Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 01, 2025: SOAP #5508: January 1:  Genesis 1-2; Luke 1

SCRIPTURE:   Luke (NIV) 1:1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word.
3. Therefore, since I, myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

OBSERVATION:   Here Luke gives his reason for writing what we call the gospel of Luke.  He knew there were may who knew the life of Jesus, and people were always talking.  Stories would get changed and soon people would not know what to believe.  So Doctor Luke “carefully investigated everything” before making a written document that could be trusted. 

APPLICATION:   The basis of Christianity is a personal relationship that each believer has with Jesus.  More than knowing about Jesus, or reading about, or hearing about Jesus, we know Him.  He takes up residence in our life. 

Our experiences all differ, for we are all different people.  It is the written Word that gives us a basis for our faith.  In using the Scriptures to increase our faith in what we are feeling, or thinking, we have Luke’s purpose in writing—we have certainty.  The word either corrects what we think we know, or builds our confidence in trusting Jesus.   The Holy Spirit uses the Word to keep us moving ahead in loving Jesus. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, use the written Word to put certainty and confidence in our lives.  Build our faith as we consider what is happening in our lives and in the world around us.  Anoint our pastors and teachers (and parents) to make the scriptures understandable.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 31, 2024: SOAP #5507: Revelation 19-22

SCRIPTURE:   Revelation (NIV) 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

OBSERVATION:   Only five verses from the end of the Bible and God makes a clear invitation to all who read or hear the scriptures. 

In case a reader has missed the many invitations to participate in God’s great plan and enjoy the presence of Almighty God living in their life, God puts one more invitation here in the final verses of the Bible. 

The “water of life” is a very costly gift, but to us it is offered free.  Jesus paid the cost by dying for our sins on the cross. 

APPLICATION:   It is an invitation to whoever is thirsty.  …to those who feel that life has not satisfied them.  …to those looking for a life with purpose and reason. 

The “water of life” is offered, but we must “take” it.  We acknowledge that we have sinned and receive His forgiveness.  We take it by simply believing it and saying, “Thank you!”  So simple, yet so life changing! 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, as you are stirring in my heart as I write this SOAP, stir in the heart of each reader.  May each reader have the joy of starting a new year assured that you are with them, sharing their portion of life, and at the same time sharing your life with them.  May each reader rejoice in your presence.  You are with us!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 28, 2024: SOAP #5504: Revelation 15-18

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 18:4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues. 5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.

OBSERVATION:   God remembered the crimes of this city and He is preparing to send judgment.  But God also remembers His people.  He will spare them.  He calls them out.  He will save them from the coming judgment. 

As a holy God, He cannot ignore the sins, and as a loving God he cannot withhold mercy from those who are His people. 

APPLICATION:   Since all have sinned and come short of the glory makes His people different from all the others?  Why can they escape judgment?  It is because their sins have already been judged.  They were judged as deserving death and their sins are covered by the blood of Jesus death on the cross.  They had judged themselves guilty and confessed their sins.  They had received Jesus’ death as the payment for their sins; they  have been forgiven!

Jesus death on the cross is still available to cover the sins of anyone who will receive Him as their Lord and Savior.  (Romans 6:24-26)  Pray with me now…

PRAYER:  Lord, I confess that I have sinned and deserve judgment.  I believe that you lived a sinless life and your death can be accepted as the payment for my sins.  Please forgive my sins and take your rightful place in my life as LORD.  Come and live in my heart.  Make my life your home.  With a humble and grateful heart I receive you now as my Savior and Lord.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Note: for those who prayed this prayer for the first time, here are some thoughts that may be a blessing to you.  Just as our physical life needs daily feeding and care, so it is that our spiritual life grows with daily attention.  Four things:  1.  Read the Bible every day, or what portion you have of the scriptures; talk with the Lord as you read His word.   2. Pray every day; talk with the Lord.  Praise Him and tell Him your challenges and troubles.  3.  Actively listen for what He will say to you.  4. Meet with other believers.  You might start with the person who gave you this SOAP. 

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 29, 2024: SOAP #5505: Revelation 10-14

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell on their faces, and worshipped God, 17 Saying, We give you thanks, O LORD God Almighty, which are, and were, and are to come; because you have taken to you your great power, and have reigned.

OBSERVATION:   Here we see a coordination between the activities on earth and the activities in heaven.  As I meditated on that thought, I realized that the whole Bible reveals this coordination.  What happens in heaven affects what happens on earth.  And what happens on earth affects what happens in heaven. 

Throughout history, the activities of heaven and earth flow together toward a destiny with God’s prophetic word.  Heaven and earth are welded together to fulfill the plan of God. Having just finished the Christmas season we heard of the angels appearing to the shepherds and the star that guided the magi to the Christ child. 

APPLICATION:   Obviously the amassing of sin on earth brings God’s judgment from heaven.  But it is also obvious that the obedience and the prayers of God’s people are effective in changing and postponing coming judgment.  I need to live and pray like needed changes depend on me. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I need you to guide me in praying.  Pray through me.  Keep me aware of how the Heavenly Father sees my circumstances. Help me to see things as He sees them.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 28, 2024: SOAP #5504: Revelation 5-9

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 5:1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll…
2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 
3 But no-one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.  
4 I wept and wept…
5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb…
9 And they sang a new song (to the Lamb): “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

OBSERVATION:   THE QUESTION:  Who is worthy to break the seals? 
THE ANSWER:  No one in heaven or earth!
I AM PUZZLED:  Why cannot the one sitting on the throne who is holding the scroll open its seals?  Surely He is worthy!   No, not even He!
THE RESPONSE:  Great sorrow    
THE COMFORT:  There is one, the Lamb!
THE SECOND QUESTION:  Why is He worthy?
THE ANSWER:  Jesus is the only one who was born without sin;  who was tempted in every way as all men, yet who never committed any sin, still He  was killed as though He had sinned; now His innocent blood is sufficient payment for sins of those who receive Him as their Savior and Lord!

