Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 01, 2022: SOAP #4443:  Exodus 30-32; Acts 8

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 8:26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”…
29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”

OBSERVATION:  Bibles were not abundant in the days of the early church.  But that did not hinder God from speaking to and leading His people.  In the above verses, God spoke through an angel and then by “The Spirit.”  From what I have read about angels and their ministry, I believe that the angel brought Philip a message He could both see and hear. 

Then when Philip arrived at the place of ministry, “the Spirit told Philip…”   This was not a “see and hear” message delivered to Philip by another being.  It was a message Philip heard in his spirit.  It was a strong inward compulsion.  The Spirit was living inside Philip.  The Spirit could communicate with Stephen’s spirit without audible words. 

APPLICATION:  Many times, God communicates to me through inward impressions of the Holy Spirit.  Often, he draws my attention to what He desires through reading His word.  Sometimes my attention is captivated like Moses with the burning bush. 

The better I know the Bible, the better I can discern what He is saying to me.  Many times, my daily reading prepares me for what God is giving me to do or say.  The better I know God’s character, the better I can understand why I should, or should not do something. 

Becoming familiar with God and how He speaks should be a priority of every believer. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help me to know the Heavenly Father so well—and to recognize Your voice so well, that I can quickly obey.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 31, 2022: SOAP #4442:  Exodus 28-29; Acts 7

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 7:2 And he [Stephen] said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, 3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.

OBSERVATION: In chapter seven, verses 2 through 53, we read Stephen’s personal defense before the Jewish council.  It is a recounting of Israel’s history from Abraham to Jesus.  A common thread woven through these verses is that Israel had a God who speaks!  God talks to His people.  He acts in accordance with His spoken promises.  The same God who spoke in creation (Genesis 1), spoke to the Israelites throughout their history. 

They heard God speak.  They understood what God said.  When they followed what God said they had good success.  When they disobeyed, they experienced trouble. 

APPLICATION:  The eternal God is still a speaker.  The Bible is THE WORD of God.  In the WORD of God, I find words specifically directed to me.  As I read the WORD of God, the Holy Spirit, who lives inside me, draws my attention to specific passages I am to apply to my life. 

As I gather with other believers, God often speaks to me through a pastor, a teacher, a song, a gift of the Holy Spirit flowing through another believer, and other ways.  The Holy Spirit seems to focus my attention on what I need to hear. 

Throughout my day, and even as I sleep, my thoughts are captivated and locked into a subject, or a memory.  I use the WORD of God to judge these thoughts.  God will never speak contrary to His WORD. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, I am so glad you are a speaker.  I am so glad I can trust you to reassure me with love and guide me with wisdom.  I am privileged to hear you speak to me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 30, 2022: SOAP #4441:  Exodus 25-27; Acts 6

SCRIPTURE:  Exodus (NIV) 25:2 “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give.

OBSERVATION:  God was not asking the Israelites for an offering; He was telling them to bring an offering.  They were to bring the offering “to him; and Moses was to receive the offering “for him!”  In reading further, we see that God was not only telling them to bring an offering, He was telling them what to bring!   Which was totally proper for God to do.  He had instructed the Israelites before they left Egypt to go into the homes of the Egyptians and ask for certain things.  The Egyptians were so glad to see the Israelites leave, that they willingly gave them what they asked!  (Exodus 12:35-36).  Now God was telling the Israelites to willing give what they had received. 

God would instruct them to take what was received in the offering and make the tabernacle for God’s presence in the center of the camp.  It would be their identifying trademark for forty years in the wilderness.  It would be the center of their nation in the Promised Land. 

APPLICATION:  The Israelites carried out of Egypt the things that would be needed for the tabernacle.  When those things were needed, they were readily available.  This was God’s plan, and God had made provision; He always does.  The people needed a willing heart and to see that they were a part of God’s plan!  The tabernacle was not Moses’ plan, but God’s plan. 

IN THE SAME WAY, I need to have a willing heart to release what I have been carrying.  I need to see my possessions as belonging to the Lord.  He has provided them for me to keep until they are needed for His glory!  Some of the finances I receive from my work, I carry for Him.  It will be my responsibility to place them as He directs.  It is my joy to be a part of God’s plan. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, If it is my plan, it is my bill.  It is my heavy load to raise the finances needed.  Oh, but when it is Your plan!  You carry the load.  You move in people’s heart to make them willing to give.  I can share Your vision; I can rest in You.  I can trust You!   Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 29, 2022: SOAP #4440:  Exodus 23-24; Psalm 14; Acts 5

(re-worked SOAP from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 5:40   … They called the apostles in and had them flogged … . 41  The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

OBSERVATION: In Chapter 4 we read:  They preached, they were arrested and warned.  They prayed (4:24-30).  They specifically asked for boldness (4:29).  Now in chapter 5: With boldness they preached some more.  They were again arrested and then miraculously released from jail by an angel.  Boldly they returned and preached some more. A third time they were arrested and brought before the council.  This time there was no miraculous intervention as they were beaten before being warned not to preach and released.  They responded by rejoicing!  It was an honor to suffer for the Name of Jesus!  Then boldly they daily went back to the temple courts to continue preaching!  They went back to the place where they had been arrested and for which they had been flogged! 

