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

February 23: Numbers 12-13; Psalm 90; Mark 2

Scripture: Numbers 13:32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.
33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”

Observation: Ten of the twelve spies returning from looking through the Promised Land had a negative report. How common it is for us to think that others see us as we see ourselves. They saw themselves as grasshoppers and thought that the Canaanites saw them the same way. In reality, the Canaanites were afraid of the Israelites because they had heard how the Israelite’s God had delivered them from Egypt. Note: The Canaanites were afraid of Israel because they DID consider Israel’s God. The Israelites were afraid of the Canaanites because they DID NOT consider God!

Application: What I think about God is much more important than what I think about my circumstances! It is good for me to get to know HIM as much as I can.

Prayer: Lord, I do not just want to know about you, I want to know you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 22: Numbers 10-11; Psalm 27; Mark 1

Scripture: Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked advance against me to devour or slander me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.
3 Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. (NIV)

Observation: There are many promises in the Bible that we would like to claim, however they are not for everyone. When the Lord is our light and our salvation and the stronghold of our life, THEN we can laugh at fear. If the Lord is not those things to us, there is good reason to be afraid.
When walking in the dark of night with a friend who has a flashlight, we trust them to keep the light on the path and we must keep our steps within the lighted area. To walk outside the light is dangerous. And so Jesus is our light and we must stay within the safety of His light.

Application: WITHOUT HIM I do not have the wisdom or strength to face the troubles that come my way. But WITH HIM I am more than a conqueror! When I walk within the light He shines on my path, confident of the salvation He provides, depending on His presence for my strength, I can walk without fear!

Prayer: Lord, How desperately I depend on you. You have already won the victory over every struggle and temptation I will face today! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 21: Numbers 8-9; Acts 28

Scripture: Numbers 8:1 The Lord said to Moses,
2 “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you set up the lamps, see that all seven light up the area in front of the lampstand.’”
3 Aaron did so; he set up the lamps so that they faced forward on the lampstand, just as the Lord commanded Moses. (NIV)

Observation: The Lord gave instructions to Moses. Moses relayed them to Aaron. Aaron did “just as the Lord commanded Moses.” It is part of God’s design for His body that we need each other in order to complete His plans. If we are unable to let others speak into our lives, we will fail to completely understand and fully accomplish God’s perfect plans for us.

Application: Although the emphasis in the New Testament is on a personal relationship with the Lord who dwells inside each believer, it is important for me to be able to hear what God is speaking to me through others.

Prayer: Lord, let there be no resentment or un-forgiveness in my heart that would hinder me from hearing what you would speak to me through others. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 20: Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 27

Scripture: Psalm 23:1 NIV The Lord is my shepherd.

Observation: If not the most well-known portion of scriptures, Psalm 23 must be in the top two or three. I believe what makes this psalm such a favorite of so many is the fourth word. In the six verses there are twelve personal pronouns (me, my, and I).

Application: This was one of the first scripture passages I learned as a child. As I grew older and came to know and better understand MY Shepherd, this psalm has grown in value to me. Jesus is my personal Good Shepherd. This is how He takes care of me.
It is good to quote with the parents of a new-born baby in faith that the Good Shepherd will guide and protect their family, and especially this new child. I have quoted it with a family standing around the bedside of a dying parent. MY Shepherd gives courage and hope.

Prayer: Lord, although you are the Creator of all things, yet you see yourself as Leon’s Shepherd! That is indeed amazing! I can rest in your love and care. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Permission to speak…

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

February 19: Numbers 5-6; Psalm 22; Acts 26

Scripture: Acts 26: 1 NIV Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself. ”So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense:

Observation: Festus, the ruler of Judea, was bringing Paul before King Agrippa in order to determine what charges should be brought against Paul who was being sent for trial before Caesar. Paul was given what we all have: the right to speak for ourselves.

Application: When I stand before God, only Jesus will speak for me. How proper it is that while here on earth, I speak for Him. In fact, God, Himself has given me permission to speak! My words and my actions speak for me in testimony of Jesus!

Prayer: Lord, may my actions speak so loud that if I do not have opportunity to use words, may those around me clearly see my appreciation for you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 18: Numbers 3-4; Acts 25

Scripture: Numbers 3:17 NIV These were the names of the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

Observation: In this chapter we have listed the three sons of Levi and their sons. We also see their assignments in transporting the tabernacle through the wilderness into the Promised Land. The sons of Gershon are assigned the coverings and hangings (verse 25-26). The sons of Kohath are assigned the furniture (verse 31). And the sons of Merari are assigned the boards of the tabernacle and the pillars of the fence (verses 36-37) .

Application: Sometimes God gives me a specific individual assignment; sometimes God gives a specific assignment to my family, or my church, or to a ministry of which I am a part. I must be faithful in both settings.

Prayer: Lord, may I find joy in serving you individually and joy in serving you as a part of a larger ministry. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 17: Numbers 1-2; Acts 24

Scripture: Numbers 2:1 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron…

Observation: "The LORD said to Moses and Aaron… " This phrase, or one very similar, is repeated over 50 times in the book of Numbers, and over 130 times in the Pentateuch.

In Genesis 1, we find that one of the first three things revealed about God (one, that He is, and two, that he creates) is that He is a speaker. "And God said … " God talks. God has much to say. God communicates. Here in Numbers that truth is emphasized again.

The emphasis I see in Numbers is the personal aspect. God said all of this to Moses and Aaron. God talks to people.

A second emphasis that when God speaks so much, it is that he wants to use those people to speak to others. It is not all for their own personal benefit. It is to make them more valuable to God and to others.

Application: What God says to me today is not just for my benefit. I must be faithful to pass it along to others. God speaks to me and through me.

Prayer: Lord, I want to be faithful to apply your word to my life and to pass it along to others who may find you saying the same thing to them. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 16: Leviticus 26-27; Acts 23

Scripture: Acts 23:23 NIV Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight.
24 Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”

Observation: Paul had been taken into custody by the Romans. One might think this was a bad place for Paul to be. But really it was a safe place for Paul to be. Forty Jewish zealots had bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. When the Romans heard about their plan, they put together a detachment that was more than enough to protect Paul, and they delivered Paul to a place of safety.

Application: That which confines me may be what God is using to protect me.

Prayer: Lord, I can trust you to work out your perfect plan for my life. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 15: Leviticus 25; Psalm 25-26; Acts 22

Scripture: Psalm 26:2 NIV Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;

Observation: David was asking the Lord to examine his heart and mind. The heart is the seat of our emotions. What makes us joyful? What makes us really glad? What puts a permanent smile on our face? The mind is the seat of our thinking and choosing. How many of our thoughts center on God? When making decisions, how often do we consider what would best please God?

Application: In Navy boot camp and in Hospital Corps School, we regularly opened our living quarters to inspections. My heart and my mind are the living quarters for my inner life.

Prayer: Lord, I invite you to inspect my inner living quarters. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 14: Leviticus 23-24; Psalm 24; Acts 21

Scripture: Psalm 24:1 NIV The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.

Observation: The world belongs to the Lord by right of creation. He made it. The creative abilities of men can only be expressed by using what God originally created. Only God created something out of nothing.

Application: Since God is the original creator and created all the building blocks out of which I can create…
Since God loves me so much He was willing to send His Son to die for my sins…
Since I have committed my life to honor Him…
Then it is logical for me to expect that God will help me create what I need to accomplish His will!

Prayer: Lord, I know that You are the Creator of all things and that I can trust you. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!