Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 22, 2023: SOAP #5010: Jeremiah 28-30; 1John 3

SCRIPTURE:  1John (NIV) 3:10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. 11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

OBSERVATION:  During the ministry of Jesus, there were no tape recorders to record the sermons He preached.  Although His messages were not embedded in tape or on the pages of a book, they were embedded into the hearts of men.  The Apostle John was the closest disciple to Jesus.  After Jesus had left, John spoke and wrote what had been written on his heart when he was with Jesus.

At the heart of Jesus’ ministry was love.  At the heart of John’s ministry, we find the same.  People who do not live right nor love their brothers and sisters are not children of God.

APPLICATION:  Of course, God is interested in books with His words on every page, but His is much more interested in people with His words written on every page of their heart.  It is not how many Bibles, or translations of the Bible I have; it is how much of God’s Word is planted in my heart.  It is how much of His word is being applied to my life.

People can read God’s Word printed on paper, but God wants people to read His word written my heart. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, make my life a living letter sent to those around me.  May they see Jesus on every page.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 21, 2023: SOAP #5009: Jeremiah 21, 24, 27; Psalm 118; 1John 2

SCRIPTURE:  1John (NIV) 2: 3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.

OBSERVATION:  If I must walk (live) as Jesus did, there must be some way for me to know how Jesus lived.   Surely God would not require something of me that I cannot do.  I believe there are several ways today I can learn how Jesus lived His life.  One would be to read the Bible.  The first four books of the New Testament, the Gospels, are books about how Jesus lived His life here on earth.  From the example of His life I can learn what attitudes I should have.  From His teachings I can learn many important things. 

Another way I can learn is from the lives of other believers who have been following Jesus longer than myself.  I can watch the lives of mature believers who have been studying the scriptures for years.  God has placed leaders in the church to help us live our daily lives. 

But the most important way for me to “walk as Jesus did,” is to walk full of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus did not begin His ministry until He was baptized in water and the Holy Spirit descended on Him as a dove. (John 1:32) His life and ministry were guided by the Holy Spirit. (Luke 4:1,18) Jesus said the Holy Spirit would teach us of Him! (John 14:26; 16:13-15)

APPLICATION:  I need to be faithful to make myself available to the Word of God however it is available to me.  …by reading, by hearing it read, by hearing Spirit anointed preaching, by discussion and asking questions.  

I need to walk with the Holy Spirit as my constant companion and guide.  He is the same Spirit that was with Christ!   (Romans 8:11, 14-16)

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, fill me.  Be my guide.  Make me like Jesus!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 20, 2023: SOAP #5008: Jeremiah 48-49; Psalm 67; 1John 1

SCRIPTURE:  1John (NIV) 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

OBSERVATION:  God’s forgiveness and cleansing of my sinful soul is not based on my praying the right words or bringing the right sacrifice as proof of the sincerity of my confession.  It is based on His character! 

Jesus does not say, “I was going to forgive you, but you did not get the words quite right.”  He does not say, “Sorry, you just brought the wrong sacrifice.” 

When I agree with Him that I have sinned, He forgives and cleanses me based on His faithfulness to the death of Jesus.  God is just and does not demand a second payment for a sin that is already covered by the blood of His Son.

APPLICATION:  It is with a heart of gratitude that I serve the Lord.  As the song goes, “He paid a debt He did not owe; I owed a debt I could not pay; I needed someone to wash my sins away.  And now I sing a brand new song, Amazing Grace; Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay!”

PRAYER:  Lord, I am in awe that you are faithful and just.  Thank you for forgiving my sins.  Thank you for being my Lord.  With overflowing gratitude I express my appreciation. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 19, 2023: SOAP #5007: Jeremiah 45-47; Psalm 105; John 21

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 21:3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. 6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish….
9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

OBSERVATION:  While they were using their best skills to catch fish, Jesus was on the shore with fish already on the fire along with some bread!   It was not until they followed His directions that they caught any fish.  

