Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 01, 2024: SOAP #5355: Isaiah 65-66; Psalm 62; John 3

SCRIPTURE:  John 3:8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”    

OBSERVATION:  Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish government.  He compared the new life of “everyone born of the Spirit” to the wind.  People may not know where the wind starts, or where it ends, but no one denies its existence.  Proof of its existence can be seen all around us—in the sound of it moving around the side of our house, to the moving of the leaves in the trees.  One does not need to see the wind to be convinced of its presence and power. 

APPLICATION:  A doctor may not be able to isolate for recognition the life of Jesus living within me, but evidence of His life should be so clear that no one can doubt its existence.  First of all, I experience the difference His presence makes in me—the peace and joy He brings.  And second, others around me cannot help but notice that there is something different about me. 

Evidence should be seen in the way I talk, the way I act, the way I treat others, the way I deal with success, the way I deal with disappointments and difficulties, the way I respond to blessings and mistreatment, and on, and on. People may not know why, but they can easily see that I am different!  It is my privilege and joy to tell them why.  

“…born of the Spirit…”  It is like being born again as a new person.  Still me, but a different me.  It happens as I confess that I have sinned.  And on the basis of His death on the cross as the acceptable payment for sin, I ask Him to forgive my sins.  I set Him as Lord of my life.  And with a grateful heart, I thank him!  Then I learn to live with Him as my Lord!   What a privilege to serve Him—my Creator who died and rose for me! 

PRAYER: Lord, it is so logical to serve you, and you have made it so easy to do!  May I be easily identified as someone in whom your Spirit dwells. Amen 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 31, 2024: SOAP #5354: Isaiah 63-64; Psalm 107; John 2

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 2:2 …and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.

OBSERVATION: A short comment that really goes without being said.  Jesus was there, so obviously he had been invited.  The question that comes to my mind: who made out the invitation list?  Was it the bride’s mother, or the groom’s mother?  Was it someone from the bride’s family…or the groom’s family?  Was it a neighbor? 

Whoever it was who made out the guest list, they thought to include Jesus and his disciples.  They were working behind the scenes, doing something that needed to be done, but having no idea how important their part would be.  Not knowing what would happen at the banquet…not knowing what an important part Jesus would have…it came to their mind to invite Jesus. 

APPLICATION:  Surely the Holy Spirit was at work long before the day of this wedding.  He was making sure Jesus got invited.  He put the thought in their mind, “Be sure to invite Jesus.”  I think He even caused the wedding planners to underestimate and under order the wine that would be needed.  The situation was set up for Jesus to perform His first miracle.  Jesus was not the first one to arrive on the scene; the Holy Spirit had been there preparing the circumstances!   –just like in our ministries! 

God has not called me to do the SOAP ministry without working ahead of time to make the needed preparations.  I had no idea of what God was doing when He gave Pastor Dayton the idea of asking me to write SOAPs.  Now I can see how the Holy Spirit had been preparing me to do this.  And several times recently when surprised by a financial need, I discovered the Holy Spirit had already put it in someone’s heart to put a check in the mail to arrive just when needed—or a call to do some work for which I would be paid! 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, when my steps are ordered by you, I can be sure that what surprises me does not surprise you.  You have already made the preparations for what will be needed.  For my family, my work, my ministry, you are working behind the scenes so that when I obey you, you will be glorified.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 30, 2024: SOAP #5353: Isaiah 60-62; John 1

SCRIPTURE:  Isaiah (NIV) 62:6 I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, 7 and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth. 8 The LORD has sworn by his right hand and by his mighty arm: “Never again will I give your grain as food for your enemies, and never again will foreigners drink the new wine for which you have toiled; 9 but those who harvest it will eat it and praise the LORD, and those who gather the grapes will drink it in the courts of my sanctuary.”

OBSERVATION: I believe these scriptures are speaking of the future for Israel.  It speaks of a desperate situation.  The people recognize the danger and are calling on the LORD!   In verse six they are they should give themselves no rest in their praying.  AND they should give the LORD no rest!  
                   

APPLICATION:  Whenever the situation is desperate, God’s children should act and pray like it is desperate!  In Luke 18:4-8 Jesus told about an unjust judge who granted the request of a widow who would not stop seeking his aid.  Verse 7 says, And shall not God avenge his own elect which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 

It is worthwhile calling on and waiting on the Lord.  We know He is kindly disposed toward His children.  I am surprised at how people spend so much time on Facebook and the internet looking for people to help them, support them, give them assistance, etc.  They are seeking what God has already promised in His word. 

