Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 12, 2022: SOAP #4696: Nehemiah 7-8; Acts 1

A little Detail   (reworked SOAP from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 1:3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

OBSERVATION:  A little, probably often overlooked, detail is inserted in this verse by Dr. Luke, the author.  Luke had had finished the book that bears his name by portraying the last supper, the garden of Gethsemane, the trial, the crucifixion, the resurrection, and the ascension.  Then, here in the first chapter of Acts Dr Luke continues his writings by mentioning Jesus’ instruction to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit.  He mentions the 40 days Jesus was with them prior to his ascension, and the disciples choosing a replacement for Judas.  Then in the following chapter he writes about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.   And in the middle of all these major issues, Luke inserts a short phrase that has nothing to do with them.  If it was not there, we would not miss it.  Luke writes, “ …while he was eating with them.”  The crucified and resurrected Jesus was participating in their everyday, mundane, living activity!

APPLICATION: Sometimes in waiting for Jesus to answer my “big” prayers, and be with me in the hard times, I forget that He is with me in the little things.  I need to learn to rely on Jesus in the “big” times, but I also need to learn to recognize and enjoy His presence in the “small” times.

PRAYER:   Lord, today remind me today of Your presence.  You are with me even when I do not think I need you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 11, 2022: SOAP #4695: Nehemiah 5-6; Psalm 146; Luke 24

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 24:1 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’” 8 Then they remembered his words.

OBSERVATION:  The ladies went to the tomb where they had seen the body of Jesus laid (Luke 23:55).   But when they arrived, things were not as they expected.   They expected to have trouble getting the stone moved; they expected to see the body in the tomb. 

They did not see what they expected!  But what they saw was so much better—far better than they could have ever dreamed!

APPLICATION: When facing the unknown, it almost seems human nature to expect the worst.  God is teaching me not to fear the worst and not to worry about how things will work out.  Many times I have been wonderfully surprised by what I find. 

How different would have been their journey to the tomb if they had remembered, and believed, what Jesus had told them!  I must always keep fresh in my mind what God has told me. 

PRAYER:  Lord, you are amazing, often surprising me with blessings when I am expecting trouble. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 10, 2022: SOAP #4694: Nehemiah 3-4; Luke 23

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 23:39 One of the criminals who hung there, hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? 41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

OBSERVATION:  The presence of Jesus always brings reactions.  From the one criminal, a selfish request:  save yourself and save us!  From the other: we are guilty and getting what we deserve. 

The thief’s statement: “this man has done nothing wrong” was the sixth statement of Jesus’ innocence.  It had been obvious to Pilate who 4 times declared Jesus to be innocent.  Herod had also declared Jesus to be innocent.  The hatred of the religious leaders and the passion of the crowd won out over Pilate and Herod. 

Even when paying for the sins of all man, Jesus had the compassion to save one.  The criminal had admitted his guilt; he was with Jesus on their crosses; he would be with Jesus that very day in paradise! 

APPLICATION: I should always be aware of someone needing Jesus, especially when going through a time of suffering myself.  Through prayer and compassion, through words of kindness and hope, I can make the presence of Jesus noticeable.  I can reach out to those nearby, even those who may be going through the same experience as I am. 

PRAYER:   Lord, help me not to be so focused on my own troubles that I cannot see those around me going through the same.  Make your presence known through me in the middle of the pain and struggle.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 09, 2022: SOAP #4693: Nehemiah 1-2; Psalm 133-134; Luke 22

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV)   [Here Jesus is speaking to his disciples in the garden where he went to pray just before being arrested and crucified] …   22:40  On reaching the place he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, …  [After a time of prayer, Jesus returned to where he had left the disciples.]  46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them.  “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

OBSERVATION:  Earlier in his ministry, when his disciples had asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he taught them “Our Father … lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…” (Luke 11:4)

In the verses above, Jesus knew what was just ahead for him, yet he did not ask the disciples to pray for him, but for themselves.  He knew their weaknesses.  He knew they would be tempted.  So here is a place where they needed to pray as he had taught them.

APPLICATION: I do not know what temptations lay ahead so I need to pray as Jesus instructed.   I need to pray for myself.  As long as I am in this world, I will be subject to temptations.  I should pray this prayer every day.

PRAYER:   Lord, do not lead me into places of temptation, and when I do find myself in such places, remind me that you are with me.  Deliver me from evil.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 08, 2022: SOAP #4692: Ezra 9-10; Psalm 131; Luke 21

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 21:1 As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said,

OBSERVATION:  The disciples were interested in the beautiful temple and the gifts that people had brought.  Jesus was interested in the people.  He saw the wealthy giving.  And He saw the poor giving.  He not only saw their gifts; He saw what was left.  He saw their hearts. 

APPLICATION: Obviously, He is watching my giving too.  My giving is important to Him.  The offering I gave today was given for His benefit.  He directed me to the job; He opened the door; He gives me the strength each day.  The money I earn is His to be used as He directs.  He sees what is given; He sees what is left. 

