Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 11, 2024: SOAP #5183: Leviticus 15-17; Acts 18

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 18:9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no-one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

OBSERVATION:  As Paul was moving from city to city, preaching the good news about Jesus, God would give him specific direction.  It is interesting to me that God gave Paul general directions in sending him out on these journeys, but the specific instructions came as Paul was moving in obedience to the general call.  Stay here; Go there; Do not go there.

APPLICATION:  When the Lord had me start writing the daily SOAPs, I had no idea that they would every reach so many places.  But in faithfully doing the little that God gave each day, God has brought growth.  It is the same with a newborn baby.  If we feed them every day they grow.  Growth is built into God’s plans. 

Some people want their ministry to jump from infant stage to adult stage, but that is not God’s way.  A solid ministry needs the maturity gained through the older child and teen years. 

PRAYER:  Lord, may I continue to be faithful in preparing and sending these SOAPs.  Lord, I pray for each parent, give them grace and strength to lead their children as they mature through troubled times.  And Lord, I pray for each young pastor leading a church of new believers.  Fill their hearts with love for those who are still new in faith.  Fill their minds with the wisdom that comes from Your Word.  May they be joyfully faithful through the struggles of leading Your people.  For it is in Your Name I pray, the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Pastor Leon  
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 10, 2024: SOAP #5182: Leviticus 13-14; Acts 17

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 17:15 The men who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible. 16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the market-place day by day with those who happened to be there.

OBSERVATION:  Waiting times, we have all been in times when we were just waiting…  We were waiting for a friend needing a ride…or waiting for a friend to give us a ride.  We were waiting at home for the arrival of a family member or the visit of a dear friend.  Or maybe we were just waiting for time to pass so we could move on to the next thing on our schedule. 

O have often stated that my times are in His hands—meaning that He runs the times of my life.  He sent me to Bible College; He sent me into the USNavy; He appointed me to be a pastor of two congregations; He assigned me to write SOAPs.  It is easy for me to see that He was running the big picture of my life. 

But what about my waiting times?  What about the in-between times?  Are they available to Him?  Can He use them for His glory?  He can turn waiting times into the most important times of our day, times to be long remembered! 

APPLICATION:  Instead of becoming impatient and recalling all the things I need to get done, I can look around for opportunities to serve someone who needs the gospel, or just a word of encouragement.  I can see if there is an opportunity that needs what I have to offer. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, my times are in your hands, including my waiting times.  In faith, I ask you to remind me of this in my next waiting-time.  May my waiting times be for your Holy Spirit to work through me.  Be glorified in my waiting times.   For it is in the name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen 

Pastor Leon 
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 8, 2024: SOAP #5180: Leviticus 7-9; Acts 15

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 15:13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshipper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

OBSERVATION:  The church has never needed a building to have a place of prayer or a place to sing to the Lord! In the city of Philippi, believers met on the bank of a river and later Paul and Silas had church in the inner prison with their hands and feet in stocks. As the church lives its daily life out in the open people can hear and see what God is doing. 

The building is not a church just as a house is not a family. The building is where the church meets just as the house is where the family lives. 

APPLICATION:  While church buildings are a blessing and allow for many different avenues of ministry, we sometimes forget that the church’s best ministry usually happens outside the building. It is a family praying over their meal in a restaurant. It is praying in the yard with a neighbor who has recently experienced a death in their family. It is what is overheard as two believers stop to chat in the marketplace. It is how the believer handles the difficult boss at work.

PRAYER:  Lord, being a part of your church does not start when I enter a building or stop when I leave. I carry your Presence with me everywhere I go. Holy Spirit help me to live the truth!  Amen

Pastor Leon  
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 8, 2024: SOAP #5180: Leviticus 7-9; Acts 15

(repeat)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 15:36 Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.

OBSERVATION:  Barnabas saw something special in Mark.  Maybe it was only with the eyes of faith, but he remained true in accepting Mark.  How blessed we are that Barnabas did so or we would not have had the gospel of Mark.

Barnabas has proved to be a special blessing to the church.  In Acts 9 we read that Barnabas accepted Saul/Paul when it was unpopular; here in chapter 15, he remained true to Mark when Paul would not accept him as a traveling companion.  These two (Saul/Paul and Mark) benefitted greatly from the ministry of Barnabas and both wrote parts of the New Testament (Paul’s letters and Mark’s gospel).  Saul/Paul and Mark were like fruitful trees that grew out of the fertile soil of Barnabas.

APPLICATION:  May I not be so quick to write people off my “acceptable” list.  They may not be perfect, but neither am I.  The Lord’s Prayer tells me to ask for forgiveness in the same way I forgive others.  That would imply that I should ask for acceptance in the same way I accept others!

PRAYER:  Lord, like Barnabas, help me to allow imperfect people to grow out of the soil of my life. Amen.

Pastor Leon 
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 6, 2024: SOAP #5178: Leviticus 1-3: Acts 13

(repeat from 2014)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 13:2 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.

OBSERVATION:  In these verses we see the official beginning of Paul’s (then known as Saul) missionary journeys.  It is notable to see the coordination of the work of the church and the Holy Spirit.  Verse 3 reads that they were sent off by the church.  Verse 4 reads that they were sent by the Holy Spirit.  They were sent out by the church in Antioch and later they reported back to the church in Antioch.

