Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 14, 2025:  SOAP #5825: Psalm 149; 1Corinthians 15, 16

SCRIPTURE:  1 Corinthians (NIV) 15:3  For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

OBSERVATION:  What Paul had received he was willing to share with others.  I believe this was basically true of Paul’s life, but especially of the one most important truth: Christ had died and been buried but He arose on the third day.  And from his study of the scriptures, Paul knew that this had been God’s plan all along. 

What made the death of Christ so important can be seen in a simple three word phrase:  “for our sins.”   Jesus died “for our sins!”   This was the reason Jesus, the Son of God, allowed himself to be beaten and crucified as a criminal. 

And although the truth Paul received about Jesus radically changed his life, he could not be satisfied until he had passed it on

APPLICATION:  Jesus died for my sins!  How important is this truth to me?   Is it important enough to pass on to others? To whom have I passed it on? 

PRAYER:  Lord, more than an Easter celebration once a year, the truth of your death for my sins and your resurrection should be celebrated every day of the year.  I may not be able to explain everything, but surely I can tell someone what you have done for me. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 13, 2025:  SOAP #5824: Job 39, 40; 1Corinthians 13, 14

NOTE:  Today’s SOAP is a repeat from earlier this year.  After doing these SOAPs for 15+ years, I do repeat some, usually taking an old one and prayerfully re-working it.  This is the first time I have ever taken one so recent to repeat, and with so little editing.  I try to listen to the Lord and send out a SOAP that HE is speaking to me.  Maybe this SOAP is only for me, but the Application is breaking my heart.  

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

OBSERVATION:   Put prophecy, wisdom and faith in verse 2 and generosity and sacrifice in verse 3 – all on one side of God’s scale.  Then put love as the lone quality on the other side.  It will not be balanced!  What is it about love that makes God give it so much value?  I asked the Lord and He dropped these words in my heart: 

Having prophecy, wisdom, faith, generosity, and sacrifice makes people love me.  Having God’s love makes me love others. 

APPLICATION:   The important thing is not how much others love me, but how much I love others!   It is not about being so “nice” that people love me, it is about being so full of God that I love people, especially those hard to love. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, surely, no one has ever loved you the way you have loved us. I am certain that I have never loved you the way you have loved me.  Holy Spirit, help me grow in loving God.  Help me faithfully express my love to God by loving those around me, not only in the big ways, but especially in the little ways, and especially when no one is watching but You.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Also on:  soapsbyleon.wordpress.com

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 12, 2025:  SOAP #5823: Job 37, 38; 1Corinthians 12

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. 12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.

OBSERVATION:  In this chapter, Paul uses the human body to teach us about the body of Christ, the church.  Each member is a special part of the body.  What makes them special is their difference! 

If every member of my physical body looked exactly the same, and did exactly the same function, I would not have much of a life.  And if every member of the SOAP ministry did exactly the same thing, it would be a very weak ministry.  It is as each one is faithful to do their part, that God can use the simple thing we do for His glory!   We each have a unique assignment. 

APPLICATION:  I am so glad I did not quit writing SOAPs after the first year.  When I began, 365 (one for each day of the year) would have been a respectable number in my mind.  I would have thought I had done well.  But God had so much more!   Today is #5823 and somewhere along the line, God added you!  Somewhere He add the SOAPs in India and Bangladesh.  Somewhere He added countries in Africa.  As I have been faithful doing my assignment, my part, God has been faithful to grow this ministry. 

We each must be faithful doing our part, even in little things, especially in little things.  Only God knows what He can accomplish with our faithfulness. 

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for keeping me faithful in loving and serving you.  My life is blest knowing that you are faithful to your promises!  In so many ways, we do reap what we sow.  May you be blest now, and for all eternity, you reap what you have sown.  May the harvest you reap from my life bring you much glory!  Amen

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 10, 2025:  SOAP #5821: Job 35, 36; 1Corinthians 7, 8

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 9:20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.
21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.
22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

OBSERVATION:  The “gospel” is the good news about what Jesus has done for us in dying for our sins.  In this chapter we see some of the sacrifices Paul made to take the gospel to people who did not know.  He worked hard without pay.  He traveled to distant locations.  He crossed cultural barriers.  He worked to support himself and his ministry.  He endured physical suffering and even prison.  And what did Paul write in verse 23 above?  “I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.!”

