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

April 26: 2Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 13:52 He (Jesus) said to them (His disciples) “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

Observation: One should not throw away something just because it is old. Neither should one continue to use the old when the new is better. Wisdom is the blending of the old and the new. Both have value. (The principle in this verse can be applied to everything from worship music to using technology.)

Application: To live under the Old Testament law when I understand New Testament grace would be foolish, but if I ignore the Old Testament and only read the New Testament I will miss much of God’s character that can be seen as He interacted with the Old Testament people. I continue to enjoy the songs that were written in the 1920’s to the 1970’s. But if I refuse the songs of today, I miss the joy of hearing a new generation express their love and devotion to the One I love most! After all, what makes God happy should make Leon happy!

Prayer: Lord, I want to always appreciate what you have done in the past yet I want to be flexible enough to appreciate what you are doing in the present. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

April 24: 1Samuel 28,29; Psalm 109; Matthew 11

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 109:30 With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord; in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him.

Observation: The praise in David’s heart was like a building pressure. It had to find release. The path of least resistance was through his mouth. He would join with others gathered to worship. He would lift his voice with theirs. He was not going to be one of the quiet worshippers. He would “greatly extol” the Lord!

I often hear people whose heart is so full of their favorite baseball team that they will take any excuse to talk about them. They meditate on their team all day long. Of course what is in their heart has to find some expression. They will take any opportunity to speak words of admiration and appreciation for their team.

Application: As I meditate on the Lord, my heart becomes full and the overflow spills out my mouth.

Prayer: Lord, I want people to easily recognize that you have first place in my life! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

April 23: 1Samuel 27; Psalm 141; 1Chronicles 9; Matthew 10

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 10:7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’
8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

Observation: Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom accompanied by healings which demonstrated the power of that kingdom. (Matthew 4:23; 9:35) He now sends out his disciples to continue what He started. They are to tell people about the kingdom of God (God’s rule and authority) and demonstrate its power and authority by healing the sick. In the book of Acts we see this priority continue as healings were important part in spreading the gospel of the kingdom.

Application: My assignment is to speak the message of the Kingdom of heaven to those around me. But the message of God’s authority must be presented with more than just words. It must be accompanied by a life lived under God’s authority. It is accompanied by miracles and healings that only God can do. In troubled times there is peace that can only God can give. There is provision, and wisdom, and answers that can only be explained by saying, “God is here; He did this!”

Prayer: Lord, today I want to join you in proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Holy Spirit, work through me to reveal your presence. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

April 22: 1Samuel 25, 26; Psalm 63; Matthew 9

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 9:37 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

Observation: A kingdom is a structure of authority in which a king has supreme control. The people were very interested in the subject of a kingdom for they did not like Roman rule. But Jesus was not interested in an earthly kingdom. He preached about the Kingdom of God. He proclaimed God’s rule! But he did not set up an earthly government. Jesus demonstrated the power of the kingdom through “healing every disease and sickness.” People could see the healings; they could see the difference God’s kingdom made. God’s kingdom is a heavenly kingdom that can be seen and experienced; it does a lot of earthly good!

Application: My life is to be a demonstration of the power of God’s Kingdom. God’s rule in Leon makes a difference that should be easily seen by others.

Prayer: Lord, when I call you “Lord” I am recognizing your authority to rule my life. You even taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Let it be so in me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

April 21: 1Samuel 24; Psalm 57, 58; 1Chronicles 8; Matthew 8

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 57:7 My heart, O God is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

Observation: David was hiding from King Saul who was trying to kill him. But David knew that praising God was the right thing to do. God’s love and faithfulness were steadfast and so was David’s heart!

Application: God has not been any less loving and faithful to me than He was to David. My commitment to be steadfast in praising him should be the same as David.

Prayer: I am still singing: Jesus, I’ll praise you forever! Jesus, I’ll praise you forever! No matter what the cost may be; I’ll praise you, Lord, eternally. My mind’s made up; I’ll praise you forever! (author unknown) Amen

(Listen to song at: )

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

April 20: 1Samuel 23; Psalm 31, 54; Matthew 7

Scripture: 1Samuel 23:14 David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands. (NIV)

Observation: Saul was searching for David to kill David. That God did not give David into Saul’s hands was a good indication that David was in God’s hands! There is not a safer place to be!

Application: Staying in God’s hands is staying in the center of His will. It is there I have the fellowship of His Presence. It is there I have confidence in His power to protect me and His wisdom to guide me.

Prayer: Lord, I place my life in your hands. There is not a better place for me than in the center of your will! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

April 19: 1Samuel 22; Psalm 17,35; Matthew 6

Scripture: Matthew 6:31 So do not worry, saying “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?”
32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Observation: Our Heavenly Father who created us knows we need “these things.” People in the world go to great effort to obtain “these things.” Here we are instructed to put our efforts on the priorities of God’s structure of authority and doing things right. When we do that, God will provide the “these things” we need.

Application: God has been faithful in providing what I need. I have no reason to believe He is going to stop. I want Him to have no reason to believe that I will stop seeking first His kingdom.

Prayer: Lord, you know what I need and I thank you for your faithful provision! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

April 18: 1Samuel 20-21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5

Scripture: Psalm 34:1 I will extol the LORD at all times, his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

Observation: David did not praise God depending on the circumstances, but because he was convinced that God was worthy of praise. God is not worthy only when things are going good, but God is ALWAYS worthy of praise. It is good to note that David was not a priest, but a shepherd boy who became a king. He had a lot of things about which he could talk. He chose that praise would always be a part of his conversation.

Application: Praising God should not depend on how I feel but on God’s worthiness. People should know by the words I speak that I am convinced God is worthy of praise. If I am a pastor or a bus driver, it makes no difference; God is ALWAYS worthy of my praise. God’s name is safe in my mouth.

Prayer: Lord, I do not need good circumstances to convince me that You are worthy of my praise. You are ALWAYS worthy! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

April 17: 1Samuel 19; 1Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4

Scripture: Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
17. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. (NIV)

Observation: David would personally sing of God’s strength and love. Why? Because God was personally to David a fortress, a refuge and strength! It was not for someone else to sing about God being David’s fortress, refuge and strength. David took that responsibility personally.

Application: God is Leon’s fortress. God is Leon’s refuge. God is Leon’s strength. It is for Leon to sing of Leon’s God. The words of my song may not rhyme. The melody of my song may not pleasant to others. But the praise in Leon’s heart will bring joy to Leon’s God!

Prayer: Lord, I praise you, MY Fortress, MY Refuge, and MY Strength! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

April 16: 1Samuel 18; 1Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

Scripture: Psalm 11:1 In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain?
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. (NIV)

Observation: David found the same thing most of us have discovered. There are always people who will tell us what to do, or what we should have done. But they do not always see the trouble that lies in wait; they do not see the arrows that we will face. David had already discovered his refuge.

Application: The LORD is my refuge! He is everything a refuge should be and more. He is my hiding place. He is my safety. He is my peace. He is my rest.

Prayer: Lord, you are my safe place where I find rest and peace. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!