Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 12, 2023: SOAP #5122: Hebrews 5-8

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 7:23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

OBSERVATION:  A prophet is one sent from God with God’s message.  A priest is one chosen from among men who approaches God on behalf of man.  For Jesus, the Son of God, to be a priest, it was necessary for Him to enter the stream of humanity as a baby human.  He laid aside His divinity and took on the limitations of humanity.  Having no earthly father, he entered humanity as Adam had first been created, without sin.

The Perfect Priest needed a Perfect Sacrifice.  And for that He provided Himself, His own life.  The sacrifice was once, and for all time.  It has been completed.  It is sufficient to cover all the sins of man.  Yes, the sacrifice is complete, but Jesus remains our Priest, our High Priest!   He still bears the scars of His sacrifice before our Heavenly Father.  He still represents man before God.  He lives forever as our permanent priest!

APPLICATION:  Knowing that I have God’s own Son as my Perfect Priest standing before God the Father bearing the scars of His Perfect Sacrifice — what could be too great a sacrifice for me to make for Him?   I am humbled beyond words.  My life is not my own!

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, I am so undeserving of your great sacrifice and of having you represent me before the throne of heaven.  Saying “thank you” is where I start but it cannot be where my appreciation ends.  All I am and all I have is yours. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 11, 2023: SOAP #5121: Philemon; Hebrews 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.

OBSERVATION:  One of the main goals I see in this chapter is that we finish with a faith as strong as when we first started to believe.  

What is considered “little sins” can creep into our lives and deceive us into believing that “little sins” will not hurt us.  We then, little by little, become hardened to the things of God.  The things of the world are not quite as dangerous as we once thought, and the things of God are not quite as important as we once thought.   Encouragement helps keep us on course.

A simple word of encouragement can help carry a heavy load.  It can lift a person over discouragement and disappointment.                                                        

APPLICATION:  I need to be encouraged daily by the input of others into my life. 
And daily I need to encourage those around me. 

I am encouraged to be faithful as I remember the saying on my parent’s wall: “Only one life, will soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last!”

I have found two great sources of personal encouragement:  daily Bible reading and singing songs of worship.

PRAYER:  Lord, help me to be open to encouragement from others and make me an encourager.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 10, 2023: SOAP #5120: 2Timothy 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  2Timothy 4:1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

OBSERVATION:  Paul was writing from prison, yet he was “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus.”  His circumstances did not cloud the fact that he was in God’s will and doing God’s calling.  He was writing to his beloved son in the faith, Timothy, but much more, he was writing to 2000 years of believers still to be born!  He wrote as though Jesus was right there with him; He really was!

APPLICATION:  I am so thankful that the Lord is with me in every circumstance.  Many times, I appreciate the strong assurance of His presence that stirs in my heart as I am at my desk writing the SOAPs.  Sometimes God is speaking to me; sometimes I sense Him speaking through the SOAP to someone else.   

But, even when I do not have a sensation of His presence, I know that He is with me.  Knowing that He is with me keeps my faith strong.  It keeps me looking at things from His point of view, keeps me looking for evidence of His  work. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, the greatest thing I have in life is an awareness of your presence.  Knowing that you are with me gives me peace, joy, confidence, boldness,

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 09, 2023: SOAP #5119: 1Timothy 5-6; Titus 1-3

SCRIPTURE:  Titus (NIV) 1:1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—

OBSERVATION:  Paul’s purpose was to build up the body of Christ by encouraging their faith and increasing their knowledge of the truth.  “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 8:1.  But here Paul gives the purpose of knowledge — to lead us to godliness.  Knowledge of the truth should make us better lovers of God and of others.  That knowledge gives us confidence!  We respond to life in godly ways. 

APPLICATION:  Knowledge of the character of God, His omniscience assures me that He understands my problems better than I do. Knowledge of His wisdom assures me that He already knows what needs to be done.  Knowledge of His power gives me faith to trust Him. 

