Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 19, 2023: SOAP #4946: 2Kings 1-3; Psalm 82; 1Timothy 1

SCRIPTURE:  1Timothy (NIV) 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

OBSERVATION:  Who did God choose to be one of His chief servants?  He chose a blasphemer, a persecutor, a violent man, a sinner—a bad sinner—the worst of sinners!   Not a very promising candidate for God’s service to honor the Son God sent who was loving, kind, gentle, holy, gracious. 

It seems to me that, in Saul/Paul, God chose someone the most opposite of Jesus to be a chief spokesman for the kingdom of His Son! 

Why would God do that?  Verse 16 tells us that Paul’s life would be a display that no one coming to God through Jesus would be denied!!! 

APPLICATION:  All excuses that we are too bad for Jesus to accept are destroyed in Paul’s life.  All excuses that our sin is too great are destroyed.  We are all welcome. 

And, like Paul, God will use our lives to display to others like us that they can also receive eternal life through believing on Jesus! 

PRAYER:  Lord, we are so unworthy of your grace and mercy.  But, like Paul and like others you have received into your kingdom, we humbly ask your forgiveness for our many sins.  Please accept the death of Jesus as the payment for our sins.  Make us clean.  Give us a clear conscience.  Thank you for forgiving us.  Use our lives as a display of what you will do for others.  Thankfully, Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 18, 2023: SOAP #4945: 1Kings 22; 2Chronicales 18,19; Colossians 4

SCRIPTURE:  Colossians (NIV) 4:5 Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

OBSERVATION:  These two verses give direction for interacting with unbelievers. 

APPLICATION:  It would be good for me to read these verses every time I go to school, or to work, or to the market—every time I will be in a place where I will meet unbelievers. 

I should read them especially before attending a family reunion, or a wedding, or a funeral—wherever I will be meeting unsaved relatives. 

Making the most of every opportunity will require something of me. 

PRAYER:  Lord, this may speak to many SOAP readers, but I know for sure this is for me.  Holy Spirit, keep these verses fresh in my thoughts.  Whenever I meet a stranger, I want to be open to whatever thought you may bring to my heart.  Lord, use me for your glory!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 17, 2023: SOAP #4944: 1Kings 20,21; 2Chronicles 17; Colossians 3

SCRIPTURE:  Colossians (NIV) 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.  
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips.

OBSERVATION:  When I confessed my sins to the Lord and received His forgiveness, He made me a new creation.  The old Leon died.  The inner man died and the Holy Spirit became the new operating system in me.  Remaining behind from the old man are thought patterns and habits that are incompatible with the new life that God has in me.  Paul tells me they must be “put to death.” 

It is like a war being won, and occupation forces are left to enforce the victory and establish a new government. 

God knows Leon very well!  He knows I will have trouble “putting to death” old habits, and new habits that have gotten stuck to me from the world in which I live.  He knows…and He made provisions for my weaknesses.  He has assigned His Holy Spirit to live in me!!!  His presence and His power are vital in establishing God’s kingdom, using me to spread His victory, and preparing me for heaven!  

APPLICATION:  It is so important that I listen to the Holy Spirit.  I must become familiar with His voice and how He speaks to me.  He speaks to me through friends, through circumstances, through His voice that I hear in my heart.  He speaks to me through the scriptures.  He uses the scriptures to confirm what I have heard through other sources. 

PRAYER:  Lord, it is exciting to consider what lies ahead and what you are doing to prepare me for the future. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 16, 2023: SOAP #4943: 1Kings 17-19; Colossians 2

The Amazing Christ!  (reworked)

SCRIPTURE:  Colossians (NIV) 2:2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

OBSERVATION:  To overlook Christ in one’s search for wisdom and knowledge would be a major mistake.  Every area of truth finds it apex in Christ.  Every area of truth is joined to every other area of truth through Christ.  To completely understand every area of geology, biology, science, math, medicine, etc., they need to be linked to His purpose in creation.  He is the Eternal God; all history can only be fully understood in the light of His purpose in creating and dealing with mankind.  Every area of truth flows out from His being.  He is not an add-on part of these studies; He is the heart! 

APPLICATION:  In my limited understanding of the many aspects of truth, I find that each one has the same origin: Christ!  

