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

July 29: Isaiah 57-59; Psalm 103; 2Peter 3

Scripture: 2Peter (NIV) 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Observation: As dear friends back out of my driveway, it would not be uncommon to hear me say, “Drive carefully.” It communicates my concern and desire to see them arrive safely at their destination. Spanish speaking people may say, “Vaya con Dios” which means, “Go with God.” As Peter closed out his second letter to the church, the Holy Spirit gave the above word of encouragement. I hear Peter saying, “Never stop growing! There will always be more than you know. You will never be able to exhaust the experiential knowledge of God’s grace and Jesus.”

Application: I will never outgrow the need for God’s Word. I trust I never outgrow the desire for God’s Word. I want to increase my capacity to receive and give grace. I want to grow in knowing about and living with Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, we are in this life together. There is so much to learn. Help me grow every day and in every way. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 28: Isaiah 53-56; 2Peter 2

Scripture: Isaiah (NIV) 54:7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
8 In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.

Observation: The character of God shines through these verses. Judgment brought abandonment; but restoration was coming. Abandonment would be replaced with “deep compassion.” God’s face was hidden “for a moment,” but that would be replaced with “everlasting kindness.” His promises are certain: “I will bring you back,” and “I will have compassion on you!” The Holy God who reluctantly brought the required judgment is also The Loving God that joyfully restores and has compassion!

Application: This is my God! I am honored to serve Him! In holiness He corrects me; in love He restores me.

Prayer: Lord, the more I know you, the more I am humbled to be your servant. I do not deserve such a great honor. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 27: Isaiah 50-52; 2Peter 1

Scripture: 2Peter (NIV) 1:2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Observation: More than knowing facts about God, I need to know Him personally! Knowing Jesus as Lord is recognizing He is my owner; he has the decision-making power. He has the veto power over any decision I make. How logical it is for Him to have such power as He is all-wise and can see the future. But those who do not personally know God, and Jesus as their Lord, cannot claim these blessing of grace and peace.

Application: I have abundant (even more than needed) grace (God’s goodness personally expressed to me that is even enough for me to be gracious to others) and peace (tranquility even in the midst of turmoil) BECAUSE I personally know God (the all-powerful, the all-knowing, the ever present Spirit who is both perfectly holy and perfectly loving) and Jesus (the One who died for my on the cross) my Lord (my owner who has the “deciding” power in my life.) Now, Leon, think about that all day!

Prayer: Lord, No wonder I love and serve you! You are amazing! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 26: Isaiah 46-49; 1Peter 5

Scripture: Isaiah (NIV) 46:1 Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary. …
3 Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born.
4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Observation: Bel was the national god of the Babylonians. Nebo was a Chaldean god that was introduced to Assyria by one of their kings. The ruins of a great temple can be seen today. In the book of Isaiah we read of one great difference between these gods and the God of the Israelites. Their gods had to be carried; Israel’s God carried them! Their gods totally depended on the worshippers to carry them. The Israelites could totally depend on their God to carry them! What a difference!

Application: I have served God all my life. As a child I accepted Jesus into my heart and through good and bad times He never moved out! He “upheld” me as a child; he still “sustains” me and my grey hair. If one speaks of faithfulness; God is faithful! In many religions today, worshippers serve their gods out of fear. But out of great love, my God serves me! Wow!

Prayer: Lord, it is no wonder I love you want to serve you! Your faithfulness to me can be easily seen. I want my faithfulness to you to be easily seen too. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 25: Isaiah 43-45; 1Peter 4

Scripture: 1Peter (NIV) 4:14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name…
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Observation: God’s Spirit dwelling in believers makes changes in our lives that cannot help but be noticed by those around us. Some will like our newfound joy, peace, and generosity. But before long someone will be offended that we are trying to live God’s way. They will be convicted by our presence, not our presence, but His presence in us. If they can make us angry, or curse, or sin it might make them feel justified in the way they live their lives.

Application: I see four things in the above verses to remember when being persecuted for being a Christian. First, I should not be ashamed but consider it an honor. Second, I should praise God for the privilege of representing Him. Third, I should remind myself that the purpose of my life is to glorify Him. Fourth, I should keep on doing what is right.

