Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 08, 2026: SOAP #6061: Hosea 13-14; Psalm 100, 102; Hebrews 5

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 5:1 Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.

OBSERVATION:  The high priest who served in the Tabernacle of Moses represented the people before God.  In keeping with His holiness and perfect justice, God required that the high priest be chosen from among those they represented.  They had to understand those they were representing.   

And so when the Perfect High Priest came, He was born in a manger and grew up among men.  He was tempted in every way as were those whose sins He would carry on the cross to die.  He was tempted but did not sin.  Since he grew up and lived among men, He understood the temptations and trials of life.  Since He had no sin for which to pay, His sacrifice is accepted as the payment for our sins!!!     

APPLICATION: Jesus is just what we needed.  We needed someone to understand us.  We needed someone to pay the price of suffering that our sin demanded. 

And now, having received the forgiveness Jesus offers, we should live a life of gratitude to God.  Having received the indwelling Holy Spirit, we should allow Him to live His life through us.  In this way, we can bring joy to my Heavenly Father. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, we are so blest to be your children.  By living joyfully and righteously, may those nearby easily recognize that you are living in us.  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
July 07, 2026: SOAP #6060   Hosea 10-12; Psalm 73; Hebrews 4

SCRIPTURE:  :  Hebrews (NIV) 9:24 For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.  25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own.  26 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus came to earth to do what could not be done in heaven—to be tempted in every way like we are.  He came to earth to do what the Father could not do—to make a sacrifice as a sinless man. 

He ascended to the right hand of the Father to do what could not be done on earth—to present a payment sufficient to cover sins!  

The issue of sin being settled, from heaven He sent the Holy Spirit to be my permanent personal confidant and guide and to empower me to do His work.  Jesus remains in heaven to ever make intercession for me! 

He who represented God on earth now represents me in heaven!  

APPLICATION:  I now live in confidence that a sufficient sacrifice has been made and accepted to cover my sins.  Jesus gave His all for me.  Now I can give my all to Him.  I want my life to express my appreciation for what He has done for me. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, the scope of your plan amazes me.  What an undeserved honor to be a part of your plan!  What a privilege to serve 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
July 06, 2026: SOAP #6059   Hosea 6-9; Hebrews 3

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews 3:5 Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.

OBSERVATION:  Moses WAS faithful in leading the children of Israel out of Egypt and through the wilderness.  “But Christ is faithful.”  Christ was faithful as he lived a sinless life on earth and then died as the payment for our sins.  But, He arose and “IS FAITHFUL over God’s house.”

What a truth is put forth so simply yet forcefully!  ” … we are His house … ”  That is not what we will be, but what we are!  It is not a future possibility but a present reality!  If we are in faith, we are His house!   He is faithful in us and works faithfulness through us.   
            

APPLICATION:  In John 14:23 Jesus tells me that if I love him and obey him, He and His Father will come and live in me.   In 1Corinthians 6:19 Paul tells me that my body IS the temple of the Holy Spirit.  I do not have to wait until I get to heaven to enjoy His continual presence.  Even if I do not feel His presence, I know He is with me!  

I am His house.  God lives in me!

PRAYER:  Lord, we are your “house.”  I am your “temple.”  Thank you for your continued presence.  May you be seen in my speech and actions.  May your faithfulness be seen through me, and may my faithfulness 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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 05 2026: SOAP #6058: Hosea 2-5; Hebrews 2

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 1:1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. …
2:1 We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? 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:  If it was important to listen to the prophets that God sent in Old Testament days, how much more is it important to listen to the message that Jesus brought!  To ignore the truth Jesus brought can only mean eternal separation from God. 

God is still testifying to His word by “signs, wonders, and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit.”  This week Apostle Alex has taken the SOAP ministry into Masanta, Guinea-Conakry.  The report I received yesterday told of many miracles and healings.  Apostle Alex wrote, “the entire Masanta city God has turned into a Revival healing ground.”  Thousands of people have accepted Jesus in a city where Christian have been killed. 

APPLICATION: Of all the messages I hear today, none is more important that what God says to me.  I must “pay more careful attention.”  I must remain vigilant.  Knowing His voice, listening to what He says helps me evaluate the other messages I hear.  I am instructed to prove all things; hold fast to that which is good. (1Thessalonians 5:21)

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, continue to speak to me through your Word and by your Holy Spirit.  Your Word is the standard by which I can evaluate all things and live a holy life in a world of confused messages. 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
July 04, 2026: SOAP #6057: 2Kings 15-16; Hosea 1; Hebrews 1

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews 1:1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

OBSERVATION:  One of the very first things revealed about God in the first chapter of the Bible is that He speaks.  God is a speaker.  He talks.  He has spoken to us in many ways, but the best was His speaking through His Son Jesus.  In chapter 1 of John, Jesus is revealed as the Word that became flesh.  Jesus is God’s finest and clearest message. 

APPLICATION: My desire to know God can be seen in how committed I am to know Jesus.  To the best of my ability, I must become a “Jesus expert.”  Jesus said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.”  Jesus claimed to only speak the words the Father gave him to say.  The works he did were the Father’s works.  Jesus is the “exact representation” of the Father.  To be “the exact representation” Jesus is just as much God as the Father is God. 

PRAYER:  Lord, may I come to better know the Father as I come to know you; and may others better come to know you as they come to know 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
July 03, 2026: SOAP #6056: Isaiah 6-7; 2Chronicles 26-27; Philemon

SCRIPTURE:  Philemon 6 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.

OBSERVATION:   In a way, faith is like gasoline.  We do not put gas in our car or cycle and leave it sitting.  That would be a waste of gas.  We expect to get some benefit from it.  We expect action.  After all, faith without works is dead, like gasoline that is just sitting in the tank.  Seeing a need or being provided an opportunity to serve is like the spark that ignites the gas forcing the piston to move, the motion then transferred to the wheels. 

Paul prayed that Philemon’s faith would be active.  He was writing this short letter to encourage Philemon to receive back his run-away servant, Onesimus and forgive him.  Our understanding of what we have in Christ grows as we use our faith to affect others. 

APPLICATION: Like the gas in our car/cycle, the faith in our heart energizes us to action.  We are to use that faith to benefit those around us.  We use that faith to pray for those around us.  We use that faith to speak to others about our Lord, and we use that faith to serve them in practical ways. 

PRAYER:  Lord, remind us of these thoughts when we have opportunity to serve someone today.  May our faith move us to action as your love flows through us.  Amen.

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