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

October 13: Nehemiah 9-10; Acts 2

Scripture: Nehemiah (NIV) 9:17…But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them, 18 even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, “this is your god, who brought you up out of Egypt…
19 “Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness… 20 …You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.

Observation: The Israelites were totally dependent on God to lead them through the wilderness and to provide food and water. When they broke God’s law and made an idol and sinned in other ways, God was still merciful. Out of anger He could have stopped giving them the food and water, but His mercy continued all the way till they entered the Promised Land.

Application: I have given God many reasons to give up on me, but He remains merciful to me and expresses His compassion in many ways. I know my thoughts and actions have hurt him but instead of anger He extends mercy.

Prayer: Lord, like Nehemiah, I know you are a merciful and compassionate God. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 12: Nehemiah 7-8; Acts 1

Scripture: Nehemiah (NIV) 8:2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand.
3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

Observation: It is possible this square served as a market place during the week and maybe even as the city hall. It did not cross their minds that it would be a benefit to have a building in which to gather. Also the church in the book of Acts did not consider themselves bothered by not having a building. The early church met in homes, in schools, at the temple porch, then in the catacombs in Rome. The church is not a building; it is the people. The church is not located at the address of a building, but it is wherever two or three gather in His name.

Application: The church is in session at our regular gathering times on Sunday, but just as much in session when I meet other believers in the parking lot at the bus barn. It gathers when I meet one or two in the market. Whatever can happen in the building can happen when we meet each other around town throughout the day. The most important part of the church is HIS presence and he promised to be with us whenever two or three gather in HIS name! (Matthew 18:20)

Prayer: Lord, thank You for making me a part of Your church. Thank You for making Your Presence known when only two or three meet. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 11: Nehemiah 5-6; Psalm 146; Luke 24

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 24:4 …suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.
5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them “Why do you look for the living among the dead?
6 He is not here; he has risen!…

Observation: They expected to find a tomb with a large rock across the entrance. They expected to find the dead body of Jesus. They expected to place spices around the body. But what they found: the stone had been rolled away. There was no dead body. …and that question—what a question! “Why do you look for the living among the dead?”

Application: That question could be asked today. We look for something to satisfy our inner man, our spirit. We look for something that will make us happy. We look for things that will make us feel good. Why are we looking for something spiritually alive among spiritually dead things? We are like a person who is really hungry and walks into a clothing store. We buy clothes that make us look good and then wonder why we are still hungry. Duh! We go to school to train our mind; we exercise to train our physical bodies; but we neglect our spirit.

Prayer: Lord, we were created for your pleasure and only you can satisfy the hunger within. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 10: Nehemiah 3-4; Luke 23

Scripture: Nehemiah (NIV) 3:1 Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zakkur son of Imri built next to them.

Observation: Nehemiah is leading the people to rebuild the walls around the city of Jerusalem. I counted the words “next to him,” or “adjoining,” or “adjoining section” 23 times in this chapter. In this we have a good example of the importance of the body and its ministry. There is too much for one member to do, but not too much if we all do our part. The styles of work probably varied from section to section. The work patterns probably varied, but the wall was completed as each one did his part.

Application: During the week when I work close to other Christians, I am reminded that I am not in this by myself. I am inspired when I see their dedication. I can cross the boundaries of my assignment to help my neighbors, as they do the same for me. We can encourage each other in our conversation. When we gather to worship I enjoy hearing the worship of those around me. At times I am quiet and just listen to their worship but most of the time I lift my voice with theirs in praise.

Prayer: Lord, as you have used others serving near me to encourage me, use me to also be an encouragement to them. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 9: Nehemiah 1-2; Psalm 133-134; Luke 22

Scripture: Luke (NIV) Here Jesus speaking to his disciples in the garden where he went to pray just before being arrested and crucified… 22:40 On reaching the place he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation… 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

Observation: Earlier in his ministry, when his disciples had asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he taught them “Our Father…lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…” In the verses above, Jesus knew what was just ahead for him, yet he did not ask the disciples to pray for him, but for themselves. He knew their weaknesses. He knew they would be tempted. So here is a place where they needed to pray as he had taught them.

Application: I do not know what temptations lay ahead so I need to pray as Jesus taught me. I need to pray for myself. As long as I am in this world, I will be subject to temptations. I should pray this prayer every day.

Prayer: Lord, do not lead me into places of temptation, and when I do find myself in such places, remind me that you are with me. Deliver me from evil. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 8: Ezra 9-10; Psalm 131; Luke 21

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 21:1 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Observation: Jesus was watching people as they gave their offerings at the temple. What impressed him was not the amount of their gift, but the amount remaining after their giving. It was not the size of the giving, but the size of the “remaining.”

Application: Jesus watches my giving too. Although I am able to give more than in earlier years, I also know that I have more left over after my giving. Knowing that I am a steward and that it all belongs to God, I know that he is just as interested in what remains as in what is given.

Prayer: Lord, may you be pleased both with my giving and my remaining. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 7: Ezra 7-8; Luke 20

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 20:22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?
23 He (Jesus) saw through their duplicity and said to them,
24 “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied.
25 He said to them, “The give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

Observation: If the image of Caesar on the coin indicated Caesar’s ownership, then that which carried the image of God would indicate God’s ownership.

Application: The song goes, “I was made in His likeness, created in His image. I was born to serve the Lord. I can’t deny Him; I’ll always walk beside Him. I was born to serve the Lord!”

Prayer: Lord, I bear your image and you have chosen to live in me. Today may others recognize your Presence. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

An “Every Day” Life

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

October 6: Esther 9-10; Luke 19

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 19:47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him.
48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

Observation: It was just a few days before Jesus was to be crucified. But Jesus was not out taking it easy and preparing himself for the days ahead. “Every day he was teaching…” If it was important for Jesus to do this “every day” then it is important for His followers to be listening to Him “every day.”

Application: This Christian life is an “every day” life. If I am not faithful “every day” in reading God’s Word and talking with my Lord, I can easily become entangled in the traps the devil has laid for me.

Prayer: Lord, some days may not seem as troublesome, but in reality I should treat every day as important. Remind me to spend time listening to you “every day.” Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Destiny!

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

October 5: Esther 3-8; Luke 18

Scripture: Esther (NIV) 4:13 He sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Observation: Mordecai had raised Esther from a child. She had been chosen to be queen. That she was a Jew was not public knowledge. Now all the Jews were about to be murdered. The only one who could help them was King Xerxes. At great peril to herself, Esther was being told to reveal herself as a Jew to the king and beg his mercy. Mordecai is telling Esther that this is her destiny. This is the reason she had been chosen to be queen.

Application: I must see myself with the same urgency of purpose. God has specifically appointed me to live at this time in this environment, among these people, “for such a time as this.” God wants to use me, the talents He has given me, the resources he has placed in my control, the truth he has revealed to my heart—he wants to use me to prepare people for eternity.

Prayer: Lord, help me to live each day with a sense of destiny. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 4: Esther 1-2; Psalm 150; Luke 17

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 150:1 Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 Praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipes,
5 Praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD

Observation: For everyone that breathes, there are many reasons to praise the LORD. There are many ways to praise the LORD. There are many places to praise the LORD. There are many instruments to use in praising the LORD.

Application: To go a day without praising the LORD is unthinkable. To not have a reason to praise the LORD, I would have to have my eyes blinded, my ears deafened, my tongue removed, my memory cleared, and my breathing stilled.

Prayer: Lord, may I consider any day incomplete until I have given you praise. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!