Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 11, 2022: SOAP #4573: Song of Solomon 5-8; Philippians 1

SCRIPTURE:   Philippians (NIV) 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!  23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

OBSERVATION:  In these verses, Paul gives three thoughts about death.  First:  for the believer, “to die is gain.”  It is moving ahead in the Creator’s purpose for creation.  It is fulfilling God’s purpose in bringing reclaimed and redeemed people into His eternal presence.     

Second:  to depart from this life is to be “with Christ!”  To live here is to have Christ with me in my circumstances.  To die is to join Him in His circumstances!!!

Third:  Dying is “better by far.”   Staying here, or going there?  This is hardly a choice.  There is no logical comparison.  It is not even close!  It is better by far!

APPLICATION: So, what would make us choose to stay here?  For Paul, it was continuing to bring God glory by serving His church.  It is to be so appreciative of what God has done for us that we are willing to endure whatever suffering may be a part of remaining behind to win more people for Jesus!  It is to be loving God so much that we push aside the risk of suffering in order to do what brings glory to our Lord! 

But whatever choice I may have, there will come a time when I will lay down this body of flesh to enter heaven.  Then I will say with full understanding, “To die is gain!”

PRAYER:  Lord, only you know how many days I have left in this life on earth.  May every one of them count for you. Just thinking about what you have prepared for me in heaven brings me joy; in response, may my life here on earth bring you great joy. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 10, 2022: SOAP #4572: Song of Solomon 1-4; Ephesians

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians (NIV) 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

OBSERVATION:  From the above verses, we can see that evil is not a problem limited to earth.  Evil had found a place in heavenly realms.  Although we often look to Adam as the first sinner, the Bible clearly teaches that there was one before Adam; that one is Satan. God can take what is meant for evil and turn it to be an opportunity for good.  Earth was prepared as a place where God’s grace and love and wisdom would be clearly demonstrated as being greater than sin.  The stage was set, the Son was sent, the struggle was started, and the Servant subdued the serpent!  Hallelujah!

APPLICATION: The battle has been won, but I still struggle.  The struggle now is not for victory for the victory was settled on the cross.  Our struggle now is to enforce the victory that has already been won.  Our struggle is with a defeated enemy who has been left to tempt me to see that my commitment is sure.  He has been left to teach me how to use authority.  He has been left here to give me opportunity to participate in his final demise.

The verses following the above passage give the armor I am to put on for my protection and the weapons I am to use in the struggle. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, with the armor for my protection and the weapons you have provided, with the presence of Your Holy Spirit in my life, You have prepared me for success!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 9, 2022: SOAP #4571: Ecclesiastes 10-12; Psalm 94; Ephesians 5

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians (NIV) 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

OBSERVATION:  As believers in Christ and His redeeming work on the cross it is very important how we live.  But as ones in whom Christ actual lives it is even more important that our lives show His presence.  It is important as a witness to those around us.   But it is even more important to honor Jesus and make him glad to share this body with me. 

APPLICATION:  I like to think of myself as the caretaker of my body/temple.  I need to always keep it clean and presentable.  I also see myself as the host for those who visit my area, especially as the host for Jesus, always the honored guest in my life. 

I have received His gift of justification and have set Him as the LORD of my life.  I know He came from the Holy and Loving capitol of the universe, and I want to make Him feel at home in my life. 

I want to understand God’s will and to stay full of the Holy Spirit. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, make my life a pleasant home for Jesus.  I know there is so much in the world that breaks His heart; may I be one that brings a little joy to His heart. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 8, 2022: SOAP #4570: Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians (NIV) 4:22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

OBSERVATION:  Much about a person is communicated through the clothes they wear.  People cannot see what is happening inside a person, but they can see the clothes.  In the above verses, Christians are told to “put off the old self,” and to “put on the new self.”  It is speaking of our outward life—the part visible to others. 

Our outward actions are expressions of inner attitudes.  God, living on the inside helps me with my attitudes.  And as the inside attitudes change, people can see the change in my life. 

The old self is not proper outerwear for the new Christ-life that is inside.  The things we once did, the way we once talked do not properly display the life of Christ that now resides within. 

APPLICATION: The old attitudes were very often centered on self.  God is helping me establish attitudes centered on God and others.  When I think about how God sees things, and what He thinks about them, my actions change.  The way I talk and what I do changes.    

PRAYER:  Lord, I give you permission to change me on the inside.  Change my heart.  Change my attitudes.  Change my thoughts.  Make the inside of me to be a place you enjoy.  I know that the better you enjoy the inside of me, the more people will enjoy the outside of me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 7, 2022: SOAP #4569: Ecclesiastes 4-6; Psalm 18; Ephesians 3
(Reworked from 2010)

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians (NIV) 3:10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

OBSERVATION:  All creation could see that God is mighty, strong, and powerful. But God wanted also to be seen as loving.  This is the high purpose of God in dealing with man!   This wise God found a way to raise sinful man, whom He loved, from being destroyed by sin.  God made it possible for fallen man to be raised to a place of holiness and honor.  He took man’s sin but did not become sinful!  He died as payment for the sins of the world, yet death could not hold Him!

On judgment day, no one will be able to accuse God of giving any man a special deal.  The payment made by God’s Son, Jesus will be clearly seen as more than sufficient to pay for all the sins of those who have accepted him as their Lord and Savior.

APPLICATION: With great wisdom, God demonstrated His great love for me in that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me.  (See Romans 5:8)   The wisest thing I can do is to accept His forgiveness and surrender to His Lordship. The more I understand the way God expressed His love for me, the more I love Him!   

