Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 22, 2024: SOAP #5345: Isaiah 36-37; Psalm 76; 1Peter 1

SCRIPTURE:  1Peter (NIV) 1:24 For, “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord stands forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you.

OBSERVATION: What an appropriate verse for today’s news.  The President of the Unites States announced that he would not run for re-election.  Anyone who pays attention to the news has seen the “withering” of this man.  I have seen similar characteristics in my mother and some close family friends as they moved into their senior years. 

In stark contrast to the frailty of the flesh, stands verse 25.  “The word of the Lord stands forever!”  The Word of God has been written and is just as true today as the day it was written.  The Word of God became flesh and moved among men for 30+ years.  He was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead, arose into the heavens from which He has promised to return.  

The written Word remains true and trustworthy.  We can build our lives on it!  AND the Living Word ever lives to make intercession for us.  And He has sent His Spirit to live in us, enabling us to live our lives honoring God! 

APPLICATION:  More than just knowing about the written Word of God, I need the Living Word of God living in me by His Spirit.  How thankful we should be that He willingly forgives our sins and makes our hearts His home! 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, may my heart and mind be like a clay tablet upon which you can write eternal truth.  Lead me into Truth.  Enable me to live every day, in my environment, doing what honors my Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 21, 2024: SOAP #5344: 2Kings 18-19; 2Chronicles 32; James 5

SCRIPTURE:  2Kings (NIV) 18:11 The king of Assyria deported Israel to Assyria and settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in towns of the Medes. 12 This happened because they had not obeyed the LORD their God but had violated his covenant—all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded. They neither listened to the commands nor carried them out.

OBSERVATION: The king of Assyria had taken Israel as captives to Assyria.  In these verses, God gives the “because.”  There was a reason why this had happened to Israel.  Their captivity was directly in response to their relationship to the LORD their God!  

APPLICATION:  The United States of America was founded by Bible reading and Bible believing people.  They did not all agree on doctrine, but they acknowledged that God had a hand in developing this nation. 

There was a “Because” for the Civil War.  President Abraham Lincoln recognized that the Civil War was God’s judgment against the sin of slavery.  There is a “Because” for what is happening at the southern border of the US.  It is God’s judgment against the sin of destroying 70+ million babies that were being created in God’s image!  God is bringing in generations of people to replace generations who were denied a right to have life.  And along with them come ever more dangerous illegal drugs and human trafficking.  Welfare budgets are being depleted.  Crime is increasing. 

What if the Federal Reserve would say, “We are too far in debt, so we are not going to print any more money.”  I fear that there are not enough Godly standards in the population to prevent looting and murder by those wanting to satisfy their desires. 

PRAYER: SOAP readers, join me in prayer for my nation:  Lord, the United States of America needs your help.  Send another revival to sweep across this land.  Give godly leaders that know and follow Your word.  Fill with your Holy Spirit and empower Your people to stand for righteousness.  In Your Mighty Name we pray, Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 20, 2024: SOAP #5343: 2Chronicles 29-31; James 4

SCRIPTURE:  James (NIV) 4:5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

OBSERVATION:  Our parents gave us the only life they could give.  It is a life that has a strong attraction to sin.  Satan understands that and tempts us with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  Being born with a sin nature, it is imperative that we be born again with our sins cleansed by the blood of Jesus. 

God also understands and gives us grace…and more grace.  God’s grace is freely given to those who repent, making Jesus the Savior and Lord of their lives.  It requires humility to acknowledge our sin and to acknowledge that we are helpless to do anything about it.  If He does not forgive us and cleanse us by His blood sacrifice, we are hopelessly headed for eternity in hell. 

APPLICATION:  Oh, the grace God gave Leon.  He sent His Son, Jesus, to be the payment for my sins.  And even more, knowing I am still living in this world full of temptation, God sent His Holy Spirit to live in me.  He teaches me.  He convicts me when I go contrary to His nature.  He inspires my thoughts and speaks to my heart. 

God perfectly understood what Leon would need.  I continue to live in this world and need to deal with temptation—so He sent The Holy Spirit to live inside me!   Am I thankful?   YES, YES, YES!  

