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

January 6: Genesis 15-17; Luke 6

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Observation: Justice is getting what is deserved. Mercy is not getting what is deserved. Grace is getting what is not deserved.

That we are to be merciful implies that bad thing will happen to us. We will be tempted to “get even” and return the wrong we have suffered. Those who are merciful do not repay the evil they have received.

Application: In this verse I am commanded to be merciful to others just as my Heavenly Father has been merciful to me. When God forgives me, He is saying that Jesus death on the cross is sufficient to pay for my sins; when I forgive others, I am saying that Jesus death on the cross is sufficient to pay for those sins too. The mercy that reaches to me can also reach through me.

Prayer: Lord, you are a merciful God. Your loving kindness is new to me every morning! How right it is that you require me to be the same way. My your mercy reach through me to others. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 5: Genesis 12-14; Luke 5

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 5:37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed.
38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.
39 And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, “The old is good.”

Observation: Of course he says the old is better. It is better for it has aged and the taste has been refined. But it would be foolish to forget that what is now old was once new. And when it was new, people said the same thing about it that others are now saying about the new wine of today.

Application: Each generation will develop its own wineskins with which to hold the new wine of the Spirit. Church leadership structure and style of music are changes those of us who are older tend to resist. We remember how God used the old songs. But if today’s “wine” is going to be preserved, it must be put into “fresh wineskins.” The eternal changeless truths of God’s Word are finding fresh expression in the younger generation.

Prayer: Lord, use me to encourage the younger generation stay true to the changeless truth in your Word and help me be open to “new wineskins.” Help me overcome personal preferences that blind me to what you are doing. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 4: Genesis 9-11; Luke 4

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 4:3 The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.:
4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”
Matthew 4:3 But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Observation: Jesus was being tempted by the devil. The first avenue of temptation was to use his power as God to turn a stone into bread. Jesus had just finished a 40 day fast and was hungry but he refused to follow the devil’s direction. There is something more important to life than bread.

Application: If the physical need for food is so important that I stop three times each day to take in some physical food; then I should be willing to stop and take in some spiritual food—the Word of God. If I take a bite of food and hold it in my mouth to enjoy the flavors, then I should be willing to pause at a verse in my reading, hold it in my thoughts and investigate its meaning. If during the day I think back on what I had at my last meal and how good it tasted; then during the day I should pause to re-think what I read in God’s Word. It’s a daily thing—taking in God’s Word—it is like eating.

Prayer: Lord, help me to digest your Word and to get all the spiritual nutrients you have put there for me. I want your Word to stimulate growth in my life. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 3: Genesis 6-8; Luke 3

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 3:1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,
2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.

Observation: These names help Bible scholars to identify the times during which the Bible events happened. They serve as calendar markers. But it is interesting to note, that the “word of God” did not come to these people, but to a humble man living in the wilderness. The most important thing that happened during these days did not happen in a palace, but in the wilderness. The “word of God” came to a man in the wilderness!

Application: The most important thing happening in my life is that God speaks to me every day! For me, there is nothing more important. He is teaching me to expect to hear from Him.

Prayer: Lord, what an amazing privilege that you speak to me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

January 2: Genesis 3-5; Luke 2

Scripture: Luke (NIV) 2:4 And Joseph went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,
5 to be registered with Mary, His betrothed, who was with child.
6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth.

Observation: Of course Rome had no interest in how the requirement to register would affect a poor pregnant woman. But they had a part in the “Big Picture.” Surely Mary would have rather stayed home than walk or ride a donkey or horse for the several days this trip would take. For Mary, the “Big Picture” was that she was about to give birth. But the “Big Picture” for Mary was not “Big Picture” for God. For God the “Big Picture” included where Jesus was to be born—in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)

Application: Many times what I see as the “Big Picture” is really the “Little Picture.” How things affect me is often the “Big Picture” to me and I am not really concerned about how those things affect God, or others. I do not see the moment as a part of the future. I do not see how my words or deeds can be a part of someone’s life. I do not see how sitting in the doctor’s waiting room can be important for someone sitting nearby. So I complain about how long it takes instead of looking for the opportunity to share about Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, help me keep focused on you. Only you have a clear vision of the “Big Picture.” Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

New Year’s greetings to my SOAP friends. When I woke up this morning, Sharon greeted me with, “The Lord has much for us this year, may we have much for Him!” It all starts with Him and His work in us, but it should end up with our work with and for Him. President Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country!” Maybe this year we should be more focused on what we can do for God than what He can do for us. May this be the best year the Lord has ever had in your life! Leon J

The Faithful Speaker!

