Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 12, 2024: SOAP #5153: Genesis 29-30; Luke 12

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 12:16-21   Verses 18 “Then he said, ’This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
Luke (NIV) 12:31-34  Verse 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

OBSERVATION:  In the two passages above we see Jesus speaking of how we prepare for the future.  The first is save, Save, SAVE!  Build a bigger barn with stronger locks to keep your possessions safe.  The second one is give, Give, GIVE!  Put it where no thief can steal it. 

APPLICATION:  In the first, we are putting wealth into safe-keeping to be available later in life.  In the second, we are sending it ahead into eternity, for after we die.      

There are so many ways to lose earthly wealth.  Disasters, stock market drop, inflation, currency de-valuation, sickness, and on, and on, and on…  But putting wealth into the kingdom of God, puts it out of reach for all those things!  Its value will only increase!  

Investing in God’s kingdom brings joy as we see kingdom ministries grow.  There is also joy as God continues to supply funds for continual investment in the Kingdom. 

PRAYER:  Lord, there is not a better financial counselor than you!  All things are open before you.  Your wisdom far exceeds the financial advisors and planners on earth.  By your Holy Spirit, show us how to invest for eternity.  Amen.

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 11, 2024: SOAP #5152: Genesis 27-28; Psalm 4; Luke 11

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 4:1 In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain. 2 For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.

OBSERVATION:  There are always people who will tell us what to do.  Get out of here while the getting is good.  Run. 

But they do not always see the trouble that lies in wait; they do not see the arrows that we will face.  They are just giving advice based on what they can see. 

But David had something they could not see; David had a refuge!

APPLICATION: David did not need to run.  He had already found his refuge!  The Lord is everything a refuge should be and more.  He is our hiding place.  He is our safety.  He is our peace.  He is our rest.  He renews our strength and our mind.  Our soul is restored.  (He does more than the spas or makeovers promise on their television advertisements.) 

Just a short time in our refuge; we leave with restored vitality, renewed hope, and fresh vision. 

PRAYER:  Lord, you are my safe place, my refuge.  In you I find peace and safety.  In you my strength is renewed, and my hope turned into faith.  In you I find fresh vision for the future.  You are my refuge!   Amen

Pastor Leon 
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 10, 2024: SOAP #5151: Genesis 25-26; Psalm 6; Luke 10

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 10:29   But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”  … (Jesus tells the story about the robbed traveler an two who passed by) …  Luke 10:33   But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34   He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him …. 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37   The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

OBSERVATION:  The first question was for Jesus from the expert in the law: “Who is my neighbor?”  The second question was from Jesus: “Which one was a neighbor to the man in trouble?”  According to Jesus, being a neighbor is not so much a question of living on the same street, but of traveling the same road and a willingness to get involved.

APPLICATION:  In applying the truth of this story to myself, a third question could be who is my neighbor?  I am in trouble.  Who will help me today? 

But when considering the words of Jesus, the third question is Who needs my help? To whom will I be a neighbor today? 

PRAYER:  Lord, sometimes I am more interested in who is a neighbor to me.  Today help me see to whom I can be a good neighbor.   Amen.

Pastor Leon 
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 09, 2024: SOAP #5150: Genesis 23-24; Luke 9

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 9:1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick … . 6 So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere … . 10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done.

OBSERVATION:  Why did Jesus “call the disciples together?”  The obvious reason was so He could “send them out!”  But they needed equipping in order to be effective when they were fulfilling their mission.  He did not trust their ability to accomplish His desired plan.  So, while they were together, He empowered them and gave them authority over demons and sickness.  This would make them more effective when He sent them out.  They ministered in His power and delegated authority!

APPLICATION:  We see the same pattern when Jesus left.  He gave the disciples authority (Matthew 28:19); He told them to wait in Jerusalem for the power (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4); then He sent the Holy Spirit to empower them (Acts 1:8 and 2:1-4).  He sent them out in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)!