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, how can I say thanks for all you have done for me!  You perfectly knew what I would need and out of your grace, you have provided for me.  Jesus, I receive the forgiveness You have provided, and I surrender my life to you.  You are my Lord!  By Your Holy Spirit make my heart your home, never to leave.  Help me live in honor of our Father which art in heaven.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 19, 2024: SOAP #5342 2Kings 17; 2Chronicles 28; Psalm 46; James 3

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

OBSERVATION:  What a thought.  KJV puts it “very present.”  A dictionary tells me it is from two Hebrew words.  The first meaning “exceeding,” “exceeding much,” “abundance,” “a great degree.” The second word has the aspect of “to be discovered,” “to be found out,” “to be detected,” “to cause to discover,” “to be present.” When these two words are used together, to me it speaks of God emphasizing His desire to be recognized.  He wants us to know He is present. 

We are to discover, or find Him, but He is not hiding!  He wants to be found!  To miss Him is to ignore the obvious! 

APPLICATION:  I remember helping “hide” Easter eggs for little children to find.  We did not “hide” them at all.  We placed them in plain sight.  They could not help but find them.  We wanted them to find the eggs.  We had pleasure watching the children! 

And so, in times of trouble, God is to us.  He wants to be found!  He has pleasure watching us depend on Him! 

PRAYER: Lord, there has never been any part of any day that you have not been with me.  Even when I did not see you, or feel you, or hear you, or understand what was happening—You were there.  You were “ever-present” in the hard times and in the good times.  In looking back, I can see you were many times doing more in the hard times than in the good times.  In looking forward, I know that you will continue to be my “ever-present help.”  Your faithfulness to me is amazing.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 18, 2024: SOAP #5341:  Isaiah 32-35; James 2

SCRIPTURE:  James (NIV) 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. 
Romans (NIV) 10: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

OBSERVATION:    We are saved by faith, but faith that has no outward expression is dead.  Faith is a heart matter, but its presence is “seeable,” “recognizable,” or as in Romans 10:9&10 “hearable.” 

In James 2 we find several expressions of saving faith:  giving food and clothing to the poor, Abraham offering his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God, Rahab hiding the Israelite spies and sending them safely out of Jericho,

APPLICATION:  When the Living God makes my heart His home, it will be impossible to keep that hidden from others.  It is not a legalistic thing where I have to do certain things to prove that Jesus lives in me—no, it is an outward expression of a changed heart!  I have become a new creation!  (2Corinthians 5:17) 

My vocabulary changes, not so much the words, but the attitude carried by my words.  Forgiveness flows from a heart once full of resentment.  All are changes that I cannot do myself but are expressions/proof of my faith and the presence of a living Savior within. 

PRAYER:  Lord, you are still making changes in me.  You are causing my faith to grow, and increasing faith meets increasing challenges.  But my faith is not in my abilities, but in you.  My faith is not that others will help me, but in you.  I am confident that you will enable me to do what you have given me to do.  And I am confident that what the doctors discover with a biopsy on August 6 will only be what you already know!  My life is in you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 17, 2024: SOAP #5340:  Isaiah 29-31; James 1

(reworked from 2010)

Scripture:  James (NIV) 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
                               

Observation:   Perhaps James was tired of people claiming to be religious and claiming to love God, yet their words showed something different.   If our faith does not affect the way we talk, then, according to the Bible, it is worthless. 

Of the Ten Commandments, the second deals with speaking the name of God in an insignificant, valueless manner.  The ninth deals with speaking what is not true.  Throughout the Bible we see references to our words:  not only gossiping, complaining, etc., but also praying, encouraging, etc. 

The first action of God recorded in the Bible was speaking.  “And God said…” Jesus is introduced in the first chapter of John as “the Word became flesh…”  It should not surprise us that God sees our words as important.  

Application:  God’s Words are important to me; my words are important to God.  What I say to Him and what I say about Him, what I say to others and what I say about others—it is ALL important to God. 

Prayer:  Lord, as in Psalm 141:3, put a guard over my lips.  May my words today make you smile and bless those nearby. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 16, 2024: SOAP #5339:  Isaiah 25-28; Hebrews 13

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

OBSERVATION:    As the author comes to the close of his letter, he gives a few short exhortations about things we face in our daily lives.  It is like a parent giving last-minute advice to their child leaving home for the first time.  It would be a list of things to remember, things to do, what to eat and wear…etc. 

And in the list in this last chapter of Hebrews, we find one about our response to authority.  It tells us how to respond to church leadership, but the truth is applicable to all authority in our lives. 

APPLICATION:  I must remember that God holds me responsibility for how I honor and submit to their authority.  God holds them accountable for how they use their authority.  When I learn to submit to God, I can trust Him to work in their lives.  Waiting on God PLUS submission to authority work together to become a powerful force in changing the heart of those in authority. 

