Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 20, 2023: SOAP #4886: 1Samuel 23; Psalm 31,54; Matthew 7

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

OBSERVATION:  How amazing to serve a God who wants to be asked!   Earthly fathers love to fill the requests of their children.  And the same is true of our Heavenly Father.  He loves to express His love in tangible means.  He wants others to see that His children are blest!   They will want to be His children too! 

Each verse in the passage above has an emphasis on “asking.”  To whom does God give the good gifts in verse 11?  …”to those who ask him!”  

APPLICATION: With a passage of scripture like the above, why would I ask someone else?  Am I really His child?  Do I really believe that His word is true?  Do I believe that He can provide my needs?  Do I believe that He loves me enough to take care of me?  Do I think God needs my help to answer my prayers? 

If I promised my son that I would give him money needed for a special project, and then the next day I overheard him asking his uncle for money for the same project…I would wonder if my son really trusted me.  Did he doubt my word?  Yet, I have done that to God, many times.

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, I am sure I have often offended you by ignoring your promise and then trying to get people to do what You have promised. Holy Spirit, help my faith to be grounded in the Scriptures.  Help my faith to keep growing. You have many ways to answer my requests.  I trust you to use the one which will bring you the most glory.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 19, 2023: SOAP #4885: 1Samuel 22; Psalm 17,35; Matthew 6

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 6:1 “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

OBSERVATION:  The above passage begins with “Be careful…”  Jesus is telling us to give special attention to this matter.  It is not to be overlooked. 

Our generosity is for our Heavenly Father’s eyes, not for the world’s eyes.  When He sees, He will reward.  But when our charity is for the eyes of the world, that is all the reward we will receive. 

Maybe we thought that when the world saw our good deeds, they would support us.  We hoped they would join us.   But according to the words of Jesus, when we try to gain man’s attention in this matter of giving to the needy, we are just trading God’s reward (verse 4) for man’s reward (verse 2).  That is a very poor trade!! 

APPLICATION:  I believe this passage directly addresses the practice of some churches to take pictures of giving to the poor and then posting those pictures on Facebook.  If that has been your practice, please pray about it.  Let God prove Himself and bless you with His reward!  

Not just for churches, this passage is for individuals.  When God gives opportunity, prove His word.  Give secretly and prayerfully take note of God’s reward. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, you are a giver, and you want a family of givers.  You want your children to experience the joy of giving.  Giving is one way we participate in your ministry.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 18, 2023: SOAP #4884: 1Samuel 20-21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

OBSERVATION:  The love God wants for His people is not a reaction love, but an acting love. It is not love in return for a favor; it is love that is given when it was not expected.  And it is given without a promise of returned love.

APPLICATION: Simply put, it is the love that God has extended to me! 

One might say, “It is impossible to love like that.  It is not natural.”  And they would be right.  It is impossible for fallen, sinful man to live up to God’s holy standards.  If man was to love like that, God would need to live in him and love through him!  And that is the beauty of the Christian life!   God lives His life through me!!! 

PRAYER:   Lord, because of your death on the cross in payment for sin, forgive me and cleanse me from all sin.  Come and live in me.  Come live and love through me.  Teach me your ways. May my life bring you joy today.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 17, 2023: SOAP #4883: 1Samuel 19; 1Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 4:18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

OBSERVATION:  In looking for people that could be trained and in whom He would leave the care of His church, Jesus went where people were busy doing their normal jobs.  He went for a walk on the sea shore. 

I remember the first job I had in the church was as the volunteer janitor, sweeping the floor, emptying the trash, cleaning the bathrooms.  Later when I went to High School I was assigned to teach the junior boys Sunday School class. 

APPLICATION: If you want to do something for the Lord, start by doing what you see needs to be done.  Become a faithful member of a local church.  Be a servant.  As you serve, God will be teaching you about the church. 

Have you ever wondered why someone was not doing anything about an obvious need?  Perhaps God is bringing it to your attention because He wants to work through you to fulfill that need?  Add it to your daily prayer list.  Get started doing something.  A wonderful challenge is in store for you as He moves through you!  He may use that ministry to bring into view and prepare you for another ministry just for you.

In looking back over my life, every ministry has come to me while I was involved in a previous ministry. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, we all want to be used in God’s Kingdom.  Show us what we can do today.  We do not need a title or pay to be a servant.  We only need to be available.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 16, 2023: SOAP #4882: 1Samuel 18; 1Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.

OBSERVATION:  The One who had willingly emptied Himself of His God-ness to live on earth as the Son of Man, was now empowered by the same Holy Spirit who was present at creation (Genesis 1:2). This was the same Holy Spirit the angel spoke of when explaining to Joseph, that Mary’s pregnancy was the work of the Spirit of God. (Matthew 1:18 & 20). The Holy Spirit was a major part of Jesus’ everyday life and ministry.

APPLICATION: On January 1, 2010, I wondered if I should post on Facebook the SOAP I had just written.  It was strong in my mind that if I did it on January 1, I would need to post it every day that year!  I wondered if God would give me something every day for a whole year.  I knew God would give me something special each week for Sunday’s sermon, but something for every day???   I had faithfully read the Scriptures every day and knew that God would use them, but I did not expect something specific for me each day. 

Today, 4,882 days later, I know the answer is YES, He does speak every day!   The Same Holy Spirit that was present at creation, who was present every day with Jesus in ministry, who was inspiring each writer of the scriptures, YES, that same Holy Spirit has made Leon His dwelling place.  He understands 2023 as He understood the first day of creation!   He knows what I need each day.  He knows how to make me a blessing.  

