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!

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

February 13: Leviticus 20-22; Acts 20

Scripture: Acts 20:20 NIV You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.

Observation: In the field of optometry, we refer to people having perfect eye sight as having 20/20 vision. Here in Acts 20:20 Paul was speaking to the elders of the church at Ephesus. I have heard people referring to this verse as giving a 20/20 vision for the church. There must be both public meetings AND from house to house.

Application: Being a part of a congregation of believers who meet publically and regularly is an important part of my Christian life. But just as important is my life at home. My church should be concerned that I attend the weekly public meetings, but they should also be concerned about getting the Word into my life at home.

Prayer: Lord, I was so blest by the public meeting this past Sunday. I sensed Your Presence in our worship and in the ministry of the Word. I am also enjoying Your Presence as I study your Word here at home. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 12: Leviticus 18-19; Psalm 13; Acts 19

Scripture: Psalm 13:5 NIV But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.

6 I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.

Observation: In the beginning of this Psalm of only 6 verses, David is bemoaning the trouble he is going through. But in these last two verses He rejoices in God’s salvation. He sings the Lord’s praise because He knows that in looking at the whole of his life, the Lord has been good!

Application: As I look back over my life, I agree with David!. I have had some tough times, but without question, the Lord has been good to Leon!

Prayer: Lord, life is not always good, but You are always good. You have surely been good to me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 11: Leviticus 15-17; Acts 18

Scripture: Acts NIV 18:24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of
Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.
25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor[a] and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.
26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.
28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

Observation: Apollos had a good mind and good knowledge of the Scriptures. When He began to speak publically Priscilla and Aquila recognized that there were some things missing in his teaching. When they approached Apollos, they found a most important characteristic: Apollos was teachable. Because he was teachable, he became very useful.

Application: How important it is to remain teachable as I grow older. There is still so much to learn. My ministry to others can grow even more effective if I am willing to be teachable.

Prayer: Lord, You are the master Teacher! Continue to teach me Your Word. Use others in my life as you used Priscilla and Aquila in the life of Apollos. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 10: Leviticus 13-14; Acts 17

Scripture: Acts 17:17 NIV So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.

Observation: Paul is in the city of Athens. He does not wait for the Sabbath (Saturday) or The Lord’s Day (Sunday) to do his Christian duty, but spoke to others “day by day.” Old and New Testament lovers of God lived out their faith on a daily basis. It was a daily relationship with daily responsibilities.

Application: My daily life does not revolve around my weekly commitment to join with other believers on Sunday, but joining with others on Sunday revolves around my daily commitment to live for the Lord and let Him be seen in me. Weekly church commitments should build my daily walk with Jesus and as I grow in a daily relationship with Jesus, I grow in relationship to other believers. The daily aspect is the key!

Prayer: Lord, you are so faithful to speak to me day by day! May I faithfully live for you day by day. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

My Traffic Signal

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

February 9: Leviticus 10-12; Acts 16

Scripture: Acts 16:6 NIV Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia.
7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.

Observation: Paul had been clearly directed by the Holy Spirit to travel and plant churches in various cities in the Roman Empire. (Acts 13:2-4) But when it came to the province of Asia, the “green light” turned in to a “red light.” The “go” became “stop.”

Application: If I claim Jesus as my Lord, then the “red” lights have to be as important to me as the “green” lights. As my Lord, He has the right to tell me when to go and when to stop. He has the right to tell me what to do AND what not to do. To ignore the green light is to miss opportunities. To ignore the red lights is to invite trouble.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your green and red lights. Thank you for your yellow light directing me to proceed with caution and to be prepared to stop. Holy Spirit, you are my traffic signal. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 8: Leviticus 7-9; Acts 15

Scripture: Acts 15:28 NIV It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:

Observation: The leaders in the early church were challenged with some tough decisions. Did non-Jewish people have to go through the traditions of becoming Jewish to be a part of the church? The leaders met together to hear reports of what God was doing. Then they, relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, made a decision.

Application: There are times when I need to make a decision that is not clearly outlined in God’s Word. I want to be able to say about every tough decision I make, “It seems good to the Holy Spirit and to me…”

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I trust you to guide my thoughts and decisions. I welcome your input. I believe it is your desire to be a part of my daily life. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 7: Leviticus 4-6; Acts 14

Scripture: Acts 14:19 NIV Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.
20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

Observation: Paul was stoned and appeared dead by those stoning him. He survived the stoning and the next day left for another city. He did not travel by ambulance, train, plane, but walked. After being thought dead, he walks to the next city! Surely God’s hand was on him!

Application: Two days ago as I was closing up my school bus, I slipped on some dust on the floor and fell down the steps of the bus. I was able to limp back into the bus barn and later that evening an x-ray showed a broken bone. Getting around is quite painful and I have a fresh appreciation for Paul walking to Derbe after being stoned and left for dead.

Prayer: Lord, your touch brought healing and restoration to Paul. May your touch do the same for me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 6: Leviticus 1-3: Acts 13

Scripture: Leviticus 1:2 NIV "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When any of you brings an offering to the LORD, bring as your offering an animal from either the herd or the flock.
3 ¶ "‘If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer a male without defect. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting so that it will be acceptable to the LORD.
4 He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him.

Observation: The offering bringer was to lay his hand on the head of the animal to be sacrificed and by so doing would be saying, “This animal represents me and will be sacrificed in payment for my sins.” Verse four says, “It will be accepted on his behalf.” If God was so willing to accept the sacrifice of an animal on behalf of the sinner, HOW MUCH MORE is He willing to accept the sacrifice of His own Son, Jesus, as the payment for our sins!!!

Application: If the Old Testament worshipper found forgiveness in the sacrifice of an animal, HOW MUCH MORE can I find forgiveness, and peace, and joy, and justification, and acceptance in the Once and for all sacrifice of the sinless Son of God!

Prayer: Lord, you are more valuable than silver, more costly than gold, more precious than diamonds! Your sacrifice more than covered my sins. I am grateful and humbled! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 5: Exodus 39-40; Psalm 15; Acts 12

Scripture: Exodus 40:34 NIV Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle

Observation: In chapters 25-31 we read God giving the specific details for building the tabernacle. In chapters 35-39 we read of the specific details of the actual building of the tabernacle. At the end of chapter 39 and throughout chapter 40 we read ten times that they did it “as the Lord commanded.” And in verse 34 we read the results of their careful obedience: “the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”

Application: I can see that God rewards careful obedience with the glory of His presence! I want to be careful to obey Him. It is not that I have to obey, but He loves me and knows what is best for me. It just makes sense to obey Him. And what a reward!!!

Prayer: Lord, I know you do not always give me the details of what I am to do, but when you do, may I follow them carefully. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!