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

March 11: Deuteronomy 16-18; Psalm 38; Galatians 2

Scripture: Deuteronomy (NIV) 16:16 …No man should appear before the LORD empty-handed. 17 Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.

Observation: The clear instruction of verse 16 is that everyone should bring an offering to the Lord. No one is excluded. The next verse lets us know that although the size of the offering is not important, the size is very important.

Application: The size of my offering compared to others IS NOT IMPORTANT. I am not more or less blessed based on how my offering compares to my neighbor’s. On the other hand, the size of my offering IS VERY IMPORTANT! It is to be in proportion to the way God has blessed me! It is not their blessing for which I am responsible, but my blessing. My offering is based on my blessing. To be obedient in tithing is determined by how God has blessed me, not how God has blessed my neighbor.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, what a joy to be able to give to you! Giving is a way of expressing my appreciation for all you have given to me! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

March 10: Deuteronomy 13-15; Galatians 1

Scripture: Galatians (NIV) 1:3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age according to the will or our God an Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Observation: Jesus was sent by the Father to die. (John 3:16) Jesus died according to the will of the Father. (Galatians 1:4) In the garden of Gethsemane Jesus committed himself to do the Father’s will. (Luke 22:42) On the cross Jesus committed His spirit into the hands of the Father. (Luke 23:46) Obviously, Jesus really loved the Father! What a sacrifice He made to honor the Father and to obtain what the Father so loved! Jesus considered the Heavenly Father worthy of such a sacrifice!

Application: My Heavenly Father loves me so much He sent Jesus to die for my sins. My Lord loved His Father so much He was willing to do His will. I should join my Lord in His love for our Heavenly Father.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, your Son, Jesus, obviously loved you and considered you worthy of the sacrifice of His life to obtain for you what you loved. Today I also love you and consider you worthy of the sacrifice of living my life for your glory. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

March 9: Deuteronomy 10-12; Mark 16

Scripture: Deuteronomy (NIV) 10:14 To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.
17 For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.

Observation: Here are a couple of verses from Moses farewell message to the Israelites. As they obeyed their God, they had no reason to fear anyone on earth. They had no reason to doubt any promise their God had given them. Their God was more than able to give them the land He had promised to their father Abraham. He is also more than able to keep anyone from taking it from them!

Application: The LORD who owns everything in the heavens and on the earth, the God of gods, the Lord of lords, the great God who is mighty and awesome is not only Israel’s God; He is also MY GOD!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am your child and you are my God! You created me to serve you. As I walk in obedience to you, I know that you are not only able to save me, but also willing! Wow! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

March 8: Deuteronomy 7-9; Mark 15

Scripture: Mark (KJV) 15:3 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. 4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. 5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marveled.

Observation: Pilate must have heard how Jesus had answered the questions and accusations brought against him by religious leaders. With His words Jesus even defended others being accused. Surely Pilate expected to hear a simple but masterful defense…but Jesus said nothing! Pilate knew Jesus was innocent and marveled that Jesus said nothing!

Application: Jesus could have said, “That is what they did. That is what you did. That is what Leon will do.” But Jesus was taking my guilt and dying for my sins! He did not declare His innocence. He was not shoving the guilt onto someone else. So He said nothing. He carried the guilt and shame as if they were His own. He died for my sins as if they were His own.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for saying nothing! Thank you for taking my sin and it’s penalty as though it were your very own. In so doing, you have enabled me to take your righteousness as though it were my very own. May my appreciation be easily seen by everyone who knows me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

March 7: Deuteronomy 5-6; Psalm 43; Mark 14

Scripture: Deuteronomy (NIV) 6:23 But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land that he promised on oath to our forefathers.

Observation: For Israel to be in the land where God wanted them to be, they had to be brought out of Egypt. In passing through the wilderness, many wanted to go back to Egypt. They missed what they had more than they anticipated what God was preparing to give them.

