Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 01, 2023: SOAP #4897: 1Chronicles 14, 15; Psalm 132; Matthew 18

The Importance of KNOWING God’s Will!  (repeat from 2021)

SCRIPTURE:  1Chronicles (NIV) 14:2 And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel … 
9 Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; 10 so David enquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The LORD answered him, “Go, I will hand them over to you.” 11 So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them … .
13 Once more the Philistines raided the valley; 14 so David enquired of God again, and God answered 16 So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

OBSERVATION:  David’s success began in verse 2.  David knew that the LORD had set him as king.  David’s kingship was God’s idea and God’s doing. So, when David was faced with the Philistine attack, David knew where to go.  He did not get counsel from advisors and counselors knowledgeable of warfare and the Philistines.  He went to the One Who set him as king.

APPLICATION:  Two problems I see:  First: I lack confidence that I am where He wants.  But when God places me under authority (in a church or at work) it is His will that I submit joyfully “as unto the Lord.”  I need to know that God has me where He wants me, and He can get me where He wants me next. Second: I often depend on my own strength and wisdom when I encounter trouble.  I depend on others to do what God wants to do.  When I started that ministry, I wanted God to be glorified in my life.  So, God brings me trouble beyond my capability and needs beyond my resources.  He wants me to depend on Him.  Oh, yes, I will pray and ask God to supply, but I cannot spend too much time in prayer as I need to be contacting others for help or resources.  But when I only ask Him, then, when the answer comes, only He gets the glory!  And everyone knows it came from God!  

Success in ministry begins with knowing I am in God’s will.  With that issue settled, I know I can trust God to provide what is needed. 

PRAYER:   Lord, knowing that you have set me where you want me gives me confidence.  But your goal is not my failure but my learning to depend on you.   I have confidence that you will be glorified by working through the needs before me today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 30, 2023: SOAP #4896: 2Samuel 6; 1Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 17:22 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. 23 They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief.

OBSERVATION:  Here is one of several times Jesus told the disciples that his necessary suffering would take Him to death, BUT HE WOULD RETURN TO LIFE.   Yes, He would suffer.  Yes, He would die.  But He would just as surely return to life!  The victory lay on the other side of death!   

APPLICATION:  The activities of the disciples following His crucifixion show that they did not remember what He had told them.  They could have had a watch-night vigil at the tomb the evening of the second day! 

It is so important for me to look through the trouble ahead to the victory on the other!   It is easy to let present trouble block my view of the victory ahead.  If I saw the victory, I could begin rejoicing even before the trouble is swept aside. 

Being faithful to read God’s Word and listening to the Holy Spirit helps me to focus through the difficulty to the victory.  Hearing testimonies encourages me that God is still faithful to His word and is actively working today. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I know that the greater struggle brings the greater rejoicing when the victory is won.  Stir my spirit to begin rejoicing even before the victory is won.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 29, 2023: SOAP #4895: 2Samuel 4,5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 16:1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

OBSERVATION:  In Jesus day people would look at the sky in the evenings to predict what the weather would be in the morning. Jesus took them to task because they were better at understanding the signs in the sky than understanding what was happening around them in life!

APPLICATION:  One of the first things I do every morning is to look at the weather forecast.  It helps me know how to dress for a day of driving the bus.  Today we have instruments to measure wind and moisture and air pressure. With satellites it is possible to see the jet stream moving across the oceans from one continent to another.  We know so much more about the weather; we prepare for hurricanes and potential tornados days in advance.

All the while, we make no preparation for coming judgment, even though our wickedness is flaunted in the face of God.  Judgment is already happening, yet we do not make the connection between God’s hand of judgment and our sin. 

The southern border of the United States is a place of judgment as God brings in new people to replace the 70+ million children that were not allowed to live.  It is a place of judgment as drug organizations send thousands of colorful pills into our country to entice children even to their death.  It is a place of judgment as known criminals can slip across the border while the border patrol is busy dealing with the large groups trying to gain entrance.  It is judgment that can be seen in  every large city

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, keep us alert and aware of what is happening in our cities and nation. We need your input to fully understand what we see. Help us not be taken by surprise when judgment comes. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 27, 2023: SOAP #4893: 2Samuel 2; 1Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14

SCRIPTURE:  2Samuel (NIV) 2:12 Eli’s sons were wicked men; they had no regard for the LORD….
17 This sin of the young men was very great in the LORD’s sight, for they were treating the LORD’s offering with contempt.

