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

November 8: Job 33, 1Corinthians 1-3

Scripture: 1Corinthians (NIV) 2:14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

Observation: People who do not like to consider the possibility of God’s existence have had to come up with their own explanation for how life on this world started. The evolution of life from the ocean climbing onto earth and evolving into a man is as good an explanation of any I have heard that did not include God. They think the Bible’s explanation of creation in Genesis is foolishness. As I see it, their explanation of life is like going to a movie from which someone removed every scene that contained the main character. The movie does not make much sense. Life without God makes even less sense.

Application: It is amazing how clearly things become and how things fit together once I have God in the picture. I am finding this true in every arena of life. Having God in the picture in my home, in the church, on the school bus, in relationships, etc. sets everything in place. The more I understand God and His character, the more life on this earth makes sense!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing yourself in the Bible. Help me to see you in every part of my life today. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 7: Job 31, 32; Galatians 5,6

Scripture: Galatians (NIV) 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Observation: Those who have the life of the Holy Spirit inside should so live that it can be seen on the outside. The life of the Holy Spirit within a person should be noticeable in the way they talk and in their actions.

Application: Location and timing are so important. If I keep in step with the Holy Spirit, I will be at the location I should be and arrive at the time I should be there. If I keep my heart in line with the Holy Spirit, I will have the attitude I should have. If I keep my thoughts in line with the Holy Spirit, I can count on Him to update my thinking as needed. He will make sure I have enough information necessary to make the important decisions. I can trust Him to “nudge” me when I am not sure. I can trust Him to put at “stop” in my heart when I am about to take a wrong step.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, live your life through me. Keeping in step with you makes my life a joy to my Heavenly Father for He sees Jesus in me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 6: Job 30; Psalm 120; Galatians 3,4

Scripture: Galatians (NIV) 4:22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born as the result of human effort, but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a divine promise. 24 I am taking these things figuratively, for the women represent two covenants…

Observation: The world has been blest because of the Jews—one needs only to look at the number of Nobel prizes awarded to Jews! According to Julie Bien (written October 9, 2013): “Although Jews make up only 0.2 percent of the world’s population, they win an astonishing 22 percent of Nobel Prizes.” In the Bible I see three ways the Jews have blessed me. First, it is through their ancestry that Jesus came into this world. Second, it is through Jewish authors that the Old Testament and most of the New Testament was written. Third, in the history of Israel we can see many examples of how God works in our individual lives.

Application: First, may my life be the means of introducing someone to Jesus. Second, may the Holy Spirit use me to help others understand and apply God’s Word to their own lives. Third, may God’s working in my life be an example for others.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank you for Abraham and his descendants. Thank you for the many blessings that have come into this world because of the Jews. Use me in similar ways for your glory. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 5: Job 28-29; Galatians 1-2

Scripture: Galatians (NIV) 1:11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any human source, nor was I taught it; rather I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

Observation: Paul was highly educated in the Old Testament and had been taught by the best teachers. But after meeting Jesus on his way to persecute the followers of Jesus, he disappeared into the desert for several years. It was probably there where God reshaped Paul’s thinking and understanding of the Law of Moses. Jesus revealed Himself to Paul in person in a vision. Then the Holy Spirit revealed Jesus to Paul throughout the Old Testament scriptures.

Application: Many times in writing these SOAP devotions, I can say that the Lord has revealed things to me that I have never seen before. For many years I read the Bible through each year. Then for three to four years I read the New Testament through each month and the Old Testament twice each year. Yet every day, for the past 1,798 days, I have been shown something fresh from the Lord. At times He refreshes a thought from the past, but most of the time it is something brand new! He opens my eyes as I read. He opens my ears and my heart. He reveals Himself to me!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank you for opening my eyes, my ears, and my heart. Thank you for revealing Jesus in the Word. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 4: Job 26-27; Mark 15-16

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 15:15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

Observation: Today is Election Day in the USA. For the past several months we have seen and heard television and radio commercials, seemingly without end. It seems like every day we receive 2 or three items in our mail box from politicians. Many of the politicians want to know what we think only so they can say what they think we want to hear. Once they are elected they will follow their own agenda. Pilate had given up on doing what was right; he would do what would satisfy the crowd. I believe it was one of my high school teachers who taught us that a politician looked to the next election but a statesman looked to the next generation