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, you understand every day of my life as you understood every day of Jesus’ life on earth.  As I move through this day, reveal to me how I can best honor Jesus.  And, through these SOAPs, make me a blessing to others.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 15, 2023: SOAP #4881: 1Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

SCRIPTURE:  1Samuel (NIV) 17:46 [David speaking to Goliath] This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly towards the battle line to meet him. 49 Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

OBSERVATION:  David approached Goliath with confidence in the Lord.  It was not David’s battle.  Goliath had defied the Lord!  It was not Goliath against David; it was Goliath against God!   God was not going with David; David was going with God.    

APPLICATION:  We need to look at the challenges we face as David looked at Goliath.  The challenge is the Lord’s!   David faced Goliath with what he knew, a sling and some rocks. 

When I see the battle as mine, then I must convince people to help me.  The pressure is on me to perform as the leader.  But when I see the battle as the Lord’s, then the pressure is on HIM!   I take the needs to HIM and depend on HIM to provide.  I come to realize that I already have in my hands what I need to start. 

PRAYER:   Lord, I look to you to handle the challenges I face with children on the bus.  I know that you have given me this assignment. It is your bus and your ministry.  I am your servant.   Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 14, 2023: SOAP #4880: 1Samuel 15-16; 1Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 1:18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

OBSERVATION:  Joseph was a righteous man.  Mary was pregnant. She had already broken the marriage engagement.  Joseph would do what a righteous man would do.  He also would set aside the engagement.  But he was also a good man who loved Mary.  He did not want her to be humiliated.  He would not make a big scene, so everyone would know how much he had been hurt. He would do it quietly.

BUT GOD STOPPED HIM!   There was a higher purpose in what was happening.  Joseph was to be a part of something much greater than he ever dreamed.

APPLICATION: I am glad to know that God can stop me.  Sometimes when God stops me, it is because I am about to make a fool of myself.  God kindly steps in and corrects my direction. 

At other times when God stops me, it is because He has a higher purpose.  He is allowing me to be a part of something much greater.  He says “No,” because he is saying “Yes,” to something far better.  If He allowed me to move ahead with the “first,” there would be no possibility of the “best.”

PRAYER:  Lord, I trust you to see what I cannot see.  I trust you when you say “No” as I trust you when you say “Yes.”  You stopped my old way of Bible reading to open time for me to write daily SOAPs.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 13, 2023: SOAP #4879: 1Samuel 14; 1Chronicles 4; 2Corinthians 13

SCRIPTURE:  1Samuel (NIV) 14:23 So the LORD rescued Israel that day…

OBSERVATION:  In reading the beginning of this chapter, we see the victory started when Jonathan, the king’s son, challenged his armor-bearer to step out in faith that God would use them to bring victory.  “Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.” (Verse 6) Although they were only two, they took the risk of showing themselves to the enemy and engaging in the fight.  They did not run from the fight but climbed to the higher ground held by the enemy.

God likes to show Himself strong on behalf of those who step out in faith, depending on His help.  They were risking great failure if God did not help.  In the natural, their actions were illogical, they did not make sense.  But their faith in God made taking the risk logical. 

APPLICATION: I need not fear what appears as obvious failure when I am doing what God wants me to do.  From the days of Jonathan to now, God has not changed.  God showed up for Jonathan and He will show up for Leon.  He has in the past and He will in the future!  Leon needs to be careful to do what the Holy Spirit shows him to do. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, your heart must have rejoiced to see Jonathan express his faith in you.  I want your heart to rejoice in my actions also. This is a SOAP from the past, but it is fresh because today it is stirring my heart to action.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 12, 2023: SOAP #4878: 1Samuel 13; 1Chronicles 2-3; 2Corinthians 12

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 12:7 To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

OBSERVATION:  Much has been spoken and written about Paul’s “thorn in his flesh.”  Various ones have their personal suggestion as to what it is.  Some use other scriptures to suggest something that could be a weakness in Paul.  Since it is not specifically defined in this passage, I suggest that it is not important for me to know what it was. 

However, the specific actions of Paul give me some guidelines for dealing with ongoing problems in my life.  Paul prayed and God answered his prayers.  It was not the answer Paul wanted.  Paul wanted it removed, but God said His grace was sufficient to help Paul bear.  Paul accepted God’s answer and God’s promise!  It was a great promise!  Paul’s weakness would provide opportunity for God’s power to be manifested.  Paul moved on in his life and ministry.  He did not continue to beg God for that about which God had already spoken. 

APPLICATION: I need to learn to rest in God’s will.  His specific answers to my prayers should settle the matter for me.  My weaknesses provide Him opportunity to demonstrate His power through me. 

PRAYER:   Lord, may others see you living in me and working through me.  May my obvious weaknesses insure that you get all the glory.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 11, 2023: SOAP #4877: 1Samuel 11-12; 1Chronicales 1; 2Corinthians 11

SCRIPTURE:  2 Corinthians (NIV) 11:3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
(KJV) 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

OBSERVATION:  Paul was concerned about the believers in the city of Corinth. From the books of Moses, Paul knew how Satan had tempted Eve. Paul was concerned that Satan was trying to do the same to the new Christians in Corinth.

He wanted their sincerity and devotion to remain in Jesus.  It is easier to have pure devotion and sincerity when things are simple.  But when things get complex, and we do not have all the answers to the questions Satan brings to our thoughts … we lose the simple joy, simple love, simple devotion.

APPLICATION: The more I know God and understand His overall plan, the more logical it appears.  It just makes sense!  My faith is quite simple. I was a sinner. I believed Christ died as the payment for my sins. I asked Him to forgive my sins. He forgave me and now lives in my heart.  He is my Lord!  Now my goal is to make Him smile by bringing joy to His heart by what I do and say.

PRAYER:   Lord, help me to keep it simple!  At the heart of all I know is You are holy, You love me, and you want me to believe you. Amen

Pastor Leon
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