OBSERVATION:  When an offering was brought to the LORD, Eli’s sons would demand to take for themselves the portion they liked best.  It was not what the people thought about the actions of Eli’s sons; it was not what their father thought about their actions; it was what God thought!   God thought their sin was “very great.” 

APPLICATION:  A few minutes ago I heard a politician say that we need to come together on the issue of abortion.  She said that people have different life experiences that affect their thinking.  Some think abortion is unquestionable wrong.  Others were raised with different values and are willing to allow for abortions.  But the politician had no comment about how God sees abortion! 

About twenty years ago, I asked the Lord why He did not do something about the national sin of abortion.  How could He allow us to continue to destroy that which is made in His image without some punishment?  I remember God clearly saying that He would bring one illegal alien into our nation for every child we had aborted!  It was a word that rang true in my spirit, but I wondered how that would happen. 

Today thousands illegally cross our southern border every day.  And along with those looking for a better life or job, comes criminals and a scourge of drugs.  An invading military army could not do more havoc than those drugs are doing!!! 

PRAYER:   Lord, you are replacing the unwanted babies that should be living among us today—you are replacing them with people breaking our immigration laws.  They too carry your image and are loved by you.  Help us to see them as a mission field you are bringing to us.  Help us to love them as you love us.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 26, 2023: SOAP #4892: 2Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 13:57 And they took offence at him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor.” 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

OBSERVATION:  The people in Jesus’ hometown were familiar with his childhood.  (verses 54-56) They knew that Jospeh was a carpenter.  They knew His mother, Mary.  His family was just like their family.  They knew his brothers by name, and his sisters.  They had played with Jesus in the streets.  They had watched him grow.  Nothing special came out of their family, so how could they believe that Jesus was special. 

They were amazed at his teaching, but their “lack of faith” limited the miracles he did.  Note it does NOT say that he did no miracles, but that He did not do many. 

APPLICATION:  Often Jesus commented that the person’s faith was key in their healing.  (Mtt 9:2, 22; 15:28 a few of many.)  In these verses it is the lack of faith that is noted. 

Faith is like sucking on a straw.  It is like drinking from a cool, refreshing glass of water through a straw.  The sucking  will not quench my thirst, but it will draw the refreshing liquid into my mouth. 

My faith puts a demand on God’s ability.  It draws the reality of His ability to my need.  I know that faith is only as good as its foundation; in this case it is only as good as the liquid into which the straw is inserted.

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, may the end of my straw always be immersed deeply in you and Your Word!    Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 25, 2023: SOAP #4891: 1Samuel 30,31; 1Chronicles 10; Matthew 12

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 12:9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10 and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
11 He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So, he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.

OBSERVATION:  Here we have Jesus comparing saving an animal (which was acceptable in Jewish law) to healing a person (which was unlawful on the Sabbath.) 

How illogical to save an animal, yet not heal a person!!!  Somehow the value of the human life had been lost in their thinking.  Jesus came to restore sanity. 

APPLICATION:  The application is easy to see.  Today we have people who are for saving whales, wild horses, eagles, lions, etc.  Yet for that created in God’s image, termination of a pregnancy is acceptable, if the life is inconvenient! 

Over ten years ago, I asked the Lord what He would be doing about this problem in the USA.  Allowing that created in His image to be destroyed did not seem like something He would overlook, especially in a nation built on Biblical principles.  He spoke to me that He would be bringing one illegal alien into our country for every child that should have been born!  I wondered how that could be.  Then our borders began to open up during Obama’s presidency.  During the Trump years, there was an attempt to limit crossing the borders.  But the first day of Biden presidency, the boarders were opened and now thousands come across every day.   God is true to His character and His word!                                                                                                                    

PRAYER:   Lord, you are always faithful to your character and your word.  We have not been faithful.  Forgive us, we pray.  In judgment remember mercy and teach us your principles.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 24, 2023: SOAP #4890: 1Samuel 28,29; Psalm 109; Matthew 11

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

OBSERVATION:  Come to Jesus for rest:  I find rest from having to be good enough to be accepted.  I find He has already accepted me! But there is more. 

Take his yoke for training:   Being yoked to the Lord, I am bound to His schedule and life.  I cannot go my own way; the yoke holds me at His side. 

It is like being yoked in the boot camp of the United States Navy.  I had to fit into their schedule.  I went to class on their schedule.  I had to do the physical training on their schedule.  It was my choice (God’s choice) to leave Bible College and join the US Navy, but once in the Navy, my choices were limited.  I ate and slept on their schedule.

