Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 22, 2024: SOAP #5437:  Job 11-12; Acts 15-16

SCRIPTURE: Acts NIV) 16:12 From there we travelled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days. 13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshipper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

OBSERVATION: Through a dream, Paul and those traveling with him had been directed by the Holy Spirit to the province of Macedonia. There probably was no synagogue in the city of Philippi, so they looked by the river for a place where Jews would gather for prayer. The water would be readily available for their ceremonial washing. It might have been a house used for prayers, or just an open-air place with or without a roof. From the few women gathered grew the church to which Paul wrote the letter we have in our Bible—Philippians. church.  We do not go to church; we are the church!  Let’s act like the church. Let’s do what the church does.  Let’s expect the Holy Spirit to work through us wherever we are!

APPLICATION:  I am so glad the church is NOT A BUILDING! The church is people who have Jesus living in their hearts. The church may have regular scheduled times of gathering, but the church meets anytime two believers meet. It may be in a grocery store, at the market, at the post office or gas station. It may be in a hospital around a sick friend.

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, thank you for moving through us in times when we are gathered as the church.  But, also move through us in times and places where we would not normally expect you to do so. Keep reminding we that I are the church wherever we are and whatever we may be doing. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 21, 2024: SOAP #5436:  Job 9-10; Acts 13-14

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 14:26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 27 On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

OBSERVATION:   We need to be careful to report back to people who have a part in our ministry. This would include the authority which sent us out.  This would include people who have helped carry the financial burden of the ministry.  This would include those who have agreed to pray for our ministry.  Reporting back should be a common thing for grateful people.  It is giving honor where honor is due.  (Romans 13:7)

APPLICATION:  If we really love people, we should want them to know what their prayers and gifts have accomplished.  It gives them opportunity to give praise to God.  It makes them feel like they have a part in the victories.    

PRAYER:  Lord, may it be easy for me to give thanks and honor where it is due.  Holy Spirit keep me aware of this debt.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 20, 2024: SOAP #5435:  Job 6-8; Acts 12

SCRIPTURE:  (NIV) 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him.

OBSERVATION:    Peter was in jail.  Sentries at his cell door.  Sleeping between two soldiers, chained with two chains.  Rome had done everything within its power to make sure Peter would be present to meet Herod in the morning. 

BUT GOD did something within His power to make sure Peter would not be meeting with Herod!  

Knowing that Herod had put the Apostle James to death recently might have cause Peter to sleep lightly, but Peter was so sound asleep that the presence of the angel did not wake him.  The angel had to strike Peter on his side to wake him up!

APPLICATION:  When I am in the center of God’s will, and I know that I have been obedient to Him, I can trust Him for the outcome.  I too can sleep. 

God’s wisdom is far greater than mine.  It is wisdom on my part to closely follow and obey Him.  Then it is wisdom on my part to trust Him to work out the problems.  It is wisdom not to run ahead of Him nor to lag behind Him.  If He seems to be moving slow, trust Him.  It is not wise to run ahead of Him. 

PRAYER:  Lord, it is good to wait on you to send me; you wait with me.  It is good to go where you send me; you go with me.  It is good to arrive when you arrive, because you are already there and you have made the necessary preparations for what you want me to do.  Lord, it is good to be on your team and a part of your ministry.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Speaking Some More!

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 10:19 While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. 20 So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”

OBSERVATION:    Here again we see the Holy Spirit speaking.  Peter had just seen a vision of unclean animals that he was told to kill and eat.  The sheet containing the animals came down from heaven and Peter was told not to call anything unclean that God has made clean.  God was preparing Peter to minister to people Peter thought were unclean, to the Gentiles. 

There was not time for a study of the scriptures, but Peter needed to know that he was to go with the people about to knock on the door.    

APPLICATION:  Everyone desiring to live close to God will face situations like this.  Should I do this, or should I not do this?  My day is planned to go to the market, but God needs me to visit someone who is sick.  I cannot find a scripture that specifically tells me what to do, but the Holy Spirit can speak to my heart about immediate choices that I need to make. 

I need to quickly learn the anticipation and joy of His approval AND the concern and uneasy feeling when I recognize His disapproval. 

