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

August 3: Nahum 1-3; John 5

Scripture: John (NIV) Jesus is at the pool called Bethesda 5:3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie down.… 5 One person who was there had been disabled for 38 years. 6 Jesus saw him lying there. He knew that the man had been in that condition for a long time. So he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 “Sir,” the disabled man replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when an angel stirs the water up. I try to get in, but someone else always goes down ahead of me.” 8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was healed. He picked up his mat and walked.

Observation: I cannot help but think of this waiting area at the pool of Bethesda as the waiting room in a doctor’s office. People come with hope of getting better. They sit in the waiting room until their name is called. This man was at the pool in hope of getting better. The belief was that the first one in the pool after an angel stirred the waters would be healed—but this man did not have anyone to help him so he was always too slow. And then one day someone asked him a strange question, “Do you want to get well?” Then Jesus said something else…

Application: …when God gives me a command, like “Get up, pick up your mat and walk,” God will also enable me to do what he commands. Like this man, I should not question Him or explain why I cannot do it. I probably know more about Jesus than this man did, so I should obey even more quickly. If He says to do it, I should do it!

Prayer: Lord, you never give me a command that you are not willing to help me fulfill. I have no excuse for disobedience. When you command me to forgive; you will help me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

August 2: 2Kings 21; 2Chronicles 33; John 4

Scripture: John (NIV) 4:30 The people came out of the town and made their way toward Jesus. 31 His disciples were saying to him, “Rabbi, eat something!” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 33 Then his disciples asked each other, “Did someone bring him food?” 34 Jesus said, “My food is to do what my Father sent me to do. My food is to finish his work.”

Observation: Jesus got physical satisfaction out of “finishing” the Father’s work. It was such a pleasure to be engaged in the Father’s work that Jesus forgot his physical body was hungry. He was doing what he had been sent to do! He was telling these people about His Father! (Note earlier in this chapter.) What the Father had begun in creation, Jesus was in the process of completing. Man had been created for fellowship with God. God enjoyed the walks with Adam and Eve in the garden. Now God, the Son, was enjoying interacting with these Samaritans.

Application: I too have the privilege of doing my Father’s work. People around me were created to have fellowship with the Father. Jesus came to make that possible by dying to remove the sin barrier. Now I can help finish His work in their lives by telling them about my Father and what His Son has done for them. I too can experience the joy of spiritual satisfaction that overrides physical hunger.

Prayer: Lord, to bring joy to your heart—to do your will—that is my priority. Knowing that you are pleased with me brings joy to my heart, at times so much that I do not notice my physical hunger. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

August 1: Isaiah 65-66; Psalm 62; John 3

Scripture: Isaiah (NIV) 66:2 …[God speaking], ”The person I value is not proud. He is sorry for the wrong things he has done. He has great respect for what I say.
3 But others are not like that…They have chosen to go their own way. They take delight in the things I hate.
4 So I have also made a choice. I will make them suffer greatly. I will bring on them what they are afraid of. When I called out to them, no one answered me. When I spoke to them, no one listened. They did what is evil in my sight. They chose to do what displeases me.”

Observation: Here we see God’s choice based on our choice. “They have chosen…So I have also made a choice.” So much about us can be seen in our choices: our faith, our morality, our beliefs, our priorities.

Application: Rather than doing what pleases me and taking joy in the things God hates (like much of what is on television) I must choose to be quick to repent and to love His Word.

Prayer: Lord, I choose to be sorry for the things I have done wrong. What you say is very important to me! I want to read the Bible every day and to listen for what you say to me. Holy Spirit, thank you for helping me! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 31: Isaiah 63-64; John 2

Scripture: John (NIV) 2:5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water;” so they filled them to the brim.
8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.”

Observation: The wedding was out of wine. Jesus mother told the servants to do whatever Jesus told them to do. Jesus gave them two commands; #1, fil the jars with water and #2, draw some out and take it to the master of ceremonies. Jesus did not ask them to do what they could not do, but only what they could do. It probably did not make much sense to the servants, but they obeyed, and so they became a part of Jesus first miracle. The miracle happened as they obeyed.

Application: I have found that Jesus does the same for me. He only asks me to do what I can do. Sometimes He requires more than I want to do, but He never requires more than I can do. As the servants filled the jars to the brim, I want to do His bidding with the same diligence. When I obey and do what I can do, He does what only He can do!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for letting me be a partner in what you are doing. Thank you for giving me the privilege of working with You! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 30: Isaiah 60-62; John 1

Scripture: John (NIV) 1:10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

Observation: Jesus created the world, yet when he came as a little baby, born of a virgin, announced by angels, in the town prophesied by the prophet Micah, the world did not recognize Him. Even the Jewish people who had been given all the prophecies about Jesus did not recognize Him. The religious leaders who probably best knew the Old Testament scriptures did not receive him, but led the mob in having Jesus put to death.

