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

November 7: Job 31, 32; Galatians 5,6

Scripture: Galatians (NIV) 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Observation: What a strong statement we read about harvest. God cannot be mocked. To think that one can sow one kind of crop and reap another is foolish. When I understand the seriousness of this law, I can greatly appreciate that Jesus step in to reap the harvest of the sin I had sown. And by so doing, He set me free to reap the blessings of the seed he sowed in dying for me on the cross.

Application: It is good for me to remember that there is both a negative and positive application to this law. I can sow to reap destruction OR I can so to reap eternal life. Today I want to sow good things into people’s lives. In that way I will be preparing for a future harvest of blessing. It is too late to do any more about my present harvest, but I can do something about my future harvest.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for setting order in the universe by your laws. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 6: Job 30; Psalm 120; Galatians 3,4

Scripture: Galatians (NIV) 4:4 But when the set time had fully come, God send his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,
5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

Observation: God did not redeem man from outside the legal system, but Jesus was “born of a woman,” and “born under the law.” He brought about our freedom from the penalty of broken laws by coming under the law himself. Instead of outside in, he worked from the inside out! He accepted the burden of keeping the law while being tempted to break the law. He fulfilled the requirements of the law perfectly, yet was put to death as a lawbreaker. Since he had no sin for which to pay, his death is credited toward covering the sins of everyone who believes in him.

Application: Jesus still works from the inside out. The change did not come in my life until I invited him into my life. He entered my life as Savior and Lord. As he is Lord in my life he brings victory to the outside actions of my life.

Prayer: Lord, you are still working from the inside out. I confess you as the Lord in and of my life. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 5: Job 28-29; Galatians 1-2

Scripture: Galatians (NIV) 1:22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.
23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us in now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.
24 And they praised God because of me.

Observation: Paul was writing to the church in Galatia and giving some of his own testimony. What a change Jesus had brought in Paul’s life. It was a dramatic change, one that could be easily seen by people around him. Once they feared Paul as he set about persecuting the church; now they praised God because of him.

Application: Now there are two worthy goals for my life. First: I want God to receive praise from me. And second: I want God to receive praise from others because of me.

Prayer: Lord, What a special joy it is to know that something I do causes others to praise you! It makes my heart smile. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 4: Job 26-27; Mark 15-16

Scripture: Job (NIV) 26:14 And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?

Observation: In verses seven through thirteen, Job describes some of the wonders and vastness of the heavens. He describes the clouds that hold water, the horizon, and the oceans. Then he says, “These are the outer fringe of his works!”

Application: When I stand outside at night and look at the heavens, I am beholding just the outer edge of God’s works. He is vastly beyond my limited knowledge and thinking. There is no end to searching out the character and workings of God. Yet it is worthwhile to search Him out because the better I know God, the better I trust him. He is absolutely trustworthy AND capable!

Prayer: Lord, you are indeed amazing! My mind cannot comprehend even the outer fringe of your works. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 3: Job 25; Mark 13-14

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 13:11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

Observation: Jesus was talking to his disciples about the end days. He emphasized the importance of the Holy Spirit. The people would need to have a close relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Application: I believe that the days about which Jesus was talking are beginning now or soon to come. I must listen to the Holy Spirit. I need to sharpen my ability to recognize His voice and be quick to do as He directs. I need to go through my day thoughtfully doing my best as I understand it. However when I hear/sense/feel the tugging of the Holy Spirit to change, I should not push those thoughts away as though they are just some crazy thoughts. If there is nothing morally wrong with them, I should consider that the Holy Spirit may be directing me to change my words or actions.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I consider it a great privilege that you would speak to me and use me for good. Obviously You know what is best for me to say and do. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

A Key Lesson!

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

November 2: Job 23-24; Mark 11-12

Scripture: Job (NIV) 23:8 But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him.
9 When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.
10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

Observation: Job is saying, “I cannot find God, but He has no problem finding me! I do not know anything about what He is doing, but He knows everything about what I am doing!” We all need to learn this lesson, and the sooner we learn it, the better it is for us.

Application: It is a fact that God is with me. I may not always feel like it. I may not be able to prove it to everyone around me, but I live like it is true because I know it is true!

Prayer: Lord, You have been with me even when I did not feel like it. I am glad I do not have to follow my feelings. I am glad you are greater than my feelings! I am SO glad you are always with me! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 1: Psalm 121; Mark 9-10

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 121:1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Observation: I have several “go to” people in my life. If I have trouble with my car, I go to Glen. If I have trouble with taxes, I go to Sarah. If I have trouble with music, I go to Richard. If I need help with Sunday evenings at Victoria Falls Living Facility, I go to Leonard. In the verses above we see the Psalmist writing about his “go to.” His “go to” was the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Application: No matter what my problem, I cannot find a greater “go to” than the LORD! He knows it all because He created it all! He loved me enough to die for me! I do not have a better “go to” than the LORD!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the many ways you have helped me. May I be faithful in serving you as you have been faithful in serving me! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 31: Job 22; Mark 7-8

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 8:23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”
24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”
25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

Observation: Seeing people as trees walking was not satisfactory to Jesus. It may have been an improvement for the blind man, but Jesus wanted him to be able to see clearly. So Jesus touched him a second time; then he saw everything clearly.

Application: I know that there are times in my life when I have not seen people as Jesus sees them. I see how they irritate me, or what they do wrong. I too need another touch from the Lord so that I can see them clearly.

Prayer: Lord, touch my eyes so that I may see people as you see them. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

The Great Multiplier

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

October 30: Job 21; Mark 5-6

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 6:35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late.
36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”
37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”

Observation: The disciples said, “Send them away.” Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” The disciples saw the problem in terms of money. Jesus saw the problem in terms of what was available. After checking they found five loaves and two fish! The fish and bread were placed in Jesus hands. He gave thanks and broke them; then he gave the pieces to the disciples. And the disciples did what he had originally told them to do! They gave the people (5000 men plus women and children) something to eat! They all had enough to eat with twelve basketfuls of leftovers!

Application: When Jesus gives me to do something, He already knows what I have available and He knows how he can take what I have and multiply it to meet the need. I have to place my limited resources in the hands of the Great Multiplier!

Prayer: Lord, when I place my resources in your hands, there is often more left over than I had at the start! You are amazing! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

October 29: Job 20; Mark 3-4

Scripture: Mark (NIV) 4:35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”…
37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.
38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Observation: In the storm, it seems the disciples forgot what Jesus had said before they left. “Let us go over to the other side.” The word “us” let them know that he was going with them. “Let us go…” tells me that they were not just going to make an attempt; they were going to do it! “…to the other side” tells me that they were going to go further than half way. They would be going all the way to the other side.

Application: If I let them, circumstances can make me forget what Jesus has said to me. I must remember what He says to me!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, keep reminding me of what Jesus has said to me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!