Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 22, 2024: SOAP #5163: Exodus 3-5; Luke 22

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 22:31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

OBSERVATION:  The disciples were celebrating the Passover Supper with Jesus on the night he would be taken off to be crucified.  Jesus knew what was in store for Him; He also knew what was in store for Peter.

Amazingly, the Creator of the universe had taken the time to pray for Peter!  He did not pray that Peter would not have any troubles, but that Peter would not be lost.  He did not pray for Peter not to fail, but that his faith would not fail!   And He gave Peter an assignment for Peter to do after the failure!   Yes, Peter would fail; but Peter would still be valuable to Jesus!

APPLICATION:  Jesus also knows my failures before I do them.  Yet he does not cancel me out because I am going to fail.   He can see me on the other side of failure.  He gives me an assignment for after the failure.  He lets me know I will still be valuable to Him.  He will still have something for me to do. 

His love and attitude toward me makes me do my best to keep faithful to Him. I do not want to disappoint Him.  I want to please Him.  I want Him to know that He is my greatest priority!  

PRAYER:  Lord, I still like to sing that chorus: “Keep me true, Lord Jesus, Keep me true.  Keep me true Lord Jesus, keep me true.  There’s a race that I must run; there are victories to be won.  Give me power, every hour, to be true.” AMEN
https://youtu.be/hqaLuchjXj8

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 21, 2024: SOAP #5162: Exodus 1-2; Psalm 88; Luke 21   (reworked) 

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 21:31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

OBSERVATION:  In looking around the world, many of the things mentioned in the previous verses  are happening now. We can be assured that God’s kingdom is soon to be established on the earth. While earthly and heavenly things come and go, there is one thing that remains — God’s Word.

APPLICATION:  The more of God’s Word I have in my heart, the more peace and security I have. The more of God’s Word I have in my mind, the more I understand what is happening around me. The more I put into practice the principles of God’s word, the more stability I have in times of trouble. The more I share God’s Word with those around me, the greater is the effect I have in their lives.

JUST A THOUGHT from the Lord:  If you have a Bible and live in an area where many people do not have a Bible, or cannot read, invite some to your home every day or once a week for 30 minutes when you can read from the Bible for them.  Ask your pastor for a reading assignment. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, my life is based on Your Word.  It is underneath me as a sure foundation.  It is in me as the preserver of life.  It is easily seen around me in all of Your creation.  It is above me shining a light on the path I should take.  Thank you for Your Word! Amen

Pastor Leon 
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 20, 2024: SOAP #5161: Genesis 49-50; Psalm 8; Luke 20

  (repeat from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 8:3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

OBSERVATION:  David considers the immensity of “ …the work of your fingers” and then the smallness of man and wondered “Lord in the midst of something so great, you care for someone so small!”  Later in verse six David considers “ …the work of your hands” and realizes that God not only cares for us, but has given us a place of honor within His creation.

APPLICATION:  David considered the “work of God’s fingers” and the “work of God’s hands” and responded with wonder and appreciation. So, what response should come from our hearts when we consider “the work of God’s Son!!!”  Hebrews 3:1 tells us to “consider … Christ Jesus.” 

In creation, God worked un-opposed, but in redemption, Jesus had to overcome all the forces of hell.  Jesus, tempted in every way as we are, died in victory as he refused to surrender to Satan’s will.  Jesus rose in glory with victory over death, hell, and the grave!  And we have this treasure (His resurrected life) in earthen vessels (our human bodies).  Consider that!!!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, today help me not to just see with my eyes but consider with my heart.  May the work of Your hands draw praise from my lips and may the work of Your Son draw worship from my heart.  Amen.

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 19, 2024: SOAP #5160: Genesis 47-48; Psalm 10; Luke 19

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 19:45Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers’.”

