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

June 30: Amos 7-9; Psalm 104: Titus 2

Scripture: Titus (NIV) 2:1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith , in love and steadfastness…10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

Observation: Also to older women, younger women, younger men, servants—Paul writes how to behave. It is interesting to me because he starts this section stating that these things they are to teach according to “sound doctrine.” In the middle of this section Paul tells us that we are to act properly “that the word of God may not be reviled.” The last verse of this section shows that our actions adorn, or make the doctrine of God our Savior look good.

Application: What difference is my doctrine if it does not affect my actions, my attitudes, my reliability, my work, my life? Why should anyone be interested in what I believe if the way I talk and act shows that my belief-system is not important to me?

Prayer: Holy Spirit, may my life be a good display of what I believe. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 29: Amos 4-6; Psalm 86,87; Titus 1

Scripture: Amos (NIV) 4:6 “I gave you empty stomachs in every city and lack of bread in every town, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the LORD. (verses 8,9,10,11 all have judgment from the LORD and the phrase, “yet you have not returned to me.”)
verse 12. Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel.”

Observation: This is one of many places in the Bible we see God with a broken heart. I believe I hear God saying, "I can’t believe it! I punished you, yet you still have not returned to me." Five times the Lord brought judgment on Israel without any response from them. Five times he said, " … yet you have not returned to me." Surely His heart was broken. He expected that they would come running to Him in repentance. So he was determined to meet them face to face. "Prepare to meet your God, O Israel."

Application: God dealt with Israel appropriately. God is also dealing with the United States appropriately. A few years back, the Lord told me that he would bring as many unwanted immigrants into our country as unwanted babies we had aborted. The only logical explanation I can find to the present lack of effective border security is that God is purposefully blocking the minds of our leaders. Today we are having a flood of unaccompanied children crossing our border! I believe I can hear God saying, “United States, yet you have not returned to me!”

Prayer: Lord, help me to remember that you are a Holy God and that you hold us as individuals and nations accountable for our actions. And thank you for Calvary where a sacrifice was made that is sufficient to cover the sins of all who repent. Oh, what a Savior! Oh, what a Sacrifice! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 28: Amos 1-3; Psalm 80; 2Timothy 4

Scripture: 2Timothy (NIV) 4:3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear… 5 But you, keep your head in all situations…

Observation: I believe we are living in a time like the one Paul is describing in his letter to Timothy. There are so many churches, there are so many book stores, there are so many religious shows on the radio and television, –it is easy for people to find what fits their liking. Instead of pleasing God by going to the church to which He sends us, it is easy for us to look for the church that best pleases us.

Application: I need to bring my “itching ears” under the control of the Holy Spirit. I believe the Lord is saying to me that I should not reject His message because it is not what I want to hear. He is also saying that I should not reject his message because I do not like the style in which it is delivered. The preacher may not dress in a way I like. I may not like the style of music. The important thing is to hear God!

Prayer: Lord, help me not to miss your message because of ears itching for what pleases me. May my heart always be ready to hear you speak to me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 27: 2Kings 13,14; 2Chronicles 25; 2Timothy 3

Scripture: 2Timothy (NIV) 3:10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Observation: Paul experienced many troubles and persecutions. Satan does not like it when Jesus is exalted and he stirred up people to oppose Paul and his ministry. Paul’s attitude is that troubles and persecution are normal and should not surprise us. They are a part of living a victorious life for Jesus. Paul’s testimony is, “THE LORD rescued me from ALL of them.”

Application: If I am an effective soldier for Jesus, I should expect that Satan will do what he can to destroy my testimony. Those in Satan’s kingdom will stir up people to test me. They will try to get me to respond in a way that is not like Jesus. However when I humbly walk under the leading of the Holy Spirit, I too will be able to testify, “THE LORD rescues me from ALL of them!”

Prayer: Lord, I depend on your Holy Spirit to lead me and empower me to live in victory! Help me to not be surprised by trouble and persecution. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 26: Jonah 1-4; 2Timothy 2

Scripture: Jonah (NIV) 1:1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amitai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”
3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.

Observation: Of the many lessons that can be learned from the book of Jonah, perhaps the most obvious is that it is foolish to run away from God! I wonder how God looked at Jonah’s plan to get away. I wonder if God did not say something like, “Jonah, you do not know what you are doing. You do not know what you started. Jonah, if only you knew where your running was going to take you!” Jonah was running FROM God, but everywhere he ran into God. God was on the boat. God was in the storm. God provided the great fish. God heard Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the fish.

