Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 12, 2023: SOAP #4969: Isaiah 11-14; Hebrews 9

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 9:24 For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

OBSERVATION:  My heart is broken as I consider the terrible suffering Jesus endured for me on the cross.  Also the suffering of the Roman whipping.  But for Jesus that was only a small part of His suffering.  From the cross He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  He who had never known sin, who had never sinned, was bearing the sins of the world.  The punishment would not be complete without breaking His fellowship with the Father!  The eternal, loving relationship of the God the Father and God the Son was broken.  Was this the reason He cried in the garden, “Father if it is possible let this pass.”  But, no—the full consequence of sin had to be experienced for Jesus to be the perfect sacrifice. 

APPLICATION:  Yes, my heart is broken, BUT MY HEAERT ALSO REJOICES!   It is over!!!  He only needed to suffer ONCE!!! 

I am amazed that One so great went to such extreme lengths to save me.  He must really love me!   He must have some plan for me that is greater than any of my dreams. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I have been cleansed by your blood.  I have been filled with your Holy Spirit.  Use me for your glory, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 11, 2023: SOAP #4968: Isaiah 8-10; Hebrews 8

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 8:8 But God found fault with the people and said: “The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah….
10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people….
13 By calling this covenant “new”, he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete, and ageing, will soon disappear.

OBSERVATION:  The old covenant had been completed.  On the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished!” …and IT WAS FINISHED!!!   No more sacrifice of animals; the perfectly holy sacrifice for sin had been completed!  Now God could move forward in His plan—the plan He had for man when He created him in the garden!   Now God could do a NEW thing!  More than living among them; He would live IN them!   This was a BIG change!  This was NEW! 

APPLICATION:  The more I understand about God’s plan, the more I am amazed at God’s willingness to share His life, His fellowship, His purpose, His work, His joy, His sense of accomplishment—all this He shares with me!  

He lives in me!  I have the life of God in me!  

PRAYER:  Lord, I want to live my life showing my appreciation for what I have on the inside.  It is my great honor to have you alive in me.  May my attitudes, my words, and my actions communicate the great esteem I have for you.  Speak through me, Lord.  Touch through me.  Be glorified in me, I pray,  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 10, 2023: SOAP #4967: Micah 5-7; Hebrews 7

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 7:11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come—one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?
12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law.
13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no-one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus came to fulfill the Old Testament law.  Once fulfilled, new changes were brought into the worship of Creator God. 

Especially for the Jews, this was a BIG change.  The priesthood had changed. From the tribe of Levi to the tribe of Judah.  The sacrifices had changed, from many animals to one human.  The calendar had changed from daily, monthly, annual to once-for-all.  The location had changed, from the tabernacle to the world.  The worshippers had changed, from only Israelites to gentiles now included.  The worshippers had changed, from those bringing animal sacrifices to those who worship in Spirit and truth.

APPLICATION:  …and the changes continue in my life!  From knowing about God, to knowing God.  From a special place of worship once a week, to an ongoing, seven-days-a-week walk with God living inside me!  From relying on my own efforts to be good enough to please God to relying on what Jesus did to please God for me!  From living to please myself to living to please God.  From evaluating things according to how they affect me to evaluating them according to what does God think about them.  YES, the changes continue…

PRAYER:  Lord, after all you have done for me, it is only right that I should want my life to bring you joy.  Holy Spirit, continue to work your changes into my life.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 09, 2023: SOAP #4966: Micah 1-4; Hebrews 6

SCRIPTURE:  Micah (NIV) 4:11But now many nations are gathered against you. They say, “Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!” 12 But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, he who gathers them like sheaves to the threshing-floor.
Hebrews (NIV) 6:16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.

OBSERVATION:  In creation, God’s character traits can be seen everywhere—except His love.  God prepared the world to be inhabited by man, his unique creation created to make choices.  He was designed to be susceptible to temptation.  Satan would be allowed to tempt man to sin and when that happened the Jesus, God the Son, would come and demonstrate God’s ability to love.  He would be the sinless sacrifice that holiness demanded to cover the sins of man!  Jesus would come as one person to one family in one nation—that nation, Israel. 

