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

November 23: Matt 14-16

Scripture: Matthew 14:15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so that they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."
16 Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
17 "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.
18 "Bring them here to me," he said. …
20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Observation: Jesus told them to feed the hungry crowd. They responded, "We have only…." –they did not reckon on the presence of Jesus!!! They had enough to feed 5000 men plus the women and children. Wow! They even had more than enough! They had enough for twelve basketsful of leftovers! WOW!! The miracle could have been done with much less! One loaf, and one fish, would have been more than sufficient! Their attention had been on what they had in their hands (which was clearly insufficient), rather than on who was among them (Who was completely sufficient)!

Application: To limit my potential to what I have in my possession is foolish. His resources are far greater than what I have and far greater than what I need. Through Him I can do whatever God tells me to do.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, keep reminding me that I am enabled to do what I am told to do. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

Friends, We do not need a special “Thanksgiving Day” to be thankful, but celebrate we should. We can be thankful for Godly people who have preceded us and set this as a special day to give thanks to God for His Presence and Provisions. We have had 365 days to prepare, so let’s give God a special day! Leon J

My Grateful Heart

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

November 22: Matt 11-13

Scripture: Matthew 12:34 …For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

Observation: In the Old Testament we read that man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. In these verses Jesus tells us that our hearts are revealed by our words to such an extent that we will be judged by our words.

Application: Since my heart can be seen through my words, I need to listen to myself. I need to hear what I am saying and how I am saying it.
NOTE: In USA, today is “Thanksgiving” Day, a special national holiday. My heart is full of thanks to God my Heavenly Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I am thankful for God’s faithfulness to speak to me every day and for family and friends with whom I can share the SOAP.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I give you permission to speak to me about my heart even before I speak from my heart. May my grateful heart be easily seen through my grateful words. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 21: Matt 8-10

Scripture: Matthew 10:19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Observation: I have watched old movie scenes of radio land lines being cut in World War I, of telegraph lines being cut in the Civil War, and of breaking the communication codes in World War II. As a hospital corpsman with a Marine unit in Viet Nam, I usually stayed by the platoon lieutenant and the radio man. I learned from personal observation the importance of good communication. Good communication is understandable and up-to-date. We trusted the one sending the messages to know the big picture of the war and how we would best serve.

Application: As I am engaged in spiritual warfare, God has provided the greatest communication system ever used. It is the presence of his Holy Spirit dwelling in me 24 hours every day! Wow!! As I learn to limit distractions and focus on hearing his voice, I find his communication to be both understandable and up-to-date. Better than that, it is up to the minute, even up to the second! God has the big picture and I can trust Him to lead me to victory for His glory!

Prayer: Lord, although I seldom understand the big picture, I trust you to speak to me in ways I can understand and obey. I trust your love for me. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 20: Matt 5-7

Scripture: Matthew 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Observation: I have used many lamps and candles: handmade torches in Viet Nam, candles when electricity was out in our home, and beautiful oil lamps for Christmas Eve services. Though they were very different, their purpose was the same—to give light. Each was placed where their light would have the most benefit.

Application: I should not be surprised when people invade my space to look at my life. God has purposefully placed me where His light in me can be most easily seen by someone He loves very much.

Prayer: Lord, help me remember that it is ok when people invade my privacy. When they look at me, I want them to see you! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 19: Matt 1-4

Scripture: Matthew 2:13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him."

Observation: Stay there until … To many times people let trouble or circumstances set their times, but Joseph was sent to a location and told to stay "until." Instead of letting God develop their character through tough times, some people move quickly to a more pleasing location.

Application: When I have been given specific directions, I should stay "until." If I went somewhere just to check it out, then I can probably leave for the same reason. But, if the Lord sent me, I need to stay until He releases me to go elsewhere!

Prayer: Lord, help me not to forget that you are working in my life with eternity in view. May I faithfully remain until… Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 18: Ps 124, 2Cor 11-13

Scripture: Psalm 124:1 If the LORD had not been on our side— let Israel say—
2 if the LORD had not been on our side when men attacked us,
3 when their anger flared against us, they would have swallowed us alive;
4 the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us,
5 the raging waters would have swept us away.
6 ¶ Praise be to the LORD, who has not let us be torn by their teeth.
7 We have escaped like a bird out of the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Observation: It is good to know that I am on the Lord’s side. I am for him! AND it is so good to know that He is on my side. He is for me!

Application: I am so glad that HE is on MY side and is for me. Good things would not have happened and bad things would have been so much worse! Trouble would have lasted so much longer and I would not be able to walk in faith that it would all work out for good!

Prayer: Lord, Maker of heaven and earth, I am so glad you continue to be on my side! Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 17: 2Cor 7-10

Scripture: 2Corinthians 10:17 But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

Observation: In the previous verses Paul gives guidelines for boasting. First (verse 12), boasting should not be done to compare one person to another—to make one person look better than another. Second (verse 13), boasting should be limited to the areas God has assigned. Third (verse 14), boasting should be limited to stating the truth. Fourth (verse 15, 16), boasting should not be taking credit for what others have done. Fifth (verse 17), boasting should be centered in the Lord.

Application: My best boasting is when I sing, “Look what the Lord has done!” I think the Lord likes to boast, “Look what my child has done!”

Prayer: Lord, May my life bring you much joy and give you reason to boast. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

What is glory?

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

November 16: 2Cor 3-6

Scripture: 2Corinthians 3:9 If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!
10 For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory.
11 And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

Observation: In these verses the Apostle Paul is comparing the ministry of the Law given to Moses to the ministry of the Holy Spirit living in our lives today. The glory of the Old Testament Law, which can only condemn us because we are all already guilty of breaking it, cannot compare with the glory of the Holy Spirit that lives within us and empowers us to victory over temptation.

Application: Glory is a word often used in Christian circles. But what is glory? I believe a simple definition would be: goodness, value, or worthiness that can be experienced. I can see God’s glory in creation. I can feel the glory of His Presence. God wants the world to see his glory in me.

Prayer: Lord, I want to glorify you by letting the world to see your goodness, your value, your worthiness in me. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 14: Psalm 149; 1Corinthians 15, 16

Scripture: 1Corinthians 16:17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.
18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

Observation: These three men had traveled in person from Corinth to visit Paul in the province of Asia. Their presence refreshed Paul’s spirit. Their visit caused him to look away from his present struggles and look back on times when God was using him in Corinth. They made the load seem lighter. They talked about what God had done while Paul was with them in Corinth. They filled him in with news of what was happening to people he loved. They refreshed his spirit.

Application: The Lord wants to use me today to refresh the spirit of someone I meet. I can do that by being with them. I might remind them of what God has done in the past. I can encourage them to be hopeful. I can build up their faith. I can talk about how big and loving God is!

Prayer: Lord, as you have used people to knock the cobwebs out of my mind and renew my thinking, use me today to refresh another person’s spirit. May their heart be joyful and their burden lighter as we talk of your great love. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

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

November 13: Job 39, 40; 1Corinthians 13, 14

Scripture: 1Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1Corinthians 14: 1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

Observation: Chapter 13 ends with love being the greatest. Chapter 14 tells us to especially desire the gift of prophecy. Why? Because love motivates us to minister to others and that is what prophecy does—minister to others.

Application: Love is to be the motivation for my ministry/service. Ministry can accomplish much for the kingdom, however only ministry motivated by love can really please God. God looks at the heart of the minister.

Prayer: Lord, may love be the reason for my ministry—love for you and lover for others. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!