Application: I must be careful in what I allow to influence my decisions. The desire to “satisfy the crowd” will seldom lead to a good decision. But here are three things that will help me. First: Becoming familiar with the Bible will help me to know the character of God. I will begin to know what pleases Him and what he dislikes. I need to be faithful in Bible reading. Second: I can trust the Holy Spirit to guide me. I need to learn how the Holy Spirit speaks to me and practice doing what I hear Him telling me to do. And third: Seeking Godly counsel from mature Christians is good. I need to keep in fellowship with other believers who will tell me what I need to hear.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you have made provision to forgive my sins! And you have made provision for me to live a life pleasing to you! May my life satisfy you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 3: Job 25; Mark 13-14

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 13:31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Observation: If we believe Jesus, then the study of His words will become our greatest study. To study that which is temporary to the point we do not have time to study that which is permanent does not make sense.

Application: These SOAP (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) devotionals are a good way to honor God’s Word. The emphasis on “Application” forces me to take the words off the page in the book and apply them the situations in my life. It is good to build my life around that which is permanent.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for your Words that will never pass away! In such a crazy world, it is good to have something reliable! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 2: Job 23-24; Mark 11-12

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 11:7 When they brought to colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Observation: Sometime back I did a SOAP on being identified with the colt; today I identify with the crowd.

Application: Am I excited when I see people "carrying" Jesus in their lives? It is so easy to criticize the way they carry Him, or some personal flaw and not be excited that Jesus is being exalted and appreciated. I can become a colt inspector if not careful. Am I a spectator of others as they worship, or do I participate by joining in the praise?

Prayer: Jesus, I rejoice when I see others exalting you. Even when they do not dress the way I like, or sing the songs I like, or set the lighting the way I like—it blesses me to see you exalted! As best I can, I want to join them! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 1: Psalm 121; Mark 9-10

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 10:6 [Jesus speaking] But at the beginning of creation God made them male and female. 7 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8 and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.

Observation: One thing about having a plan to read through the Bible on a regular basis is that we are confronted with passages like this one. It is good for us to be reminded that marriage between a man and a woman is Gods original plan. It goes back to creation. In these verses, Jesus also gives his seal of approval.

Application: In marriage, the flesh of a man and woman are joined sexually to bring about a child whose flesh is the combination of the flesh (the DNA) of its two parents. The two have become one through their commitment to each other. The two have become one through the presence and blessing of God on their commitment to each other. The two have become on through their identity with each other. The two have become one through forming one household. The two have become one through their physical sexual union. And the two have become one in the child they produce. Every child is the joining of the male and female. No wonder God puts such a high value on marrying and preserving marriage.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for my wife and the life we share together. Indeed, we are blest! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

The Starting Place

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

October 31: Job 22; Mark 7-8

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 8:1 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2”I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” 4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” 5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied.

Observation: The crowd was hungry and needed something to eat. Jesus had compassion—he understood the need. The miracle of feeding the 4,000 (with seven basketfuls of left overs) started with Jesus asking what they had.

Application: Many times Jesus meets my need by starting with what I already have. And if I take what I have and place it in His hands, he can make it more than sufficient.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for using what I already have as the starting place to meet my needs. You make the insufficient to be sufficient—even more than sufficient! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 30: Job 21; Mark 5-6

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 6:1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Observation: The people in his home town would know about his family. They knew that he grew up as a carpenter’s son and worked as a carpenter. They knew who his mother was. They knew his brothers, even their names. They knew about his sisters. It was hard for those living in his home town to believe that this boy who grew up among them could have such wisdom and perform such miracles. Later in the book of Acts, Jesus brother, James, would become the “go-to” person of the church. (Acts 12:2,17; 15:13; 21:18; Galatians 1:19)

John the Baptist seems to me to be somewhat of a loner living in the wilderness. In contrast, Jesus lived among people. He was a people person. With four brothers and at least two sisters, and living in Capernaum, there were many people to attest to his humanity and to his character.

Application: The Christian life is to be lived in community. Living among my family is very important. They are the ones who know me best. They know me on my good days and bad days.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for my family. I am blest! Thank you for their love and support. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!