Then, when they arrived at shore, they found that Jesus already had that for which they had been fishing!  Jesus anticipated their hunger and invited them to breakfast!  My need does not catch Jesus by surprise!  Jesus had already met their great spiritual need; He had died on the cross for their sins and He had risen from the dead!   Now He was prepared to meet their physical need for food!  

APPLICATION:  Walking in His direction and under His blessing is the best way to succeed.  Having the peace of God is the greatest success.  Even in stressful times, I can rest in Him and on His promises.  He is trustworthy! 

PRAYER:  Lord, Often, I have noticed that you started preparing the answer even before I prayed.  (The letter with the answer was postmarked even before I prayed!)  You anticipated my need and pre-answered my prayer.  You are amazing!     Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 18, 2023: SOAP #5006: Jeremiah 23, 25; John 19

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 19:18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.

OBSERVATION:  When Mary saw Jesus, her emotions quickly changed from grief to ecstatic joy! Jesus then gave her a task, “Go and tell … ” Would she do it? Of course, she would! I can easily imagine the excitement in her voice as she told the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” “He is alive!!!” This was personal. She had seen Jesus!  He had talked with her!!! 

APPLICATION:  How sad it is when our testimony becomes stale. In walking with Jesus, we should have something fresh to share with others every day. This is what God said today! This is what God did today! I’ve got to tell somebody! 

Preparing the SOAPs has been time when God speaks to me and gives me something fresh every day.  He is so faithful.  In faith I prepare my paper to write down what God will speak to my heart. 

Sending out the SOAPs has brought many testimonies of how God is at work today.  This SOAP is God’s ministry.  God gave me this assignment.  If I am faithful doing His work, God is faithful supplying what is needed.  God is at work spreading the SOAPs. 

PRAYER:  Lord, you are using these SOAPs far beyond my thinking.  You continually give me fresh testimonies.  I am humbled when I consider what you are doing with my feeble efforts to communicate what you give me every day.  I pray that others will be encouraged to believe that you will speak to them every day also.  Help them to write SOAPs also.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 17, 2023: SOAP #5005: Jeremiah 23, 25; John 19

SCRIPTURE:  Jeremiah (NIV) 23:23 “Am I only a God nearby,” declares the LORD, “and not a God far away? 24 Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the LORD.

OBSERVATION:  In speaking to the unfaithful shepherds, God reveals something about Himself.  God is God wherever God is.  He is not more powerful here than He is anyplace else.  He is not less powerful anywhere else than He is here!  

No one can hide from God; and no one can be hidden from God.  When we try to hide, we are only hiding in plain sight of God.  He fills heaven and earth.  It is foolish to try to hide from God.  It is foolish to hide anything from God. 

APPLICATION:  What fear should fill the hearts of those who are trying to hide from God, or those thinking that God has not seen what they did or heard what they said!   All we say and do is in plain sight of God. 

AND what peace should fill the hearts of those thinking they are all alone in their troubles!   God is with them!  He sees them!  He knows!   What comfort should fill the hearts of those praying for loved ones in some far away land.  God is just as close to those for whom we are praying as He is to those doing the praying.  He who is with us as we pray is with them as we pray for them! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, what an amazing God you are!  I remember that night in Viet Nam when the enemy was attacking our perimeter.  I remember the small airplane that seemed to rain fire upon the enemy.  (Only one in five rounds were tracer bullets.)  What terror was probably in the heart of the enemy; what comfort was in my heart.  That night, I was glad I was on his side!  And today, I am so glad I am on your side!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 16, 2023: SOAP #5004: 2Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalm 112; John 18

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 112:1 Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands….
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.

OBSERVATION:  There are blessings for the person who gives proper respect to the Lord and finds joy in His word.  The blessing is not that they will have no dark nights, or struggles, or disappointments, or betrayals. 

The blessing is that they will see a ray of light breaking through the darkness.  They will see proof that a new day is coming!   The darkness will not last; it will soon be over!   

APPLICATION:  There is nothing that brings as much light and hope as God’s Word!  As we are faithful to read it, we will always be led by the Holy Spirit to passages that minister to our struggles and circumstances.   In the Word, we find the ray of hope that lifts our spirit.  The light spreads across our sky and dispels the darkness.  The promises become the dawning of a new day!  