APPLICATION:   Have you put your trust in the Lord and asked His forgiveness for your sins?  He will forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness!      

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, Make these truths come alive in my life.  Lord, as you promised in 1John 1:9, forgive and cleanse me.  May your presence be my assurance that all is right between us.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer ,
December 27, 2024: SOAP #5503: Revelation 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 1:1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, …
4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne,

OBSERVATION:   The revelation God gave to John, was not because John was so special that he would know things that no one else could know.  It was given to him so that he could pass it on, “to show his servants…”  It was not just for John; John was to pass along to others; so he identifies himself: “John,”  and tells to whom he is writing: “To the seven churches in the province of Asia.”

As we consider all the major characters in the Bible, people singled out by God to receive His special consideration, we must come to the conclusion that God was not just working in them, but THROUGH them.  Consider the Virgin Mary!  

APPLICATION:   I believe that it is not just the major Bible characters to which God was speaking to and working in for the benefit of others.  I believe God is still working in that way today.  

God has two expectations from us for what He tells us and what He does for us.  First He expects to receive thanks and praise from us.  And second, He expects us to tell others that He is working TODAY!!! 

PRAYER:  Lord, we take inspiration from the scriptures of what you did in Bible days, but we grow in faith as we see and hear of what you are doing today.  You are God today!  You are my God just as you were the God of Moses and of Mary.  Find me faithful to TELL OTHERS that you are interested in today and what you are doing today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 26, 2024: SOAP #5502: Psalm 117; 119:81-176; 2John; 3John

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 117:1 Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.
2 For great is his love towards us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures for ever. Praise the LORD.

OBSERVATION:   Everyone should praise and extol the LORD!  He is worthy of our most profound thoughts.  I do not believe that anyone has fully reached their zenith in praising our Creator God, in praising our Sacrifice God, in praising our ever-present God! 

His love is great.  He never says, you used up all my love yesterday. 

His faithfulness is beyond our comprehension and endures forever. He is faithful to Himself.  He is faithful to His holiness.  The wages of sin has always been death, and will always be death.  He is faithful to His word.  The better we know His word, the better we will understand His ways. 

APPLICATION:   Be extravagant in praise.  Make His praise glorious.  Attempt new expressions of praise.  Attempt to speak of that which is beyond description. Sing your own words to your favorite praise chorus.  Look around for things for which you have not thanked God.  Tell Him how valuable they are to you and your family.  Look for new things accomplished with, or in, water and thank Him for water. 

PRAYER:  Lord, no one can measure your worth.  You are ever worthy of my praise.  Your acceptance, forgiveness, and promises are my greatest possessions.  Your constant presence is my greatest confidence booster.  I am what I am because you are who you are.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 25, 2024: SOAP #5501: 1John 1-5

SCRIPTURE:  1John (NIV) 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked on, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 g life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.

OBSERVATION:   It is interesting to note how differently the four gospels present the birth of Jesus.  Matthew wrote of the birth of Jesus with a short statement followed by the visit of the Magi.  Mark passes over any mention of the birth other than to say that John the Baptist announced His coming.  Luke, the Gentile doctor gives the most detail of the place and the night Jesus was born including the visit of the shepherds.  Finally John simply says:  “The word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.  We have seen His glory…”  (John 1:14)   Above in John’s letter to the church, he says: “The life appeared; we have seen it…”   What they saw made it obvious who Jesus was!  

APPLICATION:   I make the claim that Jesus lives in me.  Now the question is: can He be seen?   Is it clear that Jesus lives in me?  Do my words and actions make His presence obvious to others? 

PRAYER:  Lord, today my gift to you is the celebration of your birth in both my words and my actions.  May they be proof of your Presence.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Christmas greetings to all.  May the Lord’s Presence fill your hearts and homes.  I pray that the SOAPs are used by the Holy Spirit to plant thoughts in your heart.  May it be clear to all who see and know you that you are HIS child.  Amen

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 24,  2024: SOAP #5500: John 19-21

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 19:1 Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2 The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3 and went up to him again and again, saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” And they struck him in the face. 4 Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”

OBSERVATION:  Pilate had just declared that he found no fault in Jesus, yet he had Jesus flogged!  (Note: John (NIV) 18:38 “What is truth?” Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.)

There was no justice for Jesus, even from those who saw that he was innocent and had the power to protect that innocence.

But in reality, justice was being carried out.  Jesus was guilty, not because He had sinned, but because I had sinned; He suffered and died for my sinful actions and my guilt!   It was necessary that Jesus be declared innocent; His death clearly did not pay for His sins; His death covers my sins. 

APPLICATION:   Oh, how important it is for us that the judge, that Pilate declared Jesus innocent.  And even more important that the JUDGE, the Almighty Holy One in heaven saw His innocence and now applies His death to cover my sins, to pay my sin debt!  

PRAYER:  Lord, you were innocent and declared guiltless, yet you willingly suffered and gave your life, taking my place, suffering what I deserved.  In these days, as we celebrate your birth, may I remember why you came.  My life is such a small gift in relation to the gift you have given me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 23,  2024: SOAP #5499: John 15-18

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 bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

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. 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!

APPLICATION:  Fruitfulness in the responsibility of every branch, but fruitfulness is impossible unless the branch 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!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, it is such an honor in being a part of your plan.  Thank you for sending Jesus to make the perfect sacrifice by dying for my sins.  May my life be fruitful and bring you much glory.  May I be faithful where I m attached.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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