APPLICATION:  Did God only answer their prayer when they were miraculously released, or when they were only warned?  Did God ignore His servants when they were beaten?  Did God only answer some of their prayers, or only some of the time?  No, God answered their prayer all the time.  They had prayed for boldness! (Acts 4:29) Do I want to pray a prayer that God will answer every time, and keep on answering?  Then I should follow the example of the early church and pray for boldness to speak about Jesus!

PRAYER:  Lord, as the early church prayed, enable your servant to speak your word with great boldness. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 28, 2022: SOAP #4439:  Exodus 21-22; Psalm 12; Acts 4

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 4:27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

OBSERVATION: The apostles had been threatened, so they did what every believer should do: they prayed.  In their prayer, they confessed the sovereignty of God.  In the hatred contriving of Herod and Pilate, they had done what God had already “decided beforehand should happen!”

They had faith that God was still in control.  The threats against them would work out for their good and God’s glory.  Those threatening them could do no more than God would allow.  As the crucifixion ended in the resurrection, so God would work through their troubles for His glory. 

So, their prayer was not for God to free them from the persecution, but to give them boldness to speak God’s word. 

APPLICATION:  I am serving the same God.  I am involved in a ministry started by Jesus.  I am involved in a ministry carried on by the apostles in the book of Acts.  I am a part of God’s grand plan in preparing people for eternity.  (We all are!)  I have the same enemy they had.  AND I have the same Holy Spirit they had to bring victory out of what looks like defeat.

The important thing is not that I have it easy, but that God is glorified in me!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, do in me/us what you did in the book of Acts church.  Fill me and embolden me to speak on your behalf.  Anoint me to speak your Word effectively.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 27, 2022: SOAP #4438:  Exodus 17-20; Acts 3

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 3:4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

OBSERVATION: For the past 12 years of writing SOAPs, I have read this passage twice each year.  God often causes me to pause and consider these verses for my own life.  There are 11 SOAP devotions attached to this passage (Acts 3:1-11). 

APPLICATION:  Surely God wants Leon to value what God has given him.  What I have to give to others is much better than silver or gold.  God has given me a good practical understanding of His word.  He has given me His Holy Spirit to speak to my heart as I read the word.  He reveals the passages He wants me to focus on.  He gives me fresh revelation.  He makes the word new every day!  He gives me a simple thought from the scriptures to share each day. 

There are many important subjects in the Bible.  I cannot say I excel in any one of them.  But I love to sing, “Lord, there’s just one thing; one thing I ask of Thee; Cause me to excel; Excel in loving Thee.  There’s nothing in this world; That I would rather be; Than by Thy grace just one; Who excels in loving Thee.”

PRAYER:  Lord, I have just started my 13^th year of writing the SOAPs; tomorrow I start my 74th year of life.  Walk with me; talk with me.  I want to know you; I want to make you known. May this year bring you pleasure.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 26, 2022: SOAP #4437:  Exodus 14-16; Acts 2

SCRIPTURE:  Exodus (NIV) 16:35 The Israelites ate manna for forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.

OBSERVATION: God had led the Israelites out of Egypt into the wilderness to be crossed on their way to the Promised Land.  God delivered them from Egypt, God was leading them to the Promised Land, and God would provide their food and water. 

The manna that God provided came with a few specific instructions:  First, only take what your family needs for that day.  Those who felt they could not trust God to keep His word, gathered extra that they put aside for the next day.  But the extra in the morning smelled and had maggots!  Second:  on the sixth day, they were to take enough for two days because there would be no manna on the sabbath day.  Sure enough, some people who had learned their lesson about taking too much on the first day, went out looking for manna on day seven!  There was none.  The real lesson was not about how much manna to take but learning to be obedient!  

For forty years God was faithful!  When the Israelites were faithful, God faithfully provided manna.  When the Israelites were unfaithful, God faithfully provided manna.  God’s faithfulness is based on God’s character and on His promises. 

