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

May 11: 2Samuel 19, 20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Observation: Many years later in the New Testament, Peter wrote, “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1Peter 5:7 – NIV) Casting my cares on the Lord—“How does that specifically work?” I ask the Lord. I am thinking about this verse while sitting in a hot school bus north of Oklahoma City. I turn on the radio and hear David Engles singing a song, “It is written.”

Application: It is the answer to my question. To cast my cares upon the Lord, I must know what he has said about me and my troubles. What is written in His Word? Then instead of meditating about how much trouble I am in and how bad it can get, I actively think about God’s goodness and His promises to me. I praise Him for what He has promised to do about my problems. I know if I have been obedient and done just as He directed, then my problems are really His problems. And if I have sinned, or ran ahead on my own, I can confess and turn from sin, knowing that He forgives and has wisdom.

Prayer: Lord, I need not worry or be anxious but only remember and meditate on your Word. I can move ahead expecting you to give me the answer. Thank you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 10: 2Samuel 18; Psalm 56; Matthew 27

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 56:11 In God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?

Observation: If God really is the Almighty creator of heaven and earth, then the Psalmist words are very logical.

Application: Since God really is all that powerful, since He is for me, and since my trust is in Him, why should I fear what man can do to me? God is even able to take what people mean for evil and turn it for my good!

Prayer: Lord, keep reminding me of your greatness and power! Keep reminding me of your wisdom. Keep reminding me of your love and that you are for me! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 9: 2Samuel 17; Psalm 71; Matthew 26

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 71:7 I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.

Observation: The psalmist had become the focus of others. People looked to the psalmist; the psalmist looked to God. People depended on the psalmist, the psalmist depended on God.

Application: Only ten days left in this school year! I am looking forward to summer. This is such a busy time with extra school bus trips. Mixed in with this, I have added responsibilities from other ministries. I find myself being squeezed by demands and expectations of others. But like the psalmist, I too can look at the Lord. I too depend on the Lord. I expect Him to be my strength and refuge. As people focus their expectations on me, I must focus my expectations on Him!

Prayer: Lord, depending on you makes me dependable. Experiencing your great faithfulness keeps me faithful. You are my strength. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 8: 2Samuel 15, 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 25:6 At midnight the cry rang out: “Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!”
7 Then all the virgins woke up ad trimmed their lamps.
8 The foolish ones said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.”
9 “No,” they replied, “there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.”
10 But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

Observation: Two characteristics of the wise stand out. First, they were prepared for a delay. They had provisions to wait as long as needed. Second, they were able to say “No.”

Application: No. It was probably the first word I learned. Its meaning was important in learning to obey. Later it was important as I learned how to recognize and respond to temptation. And now that I am retired, it is still an important word. Not every opportunity is for me. I need to apply my provisions, my strength, and my time wisely.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me recognize when to say, “No.” Remind me that saying, “No,” to some things enables me to say “Yes” to other things. Give me wisdom and courage, I pray. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 7: 2Samuel 13, 14; Matthew 24

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Observation: This is one portion of Jesus answer to the disciple’s question about “the end of the age.” Through missionaries, radio, television, satellites, and the internet, surely every nation has opportunity to hear the good news of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is a structure of authority with God as King. It is good news to know that we can be a part of that Kingdom!

Application: Every time I share the good news about Jesus being Savior and Lord, I help establish the truth that we are living in the end days. As my Savior, His death is the payment for my sins; as my Lord, I walk under His authority.

Prayer: Jesus, You are my Savior and Lord! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 6: 2Samuel 11, 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23

Scripture: 2Samuel (NIV) 12:24 Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The LORD loved him;
25 and because the LORD loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah. (NOTE: Jedidiah means “loved by the Lord.)

Observation: What an amazing thought. From a relationship that started with adultery and murder, comes this child, Solomon. And the Bible records: "The LORD loved him!"
There are many children in the world today, especially in third world countries, who are despised and ridiculed because of their parent’s sins. But "the LORD loves them!" If we can do things that "displease the LORD," surely then we can do things that please Him! Surely loving those He loves brings Him joy.

Application: Many children live in troubled circumstances that were made by the adults in their lives. Step parents may not love them. Society may look down on them. They may have only one parent, or no parents, but "the Lord" loves them! And the Lord who loves them wants to use me to minister to them. I am His hands and feet. He wants me to have His heart. He wants me to love the world the way He loves the world!

Prayer: Lord, may my hands be your hands reaching out to the children you have placed around me. Make my words your words. May I love them like you love them. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 5: 2Samuel 10; 1Chronicles 20; Psalm 20; Matthew 22

Scripture: 2Samuel (NIV) 10:12 Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in his sight.

Observation: The battle was going against the armies of Israel. Joab re-assigned their positions and gave these last minute words of encouragement. The Arameans fled before Joab and when the Ammonites realized that the Arameans were fleeing, they fled too.

Application: When God gives me specific instructions I must do exactly as He says. When I am not sure what God wants, yet circumstances demand that I do something, I must be strong and courageous. I must work to the best of my ability, knowing in the end it all depends on God.

Prayer: Lord, When I do not know what to do, I know that you want me to keep listening. I know that I must use my energy and wisdom to do the best I can. But I also know that I can trust you for the results. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 4: 2Samuel 8, 9; 1Chronicles 18, 19; Matthew 21

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 21:8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
11 The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Observation: Here the crowd acclaimed Jesus to be the Son of King David, an obvious heir to the throne of Israel. Just a few days later Pilate asked, “What then shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” The crowd shouted, “Crucify him!” (Mark 15:12-13)

Application: Is Jesus worthy to be the King of my life, or is he an imposter trying to usurp my authority to do as I please? My words and my actions indicate as to which crowd I am a part.

Prayer: Lord, I want my words and my actions to clearly demonstrate that you are my King and my Lord! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 3: 2Samuel 7; 1Chronicles 17; Psalm 2; Matthew 20

Scripture: 1Chronicles (NIV) (NOTE: This is the Prophet Nathan giving King David God’s words.) 17:10 …”And now I am telling you this: GOD himself will build you a house. 11 When your life is complete and you’re buried with your ancestors, then I’ll raise up your child to succeed you, a child from your own body, and I’ll firmly establish his rule. 12 He will build a house to honor me, and I will guarantee his kingdom’s rule forever.”

Observation: At the beginning of this chapter David wanted to build a house for the Lord, but instead, here the Lord informs David that HE will build a house for David. Not only will God be building David’s house, David’s son (Solomon) is the one who will “build a house to honor me (God)." It is interesting to me that Jesus is often called the son of David. John, chapter 14, tells us that David’s greater Son, Jesus, is also a builder.

Application: David’s son, Solomon built a house for God. David’s son, Jesus has gone to a place with many mansions to build/prepare a place for me!!! Solomon built on earth; Jesus is building in heaven! Solomon used the best materials available here on earth to build the temple; Jesus is using the best materials in heaven to build for me!! Solomon’s temple was temporary and later destroyed; Jesus house is eternal!!!

Prayer: Lord, it is right for us to prepare a place for you, but my heart rejoices when I think of the place you are preparing for me! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 2: 1Chronicles 16; Psalm 106; Matthew 19

Scripture: 1Chronicles (NIV) 16:28 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!
29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;

Observation: In reading these verses my mind caught on the word “due.”

Application: When I honor God by giving proper recognition to his glory and strength I am only giving him what is rightfully his. He deserves the recognition and glory because of the value of His being. I owe him the recognition and glory because of what he has done for me.

Prayer: Lord, you deserve the glory for who you are! Lord, I owe you the glory for what you have done for me! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!