Jesus claimed to be “THE way, THE truth, and THE life.” (John 14:6) No search for wisdom and knowledge can be complete without Christ! 

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, in you is the fullness of God. In you are all “the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  You are beyond my limited ability to fully understand.  May I be ever growing in my appreciation of you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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MY SOAP SAGA:  In the morning, Sharon and I will be starting our journey to the north-western state of Idaho.  We will visit dear friends who were a part of the church we pastored in Hawaii back in the 1970-80s.  We are delighted to have our son, Doron, going with us.  He will be a great help with the driving!  I believe I will be able to continue the SOAPs every day, but there may be problems with the internet or whatever?   Their arrival time may be different.  Writing and posting the SOAPs is top priority; reading and responding to messages is not so high. We should be back home the first few days of July.   Leon  😊 

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 15, 2023: SOAP #4942: 1Kings 16; 2Chronicles 15,16; Colossians 1

SCRIPTURE:  Colossians (NIV) 1:25 I have become its [the church’s] servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fulness—26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations but is now disclosed to the saints.

OBSERVATION:  Paul considered himself, first, a servant of God, and second, a servant of the church.  He was a servant with an assignment.   Paul’s assignment/commission was to help people know that God had something to say to them.  They needed to be aware of the word of God.

But more than just being aware, or observing, the Word of God, they needed to know how to apply it to their everyday lives.  They needed to see the difference the Word could make in their lives. 

APPLICATION:  The Word/Bible/scriptures have much to say about how I live my life.  The Word shows me how to apply truth to my life.  It shows me how the life of Jesus is to be seen in me.  …in me at home.  …in me at school.  …in me at work.  …in me wherever!  

In writing these SOAPs, the priority is the scripture.  Through what verse is God speaking the most clearly to Leon?  The second priority is the application.  What does this passage mean to Leon?  What change is the Holy Spirit working on now.  How is this truth to be lived out in my life? 

PRAYER:  Lord, like Paul, you have made me a servant to those who read the SOAPs.  Help me clearly understand and clearly explain how the scripture applies to my/our lives.  Help parents explain to their children.  Anoint them and give them fresh ways of showing and teaching their children to apply God’s word.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 14, 2023: SOAP #4941: 1Kings 15; 2Chronicles 13,14; Philippians 4

SCRIPTURE:  Philippians (NIV) 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

OBSERVATION:  Here are two verses that are often used as stand-alone passages:  the first about prayer, and the second about peace.  But there is a simple word at the beginning of verse 7 that connects it with verse 6.  It is the word “and.”  Verse 7 is continuing the thought of verse 6.  Verse 7 is the result of the praying in verse 6. 

Taking my requests to people does not result in peace.  What if they are not able to fulfill my request?  What if they are not willing to help?  What if their circumstances change and prevent them from helping me?    Having good intentions does not guarantee their help.   After talking to people, I cannot rest assured that all is well. 

APPLICATION:  So, if I want the peace of verse 7, I must pray like verse 6. 

In “presenting my requests to God” I know I have taken them to the highest authority possible!  I know I have taken them to the most powerful being!  I know I have taken them to the wisest being!  I know I have taken them to the only One who will never run short of resources!   I know I have taken them to One who loves me dearly!  He may use people to answer, but they will be responding to Him and not to my ability to motivate them to give to me. 

These verses do not limit my prayers to specific needs or for certain problems, or even certain people.  These verses give us basic truth about praying for “anything” and “everything!” 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, surely you want your children to have the joy of answered prayers.  Surely you enjoy answering the prayers of your children.  So, you want us to grow and pray according to the guidelines you have set for us.  Holy Spirit, help me pray prayers that the Father loves to answer!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 13, 2023: SOAP #4940: 1Kings 13,14; 2Chronicles 12; Philippians 3

SCRIPTURE:  Philippians (NIV) 3:18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

OBSERVATION:  When a citizen from another country moves into our neighborhood, we can notice their different customs.  They often talk a little differently.  They prepare different foods. They may have unique clothes.  We may overhear family conversations with words that we do not understand. 

As we grow in our Christian life, we begin to change.  Through reading God’s Word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers old thought patterns and habits begin to drop out of our lives.  New priorities and new ways of thinking fill their place.  We see ourselves as citizens of heaven!   Neighbors and those we frequently see begin to ask questions. 

APPLICATION:  These changes happen on the inside, but they are noticeable on the outside.  Our lives become a witness.  We should not need to make any effort to witness; we ARE A WITNESS!   God is making changes that cannot be hidden. 

I always enjoyed the Kaneohe Samoan AG church singing: “Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, Oh what a change in my life!”

PRAYER:  Lord, as long as you live in me, you will be working to make me a better citizen of heaven.  Please, never stop working.  May my life bring you joy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 12, 2023: SOAP #4939: 1Kings 12; 2Chronicles 10,11; Philippians 2

Too Good Not To Repeat (from 2018)

SCRIPTURE:  Philippians (NIV) 2:6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

OBSERVATION:  For Jesus, being born as a man was not enough. Even then He humbled Himself, becoming willing to submit to that which was required of Him, even death. And if that was not enough, and in the justice of God it was not, the death was on a cross, showing it was under the curse of sin.

We see five steps of emptying/humbling that the Son completed:
1.  …from being God to making Himself nothing;  2. …to taking on the nature of a servant;  3. …to becoming a man;  4. …to death;  5. …to death under the curse as a criminal.

What a contrast to the five “I wills” of satan in Isaiah 14:13 and 14:
1. “I will ascend to heaven;  2. I will raise my throne above the stars of God;  3. I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain;  4. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;  5. I will make myself like the Most High.”

It was satan’s goal to raise himself to the place from which Jesus was willing to descend.  How we should appreciate the great sacrifice of our Precious Savior.  It is no wonder that the Father has highly exalted Jesus! Note:  Philippians 2:9,10.

APPLICATION:  Satan’s goal was to gain for himself; Jesus goal was to gain for others — for me! Being like Jesus means that I must be willing to humble myself.  The life of Jesus in me is one honoring my Heavenly Father and serving others.

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, today, help me walk humbly before God and people. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 11, 2023: SOAP #4938: Song of Solomon 5-8; Philippians 1

SCRIPTURE:  Philippians (NIV) 1:23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

OBSERVATION:  Paul is considering the benefits of his death or his continued life.  Dying would mean being in heaven with Christ.  Living would mean remaining alive on earth.  Paul saw God’s purpose for his life was for others.  God had Paul on earth to help believers to grow/progress in the faith. 

And here the Lord showed me something more.  Paul was not only to help the believers to grow; he was also to help them to have “joy” in the faith—to be joyful!  Because of Paul’s visit, their “joy in Christ” would “overflow!” 

APPLICATION:  Here is a worthy goal for my life.  May my life and my presence encourage people to grow…and more than that, may they have joy…joy that overflows.  May people have abundant rejoicing in Christ Jesus because of me. 

Joy makes us attractive to the world.  We should let it show!!!  

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for making me a joyful person.  Your presence in me and your promises to me cause me to rejoice!  Use me to spread your joy to others.  Holy Spirit, help me lift the vision and spirit of those around me.  Lord, may you be glorified in their joy “on account of me.”  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 10, 2023: SOAP #4937: Song of Solomon 1-4; Ephesians 6

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

OBSERVATION:   In requesting prayer for himself, Paul gives direction in how he would like for them to pray for him.  He knows their love for him and realizes that their prayers may be influenced by that love.  Without direction, they may pray for God to work circumstances for him to be released from prison.  They may spend too much prayer time asking for his health, or that he gets enough to eat or drink.  So, he tells them what to pray.

Paul gives them two ways to pray for him.  He wants prayer that “words may be given” to him.  I believe he is wanting the anointing of the Holy Spirit to speak prophecy and words of wisdom through him. 

Second, he wants them to pray that he will not let fear affect what he might say.  His desire to bring clear revelation to that which had been hidden in mysteries.

APPLICATION:  Each believer has times when we need the Holy Spirit to give us boldness to speak truth.  Surely, we should pray for our pastors to have such boldness and speak the words given to them by the Holy Spirit. 

As God has given me to write these daily SOAPs, this is an appropriate prayer request from me.  Only God knows how many thousands read these SOAPs every day, but if it was only one, I need the Holy Spirit to give me the words and boldness to send them out. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, I need your anointing to write the messages that you give me each day.  Help me write them fearlessly and clearly.  Help me to make them easy to understand and easy to apply to our daily lives.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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