Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 12, 2023: SOAP #4788: Genesis 29-30; Luke 12

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 12:49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!
Luke (NIV) 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done.
Matthew (NIV) 27: 46  About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

OBSERVATION:  In these three passages, I see the natural human reluctance to suffering and death.  It is natural to recoil from such a horrible death as crucifixion.  But for Jesus, it was even worse.  He who had never sinned was dying as a sinner.  He who had never had a cross word with Father God was now experiencing being forsaken. 

In Luke 12:50 Jesus wishes it was already over and He mentions that it is distressing to anticipate what is about to happen to Him.   He knew it was necessary, but wishes it was already over.  He dreaded it but He did it!

APPLICATION: It is no wonder that Jesus can help me face things that I wish were already in the past.

PRAYER:  Jesus, thank you for not backing out on your commitment to suffer and die on the cross in payment for my sin. I am so grateful! I love you! Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 11, 2023: SOAP #4787: Genesis 27-28; Psalm 4; Luke 11

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 28:10 Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran. 11 When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. 12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying….
16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”

OBSERVATION:  It was just a “certain” place to stop at the end of a day’s journey.  It was where he was when the sun was setting.  It was a convenient place to rest for the night.  There was nothing “religious” about this place.  Jacob had not planned on a meeting with God, but that is what happened.  So, in the morning Jacob called it “the house of God…the gate of heaven.” 

APPLICATION: The presence of the Lord turns any place into the “house of God!”  In the “house of God,” we can recognize God’s presence.  And we hear His voice.  He speaks to us personally!   Of course, I often sense God’s presence and hear His voice speaking to me in a worship service at church.  But being in a religious building has never been a pre-requisite.  God and I enjoy each other’s company on the school bus, in my office at home, and in many other places. 

PRAYER:   Lord, it is my joy to walk and talk with you.  I like it when you interrupt me in those “certain” places where I am not expecting you.  I like it when you reveal your plan for my life.   I am glad that you have found a way to use me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 10, 2023: SOAP #4786: Genesis 25-26; Psalm 6; Luke 10

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 26:26 Meanwhile, Abimelech had come to him from Gerar, with Ahuzzath his personal adviser and Phicol the commander of his forces. 27 Isaac asked them, “Why have you come to me, since you were hostile to me and sent me away?” 28 They answered, “We saw clearly that the LORD was with you; so, we said, ‘There ought to be a sworn agreement between us’— between us and you. Let us make a treaty with you 29 that you will do us no harm, just as we did not molest you but always treated you well and sent you away in peace. And now you are blessed by the LORD.”
30 Isaac then made a feast for them, and they ate and drank. 31 Early the next morning the men swore an oath to each other. Then Isaac sent them on their way, and they left him in peace.

OBSERVATION:  Those who had previously wanted Isaac to leave, now saw that God was with him and wanted peace with him.  They recognized that they would not be able to prevail against Isaac since the Lord was on his side.

When people recognize the presence of God is with someone, it makes a difference in how they think about that person.  It makes a difference in how they treat that person. 

APPLICATION: May those around me come to recognize that God is on my side. May I always live, secure in the knowledge that God is on my side! I do not need to be frightened or frazzled.  God is on my side!

May I only do those things, and only say those things, that make God enjoy living in me.  May God know that I appreciate His Presence. 

PRAYER:   Lord, your Presence makes a difference—a difference that can be seen by others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 09, 2023: SOAP #4785: Genesis 23-24; Luke 9

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 9:1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick….
6 So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere….
10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done.

OBSERVATION:  Why did Jesus “call the disciples together?”  The obvious reason was so He could “send them out!”  But they needed equipping in order to be effective when they were fulfilling their mission.  He did not trust their ability to accomplish His desired plan.  So, while they were together, He empowered them and gave them authority over demons and sickness.  This would make them more effective when He sent them out.  They ministered in His power and delegated authority!  

