Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 22, 2024: SOAP #5376: Jeremiah 28-30; 1John 3

SCRIPTURE:  1John (NIV) 3:21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.
23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

OBSERVATION: Lacking confidence when we come before God hinders our faith.  Obedience pleases God and can serve as a foundation for our faith.  Two basic commands are given:  First, to believe in Jesus, the Son of God, and Second, to love one another! 

The Heavenly Father loves His Son and wants Him to receive the honor He deserves. We honor Jesus by believing His word and doing what He says.  Jesus told us to love one another!  Since God loved them so much He sent His Son to die for their sins, then we should love them too!  

APPLICATION:  There is proof that we believe in Jesus and love each other:  “We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”  The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives makes a great difference.  We cannot miss it.  Can a mother ignore a baby growing within her womb?  Neither can we ignore the fact that there is something different.  Life is just not as it used to be!  The Holy Spirit lives within!  

Also, neither can other people ignore that something has changed in us!   Things that once brought an angry reaction, now are passed by.  Things that we once walked by, we now stop for a second look.  We see things differently!   Those who do not already know what has happened begin to ask questions.  We are not the same!    

PRAYER: Father, the Holy Spirit you put within my life makes a big difference.  I have a constant companion who helps me live a life that pleases you.  What peace and joy He brings.  I am indeed blessed!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 21, 2024: SOAP #5375: Jeremiah 21, 24, 27; Psalm 118; 1John 2

SCRIPTURE:  1John (NIV) 2:27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.

OBSERVATION: God knew that the temptation to sin is strong in this world.  He knew if He wanted us to live in this world, we would need more than the memory of what He has done in the past.  We would need Presence, His Presence! 

Like a small child needs the presence of a parent to provide instant encouragement or warning, we too need to experience God’s smile or frown.  

God’s wisdom is expressed in His word, the Bible.  And God’s wisdom is worked out in our lives by the Presence of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the anointing! 

In the Bible we read God’s wisdom and get it into our heads, but the Holy Spirit works it into our lives and gets it into our heart.  I have had things that the Holy Spirit impressed me to do even before I understood it in the scriptures.  Later when reading the scriptures, I saw what the Spirit was doing. 

APPLICATION:  If you are a believer and have accepted Jesus as the Lord of your life, then you have the Holy Spirit living inside you.  There may be times when you do not have your Bible with you, but there are no times when the Holy Spirit is not with you!   You may not even own a Bible, but in your life dwells the Holy Spirit!  

Just like a small child learns the value of bringing joy to its parents, so we can learn how to please the Holy Spirit, how to be led by the Holy Spirit.  When He is at peace in our heart, we can move ahead.  When He seems dissatisfied and we are troubled, it is best to stop what we are doing and ask for more instructions. 

Expect God to speak to you.  Be willing to follow thoughts that come strongly to mind. Trust Him! He will not lead you contrary to your knowledge of what honors God. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, speak to me and teach me to follow.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 20, 2024: SOAP #5374: Jeremiah 48-49; Psalm 67; 1John 1

SCRIPTURE:  1John (NIV) 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

OBSERVATION: Surely everyone has a line of right and wrong and has at some time in their life dropped below that line.  And if we all have broken our own standard of right and wrong, it should not be hard for us to admit that we have fallen below God’s standard of right and wrong.  Romans 3:23 says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” 

Pretending that we have not sinned is obviously foolish, but it is also foolish to remain a sinner when Jesus has provided a way to be “forgiven and purified from all unrighteousness!”

APPLICATION:  So, what do I need to do to receive this forgiveness?  I must admit that I have sinned.  I must believe that sinless Jesus was crucified as payment for my sins.  I must believe that He rose from the grave and is now able to hear my prayer and forgive me.  Then it is always good to thank Him for what He has done for me and for His forgiveness.  It is good to invite Him to live in my heart and be the Lord of my life. 

And, this is just the beginning!  Now there is peace and joy in the reality that I have become friends with the Creator of the universe!!! 

No one who has ever accepted Jesus as the Lord of their life can say that it is no big deal!  In this simple act, we find the reason for our existence!  

PRAYER: Lord, believing what you said in your Word, I did what it said I should do!  And I found that you did what you said you would do!!!  You forgave me and cleansed me from all unrighteousness!!!  I am growing in this relationship.  I am learning what it means to live and walk as your child and as your son.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 19, 2024: SOAP #5373: Jeremiah 45-47; Psalm 105; John 21

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 105:4 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 5 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,…
41 He opened the rock, and water gushed out; like a river it flowed in the desert.42 For he remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham. 43 He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy;

OBSERVATION: In the first verses of this psalm, we are told to remember the great things God has done as well as His judgments.  We need to remember His miracles to be encouraged; we need to remember His judgments to be warned. 

Being made in the likeness and image of God, we have the capacity to remember—just as He has the capacity to remember!   Look again at verse 42 above!  God’s promises are holy and God remembers them!  

