Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 22, 2023: SOAP #5132: John 12-14 (reworked from 2020)

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 14:15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus had just taught them a lesson by example and with words.  They called Him “Teacher” and “Lord.”  Yet He had performed the action of a servant.  He had washed their feet.

It is important for disciples to pay attention to what their teacher says.  They need to know the teachings.  They need to be aware of their teacher’s words. BUT the blessing only comes if they do them.

For the years to come, they would be able to say, “Jesus washed my feet.”  But they would only know the full blessing if they washed someone else’s feet

APPLICATION:  How many times has the forgiveness of Jesus washed my heart.  How can I ever thank Him?  How can I return the blessing He has given me?  I can forgive those who sin against me!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you have been so gracious to me.  You washed me; you forgave me; you cleansed me from all unrighteousness!  (1John 1:9).  Your sacrifice on Calvary was sufficient to pay for all my sins AND sufficient to pay for all the sins against me.  Help me to find the blessing of forgiving others. Amen

Pastor Leon  
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 21, 2023: SOAP #5131: John 9-11 (repeat from earlier)

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 10:2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice … . 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

OBSERVATION:  The Good Shepherd does not go behind the sheep to drive them but goes ahead of them to lead them.

APPLICATION:  I am finding that following Jesus ensures that He arrives first.  He is already there when I arrive!   He already knows what I will be facing.  He already knows what I will be doing when I arrive.  He knows the purpose for my being there because He is the one who led me there.

The necessary provision for the assignment is found in His presence.  In His presence is peace and protection. 

PRAYER:  Lord, gently remind me not to run on ahead.  You have called me to follow.  Amen.

Pastor Leon  
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 20, 2023: SOAP #5130: John 7-8

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 7:16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me.

OBSERVATION:  Of the words used to describe Jesus, the most common are “Jesus,” “Lord,” and “Son” (Son of man, Son of God, Son of David…)  In this verse we have a fourth word commonly used to describe Jesus…the word “sent.”  It is not a common descriptive word, but it shows purpose and mission.  And it is worth noting that the one who most used this word to describe Jesus is Jesus Himself!!!  This is how Jesus saw Himself.  

Jesus saw Himself as being sent from the Father to do the Father’s will, to speak the Father’s words, to work the Father’s works, and to reveal the Father’s heart.  His whole life and mission could be understood in the word “sent.” 

APPLICATION:  If we are faithful in reading the Bible and growing in our relationship with God, we will soon come to understand that there is more to being a Christian than in what Jesus does for me.  He has plans for me.  He makes me an important part of what He is doing.  As He was sent from the Father, now He sends me!   (John 17:18)

I must become as diligent about fulfilling the task, mission, purpose that Jesus has assigned me as He was in fulfilling what the Father assigned Him!!!  Through faithful Bible reading and prayer, through listening to what the Spirit says in the word, through our church and through our circumstances, we will learn God’s assignment(s) for our lives. 

PRAYER:  Lord, you have given me a great example of fulfilling your assignment.  And even more, you have given me the Holy Spirit to accompany me and empower me to fulfill my assignment.  Forgive my sins and failures and help me bring joy to the Father’s heart.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 19, 2023: SOAP #5129: John 5-6

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 6:38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him hall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

OBSERVATION:  The life of Jesus was centered around doing the will of His Father.  He was sent on a mission that had been planned before His birth.  He faithfully carried out His assignment as the Son of Man.  The fulfilled prophecies are proof that He was on target doing what the Father intended. 

He fulfilled the prophecies that required His participation (i.e. teaching, healing, etc.).  But there are many prophecies over which He had no control (i.e. where He was born, how He was crucified, etc.)  Obviously, God the Father was working in the circumstances to insure they were fulfilled. 

APPLICATION:  I see that every believer’s life has those same aspects.  There are things we must do (i.e. confess our sins, believe, etc.).   And there are things that only God can do (i.e. fille our hearts with His joy and peace.) 

Every day we find our part and His part being worked together to bring miraculous results.  Our part is often an act of obedience requiring faith, but we find that doing our part releases Him to do His part!  

PRAYER:  Lord, find me faithful doing your will.  Holy Spirit, help me to be faithfully doing the Lord’s will as He was faithful in doing the Father’s will.  Find me faithfully trusting you to work out the final results.  May you get all the glory.  Amen

Pastor Leon

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 18, 2023: SOAP #5128: John 2-4

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 4:13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

OBSERVATION:  A spring gives a continual flow of water.  When water is withdrawn from the spring, it immediately fills back up.  It happens because the spring has a source from which the water flows.    

Jesus tells the woman at the well that drinking the water He provides will be a spring inside.  She will not need to go to a well every day to replenish her supply of water.  The source will be within her.  It will be a spring within her.  Its source will be the Holy Spirit!  

APPLICATION:  The Holy Spirit is always present, always able to provide spiritual refreshing, always available to speak words of warning, or wisdom, or encouragement to my heart and mind.  He can immediately bring a scripture to my mind that I recently read. 

Spiritual growth and victory in my life depends on recognizing how the Holy Spirit speaks to me and how completely I do what He says. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, thank you for your commitment to accompany me through each day.  Thank you for not giving up on me.  Thank you for helping me to hear your voice.  Thank you for lifting up Jesus!  Thank you for helping me honor the Father! Thank you for being the source of the living water that blesses me and others.  Thank you for inspiring each daily SOAP.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 17, 2023: SOAP #5127: 2Peter 1-3; John 1  (repeat from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  2Peter (NIV) 2:20 If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”

OBSERVATION:  We rely on doctors to deal with truth about our health.  We want them to discover the truth, reveal the truth and help us deal with the truth.  We are happy when they give us a “good report.”  We may not be happy with a “bad report,” but we should be appreciative.

