Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 05, 2026:  SOAP #5967:   Ruth 1-2; Psalm 53, 61; 2Corinthians 5

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 5:14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

OBSERVATION: Christ died for us and in response to His love, we have died to ourselves.  He is now alive with power over death and the grave.  His resurrected life now lives within those who believe!  They now have a higher purpose than to live for themselves; they now live for Him! 

APPLICATION: When a hero loses his life in the act of saving another, the one saved has been known to dedicate their life to the memory of the one who saved them.  When the hero is Jesus, and the one saved is Leon, the least I can do is to dedicate my life to living for Jesus! 

That makes sense, but that is not what I hear God saying to me.  He does not want me to live my life for Him, or in honor of HIM.  He wants much more.  He has a much bigger plan for me than I could ever accomplish for Him.  Even though I would do the best I can to honor Him, it would not rise to a level of which He is worthy.  He wants more than to join me in my life. What He wants is for me to surrender my life, to die to my own best intentions.  He wants to live His Life through me.  His plan is to live His resurrected life in and through me! 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, show me how to crown Jesus as the One and Only King of my life.  To the he Resurrected Jesus I now surrender the full position and authority of Lord in the life of Leon.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 04, 2026:  SOAP #5966:   Judges 19-21; 2Corinthians 4

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 4:8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.

OBSERVATION:  Now that we have been born again and have God’s Spirit living inside we discover a new purpose for our mortal bodies. They are to reveal His life.  As we die to our desires, we become alive to His ‘desires and our body becomes an avenue to express His life rather than ours. 

What an honor to carry the Presence of God in our life and to live as an expression of Him!  His love, joy, and peace become evident in our life. 

APPLICATION: People will notice the differences in our lives now that Jesus is Lord.  We may talk differently—not using some words or phrases—not being negative.  We may respond differently—with kindness instead of gruffness—with patience.  We may dress more modestly—being careful of of the printed messages on our clothing. 

Many times, it is the difficult things we are experiencing that get the attention of others.  They too experience difficulties and they take note of how we respond.  When we face the same troubles yet respond differently, they become aware that we have a different source of life.

PRAYER:   Lord, I want you to be seen in me.  In my choices, my actions, and especially my reactions, may people see you living in me. Amen

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