APPLICATION: We see the same pattern when Jesus left.  He gave the disciples authority (Matthew 28:19); He told them to wait in Jerusalem for the power (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4); then He sent the Holy Spirit to empower them (Acts 1:8 and 2:1-4).  He sent them out in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)! 

Why did Jesus have the early church gather in Jerusalem?  So, He could send them out to the nations.  But they needed equipping in order to be effective when they were fulfilling their mission.  Jesus did not trust their ability to accomplish his desired plan.  So, He sent the Holy Spirit to empower them in using their delegated authority!  

The same is true in 2023.  God has sent me into the world.  He knows I cannot complete His mission in my own power.  So He filles me, He baptizes me to overflowing in the Holy Spirit and I go in His power!  

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, baptize me, and each SOAP reader, afresh like you did the early church on the day of Pentecost.  Anoint me, fill me, and enable me to accomplish your will.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 08, 2023: SOAP #4784: Genesis 20-22; Luke 8

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 8:22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So, they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples….

OBSERVATION:  Two confessions!  Two statements!  First: “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.”  Second:  Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

The first was a statement of faith and purpose; the second was a statement of fear.  Not one disciple reminded them of what Jesus had said.  In the storm, the waves spoke louder than Jesus.  In the storm, they had more faith in the waves to cause their death than faith in His words to go to the other side. 

After everything was calm, Jesus had a question for them, “Where is your faith?” Jesus was greater than the storm, the wind, and the waves!   He was also greater than their negative confession!

APPLICATION: I am so glad that the ONE with me is greater than my negative confessions. I am glad HE challenges me to put my faith in HIS word. HE is greater than my circumstances! HE amazes me with HIS ability to overcome what seems impossible. The more I know HIM, my confession changes from my hopelessness to HIS ability!

PRAYER:   Lord, with you nothing is impossible.  When I am with you, I do not need to worry about what might happen.  You are greater than anything we (you and I)  will face together.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 07, 2023: SOAP #4783: Genesis 18-19; Psalm 3; Luke 7

(mostly a repeat from 2012)

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 19:15 [The LORD was preparing to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah] With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.” 16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. 17 As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”

OBSERVATION:  Lot was hesitant and dragging his feet.  There was so much that they would have liked to take with them.  They were literally being pulled by their hands out of their home and out of the city of Sodom.   The impatience of those pulling them from their home was really an expression of mercy in saving them from the judgment that was fast approaching!  

Lot was unaware of the magnitude of the disaster coming. The forest ranger with news of an approaching forest fire; the police officer with the news of a fast-moving hurricane; the doctor with information about a fast-growing cancer; each has a message of mercy that can come across in a very impatient manner.  Patience is not the virtue needed in urgent situations.

APPLICATION: The conviction of the Holy Spirit is an urgent matter.  He is saying, “Now is the time!”  The enemy of our soul is present to say, “You have plenty of time.  Do it tomorrow.”  Our eternal destiny lies in the balance.  Heaven or hell. 

When God brings me into a place of urgency and demands instant obedience, it is not because He is impatient, but because He is merciful.  It is to my harm when I ignore the urgency of the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, as I grow in you, help me to respond quickly to your direction for my life.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 05, 2023: SOAP #4781: Genesis 15-17; Luke 6

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
35 But love your enemies, do good to them…
36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
38  Give, and it will be given to you…

OBSERVATION:  Jesus is teaching us how to live lives pleasing to the Father.  It is worthy to note that Jesus was not teaching us what to expect from others, but what others should expect from us.  He is not telling us to expect mercy from others, but to be merciful to others.  We do not use these verses to get others to give to us, but to motivate us to give to others. 

God expects us to be merciful.  He clearly commands us to be merciful.  He expects us to be forgiving to the point that we should not expect to receive forgiveness if we do not forgive.  But not only does God expect to see mercy in our lives, He, Himself, gives the example we are to follow!  He sets a high standard for mercy!

