Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 01, 2022: SOAP #4502:  Judges 11-12; Psalm 50; 2Corinthians 1

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 1:7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.  8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

OBSERVATION: Paul and his companions had struggled in extremely hard times.  They thought they were going to die.  Now they can see that God allowed this struggle to teach them that they could not rely on their own strength, but they could rely on God!   God had proved Himself more than able to deliver!!!  And so, they had faith that God would continue to deliver them!

Paul also noted that God’s delivering help came in answer to the prayers of those reading his letter.  Paul did not complain about the financial support that the Corinthians did or did not send.  Paul recognized that their greatest contribution was their prayers. 

APPLICATION: If God used the hard times to focus Paul on God as his Deliverer, then I should not be surprised if God uses hard time to put my focus on him.  God is my Deliverer!  What He has taken me through in the past builds my faith for what lies ahead.  God’s supply in answer to the prayers made on my behalf are and will be a great testimony. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you are always working for my good.  You are setting me up for growth.  Today You are preparing me for what lies ahead.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 31, 2022: SOAP #4501:  Judges 9-10; Psalm 49; 1Corinthians 16

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 49:15 But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Selah

OBSERVATION: If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then our faith would be useless.  Death is the final result of sin.  Jesus overcame sin in his living and overcame death in his resurrection! 

It is good to note who is doing what in the verse above.  He (God) takes the responsibility of bring us to Himself!  And He will surely do it!  This is a verse full of comfort!  

APPLICATION: The resurrection is the proof that my faith is not in vain!   His resurrection is proof that death will not be the end for me.  The One living inside me has already been tried and tested, already been through death’s door into life after death, already risen bodily from the dead!!!

His powerful death conquering life now lives in me!  He empowers my living.  He will escort me through death’s door into eternity! 

Paul wrote that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!  (2Corinthians 5:8)

The way I see it:  First: He is with me now! (Ephesians 2:22)   
Second:  When I approach death’s door, He will be with me. (Hebrews 13:5)   Third:  As I go through death’s door, I will find Him excitedly waiting for me. (Psalm 116:15)  
Fourth:  When death’s door closes behind me, I will be with Him for eternity!  (1Thessalonians 4:17)  

PRAYER:  Lord, I am amazed at what you have done for me. But I know what is ahead will even be better!  I will enter your gates with thanksgiving in my heart; I will enter your courts with praise; I will say, “This is the day that the Lord hath made!”  I will rejoice for you have made me glad!  (Psalm 100:4 and 118:24) Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 30, 2022: SOAP #4500:  Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1Corinthians 15

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

OBSERVATION: What a fitting close to a chapter that begins with Christ’s resurrection and ends with our resurrection. Because of what Jesus has done for us (past). and because of what Jesus is going to do in us (future), verse 58 above tells me how I should live NOW (present).

APPLICATION: What is the key for living NOW (in the present).  Paul stated it so well in his letter to the churches in Galatia.  “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me.  The life I NOW live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

God has taken care of the past; God is preparing for the future; and right now, God is taking care of my present.  Jesus, by His Spirit, IS LIVING IN ME!   My “labor in the Lord” is really Christ living in me and working through me!  It is me submitting to Him and following His lead. 

PRAYER:  Jesus, you are more than an honored guest visiting in my life.  You are the permanent resident King.  I treat you as my Lord and you treat me as your family.  As I open myself to you, you open your heart to me.  May your presence be the dominating characteristic that is easily recognized by all who know and meet me. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 29, 2022: SOAP #4499:  Judges 6-7; Psalm 52; 1Corinthians 14

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 14:26 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church…. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

OBSERVATION: In this chapter, Paul gives specific directions for the ministry of spiritual gifts when believers are gathered in one place.  Their custom was to gather on the first day of the week for worship and teaching and perhaps to share a meal.  Paul covers several issues about spiritual gifts that would be commonly expressed in such a gathering:  the gifts of tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy.  He also covers a cultural practice of the men and women sitting separately in the church.  If one needed to ask their spouse a question, they should not interrupt the gathering, but wait until they return home.  

In the gathering of believers, everything “must be done for the strengthening of the church.”  Everything should be done in “a fitting and orderly way.” 

APPLICATION: Presently I am not serving as a senior pastor.  I am not up front directing the service, leading worship, bringing the message, etc.  But that does not mean that I am unconcerned about the service.  Like every believer, I must prepare myself for God to use me.  It may be a tongue and/or an interpretation.  It may be a prophecy.  It may be setting a good example for those around me as we worship.  It may be praying with someone.  It may be giving a word of comfort to someone whose family member has just died.  It may be giving a word of encouragement to a young person struggling in school or at work.  My part is to have an offering ready to give.  My part also may be to give some money to a brother or sister in need. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, you flow through me as much now as you did when I was the senior pastor.  You direct my ministry in church to the one you brought to the church to meet me.  Every time I gather with other believers remind me to look for that one that needs what I have.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 28, 2022: SOAP #4498:  Judges 4-5; Psalm 39, 41; 1Corinthians 13

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

OBSERVATION: Changes comes to us as we mature, and changes come to us when we become Christians.  When we were sinners, we talked like sinners; we thought like sinners; and we reasoned like sinners.  We tried to make sense of the world as it revolved around us.  What a change in our talking, thinking, and reasoning when we became believers! 

At the beginning we talked like new believers, we thought like new believers, we reasoned like new believers.  God loved us.  He was always there for us.  We found Bible truths that helped us live a better, joy filled life. 

