Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 21, 2023: SOAP #5040: Daniel 7-8; Psalm 137; Luke 4

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 4:42 At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”

OBSERVATION:  In this chapter we see that Jesus spoke with authority. (vs: 36)   He quieted demons and commanded them to come out. (vs: 35, 41)   He rebuked a fever which left immediately. (vs: 39)   Of course the people in this community would want him to stay with them, but He had to be obedient to the authority that sent him.  He did not have authority so that he could do what he wanted to do, or do what others wanted him to do.  Jesus, living as a man on earth, had authority because he was submitted to the authority of His Father in heaven.   The Father had sent Jesus for a purpose.  He had an assignment.   “Sent” is a common word Jesus uses to describe Himself.

APPLICATION:  Only God has authority because He is worthy.  Any authority I have is delegated authority.  My obedience increases my authority.  If I have trouble being under authority, I will have trouble being in authority.  I am also on a mission; I have also been sent. (John 20:21)

In this chapter we see the work of the Holy Spirit in Jesus.  I need the Holy Spirit helping me read God’s word.  I need the Holy Spirit helping me recognize God’s voice.  I need the Holy Spirit enabling me to fulfill the assignment God has given me.  I need the Holy Spirit to do His work through me.

PRAYER:  Jesus, may I live in such obedience to you that my words are trustworthy and faithful.  May I walk under AND in your authority!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 20, 2023: SOAP #5039: Daniel 5-6; Psalm 130; Luke 3

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 3:1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar— when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene—2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

OBSERVATION:  I like to read about God speaking to specific people at specific times.  I like to read about historical people that were present in the world at the specific time God spoke.  God is not separate from history but wraps himself within the context of human existence.  The Bible is not about people and places no one has ever seen or known.  In the Bible we read of God being involved in the daily lives of real historical people.

APPLICATION:  Today is a continuation of history.  The same God who interacted with real people in real places in history, does the same today!  

Reading the Bible shows me what God is like today.  It shows me what I can expect from God today.  It shows me what God expects of me. 

The Holy Spirit who breathed the scriptures into those chosen to write it down (2Timothy 3:16)  —that same Holy Spirit lives in each believer!   He can breathe truth into each heart.  He can show us the way to live. 

Especially for those who do not have a Bible, listen to leaders who read and teach the Bible.  Ask the Holy Spirit to write the Scriptures on your heart and in your mind. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, you are working in each nation today.  You are living in each believer today!   Teach us to live by The Word.  Teach us what it means for today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 19, 2023: SOAP #5038: Ezekiel 47-48; Luke 2

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 2:36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

OBSERVATION:  Here was a senior citizen whose life had not worked out as she had once planned.  She had married.  She and her husband were expecting to grow old with each other; but after only seven years he died.  So, for about 50 years, she dedicated her sorrow and loneliness to the Lord, probably never expecting that God would singularly bless her in this unique way. 

But “at that very moment” Joseph and Mary brought the baby Jesus into the temple; their paths crossed!  The Holy Spirit led their paths to meet.  A senior citizen, a young couple, and the baby Jesus!   Anna was a Spirit-led senior worshipper whose expression of thanksgiving was included in the pages of the Bible!   

APPLICATION:  The timing of God is an important part of our daily life.  Many times, unplanned and unexpected things are not unplanned nor unexpected in heaven.  They are the Holy Spirit’s way of providing opportunities for us to give a word, or a helping hand in Jesus’ Name.  I must not quickly dismiss the interruption without considering that God may have something for me to do.   

PRAYER:  Jesus, I call you my Lord!  That means you have control over the agenda for my day.  May my agenda never over-rule the leading of your Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 18, 2023: SOAP #5037: Ezekiel 45-46; Luke 1

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 1:19 The angel [who had just told old Zechariah that the son they would have was to be named John] answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.”…
[later, at the time to name the baby] 62 Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened, and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God…67 …Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

OBSERVATION:  As Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit upon the arrival of the pregnant Mary [Luke 1:41], so Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit upon his obedience to name his son John.  His tongue was loosed and as on the day of Pentecost when people spoke in unknown tongues [Acts 2], Zechariah used his voice to praise God!  [Luke 1:64]. Here we see the gift of prophecy flowing through Zechariah.

APPLICATION:  The presence of the Holy Spirit in one’s life makes a big difference.  He accomplishes through us what we cannot do.  He makes the presence of God very personal. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, the world needs people who are walking and living full of the Holy Spirit.  Make me useful by keeping me full of the Holy Spirit.  In Jesus Name I pray,  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 17, 2023: SOAP #5036: Ezekiel 42-44; Revelation 22

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 22:1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

OBSERVATION:  Yesterday we saw that the dwelling place of God will be with men.  In the end of chapter 21 we read about the city in which God will dwell with men.  Here we read about the high point of the city—the throne of God.

Down the middle of the great street of the city flowed a river that comes from the throne of God!  

APPLICATION:  Oh, how I need that river flowing down the great street of my life.  It is a life-giving river.  It waters the trees that have fruit for each season.  With that river flowing in my life, I will never lose the freshness.  The fruit from my life will not become dried and wrinkled.  My life will always have fruit that others can enjoy. 

When that river flows in my life, I become fruitful in every season. It still flows in my 70’s.   Wherever I may be reading in my daily devotions, the Holy Spirit draws my attention to a passage that is full of life for me.  As I share that verse and understanding, it encourages life in others. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, we see you working in the beginning verses of the Bible (Genesis 1) and here we find you in working in the last chapter of the Bible (Revelation 22) Truly you are working in all the days of the Bible.  I know you are working today!   Let your river always flow in and through me.  In Jesus Name, Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 16, 2023: SOAP #5035: Ezekiel 40-41; Psalm 128; Revelation 21

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

OBSERVATION:  In reading this chapter, my attention was captivated by the angel’s loud announcement.  “Now the dwelling of God is with men…not, Now the dwelling of men is with God.”  

