Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 05, 2023: SOAP #5054: Esther 3-8; Luke 18

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 18:15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

OBSERVATION:  The disciples did not want Jesus to be bothered with unimportant matters.  Many people were present to hear Jesus teach and many were there hoping to see a miracle.  The presence of the children were seen as hindrances. 

But not to Jesus.  He had the important matters wait while He took care of what was most important. 

APPLICATION:  If the Lord has brought children into our home, through normal birth, through adoption, through ministry to orphans…we should consider ourselves blessed.  We have a ministry that is important to Jesus.  We must count on—depend on—the Lord’s provision. I should read the scriptures that tell of Jesus miraculous provision.  I should read them aloud to the Lord.  I should tell Him, “Do it again!”  

God may not provide in the way we expect.  But we should receive His provision with a grateful heart. 

PRAYER:  Lord, around the world there are children in need of a touch from you today.  Wherever I am, may my hands be your hands extended to them.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 04, 2023: SOAP #5053: Esther 1-2; Psalm 150; Luke 17

SCRIPTURE:  Esther (NIV) 2:7 Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This girl, who was also known as Esther, was lovely in form and features, and Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died….
20 But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai’s instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.

OBSERVATION:  The providence of God in placing this young girl in the care of Mordecai is easily seen!  Major disruptions in her life had found her without a father or mother.  So, the responsibility for her care was accepted by her cousin.  The hand of God can be seen in all of it.  

Esther honored Mordecai’s directions even when she became queen.

APPLICATION:  Looking back, it is easy to see the providential hand of God in moving my wife, Sharon from Delaware to California where her stepmother, Mary, had a great influence in her early years.  Like Mordecai, Mary raised Sharon as her “own” daughter.  Mary and Mordecai are to be greatly honored for taking two young girls and raising them as their own daughters. 

Like Esther, Sharon has honored Mary as her mother even as Esther honored Mordecai as her father. 

PRAYER:  Lord, bless the people who have opened their hearts and homes to the special assignment of caring for another’s child as their own.  Give them extra strength, grace, and wisdom.  May your provision always be sufficient.  Fill their hearts with great joy as these children develop into men and women of God!  May they reap a harvest of honor from the lives they raise as their own children.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 03, 2023: SOAP #5052: Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 16:9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.
11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?
13 “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

OBSERVATION:  Many people have big dreams about how they will help the kingdom of God once they get a raise in salary, or once their inheritance comes, or once they are finally able to live comfortably.  But if they cannot give a little out of the little they receive now, they should not expect God to increase their income. 

APPLICATION:  God uses money as one way to teach us to trust Him.  As we are faithful in following His financial directions, He knows He can trust us with more.  We can demonstrate our faithfulness to God.    

God uses money to teach us how to exercise our faith.  We learn to have faith in His promises. 

God uses money to teach us that it all belongs to Him.  He deals with the roots of selfishness. 

God uses money as a way to make us useful in His kingdom.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for the school of finances.  I can see that I have grown, but there is much for me to yet learn.  Thank you for encouraging me to grow.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 02, 2023: SOAP #5051: Zechariah 13-14; Psalm 147; Luke 15

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 15:20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he [the younger brother] was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him … . 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So, his father went out and pleaded with him.

OBSERVATION:  Read the whole story (verses 11-32) and take note of the two verses above.  I see that the main character in the story is the father. His consistency in loving his sons is the main subject.  When he saw his youngest returning home, he left his watching post and ran to greet him.  The Father’s heart of love would not allow him to remain at home! 

AND when the oldest son refused to come to the celebration, the father left the celebration to go out and plead with him to join the party.  The Father’s heart of love would not allow him to remain in the celebration! 

APPLICATION:  The love in my heart is proved by my words AND my actions.  My love can be seen in the sacrifices I am willing to make.  Love calls me to leave my comfortable places.  Love calls me to be vulnerable.  Love calls me to reach out and go out to contact those God is loving through me.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, your love motivated you to welcome the younger brother and to plead with the older brother.  May your love flowing through me motivate me to do what is appropriate.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 01, 2023: SOAP #5050: Zechariah 10-12; Psalm 126; Luke 14

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 126:1 When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. 2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” 3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

OBSERVATION:  Israel had sinned and God, to punish them, sent them into captivity.  But God had plans for Israel.  Through Israel would come One to be the sacrifice that pays for sin.  So, when they repented, God restored them.  God is the greatest Restorer!  They had longed to be restored to their homeland, and when it actually happened it was almost like they were dreaming.  They were full of joy and laughter.  People around them saw what happened and gave God the credit.

APPLICATION:  When God works in my life, it is right that I be joyful.   When people hear what is happening in my life may they say, “The LORD has done great things for Leon.”   Why should they say that?  Because they have seen that the LORD has done great things for me!

PRAYER:  Lord, may your works in my life be easily seen by those around me.  May they know that the explanation for some things in my life can only be found in you!    Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 30, 2023: SOAP #5049: Zechariah 7-9; Luke 13

SCRIPTURE:  Zechariah (NIV) 8:6 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?” declares the LORD Almighty.
7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. 8 I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.”