PRAYER: Lord, The SOAP ministry is yours and I am involved at your direction.  Again and again you have proved that you supply for your ministry.  Use the SOAPs to build people’s faith through pointing people to the word and through setting a good example.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 29, 2024: SOAP #5352: Isaiah 57-59; Psalm 103; 2Peter 3

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 103:9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

OBSERVATION: The God who loved us enough to send His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins has left us with many expressions of His love.  Here He tells us to look at His creation to see the greatness of His love for those who honor Him. 

APPLICATION:  Every time we walk out the door of our house, we need only to look up to be reminded of how greatly God loves us!   We exit from the ceiling of our home to the ceiling of the sky!  Wow! 

How we love each other may be seen in the height of the ceiling of our home.  How God loves us can only be understood in the ceiling of the sky!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, how great is your love for me!  In response, may it be said of me that as the clouds are high above the earth, so is Leon’s love for his Heavenly Father.  Holy Spirit, help me grow in loving my Heavenly Father.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 28, 2024: SOAP #5351: Isaiah 53-56; 2Peter 2

SCRIPTURE:  Isaiah (NIV) 53:12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.

OBSERVATION: 700+- years before Jesus died for our sins, Isaiah wrote this 53^rd chapter of his book.  It is only 12 verses long. 

Yet it is a very realistic prophesy of the Suffering Savior, Isaiah used the following words:  despised, rejected, sorrows, suffering, infirmities, stricken, smitten, afflicted, pierced, crushed, punishment, wounds, iniquity on him, oppressed, slaughter, cut off from the land of the living, stricken, assigned a grave with the wicked, crush, suffering, guilt offering, suffering of his soul, bear iniquities.

APPLICATION:  Here is how I must read this chapter:  “For he bore the sin of LEON and made intercession for LEON’, the transgressor.”

What a difference it makes when I see myself in the picture.  What an amazing forgiveness Jesus offers me and all who see themselves not only in this prophecy but also the reality that was foretold!  When we see the pain and agony he suffered for our sake, how can we not cry out, “Lord, forgive me…

PRAYER: …come live in my life.  Teach me your ways and enable me to live a life that honors you and brings you much joy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 27, 2024: SOAP #5350: Isaiah 50-52; 2Peter 1

(reworked from 2010) 

SCRIPTURE:  2Peter (NIV) 1:2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

OBSERVATION: More than knowing facts about God, I need to know Him personally!   Knowing Jesus as Lord is recognizing He is my owner; he has the decision-making power.  He has the veto power over any decision I make.  How logical it is for Him to have such power as He is all-wise and can see the future.   But those who do not personally know God, and Jesus as their Lord, cannot claim these blessing of grace and peace.

APPLICATION:  I have abundant grace and peace BECAUSE I personally know God and Jesus, my Lord. 

I have abundant (even more than needed) grace (God’s goodness personally expressed to me that is even enough for me to be gracious to others) and peace (tranquility even in the midst of turmoil) BECAUSE I personally (this relationship is solely mine, not through my parents or friends) know God (the all-powerful, the all-knowing, the ever present Spirit who is both perfectly holy and perfectly loving) and Jesus (the One who died in my place on the cross) my Lord (my owner who has the “deciding” power in my life.)  

Now, Leon, think about that all day!  

PRAYER: Lord, No wonder I love and serve you!  You are amazing!  Your grace and peace keep me steady in every storm of life.  Your joy overflows to others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 26, 2024: SOAP #5349: Isaiah 46-49; 1Peter 5

SCRIPTURE:  1Peter (NIV) 5:5 …All of you, clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

OBSERVATION: Depending on the Lord, growing in His grace, seeing how capable and faithful He is, knowing that Creator God cares for me, should make me humble.  All I have comes from God, all my talents and abilities have come to me through His grace.  Of what can I take pride?   What He has done in the past builds my faith that I can trust Him now and in the future. 

All I know about Him and the promises in His Word, should alleviate/erase all anxiety!  My God cares for me!!!  My God wants me to bring my anxieties to Him!  

APPLICATION:  In the summertime money is scarce for me.  Schools are out so bus driving income is gone.  Last year at the beginning of each summer month, God sent me a check in the mail that covered that month expenses.  From totally different sources but each was for the same amount!  This year the same God met the same needs but in totally different ways.  I received a call to help be an usher and help park cars for three days.  Later I received a call to help drive a bus for a church youth ministry.  And I received a refund check for money I had sent to Western Union several years ago—money that had never been picked up.  I also received one check in the mail, and three checks handed to me for specific needs.  And I received the three faithful checks that come each month.  Again, God has provided!  

