Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 11, 2024: SOAP #5396: Daniel 1-2; Revelation 16

SCRIPTURE:  Daniel (NIV) 1:8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself in this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel…

OBSERVATION:  If you are able, let me encourage you to read the whole first chapter of Daniel.   You will be challenged at the courage of Daniel and his friends to make God’s word the guide for their lives instead of the king’s directives.    

Daniel was not unaware or unconcerned about the effect his resolution would have on others.  He suggested a way to prove whether he had heard from God. (Note verses 12-16)

You will be blessed to see how the God of heaven moved in the circumstances to honor their faith and obedience!   You will be encouraged to step out in faith to do what will honor God in your life.    

APPLICATION:  Now is the time for me to pick up the challenge to honor God over the wisdom of the world.  I am honoring the same God that Daniel honored.  My circumstances are different, but my God is the same!  

PRAYER: God of Daniel, you are my God too.  I can trust you to move in my circumstances as you did in Daniel’s circumstances.  Speak to me clearly.  Burn your will on my heart and in my mind.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 10, 2024: SOAP #5395: Lamentations 3-5; Revelation 15

(reworked from 2010) 

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 15:1 I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed.

OBSERVATION:   There is an end to God’s wrath, but we never read of an end to God’s mercy or grace!  Throughout eternity we will be celebrating His Great mercy and grace!  His mercy will be seen in that we are spared in not getting what we deserve.  His grace will be seen in that we are blessed in getting what we do not deserve.        

APPLICATION:   In eternity will better understand the depths of hell from which His mercy has saved me, and the heights of heaven to which His grace has lifted me.  But I do not have to wait until I get to heaven to appreciate God’s mercy and grace.   Every day I can see their expressions around me.

PRAYER:   Lord, thank you for your great mercy and grace!  May I never take them for granted.  They are so much more valuable to me today, not only in expressions to me, but also through me to others.  Make me more like You.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 9, 2024: SOAP #5394: Lamentations 1-2; Obadiah; Revelation 14

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 14:6 Then I saw another angel flying in mid-air, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people. 7 He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.”…
9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand, 10 he, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury… 11 And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. There is no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.”

OBSERVATION:  Worship is a key issue in the book of Revelation.  Everyone will worship one or the other.  There will be people who worship the One who is worthy, the One who created the heavens and the earth.  The beast will do signs and wonders and convince many that he is worthy of their worship but the scriptures are clear that those who worship him will experience God’s fury!        

APPLICATION:  God’s motivation is love.  He loves us and wants us to enjoy His holy habitation for eternity.  The beast, Satan, the anti-Christ’s motivation is not love, but hatred.  He does what he does because he hates God.  He does not love us, he uses us to hurt God by destroying something God made that has great potential—man. 

It is good to be aware of the motivations of people who want us to do something for them.  Do they really love us or are they using us to get at someone else. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you are holy and all you do is holy.  Your love is a holy love.  You are always, and always will be, worthy of my worship.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 8, 2024: SOAP #5393: Jeremiah 42-44; Psalm 48; Revelation 13

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 48:10 Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness. 11 Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments. 12 Walk about Zion, go round her, count her towers, 13 consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. 14 For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

OBSERVATION:   The psalmist is telling people to walk around the city of Zion (Jerusalem).  As they do, they should take note of the way it was built, of the battles that were fought to make that city their capital.  They should take note of the high points of the city’s history.  Then they should make sure the next generation understands what God has done in the past.  The God who helped them in the past, will always be their God.  He will always be with them to guide them and help them.

APPLICATION:  I need to make sure that the next generation can recall what God has done in the past.  But first, I need to make sure that my generation knows whhat God is doing today.  He has things to say to us today.  God is a speaker and He is speaking today as He has in ages past.  Among many other ways, God is using the SOAPs to speak to people. 

He is interested in what we are doing today.  Through miraculous provision God is providing for the SOAPs to be transmitted, printed, distributed to thousands.  This is what I can tell you that God is doing today. 

If you are going through tough times, be encouraged.  God is still moving among us; God is interested in what is happening; God is doing what only God can do.  Put your trust in God!  

