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

June 20: 2Kings 4,5; Psalm 83; 1Timothy 2

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 83:1 O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still.
2 See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their heads.
3 With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish.
4 “Come,” they say, “let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more.”

Observation: 3,500 years ago Israel was living in the same land where they live today. The nations around them were saying the same thing they are saying today. Israel reads from the same scriptures today as then. Israel has the same promises today as then. I believe the same God who preserved them then will preserve them now.

Application: How encouraging this is to me!! Israel’s Faithful God is my Faithful God! And since I have accepted the One He sent to be the payment for my sins, I have even more reason to trust His Faithfulness!

Prayer: Lord, not only to Israel, but also to me have you proved yourself to be faithful! It is my joy to be your child, your son, your friend, your servant. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 19: 2Kings 1-3; Psalm 82; 1Timothy 1

Scripture: 1Timothy (NIV) 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Observation: Paul here gives the purpose of for Christ’s coming to earth—to save sinners. He sees himself as having been the worst of sinners, which makes him such a great example. People will say, “If God would save Paul, God will save anyone! In reviewing what God has done for him, Paul ends this section with high praise.

Application: In reviewing what God has done for me, I too can give unceasing honor and glory to the King whose life is never ending, who overcomes death and who is present even when not seen! He alone in God!

Prayer: Lord God, You are amazing! You are far beyond comprehension. You are too glorious for words! I offer you my life to be used as an example of what you can do for other. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 18: 1Kings 22; 2Chronicles 18,19; Colossians 4

Scripture: 2Chronicles (NIV) 19:5 He (King Jehoshaphat) appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. 6 He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for mere mortals but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. 7 Now let the fear of the LORD be on you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

Observation: How great it would be if all of our judges would carry out their duties under the guidelines set down in these verses. How much greater it would be if every one of us would live our lives carefully for the Lord because we are living for the Lord, knowing he is with us in all we do. We all have many decisions and judgments to make every day. A major part of maturing is learning how to judge and make good decisions.

Application: May I live carefully in the fear of the LORD, making my daily judgments about those around me knowing that with the LORD there is no injustice or partiality or bribery. I want the LORD’s rightness and fairness to be seen in me.

Prayer: Lord, today I want to make decisions that honor you and that prove how great you are and prove that you are with me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 17: 1Kings 20-21; 2Chronicles 17; Colossians 3

Scripture: Colossians (NIV) 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
3:23, 24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Observation: It is not uncommon for people to honor family or friends, maybe someone who has died, by giving a donation in their name. They give to a cause that was meaningful to their friend. They want their friend to get the credit or honor for the gift.

Application: When I do something, or say something, in the name of Jesus, I am doing it as though he would be doing it or saying it. I want him to get the credit. I am working for his benefit and pleasure. EVERYTHING I do is for Him!

Prayer: Lord, you are the reason I live. I want you to get the credit for everything I do and say. My life is for your benefit. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 16: 1Kings 17-19; Colossians 2

Scripture: Colossians (NIV)2:9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

Observation: Every characteristic that qualifies as “Goddness” can be found in Jesus. Nothing is lacking! No one could possibly be more “God” than Jesus. He is just as “God” as the Father and the Holy Spirit. Only in Christ can man reach the fullness God intended when He created man. We were made to share fellowship with God and apart from Him, we will always be empty. Even when our lives are filled with other people and things, they will still be short of their intended design.

Application: Only in Christ can I reach the fullness God intended for me. Nothing will satisfy if not in its proper relationship to Christ within my life.

Prayer: Lord, place all the things in my life in their proper order. May my life find its fullness in fulfilling your design for me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 15: 1Kings 16; 2Chronicles 15,16; Colossians 1

Scripture: Colossians (NIV) 1:21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.
22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation–
23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.

Observation: What a thought—free from accusation! The accusations of the devil have no power. They cannot stick to the blood Jesus shed on the cross. The cost of my past “evil behavior” has been sufficiently covered.