PRAYER:  Lord, you have brought so much joy into my life.  May my life be used to bring joy into your life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Testimonies: Personal note: I have now finished my third radiation treatment for prostate cancer.  Each one lasts about 15 minutes, and I have experienced no side effects.  I will probably have some in two or three weeks.  I appreciate your prayers.  I know that I am with God in this, and He will be glorified.   
Sierra Leone:  My heart rejoices in how He is using the SOAPs in Sierra Leone.  Last month, through a miraculous healing, God opened a door for SOAPs to go into an area previously closed.  An introduction to Christianity class has been going for several weeks.  It is an amazing reason to rejoice!   And about 10 days ago on a trip to visit the sick father of a key SOAP leader, opportunity was given to Pastor Andrew to preach and share about the SOAPs.  The following day leaders from about 20 churches met together, they raised money to install 25 computer/printer stations, and now they have teams going out to distribute the SOAPs throughout the city and area!!! 

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 18, 2024: SOAP #5433:  Job 3-4; Acts 8-9

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 8:26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27  So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch… 29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” 30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet.

OBSERVATION:   How the “angel of the Lord” appeared to Philip, we are not told.  But by Philip’s immediate obedience, we understand that he recognized this was a messenger from the Lord. 

Then when Philip met the Ethiopian, the Spirit spoke to Philip again. We do not know if it was in an audible voice, or through a strong impression in his heart and mind.  But however it was, Philip recognized it as God speaking to him; he obeyed.  In the other parts of this passage, Philip just did what he knew was the right thing to do.  The results are the proof that God was speaking to Philip!  

APPLICATION:  God still speaks to us today.  The most important way is through His Word.  The Scriptures set the boundaries.  God will never lead us contrary to His revealed Word.  But there are many things that are important for which we need guidance—things not mentioned in the Bible.    

Philip would not find in the scriptures that he should go south to the road to Gaza.  And he would not find a scripture telling him to be close to the chariot.  But those were important parts of what God wanted to happen.  Once abord the chariot, Philip was in familiar territory; the Ethiopian was reading from Isaiah!  

Many times God leads me with a strong inclination or drawing my attention to something that looks unique.  Many SOAPs have been written following those feelings.  Once into writing the SOAP, God shows me something specific He wants me to emphasize. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, make me sensitive to what you speak to me.  May you be glorified by the results of my obedience.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 17, 2024: SOAP #5432:  Job 1-2; Acts 6-7

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 6:7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. 9 Opposition arose, however, from members of the Synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called)—Jews of Cyrene and Alexandria as well as the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. These men began to argue with Stephen, 10 but they could not stand up against his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke.

OBSERVATION:   A wonderful thing was happening in Jerusalem.  Many people were becoming followers of Jesus, even many priests.  God’s Holy Spirit was using Stephen to minister healing and hope to hurting people. 

But as often the case, when God is moving, His enemy, Satan, also starts working.  He opposes, finds fault, criticizes, sows doubt, etc.  Satan’s work had great effect, even brought about the stoning death of Stephen.  BUT someone was watching Stephen and how he died—Saul, who later became the Apostle Paul who wrote much of the New Testament!!!   (Acts 7:1) 

Satan can oppose God, BUT he cannot stop God!  

APPLICATION:  Experiencing the peace and joy salvation brings, growing in my understanding of who Jesus is and what He has done for me, and having the Holy Spirit guiding my daily life—these all work together to establish and strengthen my commitment to Jesus!    He has given me eternal life which does not stop at my physical death; and the promises He has made me of life in heaven make me know that it is well worth any struggle in this life to make it to heaven!

PRAYER:  I like to sing a song I remember my dad singing: “It will be worth it all—when we see Jesus. Life’s trials will seem so small—when we see Christ.  One glimpse of His dear face—all sorrow will erase.  So bravely run the race—till we see Christ!” (author: unknown)  Lord, help me overcome opposition. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 16, 2024: SOAP #5431:  Malachi 3-4; Psalm 148; Acts 5

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 5:40 …They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and let them go. 41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
Acts (NIV) 20:20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.

OBSERVATION:    The persecution of the Jewish Religious leaders did not stop the spread of the gospel.  Rather, it worked to increase its spread!   People who had found Jesus to be the Messiah and had invited Him to live in their lives were committed to Jesus.  Living for Jesus had become a daily way of life. 

They were Jews, so the temple had always been a major part of their religious life, and it still was.  But now their love for Jesus was expanding in their homes. 

APPLICATION:  The presence of Jesus in my life brings changes.  One big change is that I want to know Him better; I want to know more about Him.  What He thinks and what He has said become important to me.  I am drawn to people who can teach me more.   What a privilege to have someone visit my home to teach and proclaim the truth of Jesus! 