But as we grew in our spiritual life, we began to talk, think, and reason like mature believers.  We began to realize that God’s plan does not revolve around us, but around Jesus.  We learn that Jesus not only blesses us, but He expects things from us.  More than just our Savior; He is our Lord! 

These are natural progressions to our talking, thinking, and reasoning.  As we grow in our knowledge of God and His Word—and as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, mental changes may come without any conscious effort on our part. 

However, I am quite sure that even greater changes are coming when we see Him “face to face.” 

APPLICATION: My mind is such an important part of my Christian life.  I need to allow the Holy Spirit to influence me in how I think.  

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I surrender my thoughts to your supervision.  May my thought life make a pleasant place for Jesus to dwell.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 27, 2022: SOAP #4497:  Judges 1-3; 1Corinthians 12

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

OBSERVATION: The three truths in this short verse are foundational to understanding this chapter.    

First: these gifts are for “each one.”  The presence and working of the Holy Spirit is to be experienced by every believer. 

Second:  these “manifestations” are a way the Holy Spirit makes His presence known.  When a believer says or does something that is impossible for man to know or do, it is proof of the presence and working of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is manifesting Himself—making His presence known through people. 

Third:  The working of the Holy Spirit in a believer is for the “common good.”  It makes them useful to God and beneficial to the church. 

APPLICATION: God wanted to have us in His kingdom family, but He also knew that we could not save ourselves, so He sent Jesus.  After Jesus gave us the Great Commission and returned to heaven, God knew that we could not do what He wanted us to do in our own strength.  Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until the were filled with power.  If the early church, who had seen and walked with Jesus, needed the Holy Spirit, how much more does Leon need the presence and working of the Holy Spirit!  I need Him every day! 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, mold me into the image of Jesus, fill me with your presence, speak through me, work through me, and make me a blessing to others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 26, 2022: SOAP #4496:  Joshua 23-24; Psalm 44; 1Corinthians 11

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

OBSERVATION: Paul was a leader, but before he was a leader, he was a follower.  He could never be a better leader than a follower.   A good leader is a good follower of an even better leader. 

The best leaders are great followers of Jesus, the greatest leader!

APPLICATION: Today’s SOAP is not to present a thought that I can apply to my life, but a question about which I can meditate throughout today. 

What is “the example of Christ?” 

What did Paul see in Christ that he wanted to pass along to others? 

What do I see in Christ that I want to pass along to others?

The first leaders I had were my parents!  As parents, we are the first leaders our children will have.  My parents were good examples of what Paul was saying.  May I follow their example of following Jesus!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, among the many possibilities, today show me something specific in Christ that will improve my service to others.  Then help me set a good example for others to follow.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 25, 2022: SOAP #4495:  Joshua 21-22; Psalm 47; 1Corinthians 10

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 10:24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others….
32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks, or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

OBSERVATION: The instructions that Paul gives for living were modeled by Jesus.  Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life a ransom for many.  (Matthew 20:28)

Paul was “seeking” how to serve others, especially in ways that would bring them to salvation.  He was not just sitting around waiting to see what opportunities would come his way.  He was thinking about ways to serve others; he was “seeking.”

APPLICATION: God will not allow me to carry an attitude of doing what I want to do no matter how it affects others. In honoring God, my goal is to serve others, not to offend others. God wants to use my life for the benefit of others, especially for their spiritual benefit.

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, make me a useful servant.  May my life bring joy to Jesus and benefit to those around me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 24, 2022: SOAP #4494:  Joshua 18-20; 1Corinthians 9

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 9:16 Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.

OBSERVATION: In this chapter Paul had much to say about money and ministry.  People who minister to the church should expect to receive a reward (finances) for their labor.  People who receive such ministry should expect to give in support of that ministry.  However, Paul rejoiced in that he did not have to require a salary for his ministry. 

Not being paid for his ministry, did not mean that he could ignore the ministry and do something else.  He was “compelled to preach.”  Money had nothing to do with it.  He could not ignore the calling of God on his life. 

So, how did Paul fulfill his obligation?  He had two choices.  He could do it as a burdensome responsibility that he could not escape, OR he could do it as a joyful volunteer with an opportunity to serve his LORD! 

APPLICATION: When I serve as a requirement, I may communicate that the people I am serving are not worthy of the time I spend in ministry to them.  As soon as I am free, I will be on to something more enjoyable and productive.  

When I serve voluntarily, I can communicate that the people are valuable; they are worthy of my time and efforts.  It is my privilege and joy to serve them. 

Even when receiving finances, I must remember that I am serving the LORD.  I am working at His directions.  Any money received should be considered as coming from Him and is to be used as He directs.

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I need you in my life to keep my attitude in line with what you are doing.  In writing SOAPs, in driving a school bus, and in serving seniors, may those I serve know that they are valuable to you and to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 23, 2022: SOAP #4493:  Joshua 15-17; 1Corinthians 8

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV)  8:5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6  yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

OBSERVATION: All things came from the One God, the Father.  We live for His purpose and pleasure.  He is originator of all things.  He is the reason for our living.   

All that has come from the Father has come through the work of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  It came through His work in creation and through His work on the cross.  We are now to live through Him.

APPLICATION: The channel through which all things came from the Father is the channel through which I approach the Father!   In coming from the Father, Jesus made a way for me to go to the Father.  Jesus maintained His relationship with the Father as He walked in humility and obedience.  In so doing, He made a way for me to have a relationship with the Father!  

Having a good relationship with Jesus (the Channel) leads me to have a good relationship with the Father. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, you are at work in my life.  Keep my in the center of the “Channel.”  Teach me how to relate to the Father; teach me how to honor the Father with my daily life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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