January 1, 2022: SOAP #4412:  Genesis 1-2; Luke 1

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 2:4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens—5 and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground,…
Genesis 2:15  The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

OBSERVATION: We note that the work of man was an integral part of God’s creation. God created and prepared the earth as a dwelling for man.  Having something for man to do was pre-planned.  Here it appears that some things in creation could not be completed until man was available to “work the ground.”

To work is a holy calling from the Lord.  Whatever the job, it should be received as a holy assignment from the Lord.  It should be undertaken as being done unto the Lord.  One’s concern for fellow workers should be no less than a pastor’s concern for his congregation.  The worker is not preaching weekly sermons from a pulpit but is preaching daily sermons with his life. 

APPLICATION:  When the Lord had me step down from being the senior pastor of our church, I asked Him what I should do.  He told me to drive a school bus.  My present employment as a bus driver is just as holy as the 30 years I spent being a pastor.  I am to serve those with whom I work at the bus barn, those who ride my bus, and those who live in my neighborhood as carefully as I served the members of the congregation to whom I preached every week. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you assign me responsibilities to fulfill for my good and your glory.  You have not designed me to sit around idle.  My work is my ministry.  My ministry is my work.  May my life bring joy to your heart.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

December 31, 2021: SOAP #4411:  Revelation 19-14

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 1:4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness,
Revelation (NIV) 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.

OBSERVATION: John ends the book of Revelation as he started—blessing his readers with the grace of God.  Thirteen other New Testament books follow the same pattern, beginning and ending mentioning the grace of God.  The book of Acts is about the life of the church and grace is mentioned 11 times.  Romans is basic teaching about our spiritual lives and grace is mentioned 18 times.  Obviously, grace is important.

In the English language we say it is God’s Riches At Christ Expense.  Surely it is undeserved favor.    

It is Amazing Grace because it only comes from God.  It is amazing because it reaches all the way to sinful people.  We can only find it in God’s love and mercy for us and we can only receive it by faith. 

APPLICATION:  Through God’s grace I receive what I do not deserve and what I could never earn. It is by faith that I receive the forgiveness God’s grace provides. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, the grace you provide is truly amazing.  I believe you and I receive your grace into my life.  Make me a channel through which your grace can flow to others.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

December 30, 2021: SOAP #4410:  Revelation 15-18

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 15:2 And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God 3 and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. 4 Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

OBSERVATION: During the judgments of God, we find the phrase, “you alone are holy.”  God is both perfect in love and perfect in holiness. 

Generally, when something clean and unclean touch, the clean becomes unclean. Contact with the dirty causes the clean to become dirty. We are all sinners, and sin is not accepted in God’s presence.  But when the blood of Jesus is applied to the life of a sinner, the sinner is justified—made just as if he had never sinned!!!  God is so holy, that He makes what He touches holy. 

APPLICATION:  It should not surprise me when the Holy Spirit draws my attention to things in my life that do not measure up to God’s holiness.  He is in the process of “holifying” me.  (My word for God working on my thoughts, attitudes, desires, habits, actions, reactions, pleasures, etc.)  Leon is body, soul, and spirit.  God is working to align body and soul with spirit!   

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I recognize your presence in me.  Keep working on me. Keep working on the parts that can be seen, so that what cannot be seen shines through. May Jesus be seen in me. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

December 29, 2021: SOAP #4409:  Revelation 10-14

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 7:3 “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.”
Revelation (NIV) 22:4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

Revelation (NIV) 14:9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, 10 he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.”

OBSERVATION:  The mark is a sign of ownership.  It designates their place in eternity.  Having the seal of God sets one to “see His face.” 

Those who receive the mark of the beast are signifying to whom they belong.  Receiving his mark sets them to receive his judgment! 

APPLICATION:  What an honor to bear the name of Jesus.  What a joy awaits those who are sealed with His name. 

What tragedy awaits those who will receive the mark of the name of the beast. 

PRAYER:  Jesus, I surrender my life to you.  I accept you as my Savior and Lord.   As my Savior I acknowledge my sin and receive your forgiveness.  I set you as Lord over my life.  Thank you for forgiving me and making me a part of your family. Amen.

Pastor Leon
ing friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

December 28, 2021: SOAP #4408:  Revelation 5-9

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 7:14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

OBSERVATION:  Those who have endured tribulation during their life on earth, will find things very different during their life in heaven.  At times life can seem very unfair.  Some people seem to never get a break.  As they are coming out of one struggle, they find another one waiting.  But a day is coming…

APPLICATION:  …a day is coming when God will set things right.  For those who have had their sins forgiven based on Jesus’ death, they can smile through the troubles of this life.  They can walk in confidence that a better time awaits.  Death may stop the suffering of this life, but it does not stop the promises of God!  

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us windows in the scriptures through which we can see into eternity. What a difference!!!  We trust you to reward those who have been mistreated, to honor those who have been ridiculed, and to comfort those who have been heart-broken. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

December 27, 2021: SOAP #4407:  Revelation 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 1:9 I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, 11 which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”

OBSERVATION: That John was “in the Spirit” tells me that his mind was not filled with his circumstances.  He was not planning an escape from this island Roman prison.  He was not thinking about how he missed his family and friends.  He was “in the Spirit.” 

It was an experience specifically on “the Lord’s Day” which says to me that this was beyond John’s normal experience.  The Spirit had captivated John’s attention. 

With his mind focused on God and His presence, John heard a voice!  The resurrected and glorified Jesus was speaking to John!   God had John’s attention.  John was ready to hear. –and oh, the things he saw and heard!