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, what wisdom!  What love!  What a plan!  What a privilege it is for me to be included!  Jesus, thank you for dying for my sins.  Thank you for saving me from the effects of sin.  You are my Savior and Lord!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 6, 2022: SOAP #4568: Ecclesiastes 1-3; Psalm 45: Ephesians 2

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians (NIV) 2:18 For through him we both [Jews and Gentiles] have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you [Gentiles] are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

OBSERVATION:  The church is built with both Jews and Gentiles.  In the Bible, all nations other than Jews are called Gentiles.  To my knowledge, most, if not all present SOAP readers are Gentiles. 

My heart rejoices when I consider that I am being built together with many Asians, Africans and other Americans.  We all have access to the Father by one Spirit!  Jesus is the “chief cornerstone” and our relationship to each other is based on our relationship with Him!  In Christ, we are joined together, being fashioned together by the Holy Spirit to be a dwelling place on earth for God. 

APPLICATION: God is building, shaping, and forming me to be a part of His church.  He did not design me to go through this world by myself.  There are areas in life that I need help.  There are areas in life that I can be useful to others.  I need them; they need me.  Going it alone is not the Bible plan. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I am learning more and more the importance of being an active part of your church. So many blessings come to me through your church.  Make me a blessing to other members of your church. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 5, 2022: SOAP #4567: Proverbs 30-31; Psalm 33; Ephesians 1

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians (NIV) 1:9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

OBSERVATION:  What is the mystery to which Paul is here referring? It is that Christ will be the center of all things! All things will have their proper place in relationship to Him! Christ will be the supreme Head. Everything in all creation will be under and respond to His headship. Of course, it includes the church. It also includes world governments. It also includes Satan and his demonic hordes. It means the golden streets of glory. It also means the fiery pit of hell. Not one thing will be out of place. Not one saint in hell, nor one sinner in heaven. The redeemed will eternally reside with their Redeemer in the realms of glory. The un-believer, the un-confessor, the un-repentant will eternally reside with the great un-submitter, Satan himself in hell, the appropriate place prepared for him.

APPLICATION: God will settle all accounts.  Everything will be realigned.  But they will not be settled equally.  We will receive much more than we deserve!  As I was considering this, I sensed the Lord spoke to me, “You will be getting what Jesus deserves!”  On the cross Jesus took what I deserved so that in heaven I could get what He deserves!  I am a “joint-heir” with Jesus!  (Galatians 4:7)

No one will feel like they have been short-changed when they get to heaven.  Everyone will know that they are receiving way more than they deserved. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, no matter how difficult my path in this life, help me keep my eyes focused on Jesus, keeping heaven in view.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 4, 2022: SOAP #4566: Proverbs 28-29; Psalm 60; Romans 16

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.

OBSERVATION:  The letters to churches in the New Testament were written to churches that met in homes or public rooms.  There were no “church” buildings that were designed and built for the early church to use. 

In the Bible, the word “church” never refers to a building.  It is a body of believers, a community that assembles to worship Jesus.  Their commitment to Jesus caused them to be committed to each other.  They gather for worship, fellowship, discipleship, and evangelism. 

APPLICATION:  The growth of the church can make the use of a building very beneficial.  It is good to have classrooms for instruction; it is good to have an auditorium in which to gather for worship; it is good to have a place to store instruments; it is good to have an address to invite others to join us, etc.  Clearly buildings are useful but not required. 

Churches with buildings need to be careful to teach their members what the church really is. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessings you have given me.  Lead me to be a good steward of your resources.  Use the things you have put in my hands, my home, my car, my finances, etc. for your glory.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 3, 2022: SOAP #4565: Proverbs 25-27; Romans 15

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

OBSERVATION:  When people are accepted by God, they start a life of praise.  When they accept others, they are joined by people praising God. 

APPLICATION: If I am to accept others as Christ accepted me, then I need to consider how it was that Christ accepted me.  His example tells me how to accept others! 

God knew I was not perfect; I needed His forgiveness.  He knew I would still fail; I needed his long suffering (with the emphasis on long!)  He accepted me knowing I would need Him a whole lot more than He needed me.  He accepted me and let me know that I am very important to Him.

Christ not only gave me an example, He gives me the command to do it!  Not accepting others would be disobeying His instructions.  Not accepting others would be de-valuing what Christ has done for me.  Rejecting others decreases the value of what Jesus did for me.  Accepting others increases the value of what Jesus did for me. 

Desiring to appreciate the value of God’s acceptance of me, starts with me accepting others. The Life of Jesus is in me and He wants to do through me what He has done in me. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, make me aware of those around me who need acceptance.  Use me.  Let your love and acceptance flow through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 2, 2022: SOAP #4564: Proverbs 22-24; Romans 14

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 14:10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling-block or obstacle in your brother’s way.  14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself.  But, if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.  15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit,

OBSERVATION: There are some matters that are very important — but only important to us as individuals.  Mentioned here in this chapter are two:  first, what day we worship and second, what foods we eat. If Paul was writing today, I believe he may have added what type of clothes we wear and what style of music we use in our worship.

In the context, it is clear that we are free in such matters to live in a way that we personally believe is pleasing to the Lord.

APPLICATION: There are two limitations given in exercising these freedoms: first: I am not free to go against my conscience and second: I am not to exercise my freedom when it would be a stumbling block to someone else.

The limitation I place on my freedoms is an expression of the love I have for the Lord and for my brother and sister in Christ. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, it is good to know that you relate to your children as individuals. I want to know you better.  I want to know how I, personally, can make you smile. Amen

Pastor Leon
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