Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 01, 2023: SOAP #4836: Numbers 28-29; Mark 8

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 8:1 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”…
5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. 6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterwards the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus had compassion for hungry people!  Jesus HAS compassion for hungry people!  He understands the need for food to sustain strength.  He is concerned. 

APPLICATION: Here is a verse that those needing to feed orphans should take to heart.  In prayer they should lay their open Bible before the Lord, asking in faith, “Do it again!”   He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever!  He is the God of compassion!  The world needs to see His compassion. 

We can be thankful that God can meet more than food needs and we have the Holy Spirit to lead us in applying our faith. 

We must remember that God did not give us a ministry, or a family so that we could meet all the needs.  He is developing faith in us.  He wants us to trust Him to be the provider.  He may provide us a job; He may lead others to help; He may work a miracle—but if we are looking to Him, He gets the glory!

PRAYER:   Lord, we place the little we have in your hands.  You only multiplied what was in your hands.  Like you did for the hungry crowd, multiply it to meet our need today. So, we place what we have in your hands and listen for instructions. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 28, 2023: SOAP #4835: Numbers 24-27; 1Corinthians 13

(reworked SOAP from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres….
13  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

OBSERVATION:  This chapter gives the best explanation of love that can be found as the Author of real love inspires the Apostle Paul to write.  This love is not the physical attraction I feel when I am close to someone that pleases me.  This love is not the emotional satisfaction I experience when working with like-minded people.  This love is the choice I make that puts others ahead of me.  One of the best expressions of this love can be observed in the living out of the marriage vows because this is the love promised before God in the marriage covenant.

APPLICATION: From reading this chapter one thing is clear: love is not easy.  If you think differently, read the passage again.  Love is best shown in our dealings with those who get under our skin, but that is not easy.  Love is best shown when I would rather be angry, but again, that is not easy.  Love is best shown in how I deal with people who misuse me, and again, that is not easy.

Obviously, this love is beyond my human potential.  If I am going to love like this, I need help…lots of help!  So, I pray…

PRAYER:   Lord, the only hope I have of expressing this love is if You love through me.  Lord, today, I surrender myself to you.  I believe your life was given on the cross as payment for my sins.  Forgive me.  Live in me.  Thank you for accepting me as your child. Love through me today.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 27, 2023: SOAP #4834: Numbers 21-23; Mark 6-7

SCRIPTURE:  Numbers (NIV) 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil? 20 I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it.

OBSERVATION:  In Numbers 14 we read that Israel refused to enter the Promised Land.  God was angry with them and told them that they would be wondering around in the wilderness for 40 years until all that generation died.  Then they decided they wanted to enter, but it was too late and they were defeated because God was not with them. (Numbers 12:42-45)   In their wonderings they came close to the country of Moab ruled by Balak. He was afraid of them and hired a prophet to come and curse them. 

But the prophet would only speak what God gave him to say, and God refused to curse Israel.  They had sinned.  God was punishing them, but God would not curse them!   Back in Abraham’s day, God had promised that the Messiah would come through his descendants.  And God would not break that promise even though Israel had rebelled against His will.  They would have trouble and a whole generation would die in the wilderness, but God refused to curse them! 

All that God did in delivering them from Egypt was preparation for entering the Promised Land.  How soon they forgot His mighty acts! 

APPLICATION: We can rejoice in knowing that God’s blessings are on His children.  He may correct us, and punish us, but He does not curse us!  He will work out His will for us. When the 40-year detour for Israel was completed, God appointed Joshua to lead His children into the Promised Land.  God kept His promise!  

PRAYER:   Lord, when my enemies rise up against me, help me remember that you are for me! Your favor brings comfort to my heart.  Your blessings are greater than their cursing.  I am blest to be your child.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 26, 2023: SOAP #4833: Numbers 19-20; Psalm 28; Mark 5

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 5:35 While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” 36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

OBSERVATION:  Jesus was on His way with Jairus to minister to Jairus’s sick daughter.  He was interrupted by the touch of a woman who touched Him in faith and received her healing.  While Jesus was talking to her, Jairus received news that his daughter had died. 

