Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 04, 2026:  SOAP #5935:   Numbers 34-36; Mark 11

SCRIPTURE: Mark (NIV) 11:20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig-tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig-tree you cursed has withered!” 22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

OBSERVATION:  Faith is a mental conviction strong enough to affect my actions.  As I see it, faith does not release my power and ability; it releases the power and ability of the one in whom I place my faith.  Acting in faith is a confession of my weaknesses and dependence on the one in whom I have faith.

Faith is only as strong as the foundation on which it rests.  The greatest faith has the greatest foundation.  Jesus said, “Have faith in God.” 

APPLICATION:  To have faith in God, I need to know what He is like.  Is He trustworthy?  What pleases Him?  And of course, does He speak?  What has He said? 

For example, I know what God has said about giving.  My faith in God makes me a giver.  My giving releases God to fulfill His word of blessing, of reward, of provision, etc. to me.  He does more than I could ever do.  God’s actions in response to my giving causes my faith to grow. 

I also know what God has said about forgiving…about relationships…about fellowship…about…  When my faith in God causes me to obey His word, I release His wisdom and power on my behalf. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, in great wisdom, you gave us the Bible so we would know you are, how I can trust you, and what you have said.  Thank you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 03, 2026:  SOAP #5934:   Numbers 32-33; Mark 10

SCRIPTURE:  :  Mark (NIV) 10:46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. …49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”  …51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

OBSERVATION:  Blind Bartimaeus was not blind any more!  I believe he was at the front of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem that we read about in the next chapter!  

APPLICATION:  This last November I was reading this chapter and wrote some great testimonies of God moving in Sierra Leon.  Today I got a report of SOAP ministry in Liberia.  Different people, different places, different situations, but the Same God!!!   Sick people healed, blind people seeing, lame people walking, just like Jesus ministry and the book of Acts.  Thousands of Muslims responding to the Spirit of God and making Jesus the Lord of their lives!!  

Pray for God to provide Bibles and churches.  Presently they are meeting three times a week to encourage the new believers.  Pray for churches to be planted. 

PRAYER:  Lord, as you were walking on this earth, as you were moving by your Holy Spirit in the book of Acts, as you were moving two months ago in Sierra Leon, and as you are moving this week in Liberia, so move in our hearts and our neighborhoods, cities, areas, and nations.  Move across the whole world, we pray.  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 2, 2026:  SOAP #5933:   Numbers 30-31; Mark 9

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 9:7  Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

OBSERVATION:  Jesus often referred to the God in Heaven as “his Father.”  He even taught his followers to pray, “Our Father which art in heaven…” 

But in this verse, it is not Jesus making the claim that God is his Father, but the Father claiming that Jesus is His SON!  

The God in Heaven is over all.  He was present enough to hear what was happening on that mount.  He made Himself a part of the narrative!  He verified the relationship that Jesus had claimed. 

What encouraging comfort this must have been to Jesus who was here on earth, living as a man, having laid down His God-like attributes, taking on the great task of making the sacrifice to erase the sins of all who would receive Him!   THE FATHER CALLED HIM “MY SON!”   

APPLICATION:  Anyone can call God, God.  I can speak of Him as God.  I can even call Him “my God.”  Oh, but when He calls me “His son,” or “His child.”  He is saying I am a part of His family!  He is saying I belong to Him.  He is saying that I am locked into a special relationship with Him. 

I can expect Him to treat me as His child or His son.  I know He loves me.  I know He is working for my good.  I can expect him to correct me and discipline me. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, help me grow in understanding this wonderful relationship we have together.  As your child, I have grown to be your son.  As your son, I am growing to understand your ways and express your character here.  May I bring you honor.  As Your son, may I bring joy to your heart.  Amen

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