Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 1, 2024: SOAP #5173: Exodus 30-32; Acts 8

SCRIPTURE:  Exodus (NIV) 31:2  “See I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 3  and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts—4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.
6 Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also, I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you:

OBSERVATION:  God had delivered Israel from Egypt.  By the pillar of fire at night and the cloud in the day, God led them to Sinai where He gave the 10 Commandments to Moses and an assignment to the Israelites.  They were to build Him a tabernacle—a place where He could dwell with them.  God had specific instructions for them to follow, but He did not give every specific detail. 

For that, God chose Bezalel and appointed Oholiab and “gave skill to all the craftsmen.”

APPLICATION:  When God gives me an assignment or a task, He will provide the knowledge and skill to accomplish His will.  God is not depending on my wisdom.  God already knows my limitations.  God is depending on my obedience. 

It may be a dominant thought, or a gentle persuasion, but I can learn to recognize how God speaks to me.  If I am faithful in His word, I will easily recognize what is contrary to His will and will not fall for any of the enemies’ deceptions. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, speak to me, teach me to recognize your voice.  May I find the joy of doing what pleases you.  Use me for your glory.  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
January 31, 2024: SOAP #5172: Exodus 28-29; Acts 7

(reworked)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 7:55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

OBSERVATION:  From reading this verse one might get the idea that Stephen was in a great revival, full of the Holy Spirit, and having visions of God!  He saw the resurrected and ascended Jesus!    This verse gives us insight into what was happening inside Stephen. 

The verses before and after give insight into Stephen’s circumstances.  He was not in a revival.  The people around Stephen were furious at what he had just told them.  In a very short time, they would take him out of the city and stoned him to death.  The One inside Stephen was greater than the ones surrounding him–even greater than what might happen to him!

And look who was watching.  Not only was heaven taking note of how Stephen was being treated, Acts 8:1 reveals that Saul, the future Apostle Paul, was watching too!

APPLICATION:  Praise the Lord my circumstances do not have to rule my spirit!  I can be full of the Holy Spirit no matter what is happening around me or to me!  

And there are people watching my life today, to see how I handle the tough times.  I want them to see in me what Saul saw in Stephen.

PRAYER:  Lord, as Saul was watching Stephen that day, there are people watching my life today.  I need Your Holy Spirit.  I want to stay full of Your Spirit. I want a revival in my heart that can be seen by others.  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
January 30, 2024: SOAP #5171: Exodus 25-27; Acts 6

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 6:3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”…
7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

OBSERVATION:  Church growth brought problems.  Not everything that needed to be done was getting done.  So those in church leadership divided the responsibilities and gave authority to others to serve those in the body needing assistance. 

They chose men KNOWN to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.  These men had a good reputation.  They were known for making wise decisions.  These actions brought even more growth. 

APPLICATION:  The knowledge of the Word of God spread.  Of course, the disciples were giving their attention “to prayer and the ministry of the word.”  How important this was as there were no written Bibles.  The only copies of the scriptures were in the temple and synagogues.  Yet, without Bibles, the “word of God spread!” 

Obviously, the Holy Spirit was working in the church through the leaders. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, we need your help in ministering to people today.  We might not be the leaders, but may each of us be known to be “full of the Spirit and wisdom!” 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
January 29, 2024: SOAP #5170: Exodus 23-24; Psalm 14; Acts 5

Lord, Do It Again! 

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 5:42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

OBSERVATION:  I commented on this verse last year, but the Lord showed me a new emphasis.  Last year, the SOAP was about location.  They met “in the temple courts and from house to house.”  Today, the emphasis is not location but timing.  They met “Day after day.” 

Bibles had not yet been printed.  If they could have afforded one, they were not even yet for sale in the market.  The early believers needed to know the truth that is now recorded in the scriptures.  It had not been recorded in writing; it was still in the minds of those who were witnesses of Jesus.  Their hunger to know about Jesus and what He taught caused them to gather with other believers and listen to what the Holy Spirit would speak through the early church leaders, or read letters from those who had been with Jesus.

APPLICATION:  Today, many believers have their personal copy of the Bible.  They can have time each day set aside for reading and praying.  Those of us who have Bibles, should be willing to invite others, (daily?), into our homes where the Bible can be read aloud.  Others may not be able to read or cannot afford to buy a Bible but they can listen to God’s Word being read.  That is how the early church in the book of Acts began!  

