The Starting Place

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

October 31: Job 22; Mark 7-8

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 8:1 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2”I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” 4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” 5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied.

Observation: The crowd was hungry and needed something to eat. Jesus had compassion—he understood the need. The miracle of feeding the 4,000 (with seven basketfuls of left overs) started with Jesus asking what they had.

Application: Many times Jesus meets my need by starting with what I already have. And if I take what I have and place it in His hands, he can make it more than sufficient.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for using what I already have as the starting place to meet my needs. You make the insufficient to be sufficient—even more than sufficient! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 30: Job 21; Mark 5-6

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 6:1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Observation: The people in his home town would know about his family. They knew that he grew up as a carpenter’s son and worked as a carpenter. They knew who his mother was. They knew his brothers, even their names. They knew about his sisters. It was hard for those living in his home town to believe that this boy who grew up among them could have such wisdom and perform such miracles. Later in the book of Acts, Jesus brother, James, would become the “go-to” person of the church. (Acts 12:2,17; 15:13; 21:18; Galatians 1:19)

John the Baptist seems to me to be somewhat of a loner living in the wilderness. In contrast, Jesus lived among people. He was a people person. With four brothers and at least two sisters, and living in Capernaum, there were many people to attest to his humanity and to his character.

Application: The Christian life is to be lived in community. Living among my family is very important. They are the ones who know me best. They know me on my good days and bad days.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for my family. I am blest! Thank you for their love and support. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 29: Job 20; Mark 3-4

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 4:36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

Observation: “There were also other boars with him.” They would have been in the middle of the “furious squall.” Their boats would have also been “nearly swamped.” They would have also benefited from the “calm.”

Application: I have noticed how that people with a storm raging in their lives can trigger storms in the lives of those around them. I want to have the Storm-calmer so in charge of my life that their storms do not affect me. And more than that, I want the presence of the Storm-calmer in my life to bring peace to others battling the storm.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may the presence of the Holy Spirit within me maintain peace in me, and use me to bring peace to others. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 28: Job 19; Mark 1-2

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 1:7 And this was his [John the Baptist] message: After me comes the one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
Mark 1:10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

Observation: It is interesting that here in the first chapter of Mark we have the Holy Spirit given priority in the ministry of Jesus. First: John announced that Jesus would baptize people with the Holy Spirit. Second: the Holy Spirit is seen in the form of a dove descending on Jesus when Jesus was baptized in water by John. Jesus, in coming to earth, continued to be God, but emptied himself of his “God” characteristics and walked on earth as a man. He was tempted as a man and became the sinless sacrifice paying for our sins. His ministry was under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.

Application: As the Holy Spirit had a place of priority in the life and ministry of Jesus; He must have a place of priority in my life and ministry. The Spirit’s wisdom is far superior to mine. His power is more effective than mine. It is foolish to rely on myself to live and minister for the Lord.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, continually fill me with your Holy Spirit. Continually remind me to rely on His presence, wisdom and power. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 27: Job 18; Psalm 114; Acts 27-28

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 28:7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island [on which the ship carrying Paul as a prisoner to Rome was shipwrecked.] He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

Observation: Paul did not let his status as a prisoner keep him from ministering to those around him. Instead of complaining about how inconvenienced he was in being a prisoner, Paul found ways of blessing others.

Application: I need to be careful about expressing my displeasure in being inconvenienced. Having an opportunity to witness is so much more important than making sure people know that I am bothered about something. It is hard for my mouth to be full of the goodness of Jesus when it has just been full of complaining.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for complaining. In comparison to the inconveniences suffered by your Son, Jesus, I have absolutely nothing to complain about. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 26: Job 17; Acts 24-26

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 26:17 [Paul is here telling King Agrippa what Jesus had told him when he was stopped on the road to Damascus.] “I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”

Observation: Paul, like Jesus, realized that he was chosen by God to fulfill a specific mission. Like Jesus, Paul was to be an expression of God’s love for people. It is God’s desire to give people understanding. It is God’s desire for people to be forgiven. It is God’s desire to see everyone become a part of His family. Unlike Jesus, Paul was not sent to die for anyone’s sins, but the same One who sent Jesus, was the same One sending Paul. He is the same One sending each believer today!

