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

October 27: Job 18; Psalm 114; Acts 27-28

Scripture: Acts 27:10 "Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also."
11 But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship…
13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.
14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the "north-easter," swept down from the island.

Observation: Paul was being taken to Rome to stand trial before Caesar. He warned about the danger of sailing during the stormy season, but the weather seemed to be in their favor. So they ignored Paul’s warnings in favor of “gentle winds” and soon they were shipwrecked.

Application: No matter how good circumstances appear, I should never let them cause me to go contrary to what I know to be God’s will. (No matter how beautiful she is, no matter how handsome he is—God’s word is clear about being joined to unbelievers!) (No matter how great a deal is available to buy that car, if it takes my tithe money, I already know God’s will.)

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Your Word which gives clear direction. May I always value your Word even more than good circumstances. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 26: Job 17; Acts 24-26

Scripture: Acts 26:24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane."
25 "I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable.

Observation: Paul, the prisoner, was making his defense before King Agrippa. Festus, the governor who had arranged this meeting interrupted Paul claiming Paul was insane. Paul responds with, “What I am saying is true and reasonable.”

Application: The longer I live, and the more I read and study the Bible, the more I understand that the gospel is “true” and “reasonable.” The perfectly holy and loving God, in His great wisdom, designed a plan that would trade the righteousness of His Son for the sins of man. The Son would make the perfect sacrifice to pay for those sins and the now righteous man would be allowed to enter into an intimate loving fellowship with God! Here is a reasonable plan that honors both the holiness and love of God as it meets the need of man!

Prayer: Lord, you amaze me! The depths of your love! The greatness of your holiness! And such wisdom! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 25: Job 16; Acts 21-22

Scripture: Acts 21:5 But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray.
6 After saying good-bye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.
7 We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day.
8 ¶ Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven.

Observation: I am sure that many details were left out of Luke’s narrative of Paul’s journey to Jerusalem. We read nothing of the ship’s accommodations, nothing of the ship’s crew or cargo. But he included that Paul visited and stayed with the believers in the various cities. Note: Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Application: I need to take every opportunity to make contact with other believers. In those times, even though they may be short, I can both give and receive encouragement.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for those who encourage me. Use me to bless someone today. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 24: Job 15; Acts 19-20

Scripture: Acts 20:20 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.
21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

Observation: A measurement of 20/20 is accepted as the standard for acceptable vision. Here in verse 20 of Acts chapter 20 we have what I see as a standard—as 20/20 vision for our Christian life. The Christian life is to be lived “publicly” as well as “from house to house.”

Application: People who know me in public should not be surprised when they hear that I am a Christian. My language and actions should have made that obvious. Family members at home know me best. They hear my words and see my actions. They know my attitudes. Jesus should be seen in my life wherever I am.

Prayer: Lord, at home and in public, may my life speak highly of you! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 23: Job 13-14; Acts 17-18

Scripture: Acts 17:2 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
3 explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. "This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ," he said.

Observation: Paul understood the nature of God. God is perfectly holy and cannot ignore sin. How does a perfectly Holy God deal with sinful man in a way that fulfills His love? Paul understood: Jesus Christ HAD TO SUFFER! For God to satisfy the love He has for man, Jesus Christ HAD TO SUFFER the full penalty of sin. For man to be able to enter into an intimate relationship with God, Jesus Christ HAD TO SUFFER!

Application: Now I better understand the nature of God, the nature of man, and the nature of sin. For a holy God to be able to express His love to Leon, Jesus Christ HAD TO SUFFER!

Prayer: Lord, how can I say thanks for the love you have shown to me. You took my place and paid for my sins. I want my life to be a visible expression of my appreciation. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 22: Job 11-12; Acts 15-16

Scripture: Acts 16:25 ¶ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.

Observation: From the context we know that Paul and Silas were “severely flogged’ and then put in an “inner cell” with their “feet in the stocks.” Hurting and bleeding backs, in jail with limited movement—so what did they do? They sang songs of praise to God! When God set them free, “everybody’s chains came loose!”

Application: God is not only interested in doing things in me, but also through me! He is not only interested in my freedom, but the freedom of those around me. People who are not willing to use their freedom to help others become free, will in the end, loose their own freedom.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the freedom you have given me to know you and worship you. Today, use me to help others to enjoy that same freedom! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 21: Job 9-10; Acts 13-14

Scripture: Acts 13:29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.
30 But God raised him from the dead…

Observation: The enemies of Jesus had done all they could do. They had put him to death and buried him. They could not do more than that! BUT GOD was not through!

Application: When it seems the enemy has done his best to destroy me, I can still rejoice; God is not through with me yet!!! The best is yet to come!

Prayer: Lord, “But God…” what wonderful words to consider, especially when I am going through tough times. You are always more than enough. With you, all things end in victory! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 20: Job 6-8; Acts 12

Scripture: Acts 12:7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.
8 Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him.
9 Peter followed him out of the prison…
10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it…
12 …he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.

Observation: The church was not writing letters. The church was not picketing Herod’s palace. The church was not carefully planning what they might to do bring about Peter’s release from prison. The church was PRAYING! It is not wrong to write letters. It is not wrong to picket. It is not wrong to make careful plans. BUT it is wrong if we do not do pray!

Application: On November 6, 2012, citizens of the United States will go to vote. Voting is not just a privilege, it is our duty. BUT our faith is not in our vote, but in our God! Join me in making the voting booth a prayer booth. If you are able, bow on your knee and pray for 15-20 seconds before casting your vote.

Prayer: Lord, help us to honor you by prayerfully fulfilling our duty to vote. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Important!

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

October 19: Job 5; Psalm 108; Acts 10-11

Scripture: Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.

Observation: Peter, a Jew, had been obedient to the Holy Spirit. He crossed a prejudiced barrier and entered the house of a gentile. There is no indication that Peter knew what he was to do, or what was to happen. But his obedience in going was all that was needed. While he was speaking, the Gentiles experienced the Holy Spirit the same as the Jews had on the Day of Pentecost!

Application: There is no way to over emphasize the importance of obedience! When I obey and do what I can do, I open the door for the Holy Spirit to do what He can do!!! Obedience to God opens the door for the Holy Spirit to move in my environment.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I pray that you always find me ready and willing to obey your direction. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 18: Job 3-4; Acts 8-9

Scripture: Acts 9: 11 The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.
12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."
13 "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.

Observation: The Lord tells Ananias to go to see Saul, but Ananias starts to tell God just how bad this Saul really is. Is Ananias thinking that God does not really understand who Saul is? Does Ananias think that God needs his evaluation of this man?

Application: While driving in Wichita, I had asked God what I might do to bring in additional finances. I turned the corner and saw a school bus with a big sign, “Drivers Wanted.” I heard the Lord say, “You can drive a school bus.” My response, “I don’t think so!” After all, I have an irregular heartbeat. Now the only restriction on my bus driving is a requirement for an annual physical instead of one every two years.
I wonder how many other times God has given me directions only to have me give him some information he might not know! Duh! Who do I think I am? Who do I think He is?

Prayer: Lord, I need never second guess you. I can trust that you know everything needed in order to give correct directions for my life. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!