APPLICATION:  What were Paul’s blessings?  The blessings of seeing lives changed.  The blessings of seeing Jesus worshipped and appreciated for Who He is and what He has done!   The blessing of eternity and knowing that his earthly life made a difference.  The blessings of the fellowship in eternity with those who committed their lives to Jesus!  

PRAYER:  Lord, I pray these same blessings on those called to share the gospel through SOAP ministry.  Bless those willing to give time in serving to print and distribute, and travel to distant villages and cities to share the gospel in the SOAPs.  May those who have given money know that they too will “share in its blessings.”  But Lord, most of all, may you be blessed in this harvest time.  Amen

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 08, 2025:  SOAP #5819: Job 34; 1Corinthians 4-6

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.

OBSERVATION:  This passage is about the body people call “Leon.”  (and yours too!)
“…temple of the Holy Spirit.”  He went to all that trouble to purchase me so that I could fulfill His original plan in creating man. 
“…who is in me, whom I have received from God.”  The one who took such pains in creating me, the one who sent His Son to purchase me by His death, He is the one who gave me the Holy Spirit to live in His temple.
“…not my own.”  I belong to the One Who bought me! 
“…bought with a price!”   What an amazing price that was!  He was willing to pay far more than I thought I was worth! 

APPLICATION:  What does that mean for my everyday life?  How am I to respond to such amazing love?  “Therefore,” Leon, “honor God with your body!”  Talk and act like your body is the favorite castle of the Creator of all the Universe and He is presently in His favorite home! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, your enemy, satan, has tried to convince me that I am not worth very much but the price you paid for me proves I am worth a lot to you!  You did not purchase me to be a place you visit on weekends or vacations, but a favorite place where you can enjoy living!  I know it is taking a lot of patience and effort on Your part to remodel me for your glory.  May the outside of this temple honor you, and the inside be a pleasing place for you to live.  Amen

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 08, 2025:  SOAP #5819: Job 33, 1Corinthians 1-3

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 2:11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him?  In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.  13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.        

OBSERVATION:  There is no greater teacher than the Spirit of God.  How to hear and understand the Spirit as He speaks to us should be one of the first things we learn. 

Unless specifically directed by the Holy Spirit, one does not need to travel to another location or attend a special school; the GREATEST TEACHER actually lives within us!   Even if He directs us to a school on another location, He continues to be our TEACHER!  

APPLICATION:  The Holy Spirit has many ways of speaking to us.  He uses scripture, sermons, songs, things we see in nature, other people, and just fresh thoughts that seemingly pass through our thinking.

Make special note of strong thoughts or inclinations that cross your mind.  In a sermon, or conversation, you may hear others voicing the same thoughts.  When the same thought comes to you from many different sources, pay special attention.  God is speaking to you.   If you have a question, ask God to show you something in His Word that will clarify the issue.  Trust what you read in God’s Word and trust the Holy Spirit!  

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit use me to help others recognize how you speak to them.  In so many ways, you are speaking to us today!  You have not left us here to figure things out on our own.  Amen

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 07, 2025:  SOAP #5818: Job 31, 32; Galatians 5,6

SCRIPTURE:  Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love….
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. …
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

OBSERVATION:  In this chapter, Paul rejoices in our freedom from the law.  However, he is clear to say that does not mean we are free to sin.  The law did not invent sin; it only defined sin.  Sin was already present.  The law showed us the terribleness of sin and provided temporary sacrifices until the Perfect Sacrifice was made.  The law could not free us from sin and being free from the law does not free us to sin.  Paul is clear: using our freedom from the law as an excuse to sin is to forfeit any expectation of heaven—they “will not inherit the kingdom of God.” 

