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

July 4: 2Kings 15-16; Hosea 1; Hebrews 1

Scripture: Hosea (NIV) 1:2 When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, the LORD said to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife…
3 …and she bore him a son.
4 And the LORD said to him, “Call his name Jezreel, for in just a little while I will punish the house of Jehu…”
6 She conceived again and bore a daughter. And the LORD said to him, “Call her name No Mercy for I will no more have mercy on the house of Israel…”
8 When she had weaned NO Mercy, she conceived and bore a son…
9 And the LORD said, “Call his name Not My People, for you are not my people, and I am not your God.”
10 Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea…And in the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” it shall be said to them, “Children of the living God.”

Observation: The Word of the LORD through Hosea started with his marriage and continued through the birth of three children. The fullness of the message that started with judgment, and progressed to judgment without mercy, then to rejection by God, ended with restoration to a place of favor as God’s children. It took over 27 months of pregnancy and weaning before the message was complete.

Application: God’s word to Sharon and I about blessing our home with a child was fulfilled in about 1 month. God’s word that he was going to send us back to where I came from was partially fulfilled in 12 months (to Bayview Chapel in Hawaii), but then totally fulfilled by his further word and direction 168 months later (to Kansas)! I must be patient to wait on the Lord for the fullness of His word AND the fulfillment of His word!

Prayer: Lord, in my life You have proved yourself FAITHFUL! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 3: Isaiah 6-7; 2Chronicles 26-27; Philemon

Scripture: Isaiah (NIV) 6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.

Observation: Perhaps the eyes of the prophet had been on the king, but now that the king was dead, Isaiah saw the Lord! The Lord had been sitting on that throne long before the prophet saw Him but it seems the eyes of the prophet had been on King Uzziah. King Uzziah had ruled Judah for over 50 years. He was an able ruler and it had been a prosperous time. Now the king was dead, but the King of kings was still on the throne!

Application: I must be careful not to let my eyes become so fixed on earthly things on the earth that I have a problem seeing King Jesus! People and things around me often get rearranged, but King Jesus is still on the throne!

Prayer: Lord, as we sing, “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. I want to see you. To see you high and lifted up, shining in the light of your glory.” Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 2: Isaiah 4-5; Psalm 115-116; Jude

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

Observation: What an interesting thought that one’s death could be considered special to the LORD. To Him the death of His saints is like a parent who is excited about the homecoming of a child who has been away at college. Like a mother who has cooked all the favorite foods of her college student, God is excited to show those arriving in heaven the things He has prepared for them. God understands that those left behind will have sorrow, but He knows they too have the opportunity to join their loved one with Him in heaven.

On the other hand, His heart must be terribly broken at the death of one who bears His image but refuses to trust the blood of Jesus to be the payment for his sins. No one understands the terribleness of hell more than the one who created it for the devil and his angels.

Application: This truth gives me comfort during the times when family members and friends die. This truth strengthens me as I think on my own death.

Prayer: Lord, you have wonderfully provided for every season of life. I am blest to know you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

July 1: Isaiah 1-3; Titus 3

Scripture: Isaiah (NIV) 2:10 Enter into the rock and hide in the dust from before the terror of the LORD, and from the splendor of his majesty.
11 The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.
12 For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low…
17 and the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

Observation: A common phrase in the book of Isaiah is: “The Day of the LORD.” The LORD of hosts has a day! No one is more aware of the limitations of man than the LORD, our Creator. It makes Him angry when he sees prideful people acting like they know everything and setting themselves up as experts on things they know so little about. They ridicule people who trust God—those who believe God’s words more than their words. God has read all their books and knows what they think of Him. But a day is coming when they will know what He thinks of them! It would be good for them to read His Book before that day arrives!

Application: I should not wait to exalt the Lord with my life, with my words and with my actions. In my life, God should already be the only one exalted.

Prayer: Lord, every day may I discover new ways to exalt you in my life. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 30: Amos 7-9; Psalm 104: Titus 2

Scripture: Titus (NIV) 2:1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith , in love and steadfastness…10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

Observation: Also to older women, younger women, younger men, servants—Paul writes how to behave. It is interesting to me because he starts this section stating that these things they are to teach according to “sound doctrine.” In the middle of this section Paul tells us that we are to act properly “that the word of God may not be reviled.” The last verse of this section shows that our actions adorn, or make the doctrine of God our Savior look good.

Application: What difference is my doctrine if it does not affect my actions, my attitudes, my reliability, my work, my life? Why should anyone be interested in what I believe if the way I talk and act shows that my belief-system is not important to me?

Prayer: Holy Spirit, may my life be a good display of what I believe. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 29: Amos 4-6; Psalm 86,87; Titus 1

Scripture: Amos (NIV) 4:6 “I gave you empty stomachs in every city and lack of bread in every town, yet you have not returned to me,” declares the LORD. (verses 8,9,10,11 all have judgment from the LORD and the phrase, “yet you have not returned to me.”)
verse 12. Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel.”

