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

June 4: Proverbs 28-29; Psalm 60; Romans 16

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 60:9 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?
10 Is it not you, O God, you who have rejected us and no longer go out with our armies?
11 Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.
12 With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

Observation: Israel had sinned and God had rejected their call for help. They learned that they could not depend on man like they used to depend on God. Here the psalmist is saying that the help they had gotten from man was worthless. They needed God, for God’s help is more than sufficient!

Application: When I put too much expectation on man, often something happens that shows me the truth of this scripture. When my trust is in the Lord, if man is able to help me, I can rejoice. But if help does not come from the source I expect, I can still rejoice. God has never run out of ways to help me! With the Psalmist I can say, “My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2)

Prayer: Lord, You are the only one I can depend on without being disappointed. Stop me when I begin to pressure people to help me; you are my ever-present source of help. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 3: Proverbs 25-27; Romans 15

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings.

Observation: Recently a gentleman, who made a large amount of money in dealing with property, started hiding some of it in envelopes around San Francisco then giving out hints as to where it can be found. His purpose in hiding is was not that it stay hidden, but that it be found. He is enjoying the response of those discovering the envelopes.
God conceals things in order to entice us to search. God enjoys our search for His truth. And it is an honorable thing to search for things that are valuable.

Application: I had school teachers who did not give me the answers, but made me search for them. The search was as important to my learning as was the answer. Do I value God enough to search out what he has hidden in His word? Do I take the time necessary to read His word and find what he is saying to me? The intensity of my search for God demonstrates how valuable I believe He is. The intensity of the search increases the joy of discovery.

Prayer: Lord, may you enjoy watching me. May you enjoy my determination to discover You and Your truth. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 2: Proverbs 22-24; Romans 14

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 22:4 Humility and fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.
Proverbs 23:17 Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.
Proverbs 24:21 Fear the LORD and the king, my son, and do not join with the rebellious 22 for those two will send sudden destruction upon them, and who knows what calamities they can bring?

Observation: A bully uses fear to manipulate people for his own good. But when we fear God, it works out for our good.

Application: I need to watch my thoughts and not let them become more influenced by people than by God.

Prayer: Lord, continue to reveal yourself to me. May there always be a revelation of your awesome presence in my mind. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 1: Proverbs 19-21; Romans 13

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

Observation: In this verse I see three benefits from fearing the LORD. First, it is not life, but it leads one to life—it motivates one to get to know the LORD and in knowing God we discover His life. Second, one who fears the LORD becomes content with where God leads and what God provides. With our eyes on Him we are not so concerned about having as much as someone else has. Third, one who fears the LORD may be in the midst of trouble, but it does not get into his heart and spirit. He may be in trouble but is unaffected by it.

Application: My relationship with God and my attitude toward God has great influence on my life. Enjoying life, being content, and not bothered by trouble are very desirable benefits from walking in the fear of the LORD.

Prayer: Lord, help me not use the word “awesome” for anything or anyone else but you! You alone are truly awesome. You deserve to be feared! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 31: Proverbs 16-18: Romans 12

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 16:6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.

Observation: Reading the book of Revelation brings one face to face with the wrath of God. It is not something that can be ignored, nor should it be. Hebrews tells us that our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29)

Application: A knowledge of the Holiness of God, of the great cost Jesus had to pay to atone for our sins, and of how much Father God loves His Son should make me do everything possible to avoid evil. How will I escape if I ignore such a great salvation! (Hebrews 2:3)

Prayer: Lord, I want to live my life in a way that honors you and brings joy to your heart! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making

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

May 30: Proverbs 13-15; Romans 11

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 14:26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.
27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
Proverbs (NIV) 15:16 Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.
33 The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Observation: A proper respect for our Creator is a good environment for raising children. How can children be taught to value life when they believe man is just a chance product of his early environment? Children taught that we were specifically and thoughtfully designed by a wise and loving Creator learn that our lives have great value. Rich or poor, they have value for they were created in God’s image! Our view of the world around us begins with our view of how life began.

Application: Fearing the LORD teaches me the wisdom to know that God is Holy as well as Loving. I enjoy His love, but His Holiness will hold me accountable for how I live this life He has given me. It is wise to walk humbly before such an awesome God!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for revealing yourself to me. May I see you as you really are. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 29: Proverbs 10-12; Romans 10

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 10:27 The fear of the LORD adds length to live, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

Observation: Those who fear the LORD will not participate in many activities that may bring sickness and/or end in tragedy such as drunkenness, immorality, anger, greed, pride, crime, etc.

Application: When I walk in the fear of the LORD, not only am I free from the natural results these things might bring, but more importantly, I am walking in the favor of God. I have His Holy Spirit to guide me away from trouble. And when I must go through trouble, I have His hand to protect me. When I walk in the fear of the LORD, like the Psalmist I can say, “…even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil!” (Psalm 23:4)

Prayer: Lord, It is to my great benefit to fear you. Reveal yourself to me that I may always respond in fear and in love. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 28: Proverbs 7-9; Romans 9

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 8:13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
Proverbs (NIV) 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Observation: In today’s reading there are two more proverbs containing the phrase: “fear of the LORD.” As people begin to see how awesome God is, they begin to realize that He is not someone to play with. His Word must be taken seriously. Fearing the LORD is not tolerating evil, but hating it. Sin is hated because it is contrary to the nature of God. It is hated for what it does to God’s creation. It is hated because of what it cost our Savior on the cross.

Application: The more I know God, the more I understand how sin is contrary to His nature and that He must punish sin. To require His Son Jesus to die for sin, then to let me refuse His Lordship and forgiveness without any punishment just does not make any sense. Hell is a logical destination for people who refuse the gift of salvation offered at the expense of Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for showing me Your Holy nature and the unholy nature of sin. You knew what was required to pay the penalty for sin, and you willingly paid it for me and all who acknowledge they are sinners and receive your forgiveness. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 27: Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 4:6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her and she will watch over you.
7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Observation: Knowledge is an awareness of facts; it is the possession of information. Wisdom is information/facts coupled with knowing how to apply those facts. Understanding is the knowledge of how things relate.

Application: By faithfully reading God’s Word I can gather and store truth in my mind. I can trust the Holy Spirit to give me wisdom in how to apply the truths I gather every day. And the more I apply wisdom the more I gain understanding in how God’s great plan is coming together.

Prayer: Lord, bless me with wisdom to use the knowledge I have for the good of your kingdom. Help me understand how I fit into your plans. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 26: Proverbs 1-3; Romans 7

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Observation: In the first six verses of the book of Proverbs, Solomon gives his purpose in writing these proverbs: to give wisdom and understanding, to help distinguish between good and evil, to give guidance, etc. The first proverb given is here in verse 7: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” Fearing the LORD is given priority in that it is the first proverb; it is also mentioned many times in the book of Proverbs. When people truly come to know the limitless God, it is proper to fear Him. Man cannot outsmart Him. Man cannot overpower Him. Man cannot hide anything from Him.

Application: When I learned to fear the LORD, it was just a starting place. I was just starting to get smart! Later Jesus would say that the first commandment is to Love the Lord our God. Fear and love mixed together to give me a healthy respect for God. And I find that His perfect love overpowers my fear especially as my not-so-perfect love walks in obedience. But I cannot sin and think that it is unimportant to Him. He is too holy to allow me to continue in sin. The song writer, Newell, put it: “Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned…”

Prayer: Lord, if I knew nothing of your great love, I would tremble with fear to think that I might displease you. I am so glad that you are both holy and loving! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!