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

December 11: Philemon; Hebrews 1-4

Scripture: Philemon (NIV) 1:7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Observation: I believe Philemon had “refreshed the hearts” by kind words and deeds. Paul had probably been a beneficiary of Philemon’s kindness and had heard others mention it.

Application: God would be pleased if today I would be like Philemon. I will have opportunity today to “refresh” someone by words of encouragement or an act of kindness. There will be someone I meet today whom I can bless because I am the only one available or I have the needed resources.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me not to miss the opportunity today to “refresh” someone in need or someone who is discouraged. Doing so will bring me joy and bring you glory. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 10: 2Timothy 1-4

Scripture: 2Timothy (NIV) 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2Timothy (KJV) 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Observation: If there is anyone who could make us afraid, it would be God. An omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent being would have no trouble in striking fear into our lives. He could beat us down and make us timid, afraid to say or do anything. But God wants to build us up. It honors Him when those who serve Him have good minds and choose to love Him.

Application: God gives me freedom or the power to make choices. God loves me and desires that I love Him in return. God reveals Himself to me so that I can understand why I should serve Him. It is logical. It just makes sense. God is Holy and worthy of my devotion.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the power to choose. Thank you for loving me and enabling me to love. Thank you for building up my mind as you reveal truth to me. Thank you for not beating me down, but building me up. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 9: 1Timothy 5-6; Titus 1-3

Scripture: Titus (NIV) 3:5 He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior

Observation: The infinite God gives generously. Those who confess their sins to Him find His mercy is always more than enough. When He comes to live in our lives, He does not have to ration out His presence for fear of not having enough for others. So He gives generously of Himself.

Application: My time and resources are limited so I cannot respond to every need. Often I have to choose whom I should help. But I have never had God withhold blessing from me because of a concern that He would run short and not be able to bless someone else. This truth makes it easy to rejoice with others who are blest. Their blessing does not diminish what God has for me! And when I am unable to help someone, I am so glad I can point them to a God who never runs short! My inability to help does not mean that God cannot help!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are infinite and You give generously. I am grateful that You have given me your Spirit generously. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 8: 1Timothy 1-4

Scripture: 1Timothy (NIV) 4:12 Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Observation: When young people find themselves in places of leadership they should not be surprised that people jump to conclusions about their leadership abilities. Instead of defending themselves, they should set a good example. How they talk, how they act, a loving attitude, confidence in God and living a holy life will go a long way in winning the naysayers over. And when there are some who refuse to accept their leadership, they must keep their eyes on the One Who called them. His approval is the greatest success.

Application: Because I am concerned that the church continues into the next generation it is important for me to provide opportunity for younger people to be involved in leadership. I must be careful to build them up and not tear them down.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, remind me of how I started and the people who helped me and overlooked my lack of experience. Use me to encourage younger leaders as you used others to encourage me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 7: Colossians 1-4

Scripture: Colossians (NIV) 4:5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
Colossians (KJV) 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

Observation: Paul is instructing his readers to use wisdom in how they interact with unbelievers. They are to take advantage of every opportunity to influence people for the Kingdom of God.

Application: I am “redeeming the time” with my words and my actions. (Colossians 3:17) If I am faithful in “redeeming the time” I have with people who have not yet committed their lives to Jesus, there is the possibility that in eternity we both may rejoice that this time on earth was well spent.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I am trusting you to help me redeem today. Give me wisdom. Help me to recognize and take advantage of every opportunity to influence others for the Kingdom. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 6: Philippians 1-4

Scripture: Philippians (NIV) 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Observation: Paul realized that there was a reason for God to confront him on the road to Damascus and knock him to the ground. God had a plan for Saul, as he was then known. As Paul is writing this letter to the Philippians, he tells them he is still pressing on to fulfill the plan God had for him.

Application: Whether a preacher or a bus driver, my goal is to let Jesus be seen in my life. God created me as a vessel in which He would live and through which He would be seen. I am still pressing on to think more like Jesus, to talk more like Jesus, to have compassion like Jesus, to boldly speak truth like Jesus…

Prayer: Lord, may I fulfill the purposes for which you created and chose me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 5: Ephesians 5-6; Psalm 119:1-80

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 119:17 Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word.
(KJV) 119:17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

Observation: What caught my attention was not that the psalmist wanted God’s help, but the reason he wanted God’s help. It was not so that life would be easier for him or that he would be able to do what pleased himself. He needed God’s help SO THAT he could obey God’s word. He desired that his life be a demonstration of how to please God. He wanted people to see the benefit of obeying God’s Word.

Application: What does God get out of my prayers? If He answered each request, would He be helping me to continue living a selfish, non-committed life? That would not benefit Him, or me. When He helps me, does He have a grateful servant with a greater commitment to do His will?

Prayer: Lord, may I be quick to express my thanks for Your help. May I always be ready to tell others what You have done for me. And in appreciation, may I be quick to obey Your Word. I want to live my life so that it is easy for You to answer my prayers. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 4: Ephesians 1-4

Scripture: Ephesians (NIV) 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Observation: In this we see the personhood of the Holy Spirit—He feels the pain of disappointment. There are two ways in which the Holy Spirit can be grieved. First, He can be grieved when we do those things that he has forbidden. Second, He can be grieved when we do not do those things he desires.

Application: I believe I have more often grieved the Holy Spirit by not doing what he wanted me to do. I found some excuse for not following those thoughts in my mind. I did not recognize the thoughts as being from Him. I ignore them and push them aside. I have discovered a good question: “If I do not do this will I feel like I have missed God?” If the answer is “yes,” then I set myself to obey.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I do not want to grieve you. I want to please you. I know that doing what you say is always best. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 3: Romans 13-16

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 15:1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failing of the weak and not to please ourselves.
2 Each of us should please our neighbor for their good, to build them up.
3 For even Christ did not please himself…

Observation: The blessing God first gave to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3) resulted with Abraham being a blessing to “all the families of the earth.” The strengths God has given are intended to make us more useful.

Application: It is tempting to consider my strengths as blessings to benefit me. However if I am going to be like Jesus, I must use my strengths to benefit others, for their good, to build them up. God has blest me to be a blessing to others.

Prayer: Lord, today I want you to find me faithful using the strengths you have placed in my life to bless someone nearby. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 2: Romans 9-12

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Observation: Doing evil to repay evil may be getting even, but it can never overcome evil; only doing good can do that. With Jesus as our example we are to be victorious in doing good. Evil is defeated in that it cannot get a foothold within our lives and force us into its mold! Praise the Lord!

Application: God does not want me to get even; He wants me to overcome! I cannot overcome by doing nothing; I must do something good. It is overcoming a hurtful comment with a compliment. It is giving forgiveness when what I received hate.

Prayer: Lord, may I never be satisfied with getting even when you want me to be a winner. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!