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

October 17: Job 1-2; Acts 6-7

Scripture: Acts 7: 5 He gave him (Abraham) no inheritance here, not even a foot of ground. But God promised him that he and his descendants after him would possess the land, even though at that time Abraham had no child.

6 God spoke to him in this way: ‘Your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and ill-treated for four hundred years.

7 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves,’ God said, ‘and afterwards they will come out of that country and worship me in this place.’

Observation: Although God’s promise to Abraham about having a son (Isaac) was fulfilled to Abraham and Sarah, much of God’s promise was not completed in Abraham’s lifetime. Abraham lived in a tent (a temporary dwelling) while in the Promised Land. It was not until the Israelites had spent 400 years in Egypt that God gave the Israelites the cities and fields in the land of Israel.

Application: I believe God is as faithful today to fulfill His promises as he was in the days of Abraham and his descendants. Things God spoke to me in my late teens were not fulfilled until I was in my late 20’s. What God told me in my mid twenty’s came to pass in my forty’s. Things God started in my late teens are being completed today. Some things will be fulfilled in my son’s life. Some of the messages God has spoken to the churches I pastored are still awaiting complete fulfillment.

Prayer: Lord, help me to faithfully pass on the promises you have given to me. I pray for those, who will remain when I am gone, to receive the promised blessings. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 16: Malachi 3-4; Psalm 148; Acts 5

Scripture: Acts 5: 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.
35 Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men
Acts 5:38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

Observation: From among the religious leaders who wanted to put the apostles to death came a word of wisdom. If what the apostles were preaching was of man, it would soon die out. But if it was of God, they would never be able to stop it!

Application: When speaking for the Lord, it is important that I say what God is saying. When I give my own wisdom, or worldly counsel, God is not committed to bring it about. It will soon die out. But when I speak His words, He stands behind them to accomplish His purpose.

Prayer: Lord, I dedicate my mouth to you. Use it to communicate your message to the people around me. May people be blest to hear your words. May you receive the glory. And may I have the joy of being useful. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 15: Nehemiah 13; Malachi 1-2; Acts 4

Scripture: Acts 4:29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

Observation: Peter and John had just been released from prison with a strong warning not to preach any more in the name of Jesus. They were now back with the church. In prayer they did not ask for the persecution to stop, but for boldness to continue speaking.

Application: So often today I hear prayers and prayer requests for God to make things go easier. We are often more interested in our comfort than in God’s glory. If our priority is God’s glory, we can trust Him with the things that concern us, either to remove them or give us the strength to go through them.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, teach me how to pray for God’s glory. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 14: Nehemiah 11-12; Psalm 1; Acts 3

Scripture: Acts 3:1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.

Observation: In the temple, there were set times for people to gather to pray.

Application: God is so available that I can talk to him anywhere and at any time. Yet, God is so important that there should be set times I stop just to spend with him. Also, other people are so important to God that there should be set times I gather with them to talk with him. In the set times of prayer, I usually pray for what is important, sometimes I even have a written list of people and things. In spontaneous times of prayer, I usually pray for urgent things that are pressing on me in the moment. In all times of prayer I can worship him for who he is and praise him for what he has done!

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for the church calling me to times of prayer. Thank you for meeting with me each morning. And Lord I thank you for walking and talking with me throughout each day. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Indestructible Life!

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

October 13: Nehemiah 9-10; Acts 2

Scripture: Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.
23 This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.
24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

Observation: Jesus was the theme of Peter’s message. The worst that wicked men could do to Jesus (putting him to death) became the basis for the greatest demonstration of his indestructible life (his resurrection). “It was impossible for death to keep its hold on him!”

Application: With Christ living in me, I need never fear what man can do to me! The worst that man can do to me simply becomes the basis for a great demonstration of that Indestructible Life living in me!

Prayer: Lord, please help me to remember. The life you live in me has already been proven to be greater than death. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 12: Nehemiah 7-8; Acts 1

Scripture: Acts 1:11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

Observation: Jesus had just risen out of their sight. It must have been similar to Cape Canaveral, Florida during a Space Shuttle launch. Everyone would be looking up trying to get one last glimpse. But there comes a time when people have to move on. The angels reminded them of Jesus instructions. Earlier Peter, James and John had been with Jesus on the mount of transfiguration. They wanted to stay, but Jesus told them it was time to move on.

Application: There have been special times I have enjoyed being in the recognizable presence of God. God’s peace and love were overpowering. I would love to have stayed longer, but Jesus wanted me to move out into the world in which I live. As the purpose for the boat is to be in the water, the purpose for this body is to live in the world.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for those special times I have enjoyed your Presence. They prepare, and encourage, and empower me to move out and do your will. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 11: Nehemiah 5-6; Psalm 146; Luke 24

Scripture: Luke 24:17 He (Jesus) asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast.
18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"
19 "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.

Observation: Jesus had been crucified, buried, and risen. Here he joined two men as they were returning home from the Passover celebration in Jerusalem. Cleophas and his friend mistook Jesus as a visitor in Jerusalem and started to fill him in on all the recent activity.

Application: I wonder how often I have treated Jesus as just a visitor. I think I have to fill him in on what has been happening to me. What I really need is for him to fill me in! He has been with me every step and every moment. He knows more about it than I do.

Prayer: Lord, may I never forget that you are so much more than a visitor in my life. You did not just arrive when I got sick or trouble came my way. Nothing in my life takes you by surprise! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 10: Nehemiah 3-4; Luke 23

Scripture: Luke 23:47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man."

Observation: Who was this centurion and what had he just seen? He was the centurion in charge of the crucifixion of Jesus and he had just witnessed the death of Jesus. Four times Pilate had declared Jesus innocent. Pilate said that Herod had found Jesus innocent. The thief on the cross a sixth time and in this verse, the centurion makes the seventh declaration of the innocence of Jesus.

Application: Jesus was innocent; there is no question. Yet a holy God allowed his innocent son to die a terrible death. Why? There is only one reason, He was dying in my place, and I am not innocent!

Prayer: Lord, you died for me and now you live in me. Today I die to myself to live my life for you. May I bring you much joy. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 9: Nehemiah 1-2; Psalm 133-134; Luke 22

Scripture: Luke 22:39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.
40 On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation."
41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed,

Observation: Luke gives us great insight into the life of Jesus by inserting two words here translated "as usual." Prayer was His custom. Going to a special place to pray was his custom. That is why Judas knew where to direct the Roman soldiers. Here we see that even after Jesus had dismissed Judas to do his evil, Jesus went to his usual place for prayer. The strength of Jesus character is seen in that he did not change his habits when trouble was coming. (The "as usual" also reminds me of Daniel’s praying. Note Daniel 6:10. Even after the king had signed the evil edict, Daniel prayed in the same manner as he had before.)

Application: May I have habits that do not change when trouble comes.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for using godly habits to work strength into my life. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 8: Ezra 9-10; Psalm 131; Luke 21

Scripture: Luke 21: 25 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea.
26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Observation: Jesus spoke of troubling signs that will be seen in the last days. There will be signs in the heavens and on earth. When people on earth are in anguish and apprehension He tells them to look for His coming.

Application: There are times when I seem to be having more trouble than usual. In those times I need to stand up and look up. I need to expect and look for His presence.

Prayer: Lord, I count on your presence in time of trouble. I know when I look for you, I will find you! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!