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

October 21: Job 9-10; Acts 13-14

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 14:19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.
20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

Observation: To me this is amazing. In verse 19 we read about Paul being stoned to the point he was considered dead. His body was drug outside the city, probably to some cemetery or garbage dump. In the next verse, we see the disciples of Lystra gathering around Paul, probably praying, and God worked a miracle. God restored Paul and he was able to go back into the city. One would think that he would take a few days to recover from the stoning, but that is not what we read. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derby. They were not traveling in some comfortable coach, but walking! The distance I read in Robertson’s Word Pictures was 40 miles!

Application: Sometimes God delivers us before the trouble arrives; sometimes God delivers us while we are in the trouble. Sometimes God delivers us after the trouble is over.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are my Deliverer! I can count on you even when it seems it is too late. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 20: Job 6-8; Acts 12

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 12:24 But the word of God continued to increase and spread.

Observation: Steven had been stoned to death. Saul had traveled from city to city to take believers as prisoners to Jerusalem. James had been recently put to death by Herod. Peter was then thrown into prison from which he miraculously escaped, being let out of prison by an angel. The social and political climate was not conducive to Christianity, but the church continued to “increase and spread.”

Application: Many of us have prayed for revival in our nation. The more we pray, it seems the deeper into sin our nation goes. I believe God will answer our prayers for revival when he sends judgment on our sin. The judgment of God on our nation will result in many individuals coming to the Lord.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know you are not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. I know it is your desire for your word to “increase and spread.” In your judgment, remember mercy. May you be glorified as many turn their hearts toward you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 19: Job 5; Psalm 108; Acts 10-11

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 108:1 My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul.

Observation: Our God is steadfast; it is proper for his servants to be steadfast also. People can count on a God who is steadfast. God can count on a person whose heart is steadfast. Circumstances will not change a steadfast heart.

Application: That I am going to praise God is not a question. That decision has already been made.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are worthy of my praise and worship. When I gather with other believers, or when I am by myself, I want to worship you with all my heart, because that is what you deserve. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 18: Job 3-4; Acts 8-9

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 8:14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.
Acts (NIV) 8:25 When they had testified and proclaimed the word of the Lord, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

Observation: The Jews had a history of looking at the Samaritans as second-class people. They would travel out of their way to make sure they did not set foot in Samaria. But God did not see them this way! In John 4 we read that Jesus was compelled to go through Samaria where he met the woman at the well and stayed two days. In the verses above I believe we see a change in the thinking of the believers towards the Samaritans. The Jewish apostles in Jerusalem sent Peter and John to check out what God was doing in Samaria. Then on their return to Jerusalem, they stopped in many of the villages of Samaria to tell them about Jesus!

Application: God is interested in removing prejudice from my life. I must learn to see every one as He sees them. The death of Jesus on the cross can pay for their sins as it has paid for mine.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you loved the world so much that you sent Jesus. The early church was willing to send Peter and John. Today may that same love send me to someone who needs you. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 17: Job 1-2; Acts 6-7

Scripture: Job (NIV) 1:8 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” …
Job (NIV) 2:3 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.”

Observation: Between these two verses, everything has changed for Job. He has lost his oxen, donkeys, sheep, camels, sons and daughters. His whole world has turned upside down. Everything has changed, but one thing has not changed – God’s testimony of Job!

Application: May God be able to say the same thing about me when I am in public or when I am alone. May God be able to say the same thing about me when I have abundance or when I am broke. May God be able to say the same thing about me when I am healthy or when I am sick …at home or in the hospital …when everyone affirms me or when everyone shuns me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, what you say about me is more important that what anyone else says about me. I want you to find me faithful in all situations. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 16: Malachi 3-4; Psalm 148; Acts 5

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 5: 32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Observation: It is good to know that as we witness what happens around us, the Holy Spirit witnesses the very same things. There is nothing that can be hidden from Him, so He sees what we see PLUS so much more. He sees the things that happened before we arrived on the scene.

Application: If I do not understand what I am witnessing happening around me, I need not worry. There is another Witness that understands everything perfectly. I can leave things in His care. He will make sure I understand what I need to know. I can trust Him to give me what to say and what to do.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your Holy Spirit. I can rely on Him to understand my circumstances and to guide me to speak and act appropriately. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 15: Nehemiah 13; Malachi 1-2; Acts 4

Scripture: Malachi (NIV) 2:10 Have we not all one father? Did not one God create us? Why do we profane the covenant of our fathers by breaking faith with one another?

Observation: People who know that God created the heavens and the earth; and that He created man, should see each person around them as part of God’s creation. People deserve respect because they are the handiwork of God and carry His image.

Application: How I treat others demonstrates what I believe, not what they believe. How I treat others is a demonstration of the respect I have for their Creator, who is also my Creator.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me today to treat others with respect, whether they deserve it or not. I want to do it because I respect you, our Creator! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 14: Nehemiah 11-12; Psalm 1; Acts 3

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Observation: This choice blessing of the Lord is for those who "delight" in His Word! They have disciplined themselves enough to moving past the "have to" of reading God’s Word. They are eager to get into the Word. They are disappointed when they are interrupted. Instead of being quick to close The Book, they want to read just a few more verses. Like special food, they do more than just eat it, they savor it! As the day progresses and becomes night, they think back and "savor" the Word again and again in their thoughts.

Application: As I allow good routines and habits to shape my life, more and more I find times of Bible reading and study that began because of duty, and because I know it is good for me —those times change to delight as God’s Spirit reveals Himself through His Word! Time in the Word is time well spent!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, what a great benefit I have every day, spending time in your Word. Every day you give me something special from your Word. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 13: Nehemiah 9-10; Acts 2

Scripture: Nehemiah (NIV) 9:31 But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. 32 Now therefore, O our God, the great, mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love, do not let all this hardship seem trifling in your eyes… 33 In all that has happened to us, you have been just; you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong.

Observation: The Israelites had gathered to confess their sins. This chapter is a historical review of God’s interaction with them. In this prayer, we see much of the character of God. Their great and awesome God is gracious and merciful. These are expressions of his love. But he is also just and faithful, which are expressions of his holiness.

Application: It is good for me to know to Whom I am praying. It is good for me to know His character. When I know His character, I am better able to understand His answers to my prayers. I am better able to understand the world He created and how He interacts with His creation.

Prayer: Holy and Loving God, You are always faithful and true to Your character. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 12: Nehemiah 7-8; Acts 1

Scripture: Nehemiah (NIV) 8:10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Observation: “…the joy of the LORD is your strength” is one of those phrases in the Bible that many can quote but only a few of us remember the context. In the context of this verse we find that the people were beginning to grieve because they heard God’s word read to them and they were beginning to understand how much they had sinned. The LORD gets joy when people listen to His word and gain understanding in what it means. The LORD gets joy when people respond properly to His word. And what gives joy to the Lord is the same thing that gives strength to His people. So the people were told to stop grieving and start celebrating. Like a small child likes to repeat things that brings a smile to its parents face, so we should enjoy doing things that causes our Heavenly Father to smile!

Application: One way to bring joy to my Heavenly Father is to become familiar with His word and to gain understanding in what it means and how it should be applied to my life. And I am finding that what brings joy to Him brings strength to me!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for providing your Word and making it available for me to read. Jesus, thank you for giving me an example of how I am to live out the Word in my daily life. Holy Spirit, thank you for providing understanding as I read. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!