Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 11, 2025:  SOAP #5852: Philemon; Hebrews 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 2:3 …This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

OBSERVATION:  The message of salvation came from Jesus.  Jesus had returned to His Father’s side in heaven.  Now those who had seen and heard Jesus passed along their testimony to the one who wrote the book of Hebrews and those who would be reading this book.   AND even more, God Himself was involved in sending the Holy Spirit with gifts to validate their message. 

The miracles in the Bible demonstrated God’s concern for people and His willingness to get involved.  The miracles were proof of His presence and involvement.  In thinking through the Old and New Testament miracles, they were always beyond the possibility of man.    

APPLICATION:  Reading the reports of the 20 teams of Christians spread last week (11/30-12/6/20250 throughout the nation of Sierra Leone is like reading in the book of Acts.  God is doing the same things today.  There are miracles and healings and people being filled with Holy Spirit!  There have been testimonies of the Holy Spirit specifically dealing with individuals who refused to allow the teams to minister in their area.  Best of all: thousands have accepted Jesus and committed their lives to Him!  

The SAME JESUS who was walking among the Jews in Israel is today walking by His Holy Spirit among the Muslims of Sierra Leone. The SAME HOLY SPIRIT who was with the apostles in the book of Acts is the SAME HOLY SPIRIT with believers in West Africa today.  …and He is with all believers today in 2025. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, work and speak through me today.  Help me see those around me who are ready to respond to You.  Use me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 10, 2025:  SOAP #5851: 2Timothy 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  2Timothy (NIV) 2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.

OBSERVATION:    One of Satan’s greatest failures would be putting the Apostle Paul in prison.  It resulted in Paul having time to write letters under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit!   Paul could not get out and the Holy Spirit could not be kept out!!!!   Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote letters that have gone far beyond Paul’s limitations of traveling and of time!!!  

APPLICATION:  We all experience limitations.  We can be restricted by poor health, by limited finances, by location, by lack of understanding, by available resources, etc.   BUT God’s Word is not limited.  It is not chained!   When all Paul could do was write letters, he wrote letters.  How glad we are to day to be able to read those letters!   Remember: Paul could not get out, and the Holy Spirit could not be kept out!  

Last week Apostle Alex, the leader of SOAP MINISTRY team five in Sierra Leone went to a house but was denied entrance by the Muslim owner.  So, they proceeded to the next home where the owner called everyone to come (more than 180) and listen to what was being said.  Everyone gave their hearts to Jesus.  About 100 were healed.  Many were filled with the HOLY SPIRIT.  It was a noisy revival happening out in the open.  The neighbor looked to see what was happening and ended up getting saved. 

PRAYER:  Lord, limitations can be used to focus my attention on what you really want me to do.  Help me not to be disappointed or discouraged because of the limitations I face.  Use the limitations to set the timing for my life.   May my faith lift me to see above and beyond the limitations.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 097, 2025:  SOAP #5850: 1Timothy 5-6; Titus 1-3

SCRIPTURE:  Titus (NIV) 2:14 (Jesus) who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

OBSERVATION:  One characteristic of people who belong to Jesus is that they are “eager to do what is good.”  It may be a burden.  It may not be easy.  But they are eager because they want to please the Lord.  They want to please Him because they love Him.  People who are eager usually do not complain.  People who are eager accept the challenge before them joyfully. 

APPLICATION:  If there was ever anyone eager to do something it should be me eager to do what pleases the Lord.  Even as the eagerness of others challenges me, my eagerness should be an example to others.     

When other people find out that I am a Christian and am committed to the Lord, I do not want them to think that it is my burden, but that it is my pleasure to serve the Lord.  And when it becomes a burden, I want to bear it joyfully in honor of all He has done for me!   Like my dad told me, “It is worth the sacrifice to follow Jesus!.”  It definitely is!  –both for this life and for eternity!  

PRAYER:  Lord, I want you to see in me an eagerness to do what pleases you.  It is my privilege to serve you.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 08, 2025:  SOAP #5849: 1Timothy 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  1Timothy (NIV) 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

OBSERVATION:  What a powerful statement, clearly stating the purpose for God sending His Son into this world.  What was true when Jesus died on the cross was still true when the Apostle Paul was writing this letter to Timothy. 

And nothing has changed in this statement.  Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus is still in this world saving people from their sins!  

A team of 2000 Sierra Leonians are out on a three-week crusade to reach their nation for Jesus.  They have printed a million SOAPs and are divided into ten teams to distribute the SOAPs and tell people about Jesus!  

APPLICATION:  Reports of the first three days contain many healings and miracles and 28,700 commitments to Jesus as Lord for all the days of their lives!!!  Jesus is alive and well!  His Spirit is at work in our world.  Many home Bible Fellowship groups have been started. 