APPLICATION:  The promise of provision was not made to them individually, but to them as a nation.  There was no promise of provision to those who left on their own to make their own way to the Promised Land, or to return to Egypt!  God’s faithfulness provides for me in the place God has assigned me. 

When my faithfulness aligns under God’s faithfulness, I find blessing and provision.  I must be obedient to go where God leads me, AND I must be content to stay where God has placed me. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, your faithfulness to me is great.  I rejoice in your faithfulness to me.  It is my pleasure to follow you.  May I give you reason to rejoice in my faithfulness to you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 25, 2022: SOAP #4436:  Exodus 12-13; Psalm 21; Acts 1

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 1:21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”
23 So they proposed two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 24 Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen 25 to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” 26 Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so, he was added to the eleven apostles.

OBSERVATION: The disciples were waiting in Jerusalem as Jesus had commanded them to do.   With Judas suicide, there were only eleven.  So, it was suggested that they choose someone to takes Judas’ place.  They “proposed” two men who had been with Jesus from the time He was baptized by John until the time Jesus ascended into heaven.  They “cast lots.”  It was a way of making a decision in which they would have no conscience choice.  They could not knowingly affect the outcome.  God would control the final decision. 

APPLICATION:  This passage applies to Leon in the times I need to make a decision with key parts totally out of my control.  It is like the vote of a congregation for me to serve as their pastor.  It can be like prayerfully applying for a position for which the final decision will be made by some committee. 

In times when things are out of my control, I do the best I can then leave the results in His hands.  I have made Jesus the Lord of my life; I can trust Him to work out the details that are beyond my control.  I am learning to rest in His will.  I do not need to “twist arms” to get other people to go along with my will.  It is for God to get them to go along with His will!  

PRAYER:  Lord, I trust you to lead and guide me.  I trust you to take care of the issues that are out of my control. I know you can work them out for my good and your glory.   The best wisdom for me is to trust you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 24, 2022: SOAP #4435:  Exodus 9-11; Luke 24

SCRIPTURE:  Exodus (NIV) 9:13 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning, confront Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me, 14 or this time I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no-one like me in all the earth.
15 For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. 16 But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.

OBSERVATION: God was working to get the Israelites released from Egypt without any effort on their part.  Later, on their way to the Promised Land and then inside the Promised Land, Israel would fight.  But their deliverance from Egypt was God’s work. 

Bringing Israel out of Egypt was God’s primary goal, but not the only goal.  God was leaving a testimony for the Israelites to remember later.  God was demonstrating His power to Pharoah, and to Egypt.  And God wanted His name “proclaimed in all the earth.”

Our salvation is God’s work.  Jesus paid the price for our deliverance from sin.  We accept His forgiveness by faith.  But once we are securely in His Kingdom, we will have opportunity to bring glory to God by participating with Him.  Salvation is His work (John 3:16).  The emphasis is on what we get.  Being filled with the Holy Spirit is to make us His witnesses (Acts 1:8). The emphasis is on what He gets!

APPLICATION:  Too often I have been only selfishly concerned about how things affected me.  I did not take time to consider how those around me could be influenced.  I did not take time to consider things from God’s point of view. 

PRAYER:  Lord, forgive me for thinking that this world centers around me. May my response to my troubles, and my response to your intervention on my behalf bring you much glory.  May people see you at work in my life and may they hear my testimony. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 23, 2022: SOAP #4434:  Exodus 6-8; Luke 23

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 23:50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no-one had yet been laid.

OBSERVATION: Even though Jesus had told them several times that He would be killed, yet no had thought to prepare a place for His body. 

Even though it seemed evil was winning the day, God was still in control.  God had Simon available to carry the cross.  He had Joseph’s tomb ready for the burial. 

God’s perfect will was being accomplished; God had all the details covered. 

APPLICATION:  When I have a lack in what I am doing, I should take my needs to the Lord.  He has so many ways to provide what is needed! 

If He does not provide, I should prayerfully determine if I am really doing His will, or my will?  Once I am sure I am doing His will, I need to move ahead with what I have.  I may not have all the finances to do what I would like to do, but I must start with what is available.  When God sees my faithful obedience, He will increase resources to do more.  He may be pleased with the little I am doing and bless it to be even more fruitful.

I must be careful not to put pressure on people to provide what God has promised.  God is not depending on my power of persuasion to fund His ministries.  Many times God will use His people to provide, but it is much better when the pressure comes from God and not me!

Should God not increase my resources; the important thing is for me to be faithful.  As I remember singing, “Little is much if God is in it!”

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, I pray you find me faithful.  I know I can trust you to provide what I need to do your will.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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