Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 24, 2022: SOAP #4647: Jeremiah 33-34; Psalm 74; 1John 5

SCRIPTURE: 1John (NIV) 5:2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

OBSERVATION:  In this letter, John mentions many things that we can know, and he goes on to tell us “how we can know.”  For John, the proof of our faith is in our actions.  Proof of our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ can be seen in our love for God.  Our love for God can be seen in our obedience to His commands. 

For those who love God, obeying Him is not a heavy burden!  It is a joy to carry out His commands.

APPLICATION: Love of God is not something that can be kept a secret.  Loving God will make me want to know what He had to say, so the Bible will become my most favored book.  Loving God will make me want to please Him, so I will read the Bible to see what He likes, what pleases Him, what brings Him joy.  Loving God makes me want to be around other people who love Him.  I enjoy worship and hearing the preaching of the Word.  Others will see changes in me because I love God. 

Love of God is hard to hide. 

PRAYER:  Lord, may everyone around me know that I love and serve you.  May they see that serving you is not a burden, but a source of joy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 23, 2022: SOAP #4646: Jeremiah 31-32; 1John 4

SCRIPTURE: 1John (NIV) 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.  5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.  6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

OBSERVATION:  The key to overcoming the world is not doing the best you can.  It is not using all your self-power to withstand temptation.  It is not depending on the church to step in and give support.  It is not going to a success seminar.  The key to overcoming the world is having Someone who has already overcome the world living inside!   The One inside me must be bigger than the one in the world. 

We need an inside connection to keep us informed on heaven’s viewpoint! 

APPLICATION: One cannot overstress the importance of having Jesus living inside!   I acknowledge that I am a sinner; ask Him to forgive my sins; invite Him to live in my heart; and then thank Him for doing just that…not because I am worthy, but because He promised, and I believe He keeps His word! 

What a difference it makes when God dwells inside, and I acknowledge His presence in me. 

PRAYER:  Lord, help me to keep fresh in my memory that you are living inside me.  May I be a good host, talking to you and making you comfortable.  Holy Spirit, show me things to do that honor Jesus.  Strengthen me to overcome the one who lives in the world.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 22, 2022: SOAP #4645: Jeremiah 28-30; 1John 3

SCRIPTURE: 1John (NIV) 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him. 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

OBSERVATION:  It cannot be said better than that! If you want to know what love is, look at Jesus!

If you want to know what love does, look at Jesus!

APPLICATION: If I want to love like Jesus, I have found that I cannot do it on my own.  I had to give my life to Jesus, ask Him to live in me and He expresses His love through me! 

I cannot meet all the needs of everyone I meet each day.  I need the Holy Spirit to stir the love of God in my heart as to what I can do.   

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I know that you will not allow me to ignore a need of my brother.  I know that you are aware of my possessions and my needs.  I trust you to lead me in how I can use my possessions to be a part of the answer for my brother’s need.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 21, 2022: SOAP #4644: Jeremiah 21, 24, 27; Psalm 118; 1John 2

SCRIPTURE: 1John (NIV) 2:9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

OBSERVATION:  John makes it so simple.  It is hard to miss.  My relationship to God can be seen in my relationship to my brother.   If the “Source Of All Love” dwells within me, then love will certainly flow out of me. 

APPLICATION: I may be tempted to use this as a measure to see if my brother is walking in the light.  But the main issue is not how my brother loves me, but how I love my brother.

The longer He lives in me, the more loving I should be. 

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for making the most important issue so simple. Holy Spirit, plant this in my thoughts today and bring it to my memory when I need it most.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 20, 2022: SOAP #4643: Jeremiah 48-49; Psalm 67; 1John 1

SCRIPTURE: 1John (NIV) 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

OBSERVATION:  I have yet to meet a person claiming to have lived a perfect life.  We all have a line of acceptable behavior, and, at some time, have all fallen below our own line right and wrong.  So, as in verse 8, claiming to have never sinned is deceiving ourselves.  And, as in verse 10, claiming to have never sinned is calling God a liar for He says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Our predicament is hopeless without the verse in the middle, verse 9.  Acknowledging the truth, agreeing with God that I have sinned, I discover that God not only forgives, He purifies me from all unrighteousness!

APPLICATION: What a God!  He does for me what I could not do for myself!   He forgives me and purifies me from all unrighteousness!  Amazing!  I receive it by faith.  Then He sends the Holy Spirit to live in me empowering me to resist temptation.  And he continues to forgive me and cleanse me as needed!  I am humbled!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for your forgiveness provided for me through the death of your Son, Jesus!  Thank you for your Holy Spirit living in me, helping me to resist temptation.  Thank you that you continue to forgive me and continue to cleanse me from all unrighteousness!  Thank you for being what I need!  It humbles me to say it, but You are the perfect God for me!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 19, 2022: SOAP #4642: Jeremiah 45-47; Psalm 105; John 21

SCRIPTURE: Psalm (NIV) 105:4 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 5 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced…
8 He remembers his covenant forever, the word he commanded, for a thousand generations,

OBSERVATION:  When God created man, He created him in His image.  We have many similar characteristics.  One special likeness is memory.  In the above verses, we see that there are special things we are to remember.  We are to remember the times God did things that only God could do.  We are also to remember the promises of judgment he will send if we continue in sinful ways.  

But we see that God also has a memory.  He remembers His promises.  He remembers His covenants—His promises He swore to people, binding them with a sacrifice.  How special the promise He has given that is sealed with the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, on the cross. 