Application: As I read the above verses, it came to me that there have been times my eyes were so fastened on my circumstances that I did not recognize the presence of Jesus. He had come to me; and I claim to be his own, but I did not recognize His presence! I missed the opportunity to exercise my faith. I want to be quick to recognize Jesus and “receive” Him as the Lord of my circumstances.

Prayer: Lord, May I always keep myself keenly aware of your presence. May your presence be the first thought in my mind when I face trouble. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

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

Scripture: 2Peter (NIV) 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Observation: As dear friends back out of my driveway, it would not be uncommon to hear me say, “Drive carefully.” It communicates my concern and desire to see them arrive safely at their destination. Spanish speaking people may say, “Vaya con Dios” which means, “Go with God.” As Peter closed out his second letter to the church, the Holy Spirit gave the above word of encouragement. I hear Peter saying, “Never stop growing! There will always be more than you know. You will never be able to exhaust the experiential knowledge of God’s grace and Jesus.”

Application: I will never outgrow the need for God’s Word. I trust I never outgrow the desire for God’s Word. I want to increase my capacity to receive and give grace. I want to grow in knowing about and living with Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, we are in this life together. There is so much to learn. Help me grow every day and in every way. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 28: Isaiah 53-56; 2Peter 2

Scripture: Isaiah (NIV) 54:7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
8 In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer.

Observation: The character of God shines through these verses. Judgment brought abandonment; but restoration was coming. Abandonment would be replaced with “deep compassion.” God’s face was hidden “for a moment,” but that would be replaced with “everlasting kindness.” His promises are certain: “I will bring you back,” and “I will have compassion on you!” The Holy God who reluctantly brought the required judgment is also The Loving God that joyfully restores and has compassion!

Application: This is my God! I am honored to serve Him! In holiness He corrects me; in love He restores me.

Prayer: Lord, the more I know you, the more I am humbled to be your servant. I do not deserve such a great honor. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 27: Isaiah 50-52; 2Peter 1

Scripture: 2Peter (NIV) 1:2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

Observation: More than knowing facts about God, I need to know Him personally! Knowing Jesus as Lord is recognizing He is my owner; he has the decision-making power. He has the veto power over any decision I make. How logical it is for Him to have such power as He is all-wise and can see the future. But those who do not personally know God, and Jesus as their Lord, cannot claim these blessing of grace and peace.

Application: I have abundant (even more than needed) grace (God’s goodness personally expressed to me that is even enough for me to be gracious to others) and peace (tranquility even in the midst of turmoil) BECAUSE I personally know God (the all-powerful, the all-knowing, the ever present Spirit who is both perfectly holy and perfectly loving) and Jesus (the One who died for my on the cross) my Lord (my owner who has the “deciding” power in my life.) Now, Leon, think about that all day!

Prayer: Lord, No wonder I love and serve you! You are amazing! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 26: Isaiah 46-49; 1Peter 5

Scripture: Isaiah (NIV) 46:1 Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low; their idols are borne by beasts of burden. The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary. …
3 Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld since your birth, and have carried since you were born.
4 Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Observation: Bel was the national god of the Babylonians. Nebo was a Chaldean god that was introduced to Assyria by one of their kings. The ruins of a great temple can be seen today. In the book of Isaiah we read of one great difference between these gods and the God of the Israelites. Their gods had to be carried; Israel’s God carried them! Their gods totally depended on the worshippers to carry them. The Israelites could totally depend on their God to carry them! What a difference!

Application: I have served God all my life. As a child I accepted Jesus into my heart and through good and bad times He never moved out! He “upheld” me as a child; he still “sustains” me and my grey hair. If one speaks of faithfulness; God is faithful! In many religions today, worshippers serve their gods out of fear. But out of great love, my God serves me! Wow!

Prayer: Lord, it is no wonder I love you want to serve you! Your faithfulness to me can be easily seen. I want my faithfulness to you to be easily seen too. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 25: Isaiah 43-45; 1Peter 4

Scripture: 1Peter (NIV) 4:14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name…
19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Observation: God’s Spirit dwelling in believers makes changes in our lives that cannot help but be noticed by those around us. Some will like our newfound joy, peace, and generosity. But before long someone will be offended that we are trying to live God’s way. They will be convicted by our presence, not our presence, but His presence in us. If they can make us angry, or curse, or sin it might make them feel justified in the way they live their lives.

Application: I see four things in the above verses to remember when being persecuted for being a Christian. First, I should not be ashamed but consider it an honor. Second, I should praise God for the privilege of representing Him. Third, I should remind myself that the purpose of my life is to glorify Him. Fourth, I should keep on doing what is right.

Prayer: Lord, may your Spirit of glory rest on me. Help me continue to do what is good and to live for you. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!