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

December 31: Revelation 19-22

Scripture: Revelation (NIV) 19:14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine lined, white and pure, were following him on white horses.
15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron…
Revelation (NIV) 19:20 …These two (the beast and the false prophet) were throne alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
21 And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse…

Observation: Some time back I wrote a SOAP about Jesus’ place was out front in this battle. Today I hear the Lord emphasizing that our place is following. This battle was not won by hand to hand fighting of the armies, but by the sword of the Commander-in-Chief!

Application: I am wondering how many battles I fought because I did not wait for His orders and ran ahead of my Commander-in-Chief. If I would have just been patient and followed His lead, I might have arrived at the battle field to find that the battle was already won.

When I go into battle I always want the Lord between me and the enemy. When I look at the enemy, I want to see my Lord in between. I never want to be in a place where I have to turn my back on my enemy to look at my Lord!

Prayer: Lord, I can trust you to lead me into battle. I can trust your wisdom and strength and ability. You are both a lover of peace and a Man of war! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 30: Revelation 15-18

Scripture: Revelation (NIV) 16:7 And I heard the altar respond: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.”

Observation: In chapter 6 of this book we saw that the souls of the martyrs were allowed to be under the altar, the place from which this voice came. They had a “ring-side” seat from which they could view the heavenly activities. Seeing how God was dispensing judgment, they marveled at God’s fairness and justice. Was God angry? Definitely, but as we read about God’s wrath, we see that His anger is under the control of His holiness. He does not judge in spite, in revenge, or in hate, but with truth and justice.

Application: It was amazing grace that motivated God to pour out the judgment I deserved on Jesus dying in my place. Having accepted Jesus as my Lord (boss/owner) and Savior (the One Who paid the price for my sins) I walk in joyful confidence that God’s justice has been satisfied. The amazing God has an amazing plan to demonstrate both His holiness and love.

Prayer: Lord, your judgments are always appropriate. And in Jesus, they are heavily flavored with your grace and mercy. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 29: Revelation 10-14

Scripture: Revelation (NIV) 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”

Observation: One can read about the “Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire,” and about “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.” But here we read about the rise of a Kingdom that will never fall. One can read of leaders that have come and gone. But here we read of a leader that comes, but does not go!

Application: This One has set up His kingdom in my heart. As long as I walk under His Lordship, I need fear no enemy. I do not need to fear that he will ever leave me or be out-maneuvered by the devil. His Kingdom has risen in my heart.

Prayer: Lord, what a privilege to be in your Kingdom and under your authority! How amazing to be friends with such a King! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 28: Revelation 5-9

Scripture: Revelation (NIV) 5:5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders…

Observation: As the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, he conquered the armies of the world. As the Lamb of God, he conquered death!

Application: The Lion, who is also the Lamb, lives in me. He helps me to live victorious and reign in this life. He helps me die to my own desires and live in humble submission to God. He teaches me how to use my authority for the benefit of others. He teaches me the joy of living for the benefit of others.

Prayer: Lord, I am your servant. What a joy is mine in being a part of your kingdom and what a privilege to be used for your glory. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 27: Revelation 1-4

Scripture: Revelation (NIV) 1:17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last.
18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

Observation: I am aware of several people who have died and then been brought back to life. But the life to which they returned was still subject to death. Jesus was dead but is now alive with a life that is not subject to death. Like a wrestler, Jesus embraced death and defeated it. In Jesus, death has met its master!

Application: The life of Jesus that dwells in me is life that has already faced death, embraced it and defeated it! Like a baby emerging from its mother’s womb, at death my spirit, united with Jesus, will emerge from this physical body to a whole new level of living and a life that will never die!

Prayer: Lord, there is nothing I face in this life that you have not faced. You know what I am experiencing and you know what I should do. More than that, you give me the strength to make it through the tough times. In you, I am blest! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 26: Psalm 117; 119:81-176; 2John; 3John

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 119:108 Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.

Observation: This is the praise that really blesses God — willing praise! He deserves nothing less!