APPLICATION:  It is no surprise to me that God gives authority to those who are under authority.  In submission one learns to lead.  If I cannot submit to others, I am not qualified to lead.  If I cannot hear the will of God for my life through the people God has placed in my life, I probably cannot hear His will from God.  My ministry is greatly hindered when I cannot submit to the authorities God has placed in my life.

PRAYER:  Lord, In complete submission to your Father’s will, you became the Head of the church.  You are the perfect example of a submitted leader.  Keep reminding me of this.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 5, 2024: SOAP #5177: Exodus 39-40; Psalm 15; Acts 12

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.

OBSERVATION:  King Herod had just arrested James, the brother of John, and had him killed with a sword.  Then Peter was arrested and placed in jail until after Passover.  It was a desperate time; many people joined at Mary’s house to pray.  But Peter had confidence that things, his death or life, would work out for God’s glory.  So, what did he do?   He went to sleep.  The light and the presence of the angel did not wake him.  The angel had to strike him and speak to him.    

APPLICATION:  Like Peter bound with chains, asleep between two soldiers…  Like Jesus asleep on a boat in the middle of a storm…  Like Daniel asleep in the lion’s den…  With my heart at peace, I too can sleep.  The laws that govern this universe were made by the one who lives in me!   He is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent.  He controls the entrance and exit of the grave!  He is in control of things out of my control.  My faith allows me to sleep!  

PRAYER:  Lord to borrow some words from Civilla D. Martin: “I rest because I’m happy, I sleep because I’m free, For Your eye is on the sparrow, and I know You care for me.”  Amen.

Pastor Leon 
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 4, 2024: SOAP #5176: Exodus 37-38; Psalm 19; Acts 11

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 11:20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. 22 News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

OBSERVATION:  God was keeping to his plan of reaching Gentiles, but it was new to the Jews of that day.   How would the Gentiles fit in to the Jewish church.  As the body of Jesus was being formed in a Jewish virgin, so the church was started among Jewish believers.   Mary could no more contain the baby in her womb, than could the believing Jews contain the church.  It was going to break out.  It happened at Cornelius’ house in Acts 10 and now in the city of Antioch. 

The evidence in Acts 10 was that the Gentiles spoke in other languages just like the Jews did on the day of Pentecost.  Now, Barnabas sees evidence of the grace of God and knows that God is indeed working in their lives.  The Bible does not tell us what the evidence was, but it was recognizable! 

APPLICATION:  Grace cannot be seen, but its evidence cannot be missed!   If I am a recipient of God’s grace, everyone will soon know.  The evidence will show in many ways. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I want my life to be full of evidence of Your Presence.  May your characteristics be worked into my personality.  May I become like You, Jesus.  In Your Name I pray,  Amen. 

Pastor Leon 
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 3, 2024: SOAP #5175: Exodus 35-36; Acts 10

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 10:19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”

OBSERVATION:  God told Peter that three men were looking for him and that Peter should go downstairs to meet them.  They had been sent by God to get Peter.  But there was one BIG piece of information that the Spirit did not tell Peter!  These men were gentiles and wanted Peter to come to the home of a Gentile!!! 

But in reading the verses 10-16 we see that God very specifically prepared Peter to take this assignment!  

When Peter arrived, they were awaiting to hear what God was going to say through Peter.  He started by giving the testimony of the Jews, recounting some history and what Jesus had done.   In verse 44 we read that his sermon was interrupted because the Holy Spirit came on these Gentiles the same way as He came of the Jewish believers on the Day of Pentecost!    

APPLICATION:  God ALWAYS sees the big picture.  He never sends us without proper preparation!  He has put in us what is needed.  If it was not there, He would have sent someone else!  

And God ALWAYS sends the Holy Spirit to accompany us!  He will give us what to say.  He will interrupt us.  He will do what only He can do.  When we leave, He will remain behind to follow-up. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, a large part of my preparation for each day is recognizing your Presence!   I know that I will face things beyond my ability, but I will face nothing beyond your ability!  Empower me with your presence as you have been doing ever since the day of Pentecost!   I pray in the mighty Name of Jesus.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 2, 2024: SOAP #5174: Exodus 33-34; Psalm 16; Acts 9

SCRIPTURE:  Exodus (NIV) 33:2 I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 3 Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”…
13 … “Remember that this nation is your people.”
15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

OBSERVATION:  Moses had it right!  These were God’s people.  God had chosen him (Moses) to lead God’s people.  This was God’s doings!  God was responsible!

Moses realized that it was God’s presence that made God’s people unique from all other nations. 

APPLICATION:  The same is true with this SOAP ministry.  It was God’s idea for me to write SOAPs.  My first response was like the first response of Moses  Now, after 15 years of SOAPs, I and those now working with the SOAPs recognize God’s hand at work. 

We are not working for the Lord; we are working with the Lord!  We are not asking Him to bless what we are doing; we are asking for the privilege of being a part of what He is doing! 

Like Moses, I have only one requirement of the Lord:  I will go where He sends me, I will go when He sends me, on one condition:  That HE GOES WITH ME! 

PRAYER:  Lord, not only for the SOAP ministry, but for every ministry of every reader, we agree to go wherever we can feel your strong hand and sense your presence.  We are living with you, walking with you, and working with you.  It is our privilege to be a part of what you are doing.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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