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

September 13: Ezekiel 33-35; Revelation 18

Scripture: Ezekiel (NIV) 33:7 Son of man, I have made you a watchmen for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.

Observation: It was not just any message the watchman was to give; he was to repeat what he had heard. If he did not hear anything, he would have nothing to say.

Application: If I am going to be useful as a watchman for the Lord, I must first tune my ears to hear His word! If I cannot hear Him, I have nothing to say.

Prayer: Lord, help me remove distractions that would hinder me from clearly hearing what you are saying. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

September 12: Daniel 3-4; Psalm 81; Revelation 17

Scripture: Daniel (NIV) 4:1 King Nebuchadnezzar, To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth: May you prosper greatly!
2 It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me. …
37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Observation: King Nebuchadnezzar was writing a testimonial, addressing it to every person alive on the earth. God had given him a dream. Only Daniel was able to interpret it because God revealed it to him. The dream came to pass. The king was driven from his throne and wondered around in the fields like an animal for seven years. At the end of the seven years, the king looked to heaven and glorified God. His sanity returned and he was restored to his kingdom. Now he wants the whole world to know about this wonderful God and what he had done for him.

Application: God may go to great measures to get His message across. God can restore what is lost. God can make the end even better than the beginning.

Prayer: Lord, to reach a nation, you can work through a king. To reach a family, you can work through a dad. To reach my friends, you can work through me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

September 11: Daniel 1-2; Revelation 16

Scripture: Daniel (NIV) 2:27 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mysteries he has asked about, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you were lying in bed are these:…

Observation: The king was looking to his “wise” men to answer his question. If he would tell them the dream, they would give an interpretation as to what it meant. But it had all vanished from the king’s memory. He wanted them to tell him the dream and the interpretation. Of course, they could not, but there is a God in heaven who can easily do both!

Application: May I, like Daniel, not be afraid to take on a challenge greater than myself. There is a God in heaven! He sees all. He knows all. And he speaks! He shares his knowledge and wisdom! To understand what he is saying to me is the most valuable ability I have. Like good earthly parents, this Heavenly Parent communicates with me in ways I understand

Prayer: Lord, help me grow in recognizing the many ways you speak to me. Help me grow in understanding what you are saying to me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

September 10: Lamentations 3-5; Revelation 15

Scripture: Lamentation (NIV) 3:19 I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.
20 I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.
21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope;
22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Observation: What an oasis of refreshing the reader finds in the midst of a dessert of mourning. How these verses (21-25) shine in contrast to those preceding. How proper that they become the words of a song of praise! God’s people were being punished for their many sins, but God had not forgotten them! Even in time of trouble, God was merciful and gracious!

Application: Knowing the truth of God’s faithfulness can bring rejoicing to me even in hard times—even when the hard times are me reaping what I have sown!

Prayer: Lord, though I do not deserve it; You are gracious to me! Your love for me never fails to sustain me. Your mercies are new every morning. GREAT is your faithfulness! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

September 9: Lamentations 1-2; Obadiah; Revelation 14

Scripture: Revelation (NIV) 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.
7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

Observation: Who one worships is a key theme in the book of Revelation. The first of three angels tells the people to worship the Creator. The third angel in verses 9-12 proclaims judgment on those who worship the beast.

Application: Since God is seeking worshippers (John 4:23) worship is to be a key theme in my life.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, check me when I say things that do not please my Lord. Bring new thoughts to my mind that I can use in my worship throughout each day. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

September 8: Jeremiah 42-44; Psalm 48; Revelation 13

Scripture: Jeremiah (NIV) 42:5 Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act according to all the word with which the LORD your God sends you to us. 6 Whether it is good or bad, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we are sending you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.”
Jeremiah (NIV) 43:2 Azariah… and Johanan … and all the insolent men said to Jeremiah, “You are telling a lie. The LORD our God did not send you to say… 7 And they came into the land of Egypt, for they did not obey the voice of the LORD. …

Observation: When the Jews were taken into captivity to Babylon, many were left behind in Judah. Those remaining asked Jeremiah to go to the LORD on their behalf. They promised that they would hear and obey the word of the LORD that God would give him. The LORD promised to watch over them, protect them, and build them up if they remained in the land of Judah. They would not need to fear the king of Babylon where many of their countrymen were in exile. BUT they did not hear what they wanted to hear and they did not keep their word! They packed up and went to Egypt. But in Egypt they could not escape God’s judgment.

