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

February 28: Numbers 24-27; 1Corinthians 13

Scripture: 1Corinthians (NIV) 13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Observation: I enjoy a good ham and cheese omelet for breakfast. If I get the ham diced and fried just right, but do not have any egg, I do not have an omelet. And if I put in the right kind and amount of cheese, but I still have no egg, I do not have an omelet. It is the egg that is the basis of an omelet.

Application: If Leon has great ability as in the verse one; and if Leon excels in spiritual gifts as in verse two; and if Leon has many good deeds as in verse three; but Leon does not have love, Leon has nothing and gains nothing. I cannot claim to have God living in me and have no love. An eggless omelet is the same as a loveless Christian.

Prayer: Lord, I am amazed at your great love. I want your love to override my love. I want your love flow through me to those nearby. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 27: Numbers 21-23; Mark 6-7

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 6:31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they [the disciples and Jesus] did not even have a chance to eat, he [Jesus] said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

Observation: When God created man, He set the seventh day as a day of rest. Jesus later said that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27) In other words the Sabbath was given as a blessing to man and meant to minister to man. The Creator knew His creation would need rest. Here Jesus recognized the need of His disciples. These were His words and His plan. NOTE: The time in the boat was the quiet, restful time they spent just with Him. People were waiting for Him when they arrived on the other shore.

Application: The first and most important thing to recognize about vacations is that they are not meant to be time away from God. Jesus said, “Come WITH ME.” Every week I can look forward to such a time as I gather with other believers. Second, He said to come “by yourselves.” We are not to take the stress causing people/things with us. This is just time WITH HIM. Third, He is taking us to a “quiet place.” His voice will not be drowned out by other noise. Forth, He wants us to “rest.” This is not a working vacation. NOTE: For Sharon and me, our travel time is often the quiet, restful time we have just with Him. So it is good not to be in a hurry. We enjoy the drive.

Prayer: Lord, I am so thankful that you know my limitations and faithfully provide for them. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 26: Numbers 19-20; Psalm 28; Mark 5

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 28:1 To you, LORD, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place
….
6 Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Observation: This psalm begins with a desperate call for help and ends with praise because the Lord heard that call. God’s help brings inner joy and outward expressions of praise.

Application: When I recognize how God has helped me in times when I desperately needed help, my heart runs out my mouth. It is impossible to lock the appreciation inside.

Prayer: Lord, may those who hear the words of my mouth know that I have a heart full of joyful praise! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 25: Numbers 17-18; Psalm 29; Mark 4

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 29:1 Ascribe to the LORD, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

Observation: When we worship God, we are just giving him what he is due—giving Him what he alone deserves.

Application: If I want to be known as person who gives appreciation where appreciation is due, and honor where honor is due then I have to be a God-worshipper.

Prayer: Lord, you are more than worthy of what I can give you in my worship. I worship you willingly and joyfully. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 24: Numbers 14-16; Mark 3

Scripture: Numbers (NIV) 14:19 “In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.”
20 The LORD replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked.”

Observation: The Israelites had rebelled against the Lord. They let fear of the Canaanites set their decisions rather than faith in what God would do. God was ready to “strike them down with a plague” and make Moses into a great nation. (verse 12) But Moses prays for them. He prays in accordance with God’s character.

How does God respond to such self-less intercession? He grants the request. He did not respond according to His anger, but according to Moses’ request!

Application: I often pray according to my need, my desires. I often pray for the needs of others. I should start praying according to God’s character. I should pray according to God’s needs and what is important to Him.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, as I pray, guide my thoughts. May I pray prayers that you enjoy answering. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 23: Numbers 12-13; Psalm 90; Mark 2

Scripture: Numbers (NIV) 13:33b We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.

Observation: The Israelites were ready to go into the land that God had promised to give them. Twelve spies had been sent into the land to gather information. They got their eyes on the size and strength of the inhabitants. In their own eyes they appeared like grasshoppers in comparison to the inhabitants. They thought the inhabitants saw them the same way. However Joshua 2:9-10 says, “…all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We heard that the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you…”

Application: It is easy for me to get my eyes on the circumstances and make judgments according to how I see things. And it is easy to think that others see things the same way I do. However what I think, and what they think is not nearly as important as what God has said! I must fill my mind with His word and remind myself of what He has said!

Prayer: Lord, thank You for your Word. It tells me what you think of me and how to walk in victory. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 22: Numbers 10-11; Psalm 27; Mark 1

Scripture: Numbers (NIV) 11:21 But Moses said, “Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!’
22 Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?”
23 The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.

Observation: The people were complaining that they would have been better off to stay back in Egypt where there was food more to their liking. God tells them he will give them meat for a whole month, until they get tired of it. Moses responds with doubt. There would not be enough meat to do as God said if they ate all their flocks and herds. There were not enough fish in the sea to provide like God had said. But those who read on find that God did provide, just like He said.

Application: At times, like Moses, I get focused on the negative people around me rather than the positive, promising, providing God who lives inside me! Like the Israelites I get focused on what I do not have rather than on the miraculous supply I do have. I miss walking in victory; God misses the praise He is due.

Prayer: Lord, help me to keep my eyes on you, my ears open to your voice, and my heart an enjoyable place for you to live. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 21: Numbers 8-9; Acts 28

Scripture: Numbers (NIV) 9:14 A foreigner residing among you is also to celebrate the LORD’s Passover in accordance with its rules and regulations. You must have the same regulations for both the foreigner and the native-born.

Observation: The Israelites were the people through whom God would bring the Savior into the world. The unique requirements placed on the Israelites were to make sure the world would be able to recognize Jesus when He came. Along with those requirements came blessings of provision, protection and purpose. They were chosen, but not to be exclusive. Foreigners living among them were also expected to keep the regulations, and would also enjoy the blessings.

Application: When my dad was dating my mom, his cousin who had earlier married one of her sisters told my dad, “If you visit them on Sunday, you have to go to church with them.” That is what they did as a family and anyone visiting was required to join them. Through their godly influence, my dad accepted Jesus as his Savior and became the best Christian man I have ever known.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for a godly heritage. Thank you for grandparents whose commitment to you was more than talk. Use me as you used Grandpa and Grandma Boese. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 20: Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 27

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 27:36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.

Observation: The ship was about to be torn apart in the storm. They had not eaten anything for fourteen days. But Paul knew what God had said. God had promised Paul would go to Rome. Paul’s faith in God was greater than his fear of the storm. Gathering his shipmates together, he took some bread, gave thanks and then began to eat. In watching and listening to Paul, the others were encouraged and followed his example. In the end, they all safely made it to land.

Application: A thermometer can tell what the temperature is, but a thermostat can cause a change to the temperature. Paul was a thermostat. He brought encouragement to the discouraged and hope to the hopeless. God does not want me to just tell people what they already know. He wants me to help people be encouraged, to have faith and trust in what God can do.

Prayer: Lord, use me to encourage others and cause them to look to you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!