Why did Jesus have the early church gather in Jerusalem?  So, He could send them out to the nations.  But they needed equipping to be effective when they were fulfilling their mission.  Jesus did not trust their ability to accomplish his desired plan.  So, He sent the Holy Spirit to empower them in using their delegated authority!

The same is true in 2024.  There is a gathering of SOAP leaders today in West Africa.  SOAPs are printed and distributed in all 17 West African nations.  God is sending these leaders, and other SOAP ministers into our world.  He knows we cannot complete His mission in our own power.  So, He will fill us, He will baptizes us to overflowing in the Holy Spirit and we will go in His power!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, baptize us afresh like you did the early church on the day of Pentecost.  Anoint us, fill us, and enable us to accomplish your will.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 08, 2024: SOAP #5149: Genesis 20-22; Luke 8

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 8:15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus is explaining the parable of the seed and the Sower.  The seed is the Word of God, and the ground is the lives into which the Word is sown.  He has just explained about the seed that falls on the path that is immediately taken away.  Then He explained about the seed that falls on rocky ground that grows but has not roots to sustain it in hard times.   Thirdly He explains about the seed that falls among the thorns which choke the life out of the plant.  And in verse 15 He explains about the seed that falls on good soil.   Here the seed reaches its designed potential of producing a crop.

APPLICATION:  The King James Version reads “bring forth fruit with patience.”  The NIV reads “by persevering produce a crop.”   It takes time for the seed sown to produce a crop.  In the natural world it may take two or three seasons to pass before the full crop is reaped.  In the spiritual world, it may even take several years, or even several generations.  But with patience and perseverance the crop will come.

This truth can be seen in these SOAPs.  When God instructed me to write them each day, only a few saw them.  But day after day, writing and posting, God began to bring them to more people’s attention.  Today, as I am starting my 15^th year of daily writing and posting SOAPs, they are read by thousands in 15+ countries.  Faithfulness is the key that releases the miracle in the seed! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, You sowed your Son, Jesus into this world.  You have been reaping a harvest of believers in every generation.  One day before your throne will be a gathering of redeemed “from every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation!” (Revelation 5:9)   Many SOAP readers will be there!  What a great harvest that will be!    Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 07, 2024: SOAP #5148: Genesis 18-19; Psalm 3; Luke 7

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 7:2There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”
6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.

OBSERVATION:  The Jews spoke to Jesus on behalf of the centurion.  He was an officer of Rome and had authority over them, yet he used his authority to serve them.  He desired Jesus’ help, not for himself, but on behalf of his servant, someone under his authority. 

APPLICATION:  Verses 1-10 of Like 7 have many great truths, but the Lord directs me to two simple applications.  First, I should be willing to carry the concerns of others to Jesus.  When someone dumps their heavy load on me, I should take them to Jesus!  There are so many limitations to what I can do, but not to what He can do! 

Second, I should seek Jesus’ help for problems at home.  He is interested in every aspect of our lives.  He can help those in our household! 

PRAYER:  Jesus, what a kind and gracious friend you are to me.  Use me to bring others to you.  Use me to help their faith increase.  Use my limitations to point them to your unlimited abundance.  Amen

Pastor Leon 
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 06, 2024: SOAP #5147: Genesis 15-17; Luke 6

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 6:36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

OBSERVATION:  Justice is getting what is deserved.  Mercy is not getting what is deserved.  Grace is getting what is not deserved.

That we are to be merciful implies that bad things will happen to us. We will be tempted to “get even” and return the wrong we have suffered.   Those who are merciful do not repay the evil they have received.

APPLICATION:  In this verse I am commanded to be merciful to others just as my Heavenly Father has been merciful to me.   When God forgives me, He is saying that Jesus death on the cross is sufficient to pay for my sins; when I forgive others, I am saying that Jesus death on the cross is sufficient to pay for those sins too.  The mercy that reaches to me can also reach through me.

This week at work, it was determined that our school busses were arriving at the school too early, so our check-in times were reset.  We are paid by the hour, so cutting my time meant cutting my pay.  15 minutes equals 5.00 each day, equals $25 each week, equals $100 each month.  I was bothered until I read this SOAP devotion from years ago.  And then the Lord adjusted my perspective.  I am not working for the bus company; I am working for the Lord!  He is the one who directed me to drive a bus.  His approval means more than any amount of money I receive for my labor.  He knows what is needed.  I am to be merciful in my thinking.  I had forgotten for whom I was really working. 

