Monthly Archives: May 2025

No Longer Motivated by Fear!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 12, 2025: SOAP #5639:  2Samuel 21-23; 1Thessalonians 1

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 1:2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

OBSERVATION:   What Paul says in this verse 4 is something of which he is confident. This is something that is obvious to him.

He addresses them as “brothers loved by God.”  What greater blessing can there be in the whole earth than to be loved by God.  It means that God is benevolently inclined to me.  It means that He intends me good.  It means that he will go to any length for my good, which is obviously proved by Calvery!  Knowing that God loves me is a thought to make any day a good day!

APPLICATION:   What is this of which Paul is so certain?  It is that they were chosen of God.  They had received Jesus, God Son, as their Lord and Savior.  God had looked them over and chose them.  God had seen that they were created in His image and now had His Son living within them.  God could not refuse His Son!  They had potential for special communion with Him.  How special it is to be chosen!

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, may every thought I think, every word I speak, and every action I make be a proper response to this truth—that my Heavenly Father is for me and loves me.  As His child, I do not respond out of fear for what He might do to me, but out of love because of what He already did for me.  He sent His Son to die for my sins!!!  His Son now lives within me.  Now I serve Him because I love Him. I am responding to His great love for me.  Holy Spirit, help me live my life in a way that brings joy to my Heavenly Father’s heart!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Jesus ALONE is Lord!!!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 11, 2025: SOAP #5638:  2Samuel 19, 20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

OBSERVATION:   Jesus was preparing to leave his disciples.  He makes a simple statement: “All authority has been GIVEN to me.”   Jesus did not usurp authority.  Jesus did not gain authority by deceiving people.  Jesus did not fight to gain authority.  It HAS BEEN GIVEN to Him!  It is His!!!   

Jesus was judged WORTHY to receive all authority.  Father God, sitting on the throne of heaven judged that Jesus’ hearts and thoughts were pure. Nothing evil could be found in His being.  In His essence He was pure.  His actions were perfectly in line with His assignment.  His sacrifice proved His obedience even unto death.  His sinless blood which flowed from a sinless life was more than sufficient to cover the sins of all men.  His complete humility was worthy of ultimate exaltation. 

Jesus was judged worthy to receive ALL AUTHORITY.  He not only has authority on Friday, or Saturday, or Sunday, but every other day also.  He not only has authority on spiritual matters, or relationship matters, but on every aspect of life.  He has complete authority over all the disciplines of life.    

APPLICATION:   It is for me to judge Jesus to be worthy of ALL AUTHORITY in my life.  I GIVE Him ALL AUTHORITY because I judge that He is WORTHY!  His worth is obvious.  He needs not to fight me to prove that He is powerful enough to bring about my surrender.  Although, if necessary, He loves me enough to do that because as my Creator He knows what is best for me!  It is good for me to see Him as He really is—WORTHY!!!    

PRAYER:   Jesus, you are LORD of my life.  On my knee I bow and with my tongue confess that you alone are LORD!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Service or Relationship?

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 10, 2025: SOAP #5637:  2Samuel 18; Psalm 56; Matthew 27

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 27:63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

OBSERVATION:   They put a seal on the tomb of Jesus and posted a guard to make sure no one could get into the tomb and steal the body.  It was the best they knew how to do.  They could stop man from breaking in, but they could not stop Jesus from breaking out!!! 

APPLICATION:   I may find myself limited by what man does, but if I am working and walking with Jesus…He is never limited!  He cannot be limited!  It is important for me to work WITH Him, not just FOR Him. 

Sometimes I come up with a good idea of something I can do for God.  Just because it is something I think would please Him, I need to check with Him.  I have found He does not always help me to what I want to do FOR Him.  But He always helps me do what I do WITH Him.  He wants my relationship more than my service! 

Note:  If you know that God has given you a special ministry, then count on His presence to be with you.  Be faithful to use what you have for the Lord but realize that He is the One who does what you cannot do.  Count on Him for your provision.  Remember, He wants your relationship even more than your service.  Cast your cares upon Him, not on someone on the internet.  Ask Him for some promises in His word that will cause your faith to grow. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you sent your Son, Jesus, to die in my place for my sins.  You love me and want us to have a loving relationship.  As I grow in my relationship to you, you give me assignments where you teach me to rely upon you, your presence and your promises.  I am blessed as I grow in you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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It Was Not Possible!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 09, 2025: SOAP #5636:  2Samuel 17; Psalm 71; Matthew 26

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 26:36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

OBSERVATION:   It all came down to this.  Would the Father require the Son He loved to die for the sins of people?  Was it possible for there to be another way?  Could the creation God loved be saved in any other way?  Did Jesus really need to suffer as payment for our sins? 