In Micah’s prophecy, the nations gathered against Israel do not know God’s promises, plans, and purposes for Israel.  But Hebrews assures us that God’s promises are a solid foundation for our faith!   First: they are His word, which has the foundation of His character.  Second:  He gave them with an oath sworn on Himself (since there was no higher power to call as a witness.) 

APPLICATION:  My sins are forgiven based on the promises in God’s Word!  I have the promise of His presence now and the promise of eternity in heaven with the Lord!  I am blessed!  I miss so much when I do not live by His promises!

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for your promises!   They are a solid foundation!  Help me know them and build my life on them.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 08, 2023: SOAP #4965: Hosea 13-14; Psalm 100, 102; Hebrews 5

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 5:12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

OBSERVATION:  Our spiritual life grows through stages as does our physical life.  The truth of God’s word is our spiritual food.  We need it as much as we need meat, vegetables, fruit, etc.  When we were first born, we were given food appropriate for an infant.  And then began the daily process of weaning us off the milk, off the baby food, to food that needed to be properly chewed and digested. Verse 14 indicates a part of spiritual maturity is being able to distinguish “good from evil.”  That maturity comes from “constant use” as we are faithful in applying God’s Word to every situation in our daily lives.

APPLICATION:  As the food I just ate is being processed over the next few hours, so God’s word that I am now pondering will need to be processed into my decisions and actions as I go throughout this day.  Growth takes time.  It is a continual, on-going process. 

I may not get it right the first time, or much better the second time, but if I do not quit, I will improve.  Maturity does not come through church-time use, or devotion-time use, but through “constant use.”

PRAYER:  Lord, may I be as desirous of growing as you are of seeing me grow.  May I not be content with where I am, but always have a desire to live more like you.  May I be constantly aware of the need to “use” your Word in every situation I face today.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 07, 2023: SOAP #4964: Hosea 10-12; Psalm 73; Hebrews 4

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

OBSERVATION:  Here are two all-inclusive words.    From this truth, NO ONE is excluded; EVERYONE is included.  Not a person on earth can say that this truth does not apply to them. 

The omnipotent, omnipresent God sees everything!   Nothing is outside His view. 

But that is only the first part of this verse.  The last part tells us that we will all answer to this All-seeing God.  We will be required to give an account!   No one will escape. 

APPLICATION:  This is a truth about God that can either terrify us or bring us great comfort us. 

For those who have ignored Jesus who was sent to die for their sins and have refused to make Him the Lord of their lives…this verse should terrify them.  For those depending on their own good works to answer for them when they give account for their lives…what if their works do not measure up to God’s requirements?  That is a scary thought!   Jesus showed us God’s requirements:  NO sin.  Not even one!  

But for me this verse brings great comfort!   God knows my heart!  He sees that Jesus is alive on the inside.  When my actions do not work out, He sees my heart!  He fully understands my intentions.  While here on earth, the Holy Spirit guides me according to the Bible, helping me to live a life pleasing to God.  And when I “must give account” I will be judged according to the life of Jesus.  My life is hidden with Christ in God! (Colossians 3:2-4) 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for forgiving me and accepting the blood of Jesus to cover my sins.  Holy Spirit, thank you for being my daily companion.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 06, 2023: SOAP #4963: Hosea 6-9; Hebrews 3

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

OBSERVATION:  This is more than a suggestion.  Jesus is not to cross our thoughts once a week, or even once a day.  Jesus is to be a permanent fixture in our thoughts. 

APPLICATION:  How I think is very important.  People who are soulish tend to let their emotions color their thinking.  People who are worldly let the cares of the world affect their thoughts.  People who are carnal tend to let their physical body affect their thinking.  People who are spiritual tend to mix God in their thoughts.  Every subject that crosses my mind should come under the inspection of my knowledge of God. 

