Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 15, 2023: SOAP #5034: Ezekiel 38-39; Psalm 145; Revelation 20

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 145:13b The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving towards all he has made…
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving towards all he has made.

OBSERVATION:  Psalm 145 is a great study on the character of God expressed in His actions. In the two verses above God’s faithfulness and righteousness are coupled with His love. Faithfulness and righteousness are both expressions of God’s holiness.

God’s character is based on holiness and love.  In Him they perfectly exist.  God never stops being holy to be loving.  God never lays aside his love to be holy.

In perfect wisdom, God used the cross to weave together His love and His holiness without slighting either!  Without the cross, a Holy God could not allow a sinful man to approach Him; so His love would be slighted.  Without the cross, if a Loving God would allow a sinful man to approach Him and His holiness would be slighted.  On the cross, God made a way for a sinful man to be made just as if he had never sinned!  The penalty of all sins was paid by the shedding of sinless blood!  Truly, God’s wisdom is demonstrated to all creation as God deals with sinful man in the cross!  Now a loving and holy God can live in the heart of a forgiven and re-born man!

APPLICATION:  As the Holy Spirit applies the Word in my life, God is developing both His holiness and love in me. He is developing it on the inside so that it might be seen outwardly in my words and deeds.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, in your wisdom, you are working out your love and holiness in me. I want you to be pleased with what you see. Make me like Jesus! Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 14, 2023: SOAP #5033: Ezekiel 36-37; Psalm 110; Revelation 19

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 19:11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no-one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

OBSERVATION:  Generals today are often found out front of their victorious army marching down streets lined with cheering citizens.  This General is out front, leading His armies into the battle.  The armies are following Him!  The battle was not won by hand to hand fighting of the armies, but by the sword of the Commander-in-Chief!

APPLICATION:  I wonder how many times I struggled in battle because I did not wait for His orders and ran ahead of my Commander-in-Chief.  If I would have just been patient and followed His lead, I might have arrived at the battlefield to find the battle already won.

When I go into battle, I always want the Lord between me and the enemy.  When I look at the enemy, I want to see my Lord in between.  I never want to be in a place where I must turn my back on my enemy to look at my Lord!

PRAYER:  Lord, as I follow you, I trust you to lead me into battle.  I trust your wisdom and strength and ability.  You are both a lover of peace and a Man of war!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 13, 2023: SOAP #5032: Ezekiel 33-35; Revelation 18

SCRIPTURE:  Ezekiel (NIV) 35:12 Then you will know that I the LORD have heard all the contemptible things you have said against the mountains of Israel. You said, “They have been laid waste and have been given over to us to devour.”
13 You boasted against me and spoke against me without restraint, and I heard it.

OBSERVATION:  God was speaking through Ezekiel to Israel’s neighbors.  They had been bad-mouthing Israel and they had taken advantage of Israel when Israel was going through tough times.  Yes, Israel was God’s special people though which He would send the promised Messiah.  Yes, Israel had sinned and turned to worshipping idols.  But they remained people of the Promise.  And the promise depended on God’s faithfulness, not on Israel’s righteousness. 

So God paid attention to what was said about Israel, and what was said about Him!  

APPLICATION:  God is not just a speaker; He is a listener!  I must always be aware that God is listening to every word I speak.  He does not just ignore my words but takes note of what I say.  Thanks to parents who raised me to respect and honor God, He will not hear any curse words, or oaths, or taking the Lord’s name disrespectfully, but…

…there have been times when I spoke in doubt of God’s promises.  Although I have known God’s promises, I have said, “I do not think that God will ever….”  Or, knowing God’s promises, I have acted like it all depended on me. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, may my words and my actions always display faith in you and Your promises. I pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 12, 2023: SOAP #5031: Daniel 3-4; Psalm 81; Revelation 17

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 81:8 “Hear, O my people, and I will warn you—if you would but listen to me, O Israel! 9 You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not bow down to an alien god. 10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
11 “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. 12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.
13 “If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, 14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!

OBSERVATION:  God is a God of relationships.  He wants more than to have people hear Him; He is more than able to make people hear Him.  He can make enough noise for people to hear Him!   But God wants people to listen, to hear AND understand the message.  I believe I hear a touch of sadness as God speaks of His children not answering. 

APPLICATION:  To think that the creator of the earth has something to say to me!   What could be more important than understanding what He is saying.  Listening to Him should be my number 1 priority each day. 

