Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 9, 2025: SOAP #5547:  Leviticus 10-12; Acts 16

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 16:33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptised. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.

OBSERVATION:   The jailer had been ordered to “carefully guard” Paul and Silas who had just been “stripped and beaten.”  He placed them in an inner cell and fastened their feet in stocks.  Their circumstances were not conducive to sleeping, so at midnight they were “praying and singing hymns to God.”  The prisoners all heard, but they could do nothing about it.  But the prisoners were not the only ones who heard—heaven heard!  And a violent earthquake shook everyone’s chains loose!  The jailer, thinking everyone had escaped, was going to kill himself, when Paul stopped him, telling him everyone was present. 

Immediately there was a change in the jailer.  He had put them in prison, now he invited them into his house.  He had put them in stocks, now he washed the wounds from the beating.  Now, he set a meal before them!  Now he, and his house, were filled with joy!  

APPLICATION:   Surely, Paul and Silas must have shared a part of the jailer’s joy.  But I must not miss the fact that the joy in the jailer’s heart, was preceded by the expressions of joy in Paul and Silas while still in stocks in prison.  The jailer’s new joy caused all of heaven to rejoice.  But the joy of Paul and Silas caused heaven to shake earth!  

No wonder Paul wrote, “Rejoice in the Lord! …and again I say, Rejoice.”  Philippians 3:1 and 4:4

PRAYER:  Lord, may my rejoicing as I experience the troubles of this life, shake the earth around me.  May my words of praise be a sign to the devil that I belong to the Lord!   May my conversations with others contain the declaration that my God is trustworthy and all powerful.  May my faith effect all areas of my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 8, 2025: SOAP #5546:  Leviticus 7-9; Acts 15

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 15:36 Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

OBSERVATION:   During Paul’s first missionary journey, he and Barnabas evangelized and planted churches.  Now as they prepare for a second journey, Paul and Silas have the emphasis of lets “see how they are doing…” and on “strengthening the churches.” 

APPLICATION:  I like to consider that Bishop Emmanuel and Pastor Andrew are today on a missionary journey.  In the past, SOAPs have been used in leadership conferences, but Bishop Emmanuel’s goal is to have SOAP Conferences.  The response has exceeded expectations, so he has asked Pastor Andrew to join him.  The emphasis is on teaching churches how to use SOAPs in discipleship and evangelism. 

Their presence and their ministry will bring growth to the churches in West Africa and some nations in East Africa, but mostly to the Kingdom of God!  

PRAYER:   Lord, we pray for this outreach of your SOAP ministry.  Use it for your glory.  And use me to spread your message in my area.  May a small spark from a SOAP start a fire in me, then in those around me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 7, 2025: SOAP #5545:  Leviticus 4-6; Acts 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.

OBSERVATION:   We should never consider our assignment complete until we have reported back to those who sent us. 

APPLICATION:  (Reporting back to those who prayed and gave.) Not too long ago, I sent a report to SOAP readers about Bishop Emmanuel’s (from Liberia) vision to visit all 17 West African Nations and 5 East African nations with SOAP conferences.  In the past the SOAPs were an added part to various Pastor and church worker conferences.  Bishop Emmanuel’s vision was to have conferences specifically for SOAPs to show how they can be used in discipleship and evangelism. 

The two conferences in Nigeria were attended by 8,700 people.  Over 170 Bishops and Pastors told him they would be getting computers and printers immediately to start receiving the SOAPs.  Then in Ghana for two days of conferences with 570 pastors and leaders in an Assembly of God church.  When they left Ghana, there was a team of 250 ready to work with SOAP.  The note I received 2/2/25 came from Togo. 

The response has far exceeded Bishop’s expectations and he asked if Pastor Andrew would be able to join him for the remaining tour.  A believer in Liberia has given $1,200 toward the $2,350 needed for transportation.  If I could help with $1,200.
When I first sent out the plan, people sent offerings, actually more than was needed!  I was not sure what I should do—that is until I received that note from Bishop Emmanuel.  There was enough to finish the amount for travel, plus some to help Pastor Andrew’s family while he is away. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I did not know what was needed, but you did.  You provided enough to cover the immediate need and what would be needed the next week!   It is just another proof that this is your ministry.  You have remained faithful through these 15 years.  You were faithful when the need was some money for paper and ink, and You are faithful today.  May the SOAP readers be encouraged to trust you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 6, 2025: SOAP #5544:  Leviticus 1-3: Acts 13

SCRIPTURE:  Leviticus (NIV) 1:3 “‘If the offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer a male without defect. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting so that it will be acceptable to the LORD. 4 He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him.