The Spirit drew my attention to the reaction of Jesus.  He did not try to explain to them that they did not yet have all the facts.  Jesus did not give them a sermon on Who He was and what He could do.  He just ignored them and started the journey to Jairus’ house. He did not stand around ignoring them; His focus was on a girl that needed His touch. 

APPLICATION: I need the presence and ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life to help me respond to those around me.  There are times when I should give an answer and there are times when I should just keep my mouth shut and move on.

The Holy Spirit can give me what needs to be said, or the Holy Spirit can give me peace about ignoring it and moving on. 

In driving a school bus, I often hear conversations happening behind me.  I have learned to hold my peace and ignore them.  But there have also been times that the Holy Spirit has so strongly stirring in my heart and mind that I was forced from within to speak out.  Sometimes God uses the words I say and sometimes He just uses the fact that I got involved. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, I am counting on your presence to guide me through this day.  In your wisdom, lead me to ignore what satan would use to delay me or cause me to change my focus.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 25, 2023: SOAP #4832: Numbers 17-18; Psalm 29; Mark 4

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 4:35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

OBSERVATION:  Mark, the author of this gospel, was not one of the apostles, so he was not with them during this event.  Someone who was, relayed the story to Mark and he included it in his gospel.  That other boats were present made an impression in his mind.  The Holy Spirit inspired Mark to include the single line: “There were also other boats with him.”  They would have been in the middle of the “furious squall.”  Their boats would have also been “nearly swamped.”  They would have also benefited from the “calm.”

APPLICATION: I have noticed how people with a storm raging in their lives can trigger storms in the lives of those around them.  I want to have the Storm-calmer so in charge of my life that their storms do not affect me. 

More than that, I want the presence of the Storm-calmer in my life to bring peace to those around me.

May people enjoy sailing in the calm waters that surround my boat.  It will give me opportunity to introduce them to the One who calms the waters. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, may the presence of the Holy Spirit within me maintain peace in me, and use me to introduce them to Jesus, the Storm-calmer.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 24, 2023: SOAP #4831: Numbers 14-16; Mark 3

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 3:1 Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” 4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. 5 He looked round at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.

OBSERVATION:  Of this same Jesus, John wrote: “All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.”  (John 1:3)   Later Paul wrote:  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:  (Colossians 1:16)

With all the above verses in mind, we see the irony of the religious leaders trying to catch the Creator of the Sabbath doing something wrong on the Sabbath!  If anyone has the authority to teach about the Sabbath, it is Jesus!  As Creator, He knows what we need, so He provides the Sabbath. 

APPLICATION: Like we read yesterday in Mark 2:27 that man was not created so there would be someone to honor the Sabbath, but the Sabbath was created for man’s benefit.  The Sabbath was created to be a blessing to man, and Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath!  (Mark 2:28) 

I need to carefully listen to the words of Jesus and follow His example. 

PRAYER:   Thank you, Lord of the Sabbath, for times and seasons of rest.  Thank you for providing measurements for time, i.e. morning and evening, days and weeks, months and years, and seasons.  In this, Your wisdom is easily seen.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 23, 2023: SOAP #4830: Numbers 12-13; Psalm 90; Mark 2

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 2:27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath 28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

OBSERVATION:  Jesus was referring back to the account of creation in the first chapter of Genesis.  After man was created on the sixth day, God set the seventh day as the Sabbath.  If an earlier day had been set as the Sabbath, one might say that man was created to honor the Sabbath.  But the Sabbath came after the creation of man; Jesus said it was made for man’s benefit!  The Sabbath validated man’s need for rest. 

Jesus’ claim to be the “Lord even of the Sabbath” is backed up by many of his actions (healings) on the Sabbath. 

APPLICATION: Rest is a key principle in our physical health.  We ignore it to our detriment.  Rest brings revitalization and restoration.  It renews our energy to refocus on the tasks before us. 