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you are the holy and loving God of creation.  As you bring judgment on sin, remember those who love you and serve you. Remember those who have received the forgiveness provided by your Son, Jesus.  Remember those who have made Jesus the Lord of their lives.  Amen   

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 7, 2024: SOAP #5392: 2Kngs 25; 2Chron. 36; Jer. 40-41; Rev. 12

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God, day and night, has been hurled down.

OBSERVATION:   In this verse we get some insight on the work of our enemy, the devil.  He is a tattle-tale.  He brings up all the wrongs of God’s people.   He wants to make us look bad and make God disappointed in us.  He wants to convince God that the plan to create a body of people from the earth to rule and reign has failed.  He would like to prove that Jesus died for nothing, so he points out the failures of those for whom Jesus died.  Satan would like to make the death of Jesus seem as if it had no value.  But those who love Jesus and know the real value of His death want to live their lives showing the great value of Jesus’ death on the cross. 

Like the Moravian missionaries who had sold themselves into slavery in order to take the gospel to a slave island…  …as the boat was leaving family members that they would never see again, they shouted to those watching from shore “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward for His suffering!” 

APPLICATION:  I need to remember that when I sin, I am giving the devil opportunity to accuse me before God.  I want to be quick to seek God’s forgiveness, turn away from sin, and live in such a way that the devil has nothing to throw in God’s face.

And also I need to remember that when I am talking bad about my brothers and sisters I am helping the devil in his work!

PRAYER: Lord, today let my mouth be filled with praise for you and encouragement for others.  Let all see how much I value you and what you have done for me.   Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 6, 2024: SOAP #5391: Ezekiel 29-32; Revelation 11

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 11:13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 ¶ The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon. 15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshipped God,

OBSERVATION:   Let me draw your attention to the difference between what was happening on earth and what was happening in heaven.  The inhabitants of earth are reaping the rewards of evil.  Those on earth, who give glory to God, do so motivated by terror.  The inhabitants of heaven are enjoying the Presence of Almighty God.  Those in heaven, who give glory to God, do so motivated by honor and appreciation for this Perfectly Holy Being who is all powerful and in control. 

APPLICATION:  It is good to consider the differences between the Kingdom of Heaven and the kingdoms of this earth.  There are so many!  I am so blest to be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven!  I hope it is also obvious to others!  As we read the Gospels we can note what Jesus said about the kingdom of God.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for living in me and making me now a part of your kingdom.  May it be obvious to others that I consider myself honored and greatly blest to be a part of your kingdom.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 5, 2024: SOAP #5390: Ezekiel 25-28; Revelation 10

SCRIPTURE:  Ezekiel (NIV) 28:25 “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When I gather the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, I will show myself holy among them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob 26 They will live there in safety and will build houses and plant vineyards; they will live in safety when I inflict punishment on all their neighbors who maligned them. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.’”

OBSERVATION:   It is interesting to watch Israel.  In some ways it is like watching a favorite television series.  The main character is in great trouble and it seems there is no way out, BUT we all know that there will be another program next week and the main characters will all be present!  And so it is with Israel.  They are surrounded and it looks like everything is against them, but we can read what God has promised!  

APPLICATION:  I am so blest to know that the God of Israel is Leon’s God too!  He has made promises to me!   I see that He is the almighty, omnipotent Promise-Keeper!  I do not know how He will do it, but I that is His problem!   Everything I know about Him assures me that I can trust Him!  I do not use my mind to figure out how He is going to do it; I use my mind to remember what He has done for me in the past and to remember what He has said to me.  Knowing Him is the key to walking in hope and peace and victory.  Like Israel, I am not perfect, but God’s promises are based on His character and not mine!  

This SOAP ministry is the fulfillment of God’s promises to me as a young boy.  I was to be a missionary and go to other countries.  Knowing the He had a plan for my life, I was very careful to follow where He led me.  Then back in my home state, when it seemed my ministry life was winding down, God told me to write SOAPs.  Instead of “winding down,” God’s ministry was just “winding up!”  All the promises and dreams I had as a child of my future ministry have been fulfilled beyond my wildest dreams!  