People hear our words and see our actions, but God knows our thoughts.  He knows the motives that lead to our actions. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, put a guard in my mind.  May you enjoy living among the thoughts in my heart and mind.  Forgive me for lingering on thoughts that are contrary to your ways, on thoughts that make you uncomfortable.  May you be pleased with my thoughts!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 05, 2023: SOAP #4962: Hosea 2-5; Hebrews 2 (reworked from 2019)

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 2: 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

OBSERVATION:  Love demanded that He help us; holiness demanded that the help come from one who had personally experienced and overcome temptation.  God is so HOLY that love cannot be allowed a short cut to help the one loved.  But God is so LOVING that he was willing to do what holiness required.  It is amazing!   It was God’s Holiness and Love that held Jesus on the cross to suffer and die for our sins.  In LOVE for me, Jesus submitted to what HOLINESS demanded from me! 

Because Jesus suffered through times of temptation when he was living as a man here on earth, he is able to help those who are being tempted now.  Jesus understands our trials not because someone told him about them, not because he read about them, not because he overheard someone talking about them, but because he experienced them!   He has been here; He has done that!  No one will say to the Judge, “You have no right to judge me; you do not know how bad my life was.”

APPLICATION:  Jesus can help me; He has experience dealing with the devil; he knows how to defeat Satan.  Jesus can help me; He has experience dealing with the weaknesses and limitations of being human; he knows I cannot rely on the flesh, so he gives me His Holy Spirit.  Jesus can help me; He is finished dealing with his own trials; Satan cannot distract Him from helping me.   Praise the Lord!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you were the only one who could do for me what I needed. In great love, you sent your son to die in my place.  My life is yours.  You deserve so much more; it is all I can do. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 04, 2023: SOAP #4961: 2Kings 15-16; Hosea 1; Hebrews 1

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe
3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

OBSERVATION:  Here is the center of all God’s purposes in creating and working with man.  It all centers in Jesus!  Jesus is the shining out of the hidden glory of God.  Jesus is how God acts, how God talks, how God loves.  How can that be?  It could not be any other way!   Jesus is God!   He is the exact representation of God the Father’s being.  There is nothing in the Father that is not in Jesus!   Jesus laid aside His glory as God but did not stop being God. (Philippians 2:6-8)   Jesus is the Word of God that became flesh. (John 1:14) Jesus not only forgives our sins, He provided “purification for sins!” (see above)  His death is sufficient to cover all our sins!   Now Jesus is back in His rightful place, glorified in heaven.  He did not have to fight to get it back: it is His by right of Who He is, Who He has always been, and Who He will ever be!  He accomplished His task; HE IS SEATED!!! 

APPLICATION:  It is good for me to be reminded of Who died for me.  It is good for me to be reminded of Who I am serving. 

Living in this world, it is easy to get my eyes off Jesus and onto my troubles.  God’s enemy wants me to keep my eyes on my troubles.  It is his way of robbing God of the attention God deserves. 

PRAYER:  Forgive me, Lord, for slighting you by ignoring you.  Instead of using my mental energies to praise and worship you, I use them to worry about what might happen.  Holy Spirit, fill my thoughts with JESUS!  May He be the center of all my mental imaginations.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 04, 2023: SOAP #4960: Isaiah 6-7; 2Chronicles 26-27; Philemon

SCRIPTURE:  2Chronicles (NIV) 27:1Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for sixteen years…. 2 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done, but unlike him he did not enter the temple of the LORD. The people, however, continued their corrupt practices .6 Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God.

OBSERVATION:  Jotham’s father, King Uzziah had been a godly king until the later days of his life when he took on priestly duties and God smote him with leprosy.  Surely that made an impression on young Jotham.  And even though the citizens of Judah did not turn back to the LORD, King Jotham was a godly king.  He honored the LORD.  He stood against the tendency to leave his personal commitment to the LORD. 

So, it is not a surprise that God made King Jotham to prosper. 

APPLICATION:  God is gracious and merciful.  He loves to bless His children.  Even at times when they do not deserve His blessings, He remains faithful and continues to send blessings their way.  Note:  God continued to bless the children of Israel with manna and water even though they refused to enter the land He had promised them! 

But I want to be like Jotham, one who walks steadfastly before the LORD my God.  May it bring joy to His heart to bless me.  May he know that any blessings He sends my way will be used to bless others. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, may I be like King Jotham, walking steadfastly in your way.  May you be smiling when you bless me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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