SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 31, 2026:  SOAP #5962:   Judges 9-10; Psalm 49; 1Corinthians 16

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 16:17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.  18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

OBSERVATION: Who has not needed to be refreshed at some time in their life?  After a long time of being responsible for that which holds a strong grip on the emotions, one feels emotionally drained, like a rung-out dish cloth.  We need a fresh approach to what we are facing.  We need to see things from God’s point of view.  We need to see things in the light of who God is. 

What a valuable ministry—the ministry of bringing refreshing to others!    It can be a ministry of encouraging words, thoughtful gifts, or just one’s presence.     

APPLICATION: What do I have that may be used to refresh others?  Perhaps a testimony of what God has done for me.  Perhaps a thoughtful gift.  Perhaps letting them know I am praying for them.  Perhaps a verse of scripture that I read earlier in the day.  Taking a moment to pray for them in their presence so they can hear their name lifted before the throne of Almighty God! 

Some people seem to naturally bring refreshing wherever they go.  But it is a ministry in which we should all seek to excel.     

PRAYER:  Lord make me keenly aware of people needing refreshing around me.  Holy Spirit flow through me in words and deeds to bring refreshing to others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 30, 2026:  SOAP #5961:   Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1Corinthians 15 S.O.A.P.

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

OBSERVATION: What a fitting close to a chapter that begins with Christ’s resurrection and ends with our resurrection. Because of what Jesus has done for us (past). and because of what Jesus is going to do in us (future), verse 58 above tells me how I should live NOW (present).

APPLICATION: What is the key for living NOW (in the present).  Paul stated it so well in his letter to the churches in Galatia.  “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me.  The life I NOW live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) 

God has taken care of the past; God is preparing for the future; and right now, God is taking care of our present.  Jesus, by His Spirit, IS LIVING IN US!   Our “labor in the Lord” is really Christ living in us and working through us!  We submit to Him and follow His lead. 

PRAYER:  Jesus, you are more than an honored guest visiting in my life.  You are the permanent resident King.  I treat you as my Lord and you treat me as your family.  As I open myself to you, you open your heart to me.  May your presence be the dominate characteristic that is easily recognized by all who know and meet me. Amen

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 28, 2026:  SOAP #5959:   Judges 4-5; Psalm 39, 41; 1Corinthians 13

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 41:1 Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. 2 The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.

OBSERVATION:  In the Old Testament, David had one of the closest relationships with the LORD.  Much of God’s character is revealed in the Psalms.   David knew God and what moved the heart of God.   How a person considers and treats the “weak” makes a big difference to God.  A person who is kind to the weak has God’s attention.  “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.”  Proverbs 19:17 

APPLICATION:  Almost every day I receive requests for money to help the poor.  Many times those requesting money have taken orphans into their home and are trying to provide food, clothing, and shelter for them.  I have not been able to help them, but I try to point them to GOD.  I encourage them to find the many scriptures in the Bible that they can take in prayer to God.  He has promised to help them.  I have made no promise to them, but some have more faith that I will help them then that God will help them.  But consider the verses above!  GOD has made promises in His word to help those who care for the poor.     

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, reading through your Word reveals your character to me.  It shows me what you are like and how I can please you.  It shows me why you do what you do.  When I do what pleases you, I can have confidence that you will enable me do what pleases you.  Amen

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 27, 2026:  SOAP #5958:   Joshua 23-24; Psalm 44; 1Corinthians 11

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 12:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church, God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts.

OBSERVATION:  In this chapter Paul is teaching us about the body of Christ. Here he uses our physical bodies to teach us about HIS body. Our bodies have many members (hands, feet, ears, etc.) but we have only one body. That is the way it is with Christ. Though each part is different, we are joined as only one body.  Just as each member of a physical body is uniquely different from all other members, so in the body of Christ, a person’s uniqueness makes them useful to the whole body.   None of us are the same even though we all share the same life. 

