will they talk about? They will talk about what I say and do. They will talk about what they hear and see. May they hear me say things that are worth repeating and see me doing things that are worth copying.

Prayer: Lord, most of all, I want people to hear you speaking through me and see you at work in my life. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 21: Matt 8-10

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 10:7 As you go, proclaim this message: “The kingdom of heaven has come near.”
8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

Observation: Jesus gave these instructions to his disciples as he sent them out to minister. He gave them the subject of their message: the kingdom. He told them how to demonstrate the authority of the kingdom: with miracles. And he told them to provide the ministry just the way they had received it: at no cost to the hearer.

Application: Those hearing the message should never get the idea that the preacher is after their money. It is not their possessions that God wants; He wants them—He wants their lives! The message was not to be polluted with money. The cost of the message was paid by Jesus on the cross. The cost of proclaiming the message is paid by those Jesus has sent with His message. To those hearing the message, it is proclaimed and demonstrated freely.

Prayer: Lord, you paid the cost to provide the message. I want you to find me willing to help provide the cost of proclaiming the message. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!