SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: 2Peter 3:1 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.
2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.

Observation: In the first chapter Peter was writing to his dear friends to “refresh their memory” and to make sure they would not forget. Here we find he wants them to recall/remember what God has said. Remembering God’s Word will stir up good thoughts and right thinking! Peter was not writing to entertain his readers, but to influence their thinking.

Application: The more I interact with the world around me, the more I have a tendency to think like the world. Reading and meditating on God’s Word redirects my thoughts and brings them in line with God’s Word. I have peace as I think and act according to God’s Word.

Prayer: Lord, as Peter’s writings “stimulate” me to wholesome thinking, use my writings to “stimulate” others. Then, Lord, use their writings to “stimulate” their family and friends. Amen.

July 29: Isaiah 57-59; Psalm 103; 2Peter 3

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: 2Peter 2: 5 if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;
6 if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;
7 ¶ and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men …
9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment.

Observation: The Lord knows the difference between the good and the evil. And while bringing judgment on the unrighteous, God protected Noah and rescued Lot.

Application: As I see evil rising all around me, I can rest assured that God is well able to rescue me from trouble. I do not walk in fear, but in faith. When I see trouble ahead, instead of allowing fearful thoughts to fill my mind, I can remind myself of God’s promises and look for His hand of deliverance.

Prayer: Lord, I trust you to protect and rescue me. Use me to build faith in others. Amen.

July 28: Isaiah 53-56; 2Peter 2

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: 2Peter 1:13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body,
14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

Observation: Peter had two objectives. First, he wanted to remind them of some important things God had said. Second, he wanted to make sure they would remember them after he died. So what did he do? He wrote them in a letter! They could read it now and it would be around to be read again after Peter was gone. Everyone needs to write down important things down for the same reasons.

Application: I use words in so much of my daily life. Most words are quickly forgotten; hey, even I forget some of the things I might say during the course of a day. Not a lot of thought went into them when spoken and they are soon forgotten. However there are some things that are important. I need to thoughtfully arrange words in ways that are easy to understand. I need to write them down. They can be a blessing to readers now, and after I am gone they will still be around to bless people.

Prayer: Lord, guide my words as I write them down. As you bless me with these thoughts, make them be a blessing to others also. Amen.

July 27: Isaiah 50-52; 2Peter 1

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: 1Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Observation: There are many places in the world where I can take my anxieties. Some of them are very capable of helping, but none as capable as the Lord. However this scripture does not tell me to cast my anxieties on him because he is capable, but because He cares.

Application: He cares FOR ME! Wow! What I do for Him may be very beneficial to Him, but what He likes best about it is that it was from me. What I give Him may be very useful, but what He likes best is that it comes from me! He loves ME! He cares for ME! This makes me want to give Him my best and do my best for Him!

Prayer: Lord, thinking about this verse has caused my heart to overflow with love for you! And yet I know that my love for you is far surpassed by your love for me! May I please you with all I say and do. And I cast my cares upon you! Amen.

July 26: Isaiah 46-49; 1Peter

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: 1Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Observation: “If anyone speaks…” My first thought was that Peter was addressing those in the body of Christ who have public speaking ministries. I was thinking of preaching or teaching. I was thinking of the funeral service I have later this morning. Then as I thought further, I realized that speaking is a major part of everyone’s ministry. If I am visiting with a friend, or if I can encourage someone, or if I just acknowledge someone’s presence—I am ministering with my words. There is very little I do that does not include words or is accompanied with words.

Application: My words are an outward expression of what I allow inside me. When I want to impress the world or I let the outside world have too much influence, I begin using the world’s words. My least goal is that my words do not hinder others from recognizing God’s presence in my life. My greatest goal is that my words help others easily recognize God’s presence in my life.

Prayer: Lord, through my words and my actions, I want you to be easily seen in my life. Amen.

July 25: Isaiah 43-45; 1Peter 4

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: 1Peter 3:3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.
4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Observation: Peter was specifically writing to women, but the truth he is emphasizing also applies to men. So often we dress to impress people, but take little thought about how our “dress” impresses God. Considering how others will see us, we clothe ourselves from the outside in; but when we consider how God sees us, we clothe ourselves from the inside out.

Application: Dressing from the inside out: love in my heart (God’s all-time favorite) will dress out as not offending others. Holiness (another of God’s all-time favorites) will dress out in modesty. Joy (yet another of God’s favorites) will dress out with a smile on my face. I consider myself never appropriately dressed without a smile.

Prayer: Lord, since You have made my heart your home, may you be pleased with the way I decorate my heart. Help me decorate my body in ways that let’s everyone know You are living in me. Amen.

July 24: Isaiah 40-42; 1Peter 3

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: 1Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

Observation: Jesus, who had never sinned, claimed our sins as His own then died to make the required payment. His sacrifice for our sins and our healing is already complete. He died (past tense) that we might live (present tense) for righteousness.

Application: I am not wondering if Jesus will really die for my sins. It is already a completed fact! He did it!!! On the cross, He said, “It is finished!” I live with the knowledge that my sins and my healing have been completely covered.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your completed sacrifice on the cross. I live for righteousness and to bring you joy and glory. Amen.

July 23: 2Kings 20; Isaiah 38-39; Psalm 75; 1Peter 2

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: 1Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Observation: When I first arrived in Viet Nam as a Navy hospital-corpsman serving with the Marines, I was issued a 45 pistol. Knowing I would not have time in combat to think through a good decision as to how I would use the pistol I took time to think ahead. I would only fire that pistol if needed to defend a wounded Marine in my care. If it came down to a face-to-face encounter with another man, I would not use the pistol. It also seemed logical to me that if I was needed to defend a wounded Marine, his rifle would be much better than my pistol. Praise the Lord I never had to put my decision into action.

Application: To prepare my mind for action I need to "think ahead." If I wait until I have money in hand to decide whether or not I will tithe, I may find it difficult to do, or not enough money left. The issue of tithing needs to be firmly set in my mind ahead of time. If decisions regarding sexual morality are left until the heat of passion, morality may not even be considered. Any area of weakness needs a carefully thought out plan of action that is shared with a trusted friend for prayer and support.

Prayer: Lord, help me be prepared by thinking ahead. Amen.

July 22: Isaiah 36-37; Psalm 76; 1Peter 1

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: James 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.
8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Observation: In the verses above, I see the link between patience and perseverance. Often to stay faithful to the task and not give up, one must have patience. An impatient person will not persevere; and a person who will not persevere will never enjoy to completion of the matter.

Application: Patience is not just for the farmer, nor just for those going through times of sickness, it is for Leon. There will be times today when I will need to be patient. My patience is greatly helped when I remember that my Lord is “full of compassion and mercy.” Victory is ahead!!!

Prayer: Lord, waiting is difficult, but waiting on you is always worthwhile! Amen.

July 21: 2Kings 18-19; 2Chronicles 32; James 5

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. …
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Observation: The more we know God and know about God, the more logical it is to be humble. Humility makes us attractive to God.

Application: When the little magnet of my life approaches God with the wrong magnetic field (pride) leading the way, I am rejected and pushed away. However when the little magnet of my life approaches God with the right magnetic field (humility) God and I are drawn together! It is a powerful attraction! I am attracted to His GREATNESS and He is attracted to my humility.

Prayer: Lord, It is both right and beneficial to walk in humility before you. I want my life to be attracted to you. I want your life to be attracted to me. Amen.

July 20: 2Chronicles 29-31; James 4

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!