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

January 15: Genesis 37-38; Psalm 7; Luke 15

Scripture: Genesis 37:28 NIV So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.

Observation: God had given Joseph a grand vision of his parents and brothers bowing before him. But now Joseph is sold by his brothers into slavery. Where was the God of the vision? How could God let this happen? But because we know the rest of the story, we know that God was uniquely positioning Joseph so that he would be immediately available to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. He did not have to clear his calendar or finish up any pressing business deals. He ended up in jail from which he could be called into Pharaoh’s throne room at a moment’s notice! The evil intentions of Joseph’s brothers did not hinder God’s promises, but rather worked to help fulfill them!

Application: Here is the question for me. Is there any man too powerful to do anything that God cannot use to further His very purpose for my life? Because I am coming to know God, the answer is simple—NO! All things (good and bad things) work together for my good because I love God and am called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Prayer: Lord, like it is written in Psalm 118:6: You are on my side; I will not fear. What can man do unto me? Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Carefully Watched

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

January 14: Genesis 34-36; Luke 14

Scripture: Luke 14:1 NIV One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.

Observation: Jesus was always being carefully watched. Some watched him because they needed something, some because they were just curious and some because they loved him. In this passage Jesus was being watched by people who were critical of Him and were looking for a way to accuse Him of doing something wrong.

Application: People watching me have various motives too. But the most important one watching me is Jesus and He is carefully watching me because He loves me! He is watching to protect me, to reward me, and to enjoy me. He is the Watcher of Leon! J

Prayer: Lord, how comforting to know you watch me. I am never out of your eyesight. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

January 13: Genesis 31-33; Luke 13

Scripture: Luke 13:20 NIV Again he asked, "What shall I compare the kingdom of God to?
21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."

Observation: The Kingdom of God like the yeast must be worked through until every portion of the flour, salt, and whatever else has been put in the mix is affected by the yeast. In the bakers hands the dough is kneaded until it is thoroughly mixed. The ingredients are not just thrown in a bowl and then placed in the oven. The baker takes time to pull, and stretch, and roll, and squeeze, and even letting it set aside in preparation for the oven.

Application: God is the Baker and is working His Kingdom into every area of my life. He stretches me, pulls me, and rolls me until His Kingdom has been worked through my entire life. Then he lets me set on the counter until the right time to be placed in the oven. But who wants to eat dough that has not been baked; who wants to take from my life that which has not been tested and proved.

Prayer: Lord, have your perfect way in my life. I know even in the hard times, you are working for my good and your glory! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 12: Genesis 29-30; Luke 12

Scripture: Luke 12:15 NIV Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."

Observation: The King James Version reads: “…and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” The tenth command is “Thou shalt not covet.” (Exodus 22:17)

Application: My attention was drawn to “all kinds of greed.” I have usually thought of greed as applying to finances or possessions. Now I see that it can apply to God’s blessings to another, the honor someone else has received, the success someone else enjoys, the abilities someone else has, etc. I am most susceptible to greed when someone is given what I feel I deserved, or when I have been overlooked.

Prayer: Lord, help me rejoice in every blessing, victory, honor give to another. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

An Expert Forgiver

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

January 11: Genesis 27-28; Psalm 4; Luke 11

Scripture: Luke 11:2 NIV He said to them, "When you pray, say: "‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’"

Observation: It is difficult to understate the importance of forgiveness. We all need forgiveness, but the prayer Jesus gave us to pray limits the forgiveness we receive from the Father. He forgives us in proportion to how we forgive others. Now that we are His children, He expects us to be forgivers also.

Application: God wants Leon to be a forgiver. The possibility of restored relationships and the knowledge that I will very likely be needing forgiveness myself should make it easier to forgive.

Prayer: Lord, You have already forgiven me and your presence enables me to forgive also. Knowing that my future forgiveness depends on how I forgive makes me want to be an expert forgiver! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

January 10: Genesis 25-26; Psalm 6; Luke 10

Scripture: Genesis 26:32 NIV That day Isaac’s servants came and told him about the well they had dug. They said, "We’ve found water!"