The Bible is a book of truth, truth about God, truth about man and truth about their relationship.  For the Bible not to tell us about sin is much worse than a doctor not telling us about a fatal disease in our body.

APPLICATION:  It is good to have escaped the corruption of the world.  I know that could only come through a relationship in which Jesus is my Savior and I accept his death on the cross as the payment for my sins.

It is also good to be warned about the possibility of getting entangled again in the corruption of the world.  I know that I can only remain free through a relationship in which Jesus is my Lord, and I choose to only do what pleases him.

PRAYER:  Lord, two things I pray:  thank you for providing the way of escape from sin; and help me not get entangled in it again.  Amen.

Pastor Leon  
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 16, 2023 (repeated from 2017): SOAP #5126: 1Peter 1-5

SCRIPTURE:  1Peter (NIV) 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.  11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

OBSERVATION:  Justice is getting what I deserve. Mercy is not getting what I deserve. Grace is getting what I do not deserve.

There is no power on earth that can force God to be gracious.  There is no intelligence on earth that could devise an argument so convincing that it would convince God to be gracious.  God is gracious because that is His nature.  His grace is limited only by His holiness.  Holiness demands justice, but God’s love found a way, at great cost to Himself, to settle holiness’s demand for justice and extend grace to His creation He so greatly loves.  Grace is an expression of God’s love.  It is as amazing as is His love!

APPLICATION:  The more I understand God’s holiness and love, the more I am humbled to know that the God of all creation — that He Himself settled my issues with being holy by sending His Son to die in my place on a cross. In mercy, He offered me forgiveness; in grace, He accepted me as His child. How can I not live as His humble servant in obedience to His will!

PRAYER:  Gracious Heavenly Father, you are amazing! I am in awe of your grace extended to me. I have not just read about it; I have experienced it! My heart overflows with praise and worship. Amen

Pastor Leon  
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Thank you note from Pastor Andrew. 

God bless you Daddy and everyone. In behalf of me, my family and the SOAP MEMBERS in Sierra Leone West Africa, I want to extend my thanks and appreciation to everyone who have been standing with me in prayer and supporting me financially when I was in the hospital. I want to thank you so much for your love and kindness that you show to me I want you to know that your prayer and your financial contribution help me a lot when I was in the hospital, thank you so much and may the good Lord continue to bless you your family and your ministry in Jesus name Amen. I am so grateful and I will always continue to remember you and your family in my prayer.                 

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 15, 2023: SOAP #5125: James 1-5  (mostly a repeat from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  James (NIV) 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

OBSERVATION:  Note the progression:  Resisting the devil should be preceded by submitting myself to God.  Desiring God to come near to me should be preceded by my coming near to God.  Being lifted up by God is preceded by humbling myself.

APPLICATION:  So many of the victories God brings are preceded by having the proper attitude of heart.  As I work with the Holy Spirit in winning the battle on the inside, God works in my circumstances to win the battles around me.

PRAYER:  Lord, I draw near to you by keeping you in my thoughts; I submit myself to you by obeying you; and I humble myself before you by seeing myself as Your servant.   Amen.

Pastor Leon  
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 14, 2023: SOAP #5124: Hebrews 12-13; Jude

SCRIPTURE:  Jude (NIV) 1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ: 2 Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.

OBSERVATION:  Jude’s greeting to his short letter reminds us of a foundational truth that we may overlook.  We focus on the love of Jesus.  He came, He suffered, and He died on the cross for us. 

Sometimes we do not think that in all Jesus did, He was sent by the Father.  He demonstrated love, the love of the Father for fallen, sinful man.  Most of us have memorized John 3:16:  For GOD SO LOVED the world that HE SENT HIS ONLY SON… 

The love we see in Jesus is the same love that is in the Father!  What the Son loves, the Father loves. 

The Father sent His Son to take the penalty for my sins and He sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in me and flow through me. 

APPLICATION:  The Father loves me!  I am the center focus of His plans in creation.  He, who sent His son to die for my sins loves me.  He is concerned about my struggles. 

PRAYER:  Jesus, I know you love me.  I see expressions of your love every day.  Heavenly Father, thank you for Jude’s words of assurance that you love me too.  My heart overflows with appreciation, praise and worship.  May my life glorify you.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 13, 2023: SOAP #5123: . Hebrews 9-11 (repeat from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 11:13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.  14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.

OBSERVATION:  What a special thing to say.  May it be engraved on tomb stones.  May it be fixed in the minds of people left behind.  “These people were still living by faith when they died.” 

It appears at times that a person’s faith died before they died.  What a tragedy!  What a privilege to visit with an elderly person whose faith is now stronger than when they first became a Christian.  Their faith has taken them to death’s door, and they are looking for that “country” God has promised.

Growing older should be growing stronger — stronger in faith.  Our physical strength may weaken, but our faith should continue to grow stronger.

APPLICATION:  As I grow older, I find that I have become more concerned about my physical health.  I have more check-ups at the doctor’s office.  I exercise more.  I take vitamins and meds for my heart.  My care for my spiritual man should increase also.  I should be reading the Bible more.  I should stay in touch with other believers more. 

Am I content with my present location, or am I looking for that heavenly country?

PRAYER:  Lord, I want to be living by faith when I die.    Amen.

Pastor Leon  
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