Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 01, 2023: SOAP #5020: Ezekiel 15, 16; Psalm 70; Revelation 6

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 70:1 Hasten, O God, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me.
2 May those who seek my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. 3 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” turn back because of their shame. 4 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, “Let God be exalted!”
5 Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.

OBSERVATION:  David needed some help, and he needed it now!  David’s situation was urgent.  He begins with “Hasten” and he ends with “do not delay!”  He has two expressions of urgency in the first verse, and two in the last verse.  He needs, he requests God’s quick help.

APPLICATION:  Why did David go to God?  He was the king.  Surely, he had a friend or someone in his court he could have asked for help.  He could have told them to help!  But David did not trouble them.  No, he went to God. 

David had confidence in God.  He knew he could count on God’s help.  He had God’s word promising help.  He had relied on God’s help in the past. 

People who serve orphan children may become desperate for food or finances.  Here is a prayer from God’s word.  Use it as a pattern. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you have been faithful to provide examples in Your Word  that we can use in all situations.  There is nothing that we cannot bring to you!   Desperate situations can be brought to you.  You are more than capable of meeting every need we bring to you in Jesus Name.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 31, 2023: SOAP #5019: Ezekiel 12-14; Revelation 5

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 5:4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep!  See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.  He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain …  7 He came and took the scroll …  12 In a loud voice they sang: “Worthy is the Lamb …  13  … ”To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise … 

OBSERVATION:  In heaven, Jesus is introduced to John as the LION, but he makes his appearance as the LAMB.  He is not worshipped as the conquering, all powerful LION but as the LAMB who suffered, bled, and died. He could demand worship because he had the power to force people to worship him.  Instead, He chooses to be worshipped by those who have experienced his love and choose to worship him.

APPLICATION:  If I want to be like Jesus, I must be more of a lamb than a lion.  It is not how many people I can rule, but how many I can serve. 

This week I have read of people defending “their truth,” using proof texts on both sides to prove that they are right, with snide remarks about those who disagree with them.  Truly, as Paul wrote, knowledge puffs up.  (1Corinthians 8:1)   More important than gaining knowledge of the truth is becoming like the One Who is “The Way, THE TRUTH, and The life.” (John 14:6)   His truth is wrapped in love and served with grace. 

PRAYER:  Lord, as your servant, help me to be a useful servant to those around me.  May the truth that I present in these SOAPs be wrapped in love and served with grace.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 30, 2023: SOAP #5018: Ezekiel 8-11; Revelation 4

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 4: 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

OBSERVATION:  As John is translated in his vision up to heaven, the first thing he sees is the throne and the One sitting on the throne.  The passage above gives us the activity of those around the throne.  As the Old Testament prophet Isaiah discovered, God’s throne is a place of worship.  (Isaiah 6:1-4) The closer I come to God, the more important worship becomes.

APPLICATION:  In John 4:23-24, Jesus told the woman at the well that God was looking for worshippers.   I do not want to be one who worships only when the worship leader starts the instruments and encourages me to join in.  I want to worship when there is no worship leader and when there is no piano or guitar.  I want to worship when I am by myself in the middle of the week and going through a tough time.  I want to worship because I am a worshipper!.

What is my identity?  How do I see myself?  More important—how does God see me?  Am I a school bus driver who worships; or am I a worshipper who drives a school bus?  Am I a pastor/preacher who worships; or am I a worshipper who pastors/preaches?  I believe that being a worshipper will enhance all the other assignments God gives me i.e. husband, parent, neighbor, employee, boss, etc. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I pray that you find the worshippers you are looking for.   Most of all, I pray you find one in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 29, 2023: SOAP #5017: Ezekiel 4-7; Revelation 3 13  