I am thinking this is not the culmination of something about which man has dreamed but something for which God has worked and prepared.  This was His plan.  For all eternity, He would dwell among those who were more than trophies of His creative power, like the angels, but trophies of His great love, redeemed man!    

APPLICATION:  God wants me in heaven so much more than I want to be in heaven!  Out of all the known, and unknown heavens, God has chosen to build a dwelling place out of created living beings who had been stained with sin but are now washed in the sinless blood of His Son, Jesus. 

PRAYER:  Lord, the book of Revelation wraps up your “man-plan.”  You will create a new heaven and earth.  You are forming the New Jerusalem, the Holy City where we will dwell together for all eternity.  What an amazing future you have planned for us!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 15, 2023: SOAP #5034: Ezekiel 38-39; Psalm 145; Revelation 20

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 145:13b The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving towards all he has made…
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving towards all he has made.

OBSERVATION:  Psalm 145 is a great study on the character of God expressed in His actions. In the two verses above God’s faithfulness and righteousness are coupled with His love. Faithfulness and righteousness are both expressions of God’s holiness.

God’s character is based on holiness and love.  In Him they perfectly exist.  God never stops being holy to be loving.  God never lays aside his love to be holy.

In perfect wisdom, God used the cross to weave together His love and His holiness without slighting either!  Without the cross, a Holy God could not allow a sinful man to approach Him; so His love would be slighted.  Without the cross, if a Loving God would allow a sinful man to approach Him and His holiness would be slighted.  On the cross, God made a way for a sinful man to be made just as if he had never sinned!  The penalty of all sins was paid by the shedding of sinless blood!  Truly, God’s wisdom is demonstrated to all creation as God deals with sinful man in the cross!  Now a loving and holy God can live in the heart of a forgiven and re-born man!

APPLICATION:  As the Holy Spirit applies the Word in my life, God is developing both His holiness and love in me. He is developing it on the inside so that it might be seen outwardly in my words and deeds.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, in your wisdom, you are working out your love and holiness in me. I want you to be pleased with what you see. Make me like Jesus! Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 14, 2023: SOAP #5033: Ezekiel 36-37; Psalm 110; Revelation 19

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 19:11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no-one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

OBSERVATION:  Generals today are often found out front of their victorious army marching down streets lined with cheering citizens.  This General is out front, leading His armies into the battle.  The armies are following Him!  The battle was not won by hand to hand fighting of the armies, but by the sword of the Commander-in-Chief!

APPLICATION:  I wonder how many times I struggled in battle because I did not wait for His orders and ran ahead of my Commander-in-Chief.  If I would have just been patient and followed His lead, I might have arrived at the battlefield to find the battle already won.

When I go into battle, I always want the Lord between me and the enemy.  When I look at the enemy, I want to see my Lord in between.  I never want to be in a place where I must turn my back on my enemy to look at my Lord!

PRAYER:  Lord, as I follow you, I trust you to lead me into battle.  I trust your wisdom and strength and ability.  You are both a lover of peace and a Man of war!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 13, 2023: SOAP #5032: Ezekiel 33-35; Revelation 18

SCRIPTURE:  Ezekiel (NIV) 35:12 Then you will know that I the LORD have heard all the contemptible things you have said against the mountains of Israel. You said, “They have been laid waste and have been given over to us to devour.”
13 You boasted against me and spoke against me without restraint, and I heard it.

OBSERVATION:  God was speaking through Ezekiel to Israel’s neighbors.  They had been bad-mouthing Israel and they had taken advantage of Israel when Israel was going through tough times.  Yes, Israel was God’s special people though which He would send the promised Messiah.  Yes, Israel had sinned and turned to worshipping idols.  But they remained people of the Promise.  And the promise depended on God’s faithfulness, not on Israel’s righteousness. 

So God paid attention to what was said about Israel, and what was said about Him!  

APPLICATION:  God is not just a speaker; He is a listener!  I must always be aware that God is listening to every word I speak.  He does not just ignore my words but takes note of what I say.  Thanks to parents who raised me to respect and honor God, He will not hear any curse words, or oaths, or taking the Lord’s name disrespectfully, but…

…there have been times when I spoke in doubt of God’s promises.  Although I have known God’s promises, I have said, “I do not think that God will ever….”  Or, knowing God’s promises, I have acted like it all depended on me. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, may my words and my actions always display faith in you and Your promises. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 12, 2023: SOAP #5031: Daniel 3-4; Psalm 81; Revelation 17

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 81:8 “Hear, O my people, and I will warn you—if you would but listen to me, O Israel! 9 You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not bow down to an alien god. 10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
11 “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.
13 “If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, 14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!

OBSERVATION:  God is a God of relationships.  He wants more than to have people hear Him; He is more than able to make people hear Him.  He can make enough noise for people to hear Him!   But God wants people to listen, to hear AND understand the message.  I believe I hear a touch of sadness as God speaks of His children not answering. 

APPLICATION:  To think that the creator of the earth has something to say to me!   What could be more important than understanding what He is saying.  Listening to Him should be my number 1 priority each day. 

Not always, but usually God uses His Word (the Bible) to speak to me, so saying I want God to speak to me yet not reading the Bible is foolish. 

Having a place to write down what I hear God saying to me serves two very important purposes.  First: It shows God that I value what He says and do not want to forget.  Second: Having a pencil and paper (or an open computer document to note what I hear) shows God I expect He will be saying something to me.  It is an action of faith. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I am honored and humbled to know that you want to talk with me.  I trust that you find me to be a good listener.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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