APPLICATION:  What God does in our physical bodies, and in His church, He is also doing in the SOAP ministry. The only reason that the SOAP is so effective in reaching people today is because everyone is not doing the same thing.  But when we are faithfully doing the part God has given us, God coordinates our unique ministries to one grand fruitful ministry.  Those called to pray are just as committed as those translating, as those printing, as those distributing, as those leading Bible fellowship groups, etc.   

PRAYER:  Lord, You are the head of this SOAP ministry.  I started writing them because of your specific direction.  You are the One who assigned others to translate and post or to print and distribute the SOAPs. You are the provider to which we all look.  It is our privilege to honor and serve the name of Jesus.  Amen 

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 25, 2026:  SOAP #5956:   Joshua 21-22; Psalm 47; 1Corinthians 10

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 10:15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.
16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?
17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus claimed to be the bread of life (John 6:35,48).  Whoever takes the communion bread and cup into their physical bodies is testifying that Jesus lives in in them.  He is the source of their spiritual life. 

Even though we have many differences, everyone who has the life of Jesus within them is a part of a single body.  We are all a part of one body.  We are all a part of HIS body.  We have all eaten of the bread of life.      

APPLICATION:  The challenge for me, and for all of us, is to bring our physical, daily lives in line with this spiritual truth.  All those who have Jesus, the bread of life, in their lives are a part of the body of Christ.  I need to be more aware of those around me in whom Jesus lives. 

The Presence of Jesus in my life often alerts me to the Presence of Jesus in someone close by.  It may be something they say or do.  It may be their reaction to something that just happened.  Following up with a comment or greeting will often spark a special time of fellowship and a new friendship. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, continually remind me of your children around me.  Use me to encourage them.  May your love and joy reach them through me.  Amen

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 24, 2026:  SOAP #5955:   Joshua 18-20; 1Corinthians 9

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 9:12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.  13 Don’t you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?  14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

OBSERVATION:  Although it is not the primary thought of the above passage, Paul acknowledges that money can have a negative effect on the gospel, even from people with good intentions and handling it properly.  So, he would not demand his right to financial support from the Corinthians.  He would even work in Corinth to supply his own needs. (Acts 18:3) It was not their money he wanted for the gospel; he wanted them! 
Money is such an important part of our lives.  If people are going to live a victorious Christian life, they need to be taught how to handle their money.  As we would logically expect, the Bible has a lot to say about money. 

APPLICATION:  The Bible has a lot to say about family; I need to apply that truth to my family.  The Bible has a lot to say about work: I need to apply that truth to my work.  The Bible has a lot to say about being a part of the church…  The Bible has a lot to say about money…  How I use my finances can help or hinder my testimony.  Giving is a good way to grow my faith.     

God will teach us about finances starting where we are! His lessons can easily be applied to the smallest amount of money.  The sooner we start, the better!  Start today!!! 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, my life is Yours, so my money is Yours.  Help me to be sensitive to how I apply the money you provide. Thank you for what you have been teaching me.  Amen 

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 23, 2026:  SOAP #5954:   Joshua 15-17; 1Corinthians 8

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians 8:1 …We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But the man who loves God is known by God.

OBSERVATION:  We all have some measure of knowledge.  As my knowledge expands, so may my concept of self-importance—I know so much—I have all the answers—everyone should do as I say.   Three remedies are provided in these verses. 

One, love God.  I must love and get to know the One Who knows all about me—and loves me anyway!   He alone is the fount of all knowledge and wisdom. 

Two, I must acknowledge that there is yet much for me to learn.  However much I now know, it is only a small part of all there is to know. 

Three, I must always have more love in my heart than knowledge in my head.  Then the knowledge in my head can flow out of me through a heart of love.    

APPLICATION:  The above truth is the basis for the judgments Paul is about to give regarding an issue in the daily lives of his readers, namely should they eat meat that had been dedicated to an idol.  The love in their heart for their brother should guide their actions. 

The above truth should be the foundation for basic life decisions I make today.   The knowledge in my head must be applied according to the love in my heart! 

PRAYER:  Lord, may the love level in my heart always exceed the knowledge level in my head.  How much I love is so much more important to you than how much I know.  Amen. 

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