APPLICATION:  Many of God’s promises are conditional.  He will do something if we do something.  We are wise to follow His directions. Note: 1John 1:9 If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Other of God’s promises are unconditional.  He has promised and He will perform what He promised.   For example, God promised the people of Israel the land where they are settled and the whole world will not be able to negate God’s promise!  

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, as I read the Bible, draw my attention to the promises.  Show me which ones apply to me.  Show me my part in releasing the promises into my life.  May I live a life that pleases you and one you want to help.  In Jesus Name,  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Note: Yesterday, Bishop Emmanuel in Liberia informed me that they have raised enough money to purchase 25 computers and printers.  They also have enough paper and ink to print and distribute 100,000 copies of the SOAP.  August 25 through September 25, 2,000 people will be working to distribute the SOAPs.  Please keep the nation of Liberia in your prayers.  God is at work.    

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 18, 2024: SOAP #5372: Jeremiah 26, 35-36; John 20

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 20:1 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

OBSERVATION: Mary, why didn’t you see the stone removed and immediately think, “It is true!  It happened just as He said!  He arose and left an empty tomb!”  She could have said that.  Surely, she had been with Jesus and the disciples long enough to hear what He had said about rising to life again.   (Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19)

But Mary’s mind was so programmed to think according to the world’s pattern that she immediately thought, “His body has been stolen!  Where did they take my Lord?”  She missed the opportunity to have a “hallelujah dance” just outside the empty tomb!

APPLICATION:  Today I spoke with my cousin, two months older than me.  We spent hours and hours together as children.  He confirmed what I was told, that he has stage four lung and bone cancer.  Though not as critical as he, I shared my situation.  We had a great time of fellowship over the phone talking about Jesus.  Talking about what God has done, is doing, and will do in our lives!   Our minds have been trained to think about our circumstances from God’s point of view.

We both remember what God has said in His word.  We both remember our grandparents and parents.  We both remember how God has spoken to us personally.  We both remember what God has promised us for the near future.  We are blest!  

PRAYER: Lord, what blessings are ours when we enjoy the fellowship of other believers.  We can encourage each other to rejoice even before we have the answers to our prayers.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 17, 2024: SOAP #5371: Jeremiah 23, 25; John 19

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 19:28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

OBSERVATION: “It is finished!”  What a statement full of meaning.  Around this statement is wrapped the history of the earth.  Not only back to Genesis 1:1, but further back to the reason for creation!   The earth plan was to demonstrate God’s great capacity to love.   With great cost to Himself, God would make a sacrifice of such great value to cover all the sins of man!   It was now finished! 

But not only history past, but all history yet to be written flows out of this statement.  History written by the sacrifices of redeemed who value the SON more than their own lives.  History reaching beyond the graves of countless lovers of God.  History that reaches beyond the great gathering of sleeping and living believers into HIS presence!  History that reaches to the Great Marriage Supper of the Lamb in the courts of heaven.  History that will go on for years and years and years without end!!!   It I all centered in “IT IS FINISHED!!!”

APPLICATION:  And so it is with every one of us who believe.  We come to an end of trying to save ourselves.  Our efforts are finished and we place our faith in what Jesus did on the cross.  He finished the payment for my sins. 

PRAYER: Lord, I believe you died for me.  I accept your offer of forgiveness.  I am finished with trying to live good enough to satisfy your holy demands.  I could never live holy enough to meet your righteous standard.  I could never earn enough good credits to deserve a place in your heaven.  Jesus, I trust your holiness, and your payment for sin to be sufficient to cover my sins.  Jesus. come live in me and be my Lord.  In Your Name, I pray, Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Personal note:  Today I went to see the doctor who did the biopsy last week.  He is recommending some radiation treatment and a scan to see if cancer has spread to any other parts of my body.  He felt that the treatment would not interfere with bus driving, and so it should not interfere with writing and sending out the SOAPs.  Praise the Lord!  Pray for God to be glorified.  😊  

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 16, 2024: SOAP #5370: 2Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalm 112; John 18

SCRIPTURE:  2Kings (NIV) 24:3 Surely these things happened to Judah according to the LORD’s command, in order to remove them from his presence because of the sins of Manasseh and all he had done, 4 including the shedding of innocent blood. For he had filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD was not willing to forgive.

OBSERVATION: What a wonderful loving God we serve!  Throughout the scriptures we see examples of God’s love.  Throughout history we see examples of God’s love.  Surely throughout our own lives we have seen examples of God’s love.  Sometimes we forget that God is just as holy as He is loving!  

What a sad phrase above “the LORD was not willing to forgive.”  What hopelessness would be if God was not willing to forgive.  The results of our sin is two-fold:  reaping what we have sown and God’s judgment.  For those who understand the end of sin, the only hope is in God’s mercy extending forgiveness.  When God is not willing to forgive, what is left??  Only the reaping of what was sown and the judgment.   On our own, no one can escape either. 

