Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 1, 2022: SOAP #4624: Isaiah 65-66; Psalm 62; John 3

SCRIPTURE: John (NIV) 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John (NIV) 3:35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

OBSERVATION:  In verse 16 we read that God the Father loved the world so much that he gave his Son to die as a blood sacrifice to pay for man’s sins.  Then in verse 35 we read of His great love for His Son.  After what the Son did in coming to earth and suffering the death on a cross — noting that he did it for the Father — no wonder that the Father loves the Son and is angry with everyone who rejects Him!  Any parent would feel the same!

APPLICATION: The Son displayed His love for the Father by enduring life as a baby, the humility of living like a human, the misunderstanding and ridicule of those around him, the suffering and death as a criminal on the cross!   Jesus honored the Father with his obedience. 

I honor the Father by honoring and loving His Son.  I honor the Son by honoring and loving the Father.  I also honor the Father and the Son by loving and honoring those who share the life of Jesus.  The church is a gathering of people who love and honor God.  We honor God with our obedience.  Another very important way we love and honor God is by loving and honoring each other. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you have honored me in many ways.  You sent your Son to die for my sins.  You sent your Holy Spirit to live in me.  You made me a part of your family.  My goal is to live a life that honors you. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 31, 2022: SOAP #4623: Isaiah 63-64; Psalm 107; John 2

SCRIPTURE: John (NIV) 2:(1-10) 11 This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.

OBSERVATION:  Someone had miss-planned; the wine ran out before the wedding celebration was over.  But whoever made the guest list, planned well!  They had invited Mary, Jesus, and His disciples.  (John 2:1-2)   When the wine was all gone, there was someone present who could change the circumstances. 

Mary’s instruction to the servants was simple: “Do whatever he tells you.”  Jesus’ instructions to the servants were also simple: “Fill the jars with water,” and “take some water to the master of the banquet.”  It was something they could do.  So, the master of the banquet received the wine, and Jesus received the glory.   He is still receiving the glory for this miracle!   

APPLICATION: Notes to myself:
1.  Make sure Jesus is included in everything I plan.
2.  When something goes wrong, go to Jesus first.
3.  Do exactly what he says. (No need to worry; it will be something I can do!)
4.  Make sure Jesus gets the glory!

PRAYER:  Lord, I want to be sure my plans include you!  I want to make plans that include you.  Even better than that, Lord, I want to be a part of your plans for today.  I know that you are including me in your plans.  I know that there will be something small for me, but it will be something I can do. And when the day is over, I want to rejoice as you receive the glory.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 30, 2022: SOAP #4622: Isaiah 60-62; John 1

SCRIPTURE: John (NIV) 1:10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus created the world, yet when he came as a little baby, born of a virgin, announced by angels, in the town prophesied by the prophet Micah, the world did not recognize Him.  Even the Jewish people who had been given all the prophecies about Jesus did not recognize Him.  The religious leaders who probably best knew the Old Testament scriptures did not receive him but led the mob in having Jesus put to death.

APPLICATION: As I read the above verses, it came to me that there have been times my eyes were so fastened on my circumstances that I did not recognize the presence of Jesus.  He had come to me; and I claim to be his own, but I did not recognize His presence!  He has promised to never leave nor forsake me.  (Hebrews 13:5)   In not considering His presence and not looking to Him for wisdom, I missed the opportunity to exercise my faith.  I missed the opportunity to see what He would do. 

PRAYER: Lord, May I always keep myself keenly aware of your presence.  May thoughts of your presence be first in my mind whenever I face trouble.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 29, 2022: SOAP #4621: Isaiah 57-59; Psalm 103; 2Peter 3

SCRIPTURE: Psalm (NIV) 103:6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: 8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

OBSERVATION:  To the nation of Israel, and to many surrounding them, God made known His deeds. He was a powerful God. He was more powerful than all the gods of the Egyptians. His deeds were amazing! The ten plagues destroying the gods of the Egyptians. The opening of the Red Sea allowed them to escape the Egyptian army. The provision of water; the provision of food; the cloud as a pillar to lead them in the day becoming a pillar of fire at night. Indeed, the Israelites saw the great deeds of God.

