Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 11, 2022: SOAP #4512:  1Samuel 11-12; 1Chronicales 1; 2Corinthians 11

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

OBSERVATION: God is truthful and faithful to us.  The Bible reveals flaws in some of the major characters.  God does not rely on perfect people; only Jesus is without sin.  The Bible reveals truth about the enemy of our souls.  He is a great pretender.  He pretends to be good.  He pretends to be an “angel of light.”  But Satan hates God and longs to destroy God’s most cherish creation.  He has no care for man, except as a tool to cause God pain.  If pretending to be good helps Satan convince us to do what he wants, then he will put on a mask pretending to be acceptable, holy and even loving.    

APPLICATION: Some organizations, have separate manuals for leaders to study and read.  Their leaders receive special training to prepare them for leadership.  In the church there is only one Manual, the Bible!   The oldest and newest members all read the same Bible.  The youngest believer and the seasoned leader all read the same Bible. 

Those who have made themselves familiar with the scriptures should never follow false leaders; the Bible gives the requirements for leaders.  People who love the Bible should be able to identify the “pretenders.”  God cares about His people and protects them with the truth of His Word. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word.  You understand your creation; you know how we can be led astray.  You carefully provided for us in the scriptures.  Holy Spirit, stir our spirit to read and apply the Bible.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 10, 2022: SOAP #4511:  1Samuel 8-10; 2Corinthians 10

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 10:3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

OBSERVATION: Often the toughest strongholds to overcome are the arguments and pretenses in the mind.   If not careful, a person can become a captive of thought processes that hurt them.  Thoughts must be taken “captive.” The mind can become a battlefield.

APPLICATION: The biggest battle I will fight today will be in my mind.  I am not a mind, but I have a mind.  I must take control of my thoughts.  I cannot set myself to stop thinking about something, but I can set myself to start thinking about something else.  The strategy is “thought replacement.”  Replace thoughts about my big problem with thoughts about my big God!  The Bible never tells me how to feel, but often tells me how to think.  I must be open to the Holy Spirit helping me keep my thoughts under control.  The enemy will gladly fill my head with thoughts that are contrary to God’s plan for my life. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I need your help.  I want my life to be a comfortable place for you to live.  Watch over my mind and help me refuse the thought suggestions of the enemy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 09, 2022: SOAP #4510:  1Samuel 6-7; Psalm 72; 2Corinthians 9

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

OBSERVATION: Here Paul closes out his teachings on giving.  In chapter 2, what Paul spoke of as a “treasure,” here he calls an “indescribably gift.”  Paul’s high value of what he possessed caused him willingly and joyfully give his all for the gospel. 

Paul’s teaching, his ministry, his life, his possessions, his past, his future was all set by how he valued his Indescribable Gift! 

The truth about giving we read in chapters 8 and 9 could have been used to motivate people to give to Paul and his ministry.  But that was not Paul.  He used those truths to motivate people to give to others. 

APPLICATION: My value of what God has given me sets my level of giving.  The more I value what God has given me, the more I am willing to give.  The more I value what God has given me, the more I am willing to endure any hard times!  Do I really consider Jesus an Indescribable Gift?  What I am willing to sacrifice shows me the value I have set on Jesus. 

PRAYER:  Lord, it is worthwhile serving you!  It is worth any struggle.  It is worth giving up what I like best. It is worth it because You are worth it!  You are my Indescribable Gift!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 08, 2022: SOAP #4509:  1Samuel 3-5; Psalm 77; 2Corinthians 8

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 8:7 But just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us — see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

OBSERVATION: In this letter to the believers in the city of Corinth, The Apostle Paul is commending them for their faith, their speech, their knowledge, earnestness, and love.  They have grown in their Christian life.  Now he is encouraging them to excel in another part of Christian living — that of giving.

APPLICATION: God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. (John 3:16) When Leon loves the world the way God loves the world, Leon will be a giver too.  Leon’s love can be seen in what Leon is willing to give. 

Since I claim Jesus as my Lord all that I have belongs to Him.  Giving is not a matter of donating my money.  Giving is disbursing His money as He directs.

PRAYER:  Lord, you are a giver.  If I want to become like you, I must grow in my giving.  Remind me that when I give, I am not giving from my resources, but from Yours.  May you have joy in increasing my finances because you have joy in seeing how I manage what you have already given.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 07, 2022: SOAP #4508:  1Samuel 1-2; Psalm 66; 2Corinthians 7

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 66:1 Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
2 Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you; they sing praise to your name.” Selah
5 Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works on man’s behalf!

OBSERVATION: The Psalmist encourages everyone on earth to make a loud noise of praise to God.  They are to “shout with joy!” They are to “sing praises.” 

They had many reasons to “make His praise glorious!”  God had done awesome deeds in creation!  God had worked many miracles in delivering Israel out of slavery from Egypt. 

APPLICATION: If the Old Testament saints had reason to praise God, how much more do I have reason!  Jesus entered death and rose victorious.  Jesus suffered and died to pay for my sins.  He rose from the grave and now lives in my life!  No Old Testament saint should ever out-shout me!  …especially on resurrection Sunday!!!

PRAYER:  Lord, I want to make your praise glorious!  You are the risen Lord over death, hell, and the grave!  And you have chosen to make my heart your home!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 06, 2022: SOAP #4507:  Ruth 3-4; Psalm 64, 65; 2Corinthians 6

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 6:16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 17 “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

OBSERVATION: That is what we are!  We are the temple of the living God.  But these verses tell reveal that God wants more.  If we separate ourselves, we will be His sons and daughters.  He will be more than a builder; He will be a Father—our Father! 

To be God’s temple in which He dwells is indeed a high honor.  But to be His son or daughter!  That is amazing!!!  More than being His handiwork, as His children, we carry His DNA! 

