Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 01, 2024: SOAP #5324:  Isaiah 1-3; Titus 3

SCRIPTURE:  Isaiah (KJV) 1:17 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. 18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

OBSERVATION:  Of course God would “reason” with us.  He created us to be able to think and make decisions.  He is honored when people consider truth and choose Him.  In the end of Romans chapter one, we see people ignoring what should be logical from considering the created world.  God’s judgment will be very logical!  

In the verses above we see a loving, hurting God reasoning with the children He loves.  If they do right, they will enjoy their lives.  If not, they will be “devoured by the sword.”  In the surrounding verses, the Reasoning God puts His requirements in very reasonable terms.  They are simple and easy to understand.

What about the guilt of their past sins?  He will take care of that!  He will make them as “white” and like “snow.” And He did!  He sent His Son, Jesus, without any sins of His own, to die as the payment for our sins. 

APPLICATION:  God created man with a mind and the ability to reason.  He interacts with us to engage our mind and our emotions.  The more we understand the Bible, the more reasonable are God’s requirements.  The more unreasonable it is to ignore his will. 

PRAYER:  Lord, you love to interact with me as I love to interact with my son and granddaughter.  Train my mind to think like you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 30, 2024: SOAP #5323:  Amos 7-9; Psalm 104; Titus 2

SCRIPTURE:  Titus (NIV) 2:14 (Jesus) who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

OBSERVATION:    One characteristic of people who belong to Jesus is that they are “eager to do what is good.”  It may be a burden.  It may not be easy.  But they are eager because they want to please the Lord.  They want to please Him because they love Him.  People who are eager usually do not complain.  People who are eager accept the challenge before them joyfully. 

APPLICATION:  The eagerness of people involved in SOAP ministry inspires my eagerness to write the SOAPs every day.  Recently I was inspired to learn something about the SOAP ministry in Freetown, Sierra Leone.  They print 27,000 SOAPs every day!   And there is a team of about 20 people, divided into six teams, who distribute them throughout the city Monday through Saturday.   They deliver them to churches and places where people gather, even going door to door in some areas.  No one is paid.  They are Kingdom Volunteers, waiting until heaven to collect their reward!  

If there was ever anyone eager to do something it should be me eager to do what pleases the Lord.  I need only to consider what He has done for me!  As the eagerness of others challenges me, my eagerness should also be an example to others.    

PRAYER:  Lord, I want you to see in me an eagerness to do what pleases you.  It is my privilege, and it is a joy to serve you.  And Lord, please bless those who eagerly share the SOAPs in whatever way they have available.  Smile on them, fill their hearts with joy, and may they see results coming from their faithful ministry.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 29, 2024: SOAP #5322:  Amos 4-6; Psalm 86,87; Titus 1

SCRIPTURE:  Amos (NIV) 5:4 This is what the LORD says to the house of Israel: “Seek me and live; 5 do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will be reduced to nothing.” 6 Seek the LORD and live, or he will sweep through the house of Joseph like a fire; it will devour, and Bethel will have no-one to quench it.
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Psalm (NIV) 86:6 Hear my prayer, O LORD; listen to my cry for mercy. 7 In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me…
13 For great is your love towards me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave… 15 But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. 16 Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant.

OBSERVATION:    God wants His children to call on Him.  He wants them to depend on Him and to seek Him in time of trouble.  I believe God allows some trouble to come our way to cause us to seek Him.   I believe God gives us assignments that are too big for us so that we will have to depend on Him. 

      If this is true, then we disappoint Him when we turn to others for help before calling on Him.  We disappoint Him in depending on others and not Him. 

APPLICATION:  It is true that God will often use others to meet our need, but it brings glory to Him when they are responding to His call and not our begging. 

When we take our needs only to Him and we receive the answer, we know it came from Him and we give Him the thanks and glory.  When it comes in answer to our prayers to God, we give Him the glory.  We know that He heard our prayer.  Our faith grows to believe Him again and for greater things. 

Sometimes in prayer, God will give us something to do.  Our obedience is often not related to the answer but is a demonstration of our faith. 

However, when people respond to our pleas for help, we get the glory for being such a good convincer and they get the glory for being generous.  Sometimes God can get left out of the thanksgiving. 

PRAYER:  Lord, living for you is a walk of faith.  I am learning to hear you speak to me and to obey.  I am learning to trust you.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon 
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 28, 2024: SOAP #5321:  Amos 1-3, Psalm 80; 2Timothy 4

SCRIPTURE:  2Timothy (NIV) 4:1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

OBSERVATION:    Timothy was not present when Paul gave him this charge.  If he had been present, Paul would have placed his hands on Timothy and spoken to him.  Instead, Paul had to have it written and sent to Timothy in a letter. 