PRAYER:   Lord, my life is yours.  I live for your glory.  You have given me to drive a school bus for my work.  My work is my ministry.  The earnings are yours.  They are given and used at your pleasure.  It is my pleasure to serve you as you have directed me.  Thank you for making me useful.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 07, 2022: SOAP #4691: Ezra 7-8; Luke 20

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 20:20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?” 25 “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” 26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

OBSERVATION:  It was not something difficult to understand.  It was rather simple.  What had Caesar’s image should be given to Caesar, what had God’s image should be given to God!  The coin had Caesar’s image, but the people had God’s image. 

APPLICATION: Every morning, when I look into a mirror, I need to remind myself that what I see was made in the likeness and image of God.  I need to dedicate myself to living each day in such a way that people who see the image of God can also experience the presence of God through my life.  

PRAYER:   Lord, you know me very well.  You know that I cannot live Your Life; I have trouble living my own life.  If people are going to experience Your Life in me, you will have to come and live your own life in me.  Forgive my sins; come into my life and live your life through me.  Thank you for taking charge of my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 06, 2022: SOAP #4690: Esther 9-10; Luke 19

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 19:30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no-one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

OBSERVATION:  The owners of the colt had something the Lord needed — a colt. They must have been people who would recognize the disciples and know that the reference to “Lord” was to Jesus.  They must have been people that Jesus knew.  He knew how they would respond to His request.

APPLICATION: Do I have something that Jesus needs?  Does He have confidence that I will willing and quickly release it into His use?  What an honor to think that Jesus would give me the responsibility of caring for something that He will need.  He may have given it to me so that it will be readily available when it is needed.  He may be counting on my generosity.

PRAYER:   Lord, more than just calling you Lord, I want to live like you really are my Lord. As Lord, You have the right to tell me what to do with my time and my possessions. I want to respond willingly, quickly, and joyfully. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 05, 2022: SOAP #4689: Esther 3-8; Luke 18

SCRIPTURE:  Esther (NIV) 3:5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. 6 Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead, Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.

OBSERVATION:  Haman had a plan.  His hatred for Mordecai grew to include all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews.  He set a date; he approached the king; the secretaries wrote out a law; the dispatchers carried the letters throughout the kingdom. 

BUT that was not the only plan!!!  God had a plan!  Unknowingly, A young Jewish maiden had been chosen to be queen!  Her uncle told her she had been brought into the kingdom “for such a time as this!”  (4:14) 

It looked like Haman’s plan was on track to succeed.  It was well underway even before the Jews became aware of it.  Haman did not realize that another plan was under way long before he arrived on the scene.  It was an eternal plan designed by Creator God to send a Savior through the Jewish nation for the salvation of all men!!! 

APPLICATION: Satan’s plan against me can never succeed!  God’s plans for me started long before I was born and will continue long after my death.  My physical death will not end my life!   What God has started here will continue in eternity!  Satan may have plans to bother and distress me here on earth, but God will use those very struggles to build my faith and bring glory to HIM.  

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, help me keep my eyes on the BIG PICTURE!  What you have planned for me far surpasses anything in this life.  While I am here, use me for your glory.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 04, 2022: SOAP #4688: Esther 1-2; Psalm 150; Luke 17

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 17:13 …and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master have pity on us.”
Luke (NIV) 18:39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

OBSERVATION:  The ten lepers in chapter 17 and the blind man in chapter 18 were both desperate.  Outside of Jesus, they had no hope – and here He was within hearing distance. 

Note:  Jesus has good hearing – especially for those who are desperate!

APPLICATION:   We need not fear to express our passions and desperate needs!  When we come to know that only He is the answer – we cannot let Him get away without hearing our need!  He may work a miracle of provision, or He may give a word of instruction.  When His answer includes another person, we can be assured that He is already working in their heart. 

Too often we give up on waiting for God and try to find someone who might be more willing to help.  We do not realize that we are giving up on what God can do and taking what we can convince man to do.  

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, full and complete answers can be found nowhere but you!  How desperately we need you!  How often we waste our time looking elsewhere!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 03, 2022: SOAP #4687: Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 138:6 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.

OBSERVATION:  The Lord is highly exalted above all creation, yet his eyes are drawn to the humble.  He knows the value of humility.  He is not looking for those who can put on a good show; he looks for those willing to work behind the scenes.  He is looking for those who serve faithfully even when no one is looking.  He who never sleeps and whose eyes are never closed sees what no one else sees.  He sees what people do when they think no one else is watching. He knows what the proud are doing, but he likes to give his attention to the humble.

APPLICATION: It is important for little children to know that their mom or dad is watching.  Like a little child, it is important for me to know my Heavenly Father is watching. 

If I want to have God’s attention and enjoy His presence “up close” I must learn to walk in humility.  I must be willing to serve those who cannot repay me.  I must serve with equal passion when people are watching and when no one is watching. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that you enjoy watching me. Today, give me opportunities to serve people in ways that no one will know but you.  And today show me someone who is serving where no one notices.  Give me words of appreciation and encouragement.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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