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

September 27: Haggai 1-2; Psalm 129; Luke 10

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 10:2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few…3 Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. …9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them The Kingdom of God is near…16 He who listens to you listen to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Observation: It is amazing at how closely Jesus identifies with us. How people accept or reject us as we speak on his behalf, he takes personally. And not only does he take it personally, our Heavenly Father does too.

Application: If He takes it personally, I should to. Knowing this, I should be very careful in how I speak and act. I am representing Him!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is a great privilege to represent you as I live my life here on earth. Holy Spirit, please keep reminding me of this truth. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

September 26: Ezra 4; Psalm 113, 127; Luke 9

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 9:46 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. 47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all—he is the greatest.”

Observation: Three thoughts that come to mind when I read this verse. First: if people really believed this, they would be standing in line begging to be a part of the children’s ministry in their church. Second: this is an encouraging thought for those becoming weary in ministry to children. Third: when those to whom one ministers are unable to reward, the Great Rewarder Himself will surely not overlook or forget what He takes as personal!

Application: In addition to driving the school bus, a new opportunity has been recently been brought to me to minister to children. I need to keep these thoughts in mind. I need to remember that God takes this ministry as though I am personally doing it to him. I need to look for rewards coming my way.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are the Great Rewarder. Forgive me for the times I have overlooked children who are so important to you. When I get too busy, remind me of their importance. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Giving

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

September 25: Ezra 2-3; Luke 8

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 8:1 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another…The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Observation: Luke here names three women who traveled with Jesus and the disciples. Luke also mentions their special ministry.

These women believed in Jesus. They believed in His ministry. They invested themselves and their finances into that ministry. They benefitted from that ministry. Surely their heavenly perspective is that this was the best investment they could have ever made with their money.

Colton Wickramaratne, who became the General Superintendent for the Assemblies of God in Ceylon tells how a poor widow woman who made her living in Florida by doing laundry was led by the Holy Spirit to send money every month to support him in Bible School. She now shares in his eternal reward.

Application: Through my presence, through my help, through giving, and through words of encouragement I can give into the ministries of others. If I follow the lead of the Holy Spirit, what I am able and led to give can have a great impact on someone just starting in ministry. Small gifts and words of encouragement can mean much more at the beginning of ministry than the larger support that will come later. Like the song says, “Little is much when God is in it!”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give through me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

September 24: Ezra 1; Psalm 84-85; Luke 7

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 84:1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
3 Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young—a place near your altar, O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.

Observation: The Psalmist is taken with the beauty of God’s house. What a privilege it is to be in the house of the LORD. Those who dwell in God’s house will always have reason to praise God.

Application: I cannot help but think of how much greater is my blessing than the psalmist. Not only do I get to live in God’s house, but God himself has made me His dwelling place; He lives in me! How many more reasons do I have to always praise Him!!!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so blest that you have chosen to live in me. I want to live each day in such a way that others will recognize your presence in me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

September 23: Daniel 11-12; Luke 6

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Observation: God expects us to be merciful. He clearly commands us to be merciful. He expects us to be forgiving to the point that we should not expect to receive forgiveness if we do not forgive. But not only does God expect to see mercy in our lives, He, Himself, gives the example we are to follow!!! He sets a high standard for mercy!

Application: I am to be merciful “…just as…” my Heavenly Father is merciful. The mercy I have received, I am to extend to others. The more I understand the mercy I have received, the more I understand the mercy I am to show. Receiving mercy is a “feel good” matter. It definitely makes me feel better knowing that God has forgiven me. But it is also a “do good” matter. I am to pass on what I have received. The blood of Jesus that covers my sins against God can also cover the sins of others against me!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you graciously accept the death of your Son as the payment for my sins. May I learn to be merciful and accept that same death as the payment for those who sin against me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

September 22: Daniel 9-10; Psalm 123; Luke 5

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 123:1 I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven.
2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he shows us his mercy.

Observation: Mercy is undeserved forgiveness. It is often offered even before requested. The Psalmist knew where to look for mercy. He took his eyes off sources of earthly mercy and looked to the One who ruled not only the earth, but also the heavens. Hebrews 14:6 tells us that we can “come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy.”

Application: I know of people who have died waiting for someone on earth to forgive them and extend mercy. How thankful I am that I know of one who sits on a throne of mercy. He has sufficient mercy for me and I have never waited long to receive mercy. To Him I look with expectation that I will receive what is needed.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your great mercy! I desire that the mercy that flows from you to me also flows from me to others. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

September 21: Daniel 7-8; Psalm 137; Luke 4

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 4:9 The devil led him [Jesus] to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here.

Observation: The devil was trying to get Jesus to do something to prove who he was. But Jesus knew who He was; He did not have to prove it to Himself or to the devil!

Application: Sometimes I have responded to similar temptations by saying, “Who do they think I am!” Pride rises within me as I am being tempted to do something or say something to prove who I am. Usually what I do or say at such times does not prove that I am a child of God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You know who I am. Holy Spirit, help me to remain calm when I am tempted, knowing that I can trust you to make my identity known when needed. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

September 20: Daniel 5-6; Psalm 130; Luke 3

Scripture: Daniel (NIV) 5:17 The Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.

Observation: King Belshazzar had just promised to give him great wealth and to make him the third highest ruler in the kingdom if Daniel would translate the message that had been written on the wall. Daniel did not want the kings promised riches or position. He would interpret the message: the days of the king were coming to an end; the Babylonian kingdom would be given to the Medes and the Persians. That very night the Babylonian King Belshazzar was killed …”and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom…” (Daniel 5:30) What good could the king’s promises do Daniel with the king being dead?

Application: Who is doing the promising? Upon whose promises am I basing my life? The world can make big promises, but often does not have the power or the will to keep them. If I am going to base my life on someone’s promises, I need to make sure that the one doing the promising has the character to follow through, and the power to make it happen. I need to make sure that they will not be voted out of office at the next election.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you alone have the will and the power to keep and complete your promises. You are faithful to your word and I can trust your promises! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

September 19: Ezekiel 47-48; Luke 2

Scripture: Ezekiel (NIV) 48:11 This will be for the consecrated priests, the Zadokits, who were faithful in serving me and did not go astray as the Levites did when the Israelites when astray. 12 It will be a special gift to them from the sacred portion of the land…

Observation: The previous verses give the measurements of a special section of land, at the center of which would be the temple of the LORD. This land surrounding the temple was set aside for the sons a Zadok who had remained faithful when others proved unfaithful.

Application: Remaining faithful is seldom easy; it usually includes times there is temptation to give up and quit. But faithfulness is so important to the LORD. He notices and rewards!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are so faithful! I know you are working that character trait in my life and in the lives of those nearby. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

September 18: Ezekiel 45-46; Luke 1

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 1:3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Observation: Here is the purpose for Luke writing his gospel. It was to help his friend, Theophilus, have a strong foundation for the things he had been taught. Luke’s gospel, along with the other books in the Bible, continues to serve us. By becoming more familiar with the scriptures, we can more easily recognize error. By becoming more familiar with the big picture of the Bible, one can more easily see how the parts all fit together.

Application: The more I read and understand the Bible, the stronger is the foundation of my faith.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, how wise of you to provide a written document containing your revelation! How foolish of us not to read it more! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!