Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 1, 2022: SOAP #4563: Proverbs 19-21: Romans 13

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 13:9 The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfilment of the law.

OBSERVATION:  The four “Do not…” commands listed above, together with the other “do not…” commands, are “summed up in this one “do” rule.  In the Old Testament we see an emphasis on what we should not do.  In the New Testament we see an emphasis on what we should do. 

People needed to be protected from the evil in my heart.  The Old Testament law puts restraints on the flesh, like handcuffs.   It obviously does not work very well. 

When we are born again, we die to the flesh and come alive to the Spirit of God now living inside.  The Spirit now living inside me has a different set of “want to’s.”  The flesh was motivated by self. It wanted to serve and please itself.  The Spirit is motivated by love.  He wants to serve and please others.  People do not need to be protected from that. 

APPLICATION: As I walk in the Spirit, and follow the command to love, I do not have to be concerned about the Ten Commandments.  Loving the Lord (Matthew 22:37) takes care of the first four commandments.  Loving my neighbor takes care of the other six. 

PRAYER:  Lord, you are making love a priority in my life.  Show me a new way to express that love to you.  Then, show me practical ways I can express that love to someone today. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 31, 2022: SOAP #4562: Proverbs 16-18: Romans 12

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

OBSERVATION: If I am doing something for my friend, I should do it in a way that my friend would appreciate.  It is for them.  If I buy a present for someone special, I should buy something THEY would enjoy, not necessarily something I would enjoy.  Doesn’t it seem logical that if I am giving an offering to the Lord, I should do it in a way that HE considers acceptable—a way that brings Him pleasure?  A living sacrifice means that I am sacrificing/giving up my ways, to do things His way.  To do things, not just right, but in a way to bring Him pleasure.  . 

APPLICATION: If I say I have given my life to Jesus, I should consider what HE likes.  If I say that HE lives inside me, I should live not to offend HIM in my words or actions.  It may not be easy.  A sacrifice never it.  I can sacrifice my vocabulary and attitudes to walk and talk like Jesus.

PRAYER:  Lord, your pleasure is my goal.  May I sense your smile each day as I do things that please you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 30, 2022: SOAP #4561: Proverbs 13-15; Romans 11

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 11:12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fulness bring! …
15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

OBSERVATION:  Definitely not all individual Jews, but as a nation Israel rejected Jesus.  Paul was then sent to the Gentiles.  Israel’s rejection of Jesus worked to the reconciliation of the Gentiles (the non-Jewish world).  But a time is coming when Israel will accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. 

If their rejection brought the gentiles reconciliation, what will their acceptance bring?  Verse 15 says, “Life from the dead!”  I see this as referring to the end time—to the time of the church being gathered to the Lord in the air.  The time when the “dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are alive will be caught up together with them … in the air. And so will we be with the Lord forever!”  (1Thessalonians 416-18)

APPLICATION: If I see this correctly, this means that we need to keep our eyes on Israel.  Israel again became a nation in 1948.  It is such a small nation compared to those surrounding.  But it is a nation in God’s plan.  Miracles brought it into existence, and it has taken miracles to keep it.  When we hear of a great number of Jews accepting Jesus as Lord, we should lift our eyes to heaven to see the return of Jesus for His church. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, keep us aware of what is happening in the world around us, especially in Israel.  Give us wisdom in understanding the times in which we live.  May these days not take us unaware. (1Thessalonians 5:4-10) Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 29, 2022: SOAP #4560: Proverbs 10-12; Romans 10

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 10:1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. …
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? …
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

OBSERVATION: In these verses we can see that people are saved by responding to what they know.  The must put their faith in what they know.  Their knowledge comes from what they have heard.  What they hear comes from someone sent. 

It is so important that they know the truth.  The, the truth that one’s righteousness comes from God, and they cannot depend on their own good works.  As verses 9 and 10 say: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Faith, even zealous faith, cannot save if it is not based on knowledge of truth.  Saving faith is based on truth. 

