Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 19, 2023: SOAP #4826: Numbers 5-6; Psalm 22; Acts 26

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 26:1  Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” So, Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense:

OBSERVATION:  In an earlier trial before Festus, Paul, as a Roman citizen, had appealed to Caesar.  In sending Paul to Caesar, Festus was looking for some help to write out the charges for which Paul was on trial.  So Festus invited the visiting King Agrippa to hear Paul and advise him. 

When Paul arrives in the room, he is given permission to speak. 

APPLICATION: King Agrippa gave Paul what we all have:  permission to speak.  God gave us permission to speak when He created us.  He gave us a mouth designed to form words.  He gave us a voice designed to make sounds that can be heard.  Communication is such an important part of creation!  Using what God has given me is one way of expressing my appreciation for what He has done for me. 

When I stand before God, only Jesus will speak for me.  How proper it is that while here on earth, I speak for Him.  My words and my actions speak for me in testimony of Jesus!

PRAYER:   Lord, may my actions speak so loud that if I do not have opportunity to use words, may those around me clearly see my appreciation for you!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 18, 2023: SOAP #4825: Numbers 3-4; Acts 25

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 25:9 Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?” 10  Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. 11 If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no-one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

OBSERVATION:  The Romans had taken him prisoner to protect him from the Jews who were trying to kill him.  But Paul had a very important Visitor the night following his arrest.  Acts 23:11: And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.” 

I wonder if Paul stayed awake that night thinking of how he might get to Rome.  Should he send out an appeal letter asking for money to use for such a trip.  Who would accompany him and how much would it cost for their travel?  Many questions could have caused Paul a sleepless night.  BUT GOD already had a plan. 

In a few days, Paul was forced to appeal to Caesar’s court.  With that appeal, Rome became responsible for Paul’s passage to see Caesar!  Rome provided the transportation; Rome provided the food; Rome even provided escorts (Roman guards) to ensure Paul’s safe arrival.  What a God we serve!!! 

APPLICATION: God is willing to take the responsibility of providing whatever is needed for us to do His will!   God has unlimited resources, far greater than our limited resources! 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, you are the GREAT ENABLER!  You enable me to do what You give me to do.  When I know I have heard from you and that I am doing your will, I can trust you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 17, 2023: SOAP #4824: Numbers 1-2; Acts 24

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 24:27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

OBSERVATION:  Prison time is not only hard time, it is slow time, with no mail, no magazines, no radio or television.  I do not see Paul as a person willing to sit around.  He moved from place to place.  He was a traveling man.  Day after day in prison would not be easy for Paul.  But God was with Him.  God’s will would be fulfilled in Paul.  God would be glorified in Paul, even in prison.  He might not be able to preach, but he could write.  He might not be able to go, but he could send letters.  He was limited, but fruitful.

2,000 years later, the Holy Spirit is still using the letters Paul wrote in prison to bring life to people.  Millions and millions of people have heard God speaking to them through Paul’s prison letters!   I think it would be correct to say that Paul’s limitations made him fruitful beyond his wildest imaginations!  

APPLICATION: God can use my limitations to focus me on His priorities. 
The limitations on me do not limit God!  
I must not allow Satan to discourage me by focusing me on my limitations!
I must remember that I am serving a limitless God! 
I must be faithful in working within my limitations. 
I must leave the results up to Him! 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, may the dreams of great possibilities never cause me to stop doing what I can do for the Kingdom.  May the dream of ministering to hundreds never cause me to overlook the single, lonely person on the side of the road.  Use me.  Find me faithful in little things. I like to sing, “Even though its humble, help my will to crumble.”  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 16, 2023: SOAP #4823: Leviticus 26-27; Acts 23

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 23:14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. 15 Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.” 16 But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.”

OBSERVATION:  He was just a young boy who overheard adults discussing their plans to kill Paul.  There was nothing someone his age could do, so he took the information to his Uncle Paul.  Paul had one of the centurions escort His nephew to the commander.  His story was believable, and the commander took actions accordingly.  (Read the rest of the chapter.)   

