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

January 5: Genesis 12-14; Luke 5

Scripture: Luke 5:3 NIV He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."
5 Simon answered, "Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

Observation: The experts had determined that it was time to quit fishing. It was time to put up the boats, wash the nets, and go home. They were fishermen, with years of experience. But Simon was willing to humor Jesus and do what He said.

Application: Sometimes I think I am the expert and have it all figured out. Sometimes I think that what God wants is just a waste of time. I wonder how many times I have missed His miraculous supply because I did not do what He said.

Prayer: Lord, “because you say so” will always be enough reason for me to do your bidding. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 4: Genesis 9-11; Luke 4

Scripture: Genesis 9:6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.

Observation: God had just become so fed up with the sin of man that he wiped out all but Noah and his family with a flood. Yet God had not forgotten that man was created in His image. Sin had so marred that image that God had to take drastic steps to cut back sin’s advances, yet God still recognized His own image within man!

Capital punishment is tied to man being made in the image of God. This applies in two ways. First, whenever a man is killed, it is a sin against God and one made in His image. Second, as man has been made in God’s image, man has the ability and responsibility to judge.

Application: Every single person around me carries the image of God! I honor God by treating each one with respect. How I treat them, how I talk to them, and how I talk about them should express the respect I have for our Creator God!

Prayer: Lord, may my respect for you be seen in the respect I show to those who were made in your image. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 3: Genesis 6-8; Luke 3

Scripture: Genesis 6:6 NIV The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.
7 So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air—for I am grieved that I have made them."
8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.

Observation: It seems to me that many people want to think of God as a God of love, which he is. There are some people who seem to see Him as an angry God, which he can be. But not too many of us see God as a hurting God. Yet verse six above says “his heart was filled with pain.”

Application: When our closest friend is hurting, we consider something extra we can do to comfort or cheer them. We send a card; we make a phone call; we take them a dinner; we stop by for a visit. Things I see in the news make my heart hurt, how much more do they make His heart hurt! There may be something I can do today to refresh my Heavenly Father.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, show me today what I can do to ease your pain and bring joy to your heart. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 2: Genesis 3-5; Luke 2

Scripture: Genesis 5:1 NIV This is the written account of Adam’s line. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God.
2 He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them "man".

Observation: The Bible claims to be the inspired word of God. Here we have a personal eye-witness account from the main participant, the Creator Himself. Since there is no one alive today who can verify or deny this account, and since God is believable and is alive today, it makes sense to believe it. If one chooses not to believe this, then there is a natural desire to come up with another possibility of how humans came to exist on this planet. Evolution is as good an explanation of any other possibility. It just does not line up with the Bible account.

Application: I am male and my wife is female. We were created in the likeness of God! Whether or not the people around me know it, they too were created by God and in His likeness. This requires that I treat all human life with respect—those who agree with me and those who do not.

Prayer: Lord, help me to see the people around me as your handiwork who carry your likeness. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

The EXPERT!

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

January 1: Genesis 1-2; Luke 1

Scripture: Genesis 1:24 NIV And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so.
25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

Observation: Much of man’s study of science and biology is a study of order. Those who study astronomy study the order of the stars in their relationship to other stars in their galaxies and solar systems. The study of plants and animals is also a study of order as they are identified in families. There is order in a husband and wife producing their children. In the entire universe we see God as a God of order.

Application: I have often made New Year’s resolutions with the purpose of establishing some order in my life. I remember at the end 2009 wondering if I should resolve to write a SOAP every day in 2010. Obviously God was in that decision because He has been faithful to give me something every day for the past three years. He has enabled me to be faithful. The more I let God direct my life, he not only establishes order, His presence helps me keep it. God is THE EXPERT at setting and keeping order! How foolish it is to try to set and keep order in my own power, when I have such a wonderful helper!

Prayer: Lord, I believe this coming year will be a year of establishing more of your order in my life. As I submit to your order, I confess that I will need your help if I am going to follow through more than just a few days or weeks. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 31: Revelation 19-22

Scripture: Revelation 19:1 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2 for true and just are his judgments….
Revelation 19:6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! …

Observation: As we come to the last reading for the year, I again notice the priority of worship in the book of Revelation. I have noticed that the worship in heaven is LOUD! It is like the sound of “many waters.” The worship in heaven must be described as enthusiastic! Everyone participates! It is louder than being in a football stadium when everyone is on their feet cheering their team.

Application: The best thing about the worship in heaven—I get to be a part of it! I’ll be there! My voice will be one of the millions lifted to the throne. I had better practice and make sure I am ready.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, teach me to be a true worshipper. May I exit 2012 with my heart and my mouth full of worship! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 30: Revelation 15-18

Scripture: Revelation 15:7 Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.
8 And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no-one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

Observation: When we really love someone, it is very understandable that we will get very angry if others purposefully harm them. In fact, the more we love, the angrier we will get. So we should not be surprised when we read of God’s wrath. God has the capacity for GREAT LOVE!!! He also has the capacity for GREAT WRATH!!! Yet in great love and great anger, he is always holy.

Application: God greatly loves His Son who completed the most difficult and rewarding assignment ever given. I must not disrespect Jesus, after all, I am the beneficiary of His sacrifice! How wise of God to place his Holy Spirit in me to lead me and empower me to live a life that pleases Him. How foolish of me to ignore what He says. How just of God to hold me accountable. How understandable for God to be angry if I disrespect His Son!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, although I deserved your wrath, thank you for sending Jesus to take my penalty. Thank you that I need not fear your wrath. Holy Spirit help me to live a life that shows appreciation for what I have received. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 29: Revelation 10-14

Scripture: Revelation 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in mid-air, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.
7 He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."

Observation: Again my attention is drawn to the subject of worship. In this verse we see that worship is not just to be practiced in heaven, but also on earth. God will have worship from every nation, every tribe, every language and every people!

Application: That would include my nation, my family, my language, and my race. That surely includes me!

Prayer: Lord, you told the woman at the well that God was seeking worshippers who would worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24) May you find what you are looking for in me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 28: Revelation 5-9

Scripture: Revelation 7:9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
10 And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."
11 All the angels were standing round the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshipped God,
12 saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!"

Observation: As we close out the last few days of this year by reading the book of Revelation, one might note that worship is an important part.

Application: As I come to the final days in 2012, worship should be a major part of what I do. It is right to look back with thanks for what God has brought me through. It is also right to look forward in faith for what God will continue to do. The end of the year is a time for worship.

Prayer: I worship you, Almighty God; there is none like you. I worship you, Oh Prince of Peace; that is what I want to do. I give you praise; for you are my righteousness. I worship you, Almighty God; there is none like you. (S.C.Woods) Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 27: Revelation 1-4

Scripture: Revelation 2:2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. Verses 2:9, 13, 19, 3:1, 8, 15

Observation: Jesus was giving John a message for each of the seven churches in the province of Asia. Each message has a portion beginning with “I know…” He did not say, “You are probably…” or “It has been told me…” or “Others think…” When we stand before Jesus, we can be certain that He knows!

Application: He knows me. He understands my struggles. He knows what I am going through. He knows me. I cannot fool him. He also knows those around me. He also knows what they say about me and how they treat me.

Prayer: Lord, I can trust you totally for there is nothing hidden from you. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!