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

May 31: Proverbs 16-18: Romans 12

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 16:6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.

Observation: Reading the book of Revelation brings one face to face with the wrath of God. It is not something that can be ignored, nor should it be. Hebrews tells us that our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29)

Application: A knowledge of the Holiness of God, of the great cost Jesus had to pay to atone for our sins, and of how much Father God loves His Son should make me do everything possible to avoid evil. How will I escape if I ignore such a great salvation! (Hebrews 2:3)

Prayer: Lord, I want to live my life in a way that honors you and brings joy to your heart! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making

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

May 30: Proverbs 13-15; Romans 11

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 14:26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
Proverbs (NIV) 15:16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.
33 The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Observation: A proper respect for our Creator is a good environment for raising children. How can children be taught to value life when they believe man is just a chance product of his early environment? Children taught that we were specifically and thoughtfully designed by a wise and loving Creator learn that our lives have great value. Rich or poor, they have value for they were created in God’s image! Our view of the world around us begins with our view of how life began.

Application: Fearing the LORD teaches me the wisdom to know that God is Holy as well as Loving. I enjoy His love, but His Holiness will hold me accountable for how I live this life He has given me. It is wise to walk humbly before such an awesome God!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for revealing yourself to me. May I see you as you really are. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 29: Proverbs 10-12; Romans 10

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 10:27 The fear of the LORD adds length to live, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

Observation: Those who fear the LORD will not participate in many activities that may bring sickness and/or end in tragedy such as drunkenness, immorality, anger, greed, pride, crime, etc.

Application: When I walk in the fear of the LORD, not only am I free from the natural results these things might bring, but more importantly, I am walking in the favor of God. I have His Holy Spirit to guide me away from trouble. And when I must go through trouble, I have His hand to protect me. When I walk in the fear of the LORD, like the Psalmist I can say, “…even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil!” (Psalm 23:4)

Prayer: Lord, It is to my great benefit to fear you. Reveal yourself to me that I may always respond in fear and in love. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 28: Proverbs 7-9; Romans 9

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 8:13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
Proverbs (NIV) 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Observation: In today’s reading there are two more proverbs containing the phrase: “fear of the LORD.” As people begin to see how awesome God is, they begin to realize that He is not someone to play with. His Word must be taken seriously. Fearing the LORD is not tolerating evil, but hating it. Sin is hated because it is contrary to the nature of God. It is hated for what it does to God’s creation. It is hated because of what it cost our Savior on the cross.

Application: The more I know God, the more I understand how sin is contrary to His nature and that He must punish sin. To require His Son Jesus to die for sin, then to let me refuse His Lordship and forgiveness without any punishment just does not make any sense. Hell is a logical destination for people who refuse the gift of salvation offered at the expense of Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for showing me Your Holy nature and the unholy nature of sin. You knew what was required to pay the penalty for sin, and you willingly paid it for me and all who acknowledge they are sinners and receive your forgiveness. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 27: Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 4:6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her and she will watch over you.
7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Observation: Knowledge is an awareness of facts; it is the possession of information. Wisdom is information/facts coupled with knowing how to apply those facts. Understanding is the knowledge of how things relate.

Application: By faithfully reading God’s Word I can gather and store truth in my mind. I can trust the Holy Spirit to give me wisdom in how to apply the truths I gather every day. And the more I apply wisdom the more I gain understanding in how God’s great plan is coming together.

Prayer: Lord, bless me with wisdom to use the knowledge I have for the good of your kingdom. Help me understand how I fit into your plans. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 26: Proverbs 1-3; Romans 7

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Observation: In the first six verses of the book of Proverbs, Solomon gives his purpose in writing these proverbs: to give wisdom and understanding, to help distinguish between good and evil, to give guidance, etc. The first proverb given is here in verse 7: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” Fearing the LORD is given priority in that it is the first proverb; it is also mentioned many times in the book of Proverbs. When people truly come to know the limitless God, it is proper to fear Him. Man cannot outsmart Him. Man cannot overpower Him. Man cannot hide anything from Him.

