Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 21, 2022: SOAP #4522:  1Samuel 24; 1Chronicles 8; Psalm 57, 58; Matthew 8

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 57:7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. 8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. 9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. 10 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. 11 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.

OBSERVATION: Earlier in this Psalm, David mentions the tough times he is going through.  People are trying to kill him, probably a reference to King Saul chasing him. 

As a shepherd boy, David had gotten to know God as his Shepherd.   He grew in his love and appreciation for God.  He developed a trusting relationship with God.  God would take care of David; he did not have to defend himself. 

His heart was fixed on God.  His heart would not be alarmed by the troubles that surrounded him; his gaze and trust was firmly anchored in God!  

Whatever was happening around him, David was going to honor God with songs of praise. 

APPLICATION: I too can trust the Lord as David did.  I too can sing songs of praise and worship in times of trouble.  David’s God is my God!   He is merciful, truthful, and glorious. 

PRAYER:  Oh Lord, my heart, my mind, my life is fixed on you.  Everything centers around you.  You are great in mercy to me.  You sent your Son, Jesus, to die in my place as payment for my sins.  You are forgiving and kind. Yes, your glory is above the heavens, but now I pray that your glory will be seen in me—your love and your holiness. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 20, 2022: SOAP #4521:  1Samuel 23; Psalm 31,54; Matthew 7

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 7:12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

OBSERVATION: The OT law was based on a selfish basis.  It was how people related to themselves that they would understand how to relate to others.  Later Jesus says that the second greatest commandment is to love one’s neighbor as they love themselves (Mark 12:31) which again brings self as the basis. 

What a difference Jesus brought when He gave us His commandment, to love one another AS HE LOVED US!  (John 13:34) He brought love to a whole new dimension.

APPLICATION: In considering what loving like Jesus would mean for me, I do not think I can do that.  I am sure I can improve on loving those around me, but to rise to the level of loving like Jesus?  So here is my application:  if Jesus wants Leon to love like Jesus, Jesus will need to come and live His life in Leon! 

And That is just what Jesus did!  When I confessed my sins and asked Him to forgive me, I asked Him into my heart and life. He moved in and started rearranging my priorities.  And He started loving through me! 

PRAYER:  Lord, love through me.  Let my life be an expression of your love to those around me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 19, 2022: SOAP #4520:  1Samuel 22; Psalm 17,35; Matthew 6

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 6:7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors…

OBSERVATION:  Jesus knows that we have needs.  Jesus is concerned that our needs be met.  People who love Jesus will want to follow His directions. 

We are not to desperately keep begging and keep begging God.  God is not keeping count of how many words we use, or of how many times we repeated our request. 

When we approach God in faith, we know that He already knows our need, even before we ask Him!  Our needs do not take Him by surprise. 

Jesus, God’s Son, the one sent to earth to reveal the Father, teaches us how to talk to the Father.  Of course, He would know; He just came from the Father!  We are to take our needs to the Father.  “Give us today our daily bread.” 

APPLICATION: Sometimes I have more faith in people than in God.  I take my needs to people, trying to convince them to help.  Jesus tells me I should pray to the Father.  I should tell Him my needs.  I should give God opportunity to display He love and provision.  My testimony will be an encouragement to others. 

As I wait on God’s answer, I find that God’s provision clarifies His direction and plan for my life, and it sets His timing.  His provision builds my faith.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you know my needs even before I know them.  I am learning to trust you more and more.  You are my great Provider. Thank you for providing the job driving the bus. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 18, 2022: SOAP #4519:  1Samuel 20-21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 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: This verse very clearly speaks to God’s purpose for the church.  If we are “the light of the world,” then it must be God’s intent that we live and work “in” the world.  It is not “in the church” where our light is to shine, but “in the world.” 

This passage puts the emphasis on our works, our “good deeds,” rather than our words, our mini sermons.  Our words show how much we know; our works show how much we care.  Our words show what is in our head; our works show what is in our heart.

APPLICATION:  Every day when I walk out the door of my house, I need to look around.  One of my neighbors may need some “light.”  As I pray for them, I can ask God how I can serve them. 