APPLICATION:  The sooner we realize the terribleness of our sin.  …the sooner we realize our total inability to save ourselves.  …the sooner we realize that God in His mercy has provided in Jesus a sacrifice that will cover sin.  …the sooner we can confess our sins and invite Him to be the LORD of our lives. 

The sooner we make Him our LORD, the sooner we can experience the peace and joy that comes with His presence.  …the sooner we learn to fellowship with Him.  …the sooner we can begin serving Him in thanksgiving for the great way He has served us.  …the sooner we can begin to think about eternity in His presence in Heaven!  

PRAYER: Lord, there is no time sooner than right now to confess my sins and receive your forgiveness.  Right now, be the Lord of my life.  Live your life in me.  In some way, reach through me so that others can know your forgiveness and peace.  In your Name, the Name of Jesus, I pray,  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 15, 2024: SOAP #5369: Jeremiah 18-20; Psalm 93; John 17

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 17:6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.

OBSERVATION: In the first chapter of John, Jesus is seen as the “Word” that became flesh.  He is the word of the Father.  His Words carried truth.  Jesus carried the truth of the Heavenly Father.  Jesus faithfully gave His disciples the “words” that the Father had given him.  By what He said, by what he did, by how he lived among them He convinced them that He was sent from Father God.  His Words carried the truth of the Father. 

APPLICATION: Whose words flow from my mouth?  Can people identify the source of my life from the words I speak?  Some people I know are walking billboards for a certain football team, or a certain make of car.  May my love and devotion to Jesus also be easily seen.

When I meet a stranger, without giving my testimony, how long does it take before they realize that I do not see things as the world sees them.   How long does it take until Jesus is honored by something I say. 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, you were sent to guide me into all truth.  I pray that you would also guide me into only speaking truth.  Guide me to speaking truth in ways and with words that are easy to understand.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 14, 2024: SOAP #5368: Jeremiah 16-17; Psalm 96; John 16

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 16: 12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

OBSERVATION:  I hear Jesus saying that there is so much more that they need to know, but they are not ready to hear it.  There are important things they need to know, but His time for being with them is short; there is not enough time to tell them all they need to know. However, Jesus is not desperate.  There is a plan.

The plan is to send the Holy Spirit.  As the previous verses tell us, the Holy Spirit will bring Jesus words to our memory.  Jesus is not relying on the faulty memory of man, but on the omniscience of the Holy Spirit to remind them!   Wow!

The plan was to send the Holy Spirit.  As the following verses tell us, the Holy Spirit will “guide … into all truth.”  It does not matter that Jesus only had a few hours left with them, the Holy Spirit was coming!   It does not matter that their memories were unreliable, the Holy Spirit was coming!  It does not matter that they would feel abandoned for a short time, the Holy Spirit was coming!   It does not matter that they did not know everything, the Holy Spirit was coming!

APPLICATION:  The Same Holy Spirit that descended on Jesus when He was baptized is the Same Holy Spirit that came upon the early church and empowered them to carry out the commands of Jesus.  AND the Same Holy Spirit that was with the early church has continued with the church until today!  

Of course He speaks to us.  Of course He puts thoughts in our mind.  As we learn to submit ourselves to His leading, as we learn to discern the thoughts He brings to our mind, as we put those thoughts into action then God’s plan and actions are expressed in our world.  …and we get to be a part of it!!!   

PRAYER: Lord, I am blest to have the Holy Spirit living in me.  Fill me with His power and teach me to hear His voice.  I commit myself to follow His lead.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 13, 2024: SOAP #5367: Jeremiah 13-15; John 15

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 15:4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bar much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withes; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

OBSERVATION: Jesus had just told of this unique relationship they had with the Son and through the Son to the Father.  (John 14:20)   Now He speaks of their responsibility to maintain that relationship. There is no salvation apart from Jesus and His abiding in us is shown as dependent on one thing: our abiding in him!  Ed Cole tells men that it is much more difficult to maintain than to obtain. 

We obtain Christ by faith and on the basis of His completed work at Calvary.  We maintain that relationship by our daily walk of faith and obedience.  It is a constant, continuing, permanent relationship. 

APPLICATION:  Fruitfulness in the responsibility of every branch, but fruitfulness is impossible unless it remains attached to the vine.  So, it is with us.  We are to be fruitful.  We were created to be fruitful.  Yet the fruit God desires from our lives is impossible to bear unless we are attached!  Our continued connection to Him, our remaining in living relationship to Him—that is what makes us fruitful. 

There is no dividing line between a branch and the tree or vine.  There is no dividing wall.  And God living in us reaches out in my words and actions.  He expresses Himself through me. 

PRAYER:  Lord, the fruit you desire in my life is the expression of your life within.  May it be easy for you to use me as you desire.  Amen

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