APPLICATION:  There is only one sacrifice that covers my sins—the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  And there is only one life that gives me power to live above sin—the resurrected life of Jesus living within.  The sacrifice of Jesus put an end to relying on the law given to Moses, but it did not negate the eternal truth that the wages of sin is death.  Repentance means confessing AND turning from sin. 

PRAYER:  Lord, by your forgiveness free me from the guilt of past sins, and by your life free me from the power of temptation today.  Forgive me for thinking it is OK to sin and then ask forgiveness later.  Holy Spirit, make me aware that you will face with me any temptation coming my way today.  Amen. 

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 06, 2025:  SOAP #5817: Job 30; Psalm 120; Galatians 3,4

SCRIPTURE:  Galatians (NIV) 3:24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

OBSERVATION:  The law did not bring sin.  It only defined the sin that was present in the world.  Sin entered the big picture when Satan rebelled against God.  Sin spread to the earth in the garden when Adam and Eve ate the fruit forbidden by their Creator.  The law defined sin.  The law helped us recognize sin.  The law showed us there was only one payment for sin—death. 

The law was not given with the thought that man could ever be able to keep the law.  At the same time the law was given sacrifices were established.  The law contained no rewards for perfectly keeping the law, only sacrifices for breaking the law. 

The law also helped us identify the Savior—the only one who was born without sin and perfectly kept the law.  He needed no sacrifice to atone for His sin; He became the sacrifice to atone for our sin!   

APPLICATION:  Oh, the wisdom of God in developing a perfectly holy and perfectly loving plan to deal with sinful man!  Oh, the love of God in sending His Son to be the perfect sacrifice!   Oh, the grace of God that continues to reach out to those who resist is love and direction!  Oh, the joy in the heart of God when a sinful person accepts the sacrifice of the Son to cover their sins!  Their acceptance, and any sacrifice they endure, validates God’s sacrifice in sending His Son and the suffering endured by the Son. 

The penalty for sin is death. Jesus paid my penalty.  The remedy for sin is a life powerful enough to resist temptation.  Jesus moves inside my life now clean through His blood and lives His powerful life through me!  Wow!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, nowhere in all creation is your character displayed in such splendor as in your dealing with fallen men.  Your wisdom in perfect holiness and perfect love are amazing!  Amen

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 05, 2025:  SOAP #5816: Job 28-29; Galatians 1-2

SCRIPTURE:  Galatians (NIV) 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

OBSERVATION:  With Christ, I share history.  My computer may be only 2 years old, but the program within may be 7 or 8 years old.  The program may have updates that are older than the computer.  —  The same is true of Leon.  I am only 73 years old, but in me is a life that goes all the way back to the crucifixion.  Christ, who was crucified, lives in me. 

With Christ, I share the present.  Paul was not living the life of Paul, but the life of Christ.  He considered himself dead to Paul and alive to Jesus!  The decisions about his actions were directed by Jesus.  —  The same is true of Leon.  There is a new life source directing my daily thoughts, words, and actions. 

With Christ, I share the future.  In our Father’s house, Jesus is now preparing a place for me that I may be where He is!   What a day that will be! 

APPLICATION:  On my own, I had no hope of being righteous enough to be allowed into heaven.  I could never keep all the demands of the law.  I had even broken the law before I understood it!   But when by faith I accept Jesus’ death as the payment for my sins, I became joined with Him, past, present, and future!  By faith, with Jesus on the cross, I died to myself.  Now, with Jesus living within me, He is training Leon to think of Leon as dead; Christ is living within. And in joyful faith I look forward to an eternity with Him in our Father’s house.  What a life!!!  What a past!  What a present!  What a future! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, your plan to include me amazes me.  I am eternally grateful for the sacrifices of you in sending your Son, and of Jesus in coming to die for my sins.  Holy Spirit, help me live my life in honor of these sacrifices.  Amen.

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