Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 01, 2023: SOAP #4777: Genesis 1-2; Luke 1

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said…

OBSERVATION:  God just appears in the first verse of the Bible.  There is no character development.  There is no background development.  All we know about God from the scriptures comes later in the Book.  In the beginning, He just is!

A person knowing nothing about God, and who picked up the Bible for reading, beginning on the first page would first learn that God is. He exists.

The second thing he would learn is that God is a creator.  In fact, He is The Creator.  The reader has learned nothing of His character, nothing of His holiness nor of His love.  He has learned only that God is and that God creates.

The third thing we learn of God in Genesis 1 is that God is a speaker.  This is the most dominate characteristic of God seen in the whole of the Bible.  Not only is the Bible the Word of God, it contains pages and pages on which His Word is given as quotation. God is a speaker.  God has something to say.  God communicates.

APPLICATION:  I am so glad I know God as a speaker.  One of my favorite songs is, “And he walks with me, and he talks with me…” It goes on to say: “…and the joy we share as we tarry there…”  (by C.A.Miles)  What a privilege is mine!  God talks with me!  

And even more amazing:  He feels the same way.  He created me to “walk” with Him and “talk” with Him.  He loves it when I walk and talk with Him. 

PRAYER:   Lord, what a joy is mine, to talk with you and count you as my Friend. May I live each day in a way that makes you glad that I am your friend.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 31, 2022: SOAP #4776: Revelation 19-22

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 19:1 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 2 for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

OBSERVATION:  Yesterday in chapter 16 we saw that the angels who poured out the judgment of God declared that God is “just” (verse 5).  Those at the altar responded that God is “true and just” (verse 7).   

Here, today, in chapter 19, we find a “great multitude in heaven” declaring the same.  “True and just are his judgments!”  It is a major theme of the worship in heaven. 

APPLICATION: Although I see things around me that do not appear just, and right, and fair, and true, I know that God has all the time needed to set things right.  His timeline reaches far beyond my temporal life into eternity.  God is the ultimate fair judge!  

I have every intention of being in that great multitude in heaven shouting, “Hallelujah!  Salvation and glory and power belong to our God for true and just are his judgments!”  The HOLY God could be no other than “True and just!”

PRAYER:   Lord, whatever I see around me, I know you are Holy and that you Love me.  Even now I can declare that you are true and just.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 30, 2022: SOAP #4775: Revelation 15-18

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 16:4The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. 5 Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say: “You are just in these judgments, you who are and who were, the Holy One, because you have so judged; 6 for they have shed the blood of your saints and prophets, and you have given them blood to drink as they deserve.” 7 And I heard the altar respond: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are your judgments.”

OBSERVATION:  The angels can clearly see that God’s judgments are “just.”  God is perfectly holy, so He judgments could be nothing other than perfectly holy.  They have never been, nor will ever be, other than “true and just.”

APPLICATION: Sometimes we who live on earth have limited insight into all that God does.  We judge God as being unfair, showing favorites, being too hard, etc.  Of course, Satan will always be encouraging us to misjudge God. 

But we walk by faith and not by sight.  The more we know about God, the better we will be able to understand what happens to us and what happens around us.  Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  Our faith is developed by the Word of God, and in the Word of God is a revelation of the character of God.  The better we understand God’s character the better our confession will be, “Just and true are your judgments!”  “Just and true” is everything you do! 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, you do nothing that is not in-line with your character.  The better we know You, the better we understand what happens around us.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 29, 2022: SOAP #4774: Revelation 10-14

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 10:1 Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven. He was robed in a cloud, with a rainbow above his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like fiery pillars. 2 He was holding a little scroll, which lay open in his hand. He planted his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, 3 and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion. When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke.

OBSERVATION:  Angels have always had an important role in God’s plan.  Hebrews 1:14 says, “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?”

From that verse, it seems to me that angels have their purpose in working for the good of people for whom Christ died.  They are involved in influencing individuals, groups and governments to decisions that will cause people to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.  They are God’s servants.  They serve God by serving His creation.    

APPLICATION: Knowing that God has mighty angels at His command, who are working for our good, should breathe fresh courage into our lives. 

Sometimes we see angels in the form of people.  Sometimes we just see what they do.  An army destroyed by the angel of the Lord in 2Chronicles, or an angel leading Peter out of prison in Acts. 