Application: The same God who sent Jesus to die for our sins and sent Paul to spread the news in his day, sends me to my world and those living in my day.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may I be faithful in fulfilling your plan for my life. Shine your light through me. Speak your word through me to those around me. No congregation is too small in number or stature. Use me for your glory. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Friends, today Sharon and I celebrate 46 years of marriage! God has blest me with a wonderful, loving wife! Together we have been blest with so many friends! We invite you to join us in giving thanks to God for His faithfulness! Leon J

Remaining Steady

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

October 25: Job 16; Acts 21-22

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 21:5 When it was time to leave, we left and continued on our way. All of them, including wives and children, accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. 6 After saying good-by to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

Observation: After doing all they could, there came the moment when Paul and his company went aboard the ship and the others returned home. Love for the people compelled Paul to stay; love for Jesus compelled Paul to go.

Application: They leave the room and we watch the door close behind them. Or we watch the door of the plane as it closes. Or we watch the car as it backs out of the driveway. Or we stand by the train as it slowly starts down the track. Our hearts remain tied together by love but a greater love calls us out. There is comfort when those leaving and those staying have the same commitment to the One who loves us supremely.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, commitment to You and to Your will keeps us steady through times of good-by. How we look forward to the day when there will be no good-by. Amen

Pastor Leon

Chaplain

Andover Police and Fire Department

Andover, Kansas 67002

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

October 24: Job 15; Acts 19-20

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 20:36 When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. 37 The all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship.

Observation: Paul had just given them some farewell words of encouragement. In a few minutes he would be boarding a ship and starting his journey back to Jerusalem. But before leaving, they prayed together.

Application: It has always seemed appropriate to include prayer in “good-bye” times. It is a way of acknowledging that God is in control of the “comings” and “goings” of our lives. I remember my wife, my parents and my brother praying for me in the airport just before boarding the plane for Viet Nam. I remember the prayers of the Bayview Chapel congregation in the Honolulu Airport as we were leaving to pastor in Kansas. In prayer we entrust those we love into the hands of God for His protection, His guidance, and His provision. It is a good way of saying we have done all we can do and now they are in God’s hands.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the special people who prayed for me when I was leaving. And thank you for the opportunities I have had to pray for others when they were leaving. Acknowledging your presence in those times brought peace and comfort. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 23: Job 13-14; Acts 17-18

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 17:26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and have our being.

Observation: What a God! What a plan! What a revelation to know that all mankind is close to God. Man was created and put upon this earth to be close to God. He who is everywhere present (omnipresent) surrounds us. Mankind lives and moves within the presence of our Creator!

Application: As amazing as is the fact that I live and move and have my being within God—it is even more amazing to think that God lives and moves within me! When I accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord, He made me His dwelling place!!! (1John 4:15-16)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, to know you and to experience your life within me is the greatest blessing of all. It is to be blest with the completion of what you planned for me. May our relationship bring you joy as it has brought me great joy! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 22: Job 11-12; Acts 15-16

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 16:13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.
14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

Observation: The city of Philippi did not have a church building where Paul and Silas could go to meet other believers. Meeting out in the open gave opportunity for other people in the area to observe what was happening. The church was visible to the public.

Application: While church buildings are a blessing and allow for many different avenues of ministry, we sometimes forget that the church’s best ministry usually happens outside the building. It is a family praying over their meal in a restaurant. It is praying in the yard with a neighbor who has recently experienced a death in their family. It is what is overheard as two believers stop to chat in the market place. It is how the believer handles the difficult boss at work.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us remember that being a part of your church is a 24 hour, 7 days a week walk with you. Bless us when we gather with other believers in a building or out in the city. Use us as we walk among those who do not know you. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!