Not always, but usually God uses His Word (the Bible) to speak to me, so saying I want God to speak to me yet not reading the Bible is foolish. 

Having a place to write down what I hear God saying to me serves two very important purposes.  First: It shows God that I value what He says and do not want to forget.  Second: Having a pencil and paper (or an open computer document to note what I hear) shows God I expect He will be saying something to me.  It is an action of faith. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I am honored and humbled to know that you want to talk with me.  I trust that you find me to be a good listener.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 10, 2023: SOAP #5029: Daniel 1-2; Revelation 16

SCRIPTURE:  Daniel (NIV) 1:12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink…. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. 17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds….
20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

OBSERVATION:  Daniel and his friends were placed in a special program to prepare them for governmental positions.  In honor of God, they asked to be given a simple diet to which the guard agreed to a test.  They honored God and God honored them.  God filled in their education with knowledge AND understanding.  God gave them wisdom. 

APPLICATION:  God works in similar ways in the lives of believers today.  The Holy Spirit reveals truth as we walk with Him.  He opens the truth of the Word as we read the Bible.  (John 16:13)

These SOAPs are prepared in obedience to the Lord.  As I read the Bible every day, the Holy Spirit sparks my attention to a word, a phrase, a verse or passage that contains something fresh for today.  It may be something I have never considered before or a fresh emphasis on something familiar.  Then I take it through the SOAP outline. 

As I post the SOAP, it is the same Holy Spirit who draws the attention of people.  His anointing on the Word makes them a blessing to many.    

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, thank you for daily opening the scriptures to me.  Help me communicate truth.  Fill the hearts of readers with faith that you will speak to them also.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 10, 2023: SOAP #5029: Lamentations 3-5; Revelation 15

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 15:4 Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

OBSERVATION:  The motivation for worship will be the “righteous acts” of the Lord!  One does not have to think very long to come up with a long list of righteous acts from the Old Testament, the New Testament, from world history, and from the personal history of each believer.    

APPLICATION:  I specifically remember 5000 days ago (January 1, 2010).  I had written 8-10 SOAPs in October, November and December.  Somehow, I knew if I wrote and posted one on January 1, I would need to do it every day for the rest of the year.  Could I believe God for something every day for a whole year?   I knew I could believe God for a Sunday sermon and a midweek Bible study.  I read the Bible every day (the New Testament every month and the Old Testament twice each year) but did not always receive something specific from the Lord. 

By faith, I prepared one to be posted on January 1, 2010.  The first week went well, then the first month, then the first year, then two years, five years, ten years.  Now it is 13 years, 9 months, and 10 days!  -5000 days!  Yes, the God who lives in me speaks to me every day!   I prepare a place to write down what He will be giving me.  It is my way of expressing my faith.  He shows me things in His word; it is His way of honoring my faith.  He blesses me and makes me a blessing to others. 

If you have been blessed with any of the SOAPs, join me in prayer…

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, we worship you for your “righteous works.”  You are the one who directed the writing of the SOAPs.  You are the one who gives the daily messages.  You are the one who provides everything needed to fulfill this ministry.  You are the one who uses the SOAPs to strengthen my life.   In Jesus Name, I give you thanks and praise.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 09, 2023: SOAP #5028: Lamentations 1-2; Obadiah; Revelation 14

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 14:12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”

OBSERVATION:  During times of trouble, saints of God often need to exercise “patient endurance.” The word “patient” indicates that the answer may not come as quickly or in the manner we would like. The word “endurance” indicates that the waiting might be hard.

Faith needs to be strong enough to endure and long enough to wait until the answer comes.  Sometimes faith is weak and sometimes too short.

Hebrews 11 tells of people who “patiently endured” their troubles and were “still living by faith when they died.” (verse 13).

As I see it, the strength of faith comes from its foundation.  The foundation of faith gives it validity.  The more one knows about the foundation, the better they can adjust their faith.  When a person’s faith is in Jesus, the more they learn about Jesus, the stronger their faith will become!  

APPLICATION:  Jesus, and His Word, is a sure foundation.  His character is constant, and I can trust His word.  The more I read His Word, the more my faith grows.  Jesus is dependable; His Word is dependable. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you are trustworthy!  Jesus is the foundation for my faith.  I am trusting His payment for my sins.  I am trusting His presence and guidance.  It is in His Name I pray, Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 08, 2023: SOAP #5027: Jeremiah 42-44; Psalm 48; Revelation 13

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 48:10 Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness.