Observation: This is one of many places in the Bible we see God with a broken heart. I believe I hear God saying, "I can’t believe it! I punished you, yet you still have not returned to me." Five times the Lord brought judgment on Israel without any response from them. Five times he said, " … yet you have not returned to me." Surely His heart was broken. He expected that they would come running to Him in repentance. So he was determined to meet them face to face. "Prepare to meet your God, O Israel."

Application: God dealt with Israel appropriately. God is also dealing with the United States appropriately. A few years back, the Lord told me that he would bring as many unwanted immigrants into our country as unwanted babies we had aborted. The only logical explanation I can find to the present lack of effective border security is that God is purposefully blocking the minds of our leaders. Today we are having a flood of unaccompanied children crossing our border! I believe I can hear God saying, “United States, yet you have not returned to me!”

Prayer: Lord, help me to remember that you are a Holy God and that you hold us as individuals and nations accountable for our actions. And thank you for Calvary where a sacrifice was made that is sufficient to cover the sins of all who repent. Oh, what a Savior! Oh, what a Sacrifice! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 28: Amos 1-3; Psalm 80; 2Timothy 4

Scripture: 2Timothy (NIV) 4:3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear… 5 But you, keep your head in all situations…

Observation: I believe we are living in a time like the one Paul is describing in his letter to Timothy. There are so many churches, there are so many book stores, there are so many religious shows on the radio and television, –it is easy for people to find what fits their liking. Instead of pleasing God by going to the church to which He sends us, it is easy for us to look for the church that best pleases us.

Application: I need to bring my “itching ears” under the control of the Holy Spirit. I believe the Lord is saying to me that I should not reject His message because it is not what I want to hear. He is also saying that I should not reject his message because I do not like the style in which it is delivered. The preacher may not dress in a way I like. I may not like the style of music. The important thing is to hear God!

Prayer: Lord, help me not to miss your message because of ears itching for what pleases me. May my heart always be ready to hear you speak to me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 27: 2Kings 13,14; 2Chronicles 25; 2Timothy 3

Scripture: 2Timothy (NIV) 3:10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11 persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Observation: Paul experienced many troubles and persecutions. Satan does not like it when Jesus is exalted and he stirred up people to oppose Paul and his ministry. Paul’s attitude is that troubles and persecution are normal and should not surprise us. They are a part of living a victorious life for Jesus. Paul’s testimony is, “THE LORD rescued me from ALL of them.”

Application: If I am an effective soldier for Jesus, I should expect that Satan will do what he can to destroy my testimony. Those in Satan’s kingdom will stir up people to test me. They will try to get me to respond in a way that is not like Jesus. However when I humbly walk under the leading of the Holy Spirit, I too will be able to testify, “THE LORD rescues me from ALL of them!”

Prayer: Lord, I depend on your Holy Spirit to lead me and empower me to live in victory! Help me to not be surprised by trouble and persecution. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 26: Jonah 1-4; 2Timothy 2

Scripture: Jonah (NIV) 1:1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amitai: 2 “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.”
3 But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD.

Observation: Of the many lessons that can be learned from the book of Jonah, perhaps the most obvious is that it is foolish to run away from God! I wonder how God looked at Jonah’s plan to get away. I wonder if God did not say something like, “Jonah, you do not know what you are doing. You do not know what you started. Jonah, if only you knew where your running was going to take you!” Jonah was running FROM God, but everywhere he ran into God. God was on the boat. God was in the storm. God provided the great fish. God heard Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the fish.

Application: I wonder how many times God watches me do something just as foolish as Jonah. Knowing that God is omnipresent and omniscient is a great hindrance to sinning. It is truly illogical to sin. But an even greater is Love. Knowing that this God loves me and loving Him in return helps me resist sin. The greatest hindrance to sin is the presence of His Holy Spirit living within me.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank you for living in me and speaking to me. Thank you for teaching me, empowering me, and giving me the “want to” in overcoming sin. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 25: Joel 1-3; 2Timothy 1

Scripture: 2Timothy (NIV) 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus… 2 To Timothy, my dear son… 3 I thank God…as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.

Observation: As we read Paul’s letter to Timothy, we see a strong, emotional relationship. Paul considers Timothy as a dear son. In the morning, in the evening, and all through the day Paul is talking to God about Timothy. He remembers the last tearful farewell and looks forward to the joy he will have when he sees Timothy again.

Application: In my “Timothy” years I saw great value of having older people speak into my life. I gained much and saw increase in my life and ministry as I followed their input. I appreciated that they saw value in me. But until I became a “Paul” I did not fully realize the value a “Timothy” could be to an elder. I now see that I could have been a much better “Timothy” to the “Pauls” God placed in my life.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the joy you bring into my life through younger people. May I be careful to make a place for them in my life, make them welcome when they are with me, and honor them as valuable. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!