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

August 4: 2Kings 22; 2Chronicles 34; John 6

Scripture: John (NIV) 6:57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.
58 This is the bread that came down from haven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

Observation: Jesus laid down His life as God the Son to live on earth as the son of man. While here, he lived his life as an expression of the life of the Father. In the same way, His followers are to lay down their own lives and live on this earth as an expression of the life of Jesus. The same Holy Spirit who led Jesus to be an expression of His Father, helps me to be an expression of the life of Jesus.

Application: What a magnificent challenge—to live my life as Jesus would live it. It would be impossible, except that God has placed His Holy Spirit within me to help me. The Holy Spirit directs me in how to live like Jesus. Once I have set my will to do as the Spirit directs, I find that He also empowers or enables me to carry through.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, the challenge to be like Jesus is too much for me, but not for you! May my ear be always tuned in to hear your voice and may I step out in faith to obey, knowing you will be faithful to help me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

August 3: Nahum 1-3; John 5

Scripture: Nahum (NIV) 1:7 The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.

Observation: In the middle of a chapter about God’s anger, how refreshing it is to find this verse. It is like an oasis in the dessert. The goodness of God remains even in times of His anger! He responds lovingly to those who trust Him. He is a refuge to which we can run. Even when His anger is stirred, He responds with tenderness to the needs of those trusting in Him. We do not have to wait for Him to "cool" down from that which makes Him angry in order to meet our needs as we trust in Him.

Application: As humans, we often need time to settle down after times of great anger. We cannot just switch it off. It is like a turbo spinning inside our being. But God …What a God!

Prayer: Lord, I need you to help me respond appropriately even when I am angry. Make me more like you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

August 2: 2Kings 21; 2Chronicles 33; John 4

Scripture: John (NIV) 4:9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

Observation: Today the Lord reminded me of a special ministry: the Ministry of Answering Questions. Here are some guidelines for those blest with this ministry:
1. A ministry of answering questions is centered more on what they need to hear rather than what I want to say.
2. It is specifically focused on what the Holy Spirit is emphasizing in their lives at the moment.
3. It is entered into with faith that if God brought me to them, God must know there is something in my life that will benefit them.

Application: Jesus did not treat people with questions as interruptions in His day. Neither should I. A person asking me a question is demonstrating that they are open for me to speak to them. Their question is the door through which I can enter into their life and leave some truth.

Prayer: Lord, when someone interrupts me with a question, remind me of this special ministry! May my answer glorify you and help them know you better. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

August 1: Isaiah 65-66; Psalm 62; John 3

Scripture: John (NIV) 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

Observation: This verse summarizes the preceding passage. It is really quite simple. Those who believe have eternal life; those who reject Jesus will not experience God’s life. Earlier in verse 8 we are told that though we cannot see the Spirit, yet there are obvious evidences that He is present. He is like the wind. And the same is true of this eternal life. We cannot see it, but if present, there will be evidence.

Application: As a hospital corpsman in the Navy, I took and recorded a lot of vital signs. I would check pulse, temperature and blood pressure. None of these are life, but evidences that life is present. Walking is not life, but the fact that the patient walked into the office is evidence that they are alive. As I trust wholeheartedlyin Jesus there will be many evidences of that life. It is God’s life and impossible to hide.

Prayer: Lord, Your life within me cannot be hidden. People will see the evidence, the vital signs. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 31: Isaiah 63-64; John 2

Scripture: John (NIV) 2:5 His (Jesus) mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he (Jesus) tells you.”
John 2:7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.”
John 2:8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take to the master of the banquet.”
John 2:10 (the response of the master of the banquet) “…you have saved the best till now!”

Observation: Someone had miss-planned; the wine ran out before the wedding celebration was over. Mary, Jesus mother, must have been a relative because she felt responsible to do something. She did not ask about a place to buy wine and then send someone to buy more wine; she sent the servants to Jesus. Verse five gives her instructions. Not only were Mary’s instructions simple and easy to follow, Jesus instructions in verses 7 and 8 were also simple and easy to follow.

Application: Often the most profound things are the most simple. I have found Jesus instructions to be easy to understand. I may not always know how He will take care of His part, but I always understand my part. His instructions are always simple. His instructions are never beyond my ability to do.