No, Timothy was not present in the prison cell when Paul wrote this charge, but it is noteworthy to consider who was present.  This was written “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus!!!”  

APPLICATION:  All of us who have made Jesus the Lord of our lives and have invited Him into our heart, need to realize that whatever we do, we do “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus!”  He promised never to leave us nor forsake us.  He is always present!  

Oh the wisdom of God seen in this relationship.  He already knows our weaknesses. Now, He can guide us.  He can correct us.  He can strengthen us.  He can sooth our troubled spirit.  He can bring the Word to our memory.  He can put joy in our hearts. 

PRAYER:  Lord, what a blessing to know that you are with me every day and all day long.  I live and move in your presence.  I am never alone.  I can talk to you from wherever I am.  I have confidence in you for I know that you are working all things together for my good!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Personal Note:  This morning I had a stress test on my heart.  The results are needed to complete a physical examination for driving the school bus.  I will not know the results for several days, but it is over.  I got to leave some SOAP cards with those who helped me.  The next major thing is to have a biopsy on my prostate.  That has not yest been scheduled.  Thanks to all who are praying for me.     

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 27, 2024: SOAP #5320:  2Kings 13,14; 2Chronicles 25; 2Timothy 3

(prayerfully repeated from 2013)

SCRIPTURE:  2Timothy (NIV) 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 1 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

OBSERVATION:    What a powerful verse for every believer.  The scripture is useful in teaching us, showing us where we are wrong, showing us how to do things right and helping us grow in righteousness.  I am saved only by the work of Jesus.  I am not saved by my works, but I am saved to work. 

As special as those things are, this passage shows that God has even more in mind.  He wants us ready to do something.  He wants us to be useful in His kingdom.  The scripture works in us to make us useful.  We are to be useful to God and useful to others.  Life is too short to waste our time here.  As long as God has us here, He has something for us to do.

APPLICATION:  By God’s word I am equipped for every good work that comes my way as His servant.  When I refuse to work or serve in the body of Christ, I am not useful to the Kingdom.  I am wasting what God has given me.  I am not living up to the potential God has placed in me.  Simply put, I am not very Christ-like.  Jesus “went around doing good  …  ” Acts 10:38.

Note: consider the above verses along with 2Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” The scriptures are the equipment I need; the Holy Spirit is the empowerment I need.

PRAYER:  Lord, it is your will that I be useful in your kingdom; so, it is your will that I be equipped and empowered.  As I study the scriptures, empower me with your Holy Spirit.  Use me for fruitful ministry.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 26, 2024: SOAP #5319:  Jonah 1-4; 2Timothy 2

SCRIPTURE:  2Timothy (NIV) 2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.

OBSERVATION:    If Satan was trying to limit the spread of the gospel by putting chains on the Apostle Paul and putting him in prison, it would have to be noted as his second greatest failure.  Of course, the first would be causing the death of Jesus who had never sinned and was not under the curse of death.  Without His death, there would be no resurrection!!!

The second greatest failure of Satan would be putting the Apostle Paul in prison.  It resulted in Paul having time to write letters under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit!   Paul could not get out and the Holy Spirit could not be kept out!!!!   Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote letters that have gone far beyond Paul’s limitations of traveling and of time!!!  

APPLICATION:  We all experience limitations.  We can be restricted by poor health, by limited finances, by location, by lack of understanding, by available resources, etc.   BUT God’s Word is not limited.  It is not chained!   When all Paul could do was write letters, he wrote letters.  How glad we are to day to be able to read those letters!   Remember: Paul could not get out, and the Holy Spirit could not be kept out!  

We may not have the resources to build a church building, but we can go out to the streets to witness to someone going past our house.  We may not have opportunity to minister to hundreds of people, but we can teach our children to love the Lord; we can write a letter to someone needing encouragement.    We may not have a large offering to give, but we can give our loaves and fishes and trust Him to multiply it to meet the need! 

PRAYER:  Lord, limitations can be used to focus my attention on what you really want me to do.  Help me not to be disappointed or discouraged because of the limitations I face.  Use the limitations to set the timing for my life.   May my faith lift me to see above and beyond the limitations.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 25, 2024: SOAP #5318:  Joel 1-3; 2Timothy 1

SCRIPTURE:  Joel (NIV) 2:10 Before them [God’s judgment army of locust] the earth shakes, the sky trembles, the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine. 11 The LORD thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty are those who obey his command. The day of the LORD is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?
12 “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. 14 Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing—grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God.

OBSERVATION:  In this passage we see the two overriding characteristics of God: His holiness and His love. 

As the holiness of God demands justice and punishment for sin, so the love of God cries out for mercy and compassion.   With great wisdom, God sent His Son, Jesus who lived without any sin to die in payment for our sins so God could be compassionate and merciful to us!    