Know, SOAP reader, that the God of Israel can be your God too!  Pray with me…

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know I am a sinner and need to be forgiven and cleansed of my sins in order to have a relationship with you.  Please forgive me and accept the payment of Your Son’s death as the payment for my sin.  Make my life your home.  Help me live a life that honors you.  May others know that you are the Lord, my God.  In Jesus Name, Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 4, 2024: SOAP #5389: Ezekiel 22-24; Revelation 9

(reworked from 2010)

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 9:20 The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshipping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk.
21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

OBSERVATION:   God had given Israel a history of His gracious works on their behalf, but they did not repent.  God had sent prophets to speak to them, warning them of the results of their sin, but they did not repent.  God had given them examples of how other nations had reaped the results of their sin, but they did not repent.  And here a third of mankind will be killed, yet the remaining will still not repent! 

What an amazing statement.  I think even God is surprised.  How powerful is evil that can hold onto a man, or a nation, even when it is obvious they should repent and call on God.     

APPLICATION:  God deals with me for my good and for His glory.  What does it take to get me to repent? 

When I see His goodness, I should be drawn to repent of any sin out of my love and appreciation for Him.  When I see His judgment on the world around me, I should be quick to repent.  When His hand of judgment comes to me, either because of the sin in the world in which I live or because of my own personal sin, I should be quick to repent. 

Like Nehemiah (1:6-7) I should pray as though the sins of the nation were my own.   And like the prophet Habakkuk (3:2) I can pray, “in wrath remember mercy.”  Because of His great love, God is quick to forgive and be merciful. 

PRAYER: Lord, I want to be quick to repent!  I acknowledge that your judgments are always right, yet I ask you to be quick to show mercy.     Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 3, 2024: SOAP #5388: Ezekiel 20-21; Psalm 111; Revelation 8

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

OBSERVATION:   Anyone who has some concept of the greatness of God’s power and His hatred of sin, they know it is wise to fear Him.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning; it is just a good starting place—but there is so much more. 

Knowing that God is holy and that I have broken His laws (I have even broken my own laws of right and wrong) should cause me to fear Him.  But knowing His interest in man and His promises, especially that He sent His Son, Jesus to die for my sin gives me assurance of His love!!!  He forgives!!!  He makes my life His home!!! 

As I follow His directives, my understanding increases.  My understanding of life, of who I am, of why I am here, of suffering, of tribulation, and so many other things begin to logically find their place in the way I think. 

APPLICATION:  I want to grow in my knowledge of God and understanding of the world into which He placed me.  I believe God knows what is happening and has a plan for this world and for me.  The more I understand about His wisdom and love, the more I can trust Him with matters that I do not understand.  It just makes so much sense!

PRAYER:  Lord, it is my great honor to have you living in me.  It is my joy to serve you.  The more I know you, my faith in you increases and the more logical it is to trust you with things I do not understand.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 2, 2024: SOAP #5387: Ezekiel 17-19; Revelation 7

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 7:13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes— who are they, and where did they come from?” 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

OBSERVATION:   The Lamb will be their shepherd!  Jesus is the only One who could be both the Lamb and the Shepherd.   Jesus had been introduced by John the Baptist as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. (John 1) Jesus claimed to be the Good Shepherd who gives his life for his sheep.  (John 10)

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us windows in the scriptures through which we can see into eternity. What a difference!  We trust you to reward those who have been mistreated, to honor those who have been ridiculed, and to comfort those who have been heartbroken. Amen.

Those who have endured tribulation during their life on earth, will find things very different during their life in heaven.  At times life can seem very unfair.  Some people seem to never get a break.  As they are coming out of one struggle, they find another one waiting.  But a day is coming … 

APPLICATION:   … a day is coming when God will set things right.  For those who have had their sins forgiven based on Jesus’ death, they can smile through the troubles of this life.  They can walk in confidence that a better time awaits.  Death may stop the suffering of this life, but it does not stop the promises of God!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us windows in the scriptures through which we can see into eternity. What a difference!  We trust you to reward those who have been mistreated, to honor those who have been ridiculed, and to comfort those who have been heartbroken. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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