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

January 25: Exodus 12-13; Psalm 21; Acts 1

Scripture: Acts 1:4 NIV On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

Observation: The same One who gave the disciples the Great Commission to go into all the world (Matt 28:19) is the same One here telling them to wait. They were not to go anywhere until. The One who gave them the gift of salvation was going to give them the gift of the Holy Spirit!

Application: When God tells me to wait; I can be assured that it is well worth the wait. God’s timing will prove perfect. His equipping will be exactly what I need.

Prayer: Lord, waiting on you is never a waste of time. You are worth the wait. What you have for me is worth the wait. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 24: Exodus 9-11; Luke 24

Scripture: Luke 24:45 NIV Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

Observation: Jesus had just been crucified and had risen from the dead. He was now walking with two disciples who had not yet figured out the identity of this healthy man walking with them. Jesus was not just interested that they know the scriptures, but that they would understand. He was explaining the scriptures that referred to his coming to die for our sins.

Application: The Holy Spirit now has the ministry of opening my mind and giving me understanding. As I read the scriptures, I pay attention to thoughts that cross my mind. Often a verse is linked to another verse I have read, or to something that I have experienced in my life, or something that is presently happening. I gain understanding in how the scripture applies to me.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I am blest that you help me understand and apply the scriptures to my life. Use me to help others. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 23: Exodus 6-8; Luke 23

Scripture: Exodus 6:1 NIV Then the LORD said to Moses, "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country."

Observation: In the preceding verses one could see what Pharaoh was doing to the Israelites. He had been flexing his power to show them that they had no hope in withstanding him. But now it is God’s turn. He was going to show them what He could do.

Application: Surely the God who planted God-fearing people in a new land back in the 1600’s and has been so evident throughout our history—surely He will not allow the USA to slide quietly into insignificance without showing what He can do! So far our efforts to stop abortion, prohibit gay marriage, stop the removal of the Bible from our schools has proved futile. I believe I can hear God say, “Now you will see what I can do!”

Prayer: Lord, remember the many prayers of dedication for our nation, our government and our people. Bring another spiritual awakening to America! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 22: Exodus 3-5; Luke 22

Scripture: Luke 22: 8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover."
9 "Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked.
Luke 22:12 He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there."
13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

Observation: Peter and John were sent with an assignment. They were to make preparations for the Passover meal. It was at this meal the Lord commanded us to eat the bread and drink the cup in memory of the sacrifice he was about to make. God had been carefully making preparations for Jesus death since the prophecy given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Application: Very few things in life are done with a spur-of-the-moment decision. Even those opportunities are made possible because one has prepared to be ready. Most things require preparation. Important things require more preparation. Very important things require much preparation. My value of things can be seen in the preparation I am willing to make. The way my wife prepares for the visit of children to our home shows how she values them. My life today is preparation for eternity. My speech and actions will demonstrate how important eternity is to me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the preparation you made to provide the payment for my sins. May the esteem I have for you be seen in the preparations I make to stand before you on judgment day. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 21: Exodus 1-2; Psalm 88; Luke 21

Scripture: Luke 21:1 NIV As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.
2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.
3 "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others.

Observation: Other people who might have been watching would have noticed and commented on the large amounts placed in the offering by the rich. They would not have given much, if any attention to the small amount given by this widow. Jesus ALSO SAW what others overlooked!

Application: First: I may not be able to do what I see as the most important thing, but I can be sure that the Lord also sees and appreciates what I do. Second: I will miss a lot of life if I only see the big things. I must also see what others might consider insignificant.

Prayer: Lord, help me to see things as you see them. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 20: Genesis 49-50; Psalm 8; Luke 20

Scripture: Psalm 8:1 NIV O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
Psalm 8:9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Observation: David ended this song with the same words as he began. In between these two verses he speaks of the heavens and earth. He speaks of man who has been given responsibility over God’s earth. Everywhere man looks he can see God’s handiwork.

Application: EVERYTHING I see today will either be something God made, or something that a man carrying God’s image made by using what God made. It will be impossible for me to have my eyes open and not see God’s handiwork. Even the evil I may see will only be the misuse of what God has made, and will be done by someone who carries the image of God.

Prayer: Oh Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! May I remember that EVERYTHING I see displays your handiwork! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 19: Genesis 47-48; Psalm 10; Luke 19

Scripture: Psalm 10:17 NIV You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry

Observation: What a wonderful thing to know: God hears. And it is not just the powerful or the loud that God hears. He hears the heart cry of the weak and sickly. He does not just hear; he listens. Their cry is not just noise to be ignored; he understands what they are saying.

Application: It is good to be reminded that God hears. First, He hears me when I am in trouble or discouraged. Others may not have time to listen or may not understand, but God has the time and He understands! Second, He hears the same cries I hear. I am limited in resources and understanding. I often do not know how to respond, but God is not limited and He understands perfectly. He can use me or someone else. When I hear the cry of the afflicted or the discouraged my ears are tuned in to what God hears.

Prayer: Lord, I remember how Ethel Waters used to sing about your eye being on the sparrow. I know you are watching me and I know you hear me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 18: Genesis 44-46; Luke 18

Scripture: Genesis 45:4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt!
5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.
6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping.
7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

Observation: Joseph was looking at the big picture. The details about how the brothers had mistreated him and sold him into slavery could be easily forgiven because Joseph now saw and understood God’s purpose.

Application: When I have trouble forgiving, it is because I am NOT looking at the big picture. My mind is caught in a web. I keep focusing on the details of what happened to me. I keep re-thinking how I was mistreated. I keep remembering how bad I felt. Only when I see the big picture of how God fwants to bless me and make me a blessing to others, including the ones who caused the hurt—only then can I do like Joseph and forgive.

Prayer: Lord, I am thankful that you, the Greatest Forgiver, live in me! I want to become as quick to forgive others as you have been in forgiving me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 17: Genesis 42-43; Psalm 5; Luke 17

Scripture: Luke 17:15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.
16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?
18 Was no-one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"
19 Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."

Observation: On my regular school bus route, very few of the students say, “Thanks” when getting off the bus. The two or three that do almost every day stand out in my mind. To me, it speaks well of their parents. I have also noticed that those who follow someone expressing thanks are more likely to do the same. It is not like saying, “Thank you,” is hard to do, they had just not thought about it.

Application: To say, “Thanks,” costs me nothing! It is really the least I can do. I need to make sure I express appreciation for every act of kindness shown to me today. I can use new words and phrases; and I can verbalize them with a tone of voice that communicates sincerity. I can look them in the eye.

Prayer: Lord, I can start with you. Thank you for your many expressions of kindness to me. May my appreciation be seen in that I pass them along to others. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 16: Genesis 39-41; Luke 16

Scripture: Genesis 39: 1 ¶ Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.
2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.
3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did,
4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.

Observation: Joseph had been sold by his brothers into slavery. Surely the Lord’s presence was a comfort to Joseph. Sometimes just knowing that God knows what is happing to us helps us through tough times. But the Lord’s presence brought more than just a feeling in his heart; it brought visible blessings that others could see. Potiphar could SEE that Joseph had God’s approval and blessing.

Application: I am thankful for God’s presence in my life. He brings me peace. I am also thankful that His blessings can be seen by others. God wants the blessings He gives me to be a blessing to others too.

Prayer: Lord, may others see your blessings on my life, and may they benefit from them. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!