APPLICATION: I am to be merciful “ … just as … ” my Heavenly Father is merciful.  The mercy I have received, I am to extend to others.  The more I understand the mercy I have received, the more I understand the mercy I am to show. 

Receiving mercy is a “feel good” matter.  It definitely makes me feel better knowing that God has forgiven me.  But it is also a “do good” matter.  I am to pass on what I have received.  The blood of Jesus that covers my sins against God can also cover the sins of others against me!

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, you graciously accept the death of your Son as the payment for my sins.  May I learn to be merciful and accept that same death as the payment for those who sin against me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 05, 2023: SOAP #4781: Genesis 12-14; Luke 5

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 5:1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding round him and listening to the word of God, 2 he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

OBSERVATION:  What was the draw that people would crowd Jesus into the water?  What was it about Jesus’ teachings?  I believe it was that the spoken word of God was being presented by the Living Word of God.  The Word which had brought the worlds into existence was now teaching the written Word of God.  The Word had become flesh (John 1:14) and was now teaching and explaining the Word of God!  No wonder people were crowding around!  

It is a powerful combination:  God the Son speaking the Word of God!  

APPLICATION: That same combination is available today.  It is when the Holy Spirit of God anoints a person to speak the Word of God.  People are drawn to hear.  Faith is stirred in their hearts.  Miracles happen.  God is glorified.  And more people are drawn through testimonies of what God is doing. 

I need a fresh relationship with the Holy Spirit every day. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, your anointing brings understanding of the Word.  Your anointing stirs my heart and mind in how to phrase the observation and application above.  Your anointing accompanies this SOAP containing the Word of God. Stir the hearts of your people who read this SOAP.  Fill us and give us a fresh anointing today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 04, 2023: SOAP #4780: Genesis 9-11; Luke 4

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 4:17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Luke (KJV) 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

OBSERVATION:  A part of Jesus’s assignment was to “proclaim/preach the year of the Lord’s favor.”  Because of Jesus’ death, sinful man could approach the Holy God and be accepted; he could find favor. 

APPLICATION: Very likely, every Jew living in Jerusalem, probably in all of Israel, knew the limitations of Jewish worship.  Gentiles were not accepted in the temple area.  Only Jewish men could enter.   And only the high priest could enter the Holiest of Holies; all others were not accepted. 

But in Jesus, God’s favor was shown to man.  When Jesus died, the veil that hung before the Holiest of Holies was torn from top to bottom.  (Matthew 27:52)  The veil that once said, “Keep out,” now said “Welcome!”

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, Your Son, Jesus, died to make a way for me to enter your presence where I am now accepted and welcomed.  Today is the day of salvation; this is the year I find favor and I am accepted. Today, may my life express my appreciation.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 03, 2023: SOAP #4779: Genesis 6-8; Luke 3

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 3:16 John [the Baptist] answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

OBSERVATION:  My attention was drawn to the word “fire.” 

Fire is hot.  It can be felt.  The same is true of the Holy Spirit.  His presence moving in a life can be felt! 

Fire is the release of energy.  When energy is released, there is motion and change.  The Holy Spirit releases the life and ministry of Jesus in a believer’s life.  There is definitely change in that believer’s life, and it often brings change in the lives of others. 

Fire is seeable.  One can see the fire, and when it is not seeable, definitely the results of the fire are seeable.  The presence and ministry of the Holy Spirit are definitely seeable! 

APPLICATION: The Presence of the Holy Spirit in my life brings into action the life of Jesus in me.  He initiates changes needed.  He sets a holy standard for my life, my words, and actions. 

The anointing of the Holy Spirit brings into action the ministry of Jesus through me.  NOTE: The ministry of Jesus came into fruition when He was baptized and the Holy Spirit descended on Him (Luke 3:22), He was then led by the Spirit into the dessert to be tempted (Luke 4:1), and returned in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:14) to the synagogue where He read, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…and Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:18&21). 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, be the fire in my being that of which John the Baptist was speaking.  Make the life of Jesus feelable by me and seeable by others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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