Application: When I accepted Jesus as my Savior, and many times since, I have called Him “Lord.” It is a word that means, “boss,” “owner,” “one with authority,” “one in charge.” BUT when I ignore his directions and go ahead and do whatever I want to do, I am leaving His protection and blessing. I entangle my life with things upon which His judgment is coming.

Prayer: Lord, You deserve to be treated as “LORD.” May you always have that position and respect in my life. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

September 7: 2Kings 25; 2Chronicles 36; Jeremiah 40-41; Revelation 12

Scripture: Revelation 12:7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 …the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

Observation: John was being shown a vision of things that would come to pass in the future. Satan was defeated at the cross when the innocent Jesus died for our sins. (Colossians 2:15) He will be defeated and thrown out of any access he has in heaven. He will end up in the lake of fire God has prepared for him and his angels. (Matthew 25:41)

Application: It is good for me to remember that Satan is a defeated foe and the One who defeated him on the cross lives in me. That should give me a positive attitude, even when going through troubled times!

Prayer: Lord, I know you are not depending on my strength to withstand the devils temptations. You have already proved yourself to be victorious and I depend on your victorious presence in my life. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

He speaks!

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

September 6: Ezekiel 29-32; Revelation 11

Scripture: Ezekiel (NIV) 29:1 In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me:

Observation: In Ezekiel 29-32 one finds five more similar verses. Each one has a specific year, month, and day. Each one ends with, “…the word of the LORD came to me.” Several things came to my mind when reading these verses. First, Ezekiel must have kept a diary. Second, God spoke in specific times. Third, Ezekiel recognized when God was speaking to him. Fourth, God’s words were important enough to Ezekiel to write them down. Fifth, God is interested in nations and their governments.

Application: God speaks to individuals today; He speaks to me! If it is important enough for God to tell me, it is important enough for me to write it down. It is probably good for me to put a date on the things God speaks to me.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your faithfulness in speaking to me. May others be blest. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

September 5: Ezekiel 25-28; Revelation 10

Scripture: Ezekiel (NIV) 28:4 by your wisdom and your understanding you have made wealth for yourself, and have gathered gold and silver into your treasuries;
5 by your great wisdom in your trade you have increased your wealth, and you heart has become proud in your wealth

Observation: Being wealthy seems so desirable and many people build their lives around increasing their wealth. But wealth has so many hidden snares. Wealth is like a mirage in the dessert. Who knows how much wealth it takes to make one wealthy. When we reach our goal, who knows but what we may need more. Wealth can be a stepping stone to pride. Wealth can make one the target of others who are jealous. People can lose their health looking for wealth. And when faith that should be placed in God is placed in wealth, one becomes extremely poor.

Application: I must see myself as a trustworthy servant administering any wealth that my Heavenly Father has placed in my care. Whether it is a small amount, or a large amount, it belongs to my Father and I must carefully invest it as He directs. The wealth He entrusts to me is to make me a blessing in His Kingdom.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, guard my heart from pride, selfishness, arrogance and anything else that may slip into my life because of possessions. May possessions and wealth be used for your glory and to benefit others. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

September 4: Ezekiel 22-24; Revelation 9

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man to stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.
31 Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have returned their way upon their heads, declares the LORD God.

Observation: Israel and Judah were set to receive judgment for their sinful way. But like any loving parent, God very much dislikes to punish His children. He would not even judge Sodom and Gomorrah until He had personally stopped at Abram’s tent and given him opportunity to intercede for the cities. (Genesis 18) God desires and waits for His people to pray.

Application: Surely it is the prayers of God’s people that have postponed the judgment that our nation well deserves. What else can explain God’s patience with a nation that has a godly heritage yet has murdered 50+ million babies? What else can explain withheld judgment on parades specifically held for the purpose of flaunting sin!

Prayer: Lord, you are looking for intercessors; my you find one in me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!