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

February 25: Numbers 17-18; Psalm 29; Mark 4

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 29:1 Ascribe to the LORD, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

Observation: When we worship God, we are just giving him what he is due—giving Him what he alone deserves.

Application: If I want to be known as person who gives appreciation where appreciation is due, and honor where honor is due then I have to be a God-worshipper.

Prayer: Lord, you are more than worthy of what I can give you in my worship. I worship you willingly and joyfully. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 24: Numbers 14-16; Mark 3

Scripture: Numbers (NIV) 14:19 “In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.”
20 The LORD replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked.”

Observation: The Israelites had rebelled against the Lord. They let fear of the Canaanites set their decisions rather than faith in what God would do. God was ready to “strike them down with a plague” and make Moses into a great nation. (verse 12) But Moses prays for them. He prays in accordance with God’s character.

How does God respond to such self-less intercession? He grants the request. He did not respond according to His anger, but according to Moses’ request!

Application: I often pray according to my need, my desires. I often pray for the needs of others. I should start praying according to God’s character. I should pray according to God’s needs and what is important to Him.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, as I pray, guide my thoughts. May I pray prayers that you enjoy answering. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 23: Numbers 12-13; Psalm 90; Mark 2

Scripture: Numbers (NIV) 13:33b We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.

Observation: The Israelites were ready to go into the land that God had promised to give them. Twelve spies had been sent into the land to gather information. They got their eyes on the size and strength of the inhabitants. In their own eyes they appeared like grasshoppers in comparison to the inhabitants. They thought the inhabitants saw them the same way. However Joshua 2:9-10 says, “…all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We heard that the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you…”

Application: It is easy for me to get my eyes on the circumstances and make judgments according to how I see things. And it is easy to think that others see things the same way I do. However what I think, and what they think is not nearly as important as what God has said! I must fill my mind with His word and remind myself of what He has said!

Prayer: Lord, thank You for your Word. It tells me what you think of me and how to walk in victory. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 22: Numbers 10-11; Psalm 27; Mark 1

Scripture: Numbers (NIV) 11:21 But Moses said, “Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!’
22 Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?”
23 The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.

Observation: The people were complaining that they would have been better off to stay back in Egypt where there was food more to their liking. God tells them he will give them meat for a whole month, until they get tired of it. Moses responds with doubt. There would not be enough meat to do as God said if they ate all their flocks and herds. There were not enough fish in the sea to provide like God had said. But those who read on find that God did provide, just like He said.

Application: At times, like Moses, I get focused on the negative people around me rather than the positive, promising, providing God who lives inside me! Like the Israelites I get focused on what I do not have rather than on the miraculous supply I do have. I miss walking in victory; God misses the praise He is due.

Prayer: Lord, help me to keep my eyes on you, my ears open to your voice, and my heart an enjoyable place for you to live. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 21: Numbers 8-9; Acts 28

Scripture: Numbers (NIV) 9:14 A foreigner residing among you is also to celebrate the LORD’s Passover in accordance with its rules and regulations. You must have the same regulations for both the foreigner and the native-born.

Observation: The Israelites were the people through whom God would bring the Savior into the world. The unique requirements placed on the Israelites were to make sure the world would be able to recognize Jesus when He came. Along with those requirements came blessings of provision, protection and purpose. They were chosen, but not to be exclusive. Foreigners living among them were also expected to keep the regulations, and would also enjoy the blessings.

Application: When my dad was dating my mom, his cousin who had earlier married one of her sisters told my dad, “If you visit them on Sunday, you have to go to church with them.” That is what they did as a family and anyone visiting was required to join them. Through their godly influence, my dad accepted Jesus as his Savior and became the best Christian man I have ever known.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for a godly heritage. Thank you for grandparents whose commitment to you was more than talk. Use me as you used Grandpa and Grandma Boese. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 20: Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 27

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 27:36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.

