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

June 5: Proverbs 30, 31; Psalm 33; Ephesians 1

Scripture: Ephesians (NIV) 1:7 In him (Jesus) we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

Observation: In Him, not separate from him, we have the redemption based on the blood sacrifice He made on the cross. It is a payment that cannot be refused because it made to the Holy God that set it. That payment was made in the exact prescribed manner the Holy God required. That payment was made by the Very One the Holy God sent to make it. In Him (Christ) we have redemption because that payment cannot be refused!
The payment was not made grudgingly or with an arm twisted! (Who can twist God’s arm?) It is done in harmony with the abundant mercy given by the Most Gracious God our Father! What grace!

Application: The more I understand what God has done for me, the more I want to live a life that will please him!

Prayer: Lord, your forgiveness to me is in accordance with the riches of your amazing grace! Thank you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 4: Proverbs 28-29; Psalm 60; Romans 16

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 29:25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Observation: Whom one fears is very important! When I considered why, the Lord showed me that fear is a form of worship. When I fear man I am giving to man what belongs to God!

Application: John Newton wrote in the song, Amazing Grace: “It was grace that taught my heart to fear; and grace my fears relieved. “ Fearing God keeps me holy. Loving God keeps me close. The one I fear has power over me to influence my thoughts and my actions. “Fear of man will prove to be a snare.” The Fear of God will lead me to live a holy life. It will keep me safe and not hurt by sin. The Love of God will lead me to live a life pleasing to God. It does not take too long to discover that pleasing God is the best way to enjoy life myself.

Prayer: Lord, May my fear of you keep me from the fear of men and what men can do to me. And may my love for you keep me living a life that pleases you. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 3: Proverbs 25-27; Romans 15

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 15:33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Observation: Six or seven times in Paul’s writings God is called the “God of Peace,” or “Lord of Peace.” Obviously peace is so important to God that He wants to be known as “The God of peace…”

Application: I need to take more time to consider how important peace is to God. If peace is important to God, then it must be important to me. I must be willing to involve myself in efforts to bring and maintain peace. In witnessing, I am telling people what God did in order for Him to have peace with us. I am telling them what they must do in order for them to have peace with Him.

Prayer: Lord, what joy is mine with your peace and love fill my heart. I am glad to be at peace with you. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 2: Proverbs 22-24; Romans 14

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 14:1 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Observation: There is to be unity in the church based on our relationship to the Father through Jesus Christ His Son and our faith that His death on the cross is the payment for our sins. Yet in the early church, as in the church today, there are “disputable matters” about which we disagree. Neither side is to judge the other nor treat them with contempt.

Application: Quarreling is not acceptable between me and another believer who sees “disputable matters” differently than I do. We are servants of the Lord. The Lord is able to make us stand! Their acceptance by the Lord does not depend on their agreement with me. My acceptance by the Lord does not depend on my agreement with them.

Prayer: Lord, May I never show contempt to those who disagree with me rather may I listen to them in such a way that they will be open to listen to me. May we learn from each other and grow. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 1: Proverbs 19-21; Romans 13

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 19:17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.

Observation: Henry Vanderbush used to say: “Tithes are a debt we owe; offerings are gifts we bestow; and alms are seeds we sow.” Most people have lent money to at least one person who promised to repay but after waiting for so long, they have given up hope of ever getting their money back. If one is inclined to lend money, we can find no one better at repaying than the Lord. One never loses in giving to the poor.

Application: In the past few years I have learned and am still learning the truth of this verse. Because I cannot give to every need does not mean that I cannot give to some. As I give offerings and alms in addition to my tithe, God has been faithful in providing extra finances enabling me to give even more.

Prayer: Lord, You care for the poor and want me to care also. Lead me by your Holy Spirit as to what You would have me do today. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 31: Proverbs 16-18: Romans 12

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 12:1 Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Observation: Some people live as though it is too great a burden to live a holy life. They confess that Jesus is their Lord, but the way they live their lives tells another story. Surely, they think, God does not expect them to live holy. “Holy and pleasing to God” is the true and proper way to worship God with our lives. The King James Version says it is our “reasonable” service.

Application: How can it be unreasonable for God to expect me to live a holy life. It is not unreasonable when I consider what He sacrificed for me. It is not unreasonable when I find that He comes and lives His life through me. It is not unreasonable when I think that he wants me to be an example to others.

Prayer: Lord, you help me live the way you expect me to live. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 30: Proverbs 13-15; Romans 11

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 13:1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.

Observation: Throughout the book of Proverbs one can read many verses containing similar thoughts. It is foolish to ignore rebukes, counsel, or wise advice. Pride can cause a person to think they know it all. They need to read the book of Proverbs. People who will not listen to others will miss much of what God is saying to them.

Application: God has placed people in my life to show me what I cannot see and tell me what I do not know. If I cannot hear what others are saying, I will miss much of what God is saying to me. The Holy Spirit speaks to me through others, helps me judge what they say and helps me apply truth to my life. This emphasizes that I am only one part of the Body of Christ and I need those around me.

Prayer: Lord, I know you can speak to me personally, but it is your plan to also speak through others. Help me to keep open to the Holy Spirit speaking to me though those around me. Help me to judge and apply correctly what they say. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 29: Proverbs 10-12; Romans 10

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 11:20 The LORD detests those whose hearts are perverse, but He delights in those whose ways are blameless.
Proverbs (NIV) 12:22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

Observation: It is not those with great wealth, or great strength, or great knowledge in whom the Lord delights. In verse 11 we see He delights in those who are blameless, not only because they live lives of holiness, but also because they have been quick to confess their sins and receive God’s cleansing! In verse 12 He delights in those who keep their commitments and promises.

Application: I want to be quick to repent and seek your forgiveness. And sometimes it may be hard to keep my commitments (like paying a bill I promised to pay), but if it causes the Lord to delight in me, it is definitely worth it!

Prayer: Lord, My only hope in being blameless is in your forgiveness! My only hope of keeping my commitments is that Your Holy Spirit dwells in me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 28: Proverbs 7-9; Romans 9

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 7:21 With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.
8:1 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?…3 beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance she cries aloud.

Observation: At the close of Proverbs 7 we read about the voice of sexual temptation calling out. Then a few verses later, at the start of Proverbs 8, we read about the voice of wisdom calling out. There are many voices calling out for our attention. As we mature we should begin to recognize the differences in the voices around us.

Application: Growing in the knowledge of God’s word helps me recognize the difference between the voices. Growing in dependence on the Presence of the Holy Spirit helps me resist the evil and follow the good.

Prayer: Lord, keep me in your Word and full of your Spirit! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 27: Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Observation: In the previous verses, Paul tells us that God works through everything in our life for good and that God has a wonderful plan he is completing for our lives.

Application: If I believe the previous verses, Paul’s response is most logical; it just makes perfect sense. If GOD is for me, who can be against me!

Prayer: Lord, without doubt, you are for me! Please remind me of this when I start acting stupid—like when I have forgotten and I am thinking that everything depends on me! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!