Application: When I learned to fear the LORD, it was just a starting place. I was just starting to get smart! Later Jesus would say that the first commandment is to Love the Lord our God. Fear and love mixed together to give me a healthy respect for God. And I find that His perfect love overpowers my fear especially as my not-so-perfect love walks in obedience. But I cannot sin and think that it is unimportant to Him. He is too holy to allow me to continue in sin. The song writer, Newell, put it: “Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned…”

Prayer: Lord, if I knew nothing of your great love, I would tremble with fear to think that I might displease you. I am so glad that you are both holy and loving! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 25: 1Kings 10, 11; 2Chronicles 9; Romans 6

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 6:17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted.
18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Observation: We were (past tense) slaves to sin, but we have been (again past tense) set free. We have become (this is what we are in the present) slaves to righteousness. NOTE: The train can either travel on a hard surface, or on the train track. In dirt or sand it can go nowhere. Running on a very hard surface, it can make some progress, but not with any guidance, not with any speed, and probably not for very far. It is much better for the train to be the slave of the track. Only when restricted to the track, is it free to excel in the purpose for which it was created.

Application: As a slave to the great restrictions of sin I could boast of my freedom believing I was doing what I choose; I might even enjoy the pleasures of sin for a while but I would end up in hell. However, I have become a slave to righteousness, to God’s restrictions. I have found peace and joy in the true freedom for which I was created! I am living in His purpose!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for setting me free from the bondage of sin. I am now your servant, and a slave to righteousness as you created me to be. There is peace and joy when my life lines up with the reason for which I was created. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 24: 1Kings 9; 2Chronicles 8; Psalm 136; Romans 5

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out (KJV-shed abroad) his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to us.

Observation: God did not give us only a little bit of love. He was generous in pouring out, in shedding abroad his love in our hearts. His love, like His grace is sufficient. He did not just give me a few drops of His love; He poured it in.

Application: I need never doubt God’s love. He loves me! And he wants me to love as He loves. He wants me to be generous with my love. He gives me more than I deserve; I need to be willing to give others more than they deserve.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you because you have invested generously in my life. May I show my appreciation by investing generously in the lives of others. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 23: 2Chronicles 6, 7; Psalm 135; Romans 4

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 4:19 Without weakening in his faith, he (Abraham) faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.
20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,
21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.

Observation: Abraham’s faith was strong. It did not ignore the facts, but faced the facts. He and Sarah were well past the child-bearing age BUT God promised them a son. He faced the facts yet did not waver. KJV says "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief … " He did not let the facts stop his faith. He did not let the facts even cause a waver or stutter step. He had hope in God and faith in His word. He continued to live and make his decisions with confidence that God was able to perform what He had promised!

Application: Flying an airplane is not done ignoring the law of gravity, but it is done understanding that applying the law of aerodynamics overcomes gravity. When I walk in faith, I am not ignoring my problems, but obeying God because I am certain that He is able to overcome them. I can talk about my problems with an attitude of confidence and peace rather that of worry and desperation.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for revealing yourself to me for the more I see of you the more logical it is to trust you. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 22: 1Kings 8; 2Chronicles 5; Psalm 99; Romans 3

Scripture: 1Kings (NIV) 8:59 And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people Israel according to each day’s need,
60 so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other.

Observation: Solomon’s prayer contained motivations for God to answer. First could be so that the one praying would give God thanks for receiving the answer to prayer. The second could be that Israel would recognize the working of God in their nation. And the third could be that the whole earth would recognize the LORD alone as God.

Application: When I pray, I need to take more time to consider the benefit God would receive if He answered my prayers. Many times I am only thinking of how I am affected by my problems and how it would benefit me for God to answer my prayer. I need to look at things more carefully from His point of view.

Prayer: Lord, may answering my prayers bring you praise and glory. May those around me see that you alone are God! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!