Knowledge that God is with me and guiding my steps helps me remain calm when unexpected problems/trouble comes my way.  There is great peace in knowing that God is with me.  Instead of fretting over the problem, I can look for opportunities to let Jesus shine through. 

Like Paul in Acts 27:33-44, our confidence in God affects everyone around us. 

If I have confidence in what I now about God, I should act like it!

Then problems become opportunities for unexpected ministries.

PRAYER:  Lord, the knowledge that you are faithful to take care of my problem sets me free to look for the opportunity to serve you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 08, 2023: SOAP #5118: 1Timothy 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  1Timothy (NIV) 3:16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

OBSERVATION:  The mystery of godliness:  That God wanted people to be “godly” is without question.  The Ten Commandments provided guidelines as to how we were to live.   But the law was broken even before it was given, and God knew that the people living with the law were also not going to be able to keep it.  So, along with the commandments God gave instructions for animal sacrifices to be made when the commandments were broken!   The law did not have the power inherent to enable the people to keep it.  So why would God give a law that surely would be broken?  That is the mystery!  And the answer to the mystery is Jesus!  God would demonstrate both His holiness and His love in sending His Son to be the perfect and only acceptable sacrifice for our sins.  His payment for our sins restores us and His living within us empowers us to live a life of love!

APPLICATION:  The life Jesus lives within me has already successfully dealt with every temptation I face!  As I learn to rely on His life within, I begin to understand this great mystery of how I can live a life pleasing to God.   His payment for my sins restores me and His life within empowers me!   Wow!

What God has done for Leon, He will do for every SOAP reader.  Tell Him you are a sinner and request His forgiveness.  Tell Him the only way you will be able to live up to His standards is if He will come and live in you.  Thank Him for coming into your life.  Tell Him He is now the Lord of your life.  Then thanks Him!  

PRAYER:  Thank you, Lord, for forgiving me and living this life with me.  I know I will need your help to live in a way that pleases you.  Help me grow every day.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Update re: Pastor Andrew.  Pastor Andrew, his wife Doris and three or four leaders in the SOAP ministry in Sierra Leone spent 5-6 hours in the doctor’s office yesterday for a through evaluation.  The doctor said Pastor Andrew is completely well!  Praise the Lord!   He will be released on Friday.  The Medicine to take home will be covered by SOAP ministry friends.  Of the $480 needed to pay the hospital before his release 180 will be covered by members of the SOAP team leaving $300.  Yesterday I received a check to be sent to them for whatever might be needed—the amount $300!!!   There are some remaining expenses for their family, but God has some funds coming that will cover those.  (ie. Their home refrigerator was sold to get money to pay the blood bank.) 

The devil tried to destroy Pastor Andrew and his wife Doris, but God…!   But God has plans for them and the SOAP ministry.  Thanks to the BIG SOAP TEAM, God has proved the victor!  

I know there are many needs in Asia and Africa.  There are many worthy causes to which God may lead you, or me, to give.  I believe God wanted us to become aware of Pastor Andrew’s plight because he was specifically involved in SOAP ministry when he was first attacked.  He was on his way to purchase air tickets for traveling to Kenya where he would teach about how SOAPs can be used.  God used a SOAP reader to purchase a new phone which was used to do the Kenyan conference.  It will be used again and again in the future.  

Money is not the most important part, but it is an important part of any ministry.  So, it is important to have a good understanding of who is responsible for the money.  If I am responsible, then the pressure is on me to motivate people to give.  But if God is responsible, the pressure is on Him!  He can speak to people’s hearts and lead them to give.  When the motivation comes from HIM it is much more effective. 

Generations Church has opened an account (Generations Church Local Missions) into which I can deposit money and send it out with a debit card.  I cannot withdraw money, nor write any checks on that account.  People who give will receive a statement for tax deductions and I do not have to consider income to that account as personal income (which I did in the past.)  Leon 😊 

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 07, 2023: SOAP #5117: Colossians 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Colossians (NIV) 1:19 For God was pleased to have all his fulness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

OBSERVATION:  These verses and others within the context show that the peace came through the shed blood on the cross, not the time in the grave!  The victory was won on the cross!  Christ entered the grave as The Victor! There are times when many of us would be quite content to escape the trials and troubles and be raptured into heaven.  But God wants us to learn to walk in victory here!  We do not have to wait until we get to heaven to live in victory; we are to enter heaven as victors!