If SOAP were my ministry, I would need to raise money for its needs.  But it is not my ministry.  SOAP is God’s ministry, and He has the responsibility to provide.  There is no need to worry or be anxious about ministry needs.  There is no need to convince others to give.  I just need to be responsible to use what He provides to honor Him. 

PRAYER: Lord, use the SOAP ministry as an example for other ministries to trust you.  I am not asking you to help me with my ministry, but I am serving you in your ministry.  May other ministry leaders see the value of turning their ministry over to you.  You are more than able to deal with all the pressures of any ministry, in whatever country it is located.  Show those ministering to orphans how you are able to provide.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 25, 2024: SOAP #5348: Isaiah 43-45; 1Peter 4

SCRIPTURE:  1Peter (NIV) 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

OBSERVATION: In the light of God’s creation, Peter was living in the last days. Now, 2000 years later, it is even more so the last days.  So, even more we should pay close attention to being able to pray properly with a clear mind and not letting our emotions dictate how we pray.  Even more we should love each other and show hospitality without grumbling. 

Even more we should use the “gifts” we have to serve others.  The gifts, talents, strengths we have were given to us by God and we will answer to Him for how we used them.  He gave them to us to make us useful to others. 

APPLICATION:  I am to use the “gifts” I have received to serve others.  I can show my appreciation for God’s generosity to me by being generous to others.  I can express my appreciation for the understanding of His Word that He has given to me by passing it along to others. 

I can give testimony to others for what God has done in my life, and in this way build their faith for God to do the same for them. In this way God will receive double glory—glory from me and glory from them. 

PRAYER: Lord, where would I be if it was not for you!   What would I have if it was not for you.  You are the reason for my life.  Be glorified in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 24, 2024: SOAP #5347: Isaiah 40-42; 1Peter 3

SCRIPTURE:  1Peter (NIV) 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

OBSERVATION: Peter gives some instructions on how we are to live.  Here he tells us to return evil and insults with blessings!!  This one may be—no, will be difficult for us. But I can see four reasons why it is possible, and why we should do it. 

One:  We should not take the scriptures as suggestions, but as commands. 
Two:  Doing this is following the example of Jesus. 
Three:  Consider the promise to those who return evil and insults with blessings.  The scriptures promise that they will inherit a blessing!  A blessing promised in the Bible is worth going after!  If we feel like we are short on receiving blessings, here is a good place to start.  We can plant seeds of blessings which will bring a harvest of blessings! 
Four:  The same Holy Spirit that dwelt in Christ on the earth, now dwells in us.  He who enabled Jesus to live like this can enable us to live this!  We do not have to do this in our own power.  God is not telling us to do something that He is not willing to do through us!  

APPLICATION:  When someone forgets us, or ignores us, we can bless them.  When someone drives their car into the parking place we were waiting for, we can bless them.  When someone takes credit for our hard work, we can bless them.  When someone speaks evil of our plans, we can bless them. 

Then we can start looking for the blessings that God sends our way. 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, I am going to need your help in this.  Jesus, I need you to be Jesus in me.  May I step back and let you live your life in and through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 23, 2024: SOAP #5346: 2Kings 20; Isaiah 38-39; Psalm 75; 1Peter 2

SCRIPTURE:  1Peter (NIV) 2:2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

OBSERVATION:  Before we were born, everything was done for us while we were in our mother’s womb.  But what a change when we were born.  Surely one of the first discomforts we experienced was hunger.  We learned how to suck and to open our mouth to receive food that was placed in our mouth.  Then we learned that we could use our hands to bring food to our mouth…and so the learning how to eat lessons began.  

Here the Bible tells us that our spiritual birth is very similar.  Before we were “born again,” God was bringing His word to us.  Our faith was growing.  But once we come alive in Jesus—once we are born again, we should experience some spiritual hunger.  It is good to have people help feed us (pastors, teachers, parents), but at some time we should begin feeding ourselves.  

APPLICATION:  A key in spiritual growth is application.  Why did God want me to read those scriptures.  Now that I have read the scriptures, what did God say to ME and what can I do to apply the truth I just read?  

You can use the scriptures above for your reading, if you like; but there are many good Bible reading plans. If you are just starting, just read the New Testament portions.  Pray before you start reading and read until God makes something interesting.  You may like to use the SOAP format to write your thoughts.  Putting your thoughts into words on paper helps me thing through what I am trying to say.  It clarifies what God is saying to me. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you went to such great lengths to make sure we would have the scriptures.  May we honor you by giving them a proper place in our lives.  In Jesus Name, Amen

Pastor Leon
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