Application: I wonder how many times God watches me do something just as foolish as Jonah. Knowing that God is omnipresent and omniscient is a great hindrance to sinning. It is truly illogical to sin. But an even greater is Love. Knowing that this God loves me and loving Him in return helps me resist sin. The greatest hindrance to sin is the presence of His Holy Spirit living within me.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank you for living in me and speaking to me. Thank you for teaching me, empowering me, and giving me the “want to” in overcoming sin. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 25: Joel 1-3; 2Timothy 1

Scripture: 2Timothy (NIV) 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus… 2 To Timothy, my dear son… 3 I thank God…as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.

Observation: As we read Paul’s letter to Timothy, we see a strong, emotional relationship. Paul considers Timothy as a dear son. In the morning, in the evening, and all through the day Paul is talking to God about Timothy. He remembers the last tearful farewell and looks forward to the joy he will have when he sees Timothy again.

Application: In my “Timothy” years I saw great value of having older people speak into my life. I gained much and saw increase in my life and ministry as I followed their input. I appreciated that they saw value in me. But until I became a “Paul” I did not fully realize the value a “Timothy” could be to an elder. I now see that I could have been a much better “Timothy” to the “Pauls” God placed in my life.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the joy you bring into my life through younger people. May I be careful to make a place for them in my life, make them welcome when they are with me, and honor them as valuable. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

June 24: 2Kings 11,12; 2Chronicles 24; 1Timothy 6

Scripture: 1Timothy (NIV) 6:15 …God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

Observation: At the end of his first letter to Timothy, Paul writes this description of God—of God who is beyond description. He far surpasses our limited vocabulary and understanding. He is completely THE GOOD! He is the ultimate Ruler. His laws are both loving and just; they are supreme. All earthly kings bow their knee to His MAJESTY. All earthly lords acknowledge His supreme authority. Death will never overcome him. Darkness is destroyed in his presence. Human eyes cannot catch the light rays that shine from him.

Application: To serve such a God is indeed an honor. He does not need my service as He is more than capable of accomplishing anything He decrees. Yet He depends on me because He loves me. He makes a way for me to be a part of His plan. Partnering with Him in serving others is a way I can return the love he gives me. He allows me to represent Him!

Prayer: Lord, my vocabulary is so limited, so I use this word just for you: AWESOME! Thank you for loving me and including me. Thank you for giving me a part in what you are doing here on planet earth. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 23: 2Kings 10; 2Chronicles 22,23; 1Timothy 5

Scripture: 2Chronicles (NIV) 22:3 He (King Ahaziah) too walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother encouraged him in doing wrong.
2Chronicles (NIV) 23:8 The Levites and all the men of Judah did just as Jehoiada the priest ordered… 16 Jehoiada then made a covenant that he and the people and the king would be the LORD’s people.

Observation: In these verses we have two very powerful people. Neither had the authority of a king, but both had the power of influence. Both used their influence to change the affairs of the nation.

Application: In places where I do not have any power of authority, I often have some power of influence. I need to carefully use my influence to glorify God.

Prayer: Lord, may I use my influence today to encourage someone to live for you. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 22: 2Kings 8,9; 2Chronicles 21; 1Timothy 4

Scripture: 1Timothy (NIV) 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

Observation: While physical training has some value, having a nature that is like God has value in all things. A holy and loving nature makes interaction with people and life in general much more pleasing.

Application: There is nothing in my life that will not improve if I become more like God in my thinking, attitude and choices. There is no relationship that will not benefit—at home, at work, at school, with my neighbors. Of course there is no hope for me to be perfectly like Jesus; Jesus must live in me and be Himself in me. His life in me benefits me in this present life and guarantees my place in eternity.

Prayer: Lord, there are many things that I may do to improve my life, but there is nothing that has more value than letting you live your life in me. Jesus, be Jesus in me! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 21: 2Kings 6,7; 2Chronicles 20; 1Timothy 3

Scripture: 2Chronicles (NIV) 20:1-30, verse 21 After consulting with the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.”

Observation: From my understanding of military parades, it is when the victorious army returns home that the band is out front with the music. I have never seen a band lead out in marching to meet the enemy. But this was not just King Jehoshaphat’s idea, it was done in consultation with the people! It was a crazy idea, but everyone was in agreement. They had all heard the message the Lord had spoken to them the day before. God had promised that they would not have to fight; they would only have to look and see God’s great deliverance! (verse 17)

Application: It is good to be in the place where God’s people gather. It is good to hear what God is saying to his people. It is good to respond to His word. When I hear what He is saying, what may at first seem very illogical can become very logical! Not every problem I face will be handled by God without my involvement, but in every problem I face, He will be with me! Sometimes I have to just take my position, stand firm and watch God at work! (verse 17)

Prayer: Lord, what a blessing to have your with me as I face the challenges of life. You are more than enough for all my needs! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!