The Holiness of God demanded that the payment for sin was death.  Since everyone had sinned, everyone had to die.  Sin could not be allowed into the Presence of the Holy God!  God could never realize the joy of loving His prize creation because sin separated us!  The loving God could never have fellowship with His sinning creation.  But if there was one born without sin, who overcame every temptation and lived a sinless life—then His death could be the payment for people born and living in sin!  So, this Holy and Loving God sent His Son to live that life and be that sacrifice!!! 

APPLICATION:   So, it was not possible for “this cup” to be taken from Jesus!   He must suffer and die as the Holy payment of a Holy God on behalf of sinful people who would then know the Love of God!   And so, in all creation where we can see the majesty and awesomeness of such a great Creator God there is one planet where we can see displayed the Creator’s great ability to love—earth!  

Dear SOAP reader, through accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, we can be the recipients of that love, and through us can be seen the awesome love of our Creator! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, your heart must have been twisted almost to the breaking point as the Son You love requested that the cup of suffering and death be taken from Him.  Yet even though He was your dearly loved Son, you required the same payment from Him as you would from me.   And so, with my sins forgiven I can enter your Holy presence. Just saying “Thanks” is too little, I give you my life as your home.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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That’s Who He Is!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 08, 2025: SOAP #5635:  2Samuel 15, 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 32:2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”—and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

OBSERVATION:   The weight of unconfessed sin is heavy.  It hinders a person during the day like the heat of summer wears him down.  It is difficult to peacefully sleep with a guilty conscience. 

Oh, but the humble acknowledgement of sin—the acknowledgement that it is my sin, what a relief!  The joy of forgiveness was always available, but my foolish pride often will not allow my confession. 

APPLICATION:   When I take the responsibility for my sin, Jesus takes the responsibility of removing the guilt!  His sacrifice on the cross has more than enough value to cancel my guilt!  

King David (in the Psalm above) was forgiven on the basis of what Jesus would do.  I am forgiven on the basis of what Jesus has already done!  

Later, after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, the apostle John wrote, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9)

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, you fully understand the evil nature of sin, even small sins.  Yet your love for man led you to make the perfect sacrifice.  Thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sins.  Thank you, Jesus, for coming.  Thank you, Holy Spirit, for opening my eyes to receive the forgiveness Jesus provided. Jesus, you are my Lord and Savior!  You are my “sin-Bearer” and my  “guilt-Remover!”  Thank you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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In His Wisdom

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 07, 2025: SOAP #5634:  2Samuel 13, 14; Matthew 24

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew 24:4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no-one deceives you.
5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. … 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. … 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.

OBSERVATION:   To be deceived is to believe a lie.  Jesus said of Satan: “When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)  It seems obvious that deception is Satan’s main game. 

In verse 4 above, Jesus warns us.  Yet in verse 5 and 11 we find that many people will be deceived.  And in verse 24 we see that Satan tries to deceive even the “elect.”     

APPLICATION:   Since Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) I need to keep close to Him. 

God knows that we forget what we have heard or even read in the Bible.  God knew that there would be some people who would not even have a Bible to read.  (The first printing press to produce the Bible in book form was in the 15th century)  So, in His wisdom, God has sent the Holy Spirit to live in each of His children.   The Holy Spirit has been given to guide us into all truth (John 16:13).  As we are able to read the Bible, the Holy Spirit will help us understand and apply it to our lives.  But in times and places where no Bible is available, the Holy Spirit can still lead us in paths of truth and to reject the lies that Satan uses to trap us. 

Whenever my thoughts are scrambled, whenever my heart is troubled, or whenever I have an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach, I need to ask God for His wisdom to understand what he might be telling me.  Philippians 4:7 tells us that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds.  As God’s children in whom the Holy Spirit dwells, we need to be careful when we do not have peace and when something disrupts our peace. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, cause a question to arise in my heart every time I am about to be deceived into believing a lie.  Lead me into the path of truth.  Keep me free from deception.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Forgiven!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 06, 2025: SOAP #5633:  2Samuel 11, 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

OBSERVATION:   What a joy and peace is theirs whose hearts are right with God.  Sometimes it is not appreciated until it is lost.  David had sinned and lost his joy.   He knew what it was like to have a heart at peace with God and full of His joy.  Perhaps he had not considered the high cost of spending a night with Bathsheba.  But the act was done, and Bathsheba’s husband had been murdered.  David had lost his peace and joy.  Only God could forgive and restore.      

APPLICATION:   Not only can God forgive and restore, He does it willingly to those who confess their sins and ask His forgiveness.  Through the death of His Son, Jesus, my debt has been covered.  I have been forgiven. Peace and joy are mine!     

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, If I confess my sins; you are faithful and just to forgive my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.  (1John 1:9) With my mouth I confess that I have sinned; with my mouth I confess that Jesus is my Lord.  (Romans 10:9-10) Thank you for your forgiveness and the joy of your salvation.  I surrender my life to your control.  Help me to sense when you are pleased and/or displeased with how I think and what I do. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Your Invitation!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 05, 2025: SOAP #5632:  2Samuel 10; 1Chronicles 20; Psalm 20; Matthew 22

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 22:8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

OBSERVATION:   Jesus often used parables/stories to emphasize what He was teaching.  His stories were all real to life.  They were not about fictional things, but things people understood from their everyday life. 