Isaiah (NIV) 56:7 these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

OBSERVATION:  If the temple in Jerusalem was to be known as a “house of prayer,” how much more should “HIS” house, the body of Christ, the church be known as a “house of prayer.” Prayer is a dominant characteristic of “his” house.  One of the first things people should recognize when they visit a fellowship of believers is that prayer is important. And when we meet new friends, how long does it take them to recognize that we are people of prayer?   If He has taken up residence in our lives, then our physical bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should be a “house of prayer.”

APPLICATION:  I do not have to go someplace to pray, wherever I am is a place of prayer.  I can tell people I will pray for them, but the truth is…I can pray for them right then and there.  Not only can I pray for them, but I can also pray WITH THEM.  It is good to pray for people, but even better to pray with them. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, even now, this SOAP reader and I join in prayer.  If my friend does not know Jesus as both LORD and Savior, right now, as they confess their sins, sweep through their heart and life with the blessed assurance that every sin is forgiven.  Let today be the beginning of a special relationship between you and this SOAP reader! 
And praying with those who already know Jesus, we ask you to fill our hearts with your Holy Spirit. Use us today for your glory.  May we be bold to step out and do as you prompt us.  In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 18, 2024: SOAP #5159: Genesis 44-46; Luke 18

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 46:2 And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied. 3 “I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. 4 I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes.”

OBSERVATION:  God is spoke to Jacob and gave him direction to move ahead and travel to Egypt where he wpild see his son Joseph. 

IMPORTANT:  The emphasis in this passage is not in what God wanted Jacob to do for Him, but on what God was going to do for Jacob!!!

APPLICATION:  The Holy Spirit now speaking to Leon: “When God gives you an assignment, He is not depending on your ability to accomplish the assignment, but on His ability to work through you.  In giving you the assignment, He is looking for an opportunity to demonstrate His power, His wisdom, His provision.  He is looking to display His all-surpassing ability through your weaknesses.  He is looking to display His provision through your lack.   He is looking to display His wisdom through your obedience.

“Leon, the key is to know His voice and to do what God directs.  If it is His will, He will be responsible for everything.  If you are doing what you think is best, then it becomes your responsibility.  You will have faith for His provision when you know that you are doing His will.  You have His Presence promised to you!

“Leon, your goal is not to show what you can do, but to be an avenue for God to show what He can do.  Your life, Leon, is to be a window through which people can see Jesus!”

PRAYER:  Lord, make me a clean window so that it will be easy for people to see you in me and working through me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon 
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 17, 2024: SOAP #5158: Genesis 42-43; Psalm 5; Luke 17

SCRIPTURE:  Luke )NIV) 17:1 Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come.

OBSERVATION:  It is impossible to live in this world without being tempted to sin!  Temptations are all around us.  We should not be surprised when facing temptations. 

God is not surprised; Jesus told us that they “are bound to come.”  He also knew our weaknesses, so He prepared us for times of temptation. 

1.  He gave us His example to follow.    
2.  He gives us His Word that we can use in overcoming temptation. 
3.  He gives us His Presence.  The Great Overcomer lives inside me!  

APPLICATION:  1.  I need to become better acquainted with Jesus and how He lived on the earth.  How did He deal with temptation? 
2.  I need to hide the Word of God in my heart and mind so that I can speak it to the enemy.  It will give me strength and courage.  It will give me wisdom to know what needs to be done.  
3.  I need to make my life an enjoyable place for Jesus to live.  He is the Honored Guest in my life and I want Him to feel at home. 

PRAYER:  Lord, if I fall to temptation, it is not because you have not done your part in warning me and preparing me.  I want to be as faithful in taking advantage of your preparation as you have been faithful in providing it.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 16, 2024: SOAP #5157: Genesis 39-41; Luke 16

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 39:2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant….
20 … But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warder…23 The warder paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

OBSERVATION:  God was at work in the life of Joseph.  God knew the future.  He was using slavery and a prison to position Joseph to be readily available when Pharoah needed someone to interpret his dreams.  Each step in moving Joseph closer to Pharoah took time, but Joseph remained faithful during the long process.  God used Joseph to minister to others and make godly impressions.  When the time came for His ministry, there was nothing to hold Joseph back from answering Pharoah’s call.  He was ready and available!  