APPLICATION:  Understanding that I am already a victor because of the victory Christ won for me, gives me the courage and strength to walk and talk like a victor now.  Even as I am engaged in the struggle, I fight like a victor.  I keep my head up.  I do not have a defeated attitude.  Praise and thanksgiving are a regular part of my vocabulary.

In me lives the undefeated champion of life!   Whatever I am facing, He has already been there!  He has already faced the toughest temptation that Satan could muster.  He not only faced it, He defeated it!  He refused the temptation of the devil in the wilderness at the beginning of the years of ministry, AND He refused to give in to the physical agony and mental torment of dying the death of a sinner on the cross, separated from God. 

PRAYER:  Lord, it was for me you died.  It was my sins you carried to the cross.  You now live in me as the Victor!   Can you help me?  There is no question.  Yes, you can!  I commit myself to your Lordship.  Holy Spirit, help me not to run ahead or lag behind, but keep in step with The Master.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 06, 2023: SOAP #5116: Philippians 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Philippians (NIV) 1:4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

OBSERVATION:  Paul’s joy in his prayers for those in Philippi comes from two sources.  First, he has joy because they are partners together in ministry.  They had been sending money, enabling Paul to focus on His ministry.  Note: the partnering was not in the Philippians asking Paul for His support, but them choosing to support Paul.  And it was not Paul asking for their support.  I believe it was the Holy Spirit impressing it on the Philippians hearts to support Paul with their finances.

A second source of Paul’s joy came from the truth that the work started in Philippi was an eternal work.  The Eternal God had started the work; the Eternal God was presently working in them; and the Eternal God would complete what He had started!!! It would continue long after Paul was gone! 

APPLICATION:  That same Eternal God is at work today.  Children born into our families are eternal lives.  Their lives will continue long after life on earth is over.  When they surrender their lives to Jesus and follow Him, we can rejoice that God will continue His work in and through them. 

This SOAP ministry was started by the Lord.  He is the one who has caused it to grow.  He is the one who sets a partner relationship with those who do the translating, the printing, the forwarding, the setting up of print centers, the purchase of printers, paper and ink, the distribution, etc.  Those who hand a copy of the SOAP to another person, and those who forward an email are all a part of God’s team.   In God’s eyes, they may be the most important part!   

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, your Holy Spirit has organized and unofficial SOAP ministry team that reaches into many nations.  It brings me joy being a part of such a team.  We are all your servants and serve you joyfully.  In Jesus Name we pray, Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 05, 2023: SOAP #5115: Ephesians 5-6; Psalm 119:1-80

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

OBSERVATION:  Every day each person is faced with many choices.  Wisdom can be seen in which opportunities are chosen. 

Because the days are evil many opportunities face us to do evil.  But for each opportunity to do evil, there is an opportunity to do what honors the Lord.  People can make a choice to get drunk on wine, or they can choose to be filled with the Spirit of God. 

“Evil days” may be a good reason to play it safe; but Paul here urges us to seize every opportunity.  “Evil days” are not a reason to fearfully hold back, but to courageously push forward.

APPLICATION: Being retired does not mean I have less opportunities, but more.  I am finding that to make the most of every opportunity the Lord brings my way often means that I must pass on some “opportunities” the world brings my way.  For the opportunity to give more in the offering at church, I may have to pass up the opportunity to buy a meal at McDonalds or a new shirt at Wal*Mart.