Having believers strong in the Word of God is one of a pastor’s greatest responsibilities.  Anyone who can read, can read the Bible for others to hear.  The power is in the Word of God…not on the pages or in the book, but in the Word of God.  God honors His Word! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, when we consider how the church has grown out of meetings in homes, schools, on riverbanks to where it is today…DO IT AGAIN around the world.  Send a mighty revival in Africa and Asia and anywhere your Word is honored.  In the strong Name of Jesus 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
January 28, 2024: SOAP #5169: Exodus 21-22; Psalm 12; Acts 4

(worked)

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 12:6 And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.

OBSERVATION:  Silver that has been purified in an earthen furnace, then purified again, and then purified again up to seven times, would surely be considered pure.  

The Word of God does not need a furnace to purify it; it is already purer than silver that has been refined seven times.  Generation after generation, decade after decade, year after year, God’s Word is placed in earthen furnaces — in the hearts of people.

APPLICATION:  Find a family who has held the Word of God in high regard for generations and see the purity of the Word shining through. 

Find a person who has held the Word of God in high regard for decades and see its effect on that life. 

God’s Word is not put in the furnace to make it pure, but to prove it is pure.  It can take the heat!  And those who hide it in their hearts discover that they too can take the heat.  It continues to be proven pure time and time again.

PRAYER:  Lord, Your word is pure.  It remains trustworthy and true.  It continues to be a proven foundation for every life.  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
January 27, 2024: SOAP #5168: Exodus 17-20; Acts 3

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 3:2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

OBSERVATION:  Money is an important part of ministry, but lack of money is never a reason to stop ministering.  The ministry that Jesus left the church was based on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than the power of money!

APPLICATION:  I believe I will give an account to the Lord of how I use the money He provides or enables me to earn, but how much more will I be held accountable for the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit he has given me!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, forgive me for the times I have hindered the flow of your ministry through me.  Find me a willing and useful vessel through which you can flow.  Use me today however you deem best.   Amen

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

January 2024 SOAP UPDATE:    

Greetings to all in Jesus’ Name! 

When I started writing the SOAPs 15 years ago, I never dreamed that they would grow to the point where money would be useful to purchase computers and printers, paper and ink, and payment for internet access.  But that is what has happened.  It was God’s direction to me to write them.  God has been faithful to give me scriptures each day and what to write.  And God has been faithful in providing for the expansion of this ministry. 

When God directed me to start writing SOAPs, He also directed me to start driving a school bus.  Obviously, God had a plan; the money from driving the bus carried the SOAP ministry for the first ten years.  Then God began sending some support from time to time which has lately become more regular.  As the ministry has expanded, God’s provision has expanded. 

I never want to ask people to give!  It is God’s ministry; we only look to HIM for finances.  His provision is the proof that He considers it His ministry.  He will use people, but the motivation must come from their heart. 

The greatest way I see SOAP and money melted together is in testimonies of how God provides.  …and there have been so many testimonies!!!  

There is no official organization and to my knowledge, no one presently working with SOAPs receives a salary.  Many are making personal sacrifices to make the SOAPs available to others.

There is a team of 7-8 Christian leaders in 4-5 West African countries who want to purchase 85 laptops/printers to provide SOAPs for 4-5 nations. They are doing it on their own. They are very committed brothers and sisters who have been working with SOAPs for several years. They have seen a tremendous impact on their churches with the use of the SOAPs and want to see it spread through the 17 countries of West Africa. After this, they have a goal of helping the East African countries grow the SOAP ministry.

The bulk of money from past similar endeavors has come from Africa! But they will receive it from whoever wants to give. They have many testimonies of spiritual growth through SOAP use.

I do not want to see SOAPs as a fundraiser operation, so have limited my personal push. But I will gladly respond to your questions and pass along what is sent to me.

A day is coming when I will need to stop bus driving to take care of more SOAP ministries…Lord give me wisdom. There just is not enough time in the day to cover everything. Ha! 

Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 26, 2024: SOAP #5167: Exodus 14-16; Acts 2

SCRIPTURE:  Exodus (NIV) 16:35 The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.
Acts (NIV) 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to breaking of bread and to prayer … 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.  They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.

OBSERVATION:  God has designed that we have a daily relationship with Him.  As the children of Israel came out of Egypt, they depended on God for their daily food.  God was faithful to provide a day’s measure of food each day for six week days and two measures on the sixth day (none on the seventh.) 

And when the church was born on the day of Pentecost it became their practice to join daily for teaching and fellowship. (Copies of the scriptures were not available in their homes.)

