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

December 17: 2Peter 1-3; John 1

Scripture: 2Peter (NIV) 1:12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.
13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body

Observation: Peter realized the importance of reminding his friends of the truth they already knew. It was good to refresh their memory. I am sure Peter did this in his personal and public conversations. But I am so glad he also did it by writing and sending letters for those letters benefit me.

Application: I should not let myself be discouraged from reminding people of what they already know. Hearing each other’s voice makes talking on the phone special, but writing it in a note allows it to be read again and again and again. It permanent-izes our words of encouragement.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for sending your word to the world before the days of teletype, phones and cell phones. Thank you for those who “wrote it down.” Thank you for those who preserved those writings. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 16: 1Peter 1-5

Scripture: 1Peter (NIV) 2:12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
1Peter (NIV) 3:16 …so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Observation: It is not God’s will for us to lower ourselves to malicious comments and accusations of others, but to rise above them. He does not want us to get even, but to rise above by forgiving, and living in such a way that makes it hard for others to believe what was said.

Application: My goal should be that when someone talks trash about me, they will have trouble finding people to believe them.

Prayer: Lord, you are the best example of these verses. I want to be like you! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 15: James 1-5

Scripture: James (NIV) 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James (KJV) 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Observation: It is not being humble in the sight of men, but in the sight of the Lord. Humility is being strong and wise and loving and kind, but not seeking any recognition or commendation for those traits. It is faithfully being that way even when no one notices. But the great Rewarder always notices. True humility is a logical result of knowing God’s character and experiencing His grace.

Application: It is not being humble in the sight of those who see my actions; it is being humble in the sight of the One who sees me heart.

Prayer: Lord, You are amazing. You alone are worthy. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 14: Hebrews 12-13; Jude

Scripture: Hebrews (NIV) 13:14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.
16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Observation: In these verses we are given three sacrifices that please God. First is the sacrifice of praise, using our mouth to speak our praise. It is not the fruit of our circumstances, but the fruit of our lips. It makes no difference what our environment or how we are being treated. Our lips are to praise His name. Second is the sacrifice of doing good. Doing good is not always convenient or even pleasant, but it is a sacrifice that pleases God. Third is the sacrifice of sharing what we have with others. It is not sharing out of our abundance, but out of our lack. It prefers others in the administration of our possessions.

Application: A sacrifice is when my will wants to do one thing and God’s will is that I do something else. Our wills cross. It is the essence of the cross. Whose will is done is an expression of who is really Lord of Leon’s life. How I talk, how I act, and how I treat others should express my faith and His presence. People should hear my appreciation in my words; they should see my loyalty to God in my actions, and experience God’s love in how I treat others.

Prayer: Lord, like you prayed in the garden just before being crucified, may I too pray, “Not my will but thine be done.” I want that my life is pleasing to you. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 13: Hebrews 9-11

Scripture: Hebrews (NIV) 9:13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean.
14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

Observation: The Old Testament Law defined sin and gave instructions as to what sacrifice would be accepted ceremonially to cover those sins. Those animal sacrifices were an acknowledgment of guilt and an expression of faith that God would provide a future sacrifice that could really take away sin! When the Son of God, unstained by any sin, made a blood sacrifice for our sins, there was no longer any need for the animal sacrifices. If God accepted the animal sacrifices on our behalf, how much more will he accept the sacrifice of His own sinless Son!

Application: I see the animal sacrifices as interest-only payments on borrowed money. They acknowledge the debt, but do nothing toward paying it off. Jesus death on the cross completely covers the debt and no more interest-only payments are needed.

Prayer: Lord, Thank you Lord for paying my sin debt. May my appreciation be easily seen by those around me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 12: Hebrews 5-8

Scripture: Hebrews (NIV) 8:1 Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest…

Observation: In the previous chapter we see that we needed a priest who would serve in a better covenant than the one given to Moses. We needed a priest who would not have to be replaced due to his death. We needed a priest who could actually save us. We needed a priest who would offer one sacrifice that would not have to be repeated every day. And the verse above says, “That is exactly what we got!”

Application: I know I am the creation and He is the creator. It is for me to fit into his plan and do His will. It is for me to relate to Him. But here I see that He fit Himself into my need. He became what I needed. In Jesus, I got what I most needed.

Prayer: Lord, In thanksgiving for what you have done for me, I now want to fit into your need. I want to become what you need. Find me useful. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 11: Philemon; Hebrews 1-4

Scripture: Philemon (NIV) 1:7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Observation: I believe Philemon had “refreshed the hearts” by kind words and deeds. Paul had probably been a beneficiary of Philemon’s kindness and had heard others mention it.

Application: God would be pleased if today I would be like Philemon. I will have opportunity today to “refresh” someone by words of encouragement or an act of kindness. There will be someone I meet today whom I can bless because I am the only one available or I have the needed resources.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me not to miss the opportunity today to “refresh” someone in need or someone who is discouraged. Doing so will bring me joy and bring you glory. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 10: 2Timothy 1-4

Scripture: 2Timothy (NIV) 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2Timothy (KJV) 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Observation: If there is anyone who could make us afraid, it would be God. An omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent being would have no trouble in striking fear into our lives. He could beat us down and make us timid, afraid to say or do anything. But God wants to build us up. It honors Him when those who serve Him have good minds and choose to love Him.

Application: God gives me freedom or the power to make choices. God loves me and desires that I love Him in return. God reveals Himself to me so that I can understand why I should serve Him. It is logical. It just makes sense. God is Holy and worthy of my devotion.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the power to choose. Thank you for loving me and enabling me to love. Thank you for building up my mind as you reveal truth to me. Thank you for not beating me down, but building me up. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 9: 1Timothy 5-6; Titus 1-3

Scripture: Titus (NIV) 3:5 He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior

Observation: The infinite God gives generously. Those who confess their sins to Him find His mercy is always more than enough. When He comes to live in our lives, He does not have to ration out His presence for fear of not having enough for others. So He gives generously of Himself.

Application: My time and resources are limited so I cannot respond to every need. Often I have to choose whom I should help. But I have never had God withhold blessing from me because of a concern that He would run short and not be able to bless someone else. This truth makes it easy to rejoice with others who are blest. Their blessing does not diminish what God has for me! And when I am unable to help someone, I am so glad I can point them to a God who never runs short! My inability to help does not mean that God cannot help!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are infinite and You give generously. I am grateful that You have given me your Spirit generously. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

December 8: 1Timothy 1-4

Scripture: 1Timothy (NIV) 4:12 Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Observation: When young people find themselves in places of leadership they should not be surprised that people jump to conclusions about their leadership abilities. Instead of defending themselves, they should set a good example. How they talk, how they act, a loving attitude, confidence in God and living a holy life will go a long way in winning the naysayers over. And when there are some who refuse to accept their leadership, they must keep their eyes on the One Who called them. His approval is the greatest success.

Application: Because I am concerned that the church continues into the next generation it is important for me to provide opportunity for younger people to be involved in leadership. I must be careful to build them up and not tear them down.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, remind me of how I started and the people who helped me and overlooked my lack of experience. Use me to encourage younger leaders as you used others to encourage me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!