Application: First: I should give “willing praise” to God when things are going great! It is right to thank and praise Him for guiding my steps in times when it seems everything is working great! It is just the right thing to do! Second: I should give “willing praise” to God when the good and bad things average out and my day is just average. It is just the right thing to do! Third: I should give “willing praise” to God when things are tough and it seems nothing is going my way. It is still the right thing to do! He is no less God or less worthy on one day than on another.

Prayer: Lord, you should never have to twist my arm to get me to praise you. May “willing praise” be my language every day. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Christmas Greetings from Sharon and myself to all who read these daily SOAPs. May the Lord enjoy your celebration of His birth. I wrote this SOAP last night before going to bed, but this morning in re-reading it, the Lord showed me something I had never considered before. I know that it is nothing new, but it was new to me. Number four below was a special gift of freshness the Lord gave me on this Christmas day. Happy Christmas and Merry New Year! Leon J

The Gift of Forgiveness

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

December 25: 1John 1-5

Scripture: 1John (NIV) 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

Observation: In this chapter, the word “fellowship” is used four times. Twice it refers to fellowship with God and twice to fellowship among people. It is clear that fellowship with people and fellowship with God are closely intertwined. Fellowship with others is hindered by things that cause us to be offended. They may be real things, or just things in our mind. The one thing that overcomes offences is giving and receiving forgiveness!

Application: If I am unable to have fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ who live and work near me, then I need to be checking what kind of fellowship I am having with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. If I am having trouble forgiving someone, I need to remember four things. First, I need to remember how many times God has forgiven me! Second, I need to remember that The Great Forgiver is actually living inside me to help me forgive. Third, I need to remember that forgiving is a choice while forgetting is a process. Once forgiven, I need to remember it forgiven. Fourth, I need to remember that this wonderful gift of forgiveness was purchased on the cross. Jesus’ death not only covered my sins against God, but also the sins of others against me.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being quick to forgive me and restore our relationship. Help me be quick to seek forgiveness and quick to forgive so that nothing will hinder the fellowship I have with those around me and with you. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 24: John 19-21

Scripture: John (NIV) 20:6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen laying there,
7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.
8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.
9 (They did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

Observation: After all that Jesus had said about rising from the dead, they still did not understand. This it is so much with prophecy. It is not clearly understood until after it has been fulfilled, and even then not until the Holy Spirit reveals it to the heart. They needed to understand "from the scriptures." When Jesus spoke to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, He spoke from the scriptures. The Living Risen Word was opening their understanding of the written word.

Application: More than relying on my own interpretation of things around me, I need to see what the scriptures have to say. Since I believe that the scriptures are the Word of God, it naturally follows that I accept them as a higher authority than my own opinion. I can trust what God has written even before it takes place. I do not need to worry about the outcome. I can gain understanding from the scriptures that God is with me and will bring me through.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the Bible, the written Word of God. Thank you for providing me something I can trust wholeheartedly. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 23: John 15-18

Scripture: John (NIV) 15:9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

Observation: Who can understand the love of God! God the Father so loved us (the world) that He gave His only Son! God the Father so loved His Son that He sent Him to develop a family of sons in His image. Amazing! And here the Son says that He loves us the same way His Father loves Him! Not only are we loved by the Father, we are loved by the Son!

Application: The Father loves the Son; the Son loves the Father. I am loved by the Father and loved by the Son. I am not only surrounded by their love, I am the object of their love! I am loved by the two greatest lovers in the world! It is amazing!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for loving me! I want your love for me to bring you much joy. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 22: John 12-14

Scripture: John (NIV) 12:26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
John (NIV) 14:30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me,
31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. Come now; let us leave.

Observation: In the first verse the love the Father has for His Son is seen in that He honors those who serve His special Son. In 14:30-31 the love Jesus had for His Father would be easily seen by those around Him. The intensity of the suffering he would endure was proof of His love for His Father and His willingness to do as commanded in spite of personal suffering. Oh, how Jesus loves His Father!

Application: I always walk in the love my Heavenly Father has for me. And the love I have in my heart for my Savior can be easily seen by others when they see me doing what He directs even if it takes me through tough times.

Prayer: Lord, it is special when I get a glimpse of the love you have for your Father and the love He has for you. I am blest to find myself right in the middle! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!