We all recognize the Apostle Paul as a main character in the Bible.  God not only chose and used Paul, but He also chose and used others.  Paul’s nephew was used in a very crucial way.  Paul’s life was spared.  Paul was alive to write other books of the Bible.

APPLICATION: There are many small unnoticed acts that we may have opportunity to do for the Lord.  We may think we are too small, or too old, or too young, or too poor, or too uneducated, or too limited to be useful to the Lord.  But, like Paul’s nephew, lets commit ourselves to use what we have in whatever way we can. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, please do not let me overlook the small things I can do.  Do not let me become so focused on the big things I hope to do, that I miss the small things I can easily do.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 15, 2023: SOAP #4822: Leviticus 25; Psalm 25-26; Acts 22

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 26:8 I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells.9 Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with bloodthirsty men, 10 in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes. 11 But I lead a blameless life; redeem me and be merciful to me. 12 My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the LORD.

OBSERVATION:  Some see the level ground in verse 12 as referring to an easy path, one that will not cause us to stumble.  There is truth in that viewpoint.  However, I have come to consider it differently.  I see it as we all stand on level ground in God’s presence.  King David was not closer to the Lord than the other worshippers.  He was not ABOVE them because he was king. 

At the foot of the cross, we were all equally sinners and are equally redeemed.  We were all equally bought by the same blood.  Before the cross of Jesus, the important are humbled to join their praise and worship with the lowly.  Before the cross of Jesus, the lowliest are raised to stand shoulder to shoulder with the greatest leaders in history. 

APPLICATION: It is not your value, nor my value…it is the value of the treasure within us.  It is not their value, nor our value…it is the value of the treasure within.  Every person has value.  Jesus set the value of a person when He died on the cross to pay for our sins.  God, the Father, valued lost, sinful man so much that He was willing to send His Son to bring us back into right relationship. 

Join me in worship…

PRAYER:   Lord, we worship you.  We honor you.  We stand together “on level ground” before Your throne and declare that you are LORD!  Our hearts are humbled that you made room for us together in Your presence.  Keep our hearts knit together by your Holy Spirit, throughout this day.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 14, 2023: SOAP #4821: Leviticus 23-24; Psalm 24; Acts 21

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 21:3 After sighting Cyprus and passing to the south of it, we sailed on to Syria. We landed at Tyre, where our ship was to unload its cargo. 4 Finding the disciples there, we stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the beach we knelt to pray. 6 After saying good-bye to each other, we went aboard the ship, and they returned home.

OBSERVATION:  The church was young and relatively small.  It surely was a special blessing to look for, and to find disciples in the various cities.  To me it appears that these were new acquaintances to Paul.  But whatever, we see that in seven days, the Holy Spirit knit their hearts together.  As families they accompanied Paul to the beach.  As families they knelt to pray with Paul and his traveling companions.  And as families they said good-bye and returned home. 

APPLICATION: As I have had opportunity to travel, what a joy it is to meet other believers, especially in unexpected places.  Their presence is a comfort and encouragement to me.  How sweet is the fellowship of the Holy Spirit as we lift the name of Jesus and share our testimonies.  It has always been a time of mutual edification. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, keep my eyes open and my ears tuned in to those around me.  May I not miss an opportunity to speak a word of encouragement to another believer in an unexpected place.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 13, 2023: SOAP #4820: Leviticus 20-22; Acts 20

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 20:32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

OBSERVATION:  Paul is giving his farewell sermon to the elders from Ephesus.  They had come to Meletus to meet with Paul.  He closes his sermon with giving himself as an example of how to work and handle money.  He had worked to provide for his own needs and for the needs of those with him.  He did not expect others to provide for his needs.  When people sent money, he thanked them but he did not ask or expect them to send him money.  He used his money to supply his “own needs” and to “help the weak.” 

He believed the words of Jesus that it is more blessed to give than to receive. 