Application: I was guilty—so guilty that I could not deny it. But when I accepted the death of Jesus on the cross as the payment for my sins, the payment so completely covered my sins that I even become “free from accusation!” Of course, I must continue in my faith.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for abundantly providing for my total forgiveness. In you I am even free from accusation! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 14: 1Kings 15; 2Chronicles 13,14; Philippians 4

Scripture: 2Chronicles (NIV) 14:11 Then Asa called to the LORD his God and said, “LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, LORD our God for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. LORD, you are our God; do not let mere mortals prevail against you.”

Observation: King Asa’s army had shields and spears and bows; the enemy had many more men plus 300 chariots. But Asa had something more—he had faith in God! So he did the logical thing. He did what people who have faith in God naturally do—he prayed! The next verse gives the rest of the story: “The LORD struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah.”

Application: What seems logical for me to do demonstrates where my faith rests. What is the first thing I do when faced with a challenge? Do my actions line up with my confession?

Prayer: Lord, to quote King Asa, “LORD, there is no one like you! I rely on you, and in your name I face the challenge before me. LORD, you are my God; do not let the devil and the temptations of my flesh prevail against you!” Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 13: 1Kings 13,14; 2Chronicles 12; Philippians 3

Scripture: Philippians (NIV) 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Observation: A runner forgets the starting line and propels himself/herself forward with all their energy toward the finish line where the prize will be awarded to the winner. Every ounce of energy available is used for the purpose of finishing the race. Every other thought for the moment is put out of the mind. During the race the runner is physically and mentally consumed with one desire.

Here Paul reveals his heart’s single desire. Everything has become subservient. There is but one thing for which he now lives. All else is forgotten and left behind. He expends every effort in pushing ahead.
Paul’ goal is to cross the finish line with Jesus completely developed within, even the power of Christ’s resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering. (verse 10)

Application: Too many priorities sometimes confuse me. I am not always sure which one comes first. Like Paul, I need to live my life with one supreme priority. I want Jesus to have control in me and to express Himself through me. Then Jesus sorts out the other priorities and flows through me in loving and serving my family, my church, the bus driving, and the world around me.

Prayer: Lord, clearly your one priority on this earth was doing your Father’s will. Here I read that Paul had one priority also. Lord, you are my one and only priority! My life is yours! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 12: 1Kings 12; 2Chronicles 10,11; Philippians 2

Scripture: Philippians (NIV) 2:25-30 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.

Observation: While on a mercy mission to Paul from the church at Philippi, Epaphroditus became sick. Surely Paul, through whom God had provided many miraculous healings, prayed for him many times, but he became so sick that he almost died. Paul was obviously so concerned about Epaphroditus that he was greatly relieved when he recovered; Paul sent him back home. Paul writes that God’s mercy to spare his life saved Paul “sorrow upon sorrow.” (vs 27)
Paul did not condemn Epaphroditus for a lack of faith, but commended him for risking his life for the work of Christ. Paul writes about him as though he was wounded in battle and deserved a Purple Heart. The church was instructed to joyfully welcome him back home and to honor people like him.

Application: Epaphroditus was sent by the church of God; he was doing the will of God; he was with the Apostle Paul who had a great healing ministry; yet he became ill and the illness progressed until he almost died! Being in the center of God’s will does not guarantee that I will never face sickness or trouble. I need to be careful to honor such servants of the Lord who experience sickness or trouble.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, check my heart and my attitude when I sail through troubled waters and help me be an encourager to others. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 11: Song of Solomon 5-8; Philippians 1

Scripture: Philippians (NIV) 1:14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

Observation: Not just Paul’s life, but also the fact that he was chained in prison was having a wonderful effect on other believers. They were becoming “more bold to speak the word without fear” as the King James Version of the Bible reads. I like the New International Version way of saying “dare all the more.” They were willing to take risks to share the good news about Jesus.

Application: Here are two worthy goals: First, when unbelievers see my life, may they easily understand that I am the servant of Jesus Christ. Second, when believers see my life may they gain boldness to speak up for Jesus! May they be willing to risk rejection or persecution in order to proclaim the gospel.

Prayer: Lord, may the world easily see that I belong to you, and may my life encourage other believers to speak up for you. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!