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

May 15: 1Chronicles 25-27; 1Thessalonians 4

Scripture: 1Thessalonians (NIV) 4:14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

Observation: We believe! We are believers! Our faith is founded upon historical fact. We believe Jesus was crucified. He died. But that is not all we believe. We believe that Jesus rose from death. Jesus came back to life. Jesus proved that death is not the end. Jesus passed through death and returned.

Application: AND SO … Believing the first part of the above verse logically leads us to believe the second part. Because we believe Jesus died and rose, we also believe that those who have died while believing in Him will accompany Him when He returns. As Paul wrote in another place, "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord." {2Co 5:8} They are with the Lord as their body lies asleep in death. They will come with the Lord when He returns to this earth.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the assurance we have that the parting of death for those who die knowing you—it is only temporary! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 14: 1Chronicles

22-24; 1Thessalonians 3

Scripture: 1Thessalonians (NIV) 3:1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens.
2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith.

Observation: To Paul, Timothy was his son in the faith, yet he wanted others to see Timothy as more than just Paul’s son, or disciple, so he spoke of him with words that indicate equality. Timothy was a brother. Timothy was a fellow-worker. Timothy was sent, not only to check on things for Paul and to bring back a report, which he did, but to strengthen and encourage these believers who had been going through some tough times.

Application: When I am speaking to my son or dear friends, I can use common names or nick-names I called them as a child. But when I am speaking to others about my son or friends I need to use terms that show my respect for them. In that way I will help others to see them the same way. I can build the esteem others will have for them.

Prayer: Lord, use my words to build up others in the eyes of those who hear me speak. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 13: 2Samuel 24; 1Chronicles 21; Psalm 30; 1Thessalonians 2

Scripture: 1Thessalonians (NIV) 2:4b We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.

Observation: Paul here states that his work among those living in Thessalonica was not done to please them, but to please God. Two things come to my mind as I think about pleasing God. First is that pleasing God is easy—He knows my heart. Second pleasing God is hard—He knows my heart.

Application: God does not test my efforts by how successful I am, but by how faithful I am. People may judge me as a failure, but God knows my heart. He knows my thoughts. He knows what I was trying to do. On the other side, it takes more than success to please God. Just because something appears successful does not mean I have passed God’s test. He is looking at my heart. He sees my motives. He sees why I did it.

Prayer: Lord, I want to be diligent in serving you. I want my heart to be a place you enjoy living. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 12: 2Samuel 21-23; 1Thessalonians 1

Scripture: 2Samuel (NIV) 22:18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.
19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support.
20 He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.

Observation: This chapter is David’s song to the Lord when God delivered him from his enemies and from King Saul who was trying to kill David. David’s enemies were too strong for David, but not too strong for the Lord!

Application: My enemies may be too strong for me; my problems may be too tough for me to solve; my burdens may be too heavy for me to carry. But they are not too strong, too tough, or too heavy for my Lord! And since He delights in me, He is inclined to help me! Wow!

Prayer: Lord, I am finding at times you purposefully bring trials and problems too tough for me so that your strength may be seen. Then you receive the glory. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 11: 2Samuel 19, 20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Observation: Many years later in the New Testament, Peter wrote, “casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1Peter 5:7 – NIV) Casting my cares on the Lord—“How does that specifically work?” I ask the Lord. I am thinking about this verse while sitting in a hot school bus north of Oklahoma City. I turn on the radio and hear David Engles singing a song, “It is written.”

Application: It is the answer to my question. To cast my cares upon the Lord, I must know what he has said about me and my troubles. What is written in His Word? Then instead of meditating about how much trouble I am in and how bad it can get, I actively think about God’s goodness and His promises to me. I praise Him for what He has promised to do about my problems. I know if I have been obedient and done just as He directed, then my problems are really His problems. And if I have sinned, or ran ahead on my own, I can confess and turn from sin, knowing that He forgives and has wisdom.

Prayer: Lord, I need not worry or be anxious but only remember and meditate on your Word. I can move ahead expecting you to give me the answer. Thank you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 10: 2Samuel 18; Psalm 56; Matthew 27

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 56:11 In God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?

Observation: If God really is the Almighty creator of heaven and earth, then the Psalmist words are very logical.

Application: Since God really is all that powerful, since He is for me, and since my trust is in Him, why should I fear what man can do to me? God is even able to take what people mean for evil and turn it for my good!

Prayer: Lord, keep reminding me of your greatness and power! Keep reminding me of your wisdom. Keep reminding me of your love and that you are for me! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 9: 2Samuel 17; Psalm 71; Matthew 26

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 71:7 I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.

Observation: The psalmist had become the focus of others. People looked to the psalmist; the psalmist looked to God. People depended on the psalmist, the psalmist depended on God.

Application: Only ten days left in this school year! I am looking forward to summer. This is such a busy time with extra school bus trips. Mixed in with this, I have added responsibilities from other ministries. I find myself being squeezed by demands and expectations of others. But like the psalmist, I too can look at the Lord. I too depend on the Lord. I expect Him to be my strength and refuge. As people focus their expectations on me, I must focus my expectations on Him!

Prayer: Lord, depending on you makes me dependable. Experiencing your great faithfulness keeps me faithful. You are my strength. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 8: 2Samuel 15, 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 25:6 At midnight the cry rang out: “Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!”
7 Then all the virgins woke up ad trimmed their lamps.
8 The foolish ones said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.”
9 “No,” they replied, “there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.”
10 But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

Observation: Two characteristics of the wise stand out. First, they were prepared for a delay. They had provisions to wait as long as needed. Second, they were able to say “No.”

Application: No. It was probably the first word I learned. Its meaning was important in learning to obey. Later it was important as I learned how to recognize and respond to temptation. And now that I am retired, it is still an important word. Not every opportunity is for me. I need to apply my provisions, my strength, and my time wisely.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me recognize when to say, “No.” Remind me that saying, “No,” to some things enables me to say “Yes” to other things. Give me wisdom and courage, I pray. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 7: 2Samuel 13, 14; Matthew 24

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Observation: This is one portion of Jesus answer to the disciple’s question about “the end of the age.” Through missionaries, radio, television, satellites, and the internet, surely every nation has opportunity to hear the good news of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is a structure of authority with God as King. It is good news to know that we can be a part of that Kingdom!

Application: Every time I share the good news about Jesus being Savior and Lord, I help establish the truth that we are living in the end days. As my Savior, His death is the payment for my sins; as my Lord, I walk under His authority.

Prayer: Jesus, You are my Savior and Lord! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 6: 2Samuel 11, 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23

Scripture: 2Samuel (NIV) 12:24 Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The LORD loved him;
25 and because the LORD loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah. (NOTE: Jedidiah means “loved by the Lord.)

Observation: What an amazing thought. From a relationship that started with adultery and murder, comes this child, Solomon. And the Bible records: "The LORD loved him!"
There are many children in the world today, especially in third world countries, who are despised and ridiculed because of their parent’s sins. But "the LORD loves them!" If we can do things that "displease the LORD," surely then we can do things that please Him! Surely loving those He loves brings Him joy.

Application: Many children live in troubled circumstances that were made by the adults in their lives. Step parents may not love them. Society may look down on them. They may have only one parent, or no parents, but "the Lord" loves them! And the Lord who loves them wants to use me to minister to them. I am His hands and feet. He wants me to have His heart. He wants me to love the world the way He loves the world!

Prayer: Lord, may my hands be your hands reaching out to the children you have placed around me. Make my words your words. May I love them like you love them. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!