APPLICATION:  God has generously supplied many copies of the scriptures in many forms for me to study.  For the last 15 years God has assigned me to write a short daily thought (SOAP) about something in God’s Word. 

Recently it has come to my attention that some SOAPs are being distributed in places where some people do not have their own Bible, and/or cannot read.  What an opportunity for a special ministry!!!  If there are such people in your area, invite friends to your home to listen to you (or a guest) read the Bible for 15 or 30 minutes every day or once a week.  You do not need to be a teacher, let the Word speak for itself.  You might ask your pastor for a passage to be read.  He might give you one that goes along with his sermon. 

PRAYER:  Lord, use us to spread Your Word.  May our lives make the Word attractive.  May our actions show we honor Your Word.  Use us for your glory.  In Your 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
January 25, 2024: SOAP #5166: Exodus 12-13; Psalm 21; Acts 1 (reworked)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 1:4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.”…
14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus, the Passover Lamb, was in the grave three days, then was among them 40 days (Acts 1:3) before ascending into the heavens. While with them, Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem until they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5) which happened on the day of Pentecost. Pentecost came 50 days after Passover. So this would leave about 7 days in between Jesus’ ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. In these middle days the disciples and those with them “joined together constantly in prayer.” During this time Peter called a meeting in which Matthias was chosen to take the place of Judas. (Acts 1:15-26)

APPLICATION:  The “in-between” times are times of the Lord’s timing and positioning.  Joseph was in prison where God had him positioned for the right time when Pharoah would call.  And here, God had the early church positioned in Jerusalem for the right time on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit would be outpoured!  

“In-between times” should be times of prayer. When I do not know what to do, I know what to do — pray!  Waiting time, whether minutes, hours, or days, should be prayer time. I need to keep myself aware of His presence and be expecting Him to talk to me.  Hearing Him is worth the wait!!!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, after completing one assignment and waiting for the start of the next, help me to spend my “in-between” time in a keen awareness of your Presence. 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
January 24, 2024: SOAP #5165: Exodus 9-11; Luke 24

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 24:46 He [Jesus] told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.

OBSERVATION:  This is the resurrected Jesus meeting with His followers for the last time before returning to heaven.  Jesus was saying, “This is what just happened (Christ suffered and rose from the dead), and this is what is to happen now.” 

I hear Jesus saying, “I did my part, now it is for you to do your part!”  “I suffered and rose from the dead, now you preach repentance and forgiveness of sins through Him to all nations.” 

APPLICATION:  It is a message with two parts.  The first part, repentance, is what we do.  The second part, forgiveness, is what He does.  The two parts hold equal force or weight.  As surely as man repents is as surely as God is to forgive!!!   (Note: 1John 1:9) 

Both parts of the message are to be preached to all nations.  All nations need to hear the part about repentance, and all nations need to hear the part about forgiveness! 

PRAYER:  Lord, I acknowledge that I have sinned.  I repent.  I turn from my sins.  It was for my sins you died on the cross.  I humbly receive your forgiveness. You died for me; I will live for you.  Make my heart your home.  Help me do what honors you, for it is in your Name, the Name of Jesus, I 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
January 23, 2024: SOAP #5164: Exodus 6-8; Luke 23

SCRIPTURE:  Exodus (NIV) 6:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.”…6  “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD.’”

OBSERVATION:  Moses had told Pharoah that God wanted His people to celebrate a festival in the dessert.  Pharoah refused.  Instead he gave them even more work to do.  Now they would need to gather their own straw with which they would make the bricks!   Moses goes to the LORD.  Read verses 1-8 to get all of God’s response. 

God’s response is not to tell them what they should do, but to tell them what HE will to do.  God had a plan, and His plan was not built on what they could do.  It was HIS plan, and HE would do what needed to be done!!! 

APPLICATION:  God often gives us assignments that are too big for us.  Everyone can see that we will surely fail.  But if we let the Holy Spirit speak to us through the scriptures, we will find that God’s plans do not depend on us!  Our obedience is never sufficient to accomplish His plan. 

Note that verses 6 through 8 contain 3 “I am’s” and 8 “I will’s”.  The “I am’s” speak of current relationship. That is Who He is!   The “I will’s” speak of His commitment to what He will do.  He will fulfill His word!   

PRAYER:  Lord, I know I can count on you to accomplish your will in my life.  You knowingly make my assignments larger than my abilities to teach me to trust you.  Amen

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