Observation: The sheep must be led to where the water is, the servant should be able to "find" water, digging if necessary. The sheep are led to where the water is, the servants can bring water to where the sheep are. Sheep drink from the surface, servants can dig below the surface. Sheep drink from the water on top, servants drink water from rivers that flow much deeper.
The sheep must be maintained in circumstances where water is available. The servant has the power to change circumstances. The servant can bring water to dry places! The servant can do more than just live off his circumstances, he can change them. It takes work. One has to dig to find water. But if one is willing to do the digging, many generations to come can be blessed!

Application: One of the first scripture passages I learned was Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd…” I learned that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. As a lamb/sheep in His flock I learned to trust him. However as I grew and matured in my Christian life, I learned to be a servant. I am learning to serve Him. As a servant I am growing so He can trust me. As a servant I am to be useful.

Prayer: Lord, may I be a useful servant! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

January 9: Genesis 23-24; Luke 9

Scripture: Luke 9:25 NIV What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?
26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

Observation: I have heard that one sign of maturity is being able to give up a present pleasure in order to have a more pleasant future. Nate Saint said it, “A man is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Application: To spend my time and resources to gather things that will not fit into my casket is foolish. To spend my time and resources in helping those whom I will meet in heaven—that is wisdom.

Prayer: Lord, help me live today with eternity in mind. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 8: Genesis 20-22; Luke 8

Scripture: Genesis 22:18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."

Observation: The above promise was made by God to Abraham after Abraham had passed a difficult test of faith and obedience. As evidence that God has kept this promise, consider the following: “At least 187 Jews and people of half- or three-quarters-Jewish ancestry have been awarded the Nobel Prize, accounting for 22% of all individual recipients worldwide between 1901 and 2012, and constituting 36% of all US recipients during the same period. …Jews currently make up approximately 0.2% of the world’s population and 2% of the US population.” (http://www.jinfo.org/Nobel_Prizes.html) Does God keep His promises or what!!!! Wow!

Application: As I am faithful to obey God, I find that the same God who kept his promise to Abraham, is faithful to keep his promises to me.

Prayer: Lord, You are faithful! It is worth any effort and any sacrifice to serve you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 7: Genesis 18-19; Psalm 3; Luke 7

Scripture: Genesis 18:8 NIV He (Abraham) then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they (the LORD and two others) ate, he stood near them under a tree.

Observation: What an interesting passage. Before sending judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, the JEHOVAH appeared in human form to see how bad it was. On the way to a city where He would be disrespected, the LORD stopped at Abraham’s tent. I am sure it was not Abraham’s food that attracted LORD to his tent, but that Abraham was his friend and would respect him. He would share with Abraham what he was about to do. He would let Abraham intercede for the city. But while he was there, He would eat what Abraham offered.

Application: If God stopped at my door today I believe he would happily eat whatever I had to offer even if it was only a glass of cold water. I believe the Lord would say, “If it is good enough for my child, it is good enough for me.” I believe He would say, “I’ll eat at his table now and before too long he will be eating at mine!” (Revelation 3:20b “ ..I will come in and eat with him and he with me.”)

Prayer: Lord, I am honored to know that you eat at my table, live in my house, ride in my car, and participate in my life. May my life demonstrate my love and appreciation. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 6: Genesis 15-17; Luke 6

Scripture: Luke 6: 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice.
48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When the flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.
49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

Observation: Three words stand out to me. First is the word “torrent.” Torrents (storms) come to everyone. We cannot stop them, we can only prepare for them. The second word is “building” or “built.” Lives are not placed on a foundation, they are built. There is a process involved. It does not happen overnight. The third word is “foundation.” There are many foundations on which one can build their life, but only one take the “torrent.” God’s Word is the only solid foundation because God’s character is trustworthy and true!

Application: I am building my lifetime one day at a time—one action at a time—one choice at a time. I am building on God’s Word! The Lord has provided me a fabulous foundation; it is fit for the greatest mansion that has ever been built. I do not want to build a shabby house on such a great foundation!

Prayer: Lord, Your Word is the foundation for my life. I know I can trust Your Word because it is based on Your Character! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!