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

December 7: Colossians 1-4

Scripture: Colossians 1:13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Observation: The God who so love the world (John 3:16) rescued me out from under the authority of my enemy who was working to destroy me. In freeing me from Satan’s kingdom, God did not leave me out on my own. He brought me into the kingdom of Jesus, His Son.

Application: Jesus is now both my Savior and my Lord. There were times when I thought freedom meant that I was free to do my own thing. But now I understand that I use my freedom to choose in which kingdom I will live. Of course, when I choose a kingdom, I have to live by the laws in that kingdom. I live under the authority of its king. I choose the Kingdom of God! Duh!

Prayer: Lord, teach me to live in Your Kingdom, enjoying its fullness and willingly submitting to Your Authority. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 6: Philippians 1-4

Scripture: Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Observation: The Bible does not tell us how to feel, but it definitely tells us how to think. This is one of the clearest scriptures about our thought life. We should focus our attention on things that fit these categories. Many hunting accidents do not happen when the gun is being aimed at the desired target, but when there is no specific target. It is bumped while in the car, it is dropped, the hunter stumbles, etc. So it is with our thoughts. They need to be specifically “aimed” at worthy targets.

Application: I am not a mind, but I have a mind. My thoughts should not control me, but I should control my thoughts. With the help of the Holy Spirit it is my responsibility to control my thoughts. I need to “aim” or focus my thoughts on worthy subjects.

Prayer: Lord, as in Psalm 19:14 let the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 5: Ephesians 5-6; Psalm 119:1-80

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Observation: Paul begins the final section of this letter with an encouragement to be strong in the Lord. In the world today there are endless areas in which one can be strong. A person’s strength may be in the area of agriculture, or engineering, or family relationships, or … Growing strong in each area involves gaining knowledge, and then applying knowledge. Knowledge without application leaves one weak! Being strong in the Lord should be a priority for each of us. As we become strong in our knowledge of Him, our faith in His mighty power grows.

Application: As I grow in my knowledge of God’s word AND then apply it to my life, I grow stronger in my faith AND I learn to depend on His strength.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your Word. May I have the courage to apply it—to act like it is true! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 4: Ephesians 1-4

Scripture: Ephesians 1:13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,
14 who is a deposit guaranteeing (KJV the earnest) our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Observation: It is customary in the USA when making an offer to purchase a house, to give earnest money which is a deposit guaranteeing that the rest will be coming if the offer is accepted. It would be proper for God to require from us a down payment of some type on our heavenly inheritance. But verse 14 says that God gives such a deposit to us!!! And as amazing as that thought is, even more amazing is what that deposit is—the deposit is the Holy Spirit!!! Wow!!!

Application: That God has kept His promise to send the Holy Spirit to live in me here is this world is proof that He will keep the other promises concerning my heavenly future. Entrance into heaven is based only on my trusting the sacrifice of Jesus to pay for my sins. But my usefulness to God in heaven will be in accordance with my usefulness to God here. Faithfulness on earth will be richly rewarded in heaven.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit! I am far more blest than any person who has won hundreds of millions of dollars in the lottery! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 3: Romans 13-16

Scripture: Romans 15:17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.
18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done—
19 by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way round to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

Observation: Jesus demonstrated the power of the kingdom as he proclaimed the truth of the kingdom. The disciples continued in the same manner and here we see Paul doing likewise. The miracles of Jesus were done through the power of the Holy Spirit. Here we see the same is true of Paul.

Application: The lives and ministries of Jesus and Paul were made effective by the works of the Holy Spirit. How much more I need to be open to the working of the Holy Spirit in my life and ministry. I need Him to speak to me and through me.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, please keep working with me until I learn to recognize your voice the first time every time. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 2: Romans 9-12

Scripture: Romans 12:13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Observation: We should practice hospitality until we get it right. Saturday I was privileged to drive a bus load of Andover High School students to a location where they served about 200 children presently living in foster homes. The gifts were NOT FOR the children. While the foster parents were kept in a room away from the activity, students accompanied the children as they choose Christmas gifts for their foster families! They would then take the gifts to tables where other students would help wrap the gifts. The children were receiving a wonderful gift—they were being enabled to experience the joy of giving.

Application: Like the children, this Christmas I will only be able to give what I have been given! God will enable me to experience one of His greatest joys—the joy of giving.

Prayer: Lord, may your generosity flow through me, and not just to me! Thank you for sharing with me the joy of giving! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 1: Romans 5-8

Scripture: Romans 5: 6 ¶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. …
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Observation: At the perfect time, and while we remained totally helpless, God did what only God could do. He paid the price. Christ gave His life for those who had ignored and broken God’s law.

Application: 1. There have been times when God’s intervention came even before I knew I was going to have a need. God was showing me that He knew what was coming and had it well in hand. I can trust Him!
2. Then there have been times when His help did not come until the very last minute. It was there when I needed it, but not a minute sooner. God was showing me I can trust Him!
3. There have also been times when His help arrived too late for my timing. But as I watched Him at work, I discovered that God is never late. Even when He is late according to my timing, He still has plenty of time to accomplish His plan! Again, God was showing me I can trust Him!

Prayer: Lord, Your timing is always perfect. You not only do the right thing, You do it at the right time. I can trust you!. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 30: Rom 1-4

Scripture: Romans 3:20 Therefore no-one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Observation: The law showed me the requirements of a Holy God, but provided no way for me to obtain such righteousness. God provided righteous for me through the death of His Son, Jesus. His death covers my sins and His Life empowers me to overcome temptation.

Application: With confidence that God will accept the death of His Son as the payment for my sins, I agree with God that I have broken His righteous law and ask forgiveness. In faith that He will do as He has promised, I receive His forgiveness by thanking Him and stating that I surrender to His ownership over my life. I open my life to become His dwelling place. I now enjoy freedom from guilt and His continual presence.

Prayer: Lord, I am blest to have Your forgiveness and enjoy Your Presence! I want my words and actions to show of my appreciation. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 29: 1Thes 4-5; 2Thes 1-3

Scripture: 1Thessalonians 5:4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.
5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
6 ¶ So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.

Observation: There is a difference in who we are. There is a difference in Whose we are! There is a difference in our circumstances. There is a difference in our understanding. SO there should be a difference in how we live. OTHERS are asleep, but let US be awake. Those living in the system of the world are clueless and unaware of what is about to happen. We are alert, or mentally in tune with our circumstances. We live like we understand our priorities.

Application: People listen to what I say and watch how I live. They should be able to see a difference. This world is not my home. I believe Jesus is soon to return! So then I am living to please him, trusting him for direction and provision.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for bringing me out of the kingdom of darkness in to your Kingdom of light. May I live my life in the light as you are in the light! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 28: Matt 28; 1Thes 1-3

Scripture: Matthew 28:8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

Observation: The women arrived at the tomb expecting to place some spices around the body of Jesus. They probably felt the earth quake on their way to the tomb. They found the stone already rolled away from the entrance. They were given a message by the angel of the Lord. They were reminded of what Jesus had said. They were given an assignment to go tell the disciples. They were terrified, yet filled with great joy. Their emotions were mixed.

Application: There are times when my emotions run the gamut from fear to joy, from high to low, from hot to cold. In those times I need to remain steady by remembering what Jesus has told me, and carry out my assignments.

Prayer: Lord, with the situation in our nation and world, I see the church coming into a season when emotions will be pulled in many directions. Keep me in your word. Keep me steady. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!