Observation: The ship was about to be torn apart in the storm. They had not eaten anything for fourteen days. But Paul knew what God had said. God had promised Paul would go to Rome. Paul’s faith in God was greater than his fear of the storm. Gathering his shipmates together, he took some bread, gave thanks and then began to eat. In watching and listening to Paul, the others were encouraged and followed his example. In the end, they all safely made it to land.

Application: A thermometer can tell what the temperature is, but a thermostat can cause a change to the temperature. Paul was a thermostat. He brought encouragement to the discouraged and hope to the hopeless. God does not want me to just tell people what they already know. He wants me to help people be encouraged, to have faith and trust in what God can do.

Prayer: Lord, use me to encourage others and cause them to look to you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 19: Numbers 5-6; Psalm 22; Acts 26

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 26:28 The Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Observation: In chapter 24 we saw Felix being convicted by the Holy Spirit. Here we see Agrippa being stirred by the Holy Spirit. Although the scriptures do not specifically say, it seems that both men walked away from the opportunity to become a believer. It is a tragic thing to walk away from the Holy Spirit’s call.

Application: 1. My life is fragile and can be over in a moment. It is foolish to ignore the Holy Spirit. 2. I have such limited understanding of my circumstances; the Holy Spirit has no such limitations. It is foolish to ignore the Holy Spirit. 3. No one knows and understands me like the Holy Spirit. It is foolish to ignore the Holy Spirit. 4. No one understands the future better than the Holy Spirit. It is foolish to ignore the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, what a special honor it is that you take time to personally speak to me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 18: Numbers 3-4; Acts 25

Scripture: Numbers (NIV) 3:23 The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle. 24 The leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliaspaph son of Lael. 25 At the tent of meeting the Gershonites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle and tent, its coverings, the curtain at the entrance to the tent of meeting…

Observation: When the 600,000+ Israelites came out of Egypt, they were a mass of people. One of the main things needed was organization. God gave Moses the instructions to organize them around the tabernacle. Each tribe was assigned where to camp and the families of Aaron’s sons were given specific assignments to care for the parts of the tabernacle as they journeyed through the wilderness.

Application: The church in the world today is somewhat like the Israelites in the wilderness. God has organized us into congregations and given us assignments. I need to be faithful in my assigned part. -For a person to live like they do not need the local church is like an Israelite crossing the wilderness on their own. Their daily supply of bread, water, and fellowship was available to the Israelites as they moved together. –Those making the radio or television their church may enjoy the preaching and the music in the comfortable setting of their home. The media ministry expects its “members” to send in their tithes but the “member” probably should not expect a pastoral visit to their homes in times of celebration or to the hospital if ill—no handshakes or hugs or help with a financial struggle. The true expression of the New Testament church is local.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the church. What a wonderful plan you have for your people to work and fellowship together while we are in this world. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Respond Quickly!

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

February 17: Numbers 1-2; Acts 24

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 24:25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”
26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

Observation: It seems to me that the Holy Spirit was using Paul’s words to bring conviction to Felix . Felix did not say, “No;” he just said, “Not now.” That “not now” extended out for two years and we have no record of Felix ever responding to the Spirit’s call.

Application: The time to respond to the Spirit’s call is when He calls. “No,” and “not now” are never appropriate answers to the Holy Spirit. The only appropriate answer is “YES!” The only appropriate time is when He calls. If we are looking for a “convenient” time, we can know that the devil will do anything possible to make sure that any time is inconvenient.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, everything I know about you convinces me that it is wise for me to respond quickly to your call. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

February 16: Leviticus 26-27; Acts 23

Scripture: Acts (NIV) 23:11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Observation: Paul could be encouraged because of four things: First, the Lord was with him! Second: The Lord spoke to him! Third: The Lord knew what he had been doing and was aware of his situation! Fourth: The Lord had future plans for him!

Application: The Lord is with me! The Lord speaks to me! The Lord knows what I have been doing! The Lord still has plans for me! I am encouraged in the Lord!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the power of your Presence. Thank you for the strength of your Word. Thank you for the comfort in knowing that you are aware of my circumstances. Thank you for the joy of knowing you still have things for me to do! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!