OBSERVATION:  We may stand amazed at the things God sees as routine.  His ways are so far above our ways and His thoughts are so far above our thoughts!  What is a miracle in our eyes is something rather simple in His.  Even doctors can be heard at time declaring something a miracle, but to God it was as simple as people believing His Word, or even simpler as He at times reaches into a situation where there seems to be no faith, at least none that is visible to us.  It is just God at work doing what He can do. 

APPLICATION:  What a God!  What a wonderful God!  What a privilege to serve Him!

God always works in keeping with His word.  God works in response to our faith.  The better we know God’s character and His word, the greater our faith will be.  Through growing in knowledge of God’s character and His word, and as we personally experience God’s intervention in our lives, our faith grows.  We become confident that all things really do work together for our good!  

PRAYER:  Lord, You are amazing!  Your works are amazing.  I am always amazed and give you praise and worship.  But I am not as surprised as I used to be.  You are just doing what I expect you to do!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 29, 2023: SOAP #5048: Zechariah 4-6; Luke 12

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 12:11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

OBSERVATION:  Jesus was speaking to his disciples. He had some bad news: they would be brought before religious and civil leaders to answer for preaching about Jesus. It would be an experience that could cause them to worry. They might try to figure out their defense ahead of time.

Jesus also had some good news.  They would not need to worry about how to defend themselves.  Someone would be present and would teach them what to say: The Holy Spirit!  He would reveal truth to them in the moment it was needed!

First, here is a promise of God’s awareness. He knows what is happening to His children. Second, it is also a promise of God’s presence! He is close enough to be heard. And third it is a promise of His wisdom being available to those He loves! The Holy Spirit will teach them at that moment what to do.

APPLICATION:  There is bad news for me: I will experience trials and troubles. There is also good news: I can count on the presence of the Holy Spirit. I can trust His directions. Success depends on understanding what the Holy Spirit is saying…and following His directions.

My plan: First, I need to live panic-free. My circumstances may not make sense to me, but they are clear to God! Second, I need to live listening. I need to keep my ears open to His voice. Third, I need to live expecting. I can expect the great promise keeper to keep this promise also. I expect He will show me what to do. He may not show me ahead of time, but He will show me in time!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I trust you to fulfill this word in my life every day.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 28, 2023: SOAP #5047: Zechariah 1-3; Luke 11 (reworked SOAP)

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 11:2 He (Jesus) said to them (His disciples), “When you pray, say: ‘(Our) Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.  And lead us not into temptation.’”

OBSERVATION:  This should be called The Disciple’s Prayer for it was given by Jesus to them at their request.

Jesus did not teach his disciples to pray: Give me my bread; forgive me my sins; lead me not into temptation.  He was not teaching us to pray alone, but to pray as a group.  And when I pray as an individual, I should be consciously aware that I am not alone in following Jesus.

APPLICATION:  In praying for my needs, I need to be more aware that those around me have needs too.  Even when praying for forgiveness, I need to remember others need forgiveness too.  When I come to the Lord with my sins, I can remember that others sin too.  I need the merciful God to forgive me in the same way my brother or sister needs the merciful God to forgive them.  I need God’s help in overcoming temptations, and those around me need God’s help also.

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, the next time I quote these verses as a prayer, help me pray as Jesus intended for us to pray.  Enlarge my heart to pray with and for others.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 27, 2023: SOAP #5046: Haggai 1-2; Psalm 129; Luke 10

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 10:8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’

OBSERVATION:  Jesus was sending his disciples out to expand his ministry.  Here are the instructions he gave as he sent them out. 

Like his own ministry, Jesus wanted their ministry to consist of healing and teaching.  They were to teach about the Kingdom of God.  The Israelites were looking for an earthly kingdom that would free them from the rule of Rome; they were not too interested in a heavenly kingdom.  So, the disciples were to demonstrate the power of God’s kingdom by healing the sick. 

The presence of God’s kingdom is to make a big difference on earth.

The disciples were sent to do a ministry like that of Jesus.  With His teaching, He taught kingdom principles and with His miracles, He demonstrated Kingdom power and authority. 

We see the same in the life of the Apostle Paul.  Reading in Acts, we can see He taught (words) kingdom principles and demonstrated (action) kingdom power and authority. 

APPLICATION:  When I refer to Jesus as Lord, I am claiming to be a part of His kingdom and placing myself under His authority.    People will not want what I have unless they see that God’s kingdom makes a difference in my life here on earth.  My life is to be a demonstration of the Kingdom of God here on earth.

PRAYER:  Lord, may your authority be established in me and expressed through me in words and actions.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 26, 2023: SOAP #5045: Ezra 4; Psalm 113, 127; Luke 9

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 127:1 A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.

OBSERVATION:  The LORD is the builder, but He does not work alone.  He has a crew of “builders.”  If the LORD is not the head-builder, their work turns out useless.

The same is true of security personnel.  If the LORD is not the head Police officer, the watchmen stand guard in vain.

The same is true of every line of work.  He is knowledgeable, proficient, and competent in every vocation.

APPLICATION:  I limit my accomplishments when I think I can do my job alone.  I dishonor Him when I act like I do not need His guidance and help.  I should not consider Him as MY Helper, I should consider myself as HIS assistant.

PRAYER:  Lord, I do not want to just work FOR you; I want to work WITH you!  Your ways are so much higher than my ways. Your projects are so much greater than mine. Your projects stretch through this life into eternity. In heaven, I want us to look back and see what we have accomplished.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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