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

November 30: Rom 1-4

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.

Observation: Paul begins his letter to the Romans simply with his name. He gives his credentials in the next few phrases, but they are not attached directly to his name. Many, out of respect, refer to him as the "Apostle Paul," but he merely introduces himself as "Paul." What does Paul list first, as he identifies himself further? Not the high position of one of the key leaders of the church, nor as a writer of Holy Scripture. His first identification is as a servant.

Application: In identifying himself as a servant, Paul identifies himself with the One he serves; Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. And that is how I must see myself. I am a servant of Jesus Christ. I am a better husband, a better pastor, a better bus driver, etc. when I first see myself as a servant of Jesus.

Prayer: Jesus, I am your servant. In success or failure, I am your servant. Doing what appears important, or doing what seems unimportant, I remain your servant. Pleasing you takes priority in my life. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 29: 1Thes 4-5; 2Thes 1-3

Scripture: 1Thessalonians (NIV) 4:3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.

Observation: A quick look around reveals how sexually focused our society is, and how the immorality of "yesterday" is accepted as permissible today. Immoral issues that once were hidden are being discussed openly, even legalized. Those assigned to uphold moral laws are replacing morality with immorality.
Although our society is changing, what we are experiencing is not new to the world. The nature of sin has not changed. The nature of man has not changed. The effect of sin within the heart of man has not changed. The immorality in the days of Noah was rampant within the Roman Empire in the days of Paul, and is now rampant in our day.

Application: The nature of man has not changed; the nature of sin has not changed; and neither has the nature of God! It is God’s will that I avoid sexual immorality—control my own body and live a holy life.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I need you to be strong in me as I walk in a world full of temptation. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 28: Matt 28; 1Thes 1-3

Scripture: 1Thessalonians (NIV) 1:3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Observation: First, Paul remembers their work. This word has the idea of the business or product of their actions. Faith is productive. A person of faith does not just sit around in laziness.
Second, Paul remembers their labor. Although similar to the word "work" this word emphasizes the struggle and toilsome aspect of work. What kept them going through the struggle? Love kept them going. Agape love kept them going. They choose the highest good for the other.
Third, Paul remembers their endurance/patience. They faithfully waited for God to do His part. This patience is motivated by their hope. They have confidence that "all things work together for good to them that love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose." Having that hope, they remain steady.

Application: I too have faith. I too have God’s love flowing through me. I too have hope. God expects a productive life. God expects me keep working even when it is tough. God expects me to hold steady as I wait for Him to do what I am unable to do.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times when I act like this spiritual life is all about what you do for me—when I do not consider what I can do for you. May my life be productive for Your Kingdom. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Friends, I am thankful for my many friends, including my Facebook friends and SOAP friends and some email friends whom I have never personally met. I pray each of you will have something special for which you can be thankful. I pray our Heavenly Father will be especially blest this Thanksgiving Day. Let’s make this the best day of the year for God! Let’s make Him glad that we are His children! Leon J

His Wisdom; My Wisdom

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

November 27: Psalm 125; Matt 26-27

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 26:40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Observation: I remembered Jesus words, but had never noted that they were directed to Peter. Earlier in the evening, Peter had boldly stated, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” (Verse 33) Jesus knew that Peter’s spirit was willing but that his flesh was weak. Peter’s bold confession of loyalty to Jesus would never stand up in Peter’s weak flesh. Later in the chapter, we read of Peter’s failure. (Verse 70-74)

Application: If I keep close to Jesus and carefully listen to Him, He knows my weaknesses and will direct my life in ways to overcome the temptations. And, knowing my weakness, He sent His Holy Spirit to empower me and to live in me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you know the weakness of my flesh;, how wise of you to place your Holy Spirit in me. I want my wisdom to be seen in spending time with you and in your Word. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 26: Matt 23-25

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 25:29 For those who have will be given more, and they will have an abundance. As for those who do not have, even what they have will be taken from them.

Observation: Harsh words when taken by themselves, but in the light of the context (verses 14-28), they make sense. Three servants had been given bags of gold to use for the master while he was away. The one given five bags invested it and earned five more. The master rewarded him by increasing his responsibilities. The one given two bags of gold invested it and earned two more. The master also rewarded him. But the one given one bag of gold was afraid of losing it; he buried it and returned it to the master. The master was angry! The servant could have deposited it so that the master would have at least received it back with interest. The master took the one bag the servant had and gave it to the one with ten bags—to one who knew how to grow the master’s investment. The unfruitful servant was then punished.

