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

March 8: Deuteronomy 7-9; Mark 15

Scripture: Mark (KJV) 15:3 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. 4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. 5 But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marveled.

Observation: Pilate must have heard how Jesus had answered the questions and accusations brought against him by religious leaders. With His words Jesus even defended others being accused. Surely Pilate expected to hear a simple but masterful defense…but Jesus said nothing! Pilate knew Jesus was innocent and marveled that Jesus said nothing!

Application: Jesus could have said, “That is what they did. That is what you did. That is what Leon will do.” But Jesus was taking my guilt and dying for my sins! He did not declare His innocence. He was not shoving the guilt onto someone else. So He said nothing. He carried the guilt and shame as if they were His own. He died for my sins as if they were His own.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for saying nothing! Thank you for taking my sin and it’s penalty as though it were your very own. In so doing, you have enabled me to take your righteousness as though it were my very own. May my appreciation be easily seen by everyone who knows me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

March 7: Deuteronomy 5-6; Psalm 43; Mark 14

Scripture: Deuteronomy (NIV) 6:23 But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land that he promised on oath to our forefathers.

Observation: For Israel to be in the land where God wanted them to be, they had to be brought out of Egypt. In passing through the wilderness, many wanted to go back to Egypt. They missed what they had more than they anticipated what God was preparing to give them.

Application: I believe God is bringing our nation out of a time of military might and economic abundance that He might bring us into a time of spiritual growth and dependence on Him. I must be willing to let go of what I enjoy to be able to hold onto what He enjoys! Knowing Him, I know that in the end I will enjoy His plan MUCH better. It will be well worth any sacrifice that may be required on my part!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is not staying where I am that is so important, but being willing to let you change me and my circumstances until I arrive at the place you have planned for me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

March 6: Deuteronomy 3-4; Psalm 36; Mark 13

Scripture: Mark (NIV) [Jesus speaking] 13:8 Nation will rise against nation…earthquakes… 9 You must be on your guard…On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.

Observation: The gospel is the good news about Jesus paying for our sins with His death on the cross. That payment sets us free from paying for our own sins by spending eternity in hell. That payment secures for us an entrance into spending eternity in heaven. We receive salvation by asking in faith that God will graciously give it to us.

The requirement is that the every nation must hear the good news. It is the fulfillment of the Great Commission: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” [Jesus speaking in Matthew 28:18-20]

Application: I am privileged to be a part of this end time requirement. The Holy Spirit’s anointing has been given to enable me to be a part of this important task. (Acts 1:8)

Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank you for your anointing that empowers me to be your witness. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

March 5: Deuteronomy 1-2; Mark 12

Scripture: Deuteronomy (NIV) 2:25 This very day I will begin to put the terror and fear of you on all the nations under heaven. They will hear reports of you and will tremble and be in anguish because of you.

Observation: Forty years earlier, the Israelites had refused to go into the Promised Land because they feared the inhabitants. Forty years later that generation had all died as they wondered in the wilderness. Now God is bringing them back to the Promised Land. In preparation, God is going to do what only God can do. He will make sure they hear the reports of the miracles in Egypt and how they have been sustained for forty years in the wilderness. The inhabitants would know for certain that Israel’s God was giving them the Promised Land! They would “tremble and be in anguish!”

Application: I remember one night looking up from my foxhole in Viet Nam and seeing the little plane and the rain of red tracer rounds move out from our perimeter over the enemy’s position. I remember thinking, “I am glad I am on his side!” Reading the above promise of God to put fear on Israel’s enemies, I again say, “I am glad I am on HIS side!”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so glad I am your child! I am so glad I am on your side! No matter what my enemy, my confidence is in you and your abilities! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

March 4: Numbers 34-36; Mark 11

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 11:9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Observation: The road was covered with coats and branches. It was a great celebration! Jesus was entering Jerusalem, riding on a colt. The people who were at the head of the parade shouted, “Hosanna!” Those who brought up the end shouted, “Hosanna!” Their focus was Jesus!

Application: The parade that entered Jerusalem that day is still going. It has stretched through the years to where I am today. Here I am near the end of the parade. I join with those who have gone ahead in shouting, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Jesus is the center of my world too!