APPLICATION:  How can a holy God bring a sinful man into His presence for eternity?  The answer is THE CROSS!  It was there that Jesus died for the sins of the person who believes and repents. 

God’s holiness demands justice.  God’s love demanded a way of forgiveness. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord!  (Romans 6:23) 

That gift is received by faith, by believing that Jesus died for our sins and that He rose to life again.  …by believing that Jesus will forgive as He said, …by acknowledging that we are sinners and asking His forgiveness.  And finally, by thanking Him for keeping His word!  

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for keeping your promise to forgive.  (1John 1:9)   Thank for coming to live in my heart.  Help me live my life to honor you.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 24, 2024: SOAP #5317:  2Kings 11,12; 2Chronicles 24; 1Timothy 6

SCRIPTURE:  2Chronicles (NIV) 24:24 Although the Aramean army had come with only a few men, the LORD delivered into their hands a much larger army. Because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, judgment was executed on Joash.

OBSERVATION:    I try to give special attention to the word “because.” After it comes the reason for what I just read.  It answers my question “why.” 

Above I read that the outcome of the war was not determined by the size of the army, but by the LORD!  Why was that?  Because Judah had forsaken the LORD! 

APPLICATION:  Today a nation (the United States of America) that is known for producing and selling great weapons of war to other nations who are trying to protect their borders (Israel and Ukraine) is being invaded by an “army” without any weapons!   In this army are some criminals and many drugs. 

Why?  How can that be?  Here is the because…  15+ years ago I was asking the Lord what He was going to do about the many sins being committed every day against those being formed in His image.  He spoke very clearly that He would be bringing one undocumented alien into our country for every child carrying His image that had been destroyed!  70 million at that time!!!  At that time, I wondered how could God do that?   Today it is obvious! 

I do not claim to have the answer for our nation’s border problem, but I know the place to start is in repentance.   We are experiencing the judgment of our Holy God.  May we repent and experience His forgiveness. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, history clearly shows that the founders of this nation looked to you for wisdom in establishing government and laws.  In the civil war we experienced your hand of judgment for slavery, and now we are experiencing your hand of judgment for the destruction of millions who were being formed in your image.  We have sinned and need your forgiveness.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 23, 2024: SOAP #5316:  2Kings 10; 2Chronicles 22,23; 1Timothy 5

SCRIPTURE:  1Timothy (NIV) 5:4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God…
7 Give the people these instructions, too, so that no-one may be open to blame. 8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

OBSERVATION:    It is good to read the Bible and see what a great God we serve.  It is good to see what He has done for us and what we can expect when we serve Him.  But the Bible also speaks of what God expects from us.  What is it that pleases God? 

In this chapter, Paul gives some specific instructions on how we are to treat one another while we are living on earth. 

APPLICATION:  Loving and serving God should make a difference in how we treat those older than us and those younger.  It makes a difference in how we treat widows and church leaders.  We should not show partiality! 

As children of God, in whom His spirit dwells, we should treat others as children of God in whom His spirit dwells!   We should apply the principles presented in this chapter. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I have heard it said that someone was so spiritually minded they were of no earthly good.   May that NEVER be said of me.   And may it never be said of SOAP readers.  Being spiritually minded should make us of more earthly good!  May our lives be pleasing to you.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 22, 2024: SOAP #5315:  2Kings 8,9; 2Chronicles 21; 1Timothy 4

SCRIPTURE:  1Timothy (NIV) 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

OBSERVATION:    Paul was writing to Timothy, his young son in the Lord.  He was leaving some instructions on how to lead the church and some comments about Timothy’s personal life.  Reading of the scriptures should be both private and public; it being linked here to preaching and teaching, it is proper to see it as referring to public reading, as the NIV gives it. 

Public reading was so important in the early church days.  It was a part of services in the temple and synagogues, so it would carry over to the gatherings of the early church.  Reading from the scriptures would give a high level of authority to the preaching and teaching.  Doctrine has its foundation in the written Word of God! 

And in a day when scrolls were very few and books not yet being printed, how else would believers get to know the word (letters from Paul, etc.) unless someone read it to them! 

APPLICATION:  Here is a simple ministry that everyone reading this SOAP is qualified and capable of doing:  Reading the Word of God out loud! 

Today, if there are people living in your neighborhood who do not have a Bible, or cannot read, I encourage you to set a time each day or each week for them to come to your home, or yard, to hear you read the Bible! 

A ministry to elderly people who may have trouble with their eyesight—read the Word of God to them.  A ministry to your family around the dinner table—read the Word of God.  When visiting the hospital—read the Word of God.

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, use this simple idea to spark ministries that reach the lost and strengthen believers.  May the Word of God, which you inspired, be powerful in the lives of the readers and the hearers.  In Jesus Name,  Amen! 

Pastor Leon
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