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

December 21: John 9-11

Scripture: John (NIV) 10:37 Do not believe me unless I do the works of my Father.
38 But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.

Observation: The One who told us to let our light so shine before others that they may see our good deeds/works and glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 9:16) here tells people to look at His works. Works are the outward proof of what is on the inside. Works are the proof of character. Jesus was saying that if we could not see the proof in His works, we should not believe Him. Proof of the presence of the Father in Jesus could be easily recognized in the works of Jesus.

Application: Proof of the life of Jesus in me is seen in my works. The words I say and the things I do are outward expressions of who is controlling the inside. The more I let Jesus rule my thoughts and affections, the more He will be seen on the outside.

Prayer: Lord, I want your Lordship to be so complete on the inside of my life that it will be easily recognized by those who only see the outside. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 20: John 7-8

Scripture: John (NIV) 7:12 Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.”
13 But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.

Observation: The leaders could threaten people if they talked about Jesus, but they could not stop them. Instead of talking out in the open, they talked secretly.

Application: Trying to control speech by fear has never worked. The best way to control speech is to encourage people to talk openly then give good arguments. But people who do not have good arguments often work to confuse the issue and silence it by threats.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, guide my words when I give answer. Spark thoughts in my mind. Impart understanding to me. May the simplicity of truth be ever on my lips. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 19: John 5-6

Scripture: John (NIV) 5:36 I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to finish—the very works that I am doing—testify that the Father has sent me.

Observation: Jesus had been introduced by John as the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. (John 1:29) Yet here Jesus claims a greater witness to his identity. That He was sent from the Father could be seen in the works that could not be explained in human terms. They could only be explained by acknowledging that God the Father was at work.

Application: As God was seen in the life of Jesus, so He wants to be seen in my life. Through the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and the gifts of the Spirit (1Corinthians 12) God desires to be seen in my life.

Prayer: Lord, I want my life to be good advertisement for You and Your kingdom. May your character be seen through the fruit of the Spirit and your power through the gifts of the Spirit. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 18: John 2-4

Scripture: John (NIV) 4:6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.

Observation: "…tired as he was …" God, the Son had laid down His divinity to live a man. The Creator lived as the creation. The God who watches over Israel, who never slumbers nor sleeps, laid aside his deity to such an extent that He got tired!

Application: I like scriptures that tell about Jesus’ miracles. I like the scriptures that tell about his compassion. But those that reveal his humanity have a special place in my heart. When I am tired, I am glad to know that He got tired. He knows what it is to be tired. He understands the weakness of the flesh.

Prayer: Lord, I am so glad that you understand this life I am living. You know how to help me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 17: 2Peter 1-3; John 1

Scripture: 2Peter (NIV) 1:12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.
13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body

Observation: Peter realized the importance of reminding his friends of the truth they already knew. It was good to refresh their memory. I am sure Peter did this in his personal and public conversations. But I am so glad he also did it by writing and sending letters for those letters benefit me.

Application: I should not let myself be discouraged from reminding people of what they already know. Hearing each other’s voice makes talking on the phone special, but writing it in a note allows it to be read again and again and again. It permanent-izes our words of encouragement.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for sending your word to the world before the days of teletype, phones and cell phones. Thank you for those who “wrote it down.” Thank you for those who preserved those writings. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 16: 1Peter 1-5

Scripture: 1Peter (NIV) 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
1Peter (NIV) 3:16 …so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Observation: It is not God’s will for us to lower ourselves to malicious comments and accusations of others, but to rise above them. He does not want us to get even, but to rise above by forgiving, and living in such a way that makes it hard for others to believe what was said.

Application: My goal should be that when someone talks trash about me, they will have trouble finding people to believe them.

Prayer: Lord, you are the best example of these verses. I want to be like you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 15: James 1-5

Scripture: James (NIV) 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James (KJV) 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Observation: It is not being humble in the sight of men, but in the sight of the Lord. Humility is being strong and wise and loving and kind, but not seeking any recognition or commendation for those traits. It is faithfully being that way even when no one notices. But the great Rewarder always notices. True humility is a logical result of knowing God’s character and experiencing His grace.

Application: It is not being humble in the sight of those who see my actions; it is being humble in the sight of the One who sees me heart.

Prayer: Lord, You are amazing. You alone are worthy. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 14: Hebrews 12-13; Jude

Scripture: Hebrews (NIV) 13:14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Observation: In these verses we are given three sacrifices that please God. First is the sacrifice of praise, using our mouth to speak our praise. It is not the fruit of our circumstances, but the fruit of our lips. It makes no difference what our environment or how we are being treated. Our lips are to praise His name. Second is the sacrifice of doing good. Doing good is not always convenient or even pleasant, but it is a sacrifice that pleases God. Third is the sacrifice of sharing what we have with others. It is not sharing out of our abundance, but out of our lack. It prefers others in the administration of our possessions.

Application: A sacrifice is when my will wants to do one thing and God’s will is that I do something else. Our wills cross. It is the essence of the cross. Whose will is done is an expression of who is really Lord of Leon’s life. How I talk, how I act, and how I treat others should express my faith and His presence. People should hear my appreciation in my words; they should see my loyalty to God in my actions, and experience God’s love in how I treat others.

Prayer: Lord, like you prayed in the garden just before being crucified, may I too pray, “Not my will but thine be done.” I want that my life is pleasing to you. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 13: Hebrews 9-11

Scripture: Hebrews (NIV) 9:13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.
14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Observation: The Old Testament Law defined sin and gave instructions as to what sacrifice would be accepted ceremonially to cover those sins. Those animal sacrifices were an acknowledgment of guilt and an expression of faith that God would provide a future sacrifice that could really take away sin! When the Son of God, unstained by any sin, made a blood sacrifice for our sins, there was no longer any need for the animal sacrifices. If God accepted the animal sacrifices on our behalf, how much more will he accept the sacrifice of His own sinless Son!

Application: I see the animal sacrifices as interest-only payments on borrowed money. They acknowledge the debt, but do nothing toward paying it off. Jesus death on the cross completely covers the debt and no more interest-only payments are needed.

Prayer: Lord, Thank you Lord for paying my sin debt. May my appreciation be easily seen by those around me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 12: Hebrews 5-8

Scripture: Hebrews (NIV) 8:1 Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest…

Observation: In the previous chapter we see that we needed a priest who would serve in a better covenant than the one given to Moses. We needed a priest who would not have to be replaced due to his death. We needed a priest who could actually save us. We needed a priest who would offer one sacrifice that would not have to be repeated every day. And the verse above says, “That is exactly what we got!”

Application: I know I am the creation and He is the creator. It is for me to fit into his plan and do His will. It is for me to relate to Him. But here I see that He fit Himself into my need. He became what I needed. In Jesus, I got what I most needed.

Prayer: Lord, In thanksgiving for what you have done for me, I now want to fit into your need. I want to become what you need. Find me useful. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!