Acts (NIV) 13:37 But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. 38 “Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.

OBSERVATION:   In the Old Testament a believer had to bring an offering for his own sins.  It had to be a perfect offering to be acceptable to the LORD.  But an animal sacrifice could never make complete atonement for man’s sins.  For complete forgiveness, the sacrifice needed to be made of human blood and by someone who was not born under sin and had never sinned!  Sinless blood would be required to make someone justified (just as if they had never sinned!) 

APPLICATION:  Jesus was introduced to the world as the “Lamb of God.”  He was virgin born, impregnated by the Holy Spirit.  He had sinless blood.  AND He lived life without sinning!   He was the only One not deserving of death, yet He died, and His blood is now applied to the account of every sinner who repents and receives Jesus as the Lord of their life!  

PRAYER:  Thank you, Jesus!  I am free from the penalty of my sins.  I am forgiven!  Now I am a child of God and enjoy the blessings now of a relationship with you as my Lord and Savior.  And I will enjoy the eternal blessings that await in heaven with you!  I want to love and serve you with all my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 5, 2025: SOAP #5543:  Exodus 39-40; Psalm 15; Acts 12

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 12:6 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:   How often we see in the Bible that as people obeyed, the deliverance was affected.  Jesus told the ten lepers to go show themselves to the priest and as they went, they were healed.  The man healed at the Gate Beautiful was helped to his feet by Peter, and he then went jumping and running through the temple.  I picture the same thing here.  Peter was asleep.  He was probably startled by the appearance of the angel and the bright light.  He probably jumped at the command to “get up.”  I picture that as he was quickly getting on his feet, maybe not even totally awake, the chains fell off.  He probably did not have time to realize where he was, or why he could not jump up without disturbing the two guards sleeping beside him.

“Quick, get up!” and as he did, he was free! 

APPLICATION:   May I be as quick to respond to my Lord’s commands.

PRAYER:  Lord, you are the creator of the heavens and earth.  Nothing is hidden from your oversight.  When you give me a command, there is nothing I can add to your thought process that will better inform you.  There is no need to discuss the possible reactions that others may have.  There is nothing to do but to trust and obey.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 4, 2025: SOAP #5542:  Exodus 37-38; Psalm 19; Acts 11

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 19:9 …The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

OBSERVATION:   David, the author of this psalm, had a high opinion of God’s laws.  They are trustworthy, right, extremely valuable, pleasant, and very worth the effort to pay attention and keep.  God’s laws were important to David because God was important to David.               

APPLICATION:  How important is God to me?  My value of God can be easily seen in my value of His word.  If He is important to me, then His word is important to me.  If His word is not very important to me, then He is not very important to me.   What keeps me from looking into His word? 

Let me encourage you to start writing out SOAP devotionals.  The application forces us to consider the personal aspect of God’s Word!   We ask ourselves questions like…  Why is this important to me?  What does God want me to in this verse?  What should I do differently today because I read this verse?

Writing SOAPs puts you in the scriptures and the scriptures in you! 

PRAYER:   Lord, when I take time to think things through, when I take time and make the effort to write out my thoughts, some things become very simple and very clear.  How I value You can be seen in how I value the Bible, Your Word!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 3, 2025: SOAP #5541:  Exodus 35-36; Acts 10

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 10:33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” 34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism…
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

OBSERVATION:   People were gathered in Cornelius’ house to hear what God “had commanded Peter to tell them.”  Only one problem, God had not given Peter a special message for this unique congregation of Gentiles/non-Jews.  Peter did not have time to go through his sermons to choose the one most appropriate.  Peter did not have sermon notes in his briefcase. 

Peter just “began to speak.”  And the One who had made it clear to Peter to go to Cornelius’ house, began to speak through Peter.   Peter was just being obedient.  Peter was not prepared; he did not even know how to prepare. 

The Holy Spirit interrupted Peter’s speaking and filled everyone who was listening so full that other languages began to flow out of their mouth.  It was the same thing that happened on the day of Pentecost to the Jewish believers!    (Acts 2)

APPLICATION:  It is so important that we understand how God works.  We do not need to be experts or be great orators.  We only need to be obedient!  God will do what God wants to do, we only need to be obedient.  Peter could not fill the Gentiles with the Holy Spirit, but Peter could open his mouth and speak!  

PRAYER:   Lord, I want to be obedient and do what you give me to do.  You will use my faithfulness to do my little part, and through it you will be faithful to do Your Big Part!   My little part opens the door for you to do far more than I could ever dream!  Through these little SOAPs, you have spoken into the lives of many people.  I am humbled.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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