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

October 4: Esther 1-2; Psalm 150; Luke 17

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 150:1 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with harp and lyre…
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

Observation: Verse 1 gives the places to praise the LORD. Verses 3-5 give a list of things to use in praising the LORD. Verse 6 tells us to whom this command to praise the LORD was given—to everything that has breath. Verse 2 gives two reasons we should praise the LORD. We should praise him for his acts of power and his magnificent and surpassing greatness. He is without equal! His powerful acts are always under the control of his holiness and love.

Application: If there ever was a being to admire, it is God! If there ever was someone deserving our love and commitment, it is God! His acts of power are never done selfishly. They are worthy of all praise!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are amazing! Your acts demonstrate your surpassing greatness. Your power is seen in your gentleness. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Are His Eyes on Me?

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

October 3: Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 138:6 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly: but the proud he knows from afar.

Observation: The Lord is highly exalted above all creation yet his eyes are drawn to the humble. He knows the value of humility. He is not looking for those who can put on a good show; he looks for those willing to work behind the scenes. He is looking for those who serve faithfully even when no one is looking. He who never sleeps and whose eyes are never closed sees what no one else sees. He sees what people do when they think no one else is watching.
He knows what the proud are doing, but he likes to give his attention to the humble.

Application: It is important for little children to know that their mom or dad is watching. If I want to have God’s attention and enjoy His presence “up close” I must learn to walk in humility. I must be willing to serve those who cannot repay me. I must serve with equal passion when people are watching and when no one is watching. Like a little child, my Heavenly Father is watching.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray that you enjoy watching me. Give me an opportunity to serve people in a way that no one will know but you. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

The Father’s Party

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

October 2: Zechariah 13-14; Psalm 147; Luke 15

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 15:22 But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate.
25 Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 Your brother has come, he replied, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound. 28 The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.

Observation: The older brother’s attitude kept him from enjoying the party. He was right in his facts, but wrong in his heart. In his head he had all the reasons the younger brother’s return should not be celebrated. His heart could not see how good it was that the younger brother had returned. He did not understand that the party was really for the father, not the brother. The older brother was welcome to join the party, but his own attitude kept him out. How sad when people cannot participate in the party because of their own attitude.

Application: I can see times when my own attitude has kept from enjoying things that were available to me. I want to have the attitude of the father, not the attitude of the older brother. If the Father is rejoicing, I should be too! Who am I to throw cold water on His party?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to be like you. I want to look at things from your point of view. When you are rejoicing, I want to rejoice with you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 1: Zechariah 10-12; Psalm 126; Luke 14

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 14:8 When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, “Give this man your seat.” Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, “Friend, move up to a better place.” Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Observation: This teaching from Jesus is so in keeping with the way he lived. He lived as a servant. Humility has great value with God. When one exalts himself, it is for others to humble them. When one humbles himself, it is for others to exalt them. It is so much better to be exalted by others than to be humbled by others.

Application: Whether I am standing in line at McDonalds or driving with traffic on the highway, I can practice humility. What do I have that I have not been given? What do I know that I have not been taught? Humility should be a major character trait in me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, How can I be other than humble when I think of how you love me and what you have done for me? I am your humble servant! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!