SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: 1Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Observation: “If anyone speaks…” My first thought was that Peter was addressing those in the body of Christ who have public speaking ministries. I was thinking of preaching or teaching. I was thinking of the funeral service I have later this morning. Then as I thought further, I realized that speaking is a major part of everyone’s ministry. If I am visiting with a friend, or if I can encourage someone, or if I just acknowledge someone’s presence—I am ministering with my words. There is very little I do that does not include words or is accompanied with words.

Application: My words are an outward expression of what I allow inside me. When I want to impress the world or I let the outside world have too much influence, I begin using the world’s words. My least goal is that my words do not hinder others from recognizing God’s presence in my life. My greatest goal is that my words help others easily recognize God’s presence in my life.

Prayer: Lord, through my words and my actions, I want you to be easily seen in my life. Amen.

July 25: Isaiah 43-45; 1Peter 4

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: 1Peter 3:3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.
4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Observation: Peter was specifically writing to women, but the truth he is emphasizing also applies to men. So often we dress to impress people, but take little thought about how our “dress” impresses God. Considering how others will see us, we clothe ourselves from the outside in; but when we consider how God sees us, we clothe ourselves from the inside out.

Application: Dressing from the inside out: love in my heart (God’s all-time favorite) will dress out as not offending others. Holiness (another of God’s all-time favorites) will dress out in modesty. Joy (yet another of God’s favorites) will dress out with a smile on my face. I consider myself never appropriately dressed without a smile.

Prayer: Lord, since You have made my heart your home, may you be pleased with the way I decorate my heart. Help me decorate my body in ways that let’s everyone know You are living in me. Amen.

July 24: Isaiah 40-42; 1Peter 3

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: 1Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

Observation: Jesus, who had never sinned, claimed our sins as His own then died to make the required payment. His sacrifice for our sins and our healing is already complete. He died (past tense) that we might live (present tense) for righteousness.

Application: I am not wondering if Jesus will really die for my sins. It is already a completed fact! He did it!!! On the cross, He said, “It is finished!” I live with the knowledge that my sins and my healing have been completely covered.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your completed sacrifice on the cross. I live for righteousness and to bring you joy and glory. Amen.

July 23: 2Kings 20; Isaiah 38-39; Psalm 75; 1Peter 2

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: 1Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Observation: When I first arrived in Viet Nam as a Navy hospital-corpsman serving with the Marines, I was issued a 45 pistol. Knowing I would not have time in combat to think through a good decision as to how I would use the pistol I took time to think ahead. I would only fire that pistol if needed to defend a wounded Marine in my care. If it came down to a face-to-face encounter with another man, I would not use the pistol. It also seemed logical to me that if I was needed to defend a wounded Marine, his rifle would be much better than my pistol. Praise the Lord I never had to put my decision into action.

Application: To prepare my mind for action I need to "think ahead." If I wait until I have money in hand to decide whether or not I will tithe, I may find it difficult to do, or not enough money left. The issue of tithing needs to be firmly set in my mind ahead of time. If decisions regarding sexual morality are left until the heat of passion, morality may not even be considered. Any area of weakness needs a carefully thought out plan of action that is shared with a trusted friend for prayer and support.

Prayer: Lord, help me be prepared by thinking ahead. Amen.

July 22: Isaiah 36-37; Psalm 76; 1Peter 1

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: James 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.
8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Observation: In the verses above, I see the link between patience and perseverance. Often to stay faithful to the task and not give up, one must have patience. An impatient person will not persevere; and a person who will not persevere will never enjoy to completion of the matter.

Application: Patience is not just for the farmer, nor just for those going through times of sickness, it is for Leon. There will be times today when I will need to be patient. My patience is greatly helped when I remember that my Lord is “full of compassion and mercy.” Victory is ahead!!!

Prayer: Lord, waiting is difficult, but waiting on you is always worthwhile! Amen.

July 21: 2Kings 18-19; 2Chronicles 32; James 5

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. …
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Observation: The more we know God and know about God, the more logical it is to be humble. Humility makes us attractive to God.

Application: When the little magnet of my life approaches God with the wrong magnetic field (pride) leading the way, I am rejected and pushed away. However when the little magnet of my life approaches God with the right magnetic field (humility) God and I are drawn together! It is a powerful attraction! I am attracted to His GREATNESS and He is attracted to my humility.

Prayer: Lord, It is both right and beneficial to walk in humility before you. I want my life to be attracted to you. I want your life to be attracted to me. Amen.

July 20: 2Chronicles 29-31; James 4

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.

16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Observation: Like the operating system for my computer, wisdom is the operating system for my life. People who understand computers can easily recognize which operating system is running on a computer. So people who understand the above verses can easily recognize which “wisdom”/operating system is running in my life.

Application: My “operating system” (the knowledge and thinking portion of my life) is being upgraded this morning as I read the Bible” and ask the Holy Spirit to give me understanding. He is upgrading the submissive,” “full of mercy,” and “impartial,” portions of my “operating system.” These “upgrades” should be noticeable as I go through this day.

Prayer: Lord, continue to work in my life. Upgrade my thinking until I see all things as you see them and respond as you would respond. Amen.

July 19: 2Kings 18-19; 2Chronicles 28; Psalm 46; James 3

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: James 2:12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

Observation: What a powerful statement: Mercy triumphs over judgment! How grateful we should be that this is true, and that the Holy God is also a loving God. In His great wisdom, the Holy God found a way to be merciful. He did not overlook the sin, but sent His sinless Son to die as payment for the sins of man! Judgment stands against those who have broken the law; however mercy has the power to make the effect of that judgment just as if they had never broken the law. Wow! The guilty who receive Jesus as Savior and Lord are declared innocent yet the cost of their sin has been totally paid!

Application: Having received such mercy, and having the Merciful One living within me, I must be merciful. If I cannot be merciful then I cannot expect mercy. Obviously I continue to need mercy, so I must be merciful.

Prayer: Lord, how grateful I am for your great mercy. May you be blest as you see your mercy flowing to others through me. Amen.

July 18: Isaiah 32-35; James 2

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

Observation: Angry speech does not make others want to do better; it often makes them respond in anger wanting to prove they are in the right. Religion that does not control the tongue is worthless.

Application: I need to join those around me in listening to how I speak. My relationship to God will be seen through my words. I should not always say the first thing that comes to mind, nor should I say everything that comes to mind. Before I let words fly out of my mouth, I need to filter them through my knowledge of God and what He has said. I need the Holy Spirit to guide my thoughts before I speak.

Prayer: Lord, may your presence in my life be recognized by the words I say today. Amen.

July 17: Isaiah 29-31; James 1

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!

SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: Hebrews 13: 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
6 So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Observation: It is good when we can back up our words by God’s words. What I say should be based on what He has said. When it is, I can speak boldly with confidence.

Application: Two important things I need to know about speaking: when to speak and what to say. The better I listen to the Holy Spirit, the better I will know when to speak. And the better I know God’s word, the better I will know what to say.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, as I read the Bible, impress truth upon my heart. And as I talk with those around me, prompt me to speak that truth boldly. Amen.

July 16: Isaiah 25-28; Hebrews 13

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!