Prayer: Lord, it is simple—I am to just do whatever you tell me. May you find me a faithful servant. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 30: Isaiah 60-62; John 1

Scripture: Isaiah (NIV) 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

Observation: In chapter 4 of his gospel, Luke tells us that Jesus publically read this very passage in Isaiah at the beginning of his earthly ministry. He then stated that this prophecy was being fulfilled at that moment. Jesus was declaring that His coming ministry would not be done in His power as God, the Son. His ministry would be accomplished in the power of the Holy Spirit empowering Jesus who was living as a flesh and blood man! In the book of Acts, Luke continued the same emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit. In the gospel of Luke the Spirit was working through Jesus and in the book of Acts the same Holy Spirit was working through the church.

Application: God’s plan for Jesus to depend on the Holy Spirit was God’s plan for the early church and is God’s plan for Leon. There is no way Leon can ever rely on his own power to accomplish his assigned ministry. Jesus was aware of Leon’s lack of power and wisdom. Jesus set aside His power to set an example for Leon. As Jesus depended on the Holy Spirit, so I have to depend on the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, no one knows me better than you. You know what I need. In your wisdom you set the example of depending on the Holy Spirit and in your grace you placed your Spirit in me! Thank you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

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

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 103:11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far had he removed our transgressions from us.

Observation: Every time we walk out the door of our house, we are reminded of how greatly God loves us! We exit from the ceiling of our home to the ceiling of the sky! How we love each other may be seen in the height of the ceiling of our home. How God loves us can only be understood in the ceiling of the sky!

Application: Meditating on the great love my great God has for me fills me with hope and keeps me from discouragement and depression. Not only is God big enough to help me, he loves me enough to help me. I can trust Him to work all things together for my good!

Prayer: Lord, may the wonder of your love for me never cease to amaze me! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 28: Isaiah 53-56; 2Peter 2

Scripture: Isaiah (NIV) 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Observation: We may be astonished at what man has been able to accomplish. With the application of computer technology a man has actually stood on the surface of the moon! Several satellites have flown past Saturn. The amount of information we have gained is amazing, but still so little compared to the knowledge of the Creator of stars Himself! If we are measuring IQ or brain power, man and man’s inventions do not begin to approach the knowledge and understanding of the LORD! We are still discovering things about our body, about DNA, about organs and tissues. Yet God has known these things from creation.

Application: When I need help, I look for someone who knows more than I do. How blest I am to know the God whose ways and thoughts are higher than mine! How foolish for me to ignore the directions from God who has perfect knowledge of who I am, how I work, and why I am here.

Prayer: Lord, I am so glad your ways and thoughts are higher than mine. I always know where to go when I have a need. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 27: Isaiah 50-52; 2Peter 1

Scripture: 1Peter (NIV) 1:13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body,
14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

Observation: Peter knew by revelation from the Lord that he did not have much time left before his death. Now at the end of his life, his concern was not for himself, but for those who would remain behind. He refreshed their memory and he wrote things down. They would have this letter for years to come.

Application: As my faith is grounded in God’s Word and years of personal experience with the Lord, I have become more concerned about the next generation. Our nation once depended on God and made mention of Him often. We turned to ignoring him. And now we are becoming anti-God. Several years back I believe the Lord told me that he would bring across our borders one unwanted alien for every unwanted baby that we aborted. Judgment is coming to our nation. Revival may postpone it but will not stop it. As my generation is exiting, the brunt of the judgment will be borne by the next generation. Like Peter, I must make sure that after my departure they “will always be able to remember.”

Prayer: Lord, Thank you for your faithfulness to me. Help me be faithful to pass it along to the next generation. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Who carries the load?

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

July 26: Isaiah 46-49; 1Peter 5

Scripture: Isaiah (NIV) 46:4 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.
5 With whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compares?
6 Some pour out gold from their bags and weigh out silver on the scales; they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god, and they bow down and worship it.
7 They lift it to their shoulders and carry it; they set it up in its place, and there it stands. From that spot it cannot move. Even though someone cries out to it, it cannot answer; it cannot save them from their troubles.

Observation: Some of the gods people serve today depend upon the worshipper to take care of them, to carry them around, to speak for them.

Application: The God who created me does not depend on me to move Him around; He allows me to depend on Him!!! He likes it when I depend on Him! In serving me He proves Himself to others! His strength causes me to be strong in my areas of weakness. His faithfulness enables me to endure hard times with joy. When I see only one set of footprints in the sand, I know they are His; He is carrying me!

Prayer: Lord, Thank you for your kindness and faithfulness to me. I want people to look at me and be able to see you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!