APPLICATION: When I have financial needs, I have found that often my greatest need is to give.  Giving is like sowing seeds into the ground.  Moisture and time cause them to sprout, grow, and produce more seeds.  Some seeds I can eat, and some must be planted for a future harvest.  My planting may be small to start, but it will increase. 

Consider:  the portion of seed  I eat is the largest it will ever be; but the portion of seed I plant is the smallest it will ever be!   I plant by giving! 

PRAYER:   Lord, finances is such an important part of my life.  Thank you for your words and for the examples you have given.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 12, 2023: SOAP #4819: Leviticus 18-19; Psalm 13; Acts 19

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 19:1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

OBSERVATION:  Paul had the same priority as Jesus.  Before Jesus left, He made sure that the disciples knew to wait in Jerusalem to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Jesus had given them the Great Commission of going into all the world, but He knew that they were not prepared to fulfill it until they had a special encounter with the Holy Spirit.  (Luke 24:49 & Acts 1:8)

When Paul met the disciples in Ephesus, he wanted to make sure they were ready to face the troubles that accompanied being a Christian.  “Had they received the Holy Spirit?”  “No,” they answered.  So, “how were they baptized?”  “In John’s baptism.”  So, Peter baptized them in the Name of the Lord Jesus, laid his hands on them and they were baptized in the Holy Spirit!  

APPLICATION: If you are baptized in the Holy Spirit, you will know it.  Others will know it too.  It is hard to keep it hidden!  

But more important than being baptized in the Holy Spirit, is staying full of the Holy Spirit!  Our relationship with the Holy Spirit should be even better than the New Testament disciples had with Jesus.  The Holy Spirit lives within me.  I walk and I talk with Him!    

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, I want to live full of you.  May my every word and action have your approval.  More than you being in me, it must be me being fully in you! Amen.

Pastor Leon   
Making friends for time and eternity!   

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 11, 2023: SOAP #4818: Leviticus 15-17; Acts 18

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 18:1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.

OBSERVATION:  The Apostle Paul was no different from the rest of us: he needed money to live. He did not expect others to carry his load, so he joined with Aquila and Priscilla in their work as tentmakers. His schedule was to work all week then preach in the synagogue on the Sabbath (Saturday). When those committed to Paul arrived in Corinth to join in the ministry they must have started working to earn living expenses because Paul was then free to give all his time to preaching. Silas and Timothy now share in Paul’s reward!

APPLICATION: Sometimes my schedule is difficult as I try to balance driving a school bus with opportunities to minister. I am blest in knowing that God assigned me to drive the bus and driving the bus is just as important to God as other ministry. He considers it all ministry. Bus driving and daily SOAPs are priorities because God specifically directed me into these ministries. I believe an important part of my ministry is helping believers see that their “jobs” are an important ministry.

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, thank you for the privileges of daily sharing Your Word and of driving the school bus. I enjoy being Your servant. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Note:  This SOAP devotion was written in 2017.  At that time, I had been writing and driving for 7 years.  Now another 6 years have passed.  Look what God has done! Driving the bus and writing daily SOAPs re just small things.  This ministry has grown because God is faithful, and He honors faithfulness. 

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 10, 2023: SOAP #4817: Leviticus 13-14; Acts 17

(from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts 17:2 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
Luke 4:16 He (Jesus) went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is … 

OBSERVATION:  Paul had a practice that was very much like Jesus.  They both had the same custom.  They regularly went to the place where God was honored.

APPLICATION: I accepted Christ as my Savior; He now lives inside me and has made me a part of His body, the church.  If those following the Old Testament scriptures were to meet regularly, how much more should the church regularly come together.  As I want my physical body to interact and work together, how much more does Christ want His body to do the same.  The writer of Hebrews mentions people with a different custom-that of not meeting together.  How unlike Jesus that custom is!

PRAYER:   Amen. Lord, thank you for the privilege of being a part of your body.  May my presence in Your body (the church) be an expression of appreciation for Your Presence in my life!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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