Everyone around Joseph could see proof of God’s favor even when he was a slave/servant or a prisoner. 

APPLICATION:  The same God is at work in each of our lives.  We can trust Him.  We need to take encouragement from Joseph’s life.  We need faith that God is using the present troubles in our lives to position us for future blessing and fruitful ministry. 

That same God has been at work in my life.  He has led me and taught me in preparation for writing SOAPs.  I can see where even small things were preparing me for this time of ministry in my life. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help me to walk in faith and hold steady when passing through difficult times. The story of my life is not finished yet. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 15, 2024: SOAP #5156: Genesis 37-38; Psalm 7; Luke 15

(reworked from earlier)

NOTE: The younger brother who had taken his inheritance and squandered it had now returned home.  The joyful father was throwing a great celebration, but the older brother was jealous and would not come to the party.  So, the
Father goes out to him … 

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 15:31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

OBSERVATION:  Talk about unused potential!  This son had “always” been with the father!  “Everything” the father had was his!   And yet this son had not appreciated it, nor enjoyed it.  He had labored dutifully but not joyfully!   He had more responsibility and chores because His brother was gone.  He was more aware of the absence of his brother than of the presence of His father!!!

APPLICATION:  Many times, I have been more aware of what I did not have than of God’s Presence in my life.  I have held back from doing what I could because I did not have everything I thought I needed.  I have thought more about what the enemy could do to me than how the One living in me could protect me.

PRAYER:  Lord, forgive me for not counting on your Presence, your promises, your power, and your plans for me.  Forgive me for wasting my time worrying about what the devil can do to me.  Forgive me for focusing on what I do not have instead of appreciating what I do have.  Your Presence is more than enough for my every need!   Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 13, 2024: SOAP #5154: Genesis 34-36; Luke 14

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 35:3 Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.”… 21 Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder.

OBSERVATION:  In Genesis 12:7-8 we read of Jacob’ grandfather moving through this same area and doing the same thing; building an altar and pitching his tent.  Now as Jacob is returning home and after successfully encountering his brother who had earlier threatened to kill him, he does the same thing.  He built an altar and pitched his tent. 

APPLICATION:  To me that speaks of the priorities established in the lives of Abram and Jacob.  Building an altar speaks to me of permanence.  It is built to last.  But pitching a tent is done understanding that it can be moved.  It is of a temporary nature. 

Only my relationship with God is eternal!  It will not be stopped by the grave.  As we used to sing: “This world is not my home; I just a passing through.”  My relationship to possessions, work, houses and lands, is only temporary.  They may not even last until death, but certainly they will not pass through death!  They will all be left behind. 

How foolish to focus on the temporary and ignore the permanent!

PRAYER:  Lord, help me keep my priorities in proper order.  Re-align my priorities with your priorities.  Teach me to look at things with heaven in view.  Amen

Pastor Leon 
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 13, 2024: SOAP #5154: Genesis 31-33; Luke 13

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 13:22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, but he did not wait until he arrived to begin ministering.  The people in Jerusalem were important.  The people he met along the way in the towns and villages were just as important.

His ministry was where He was, using what was available.  He did not wait until he had a tent, or a building with comfortable chairs for the people to sit while he taught them.  He did not wait until he had a band with musical instruments to accompany His ministry.  He did not wait until he had some proper PA equipment.  He was a teacher; He did what a teacher does. 

APPLICATION:  I can become so task orientated that I miss opportunities to minister to the people I meet on the way. 

I can get in such a hurry to get where I am going that I ignore the people I meet along the way.

Or I can get my mind so full of how the ministry should happen and what is needed to enable me to do the ministry, that I miss the opportunities to just minister! 

PRAYER:  Lord, I need your Holy Spirit to keep me aware of those with needs around me.  Help me not to miss anyone needing my ministry whom you have placed in my pathway today.  I depend on your Holy Spirit to empower and enable me to minister as needed. Amen.

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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