PRAYER:  Thank you, Lord.  I know you are working all things for my good.  Thank you for your angels.  Holy Spirit, help me to recognize their presence and involvement in my circumstances.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 28, 2022: SOAP #4773: Revelation 5-9  (re-worked SOAP from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 9:20 The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshipping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality, or their thefts.

OBSERVATION:    God had given them a history of His gracious works on their behalf, but they did not repent.  God had sent prophets to speak to them, warning them of the results of their sin, but they did not repent.  God had given them examples of how other nations had reaped the results of their sin, but they did not repent.  And here a third of mankind will be killed, yet the remaining will still not repent! What an amazing statement!  I think even God is surprised.  How powerful is evil that can hold onto man even when it is obvious that he should repent and call on God.

APPLICATION: God deals with me for my good and for His glory.  What does it take to get me to repent? When I see His goodness, I should be drawn to repent of any sin out of my love and appreciation for Him.  When I see His judgment on the world around me, I should be quick to repent.  When His hand of judgment comes to me, either because of the sin in the world in which I live or because of my own personal sin, I should be quick to repent. Like Nehemiah (1:6-7) I should pray as though the sins of the nation were my own.   And like the prophet Habakkuk (3:2) I can pray, “in wrath remember mercy.”

I must not let evil have a foothold in my life. As soon as God convicts me of sin, I must be quick to confess and ask His forgiveness. (1John 1:9) 

Sin is powerful, but not as powerful as the blood of Jesus!  When I confess my sin, He forgives me on the basis of His blood sacrifice and cleanses me from all sin!!!

PRAYER:  Lord, I want to be quick to acknowledge my sins and turn away from evil!  I know your judgments are always right, yet I ask you to be quick to show mercy.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 27, 2022: SOAP #4772: Revelation 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 2:12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

OBSERVATION:  John had a message for each of the seven churches of Asia.  Through John, from the Lord, came a specific message for each church. 

To Pergamum, the Lord says I know where you live, and I know about your city.  Satan has his throne, or seat of authority, in Pergamum.  There would be much evil influence in that city.  Even one of God’s faithful witnesses had been put to death in Pergamum.  Obviously, it was a dangerous place to be a Christian. 

APPLICATION: Today there are believers, even SOAP readers, who live in places where it is dangerous to be a Christian.  Take comfort in the fact that God knows where you live.  He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you!  You can count on His presence!  (Hebrews 13:5) 

The passage above goes on to give warnings about false doctrine that had discolored their beliefs. They must repent.   It is a warning we must all take to heart.  Let us keep ourselves full of God’s Word and listen to the Holy Spirit who will apply it to our lives. 

Let us set ourselves to be in the company of overcomers and share in the rewards promised. 

PRAYER:   Lord, give us strength of character to hold to truth.  Give us strength of will, to refuse evil influence.  Give us the joy of being overcomers and sharing in the promised blessings.  We are your servants and desire to glorify you with our lives.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 26, 2022: SOAP #4771: Psalm 117; 119:81-176; 2John; 3John

SCRIPTURE:  2John (NIV) 1 The elder, To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

OBSERVATION:  In Luke 2 we see that the Baby Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes, but here we see that the grace, mercy, and peace He brings is wrapped in truth and love. 

God’s holiness demands truth.  Truth is God’s reality!  Grace, mercy, and peace are offered to us in love that is based on truth.  The truth is: I have sinned and can have no place in a holy heaven with a holy God. (Romans 3:23)   The truth is: God’s sinless Son, Jesus died as payment for my sin.  The value of His sinless blood far exceeded the value of my sin. (Romans 5:8)   The truth is:  if I confess my sin, He is faithful and just and will forgive my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. (1John 1:9)

APPLICATION: To receive this grace, mercy, and peace, I simply accept it by faith.  My faith is also based on truth.  I have faith that God has told me the truth about sin, and about Jesus, and about his willingness to forgive. 