APPLICATION: My relationship with a builder is technical.  We communicate about his work.  He shows me his handiwork. 

But my relationship with my father is personal.  We talk about what he likes and dislikes.  I ask about his time in France during World War II.  I ask why he married my mother.  I ask questions I would never ask a builder, but this is my dad, my father. 

Rather than asking so much what I want Him to do for me, I need to ask what I can do for Him.  What can I do that would pleasure Him?  What does He think about what I am doing?  What causes Him pain?  How can I make Him smile?  I need to honor Him as my Heavenly Father. 

PRAYER:  Sovereign LORD, you are God, my Creator.  You are awesome in power and wisdom.  Yet to me you are so much more.  You are my Heavenly FATHER!  You love me and treat me as your son!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 05, 2022: SOAP #4506, from #2315:  Ruth 1-2; Psalm 53, 61; 2Corinthians 5

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 61:1 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.
2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.
4 I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah

OBSERVATION: The psalmist had learned there was no place on earth from which he could not call on God. In times of trouble when he needed a strong foundation, he trusted God to be a rock that was bigger than himself. He remembered when he had been overcome by the enemy; he had found God to be his refuge. God had been his strong tower from which he could overlook the battle below. From his vantage point in the tower the psalmist had viewed the enemies battle plans.

APPLICATION: I have never been in a place from which I could not call on the Lord. I have never been in a place where I could not sense His Presence. He has been my courage; he has been my strength. He has been my wisdom; He has been my source. He has been with me in the air (in small planes, Marine helicopters, and passenger jets), on land (in cars, busses, and trains) (on mountain tops and in caves) and sea (in small fishing boats and US Navy ships). In churches, in hospitals, and in prisons.  He has been with me on three continents and several islands of the sea. He has been with me in war and peace; in Viet Nam and at home. He has been with me when the air was filled with the sound of whizzing bullets and exploding shells; He has been with me when the air was filled with the sounds of people worshipping. His voice has assured me; His hand has sustained me; His presence has satisfied me.

PRAYER:  Lord, from everywhere on earth that I have been, I have called on you and found you to be a rock bigger than myself and my circumstances. You are my refuge and my strong tower. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 04, 2022: SOAP #4505:  Judges 19-21; 2Corinthians 4

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 4:1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

OBSERVATION: “By setting forth the truth plainly…”    How important it is that those who minister the Word, present it clearly.  Words must be used that are easy for the hearer to understand. 

 It should be clearly set forth in our lives as well as in our preaching.  The active truth should not be hard to identify.  It should be plain; it should be easily seen.  The leader’s life should be a good example of how to live.. 

A leader must maintain a clear testimony, especially for the lost who have a great tendency to point out the hypocrisy of Christian leaders who say one thing but do another. 

APPLICATION: “…we commend ourselves to everyman’s conscience…”    It should be easy for people to believe me.  I should live my life in a way that does not contradict what I say.  One message in my words and another message in my life causes confusion in those to whom I am ministering.  People should be getting the same message from my life as from my preaching.

NOTE:  This is especially true for parents!

The application is where the truth of the scripture interacts with my life.  In the application I discover why God put that truth in the Bible.  In the application I show God that His word is important to me.   It is not something to be ignored. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help me faithfully apply the scriptures to my life.  May other be able to see that I live out the truth you have revealed to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 03, 2022: SOAP #4504:  Judges 17-18; Psalm 89; 2Corinthians 3

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 3: 1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

OBSERVATION: Paul did not need someone to write a letter of introduction to the church in Corinth.  He did not need someone to present a list of his accomplishments.  He already had such a letter.  The lives of the ones to whom he was writing were his letters. 

People could look at them and see the results of Paul’s ministry.  They were not letters written by ink, but by the Holy Spirit!   They were not written “on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”

When the letter written in my heart by the Holy Spirit, shines out in the way I live, and act, and talk…it is then others can read the letter,

APPLICATION: There is a house on my school bus route that is being remodeled.  I note the changes to the outside every day.  But there is something happening on the inside of the house that is much better.  No, I cannot see inside the house, but I can see what comes out of the house:  happy, respectful, neatly dressed children.  They are letters of good things happening in that home. 

I need to consider myself a letter from Christ, guided by the Word of God (still the result of Paul’s ministry).  This letter is written on my heart and written with the Spirit of the living God!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help me live my life to glorify Jesus.  When people see me, may they know that God cares for them also.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 02, 2022: SOAP #4503:  Judges 13-16; 2Corinthians 2

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 2:10 If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

OBSERVATION: When we do not forgive, we leave an open door for Satan to interfere in our lives.

Not forgiving is sin.  We have been commanded by God to forgive.

Not forgiving others is asking God not to forgive us!  (Matthew 6:15)

Not forgiving is not appreciating the forgiveness God has given us.

Not forgiving keeps the hurt we have experienced fresh in our lives.  The issue is unsettled.  It is an account that remains open.  It keeps the past interfering with our present.

APPLICATION: Not forgiving may or may not hurt the person who wronged me, but it always hurts me. It hurts me again and again, every time I remember the pain and wait for the offender to make it right. It is so much better to forgive! Forgiveness is outwitting Satan!  It destroys the weapons he loves to use against me!

Forgiveness should become as natural to me as the blinking of my eyelid when a parcel of dust invades my eye.  And it should be done just as quickly. (Wes Daughenbaugh)

PRAYER:  Jesus, your death on the cross was not only sufficient to pay for all my sins against you, it was also sufficient to pay for all the sins against me. And as the Heavenly Father forgives me because of your sacrifice, so I can forgive those who sin against me. And so, I pray, “forgive my sins as I forgive those who sin against me.” Amen

Pastor Leon
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