When I see things in authority that need to be changed, I have such limited resources available.  Even the wisdom I may have can be ignored or pushed aside.  But when I respond in loving submission and wait upon the Lord, He can bring change.  He can bring wisdom that cannot be ignored. 

…And all the time He is developing His character in me!!!   

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, first responders (police, firemen, medics) are so important in our lives today.  But You are the greatest first responder.  When I move aside to make way for a fire truck or ambulance, teach me to move aside for You.  Help me push aside my first response and listen to see if you have something I should say.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Personal note:  Thanks for your prayers.   I passed my physical for bus driving today!  School starts here in a month.   😊 

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 15, 2024: SOAP #5338:  Isaiah 22-24; Hebrews 12 (reworked from 2010)

Scripture:  Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Observation:   What a thought.  We have just read about all the heroes of faith mentioned in chapter 11 and now we discover that they are a part of the “great cloud of witnesses” who surround us.  They are not unaware of our struggles.  They may even be more aware than we are at times.  What are they doing?  I believe they are doing what Jesus is doing, interceding.  I believe they are praying for us.

If in hell the rich man of Luke 16 was aware of his brothers, desiring Lazarus sent to warn them, how much more are those in heaven aware.

The picture in Hebrews 12:1 to me is of a great amphitheater where those in the stands are watching those in the contest on the floor of the arena.  Those in the stands were once on the floor.  They understand the struggle.  They see the danger with an overview of the whole battleground.  They see the contest develop.  They rejoice with each victory and groan with each setback.  Like those on the floor, they are watching the clock and eagerly awaiting the end of the contest.  They are ready to join in the victory celebration.

Application:  It is now our turn. Now, we are on the floor in the struggle.  We are not in this struggle alone!  Those who have gone before us are in the stands cheering us on and interceding for us.  Believing parents, grandparents, our ancestors who were believers, those who led us to Jesus, mentors in our faith, they are all in that number! 

If you ever get the feeling that someone is watching you…you are right!  If you ever get the feeling that you are not alone…you are right!  Let’s not give up.  Let’s persevere.  Let’s win! 

Prayer:  Lord, it is my turn in the arena of life.  May my participation in the conflict contribute to your great victory.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 14, 2024: SOAP #5337:  Isaiah 19-21; Hebrews 11

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 11:13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

OBSERVATION:    A note from my past is attached to verse 13 above: “What a special thing to say.  May it be engraved on tomb stones. May it be fixed in the minds of people left behind.  “These people were still living by faith when they died.”  It appears at times that someone’s faith died before they died.  What a tragedy!

After years of experience of walking with God, after years of reading God’s Word, after years of prayer, surely my latter years should be filled with faith at a greater level than before.”

APPLICATION:  “Living by faith when they died.”  What does that mean to Leon?  It means that my focus is not on my aches and pains, but on God’s work.  It means that I am not full of the past because my mind and heart is overflowing with what God is doing today.  It means that I am thankful for what God told me in the past, but I only want to talk about what God told me this morning. 

In visiting with people, I can encourage them with what God has done for me, but my focus is on what God can do for them. 

Surely it means “This world is not my home, I’m just passing through.” 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, each year my flesh grows weaker, but my faith grows stronger.  Daily Your word is added that already established in my life.  May I grow in blessing You and blessing others.  In Jesus Name, Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 13, 2024: SOAP #5336:  Isaiah 15-18; Hebrews 10

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 10:35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay. 38 But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

OBSERVATION:    The Bible tells us what is real.  It is not a book in which we can retreat from living in the real world.  Living for God is not always easy.  But we must not give up!  Why?  Because we will be richly rewarded!   We need to persevere, to push through the hard times.  Why? Because we will receive what He has promised!   We must keep on waiting!  Why?  Because He is coming soon!!!    

APPLICATION:  Have you read about the rewards awaiting?  Have you read the promises He has made?   We must live like His word is true and His promises are believable.  Even though we have not seen His promises completely fulfilled, we must live like they are already ours!   Because they are!!!

I cannot remember my father ever saying this, but he lived his life as it is worth the struggle to follow the Lord!  

It is not the great things we may be able to do that pleases the Lord.  Living by faith and standing true pleases Him.  Take note that when Jesus was doing the most to please His Father, He appeared a failure to the world, even to His disciples.  But the cross set up the resurrection!  

PRAYER:  Lord, persevering and being faithful in the small things is the best way to prepare to be faithful in the big things.  And I am discovering that all the small things added together are really the big thing!  Help me to be faithful. Amen

Pastor Leon
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