But with Moses it was different.  Moses got to know God’s ways.  He became familiar with why God did what He did!  To Moses was revealed God’s character.  (Exodus 34) Moses was shown God grace, mercy, compassion, justice, and holiness.

APPLICATION: May I never experience God working on my behalf without learning a little more about the God who works on my behalf. In every encounter, I should gain new insight into this God I love and serve.  May I grow in understanding of how God sees the things I face every day.  I want to know what makes Him smile and what makes Him sad. 

PRAYER:  Lord, help me to know, not just what you do, but why you do it!  I want to love You, not just your works.  You are more important than what you do!  And, Lord, I want to be one who brings joy to your heart.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 28, 2022: SOAP #4620: Isaiah 53-56; 2Peter 2

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah (NIV) 55:1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 2 Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. 3 Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.

OBSERVATION:  God uses the prophet Isaiah to send out an invitation to everyone who is thirsty and hungry.  The amount of money that one has, or does not have, makes no difference.  Money could be spent, and one could work hard, but not for anything that would satisfy the hunger and thirst for spiritual life. 

That which satisfies our spirit was purchased at Calvary.  Jesus’ death covered all the sins for which sacrifices were made in the Old Testament.  Jesus’ death also covers all the confessed sins since His death and resurrection, and all the confessed sins up to the Great Judgment in the Book of Revelation.  His death is the payment for my salvation which I receive by faith, “without money and without cost.”

APPLICATION: My heart has been filled with “what is good” and my “soul delights” in the riches of heaven!  It cost me no money and I did not have to earn it by hard work, but it has so filled my life with joy that I willingly give Him everything.  He is not only my Savior; He is my Lord!   My life is His!

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, thank you for your death on the cross.  I confess that I have sinned and need your forgiveness.  Come into my heart and be my Lord.  As you are my source of joy and peace, I want to be a source of your joy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 27, 2022: SOAP #4619: Isaiah 50-52; 2Peter 1

SCRIPTURE: 2Peter (NIV) 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. …
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 
8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION:  Our Christian life begins with receiving by faith everything God gives us.    But that is only the beginning; Peter gives us seven things we are to add to our faith.  Having the Creator of life living inside makes a big difference.  Attitudes change.  Our view of life changes.  In verses 3 and 4, we see what God has done for us, but in verses 5 through 7 above, Peter lists seven things we are to “make evert effort to add.”  Thankfully the Holy Spirit is our helper!

As our relationship with the Lord living inside grows, changes come. We should become more like Jesus.  These qualities make believers effective and productive.  These qualities make a believer’s testimony believable.  When others see these qualities in a believer’s life, they want what the believer has.

APPLICATION: There is no mark of completion for these qualities.  I should have more self-control this year than last, but they are to always be increasing in my life.  I will never reach a place of having enough.  There will always be room for growth.

I only know that these are increasing as I see the increasing size of the obstacles that I can overcome.  Fewer things must be done to please me.  Fewer things offend me.  I am more “other-centered” than “self-centered.”  I am a more effective servant.  I am more an encourager and less a critic.

PRAYER:  Jesus, these are qualities of your life. Make me like you.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 26, 2022: SOAP #4618: Isaiah 46-49; 1Peter 5

SCRIPTURE: 1Peter (NIV) 5:12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

OBSERVATION:  Although not all, most commentaries identify this Silas as the one who traveled with Paul.  Here, this Silas is serving Peter by carrying this letter—hand delivering it to the churches in the provinces of Asia Minor listed in the first verses of this letter.  There was no mail service, nor an internet through which Peter’s letter could be delivered.  Someone was needed to personally carry and deliver it. 

I am amazed at how God uses these SOAPs.  But they would not have near the reach if it just depended on me.  God gave me the assignment to write them, and He emphasizes the scriptures I should use.  I put them on the internet and God takes them from there.  Some faithful servants of the Lord translate them into their languages, repost them, or distribute them.  God is using churches and individuals to provide finances for computers, printers, and internet connections.  Others read them and pass them along to family and friends. 

As I pondered this verse, the Lord showed me that as Silas delivered Peter’s letters in the provinces in Asia Minor, so God is using Pastor Andrew to spread the SOAPs in the nations of West Africa!  Pastor Andrew is not working to grow the SOAP ministry; Pastor Andrew is working to keep up with the growth that God is making happen. 