APPLICATION: I am not saved by how good of a husband or parent I am.  I am not saved based on my ministry as a pastor.  I am not saved by how many SOAPs I write, or how well I drive a school bus.  I want to do those things in a way that shows my love for God and what He has done for me.  My salvation rests only on what Jesus did for me by dying on the cross for my sins. 

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for forgiving my sins.  Use me to tell others about you and what you have done for them.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 28, 2022: SOAP #4559: Proverbs 7-9; Romans 9

SCRIPTURE:  Proverbs (NIV) 9:8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.”

OBSERVATION: It is wise for those who carry the weight of their sins to fear God.  The “fear of the Lord” is not wisdom, only the beginning of wisdom.  It will lead us to the understanding found in the second part of this verse.  Understanding comes from “the knowledge of God,” not just knowing about God.  It is that personal, intimate knowledge of God that fills our minds, our hearts, and our lives with understanding. In relating to Him we discover and come to understand the real purpose for our existence.

APPLICATION: The better I know God, the better I understand the world around me. The better I understand His character, what breaks His heart, what makes Him smile then the better I understand this world He created and my place in it.  The better I understand His holiness, the better I understand what sin is and why His Son had to pay such a terrible price for my sins.  The better I understand His love, the better I understand why He sent His Son. 

PRAYER:  Lord, To know You. I want to know You more. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 27, 2022: SOAP #4558: Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 8:3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so, he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

OBSERVATION: Paul wrote the book of Romans to people he had not yet visited.  So, he presents an over-all view of the believer’s life.  He covers the Holy God’s judgment on sin.  He covers being justified by the sacrifice of Jesus.  Now that his readers are justified, here in chapter 8, Paul tells them how they are to be living now. 

With the life of the Spirit of God in us, we live in dependency on the Holy Spirit.  Paul tells us how to think (vs. 5).  He tells us to glorify God with our body (vs. 11).  Paul tells us to live as children of God (vs. 14-17). 

We can live this way because we do not need to worry about our past sins.  The righteous requirements of the law have been “fully met” in us!!!

APPLICATION: In a desire to include more people, many organizations have lowered their standards.  They have lowered their requirements to belong.  God also desires to include people in His kingdom.  He wants to include everyone.  He wants us to meet His standards.  But God does not lower His standards to a level I can meet.  NO!  But through the death of Jesus to pay for my sins and the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life, He raises me to meet His standards!!! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, as a Holy God you did not lower your standards to include me, but as a Loving God, you raised me to “fully meet” your standards!  My eyes fill with tears as my heart overflows with gratitude!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 26, 2022: SOAP #4557: Proverbs 1-3; Romans 7

SCRIPTURE:  Proverbs (NIV) 3:21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; 24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.  26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

OBSERVATION: Solomon’s wisdom for his son encourages him to value good judgment.  He should be actively evaluating his environment and discerning areas of trouble. 

A special blessing for those who trust the Lord is the presence of the Holy Spirit.  He guides them to sound judgment and discernment.  The gifts of the Spirit in mentioned in 1Corinthians 12 include word of wisdom, work of knowledge, and discernment of spirits.  The Holy Spirit helps prepare us for what lies ahead so we do not fear things suddenly appearing.  He helps guide our steps and lets us sleep in peace, sweet peace. 

APPLICATION: Here is a scripture passage that I can apply to my life.  This would be a good verse to meditate on at the beginning of each day.  My confession can be: “I do not know what this day has in store for me, but my confidence is in you, Lord!” 

This would be a good verse to meditate on at the end of each day.  My confession can be: “The Lord has seen me thought this day; He will see me through this night.  My rest will be sweet, not because of my environment, but because of His Presence!”