In this story Jesus was emphasizing that our Heavenly Father is preparing a grand banquet in honor of His Son, and He wants the great hall full of guests.  He wants heaven to be full so His invitations have gone out.  But some of those invited have chosen not to come.  So with urgency He tells His servants, “Go out, and invite anyone you find!”  

There is only one requirement: they must be willing to come!  They did not need a ticket, or to bring a gift, or even have the right clothes.  They did not need to pass a test to be eligible to come.  They only had to be willing to accept the invitation, to believe that it was a genuine invitation personally offered to them.  A necessary wedding garment would be provided. 

APPLICATION:  Last Sunday night such an invitation went out to a large gathering of people invited to hear about the SOAPs.  About 19,000 responded to the call to make Jesus the Lord of their lives.  They provided their names and phone numbers, so now they too are receiving the SOAPs every day!  

Pray with me that the SOAPs will help them grow in loving Jesus and experiencing His love and grace.  Pray that the joy of the Lord will flood their hearts and homes. 

If you, dear SOAP reader, have not yet asked Jesus to forgive your sins and invited Him to be the LORD of your life, pray with me…

PRAYER:   Lord, I confess that I have sinned and need your forgiveness.  I invite you to live in my heart as my Lord.  With thanksgiving, I receive your offer of forgiveness.  Amen 

Pastor Leon
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…because of The LORD!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 04, 2025: SOAP #5631:  2Samuel 8,9; 1Chronicles 18,19; Matthew 21

SCRIPTURE:  2Samuel 8:6 He put garrisons in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to him and brought tribute. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went. …
14 He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went.

OBSERVATION:   Surely David invested effort in procuring victory, but the Bible gives him no credit.  All the credit and glory belongs to the Lord.  “The LORD gave David victory wherever he went!”  Victory was not because David was such a great general, but because he served such a great God!  Victory came at the Lord’s prerogative. He could have given it to another, but He gave it to David.  They were David’s victories.  The glory was the LORD’s.  The LORD gave victory to David; David gave glory to God!  The victory belonged to David, but the glory belonged to the LORD! 

The truth in this passage is the same truth I see in the SOAP ministry.  The LORD very clearly instructed me to start writing these devotions.  The LORD has faithfully given me something to write every day for the past 15+ years.  I have done no advertising; the LORD brings them to people’s attention.  The growth in the printing and distribution of the SOAPs can only be understood in that the LORD was working.  The LORD has caused them to spread in places I would have never gone, nor would current SOAP leaders gone.  The LORD takes this ministry personally. 

APPLICATION:   In preparation for battle, or for any ministry, the priority must always be ensuring that I am on the LORD’s side.  That must take priority over the LORD being on my side.  It is good to have the LORD on my side, but so much better when I am on His side!!!  It is good to work for the LORD, but so much better to work with the LORD.  I am assured of victory when I am doing what He is doing. 

PRAYER:   Lord, when I am working with you I have the assurance of your power and wisdom.  I can trust you for provision.  I can depend on you for direction.  You always have a plan and, in your timing, you will show me.  You will turn the struggles into victories.   Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Doing it The Jesus Way!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 03, 2025: SOAP #5630:  2Samuel 7; 1Chronicles 17; Psalm 2; Matthew 20

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew 20:26 …whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—
28 just as THE SON OF MAN DID NOT COME TO BE SERVED, BUT TO SERVE, AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE AS A RANSOM FOR MANY.”

OBSERVATION:   That is how verse 28 is marked in my Bible – bold and underlined.  It is a purpose statement Jesus gives for His own life.  This is why He came.  Here is the reason for His presence.  This is an important verse revealing motive.  Recently as I read this passage, I noticed I had missed something very important.  I missed the first two words of the verse: “just as…”  Jesus was telling us about His purpose to use Himself as an example for applying the previous two verses to our lives.  “If you want to be great, you must become a servant (vs 26), —even a slave (vs 27); and here is your example (vs 28).  Do it like I do it!  Follow my example!”

APPLICATION:   The authority God has given me is a tool to use in serving others.  It is not how many people I can rule, but how many people I can serve.  Jesus is my example of not taking the comfortable way and making choices that serve me but making choices that serve others.  Today, in my life, I want to embolden and underline the two words previously missed. 

I want to serve “Jesus way.”  And since He is living inside as my LORD, I can count on Him to express Himself through me. 

PRAYER:   Lord, you are my example in using whatever authority is mine today, be it over others or just over myself.  I want to make decisions that please you and serve others.  As best I can, I want to use this day “just as” you would.  I am counting on your presence in me to help me.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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