APPLICATION: In God’s kingdom, there are many ways to serve.  God’s rewards will not be given according to how important the position we held, but on how faithful we were.  People may consider the value of rank or authority, but God looks at the heart.  God is preparing us for eternal service in His heavenly kingdom. 

PRAYER:  Lord, we are all a part of your kingdom.  Keep me faithful.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 25, 2022: SOAP #4617: Isaiah 43-45; 1Peter 4

SCRIPTURE: 1Peter (NIV) 4:11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

OBSERVATION:  What a special day this was for me.  It was a day ordained by God.  Sharon and I visited two churches in the area where I went through High School.  Since we were quite early for the first church, we left information about a Senior Rally and moved on to Belleville, Kansas.  It was there my ministry began.  It was there when my dad pastored the church, I learned to sweep the floor, dust the seats and clean the restrooms.  It was there I taught my first class of junior boys.

Later we drove by the house where we lived.  It was there one Wednesday evening that God forced me to make a decision:  would I stay home to study for a test at school in the morning, OR would I go to the Wednesday night Bible Study at the church.  The Holy Spirit helped me reason it out: how could I ask God to help me in the morning if I did not honor Him the night before!  

APPLICATION: God is starting a work in some young person near you.  God is using you to build a foundation in that youth upon which He can build.  Build wisely.  Depend on the leading and anointing of the Holy Spirit.  Always remember they are growing as men and women of God.  Help them build their lives on the Word; help them learn to pray; help them to depend on the Holy Spirit.  Give them a good example of living a joyful Christian life! 

PRAYER:  Lord, only you know what is needed in the lives of the young people that surround me today. Flow through me, Holy Spirit, flow through me. Use for the future of your Kingdom.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 24, 2022: SOAP #4616: Isaiah 40-42; 1Peter 3

SCRIPTURE:  1Peter (NIV) 3:3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

OBSERVATION:  Peter was specifically writing to women, but the truth he is emphasizing also applies to men.  So often we dress to impress people but take little thought about how our “dress” impresses God. 

Considering how others will see us, we clothe ourselves from the outside in. Considering how God sees us, we should clothe ourselves from the inside out.

APPLICATION: Dressing from the inside out:  love in my heart, God’s all-time favorite, will dress out as kindness and not offending others. 

Holiness, another of God’s all-time favorites, will dress out in modesty.  Not only will I take care in the clothes I wear, I will also take care in how I talk. 

Joy, yet another of God’s favorites, will dress out with a smile on my face.   I consider myself never appropriately dressed without a smile.

PRAYER:  Lord, since You have made my heart your home, may you be pleased with the way I decorate my heart.  Help me decorate my body in ways that let’s everyone know You are living in me. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 23, 2022: SOAP #4615: 2Kings 20; Isaiah 38-39; Psalm 75; 1Peter 2

SCRIPTURE: 1Peter (NIV) 2:15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

OBSERVATION:  Peter was writing to a church made up of slaves and free men.  They knew the difference between being a servant and being a free man.  Yet, in Christ Jesus there is no difference.  They are all “free men.”  They are all free to live as “servants.”

We can only please God if we serve him freely.  He is not honored by people who have no choice.  He did not create us to be robots.  He is honored when the people who worship Him are convinced in their hearts that He is worthy of their worship!  The more difficult the circumstances we are in when we worship the more honor He receives.  We may be in tough times, but HE IS STILL WORTHY! 

APPLICATION: I am not a slave who cannot wait until I can be free (or an employee waiting until my work shift is over).  I am a freeman choosing to serve.  I am doing my job as a servant of God.  I may get a paycheck, or a word of praise from the people I am serving, but that does not mean near as much to me as knowing that I have pleased my Heavenly Father!  Choosing to be a servant of God is my way to let the world know that I deem Him worthy of my life.  Choosing to be a servant of man is my way to let God know that I respect Him and His creation.

PRAYER:  Father, you have created me to be a worshipper.  You have placed me in these circumstances that you will receive the unique worship that can only come from me. I want to give you the full benefit of how you created me and where you placed me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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