Application: God holds me accountable for the talents, abilities, and resources he has provided for me. He has placed them in my life to be increased and used for His kingdom.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Help me to be a fruitful servant, being faithful in using you what have given me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 25: Matt 20-22

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 22:14 For many are invited, but few are chosen

Observation: In the context before this verse, one can read of the great effort expended by the king to invite guests to the banquet for his son. When the invited guests would not come, the king sent his servants to invite others. Some of the servants were mistreated and even killed. Finally the king sent servants into the streets to invite anyone they could find and the wedding hall was filled with guests. When the king arrived he found one guest who had refused to put on a wedding garment. The king had the guest tied up and thrown outside to be punished. From the many who had been invited, only those who accepted the invitation and put on the provided wedding garments were chosen to stay and enjoy the banquet.

Application: It is great to be invited into God’s Kingdom. It is great to have everything I need provided for me. I have accepted the invitation and I am wearing the garment of salvation that has been graciously provided for me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, How you love your Son! After all He has done for you, what a banquet you must be preparing for Him. I am amazed and humbled that you want me to be a part! Thank you for inviting me and preparing the necessary garment of salvation. I am looking forward to the celebration. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 24: Matt 17-19

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 18:20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

Observation: Unity is very important to the Lord! He loves it. I used to read this verse with the idea that if only two or three met together, they should not be discouraged in the small number. He would be with them. But now I read it as especially when two or three meet together. Two or three can be in unity easier than eight or ten. And in reading through the Bible one will find that the Lord has never had trouble in working with small numbers!

Application: I need to better appreciate the times during the day I find myself with another believer. Two of us may be standing between the school busses before heading out on our routes. I may cross paths with a believer in the grocery store. Too many times we have not stopped to consider that Jesus was present with us. We did not value His presence.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me to recognize the great blessing that is mine when I meet one or two believers in the course of my day. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 23: Matt 14-16

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 14:13 When Jesus heard what had happened [that his cousin and forerunner John the Baptist had been killed by Herod], he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Observation: Jesus did not let the sad and depressing news about his cousin stop the flow of his ministry to the large crowd that followed him. He did not consider them an interruption in his grieving. He did not complain about how he needed time alone. He saw them with compassion; they were the reason He was He was there. Though he was grieving, he saw them and treated them with compassion. At funerals I have often seen mothers whose compassion caused them to set aside personal feelings of grief to take care of their child. Here we see that Jesus did the same.

Application: Tiredness, weariness, grief, sickness, pain, frustration, etc., can cause me to become selfish, thinking only of myself. These things seem to cry out, “I need help! Take care of me!” Spending time in the presence of Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in my life fills me with compassion. Compassion for others can overcome my selfishness and give me an opportunity for fruitful ministry.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, what compassion I see in your Son, Jesus. He is amazing! I want you to see His character being developed in me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 22: Matt 11-13

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 12:14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.
15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.

Observation: Aware that the religious leaders were making plans to kill him, Jesus left that location. Instead of finding time to re-think what he was doing and the threats against his life, Jesus expressed concern for the individuals in the large crowd that followed him and healed those who were sick. He did not let his troubles stop him from helping people with their troubles.

Application: When experiencing times of trouble I need to keep my focus on Jesus. There will always be people around needing help. The pressure from things troubling me does not need to stop the flow of the Holy Spirit in me. Weariness and pressure from outside sources need not stop fruitful ministry.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, my circumstances need not hinder the flow of Your Holy Spirit through me. Help me to keep my focus on You. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 21: Matt 8-10

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 8:24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples whet and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Observation: They had been called from their fishing boats to follow Jesus who would make them fishers of men. Now they were with Him on a daily basis, hearing His teachings, watching His miracles. They knew him better than most people alive. But there was still so much to learn about Jesus. It was like they hardly knew Him!

Application: I find it the same way. It seems the more I know about Jesus the more there is to know. The closer I get to him, the more I learn about him. There is always something new. He still amazes me.

Prayer: Jesus, the more I learn about your vast power, the more I am amazed at how you are concerned about the little details in my life. Nothing is too big for you; nothing is too small for you! You are amazing! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!