Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 21, 2024: SOAP #5193: Numbers 8-9; Acts 28

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 28:30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION:  So ends the book of Acts.  Paul is in Rome awaiting his hearing before Caesar.  The book of Acts ends, but the story continues; it is not finished.  There is no closing benediction, no blessing from the author; it just ends. 

APPLICATION:  To me, that clearly shows us that the ministry in the book of Acts has no ending.  The Holy Spirit is moving today as He was then.  The gifts of the Holy Spirit are to be active in the church today as they were then.  We are to go out in the power of the Spirit and continue His ministry.

In the book of Acts, we see Paul continuing the miracle and teaching ministry of Jesus.  Today, we should follow Paul’s example and continue the miracle and teaching ministry of Jesus in the world in which we live.   

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, do miracles today, signs and wonders that prove your presence and power.  Demonstrate that God is just as interested in people today as He has ever been.  Anoint believers today.  Use us for the glory of God.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 20, 2024: SOAP #5192: Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 27

(reworked SOAP)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 27:23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.

OBSERVATION:  Paul is aboard a ship headed for Rome to stand trial before Caesar.  The ship is caught in a terrible storm.  For fourteen days the crew had nothing to eat.  On the third day into the storm, they had thrown the ships tackle overboard.

In the verses above, we have Paul speaking to the crew and fellow passengers on the ship.  They consisted of the crew, Roman soldiers, fellow prisoners, and some traveling companions of Paul, at least the author of the book of Acts.

Listen to Paul as he describes His God.  Paul belonged to God and Paul served God.  Paul’s God was a speaker; He talked to Paul.  He sent a message to Paul “last night!”  Paul’s God made promises to Paul that included the people around him.  They would all survive the present danger.  Paul’s God could be trusted.  It would be “just as he told me!”

APPLICATION:  Paul was not talking about the storm.  He made no comments about the wind and the waves.  He made no comment about being a prisoner.  No, Paul did not talk about the unimportant things; he talked about the Important One!   He had heard from the God of the wind and the waves.  He had a message from God.

In times of trouble my focus will be obvious by listening to my conversation.  Am I talking about the fierce storms or the greatness of my God? 

PRAYER:  Lord, as I move through a world full of turmoil and trouble, I want to keep my focus on you!  Your enemy, and my enemy, wants to get my focus off you and onto what surrounds me.  Help me to speak from heaven’s point of view.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 19, 2024: SOAP #5191: Numbers 5-6; Psalm 22; Acts 26

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 26:31 They left the room, and while talking with one another, they said, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.” 32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

OBSERVATION:  King Agrippa, while visiting Festus, the new Judean governor,  had shown an interest in Paul’s situation.  In the verses above, Paul had just made his defense before King Agrippa. In Agrippa’s mind, it was a miscarriage of justice. Paul was clearly innocent. Paul should have been set free.

But God saw things differently. Paul would testify as to the Risen Savior in Rome, and Rome was going to provide the transportation and the security for the journey! Also, Paul would need some settled, quiet time to write letters which would later become part of our Bible. He would have that in prison. 

APPLICATION:  More than once have things that appeared so wrong to me proved to be so right.  Instead of letting things get me unsettled in my spirit, I must remember just Who lives inside me; How powerful He is, He loves me immensely; He can turn what is against me to be for me. God enjoys working thing out for my good and for His glory!

Getting upset about things happening to me is proof that I am looking at them from the viewpoint of my limitations.  I ask myself questions like, “What am I supposed to do now?”  “Who do they think I am?” 

But really, what they think is unimportant.  What I think is critical.  Am I really working for the Lord?  Did He send me?  Did He promise to take care of me?   

I am a child of the Most High God!   The Holy Spirit has made me His dwelling place!  Paul was not alone in the prison cells!  He had his most far-reaching ministry while in prison.  I, too, am not alone!  God is working in and through me.  I should see things from the viewpoint of heaven.

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, keep me focused on the big picture.  Help me focus beyond my current circumstances and catch a view of eternity.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 18, 2024: SOAP #5190: Numbers 3-4; Acts 25

SCRIPTURE:  Numbers (NIV) 4:5 When the camp is to move …  4:15 After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings … the Kohathites are to come to do the carrying. 4:24 …Gershonites…  25 to carry the curtains … coverings and outer covering of hides of sea cows …  4:31 [The Merarites] to carry the frames, its cross bars post and bases 32 … posts, pegs, ropes

OBSERVATION:  In order to accomplish God’s will, the children of Israel had to be organized.  Surely no one is better at organizing than God.   In chapter three He assigns the families of the tribe of Levi camping locations around the tabernacle.  In chapter four He assigns them responsibilities for moving the tabernacle across the wilderness.  The Gershonites carried the furniture.  The Kohathites carried the coverings and curtains.  The Merarites carried the board and bars and pillars. They each carried their part until it could be assembled with all the other parts to make a tabernacle for the Lord. 