Prayer: Jesus, the whole world is centered on you! May those who are standing along my part of the parade route see you exalted and be welcomed to join the celebration! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

March 3: Numbers 32-33; Mark 10

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 10:13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth; anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in him arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Observation: People are greatly upset when something bad happens to the object of their affection. The more they love, the more they are upset! Jesus has a very high regard for children. They are created in His image. They are innocent. They are special to Him. Children are so special to Jesus that He became indignant (KJV: much displeased) when they were hindered from coming to Him. People who are cruel to children today are storing up great judgment for themselves.

Application: In the scriptures I see both God’s promises of blessings for people who accept children AND His judgment for those who reject or mistreat children.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of serving children. Each child is special to you and to me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

March 2: Numbers 30-31; Mark 9

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 9:36 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

Observation: Jesus pointed His disciples’ attention to the child. He made the child the center of attention.

Application: By involving me in children’s ministries for the past several months, I too have had my attention pointed to children. The Lord has directed my attention to the children in the Bible: Miriam (Moses’ sister), Naaman’s servant girl, Samuel, David, Paul’s nephew, the child Jesus used as an example, and the boy who gave his lunch to Jesus.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, continue to teach me from the children of the Bible, and from the children around me today. Make me a blessing to them. Help me grow in understanding as I watch them. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

March 1: Numbers 28-29; Mark 8

Scripture: Numbers (NIV) 29:40 Moses told the Israelites all that the LORD commanded him.

Observation: Moses was a good leader because he was a good follower. Moses was good at being in authority because he was good at being under authority. God trusted Moses with authority because Moses respected God’s authority. In a way, one could say that Moses was a good middle man.

Application: Many times God uses me as the middle man. My effectiveness in His kingdom is many times related to how careful I am to obey His word.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, What an honor it is to be useful. Find me like Moses, careful to obey everything you give me to do. When others hear your message through me, may they hear everything you said. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 28: Numbers 24-27; 1Corinthians 13

Scripture: 1Corinthians (NIV) 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Observation: Love is not kind because someone else is kind. Love is kind because love is kind. It is the nature of love to be kind. Love treats others with respect because they have value. Through actions, kindness is expressed as gentle assistance. Through words, kindness is expressed as encouraging appreciation. The kindness of love is best seen when it is clearly not in response to the kindness of others. Kindness should be a distinguishing characteristic expressed to the children, the aged, and all in-between. It should even govern how we treat our animals. Truth should always be spoken in kindness.

Application: Kindness that flows out of the love God has placed in my heart should be seen by everyone. The older I get, it seems to me that I should be more loving and kind. The longer I walk with Jesus, the more of His character should be visible in my life. (How could a person who has walked with Jesus for 50 years be less kind than when they had only walked with Him for 10 years??? Leon, that is a good question!)

Prayer: Holy Spirit, work Your kindness in my life. I pray that the limitations of aging will not make me unkind and impatient. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

NOTE: This is a re-working of the devotion from October 30, 2011. It fits my life today. My circumstances are changing, but Jesus remains the same! Jesus was with me in the past. He is in my present! He will be in my future! I must remember what He has done so my faith will be strong in what He will do! How thankful I am for a personal history with Jesus!

A Personal History!

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

February 27: Numbers 21-23; Mark 6-7

Scripture: Mark 6:51 (NIV) Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed,
52 for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

Observation: With five loaves and two fish, Jesus had just fed 5000 with 12 basketsful of left overs. Then He had sent the disciples across the sea. During the night and in the midst of a storm, Jesus comes walking on the water to them; He gets into the boat and the storm subsides. They were completely amazed because they could not connect the feeding of the 5000 with the walking on water and calming the wind. Their hearts were hardened; they could not connect their past with their present.

Application: It is so important that I connect what God did for me yesterday, last week, or last year with what I am going through today. What He has already done for me is proof that He cares for me and that He will work on my behalf. God’s interaction in my history is proof that He is with me in the present and has victory for me in the future. I need a tender heart so that the Holy Spirit can make the connections from the past to the present.

Prayer: Lord, help me to have a tender heart. I need to be reminded of what you have done for me in the past. I know you are just as faithful now as then. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!