PRAYER:  Lord, your word dispels the darkness and brings hope.  Your word is like ointment to my troubled heart.  In your word, I find promises of a new day. Reading your word is like rising at dawn and watching the sun rise.  How precious is your word!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 15, 2023: SOAP #5003: Jeremiah 18-20; Psalm 93; John 17

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 17:24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

OBSERVATION:  Jesus is talking to His father.  He refers to a time before Genesis 1:1. It was a time of living in the Father’s love and receiving glory as God the Son from God the Father.  Even though a time of intense suffering is ahead, Jesus is convinced that the Father loves him!  He wants His disciples and followers to receive that same love from the Father!

Jesus wants His followers to know and appreciate the glory that He left in order to carry the cross and pay for our sins.  

Here is what I see in verse 26.  To ensure that the Father loves his followers with the same love He has for Jesus, Jesus will live in them!  As members of His body, they will experience the special love that Jesus enjoys from the Father. 

APPLICATION:  Not only do I have the presence of Jesus in my life, I have the love of the Father!  Because Jesus lives in me, I enjoy the victory and the honor he won on the cross in the defeat of satan!   This is what Jesus wants for me!  This is what He prayed for me. 

PRAYER:  Lord, you have honored me far beyond what I deserve.  I am so unworthy of all you have done for me.  May the words I speak and the things I do bring glory and honor to you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 14, 2023: SOAP #5002: Jeremiah 16-17; Psalm 96; John 16

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 16:12 [Jesus speaking to His disciples]  “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

OBSERVATION:  These verses give us a glimpse of the relationship among the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit especially as they relate to man.  The Holy Spirit will not repeat the ministry of Jesus but will move it along toward its goal.  The Spirit will not visit them weekly or every morning; He will be in them! (John 14:16-17) The ministry of the Holy Spirit is about Jesus, His words, His actions, and His person.    

APPLICATION:  I am called to be like Jesus, so I need the Holy Spirit to teach me.  I can read the gospels and gain understanding in how Jesus lived when He was on earth.  The basics remain the same, but the world has changed.  How do the basics of love and holiness apply in the world where I live?   I need the Holy Spirit to be with me as I encounter situations that are unclear to me.  I need His still small voice to tell me, “move ahead carefully,” or “do not go there!” 

In times of trouble, I may not have a Bible with me or may not know where to look in the Bible for appropriate passages.  BUT I HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT with me!!!   He will guide me through the trouble, then later He will show me through the scriptures why His way was best!   

PRAYER:  Jesus, living as a man without sin, it was important for you to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit.  How much more important it is for me to follow the Holy Spirit.  How wise of you to have Him live inside me!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 13, 2023: SOAP #5001: Jeremiah 13-15; John 15

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

OBSERVATION:  “Ask whatever you wish and it will be given you!”  What an amazing promise.  It is one many would like to claim as their own.  But it is not for everyone.  We must consider the first part of verse 7, beginning with that little word that has such a big meaning—the word “if.” 

If I am remaining in Jesus and His words are remaining in me, Jesus invites me to ask broadly and boldly.  The continual, constant contact with Jesus will make my life fruitful!   This is more than once a week and more than an hour every morning.  It is 24 hours every day.  It is walking with Jesus all day long!

APPLICATION:  The fruitfulness of a fruit tree does not come from the leaves, nor from the bark.  Fruitfulness comes from the nature of the tree, from the heart of the tree.  And the fruitfulness of my life does not come from my physical strength or my intellect.  The fruitfulness that God desires flows out from the Holy Spirit dwelling within. 

The anointing on my mind and my physical body causes my words and actions to have spiritual power.  Many times, I am amazed at how the SOAPs come together.  God works through me and reveals how the word applies to my life. 

PRAYER:  Lord, may every SOAP reader have the joy of seeing truth taking root in their lives.  Holy Spirit, for those who do not have a Bible, use the portions of scriptures they have; speak into their lives.  May they count on your faithfulness to bring them what they need every day!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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