Every day when I arrive at my workplace, I need to look around to see who needs some “light.”  Perhaps someone needs a smile or a word of encouragement.  I can look for a way to do something kind. 

PRAYER:  Lord, sometimes I am quick to speak and slow to act.  Remind me that words will have much more effect if the heart has been prepared by kindness.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 17, 2022: SOAP #4518:  1Samuel 19; 1Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 4:10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

OBSERVATION: The devil had tempted Jesus in each of the three ways mentioned in 1John 2:16: the lust of the flesh (turning stone into bread to satisfy hunger), the lust of the eyes (look at all the kingdoms I will give you if you worship me), and the pride of life (prove you are God, the Son.) Jesus proved victorious in each, using only what is available to us — The Written Word!

Also, Jesus was tempted in the exact same points as Eve in the garden. (Gen 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eye, and desirable for gaining wisdom, …) Eve was tempted with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. 

The devil’s tactics have not changed. As Jesus overcame Satan in these same temptations, He proved Himself to be the perfect sacrifice for sin. Paul wrote, “He Who knew no sin …” It was not because He had not been tempted or tested. From Genesis to the time of Jesus and to this very day, the devil’s tactics have not changed, but neither has the victory available to us in the life of Christ!

APPLICATION: The life that Jesus now lives in me is not the pre-tested, pre-crucifixion life.  It is a life that has already been tested!  Of course, He knows how to help me!   It is a life that has already been in and out of death’s door!  The One who will be escorting me through death’s door has already been there!!!  

PRAYER:  Lord, you are the Living Word, and you overcame Satan with the written word.  Today, I have both the Written Word and the victorious, resurrected Living Word alive in me.  Victory is mine!!!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 16, 2022: SOAP #4517:  1Samuel 18; 1Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

SCRIPTURE:  1Samuel (NIV) 18:12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had left Saul.  13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him.  15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.

OBSERVATION: David’s success in battle, in leadership, in life…David’s success was not credited to his great wisdom, or his physical strength, or his personality.  It was not credited to his family nor his finances.  His success in “everything he did” was credited to “The LORD was with him.”  The recognizable presence of God was a sure sign that David was favored of the Lord. 

The presence of God was recognizable!  People could see that God was with David! 

APPLICATION: I am amazed at the many ways God blesses and uses these SOAPs.  It is clear to me that God is with them,  when they are written and when they go out.  They are used in twenty-plus countries and are quickly spreading in West Africa.  The only explanation I have is that God is pleased with them. 

What a privilege to be able to live under the favor of God.  God’s favor is not my location or status in the world; it is God’s location and status in my heart!  (Have I invited Jesus into my heart and made him LORD over all my life?)  When God is in the right location and honored with the right status, trials can then be seen as challenges—as opportunities for Jesus to be glorified in my life!  

PRAYER: To the Lord I sing:  In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.  It my life, Lord, be glorified today. …and a second verse:  In this SOAP, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.  In this SOAP, Lord, be glorified today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 15, 2022: SOAP #4516 (from #2690):  1Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

SCRIPTURE:  1Samuel (NIV) 17:45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly towards the battle line to meet him.

OBSERVATION: David vs. Goliath is the common way people think of this story. But in David’s mind, it was different. It was Goliath vs. God! And David knew who was going to win that battle! David did not make this the LORD’s battle, Goliath did. Goliath was the one who defied/taunted God. If it had been David’s battle, without a doubt, Goliath would have won. But it was not David’s battle. It was not even Israel’s battle. It was the LORD’s battle. Goliath did not have a chance to win.

David was not using God to win a battle for Israel; God was using David to win a battle for His honor.

APPLICATION: The enemy wants me to see the battle as mine and to think that I am responsible for the outcome. Thinking this way, I am defeated even before the battle begins. 