Rest is also a key principle in our spiritual health.  By faith we rest in the Lord’s provision instead of relying on our good works.  (Hebrews 4:10)   We are saved by faith in God’s work, not our own works even though we were created to work. (Ephesians 2:8-10) We are not saved by what we do, but we honor God by what we do. 

PRAYER:   Lord, I rest in you.  Heavenly Father, you designed a special day for rest, obviously, rest is important!  You designed the cycle of night and day to provide for rest.  Holy Spirit, help me honor what was designed for my benefit.  Teach me when and how to rest. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 22, 2023: SOAP #4829: Numbers 10-11; Psalm 27; Mark 1

My Daily Ministries

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 1:8 [John speaking] I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert,

OBSERVATION:  Here in the first chapter of Mark we have the Holy Spirit given priority in the ministry of Jesus.  First:  John announced that Jesus would baptize people with the Holy Spirit.  Second:  The Holy Spirit is seen in the form of a dove descending on Jesus when Jesus was baptized in water by John.  Third: The Holy Spirit sent him into the desert where he was tempted by the devil.  Fourth: in Luke 4:14 we read that Jesus returned from the wilderness in the power of the Spirit.  Fifth:  in Luke 4:17-18 Jesus publicly announced that the Spirit of the Lord was upon him!

Jesus, in coming to earth, continued to be God, but emptied himself of his “God” characteristics and walked on earth as a man.  He was tempted as a man and became the sinless sacrifice paying for our sins.  His ministry was under the anointing of the Holy Spirit. 

APPLICATION: As the Holy Spirit had a place of priority in the life and ministry of Jesus; He must have a place of priority in my life and ministry.   The Spirit’s wisdom is far superior to mine.  His power is more effective than mine.  It is foolish to rely on myself to live and minister for the Lord.

I must do as Jesus did and let the Holy Spirit guide me and flow through me in my daily ministries of writing SOAPs and driving the school bus. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, continually fill me with your Holy Spirit.  Holy Spirit, continually remind of your presence.  I need your wisdom and power. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 21, 2023: SOAP #4828: Numbers 8-9; Acts 28 (partial rework from 2020)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 28:16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him….
 30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION:  Obviously, bitterness did not tarnish Paul’s sensitivity to the Spirit.  The limitations he experienced provided their own unique opportunities for ministry.  Being limited as a prisoner, Paul ministered to his guards.  Being limited on a ship, he ministered to the crew.  Being limited under guard to a rented house, he ministered to those who visited him.  Being limited in prison, he wrote letters!

APPLICATION: Friends, may we never allow the limitations that surround us hinder the ministry of the Holy Spirit in and through us.  Every limitation opens another door of opportunity.  We may not have enough money to do one thing, but we have more time to do something else.  We may not be able to go to one destination, but we can minister where we are or nearby.  We may not have the needed supplies for what we would like to do, but we have the Holy Spirit anointing to do what the Spirit leads.

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, we trust you to lead us.  Flow through is.  Speak through us.  Use us to glorify Jesus.  Remind us of this SOAP devotion the next time we face limitations.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 20, 2023: SOAP #4827: Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 27

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 27:34 [Paul speaking to those on board a ship that was about to be shipwrecked.]  Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 38 When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.

OBSERVATION:  Paul could speak with confidence because he had heard from God.  He was not just speaking words to motivate the sailors; he was speaking based on an angelic message from God!  

Taking some bread, giving thanks to God so they could all hear, he began eating it “in front of them all.”  What a powerful witness of God’s presence!  What a powerful example for others to follow! 

APPLICATION: This is more than just an example of giving thanks for my meals.  It is an example of how I should respond in any stressful situation. 

Listening to what God is saying.  Remembering what God has said to me.  Giving public expression of my faith.  And setting a good example for those in my same circumstances, especially my family and friends. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, I need your help in stressful times.  Keep reminding me of what God has said to me.  Give me courage to set a good example.  Keep me steady in faith through the trouble. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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