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

May 16: 1Kings 1: 1Chronicles 28; Psalm 91; 1Thessalonians 5

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 91:1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day…

Observation: As a Navy hospital corpsman with Gulf Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division in Viet Nam, I had most of this chapter written on my camouflage helmet cover. When we rested along the trail, I could read God’s word without having to open my pack to get my Bible.

Application: Today I understand the value of this passage much better than I did 45 years ago. God’s greatness and power continues to amaze me. He has protected me from so much more than rocket propelled grenades and bullets. He has certainly provided places of safety and rest in Viet Nam, in Hawaii, and in Kansas. I can certainly trust Him.

Prayer: Lord, your faithfulness continues to provide for my shelter and rest. I am blest! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 15: 1Chronicles 25-27; 1Thessalonians 4

Scripture: 1Thessalonians (NIV) 4:6a The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins (from context: sexual immorality, self-control, lust, taking advantage) as we told you and warned you before.
7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

Observation: God our Creator has the right to set such boundaries. He has the right to tell us what is holy and what is impure. He created us with a purpose in mind. He created us to excel in certain areas, and in order for us to excel in those areas, we have limitations. Doing some things will harm us, and harm our potential. God has placed those things off limits for our own good. He calls them sin. They are against His nature, and we were created in His image.
God created us to live holy lives for that is the only way we can fulfill His purpose.

Application: There is great reward in living for God. The more I know him and the more I love him, I am finding that the greatest reward is in knowing that I please him.

Prayer: Lord, the more I understand how sin caused you so much pain and suffering on the cross, the more I desire to walk holy and pleasing to you. Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for cleansing me. Thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit to empower me to live each day. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 14: 1Chronicles 22-24; 1Thessalonians 3

Scripture: 1Thessalonians (NIV) 3:5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.

Observation: Paul’s love for the people in Thessalonica can be seen in his words. Here and previously in verse 1 of this chapter Paul writes, “when I/we could stand it no longer…” He loved them and needed some news as to how they were doing in their faith. So he sent Timothy to find out.

Application: Love can be shown in many ways, but there is always the desire to keep in touch especially when there is concern that something might be wrong. I have heard it said, “No news is good news.” In other words if there was something wrong we would have heard. But “no news” does not satisfy those with concern. I need to keep in touch with those I love.

Prayer: Holy Spirit remind me when I need to call one of the special people you have placed in my life. May I be faithful to keep in touch. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 13: 2Samuel 24; 1Chronicles 21; Psalm 30; 1Thessalonians 2

Scripture: 1Thessalonians (NIV) 2:11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,
12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worth of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

Observation: Being a Christian is more than a Sunday exercise. My whole life is to be lived worthy of God who has called me into his kingdom and glory.

Application: If I am to live my life worthy of God, I need to go through each day thoughtfully choosing words and actions that identify me with God and then make Him look good in the eyes of others. His holiness is seen in how I deal with myself. His love is seen in how I deal with others.

Prayer: Lord, I want people to see that I value you. I want people to see that I consider it a great privilege to be your child. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 12: 2Samuel 21-23; 1Thessalonians 1

Scripture: 1Thessalonians (NIV) 1:6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere.

Observation: The life Jesus had sown into the earth sprang up in Paul. The life Paul had sown sprang up in the Thessalonians. Now the life the Thessalonians were sowing was springing up in Macedonia and Achaia. The imitators of Paul had become models and others were taking note and doing likewise.

Application: Others have been an example to me; many still are. Now my life is an example to others. What people see is an expression of my faith and my priorities. As this is Mother’s Day, I see my mother was both an imitator and a wonderful example.

Prayer: Lord, I pray that people who know me will gain some idea as to how they can better love and serve you. When I sin or make mistakes I pray the others will see a good example of how to repent. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 11: 2Samuel 19, 20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 55:16 As for me, I call to God, and the LORD saves me.
17 Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.
18 He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.
19 God, who is enthroned from of old, who does not change—he will hear them and humble them because they have no fear of God

Observation: Obviously the time of day makes no difference to when one can call upon God. And no mention is made of location or physical position or of how long one must pray in order to be heard. The size of the enemy makes no difference. God hears those who fear Him and rescues them!

Application: What a comfort to know that there is no trouble in which I cannot call out to God for help! I can always trust God to hear me and to work through all things for my good and His glory!

Prayer: Lord, as you helped those Bible days, as you helped those in the early church, as you helped my grandparents and my parents, and as you have helped me in my past, I know I can trust you to help me today. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 10: 2Samuel 18; Psalm 56; Matthew 27

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 27:63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’…
65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.”
66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Observation: The enemies of Jesus were better at remembering his words than were the disciples. They remembered that Jesus had said so they took action. They were concerned that the disciples might try to steal his body. But they did not need to fear the disciples! The disciples did not seem to remember what Jesus had said, or have faith that he would do what he said. So while the disciples hid, the Roman soldiers acted on Jesus’ words and made the tomb as secure as they knew how.

Application: I need to keep my focus on what Jesus has told me. When the enemy has done all he knows how, he still is no match for Jesus!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your Holy Spirit who reminds me of what you have told me. I want your words to be the reasons for my actions. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 9: 2Samuel 17; Psalm 71; Matthew 26

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 71:14 …I will praise you more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long—though I know not how to relate them all.
Psalm 71:17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Observation: A the psalmist was now “old and gray.” He looked back to his youth and realized that each season had added more reasons to praise the Lord. Now, there were too many to tell! But he wanted to be sure the next generation knew what God had done for him.

Application: Now I too am “older.” My hair, what remains, is “white.” (I just checked the mirror. Ha!) Each season of my life has added more reasons to praise the Lord. He has been faithful to bless and help me. I must be faithful to tell others what he has done for me.

Prayer: Lord, may my appreciation for your many blessings be seen in my faithfulness to the next generation. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 8: 2Samuel 15, 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule which have no understanding but must be controlled by the bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

Observation: Here is God’s desire for leading his children. He wants to have such a relationship with us that he can direct us with just a glance of his eye or a nod of his head. When our attention is on him we can be led in this simple and loving way. However if our attention is always in other places, he has to lead us like one leads a horse, with a bit and bridle to control the direction of the head.

Application: May I grow in following Jesus that I can be directed with the quietest of whispers and the gentlest of pressures. May I notice where his attention is focused and may I be concerned with what concerns him.

Prayer: Lord, my desire is to be like you. Help me to see what you see and to love what you love. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 7: 2Samuel 13, 14; Matthew 24

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 24:45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?
46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.
47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions

Observation: Whenever I call Jesus Lord or refer to Him as Lord, I am implying that I am his servant. Being His servant has responsibilities as well as the potential of great reward.

Application: Since I call Jesus my Lord, it is important that I carry out the responsibilities of being His servant. I need to understand that the assignments given a servant are not for the pleasure of the servant but the pleasure of the Lord!

Prayer: Lord, as your servant, may I bring you pleasure. What is your pleasure for me today? Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!