APPLICATION:  Every day I have an assignment.  I am carrying something precious. I carry the actual presence of God.  May I carry my part faithfully. 

Today the SOAP team from West Africa is gathering 85 computers and printers to place in West African countries for printing out these SOAPs.  Churches and people who value the SOAPs have given sacrificially, and today is the day to start distribution of the computers/printers.  As the Levites carried the pieces of the tabernacle, the West Africa SOAP Team members will carry the computers and printers to the locations where they can print out and distribute the daily SOAPs.  LOOK WHAT GOD HAS DONE!!! 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, by your presence, protect those distributing and installing the computers/printers.  Bless them with your strength and joy.  Lord, I especially ask a special blessing of favor for all who gave.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 17, 2024: SOAP #5189: Numbers 1-2; Acts 24

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 24:27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

OBSERVATION:  Two years in prison would seem like a very long time to a man who liked to move around from city to city, preaching and visiting believers.  But being in prison could not stop Paul from being faithful to God.  Circumstances did not affect Paul’s faithfulness. 

It was Paul’s faithfulness, especially in prison, that resulted in writing letters to encourage the churches he had planted.  Some of his letters from prison are now included in our Bibles.  We recognize them as inspired by the Holy Spirit. 

APPLICATION:  God can use me/us today as He used Paul.  Paul’s faithfulness in prison resulted in fruitfulness!   It was not his surroundings that inspired him to write, it was the presence of the Holy Spirit moving in his heart and mind.  He was faithful to do what he could do.  We can all give thanks that Paul did not have a telephone to call his friends.  He was limited to writing them a letter.  His limitations enabled his ministry to spread throughout the world, even into the 22nd century!  

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, in times when I feel boxed in and not able to accomplish very much, remind me of Paul’s ministry.  Show me what I can do in writing a note, or in prayer, or in giving, or in a small deed of kindness…  Help me to never let my lack of provision or opportunity keep me from being fruitful.  Show me a large tree that started as a small seed.  Make me a seed planter.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 16, 2024: SOAP #5188: Leviticus 26-27; Acts 23

SCRIPTURE:  Leviticus (NIV) 26:12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.  13 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.

OBSERVATION:  In all creation we see God’s immense majesty and power displayed in His creative works.  But a very important aspect of God seems to be missing, at least in the portion of the created universe we can see.  Where can one see God’s love?  Only on the earth dealing with man and especially in dealing with fallen man.  God so loved, that He gave His Son! 

But for love to be satisfied, it must be returned.  The one loved must love the one extending the love.  As the love extended was freely given, so the love returned must be freely given.  Without the measure of freedom, there is no way to measure the reality of love!  So, freedom is a key part of God’s plan for man. 

So, the first thing God did with the Israelites was to love them.  The second thing was to give them their freedom.  They were no longer slaves!   They could walk “with heads held high!”

APPLICATION:  Free people love God with the choices they make.  The love in my heart is seen through the choices I make. 

Many choices I make can be seen by those around me, but there are many very important choices that can only be seen by the one living inside.  He knows about unforgiveness and about the meditations of my heart. 

Do I love Him enough to keep the inside of my life a comfortable home for this special guest that shares my life?  Holy Spirit, help me! 

PRAYER:  Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you.  May they please you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 15, 2024: SOAP #5187: Leviticus 25; Psalm 25-26; Acts 22

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 22:13 He [Ananias] stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him. 14 “Then he said: ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.

OBSERVATION:  After Saul’s trip had been interrupted and he had been blinded by the bright light, Ananias was sent by the Lord to open Saul’s blind eyes and give him a word from the Lord.  

Verse 15 is the basis of what God is calling each of His children to do. We are to tell people what we have “seen” and “heard.” We are responsible for what we personally have experienced and know.

APPLICATION:  When God brings a person across my path—like Saul came across Ananias’ path—I can have confidence that they need to hear what I know.  God has a vast army of people available to do His work.  After I faithfully share what I know, the Holy Spirit can lead them to someone else who can tell them more.  I must be faithful, but it does not all depend on me. 