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

January 1: Genesis 1-2; Luke 1

Scripture: Genesis (NIV) 1:1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 And God said…

Observation: A person knowing nothing about God might pick up a Bible for reading. Beginning on the first page would first learn that God is. He exists.
–The second thing he would learn is that God is a creator. In fact, He is The Creator. The reader has learned nothing of His character, nothing of His holiness or of His love. He has learned only that God is and that God creates.
–The third thing he would learn of God in Genesis 1 is that God is a speaker. This is the most dominate characteristic of God seen in the whole of the Bible. Not only is the Bible the Word of God, there are pages and pages on which His Word is given as quotation. God is a speaker. God has something to say. God communicates.

Application: Over the past 1,400+ days, God has had something to say to me every day. Before starting the SOAP devotionals I believed God would speak specifically to me every week to give me a sermon for Sunday. Of course I knew that He could always speak and I would often hear His directions. I read the Bible on a daily basis to put it into my heart and to make myself available in case He had something specific to say. But for these last three years, I have read the Bible expecting God to speak to me. What a difference! I believe God to continue to speak to me in 2014. God is a Faithful Speaker!

Prayer: Lord, You have been faithful to me according to my faith. Now I pray for you to increase my faith according to your word. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 31: Revelation 19-22

Scripture: Revelation (NIV) 19:14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine lined, white and pure, were following him on white horses.
15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron…
Revelation (NIV) 19:20 …These two (the beast and the false prophet) were throne alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
21 And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse…

Observation: Some time back I wrote a SOAP about Jesus’ place was out front in this battle. Today I hear the Lord emphasizing that our place is following. This battle was not won by hand to hand fighting of the armies, but by the sword of the Commander-in-Chief!

Application: I am wondering how many battles I fought because I did not wait for His orders and ran ahead of my Commander-in-Chief. If I would have just been patient and followed His lead, I might have arrived at the battle field to find that the battle was already won.

When I go into battle I always want the Lord between me and the enemy. When I look at the enemy, I want to see my Lord in between. I never want to be in a place where I have to turn my back on my enemy to look at my Lord!

Prayer: Lord, I can trust you to lead me into battle. I can trust your wisdom and strength and ability. You are both a lover of peace and a Man of war! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 30: Revelation 15-18

Scripture: Revelation (NIV) 16:7 And I heard the altar respond: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.”

Observation: In chapter 6 of this book we saw that the souls of the martyrs were allowed to be under the altar, the place from which this voice came. They had a “ring-side” seat from which they could view the heavenly activities. Seeing how God was dispensing judgment, they marveled at God’s fairness and justice. Was God angry? Definitely, but as we read about God’s wrath, we see that His anger is under the control of His holiness. He does not judge in spite, in revenge, or in hate, but with truth and justice.

Application: It was amazing grace that motivated God to pour out the judgment I deserved on Jesus dying in my place. Having accepted Jesus as my Lord (boss/owner) and Savior (the One Who paid the price for my sins) I walk in joyful confidence that God’s justice has been satisfied. The amazing God has an amazing plan to demonstrate both His holiness and love.

Prayer: Lord, your judgments are always appropriate. And in Jesus, they are heavily flavored with your grace and mercy. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 29: Revelation 10-14

Scripture: Revelation (NIV) 11:15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.”

Observation: One can read about the “Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire,” and about “The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.” But here we read about the rise of a Kingdom that will never fall. One can read of leaders that have come and gone. But here we read of a leader that comes, but does not go!

Application: This One has set up His kingdom in my heart. As long as I walk under His Lordship, I need fear no enemy. I do not need to fear that he will ever leave me or be out-maneuvered by the devil. His Kingdom has risen in my heart.

Prayer: Lord, what a privilege to be in your Kingdom and under your authority! How amazing to be friends with such a King! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 28: Revelation 5-9

Scripture: Revelation (NIV) 5:5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders…

Observation: As the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, he conquered the armies of the world. As the Lamb of God, he conquered death!

Application: The Lion, who is also the Lamb, lives in me. He helps me to live victorious and reign in this life. He helps me die to my own desires and live in humble submission to God. He teaches me how to use my authority for the benefit of others. He teaches me the joy of living for the benefit of others.

Prayer: Lord, I am your servant. What a joy is mine in being a part of your kingdom and what a privilege to be used for your glory. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!