APPLICATION:  I am yoked to the Lord!  I go on His schedule and go where He goes.  Is it limiting?  Yes.  Is it worth it?  Yes, yes, and YES!  It is a privileged to be accepted into His yoke.  Being in the yoke with Him, I find His strength sufficient! 

He could wrestle me into His yoke but He wants me to take it willingly.  The US Navy’s goal for me was not to spend my whole enlistment in boot camp. 

(As I see it, God’s purpose for the yoke is to train me for future ministry, not to keep me in the yoke forever.  However, there may come a future time when I am yoked to another for their growth.  Only to the level I am willing to be yoked to the Lord, will others be yoked to me.  Learning to be a leader begins with learning to be a follower.) 

PRAYER:   Lord, it is my great privilege to be yoked to you.  Wherever you go, I must go with you.  Wherever I find myself, you are there with me!  Holy Spirit, make my time in the yoke profitable for the Kingdom.   Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 23, 2023: SOAP #4889: 1Samuel 27; 1Chronicles 9; Psalm 141; Matthew 10

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

OBSERVATION:  Here we have two very important words in the life of a true disciple of Jesus.  The first word is “sent.”  Jesus was sending out His disciples.  He gave them instructions about what to do and what to expect. 

The first word is for Jesus to do; the second word is my responsibility!  It is the word “go.”  It is my response to being sent.  If Jesus is Lord, I must go where I am sent.  He is Lord; He does the sending; I do the going! 

APPLICATION:  I have learned two other truths about God’s sending and my going.  First:  He does not send me alone!  He is going with me!   We will make this journey together!   Second:  When I arrive at my destination, He is already there!  He has been there all the time! 

And, yes, He was sending me.  If He needed someone with other talents, or a different testimony, He would have sent them.  If I do not have what is needed, He will provide it!  

PRAYER:   Lord help me to hear your directions and then quickly respond.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 22, 2023: SOAP #4888: 1Samuel 25,26; Psalm 63; Matthew 9

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 9:2 Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” … 7 And the man got up and went home. 8 When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.

OBSERVATION:  This passage has always had my attention.  It was not the faith of the paralytic, but the faith of those who carried him to Jesus.  It was their faith that was put into action.  It was their faith that Jesus saw.  

According to their faith, their actions were very logical.  Jesus could heal; their friend needed healing but could not walk; they would carry him to Jesus. 

Perhaps there were others that day who wondered what these men were doing.  It might have seemed like a waste of time and effort.  But to those carrying the paralytic, it was very logical!  

And it was also very logical to someone else—to Jesus!  He understood what they were doing.  He responded to “their faith!” 

APPLICATION: Faith is the natural response to hearing God speak to my heart.  When God personalizes His word to my heart, it is more than words on a page, or more than someone speaking to me.  Those written or spoken words carry a message for Leon.  They are burned into my thoughts, and I cannot push them aside. 

When God speaks to me, it is logical to direct my actions accordingly.  When I act like His word to me is true, then my faith becomes visible to others and to God. 

PRAYER:   Lord, Others may see my faith; some may be critical, but I want my faith to be visible to you.  May I bring joy to your heart by acting like your word to me is true.   Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 21, 2023: SOAP #4887: 1Samuel 24; 1Chronicles 8; Psalm 57, 58; Matthew 8

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 57:9 I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. 10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

OBSERVATION:  How great is God’s love!!!  In this verse, God’s great love reaches to the heavens.  There is no place in the universe where God’s love does not reach.  There is no sin that is greater than God’s love.  God’s love is so great that He gave the greatest treasure in heaven (the life of His Son, Jesus) to redeem fallen man. 

APPLICATION: His love is so great that if you have not yet confessed your sins and given your life to Him, you can do that in this moment.  Praying is just talking to God.  Talk to Him right now as though He is right there with you—He is!  Tell Him you are a sinner.  Ask Him to forgive your sins.  Invite Him to live in your life.  Ask Him to help you make your life a home in which He will enjoy living. 

Now as you continue in your day, just remember that He is with you.  You will see a change in your perspective.  He will cause you to see things as He sees them. 

He is so close, so you can talk to Him anytime.  He is so important you will enjoy spending time just with Him.  When you gather with other believers, God will draw your attention to things the pastor/preacher/teacher says.  Remember them and start applying those truths in your life.  The Holy Spirit will give you thoughts in your mind to help you. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, use these simple thoughts to draw SOAP readers into an enjoyable and continual relationship with you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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