It is not a gift I can receive in my hands, but I receive it in my heart.  It enters my heart when I express the truth.  I receive it by believing it and saying, “Thank you.”  I receive it like I receive a compliment from a friend…I believe they are sincere, and I say, “Thank you.”  (Romans 10:9-10)

PRAYER:   Lord, I confess that I have sinned and need your forgiveness.  I believe that your death can be the payment for my sins.  I ask you to forgive my sins.  I confess that you are my Savior and Lord.  Thank you for forgiving me and making me your child.  With my sins forgiven, my heart is your home. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 25, 2022: SOAP #4770: 1John 1-5

Merry Christmas to those reading this SOAP.  May the Lord greatly enjoy spending this special day with you!  Or if you are reading this after Christmas, may the Lord enjoy spending every day with you.  May He feel at home in your life.  May every word and every action make Him smile.  Here is a re-worked SOAP from my past. 
Leon 😊

SCRIPTURE:  1John (NIV) 3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

OBSERVATION:  Who could ever describe the indescribably great love the Father has for us?  Certainly no one in this life.  We cannot even begin to understand the heights from which Jesus descended to become a baby in a manger.  We cannot even begin to understand the horribleness of sin and its consequences for which Jesus died on the cross. 

God did not love us in a stingy manner, but lavished His love on us — exorbitant, outlandish, excessive, extreme, unbelievable love. The result of this love was that we should be called God’s children. We are identified with Him by name.  The world may call us many things, but He calls us His children! We are not only called children of God — that is what we are!  THIS IS REALITY!

APPLICATION: A child of God — that’s what I am!  Christmas is a time for exchanging gifts with those we love.  He loves me and gave His Son Jesus to die for me.  I love Him and give my life to bring Him honor and glory.

PRAYER:   Lord, As I celebrate your birth today, I do it with appreciation for the love lavished on me.  I give you my heart filled with love.  I give you my mind filled with thoughts of praise and worship.  I give you my mouth filled with words of honor and appreciation that others may know.  I give you my hands and feet to be used in serving other members of your body.  I give you my life to do your will and to be a witness to the world.   Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 24, 2022: SOAP #4769: John 19-21

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 20:1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. …
9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

OBSERVATION:  Mary arrived at the tomb “while it was still dark.”  When she saw that the stone was away from the mouth of the cave, she did not take time to investigate, she went running to tell the disciples.  Surely there could be only one explanation for the stone being moved: the body of Jesus had been moved to another location. 

In a panic, she had to tell someone.  She went running to the disciples.  Maybe they knew where the body of Jesus was.  If not, they needed to know that something had happened!  Mary’s panic caused alarm in Peter and John who took off running to the tomb. 

They needed to understand “from the scriptures” what had happened.  Later, when Jesus spoke to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, He spoke from the scriptures.  Jesus, the Living Risen Word explained the Written Word! (Luke 24) 

APPLICATION: Like much of prophecy, it was not clearly understood until after it had been fulfilled.

Yes, the stone was moved from the entrance to the grave!  That was the truth.  That was reality.  BUT IT DID NOT MEAN that the body of Jesus had been moved to another location. 

When I am challenged, I must be careful about accepting what appears to be an obvious explanation. I must wait and get the truth from the Living and Written Word!. 

PRAYER:   Lord, when I am impatient, I tend to jump to what seems a logical conclusion.  Holy Spirit, it is your ministry to reveal truth; help me to wait for truth.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 23, 2022: SOAP #4768: John 15-18

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 16:7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. …
12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear.13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

OBSERVATION:  God the Son laid aside His omnipresence when he came to earth as a baby in Mary’s womb.  He lived and walked in the limitation of being in only one place at a time all through His ministry and death on the cross.  He still operates in that limitation.  It was so good that the Holy Spirit would be taking on the responsibility for the church when Jesus returned to heaven.  The Holy Spirit is fully omnipresent!  He can be in Asia, Africa, and America at the same time! He can move in power through believers in every area of the earth at the same time!  He is God with us wherever we are! 

APPLICATION: I should consider the relationship the disciples had with Jesus as He walked among them…I should consider that relationship to be a good example of the relationship I am to have with the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit gives me understanding in the word and causes my love and appreciation for Jesus to increase.  The gifts of the Spirit make my ministry more like the ministry of Jesus. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, the wisdom of God is displayed in sending you to continue the plan to build the church.  The ministry you had with/in Jesus now continues in the church.  I pray you to develop my life and ministry into that which brings glory to God.  Anoint my life to be a continuation of the person and ministry of Jesus!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon