Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 09, 2023: SOAP #4966: Micah 1-4; Hebrews 6

SCRIPTURE:  Micah (NIV) 4:11But now many nations are gathered against you. They say, “Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!” 12 But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, he who gathers them like sheaves to the threshing-floor.
Hebrews (NIV) 6:16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.

OBSERVATION:  In creation, God’s character traits can be seen everywhere—except His love.  God prepared the world to be inhabited by man, his unique creation created to make choices.  He was designed to be susceptible to temptation.  Satan would be allowed to tempt man to sin and when that happened the Jesus, God the Son, would come and demonstrate God’s ability to love.  He would be the sinless sacrifice that holiness demanded to cover the sins of man!  Jesus would come as one person to one family in one nation—that nation, Israel. 

In Micah’s prophecy, the nations gathered against Israel do not know God’s promises, plans, and purposes for Israel.  But Hebrews assures us that God’s promises are a solid foundation for our faith!   First: they are His word, which has the foundation of His character.  Second:  He gave them with an oath sworn on Himself (since there was no higher power to call as a witness.) 

APPLICATION:  My sins are forgiven based on the promises in God’s Word!  I have the promise of His presence now and the promise of eternity in heaven with the Lord!  I am blessed!  I miss so much when I do not live by His promises!

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for your promises!   They are a solid foundation!  Help me know them and build my life on them.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 08, 2023: SOAP #4965: Hosea 13-14; Psalm 100, 102; Hebrews 5

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 5:12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

OBSERVATION:  Our spiritual life grows through stages as does our physical life.  The truth of God’s word is our spiritual food.  We need it as much as we need meat, vegetables, fruit, etc.  When we were first born, we were given food appropriate for an infant.  And then began the daily process of weaning us off the milk, off the baby food, to food that needed to be properly chewed and digested. Verse 14 indicates a part of spiritual maturity is being able to distinguish “good from evil.”  That maturity comes from “constant use” as we are faithful in applying God’s Word to every situation in our daily lives.

APPLICATION:  As the food I just ate is being processed over the next few hours, so God’s word that I am now pondering will need to be processed into my decisions and actions as I go throughout this day.  Growth takes time.  It is a continual, on-going process. 

I may not get it right the first time, or much better the second time, but if I do not quit, I will improve.  Maturity does not come through church-time use, or devotion-time use, but through “constant use.”

PRAYER:  Lord, may I be as desirous of growing as you are of seeing me grow.  May I not be content with where I am, but always have a desire to live more like you.  May I be constantly aware of the need to “use” your Word in every situation I face today.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 07, 2023: SOAP #4964: Hosea 10-12; Psalm 73; Hebrews 4

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

OBSERVATION:  Here are two all-inclusive words.    From this truth, NO ONE is excluded; EVERYONE is included.  Not a person on earth can say that this truth does not apply to them. 

The omnipotent, omnipresent God sees everything!   Nothing is outside His view. 

But that is only the first part of this verse.  The last part tells us that we will all answer to this All-seeing God.  We will be required to give an account!   No one will escape. 

APPLICATION:  This is a truth about God that can either terrify us or bring us great comfort us. 

For those who have ignored Jesus who was sent to die for their sins and have refused to make Him the Lord of their lives…this verse should terrify them.  For those depending on their own good works to answer for them when they give account for their lives…what if their works do not measure up to God’s requirements?  That is a scary thought!   Jesus showed us God’s requirements:  NO sin.  Not even one!  

But for me this verse brings great comfort!   God knows my heart!  He sees that Jesus is alive on the inside.  When my actions do not work out, He sees my heart!  He fully understands my intentions.  While here on earth, the Holy Spirit guides me according to the Bible, helping me to live a life pleasing to God.  And when I “must give account” I will be judged according to the life of Jesus.  My life is hidden with Christ in God! (Colossians 3:2-4) 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for forgiving me and accepting the blood of Jesus to cover my sins.  Holy Spirit, thank you for being my daily companion.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 06, 2023: SOAP #4963: Hosea 6-9; Hebrews 3

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

OBSERVATION:  This is more than a suggestion.  Jesus is not to cross our thoughts once a week, or even once a day.  Jesus is to be a permanent fixture in our thoughts. 

APPLICATION:  How I think is very important.  People who are soulish tend to let their emotions color their thinking.  People who are worldly let the cares of the world affect their thoughts.  People who are carnal tend to let their physical body affect their thinking.  People who are spiritual tend to mix God in their thoughts.  Every subject that crosses my mind should come under the inspection of my knowledge of God. 

People hear our words and see our actions, but God knows our thoughts.  He knows the motives that lead to our actions. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, put a guard in my mind.  May you enjoy living among the thoughts in my heart and mind.  Forgive me for lingering on thoughts that are contrary to your ways, on thoughts that make you uncomfortable.  May you be pleased with my thoughts!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 05, 2023: SOAP #4962: Hosea 2-5; Hebrews 2 (reworked from 2019)

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 2: 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

OBSERVATION:  Love demanded that He help us; holiness demanded that the help come from one who had personally experienced and overcome temptation.  God is so HOLY that love cannot be allowed a short cut to help the one loved.  But God is so LOVING that he was willing to do what holiness required.  It is amazing!   It was God’s Holiness and Love that held Jesus on the cross to suffer and die for our sins.  In LOVE for me, Jesus submitted to what HOLINESS demanded from me! 

Because Jesus suffered through times of temptation when he was living as a man here on earth, he is able to help those who are being tempted now.  Jesus understands our trials not because someone told him about them, not because he read about them, not because he overheard someone talking about them, but because he experienced them!   He has been here; He has done that!  No one will say to the Judge, “You have no right to judge me; you do not know how bad my life was.”

APPLICATION:  Jesus can help me; He has experience dealing with the devil; he knows how to defeat Satan.  Jesus can help me; He has experience dealing with the weaknesses and limitations of being human; he knows I cannot rely on the flesh, so he gives me His Holy Spirit.  Jesus can help me; He is finished dealing with his own trials; Satan cannot distract Him from helping me.   Praise the Lord!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you were the only one who could do for me what I needed. In great love, you sent your son to die in my place.  My life is yours.  You deserve so much more; it is all I can do. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 04, 2023: SOAP #4961: 2Kings 15-16; Hosea 1; Hebrews 1

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
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:  Here is the center of all God’s purposes in creating and working with man.  It all centers in Jesus!  Jesus is the shining out of the hidden glory of God.  Jesus is how God acts, how God talks, how God loves.  How can that be?  It could not be any other way!   Jesus is God!   He is the exact representation of God the Father’s being.  There is nothing in the Father that is not in Jesus!   Jesus laid aside His glory as God but did not stop being God. (Philippians 2:6-8)   Jesus is the Word of God that became flesh. (John 1:14) Jesus not only forgives our sins, He provided “purification for sins!” (see above)  His death is sufficient to cover all our sins!   Now Jesus is back in His rightful place, glorified in heaven.  He did not have to fight to get it back: it is His by right of Who He is, Who He has always been, and Who He will ever be!  He accomplished His task; HE IS SEATED!!! 

APPLICATION:  It is good for me to be reminded of Who died for me.  It is good for me to be reminded of Who I am serving. 

Living in this world, it is easy to get my eyes off Jesus and onto my troubles.  God’s enemy wants me to keep my eyes on my troubles.  It is his way of robbing God of the attention God deserves. 

PRAYER:  Forgive me, Lord, for slighting you by ignoring you.  Instead of using my mental energies to praise and worship you, I use them to worry about what might happen.  Holy Spirit, fill my thoughts with JESUS!  May He be the center of all my mental imaginations.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 04, 2023: SOAP #4960: Isaiah 6-7; 2Chronicles 26-27; Philemon

SCRIPTURE:  2Chronicles (NIV) 27:1Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for sixteen years…. 2 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done, but unlike him he did not enter the temple of the LORD. The people, however, continued their corrupt practices .6 Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God.

OBSERVATION:  Jotham’s father, King Uzziah had been a godly king until the later days of his life when he took on priestly duties and God smote him with leprosy.  Surely that made an impression on young Jotham.  And even though the citizens of Judah did not turn back to the LORD, King Jotham was a godly king.  He honored the LORD.  He stood against the tendency to leave his personal commitment to the LORD. 

So, it is not a surprise that God made King Jotham to prosper. 

APPLICATION:  God is gracious and merciful.  He loves to bless His children.  Even at times when they do not deserve His blessings, He remains faithful and continues to send blessings their way.  Note:  God continued to bless the children of Israel with manna and water even though they refused to enter the land He had promised them! 

But I want to be like Jotham, one who walks steadfastly before the LORD my God.  May it bring joy to His heart to bless me.  May he know that any blessings He sends my way will be used to bless others. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, may I be like King Jotham, walking steadfastly in your way.  May you be smiling when you bless me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 02, 2023: SOAP #4959: Isaiah 4-5; Psalm 115-116; Jude

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 115: 2 Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” 3 Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. 4 But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. 5 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; 6 they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; 7 they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats.
 Psalm (NIV) 116: 1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

OBSERVATION:  After reading the list of things that idols cannot do (Psalm 115), what a joy to read the last 10 verses of Psalm 115!  God hears and remembers and blesses us! 

And we can rejoice with the psalmist in 116.  He served a God that has ears!   He served a God who focused His ears on the psalmist!  He served a God who not only heard sounds, but who listened!   He understood the cry of the psalmist and responded!  

God is not like politicians who make promises hoping to get votes in the coming elections.  But once in their office, they forget.  They do not listen and/or remember what they heard or promised. 

APPLICATION:  Like the psalmist, I should call on the Lord “as long as I live.”  God should be the first one I tell about my troubles.  He alone has endless resources.  I settle for so much less when I depend on people.  They are so limited, but God is so unlimited! 

God has made so many promises.  No one else could make, and keep, so many  great and wonderful promises!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, the more I know your word and promises, I am amazed that you are not more offended when I look to others before calling on you.  You want me to depend on you!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 01, 2023: SOAP #4958: Isaiah 1-3; Titus 3

SCRIPTURE:  Titus (NIV) 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy …. 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

OBSERVATION:  Three themes are combined in verse seven: a past, a present and a future.  I tend to think of these three parts of my life separately.  But in God, the forgiven past is forgotten as if it never happened.  That which continues with us from the past is made new!  It moves into our present, passing under the blood and becomes a part of our future!   Hallelujah!!

APPLICATION:  As to my past, I have been forgiven and in God’s eyes I am “just-as-if-I’d” never sinned.  I was justified by His grace!  (Romans 3:24) As to my present, I am an heir.  I am God’s child.  I am family!  (Romans 8:17) As to my future, I have a hope of eternal life.  It is a hope of living forever with God in the place Jesus went to prepare for me!  (Titus 2:13)

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, You sent your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for my sins.  You accept the payment of His blood for all my sins—those 20 years ago and those yesterday.  Now I am a part of your family, and the Holy Spirit is with me 24 hours every day.  You have given me hope for a bright future, eternal life that can never die!  Thank you for forgiving me, accepting me into your family, and giving me the hope of eternal life in heaven.   Amen                                                                        

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 30, 2023: SOAP #4957: Amos 7-9; Psalm 104; Titus 2

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 104:24 How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
Amos (NIV) 9:14 I will bring back my exiled people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit.
15 I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,” says the LORD your God.

OBSERVATION:  So many wonders in the world!  Psalm 104 mentions the skies and the earth, the created animals on the earth and in the sea!  Then as I was reading Amos, I saw the prophecy about Israel.  Of the countries present in the Old Testament, only Israel remains.  Though scattered and the target of a plot to eliminate them from the face of the earth, yet there they are, back in the land God promised.

APPLICATION:  Is God still doing wonders today?  Just look at Israel!  Does God keep His promises?   Just look at Israel!   Is God at work in the world today?   Just look at Israel!   Does God forget His promises?  Just read the above scriptures and look at Israel!   Is anything too hard for God?  Just look at Israel

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you are the God of Israel, AND you are the God of me!  What an amazing God you are!  You are worth my love and service!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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