Jesus wants to work in my world, and your world too.  Today is the day of salvation.  Perhaps giving your friend a copy of a SOAP may open the door to tell them about what Jesus has done for you.  God has placed an anointing on these SOAPs and is using them for His glory.  I believe the anointing is activated when they are given to someone. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, it is not necessary for me to be able to explain the why and how of your working in my world.  But it is necessary for me to listen and obey.   Use me for your glory, I pray.  In Jesus Name, Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 07, 2025:  SOAP #5848: Colossians 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Colossians (NIV) 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.

OBSERVATION:  Paul was carrying out his service to the body of Christ with the understanding that it was God’s will.  He was not working under his own authority.  He had not chosen this assignment for himself.  He had been chosen for this assignment by God. 

APPLICATION:  It is important for me to understand that I am a retired pastor writing daily SOAP devotions by the will of God.  It is God’s assignment for me.  And for 15+ years, during the school year, I was a school bus driver by the will of God.  It is God’s assignment.   Then on February 9, 2025, as I was listening to our pastor preach about the seasons of life, God clearly said to me, “Your season for bus driving is over.”  My assignments come from God, and He can move me at His will.  Things were in place at the bus barn that another driver could take my place, so God had worked it all together for good.  My assignment is to write the SOAPs as He gives the inspiration.  God is over inspiration, distribution and funding.  And, I must say, HE IS DOING A GREAT JOB!  

Seeing my labor as being God’s affects me in two ways.  First, I must carry out my assignment to the best of my ability.  I am working for the Lord!  Sloppiness is not allowed.  God deserves only the best from me. 

Second, I can count on His help and provision.  It is God’s assignment.  It is his work I am doing.  I expect that the God of all creation will take care of those doing his will. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, whatever my assignment for today, keep reminding me for Whom I am working.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 06, 2025:  SOAP #5847: Philippians 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Philippians (NIV) 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

OBSERVATION:  Here begins one of the most important passages regarding Christ. He stepped down from deity to humanity. He steps down from being served to being a servant. He steps down from being the author of life to embrace death. He is then exalted, not by himself, but by another (God the Father) to the highest place! 

Here His attitude is presented as an example for us to follow.

This passage is based on an understanding that I can control my attitude. My attitude is not captive of my circumstances. I am responsible for my attitude. 

APPLICATION:   My attitude is to be the same as his.  The King James Version of the Bible reads, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”  I am to direct my thoughts in the same manner He did.  Living in a sinful world makes this difficult, BUT having Jesus, living in me, makes it possible. 

PRAYER:   Lord, there are times when others recognize a bad attitude in me before I do.  I have become blind to seeing myself clearly.  Especially in those times, I need your Holy Spirit to help me see myself.  Lord, I want you to shine through me.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 05, 2025:  SOAP #5846: Ephesians 5-6; Psalm 119:1-80

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.

OBSERVATION:  What a difference is made when we accept Jesus as our Lord and
Savior.  When He, by His Spirit, comes to live in my life everything changes.  How would it be possible for things not to change!  

He puts thoughts in my mind.  I can sense when he is pleased or unpleased with what I am saying or doing.  I find great personal joy when I know I am pleasing Him.  

APPLICATION:  Wanting to please HIM, means that I need to “find out what pleases the Lord.”  Talking with Him in prayer.  Asking and listening.  Reading the scriptures. Attending a gathering of people where they listen to a pastor or teacher explain the scriptures.  Talking with someone who has been a believer longer than myself. 

Your growth as a believer is more important to the Holy Spirit than it is to you.  If you truly want to “find out what pleases the Lord,” you will find that He wants that even more than you.  It will be a fruitful search; He will make sure you are successful.  He loves you and wants you to appreciate Him!                                                                   

PRAYER:  Lord, you did not suffer and die on the cross so that we can be friends from a distance.  You brought us into your family.  You are our closest friend.  May you get joy from us as we get joy from you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 04, 2025:  SOAP #5845: Ephesians 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

OBSERVATION:  What a wonderful plan God had even before the creation of the world.  He planned that His children would be holy and blameless as we come before Him.  He planned that Jesus would come and give His life as the payment for our sins so that we may be holy and blameless. 

This was all done, not because someone bigger then God was twisting His arm to do this for us, but because it was His pleasure and will!  It was His choice to send Jesus to be the payment for our sins!  He knew that it would prove to be a great victory and bring Him, and The Son honor and glory!

APPLICATION:  So, it is our responsibility, and joy, to live to the praise of God’s glorious grace that has been given us through the death and life of Jesus. 

Let my testimony show what He has done for me.  I was lost in sin and unable to save myself.  But Jesus came, took my sins to the cross, forgave me, and now actually lives in my heart!!!  It is for me to live my life in a way that brings glory and honor to God. 

PRAYER:  Lord, through my actions and my words may people see you living inside as the Lord of Leon!  May my life be “to the praise of your glorious grace” which has been freely given to me.  Thank you. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
Also on:  soapsbyleon.wordpress.com