SCRIPTURE:  Ezekiel (NIV) 6:13 And they will know that I am the LORD, when their people lie slain among their idols around their altars, on every high hill and on all the mountaintops, under every spreading tree and every leafy oak—places where they offered fragrant incense to all their idols. 14 And I will stretch out my hand against them and make the land a desolate waste from the desert to Diblah— wherever they live. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’”
Ezekiel (NIV) 7:27 The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with despair, and the hands of the people of the land will tremble. I will deal with them according to their conduct, and by their own standards I will judge them. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

OBSERVATION:  In Ezekiel 6 and 7 we see God dealing with his people as a parent would deal with an extremely rebellious child.  God had loved Israel.  He had great plans for Israel.  They were to be God’s showpiece of what it meant to be God’s children.  He blessed them beyond measure…but they continued to go after other gods.  So, as a parent who loves their children, God turns His blessings to hardships and troubles. 

I can hear the cry of a hurting God, “Then they will know that I am the Lord!” 

APPLICATION:  For those of us who know God, and love God, our hearts can hurt for God.  He is not unaffected by the sin in the world today.  He is not unaffected by the murder of little children even before they are born.  He is not unaffected by the laws that men have made degrading the beauty of sex and marriage.

We should not be surprised when a frustrated God brings judgment and declares, “THEN THEY WILL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD!!!” 

PRAYER:  Lord, may I, personally, be quick to respond to your correction.  May I not consider your correction as a great imposition, but as an expression of your love designed to protect me from the results of evil.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 28, 2023: SOAP #5016: Ezekiel 1-3; Revelation 2

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 2:1 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:…
7  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

OBSERVATION:  Each letter to the seven churches in chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation begin and end in similar ways.  The Holy Spirit speaks; we must listen! 

In Genesis 1, we find that God spoke the world into existence.  His words are powerful.  Although both are important, it is MORE important that I have ears to hear, than a mouth to speak. 

APPLICATION:  My communication with God can get switched.  I can pray like it is more important for God to hear what I am saying than for me to hear what God is saying. 

If I want to know what God is saying, I need to read the Bible.  How foolish to claim that God never speaks to me if I am not reading the Bible. 

God speaks to me with His word; He gives me direction.  God speaks to me through His word; He shows me truth that I need to apply to my life.  In the word the Holy Spirit reveals God’s principles which are to govern my life and relationships.  And God communicates His love for me with, and in, and through His word. His love for me is unmistakable!    

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, I do not want you to ignore my words to you.  Help me not to ignore your words to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 27, 2023: SOAP #5015: Jeremiah 52; Revelation 1; Psalm 143-144

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 144: 1 Of David. Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. 2 He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.
Revelation (NIV) 1:12 I turned round to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man”, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash round his chest. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

OBSERVATION:  Today’s Bible reading has two descriptions of God.  The first from King David in the book of Psalms and the second from the Apostle John who had been exiled on the island of Patmos.  David knew God’s character and was assured that God could be trusted to care for him, protect him, deliver him.  John knew how far God would go to care for, protect and deliver people — He would go all the way to the cross!  He did not just go TO the cross, He went THROUGH the cross, THROUGH the tomb, and all the way TO resurrected life!

APPLICATION:  Sometimes I do not appreciate the awesomeness of having the resurrected Savior of the world living in me.  I move through parts of my day as though nothing special is happening.  With Jesus living in me, there is no part of my day that is not full of potential!!

Sit up, Leon!  Stand tall!  Act like the Resurrected Creator and King of Glory lives in you—You know He does!  Think, talk, and act like He is always with you!  

PRAYER:  Jesus, the life you live in me is resurrected life.  You have already defeated everything that I will face today!!!  Thank you.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 26, 2023: SOAP #5014: Jeremiah 50-51; 3John

SCRIPTURE:  3John (NIV) 3 It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 5 Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. 6 They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.

OBSERVATION:  Some visitors came to John’s area and they gave a report to John about John’s friend Gaius who was special to John.  John had probably been instrumental in bringing him to Jesus.  He was dear to John, so much so, that when John heard the good report he sat down and wrote this short note. 