Another change brought by the presence of the Spirit of God—He makes me more aware of the people around me.  He speaks to my heart about what I can do to reach them for Jesus.   He shows me some way to be an expression of God’s love to them.  It is often something simple, but He makes it fit their need. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, make me like Jesus.  Reach out through me to my neighbors, my school, my work, my city.  When they see the changes you have made in my life, may they want to commit their lives to Jesus too.  In His Name I pray,  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Personal thoughts:  The time has come to begin the radiation treatments for the prostate cancer.  God has promised me that He would heal someone who touches me to help me.  The treatments will be daily except for Saturday and Sundays, for 28 treatment days.  Please pray for God to be glorified in me.  Thank you for the times you have already lifted my name before the throne of grace.  😊 

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 15, 2024: SOAP #5430:  Nehemiah 13; Malachi 1-2; Acts 4

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 4:18 Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. 20 For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

OBSERVATION:    A crippled man had been healed and Peter and John were giving all the glory to Jesus.  Many people were responding to their preaching and the Jewish religious leaders did not like it.  They called them in and commanded them not to “speak or teach” in the name of Jesus. 

But for Peter and John, Jesus was the best thing that had ever happened to them!  They had even seen Him crucified and then seen Him after the resurrection!  Jesus had promised to send the Holy Spirit and they had received that promise.  Now the Holy Spirit was moving through them in the same way He moved through Jesus! 

What was demanded of them was totally illogical!!!  How could they not talk about Jesus!   How could they not give Him credit for what was done in His name! 

APPLICATION:  When we realize that our sins are forgiven, and Jesus through His Holy Spirit now lives in us—how can we not tell others. The joy and peace of His Presence floods our being.  Even if we do not use words, they will see it on our face or in our reactions to what happens around us.  They begin to ask what has happened. They see the change. 

Like Peter and John, we cannot help declaring, by word and by deed, the wonderful things that God has done for us!  

PRAYER:  Lord, let others see and hear what you have done for me.  May my praise overflow from my heart.  May my actions show that you are my Lord and ruling my life.  May your peace and joy be evidence of your Presence.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 14, 2024: SOAP #5429:  Nehemiah 11-12; Psalm 1; Acts 3

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 3:2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money….6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

OBSERVATION:  Peter and John were disciples of Jesus.  They had seen Him do many miracles.  Jesus had returned to heaven, but He had sent the Holy Spirit to be with them.  When this crippled man asked them for money, I believe the Holy Spirit in them spoke to them that this was an opportunity to do what Jesus would have done.  They did not have money, but they had something better than money! 

They had been with Jesus!  Jesus had sent the Holy Spirit to be with them, continually!  The Holy Spirit was with them every hour of every day.  And they had been commanded to use the Name of Jesus to do the works of Jesus! YES they had something better than silver or gold!   

APPLICATION:  We too have been commanded to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every person.  We too have the promise and reality of the Holy Spirit being with us.  We too have the privilege of speaking and praying in the name of Jesus!

PRAYER:  Jesus, when we received your salvation and invited you to be the Lord of our lives, you sent your Holy Spirit to be in us.  Like in Acts 2, fill us with power and anoint us with the Holy Spirit to carry on Your ministry in our world.  May you be glorified in and through our lives.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 13, 2024: SOAP #5428:  Nehemiah 9-10; Acts 2 

(reworked from earlier)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 2:1 [This is what happened] When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 ALL OF THEM were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. …
38 [This is how Peter closed his sermon] Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for ALL who are far off—for ALL whom the Lord our God will call.”

OBSERVATION:  The same Holy Spirit that empowered Jesus while living as the Son of Man, is the same Holy Spirit that came upon the early church as described above.  And it is the same Holy Spirit promised to ALL who are “far off”—that includes today, and that includes me!  2000 years later and 6,700 miles away, the Holy Spirit is the same!    

APPLICATION:  Jesus, as the Son of Man limited Himself to being in one place at a time.  He died on one cross and rose from one grave.  When He ascended to heaven, He promised to send the omnipresent Holy Spirit! 

This is so much better.  Jesus was with His disciples in the area around Jerusalem.  The Holy Spirit is with all believers, including SOAP readers, in Southeast Asia, in Africa, and it the United States. He is with us anywhere in the world.  He makes the Word alive in our hearts and lives!  

PRAYER:  Jesus fill me anew with the Holy Spirit.  Fill SOAP readers with your Holy Spirit.  Keep us full!  Holy Spirit, work through us like you did through Jesus.  May our words and actions glorify Jesus.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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