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the wisdom available through the presence of your Holy Spirit.  Keep drawing my focus to what you are saying to me.  I know you are with me all day long and are speaking to me many times throughout each day.  I do not want to miss a single thing you say.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 25, 2022: SOAP #4556: 1Kings 10, 11; 2Chronicles 9; Romans 6

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NVI) 6:10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

OBSERVATION: We have been set free from the dominance of sin; we now have the ability to choose.  We are now responsible for our choices.

When the Holy Spirit is mixed with the spirit of man, we have a being with a righteous nature.  We now have choices.  Having been freed from the sin nature, we can choose that which honors God.

Paul tells us that we should choose what we do with our bodies.  On one hand we can surrender our bodies to do those things that sin tempts us to do.  This will result in our bodies being instruments of wickedness.

The better choice is that we choose to surrender our bodies to do what God desires.  This is what those who have been brought from death to life do.  One can identify the inner change by the outer change.  That new life is on the inside is readily apparent because of the changes seen in the actions of the body.  Now our bodies serve as instruments of righteousness.

APPLICATION: Sin dominated fallen man.  But God loves us and desires we love Him in return.  He gives us choices.  We prove our love for God by doing those things that please Him.  Our choices prove our love. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I choose you.  Let my love for you be seen in my choices.  May the love and respect I have for you be seen in the choices I make in my life every day.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 24, 2022: SOAP #4555: 1Kings 9; 2Chronicles 8; Psalm 136; Romans 5

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 5:20 The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

OBSERVATION: Sin did not wait for the law to appear before tempting Adam, and then destroying his relationship to his Creator.  The law was not needed for sin to be present.  But when the law was given, it clearly outlined parameters for the life God breathed into Adam.

As to driving my car in the USA:  the edge of the road has always been there, but I appreciate the white line that has been painted there for the last 30 years or so.  Especially in stormy weather, or when bright headlights are approaching, I often look at the white line to judge my place on the highway. It helps keep me in the safe driving lane.  The Word of God helps me keep in the safe living lane.

When sin becomes more prevalent, grace becomes even more prevalent. Remember, grace is always greater than sin!  Grace does not increase at the same rate as sin, but “all the more!”

APPLICATION: We all know the reality of death; we can all know the reality of the righteous life that grace brings to those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord.  It is an eternal life that death cannot stop.  Death becomes a door through which we pass into a greater awareness of the Presence of God!  What a day it was when I accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord.  What a day that will be when I slip out of these physical garments and my spirit soars into His Presence! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you that reigning in life does not have to wait until I die; it starts here and now!  Your grace reigns now in my life.  And through my life it reaches to others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 23, 2022: SOAP #4554: 2Chronicles 6, 7; Psalm 135; Romans 4

Received by faith!

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 4:5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:7 “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

OBSERVATION: Here is the verse from Psalm 32.  In that Psalm, David writes about the terrible time he was having when he tried to cover up his sin. The relief of being forgiven came after he confessed his sin.  The blessedness of being forgiven is contrasted to the miserableness of trying to hide sin, knowing all the time that it is there.

APPLICATION: There is only one covering for sin:  the blood of Jesus shed on the cross.  Adam and Eve discovered that leaves could not cover sin. God provided a blood sacrifice when He skinned an animal and gave them the skin for a covering, but that would only be temporary.  It is the blood of Jesus that covers sin!  That is the only acceptable covering!  It was provided by Someone who perfectly knew the nature and results of sin, and Someone who had never sinned Himself!   His death could be the payment for my sin since He did not have to pay for His own!

Although this verse does not mention how many, or what types of sin are covered, clearly, we can see that we are only blessed if ALL our sins are covered.  One sin will send us to hell as well as one hundred.  A person on their way to hell could not be considered blessed.  To be truly blessed, they must ALL be forgiven!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, the only sacrifice that could pay for my sin would have to be made by someone who did not have any sins of their own for which they must pay.  Your Son, Jesus, did just that.  Now you have forgiven me and accepted me as your child.  I thank you and give my life to you. Amen

Pastor Leon
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