OBSERVATION:  How appropriate that the praise of the creator of the earth should reach “to the ends of the earth.”  

In the days this psalm was written, there were many reasons for the people of Israel to praise God.  For creation, for God’s call to Abraham, for God using Moses to free them from Egypt, for the Law and sacrifices and feasts, for the Kingdom of Israel. 

But today there is another reason that the praise of God should reach every person on the whole earth.    It is that God sent His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life!  (John 3:16) Everybody ought to know!!!  

APPLICATION:  Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would give us power to be witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and “to the ends of the earth!”  (Acts 1:8)

From some point on the earth, my town would be considered “the end of the earth.”  From some point on the earth, your town would be considered “the end of the earth.”  So, if everyone will allow the Holy Spirit to fill and use them, we can reach “the ends of the earth!”  

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, as you did in Acts 1 and 2, fill us, and overflow us.  Make our live so full of you that we cannot help but be witnesses for Jesus.   In His Name and For His Glory we pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 07, 2023: SOAP #5026: 2Kings 25; 2Chron. 36; Jer. 40-41; Rev. 12

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 12:6 The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.

OBSERVATION:  Bible scholars disagree on who this woman represents.  But one thing is sure, God knows who she is and God prepares a place for her.  If a place is prepared by God, then God knows what she will need.  God makes plans for her protection and provision.  

All through the scriptures, from the book of Genesis to here in Revelation we see God making preparation for His people!   Before Jesus left his disciples, He promised them he was going to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house.

APPLICATION:  This truth about God’s provision is not something new.  God knows me; God has known me for at least 75 years.  He knew last year what I would need this year!  He knew yesterday what I would need today.  I can walk in faith that He has made proper preparations for what I need now! 

Whatever I face today, I need to ask myself, “How has God prepared me for this?”  I should walk in faith that God did know what I would be facing, and He has prepared me. 

He is also making appropriate and sufficient preparations for what is ahead!  Some things that do not fit into my thinking about today are meant for my future.  (Example: I used to preach from a prepared outline, with just words and thoughts, sufficient for me.  Then the Lord showed me Bud King who could not hear; the Lord impressed me to write sentences and paragraphs so Bud could understand.  Bud is now in heaven and I am here writing SOAPs.)

PRAYER:  Lord, You are faithful and trustworthy!  I can trust your preparations to be sufficient for my present and future needs!   Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 06, 2023: SOAP #5025: Ezekiel 29-32; Revelation 11

SCRIPTURE:  Ezekiel (NIV) 29:1 In the tenth year, in the tenth month on the twelfth day, the word of the LORD came to me:

OBSERVATION:  In Ezekiel 29-32 one finds five more similar verses.  Each one has a specific year, month, and day.  Each one ends with, “ … the word of the LORD came to me.” 
     Obviously, God is a speaker!  One of the first things we see about God in the pages of the Bible is that He is a speaker!  He created by speaking!  His words have creative power.
     Several things came to my mind when reading chapters 29-32 of Ezekiel.  First, Ezekiel must have kept a diary.  Second, God spoke in specific times.  Third, Ezekiel recognized when God was speaking to him.  Fourth, God’s words were important enough to Ezekiel to write them down.  Fifth, God is interested in nations and their governments.  Ezekiel could have used the SOAP format.  

APPLICATION:  God speaks today; He speaks to you; He speaks to me!  Isn’t it just logical: if it is important enough for God to tell me, it is important enough for me to write it down!   Like Ezekiel, I should write it down and date it. 
   The SOAP format lends itself to this.  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer.  Prepare a sheet of paper with those four words spaced for writing your thoughts.  Preparing the sheet is done in faith that God will give you something to write.  Remember, God responds to faith.  As you read through the chapters in your daily reading schedule, make note of the verses that seem to stand out in your thoughts.  When you are through reading, choose one of those verses and write it under Scripture.   Then write an observation of something you noticed in that verse.   Third: write why you believe God brought that verse to your attention.  How are you going to respond to what you feel God is saying to you.  Lastly write a short prayer of thanksgiving or commitment to follow through with what God has given you. 

PRAYER:  Lord, use this SOAP to encourage others to listen and apply what you say to them.  Amen 

Pastor Leon
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