APPLICATION:  When I confess my sins, God remembers the sacrifice of Jesus!  He forgives me.  Now it is for me to remember what forgiveness cost the Holy God.  My sin could not be ignored; a proper sacrifice was needed; a sacrifice that could only be made by Jesus.  When I remember what He has done for me, is anything too great for me to do for Him?  

PRAYER:  Lord, I confess my sins!  I give you my life!  I invite you to live your life in me.  I set you as Lord over my life.  Forgive me for forgetting promises I have made to you.  Help me remember my promises to you and your promises to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 18, 2022: SOAP #4641: Jeremiah 26, 35-36; John 20

SCRIPTURE: John (NIV) 20:19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

OBSERVATION:  Here Jesus declares His purpose…and ours.  He was sent, and in the same way we are sent.  He was the Sent One, now we are sent ones! If Jesus was sending them as He was sent, then they would have to be accompanied by the Holy Spirit.  His ministry did not begin until anointed by the Spirit at his water baptism by John when the Spirit descended in the form of a dove.  Jesus was not going to send his disciples out into ministry without the benefit of the Spirit.  They would not be sent out with less than He had when His ministry began.

APPLICATION: It is not by chance I am where I am.  I have been sent.  If Jesus depended on the Holy Spirit to direct His ministry, how much more must I learn to be led by the Spirit.  I must follow the example of Jesus in trusting the Spirit.

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, lead me to be like Jesus and to do what He would do in the places I am being sent today. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Separate Note: 
Friends, 

I have been amazed at how God uses the SOAPs He gives me every day!   I never dreamed they would go as far as they have.  Every week, and many times every day I receive reports of how they are reaching into new areas. 

I am humbled to know that God uses these SOAPs to share His Word.  I believe God uses these SOAPs because they are faithful and fresh every day—faithful for over twelve years and fresh every day.  God wants to have a current relationship with His children.  He wants us to listen every day to what He is saying. 

Should you be interested, from time to time, in receiving updates in a separate email as to how this ministry began and how it is spreading, send me a reply by email at ernestlhiebert@gmail.com.  Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 17, 2022: SOAP #4640: 2Kings 24; Jeremiah 23, 25; John 19

SCRIPTURE: John (NIV) 19:18 Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle…
28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

OBSERVATION:  After eating the Passover supper with His disciples, He took them to the garden where He prayed, and where Judas led those who arrested Him.  From then on, prophecies of His trial and crucifixion were fulfilled by others until verse 28.  “Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty.’”   With those words Jesus started the fulfillment of Psalm 69:21. Up to that time, Jesus had been the passive victim enduring the suffering from what others were doing to Him. It was all within the Father’s will. 

And now, everything was set in motion.  His physical death was moments away.  BUT all scripture must be fulfilled!  Psalm 69:21 must be fulfilled.  (“They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.”) So Jesus says, “I thirst.”

APPLICATION: As I have progressed through my life as a Christian, there have been things that happened to me.  Sometimes it seemed my life was in the hands of others.  And at other times my life moved as I made decisions. 

But I have given my life to the Lord.  When it was my decision, I have trusted Him to show me how to decide and what directions to take.  When my life was at the mercy of others, in my heart I knew that God had control!   No one was big enough to move me out of God’s will.  I had to let my faith dominate my attitudes.

PRAYER:  Lord, when the choices are mine, I joyfully choose to do your will.  And when I have no choice as to my physical body and its surroundings, I choose to make my heart a place that you enjoy by keeping my attitudes in line with the fruit of the Spirit.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 16, 2022: SOAP #4639: 2Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalm 112; John 18

SCRIPTURE: Psalm (NIV) 112:1 Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands.
2 His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.

OBSERVATION:  People who have had the experience of overseeing workers will easily identify with three types of workers.  First, there are those who refuse to work.  They do everything they can to get out of working.  Second are those who do the work but are constantly complaining about how hard the work and how they would rather be somewhere else.  The third type is a joy to have working for you.  They delight in having a job.  They are quick to do the job.  They are careful to do it right. 

People who can identify with this can surely understand how God looks at His children, His servants. 

APPLICATION: I want to delight in following the Lord’s commands, making it a joy for Him to bless me.  I want to do my job with a joyful heart.  When He sees me, I want to make Him smile. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I know I will not be able to please everyone all the time, but, Lord, I want my words and actions to always please you. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 15, 2022: SOAP #4638: Jeremiah 18-20; Psalm 93; John 17

SCRIPTURE: John (NIV) 17:25 “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

OBSERVATION:  Jesus is speaking of a most personal relationship.  He does not want us to just know about Him.  He does not want us to just hear about Him. He does not want us to just read about Him.  He wants us to know Him (Note John 17:3).  Jesus does not want to just to have weekly visitations.  Jesus does not want to just be a distant relative, like a grandparent or important ancestor.  Even more than being with us, He desires to be in us.  (Revelation 3:20)  He does not want to move into the house next door, or the family room in our home…He wants to be IN us.  He wants to share this body and share this life. 

APPLICATION:  More than the banker I visit at the bank.  More than the baker I visit at the restaurant.  More than the doctor I visit at the hospital.  At my invitation, Jesus has made my heart His home.  We share this life together.  He enables me to be more than I can be.  With His forgiveness comes peace and joy!  Like Paul wrote, “Christ in me, the hope of glory!” (Colossians 1:27)

PRAYER:  As a child, I used to sing: “Into my heart; Into my heart; Come into my hear, Lord Jesus.  Come in today, Come in to stay.  Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.”   Thank you Jesus for doing just that!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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