PRAYER:  Lord, you are a merciful God.  Your loving kindness is new to me every morning!  How right it is that you require me to be the same way.  May your mercy reach through me to others, to the bus company.     Amen

Pastor Leon 
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 05, 2024: SOAP #5146: Genesis 9-11; Luke 4 (skipped yesterday so doing today.) 

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil….
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

OBSERVATION:  The important role of the Holy Spirit continues in chapter four. Jesus had been filled with the Holy Spirit at His baptism in Jordan by John.  Now he returned “full” of the Holy Spirit.  There was a fresh, new, empowering relationship with the Holy Spirit as Jesus steps out into the ministry for which He was sent.

Now that the Sinless Man is walking in the anointing of the Third Person of the Godhead, one might expect the beginning of a fantastic ministry, one for which the world had long waited.

But the preparation was still lacking.  There needed to be an encounter with the one who tempted Eve in the garden.  This Sinless Man would have to demonstrate His power to resist the evil one. NOTE:  it was not the devil who trapped Jesus in the wilderness, but the Spirit who led Jesus into the wilderness.

The timing was right.  The anointing was present.  The battle was engaged….  Jesus won!

APPLICATION:  We each have our encounters with evil and with Satan.  Temptation is all around.  But for those who have invited Jesus to forgive their sin and become their Lord, there is a greater power within than the power of Satan’s temptation!  Jesus has already been victorious over temptation!   And Jesus lives within me!  When I am fighting temptation, Jesus does not stand beside me and give me words of encouragement, NO, He does much more.  He actively confronts Satan’s attacks on me.  As I yield to Jesus, Satan soon discovers that he is not fighting Leon, but Jesus, dressed as Leon. 

PRAYER:  Lord, Your presence ensures my victory!   Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 04, 2024: SOAP #5145: Genesis 12-14; Luke 5

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 5:12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.

OBSERVATION:  The man’s faith moved him to Jesus.  The man’s faith caused him to bow low and beg, “Lord, if you are willing…”  Sone people may criticize him for not making a stronger statement of faith, but not Jesus.  JESUS WAS WILLING. 

All that Jesus did following this incident, up to the time of His crucifixion and burial, His resurrection and ascension, serves to show us that Jesus is still willing. 

He sent the Holy Spirit to take His place with the church and as we read the book of Acts, we see that HE IS STILL WILLING TO HEAL!!!  

APPLICATION:  One does not need to look very far today to find testimonies of God’s healing power at work in the 21^st century.  God still responds to faith, even weak faith.  He is still willing!   He demonstrates His power and love for people by lifting them out of impossible situations.  To God be the glory!  

PRAYER:  Lord, I want to keep my faith strong in you.  I want to keep my expectations grounded in your Word.  I trust you!  Amen

Pastor Leon 
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 03, 2024: SOAP #5144: Genesis 6-8; Luke 3

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 3: 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them. 19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus spoke very highly about John: “I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:11)

John’s message was a combination of “good news” AND “rebuke.”  If the church wants a commendation like John received from Jesus, it must be faithful to preach both the “good news” and “rebuke.”

The “good news” he preached to the people; he often gave the rebukes to those in authority. 

APPLICATION:  When someone grabs and saves me from falling on the ground, I appreciate their concern and help. When someone risks their life to push me out of the way of a speeding car about to hit me, I GREATLY appreciate their concern and help! The level of perceived danger affects the level of my appreciation! If the truth about the terribleness of sin and its results is not known, then grace appears to be of little value and not greatly needed!

God is in the process of fulfilling His word of judgment for the USA.  He said He would bring in one illegal immigrant into our nation for every child we have refused and rejected.  He will not heal our southern border until we repent. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help me faithfully present truth. Heavenly Father, as your children we are to live with morals that align with your character.  Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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