Also, I must remember, I am not in this alone; the Holy Spirit is with me!  I can have confidence that the Holy Spirit will bring to my remembrance what they need to hear from me.

I am not working FOR the Lord…I am working WITH the Lord!  

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, we are in this together.  Put your thoughts in my mind.  Speak through me to those around me. Use me to honor Jesus!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 14, 2024: SOAP #5186: Leviticus 23-24; Psalm 24; Acts 21

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 21:4 Finding the disciples there [in Tyre], we stayed with them seven days… 7 …landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day. 8 … and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist… 16 … [in Caesarea] brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay … 

OBSERVATION:  The church was growing and spreading across the Roman Empire.  Many cities had a group of believers.  So Paul looked for disciples in each city where they stopped during their trip to Jerusalem. 

APPLICATION:  I need to keep my heart open to the Holy Spirit and my eyes and ears open to those around me.  I never know where I will find another believer.  I may be a source of encouragement to them, or they may be a source of encouragement for me.

We do not need to make a connection; Jesus has already made the connection!  The Holy Spirit living within us will help us to recognize His presence in another person. 

It was my first day at Balboa Naval Hospital (1966) and I was wondering how to locate other Christians.  I was certain that some would be there; just how would I find them?   Standing in the lunch line, the Holy Spirit quickened me to watch for someone who would bow their head and give thanks before eating.  Shortly I saw another sailor bow his head in prayer.  When I got my food, I went and sat across from him and bowed my head in prayer.  And so began a great encouraging fellowship!  (Thank you, Boyd!) 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, today help me to notice other believers sharing my space.  Help me to recognize the connection that we already have in you!  Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 13, 2024: SOAP #5185: Leviticus 20-22; Acts 20

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 20:34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.  35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

OBSERVATION:  Paul is giving his farewell sermon to the elders from Ephesus.  They had come to Meletus to meet with Paul.  He closes his sermon with giving himself as an example of how to work and handle money.  He had worked to provide for his own needs and for the needs of those with him.  He did not expect others to provide for his needs.  When people sent money, he thanked them but he did not ask or expect them to send him money.  He used his money to supply his “own needs” and to “help the weak.”  He remembered the words of Jesus about giving and receiving.    

APPLICATION:  When I have financial needs, I have found that often my greatest need is to give.  Giving is like sowing seeds into the ground.  Moisture and time cause them to sprout, grow, and produce more seeds.  Some seeds I can eat, and some must be planted for a future harvest.  My planting now may be small, but it will increase.

Consider:  the portion of seed I eat is the largest it will ever be but the portion of seed I plant is the smallest it will ever be!   I plant by giving!

I believe the Holy Spirit is leading me to write this to some specific persons—persons who this week in some way have asked for money.  Ask God to show you something you can give, something of value to you, maybe some money, or some possession, or a service—something that will be a blessing to someone else.  The size of the gift is not the issue.  Give, not expecting anything in return from the one to whom you give it, but expecting God to bring His blessing to you.  

PRAYER:  Lord, You are the seed multiplier!  You multiply the seed to meet my needs and to give me more to plant.   I am the seed planter.  Amen! 

Pastor Leon 
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 12, 2024: SOAP #5184: Leviticus 18-19; Psalm 13; Acts 19

SCRIPTURE:  Leviticus (NIV) 19:36 Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt. 37 “‘Keep all my decrees and all my laws and follow them. I am the LORD.’”

OBSERVATION:  This chapter contains many varied commandments for the Israelites.  They range from harvesting, family relationships, sexual issues, sacrifices, etc.  And attached to fifteen of them we read, “I am the LORD,” or “I am the LORD your God.”  

God was declaring that He had the right to put these boundaries on the Israelites.  He was Creator God!   More than that, He was their personal God!  They were not trying to identify with Him; He was identifying with them!   They were not claiming Him; He was claiming them!  The commands in this chapter were to make them recognizable as His children! 

In these verses, Israel was not claiming that Jehovah was their God; God was making the claim.  He made the statement that He was their God!  He wanted the Israelites to live like it. 

APPLICATION:  It is one thing to hear a someone claim to have met the President of the United States; it is a much greater thing when the President calls that person by name out of a crowd!  Everybody know because it was spoken by the President. 

To be able to claim God as “my” God is a great honor; but for God to claim me as HIS son, is a greater honor.  For Him to make the claim that He is Leon’s God means so much more.  Then satan knows with whom he is dealing!!!  

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father,, may the truth that You are my God be seen in all I do and say.  May I be easily recognizable as your child.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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