Prayer: Lord, may your Spirit of glory rest on me. Help me continue to do what is good and to live for you. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 24: Isaiah 40-42; 1Peter 3

Scripture: Isaiah (NIV) 42:1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. …
4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

Observation: God’s message to the prophet, Isaiah, in these verses have to do with Jesus the Messiah or “anointed one.” Jesus established the only way to become just by making the required sacrifice for our sins. Jesus did not falter; he did not fail to accomplish his assigned task. Jesus did not let circumstances discourage him. Things like religious leaders who refused to hear the truth, things like money changers in the temple, things like sleeping disciples when they should have been praying, and many other things could have been cause for discouragement. But Jesus refused to become discouraged!

Application: The One who faced so many discouraging circumstance yet did not become discouraged and let it stop him—this very one lives in me! He can help me overcome discouragement. In spite of the circumstances he can help me accomplish what he has given me to do!

Prayer: Lord, as I unite my thoughts with your thoughts you lift my thinking above discouragement. Circumstances may not change, but where I once expected defeat you help me expect victory! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 23: 2Kings 20; Isaiah 38-39; Psalm 75; 1Peter 2

Scripture: 1Peter (NIV) 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but not you have received mercy.

Observation: This is not what we were; this is not just what we will be; this is what we actually are right now! The following verses continue on to tell us that what we are should make a difference in how we live.

Application: I am humbled to be a citizen of the USA. I did not choose this as my country. I was born here. I did nothing to deserve to live here. I am also proud to be a citizen of the USA. When I wore the US Navy uniform or the US Marine Corps uniform, I was proud to represent my country. I wanted to do nothing that would dishonor my country. HOW MUCH MORE am I humbled, yet proud to belong to the heavenly kingdom of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am a part of a holy nation; I am God’s special possession! My actions, my attitudes, my speech, should all be in keeping with who I am.

Prayer: Lord, it is my special privilege to serve you! Today, may you receive honor through my life! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 22: Isaiah 36-37; Psalm 76; 1Peter 1

Scripture: 1Peter (NIV) 1:14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Observation: Role models have such an important place in our society. Sports figures, movie stars, musicians all seem to be saying to their generation, “Do it like I do it. Dress like I dress. Talk like I talk.” Merchants like pictures taken with these people wearing their clothes or eating their food. They are trying to pressure us into people who will wear their brand and eat their food.

Application: I am not to shape my life to conform to the world around me. I am to shape my life to fit into the image of God. Being holy today is so much more important than what I wear or what I eat. The heavy pressure from the outside to conform OR the gentle pressure from the inside to be like Jesus—to which pressure will I submit?

Prayer: Lord, when people hear me talk, or see me reaching out to others in need, may they see you living inside. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 21: 2Kings 18-19; 2Chronicles 32; James 5

Scripture: 2Chronicles (NIV) The Assyrian king is challenging King Hezekiah and Jerusalem: 32:14 “Who of all the gods of these nations that my predecessors destroyed has been able to save his people from me? How then can your god deliver you from my hand? 15 Now do not let Hezekiah deceive you and mislead you like this. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or the hand of my predecessors. How much less will your god deliver you from my hand.” …
19 They spoke about the God of Jerusalem as they did about the gods of the other peoples of the world—the work of human hands…
21 And the LORD sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and the officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace.

Observation: Sennacherib, King of Assyria, had come to capture Jerusalem. He had the greatest army on earth and no one had been able to withstand his advance. But while setting a siege around Jerusalem he awoke one morning to find 185,000 of his men dead! (2Kings 19:35) In his mind he thought Jerusalem’s God would be like all the rest. What a mistake!!!

Application: It might be understandable when God’s enemies underestimate my Almighty God. But I am thinking that it is much worse when I underestimate Him! It dishonors him, I walk in fear, and I can get defeated. That is a mistake I do not want to make! What a difference it makes when I walk in confidence that my God is God above all other gods. That is what He is!

Prayer: Lord, I walk in faith that the power of the unseen God is always greater than the power of any enemy I can see. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 20: 2Chronicles 29-31; James 4

Scripture: James (NIV) 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Observation: It is always nice when people praise us and say good things about us. But who is saying it can make a BIG difference. What an honor to have the King of glory notice us and to speak good of us! Very similar wording is found in Matthew 23:12 and 1Peter 5:6. Other Old and New Testament verses contain the opposite side of this thought—that God brings down the proud.

Application: The more I know God, the more natural it is to be humble. He is so great, so wise, so loving, so holy, and so powerful that there really is no place for pride on my part. The more I understand what He has done for me, the more natural it is to be humble. What an amazing thought that this God will notice and lift me up!

Prayer: Lord, you are awesome. Not only are your deeds awesome, but your character shines above all you have made. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!