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

June 2: Proverbs 22-24; Romans 14

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 14:1 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Observation: There is to be unity in the church based on our relationship to the Father through Jesus Christ His Son and our faith that His death on the cross is the payment for our sins. Yet in the early church, as in the church today, there are “disputable matters” about which we disagree. Neither side is to judge the other nor treat them with contempt.

Application: Quarreling is not acceptable between me and another believer who sees “disputable matters” differently than I do. We are servants of the Lord. The Lord is able to make us stand! Their acceptance by the Lord does not depend on their agreement with me. My acceptance by the Lord does not depend on my agreement with them.

Prayer: Lord, May I never show contempt to those who disagree with me rather may I listen to them in such a way that they will be open to listen to me. May we learn from each other and grow. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

June 1: Proverbs 19-21; Romans 13

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 19:17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.

Observation: Henry Vanderbush used to say: “Tithes are a debt we owe; offerings are gifts we bestow; and alms are seeds we sow.” Most people have lent money to at least one person who promised to repay but after waiting for so long, they have given up hope of ever getting their money back. If one is inclined to lend money, we can find no one better at repaying than the Lord. One never loses in giving to the poor.

Application: In the past few years I have learned and am still learning the truth of this verse. Because I cannot give to every need does not mean that I cannot give to some. As I give offerings and alms in addition to my tithe, God has been faithful in providing extra finances enabling me to give even more.

Prayer: Lord, You care for the poor and want me to care also. Lead me by your Holy Spirit as to what You would have me do today. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 31: Proverbs 16-18: Romans 12

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 12:1 Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Observation: Some people live as though it is too great a burden to live a holy life. They confess that Jesus is their Lord, but the way they live their lives tells another story. Surely, they think, God does not expect them to live holy. “Holy and pleasing to God” is the true and proper way to worship God with our lives. The King James Version says it is our “reasonable” service.

Application: How can it be unreasonable for God to expect me to live a holy life. It is not unreasonable when I consider what He sacrificed for me. It is not unreasonable when I find that He comes and lives His life through me. It is not unreasonable when I think that he wants me to be an example to others.

Prayer: Lord, you help me live the way you expect me to live. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 30: Proverbs 13-15; Romans 11

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 13:1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.

Observation: Throughout the book of Proverbs one can read many verses containing similar thoughts. It is foolish to ignore rebukes, counsel, or wise advice. Pride can cause a person to think they know it all. They need to read the book of Proverbs. People who will not listen to others will miss much of what God is saying to them.

Application: God has placed people in my life to show me what I cannot see and tell me what I do not know. If I cannot hear what others are saying, I will miss much of what God is saying to me. The Holy Spirit speaks to me through others, helps me judge what they say and helps me apply truth to my life. This emphasizes that I am only one part of the Body of Christ and I need those around me.

Prayer: Lord, I know you can speak to me personally, but it is your plan to also speak through others. Help me to keep open to the Holy Spirit speaking to me though those around me. Help me to judge and apply correctly what they say. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 29: Proverbs 10-12; Romans 10

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 11:20 The LORD detests those whose hearts are perverse, but He delights in those whose ways are blameless.
Proverbs (NIV) 12:22 The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

Observation: It is not those with great wealth, or great strength, or great knowledge in whom the Lord delights. In verse 11 we see He delights in those who are blameless, not only because they live lives of holiness, but also because they have been quick to confess their sins and receive God’s cleansing! In verse 12 He delights in those who keep their commitments and promises.

Application: I want to be quick to repent and seek your forgiveness. And sometimes it may be hard to keep my commitments (like paying a bill I promised to pay), but if it causes the Lord to delight in me, it is definitely worth it!

Prayer: Lord, My only hope in being blameless is in your forgiveness! My only hope of keeping my commitments is that Your Holy Spirit dwells in me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 28: Proverbs 7-9; Romans 9

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 7:21 With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.
8:1 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?…3 beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance she cries aloud.

Observation: At the close of Proverbs 7 we read about the voice of sexual temptation calling out. Then a few verses later, at the start of Proverbs 8, we read about the voice of wisdom calling out. There are many voices calling out for our attention. As we mature we should begin to recognize the differences in the voices around us.

Application: Growing in the knowledge of God’s word helps me recognize the difference between the voices. Growing in dependence on the Presence of the Holy Spirit helps me resist the evil and follow the good.

Prayer: Lord, keep me in your Word and full of your Spirit! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 27: Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Observation: In the previous verses, Paul tells us that God works through everything in our life for good and that God has a wonderful plan he is completing for our lives.

Application: If I believe the previous verses, Paul’s response is most logical; it just makes perfect sense. If GOD is for me, who can be against me!

Prayer: Lord, without doubt, you are for me! Please remind me of this when I start acting stupid—like when I have forgotten and I am thinking that everything depends on me! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 26: Proverbs 1-3; Romans 7

Scripture: Proverbs (NIV) 3:3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Observation: The King James Version says, “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee.” Some who are very loving sometimes forget about truth and holiness. On the other hand, people who faithfully hold to the truth sometimes lack in mercy. They expect everyone to do exactly what is right.

Application: I need a good combination of both mercy and truth. I need to have a high regard for truth and hold to holy standards. I also need to be loving and show mercy when the standards are broken. Both characteristics need to be in my life. They can only co-exist when I understand what Jesus did on the cross. He who was faithful in living the holy standard mercifully paid for my sins and raised me to live a life pleasing to God.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be like Jesus, expressing both mercy and truth! Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 25: 1Kings 10, 11; 2Chronicles 9; Romans 6

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Observation: Living in the world’s system earns what the pays—death. But coming into God’s kingdom, one receives what cannot be earned—eternal life! The value of a man’s work could never be sufficient to purchase eternal life. It is only offered by grace. It is only received by faith.

Application: God’s life within frees me from the penalty of sin which is hell. Even more, it frees me from the bondage of sin. I am no longer sin’s slave! The life of God within gives me the power and authority to make choices. Living this life with Him, I can choose not to sin. I can choose to offer my life to God as His servant. He loved me and died for me. I love him and live for Him!

Prayer: Lord, I choose to be your servant. I want to make you look good by the way I live my life as your servant. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

May 24: 1Kings 9; 2Chronicles 8; Psalm 136; Romans 5

Scripture: Romans (NIV) 5:6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possible dare to die.
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Observation: What a demonstration of love! God did not wait until man proved himself to be worthy. He did not wait until man did something noble. After all, what could man ever have done that would be considered worthy of the death of his Creator? I cannot think of one thing! He loved us just because He loved us!!!

Application: Christ died for me, for no other reason than that He loved me! He had plans for me, but His motivation was love! There was something He designed for me to do, but His motivation was love.

Prayer: Lord, Your love and grace are amazing! Thank you for loving me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!