I am sure John’s letter became a prize possession of Gaius.  It would not surprise me to discover that he kept this letter in a special place.  He probably read it many times, especially when going through some struggles. 

APPLICATION:  Two good points can be made from this short book.  First, it is good to pass along good news.  May I be known as a person that carries good news about others.  When a student on my bus goes out of their way to do something kind for another, may I take note and report it to parents, teachers, administrators, whoever I know that cares about that student. 

Second, when I am given a good report about a good friend, may I respond like John by writing and sending a short note or letter, or an email, or a short phone call.  John’s letter was only 13 verses long.  But what encouragement it must have been to Gaius!  Someone noticed what he did.  Someone had cared enough to mention it to John. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, use me to speak good about others.  Use me to send short thoughtful and encouraging messages.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer August 25, 2023: SOAP #5013: Jeremiah 37-39; Psalm 79; 2John  

SCRIPTURE:  Jeremiah (NIV) 39:16 “Go and tell Ebed-Melech the Cushite, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfil my words against this city through disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. 17 But I will rescue you on that day, declares the LORD; you will not be handed over to those you fear. 18 I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the LORD.’”

OBSERVATION:  Such interesting scriptures that contain promising thoughts for those going through hard times.  Ebed-Melech was from Ethiopia, perhaps an ambassador to Israel.  Here he would see God’s hand of judgment but would be preserved.  He had rescued Jeremiah from a cistern, and now God would rescue him.   God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah.  Ebed could rely on God’s word to him! 

APPLICATION:  There are SOAP readers who need to draw hope from these chapters (38-39).  Prayerfully read the word to see what God is saying to you.  God is able to provide food when our nation is going through famine.  God is able to provide finances when we are surrounded by poverty.  God is able to provide healing and health when we are surrounded by sickness.  God is able to provide a rescue from what holds us captive. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, speak through the scriptures to my life today.  Give me promises that I can stand on through the storms of life.  Help me make them a permanent part of my thought life.  Give me the gift of faith to hold on to your promises.  …for the glory of Jesus, Amen!   

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 24, 2023: SOAP #5012: Jeremiah 33-34; Psalm 74; 1John 5

SCRIPTURE:  1John (NIV) 5:11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

OBSERVATION:  John wanted more for His readers then only knowing about Jesus.  He wanted them to know Him!   He wanted them to have confidence…to be certain. 

Eternal life is much too important to just guess about.  God has designed it so that we can be certain!   It is much too important to leave for after we die to see if we made it to heaven.  God wants us to be certain!     

APPLICATION:  The beauty of this passage is its simplicity. One cannot have eternal life apart from Jesus. It is more than just knowing about Jesus; it is knowing Him; it is possessing Him. The presence of His life affects every deed and every word. As we grow in submitting to His life, our lives are changed to be more like Him.

PRAYER:  Lord, I confess that I am a sinner.  I need your forgiveness.  I receive you, and your forgiveness, with a grateful heart.  Make my heart your home.  I want you to be my Lord and have an active part in my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 23, 2023: SOAP #5011: Jeremiah 31-32; 1John 4

SCRIPTURE:  1John (NIV) 4:16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.

OBSERVATION:  Of the three disciples closest to Jesus, John seemed to be the closest.  John and his brother James were once known as the sons of thunder.  (Mark 3:17)   But now we know John as the one writing about the love of God that brought God to earth to die for the sins of the man He created!!! 

When God took up residence in my life, He brought His love with Him.  It is more than the love He extends to me, as great as that is!  It is also the love He wants to share through me.  He wants to change me from a “son of thunder” to a vessel known for His love. 

APPLICATION:  Whenever my world gets tipped over and what is on the inside spills out, I want to be found as being full of God’s love.  I want to respond as Jesus would in my situation, because He is in the same situation; He lives in me; He is with me!  

PRAYER:  Lord, the only way I can ever love like you, is if you live in me and you do your loving through me.  Today I die to myself to become alive to you.  Live in me and love through me.  Express your love though me today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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