PRAYER:  Lord, help me to quickly recognize the opportunities that come my way, and then courageously step out to honor you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

From Doris Borbor today:  “… today we thank God for pastor Andrew he was able to sit down today and we started talking there is much much improvement since he has started taking the treatment since yesterday and today now he can talk clearly and you can understand now he can sit up and we can talk. That’s why the Doctor told me today that we should get the remaining medicine and injection for him he said after we get all the remaining medicine and he started treating him properly he said from now to Friday he will discharge him to go home that’s why the Doctor said he really want us to get all the remaining medicine. To God be the glory and Praise the Lord Amen.” 
Today I received and sent enough money to cover the remaining medicine.  Money coming will go toward the hospital bill.  I asked Doris to read the Bible to him when she takes his meals.  Pray with me for God to use the Word to protect his mind and induce healing.  Leon 😊    

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 04, 2023: SOAP #5114: Ephesians 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no-one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

OBSERVATION:  This scripture indicates that God had assignments in place before we arrived on the scene. These tasks were prepared with us in mind that we would be fulfilled in participating with Him in His great work. Of course, they are designed way beyond our personal abilities. They were designed to make us dependent on the indwelling Holy Spirit for completion. They force us to keep in close relationship, which is His number one goal for each of us.

APPLICATION:  I knew God’s call on my life as a young child.  I made major plans according to that call.  Then God interrupted my plans and sent me much different than how I had planned to fulfill His calling.  Sometime later He  gave me a place of ministry that seemed to fulfill the original calling…Then He clearly directed me to a location completely contrary to the expectations I had as a child.  But I had to do what God was telling me.  Upon stepping down from being a senior pastor, the new pastor asked me to start writing SOAPs.  And through God’s expansion of His ministry, God’s original call is being fulfilled in a much greater way that I ever dreamed.  Of course, God knew what He was doing all the time!  

Not only did God prepare the SOAP concept for me; He prepared my life, my heart, my understanding to be able to write them.  It is humbling to see how God has been at work for all those years. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, being obedient and faithful gives you the time to properly prepare us in advance for your assignments.  Continue your work through the SOAPs.  Continue your work in Pastor Andrew.  May your healing and restoring work be seen in him.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 03, 2023: SOAP #5113: Romans 13-16

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION:  God gives us endurance and encouragement.  How does he do that?  He gives them to us through the Scriptures.  The Word strengthens us to endure, and the Word encourages us to continue moving forward in faith. 

This was written to people who did not have a copy of the Bible in their home or a personal app on their phone.  This was written to people who heard the word when the church gathered and then worked to apply it in their everyday life. 

APPLICATION:  To the students departing the bus I drive, I often tell them, “Take your smile with you.  Don’t leave it on the bus.  You will need your smile today.  It is hard to sweep up smiles.”  Maybe preachers should say the same thing.

It is not the Word of God in a book on a desk or shelf at home.  The Word was preached and taught in church, but we did not leave it there!  It is the Word of God that is in our thoughts and in our heart.  It is the Word of God on which we are meditating.  Our thoughts are changed and soon our actions are changed!  We think differently; and then we act differently. 

The Word in our heart is the voice of the Holy Spirit saying, “Don’t give up!  You are going to make it!  He is coming soon!  Count on me; I am with you!”

PRAYER:  Lord, meditating on your word brings encouragement and endurance!  It also brings healing!  Holy Spirit remind us to read a portion of God’s Word every time we visit someone sick.  Amen! 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Note from Pastor Andrew’s wife:  Yes Daddy I always see him everyday three times for the day to give him the pop and his medicine. He also talk to me about is talking is not clear and not shouting since the surgery the doctor don’t allow him to sit down or to walk he always lying down it’s only me the Doctor allowed to see him everyday for apart from me no other person to enter into the room to see him or to talk with him. He is recovering little by little but the Doctor have advice us strongly even this morning that we should try to get all the medicine that he had advised us to buy so that we can give to him to recover quickly because the doctor said is only when we get all the medicine that will help him to recover quickly. That’s why I am praying strongly that God will make a provision for us to get all the remaining medicine for him because everyday I see Pastor Andrew I am not happy in that hospital. God bless you dad let us continue to pray for him. Doris. 
Less than 100 is remaining on the cost of the medicine and I will be able to send it Monday.  The doctors only do according to what has been paid.  It sure makes me appreciate what we have in Jesus!