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

February 8: Leviticus 7-9; Acts 15

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 15:41 He [Paul accompanied by Silas] went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Observation: Paul was beginning his second missionary journey. He went back to the churches he had started on his first missionary journey. I believe he strengthened them by his presence, his teachings and his prayers. I believe he strengthened them by setting an example of living victoriously in tough times.

Application: When I am away from home and stop in to visit a church, my goal should be to strengthen that church. If I strengthen and encourage one member, I strengthen the whole church. When I am at work and encourage and strengthen another believer who attends a different church, I strengthen their church.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, use me like you used the Apostle Paul to strengthen others. With my testimony and my example I encourage others to be faithful. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 7: Leviticus 4-6; Acts 14

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 14:19 …They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city [of Lystra], 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. 21 They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Observation: Paul was hit with rocks to the point he was considered dead. His body was drug outside the city, probably to some cemetery or garbage dump. Disciples gathered around Paul, probably praying, and God worked a miracle. God restored Paul and he got up and went 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 they left, walking to Derby, a distance of 20 miles [Nelson]! After ministry in Derbe, they stopped again in Lystra on their way home.

Application: Two things I see in this passage. First, the Christian life is not trouble free. Problems and persecution are not signs I am out of God’s will. Second, having Christ is my life is well worth any troubles that come my way. As my father’s life taught me, it is worth the sacrifice to follow Jesus.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, make me a useful servant. Work Your miracles in and through me. Let your power and grace be seen in me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 6: Leviticus 1-3: Acts 13

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Observation: It seems to me that these two characteristics go hand in hand: being filled with joy and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Being joyful is not necessarily a sign that one is filled with the Holy Spirit. But being filled with the Holy Spirit is commonly expressed in joy. Romans 14:17, 15:13 and 1Thessalonians 1:6 all speak of the joy of a spirit filled life, even in tough times.
We have all seen people going through a tough time at their work, but they are joyful because they know that their vacation starts in two days.

Application: I have something better than a vacation starting in two days; I have the Holy Spirit living in me TODAY, RIGHT NOW! I can heartily sing that little chorus: Joy is the flag flown high from the castle of my heart…when the King is in residence there! So fly it high in the sky, let the whole world know…that the King is in residence there!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I desire Your joy to be seen in me. Not a manufactured joy, not a pretend joy, but an authentic joy that displays Your Presence! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 5: Exodus 39-40; Psalm 15; Acts 12

Scripture: Exodus (NIV) 40:34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Observation: It was a glory time. God’s Presence filled the Tabernacle that had just been completed and set up for the first time. The cloud that the Israelites had followed from Egypt now covered the tent where God said He would meet with them. My attention was drawn to the first word of verse 34: “Then…” In the previous 33 verses of this chapter eight times we read that they set up the tabernacle “according to/as the LORD commanded Moses.”

Application: If I want to get to the “Then…” I will have to be careful to do “as the LORD commands.” Careful obedience has rewards. God’s greatest reward is His presence and His glory.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Oh, the glory of Your Presence! It is good to carefully obey You! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 4: Exodus 37-38; Psalm 19; Acts 11

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 11:12 The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them.

Observation: Peter had listened to Jesus and done what Jesus had told him to do. Now the Holy Spirit is speaking to Peter. Peter understood the message the Holy Spirit was speaking as surely as he had understood Jesus. And as he had done what Jesus told him, he now does what the Holy Spirit tells him.

Application: The disciples walked and talked with the Holy Spirit as they did with Jesus. Since that same Holy Spirit dwells in me, I should expect a similar relationship. I too can walk and talk with the Holy Spirit!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, you are a wonderful Treasure given to me by Jesus. You are valuable to me. Work with me to develop the same relationship you shared with the early church. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 3: Exodus 35-36; Acts 10

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 10:19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you…

Observation: Jesus had walked with them and talked with them. When He ascended to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in His followers. Now the Holy Spirit was speaking to Peter, not with a voice from a physical mouth, but speaking just as clearly. Peter recognized the Spirit’s voice and understood His message.

Application: I am finding that the Spirit speaks to me with strong thoughts in my mind usually in conjunction with a conviction in my heart that God is talking to me. I have a strong sense that if I do not obey, I will have missed God. When appropriate I will wait for God to repeat His directions through another venue. When I have time and opportunity, I will ask someone I trust who I know hears from God. I may not be able to back up the thoughts with scripture, but the Spirit’s words do not go contrary to God’s Word! As I grow in recognizing and responding to the Spirit’s voice, I can respond more quickly.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, how logical it is: if you live in me, you obviously will want to talk to me. It just makes sense. Keep talking, and I’ll keep listening. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 2: Exodus 33-34; Psalm 16; Acts 9

Scripture: Exodus (NIV) 33:13 [Moses praying to the LORD] If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.

Observation: The request Moses makes in prayer is somewhat circular. It is a request for more of what he already has.

Application: As I grow in appreciation for what I already have in Christ Jesus, I want even more. As I grow in the knowledge and wisdom of Christ, it becomes obvious to me that He is both the source and purpose for my life.

Prayer: Lord, I love you. Help me to know you more so that I can love you more. Loving you is so important to me that I want to do so more. Loving you brings me so much satisfaction and joy that I want to do it more. Knowing that I am in your favor is so important to me that I want to live in such a way that I have even more of your favor. I do not ever want to lose what I have; I only want it to increase. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 1: Exodus 30-32; Acts 8

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 8:18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21 You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.

Observation: Simon had enjoyed the admiration of the people because he amazed them with his magic. When he saw how people responded to being filled with the Holy Spirit, he must have thought, “This would be a good trick to add to my act.” If he paid them enough, maybe they would give him this power.
People today still think that God can be influenced with money. Some think that because they put some money in the offering, God has to bless them. Sad to say some preachers beg for money with a token gift or a promise that the giver will receive some special blessing.

Application: If my giving is an act of obedience or an expression of love and faith, it has value. If my giving is in expecting some blessing, then I really do not understand that God’s blessings are more valuable than I could ever afford! My giving should be an expression of appreciation for what I have already received!

Prayer: Jesus. You are Lord of my life, which includes Lord of my money. It all belongs to you! It is not how much of my money I give to you; it is how much of your money I keep for myself. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!