Application: I believe God is bringing our nation out of a time of military might and economic abundance that He might bring us into a time of spiritual growth and dependence on Him. I must be willing to let go of what I enjoy to be able to hold onto what He enjoys! Knowing Him, I know that in the end I will enjoy His plan MUCH better. It will be well worth any sacrifice that may be required on my part!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is not staying where I am that is so important, but being willing to let you change me and my circumstances until I arrive at the place you have planned for me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

March 6: Deuteronomy 3-4; Psalm 36; Mark 13

Scripture: Mark (NIV) [Jesus speaking] 13:8 Nation will rise against nation…earthquakes… 9 You must be on your guard…On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.

Observation: The gospel is the good news about Jesus paying for our sins with His death on the cross. That payment sets us free from paying for our own sins by spending eternity in hell. That payment secures for us an entrance into spending eternity in heaven. We receive salvation by asking in faith that God will graciously give it to us.

The requirement is that the every nation must hear the good news. It is the fulfillment of the Great Commission: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” [Jesus speaking in Matthew 28:18-20]

Application: I am privileged to be a part of this end time requirement. The Holy Spirit’s anointing has been given to enable me to be a part of this important task. (Acts 1:8)

Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank you for your anointing that empowers me to be your witness. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

March 5: Deuteronomy 1-2; Mark 12

Scripture: Deuteronomy (NIV) 2:25 This very day I will begin to put the terror and fear of you on all the nations under heaven. They will hear reports of you and will tremble and be in anguish because of you.

Observation: Forty years earlier, the Israelites had refused to go into the Promised Land because they feared the inhabitants. Forty years later that generation had all died as they wondered in the wilderness. Now God is bringing them back to the Promised Land. In preparation, God is going to do what only God can do. He will make sure they hear the reports of the miracles in Egypt and how they have been sustained for forty years in the wilderness. The inhabitants would know for certain that Israel’s God was giving them the Promised Land! They would “tremble and be in anguish!”

Application: I remember one night looking up from my foxhole in Viet Nam and seeing the little plane and the rain of red tracer rounds move out from our perimeter over the enemy’s position. I remember thinking, “I am glad I am on his side!” Reading the above promise of God to put fear on Israel’s enemies, I again say, “I am glad I am on HIS side!”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so glad I am your child! I am so glad I am on your side! No matter what my enemy, my confidence is in you and your abilities! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

March 4: Numbers 34-36; Mark 11

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 11:9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Observation: The road was covered with coats and branches. It was a great celebration! Jesus was entering Jerusalem, riding on a colt. The people who were at the head of the parade shouted, “Hosanna!” Those who brought up the end shouted, “Hosanna!” Their focus was Jesus!

Application: The parade that entered Jerusalem that day is still going. It has stretched through the years to where I am today. Here I am near the end of the parade. I join with those who have gone ahead in shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Jesus is the center of my world too!

Prayer: Jesus, the whole world is centered on you! May those who are standing along my part of the parade route see you exalted and be welcomed to join the celebration! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

March 3: Numbers 32-33; Mark 10

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 10:13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth; anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in him arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Observation: People are greatly upset when something bad happens to the object of their affection. The more they love, the more they are upset! Jesus has a very high regard for children. They are created in His image. They are innocent. They are special to Him. Children are so special to Jesus that He became indignant (KJV: much displeased) when they were hindered from coming to Him. People who are cruel to children today are storing up great judgment for themselves.

Application: In the scriptures I see both God’s promises of blessings for people who accept children AND His judgment for those who reject or mistreat children.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of serving children. Each child is special to you and to me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

March 2: Numbers 30-31; Mark 9

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 9:36 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Observation: Jesus pointed His disciples’ attention to the child. He made the child the center of attention.

Application: By involving me in children’s ministries for the past several months, I too have had my attention pointed to children. The Lord has directed my attention to the children in the Bible: Miriam (Moses’ sister), Naaman’s servant girl, Samuel, David, Paul’s nephew, the child Jesus used as an example, and the boy who gave his lunch to Jesus.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, continue to teach me from the children of the Bible, and from the children around me today. Make me a blessing to them. Help me grow in understanding as I watch them. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!