God wants me to see the battle as His and let Him be responsible for the outcome! I am not using God to win my battle; God is using me to win His battle!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help understand the principles for which I am fighting! Use me to bring glory to the name of Jesus! Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 14, 2022: SOAP #4515:  1Samuel 15-16; 1Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

SCRIPTURE:  1Samuel (NIV) 16:17 So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.” 18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.”  …
23 Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

OBSERVATION: David had many good noticeable qualities; he was talented, he was a brave warrior, he could converse intelligently, and he was handsome.   But the servant giving the report about David had seen something else—God was with Him!!!

That quality made such an impression that the servant included it in his list of qualities.  It was the one quality that bound all the other qualities together—and enhanced them.  It was the extra in David’s harp playing.  It was the extra in his time at war.  It was the extra in his conversations.  It was the extra in the way David held himself and presented himself.  David belonged to God!  God was with David!

APPLICATION: Noticing the presence of God in my life starts with me.  By faith, I invite Him into my life, forgiving my sins.  I set my life under His Lordship.  I treat Him like He really is a part of my life because He really is!  I talk (pray) to Him.  I read His word (the Bible.)  I do those things that honor Him. 

And as I acknowledge His presence, soon others will recognize His presence in my life.  Soon I can see that Jesus is really living His life through me.  The Holy Spirit is directing my everyday life.  There is nothing too big, or too small for His input and assistance. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I am alive in you, but what is better, You are alive in me!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 13, 2022: SOAP #4514:  1Samuel 14; 1Chronicles 4; 2Corinthians 13

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you— unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.

OBSERVATION: If anyone should know if I am a believer, it should be me! I do not need to go to a doctor, or a lawyer, or a pastor to have an examination to see if I am a Christian. I can examine myself. Does Christ live in me? How can I know?

First, I know it by faith in God’s Word. 1John 1:9 says, “if I confess my sins God is faithful and just to forgive me my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.” Amazing! According to Romans 10:9-10 I confess Jesus as Lord and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. Therefore, according to His Word, I am saved!

Second, I know it by the differences He makes in me! Oh, the peace of His presence! All things do work together for good! (Romans 8:28)

Third, I know it because He talks to me. He is with me, and He speaks into my thoughts. He helps me understand what I read and what I see around me. He puts thoughts in my mind that show me how to live. As I read the Bible, I see the things he has brought to my mind.

APPLICATION: I walk, and I talk with Him! How could it be possible that He is alive in me, and I not know it? (If I am not sure, I need to read the short book of 1John to see what is available for me to KNOW.)

PRAYER:  Jesus, to have you live inside me, and share this life with me, is the greatest joy of life. I want to follow your lead.  I want to make it easy for you to live in me. I want you to enjoy being with me as much as I enjoy being with you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 12, 2022: SOAP #4513:  1Samuel 13; 1Chronicles 2-3; 2Corinthians 12

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 12:12 The things that mark an apostle—signs, wonders and miracles—were done among you with great perseverance….
19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.

OBSERVATION: Here is Paul’s explanation an apostle’s ministry.  It is obviously one of oversight but signs, wonders and miracles are a major part.  It is not that they happened once or twice, but they continue to be seen in that ministry.   And from the context of these verses, an apostle does not exploit or take advantage of those seeking out his ministry.  The purpose of an apostle is for the church, not for selfish gain.

APPLICATION: I am not an apostle, but the purpose of the ministry God has given me is not for my gain, but the strengthening of others.  A gift of ministry has been given to me to make me useful.  If I am useful, I will be used.  If I am used, it is easy to get tired of being used.  But if I cannot be used, I will be useless.  It is much worse to feel useless than to feel used!   With age should come maturity.  It should be easy for people to use me.

NOTE:  Biblical titles are not words of value, but words of function.  Everyone in the church has the same value, being bought by the same sacrifice of Jesus, but we all have different functions.  Some functions, like leadership, require a measure of authority in order to fulfill their purpose.  Authority is a tool God gives to make a person more useful.  It is not for personal benefit, but the benefit of those they are called to serve.  (This is especially true of fathers/parents whose purpose is to serve their families.) 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, may the temptation of feeling used, be replaced with the joy of being useful, to You and Your church.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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