APPLICATION:  When I take time to give God my attention, I find that He is ready to speak.  Of course, He’s ready—He is a speaker!  It is His nature to speak.  God uses His Word to get my attention.  As His word draws my attention away from things of the world, I hear Him speak to me. 

I am God’s child, a member of His family.  His Son, Jesus, paid the price to bring me into His family.  I have committed my life to Him.  I have set my heart to do as He directs.  Of course, He speaks to me.  It would be surprising if He did not speak to me. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, your best speech was when you sent your Son.  How appropriate that He is the Word!  I am so thankful that you are still speaking.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

December 26, 2021: SOAP #4406:  Psalm 117; 119:81-176; 2John; 3John

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

OBSERVATION: In this chapter, the Psalmist is expressing praise and gratitude to the Lord for His word, the Bible.  In the above verse we can see two specific reasons to appreciate God’s Word. 

In the Word we find a light to cover our path and its surroundings.  In the light of day, I can look to the left and right.  I can look forward to see what lies ahead on my path.  I can prepare for danger ahead. 

A lamp is used to give light to a specific location or room.  I use a lamp to illumine my immediate location.  In the light of a lamp, I can make good choices as to where I place my feet.  Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the Word often gives me specific direction and timing for my steps. 

APPLICATION:  Daily reading the Word builds my supply of wisdom to help me understand the world around me.  The light of the Word reveals the evil that is all around me.  The lamp of the Word shows me how to step to stay away from the evil.  The Holy Spirit uses the Word to show me how to respond. 

The Holy Spirit uses the light of the Word to give me confidence that everything will work out for my good and God’s glory.  The Holy Spirit uses the lamp of the Word to burn into my mind and heart things that I need to be doing today, now, immediately. 

In reading the chapters assigned in the Bible reading program I use, I grow in understanding of God and what He is doing in the world around me.  When the Holy Spirit draws my attention to a specific verse, I pause to read it again and meditate on it.  The Spirit makes it “a lamp to my feet.”  In those times, the Spirit gives me the thought for Today‘s SOAP. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word.  Holy Spirit, thank you for the skillful and gentle way you guide my steps in the Word.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 
On Facebook: Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Merry Christmas to all!  May Jesus and you enjoy each other’s presence today!  Make this day HIS; and make Him happy He is sharing it with you!  😊 

December 25, 2021: SOAP #4405:  1John 1-5

SCRIPTURE:  1John (NIV) 4:19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

OBSERVATION: In reading through the five chapters of 1John, two words stood out to me.  First is the word “love.”  When the One who loved the world so much that He sent His only begotten Son—when HE takes up residence in me there will be an increase in the love I experience and show to others. 

The second word is “know.”  How could it be that God would live inside me and I would not know?  The Presence of God in my life makes a difference. 

APPLICATION:  Life after death, heaven, and hell, these are issues that I do not want to leave to chance.  I want to know the truth about the future, and I want to know where I am headed. 

The Presence of God’s love working in my life raises my hope to the faith level and then to the “know” level.  The more I experience God’s love, the more confidence I have in what He has in store for me. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, I know you love me, and I know you are working in my life for my good and your glory.  I know I can trust you with my future.  Have your way in me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 24, 2021: SOAP #4404:  John 19-21

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 20:1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

OBSERVATION: No, Mary, your first impression was wrong!   What you saw as the worst possible situation, in reality was the greatest possible situation.  In truth, it was far better than you could have imagined! 

Circumstances said the dead body of Jesus had been stolen; reality was that Jesus had just defeated the grave!!! 

APPLICATION:  I wish I could say I have never jumped to a wrong first impression, or that I will never do it again.  But …   I am doing better.  I am learning to wait and trust the Lord.  I am learning to remember what He has said to me.  He is worth waiting for!!! 

There are times when I evaluate the circumstances according to my own limited understanding.  Then I set a course of action depending on my own limited resources.  Often in taking such action, I miss letting God use His unlimited resources to meet my need.  I miss first best and settle for second best.  People see what I can do rather than what God can do. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, remind me.  Slow me down.  Help me not be in such a hurry that I do not wait for your answer.   Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity! 

December 23, 2021: SOAP #4403:  John 15-18

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 18:1 When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.

OBSERVATION: Having a routine is important.  They can become a religious exercise we simply repeat over and over.  A routine can also become a testimony of God’s faithfulness. For the past 12 years, every day (except the day I had surgery on my heart) I have taken time to write a daily SOAP.  At first they were mainly for me.  Then as I posted them on Fb, others started reading them and making encouraging comments.  Then an email list started.  Then Arputharaj, a friend in India, offered to translate them into Tamil. Then Jents Talukder started translating them into Bangla.  Then Mekala Sekhar into Telugu. Then Shafiq Masish into Urdu in Pakistan where Evangelist Shariff Masish has distributed them in crusades.  Then Mekala Sekhar into Telugu.  Then Papiya Talukder into Hindi.  This year they started spreading in Africa.  Pastor Andrew has a vision to see them spread in African countries.  He prints 6,000+ copies each month and distributes them to all the churches around Freetown.  He introduced them to Ghana and Liberia.  Bishop Emmanuel in Liberia has a ministry to pastors in West African countries and this past week started taking laptops to 7 West African countries where printers are ready to begin printing SOAPs.  A conference was held this last week in Kenya (C Owino) to teach people how the SOAPs can be used. 

APPLICATION:  It all started by being faithful to do what my pastor (Dayton Poe) asked me to do.  God has blessed my small, daily faithfulness, with His GREAT ETERNAL FAITHFULNESS!  It is amazing! 

PRAYER:  I ask the SOAP readers to pray for me.  Pray that I will quickly and correctly hear what God speaks to me.  Pray that I will use words easy to understand and phrases easy to translate.  …for the glory of God! Thank you.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!