Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 15, 2022: SOAP #4607: Isaiah 22-24; Hebrews 12 

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews (NIV) 12:9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us, and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!  10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.  11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

OBSERVATION:  One expression of a father’s love is discipline. Discipline is not pleasant. It is not meant to be a joyful time of enjoying a father’s presence. It is designed to make a lasting impression. It is meant to be remembered when tempted to repeat the action that brought the discipline.

But there is a reason for discipline.  Verse 10 above says, “that we may share in His holiness!”  God wants us to be like Him! 

APPLICATION: I sing, “To be like Jesus,” or “Oh, to be like Thee,” or “Make me more like you, Jesus.”  God forgave my sins and took up residence inside me.  Maybe He sings, “Make Leon more like me!”  God knows that Leon would enjoy life so much more if he approached things like Jesus.  So, the Father sent the Holy Spirit to work on my inside.  He teaches me, and trains me, and convicts me of bad attitudes.  He even works on the smallest things in my life—things that I think are unimportant.  He is working on me so that I will share in HIS holiness! 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, don’t ever stop, don’t ever stop, don’t ever stop working on me.  Make me more like Jesus.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 14, 2022: SOAP #4606: Isaiah 19-21; Hebrews 11 

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews (NIV) 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

OBSERVATION:  Understanding comes from faith.  Faith does not come from understanding. Understanding will only get us so far.  There is always a limit to our understanding. When we reach the end of our understanding, we make a guess.  We go back to the beginning and try to reason out the conclusion. But faith in God ends in logical conclusions. Considering God in the picture brings a logical conclusion.

Without faith, scientist have tried to come up with a logical conclusion to their questions about the origin of life. They have given us the “big bang” theory and evolution.  Neither are provable and both processes require giant leaps of faith.

Including God in the picture, creation is very logical.  Yes, there are some leaps requiring faith, but seen in the light of an Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscience, and Eternal Creator, those leaps are quite logical!   So, our understanding comes from our faith! 

APPLICATION: God has not lost any of His power, His ability, or His knowledge since creation.  He remains the same today as He was then.  God has proved His love for me by sending His Son, Jesus, to die as payment for my sins. 

Loving and serving Him is the purpose of my life.  I am confident that He is willing and able to take care of my needs according in ways that will bless me throughout eternity. 

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for giving me the measure of faith you give to all people. (Romans 12:3)   Thank you for teaching me to put that faith in you.  I can even thank you for tough times that spurred my faith to grow.  May my faith be a blessing to you. .  Amen

Pastor Leon
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NOTE:  Today Sharon and I left Ohio, my friend Harry (who is now 70) and his wife Dawn, their children, (their 16 grandchildren) and their church family!  It was our privilege to stay in the Patterson home (Ray and Dara with their 4 children, Judah, Joshua, Tirzah, and Jamin.)  We are now in Pennsylvania where we will be visiting some family and friends of Duane Wenrick, my friend from Viet Nam days.  Sharon and I were privileged to spend a month with Duane before he left for heaven.  During that time, we became good friends with the fellowship ministry that was very dear to Duane and has become the same to us.  We look forward to our fellowship in this area the next few days.

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 13, 2022: SOAP #4605: Isaiah 15-18; Hebrews 10

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews (NIV) 10:19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

OBSERVATION:  I am to come into the presence of GOD with confidence, not sneaking into His presence wondering if I belong there.  I am so clean that I do not even have a guilty conscience!   (For those who understand this saying, we are “squeaky clean!”  When I rub my hand across something that has just been washed, it squeaks; we say it is squeaky clean.}

APPLICATION: Here are four reasons why I can enter the presence of God boldly: 
First: The sacrifice made for me was sufficient to meet ALL the requirements of The Holy God! 
Second: The sacrifice for me was made by the only One who had no sins of his own for which to pay.  In love, He agreed to pay for mine. 
Third: It was a sacrifice that ended in a resurrection!  Death was temporary for Jesus!!! (…and will be for me too!) Jesus is there to greet me! 
Fourth: The One who died for me, now lives FOR me, and lives IN me‼ 

That is why I can draw near to God with joy and not fear!

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, Oh, how You’ve cleansed me from sin.  Oh, how You’ve cleansed me from sin.  You gave your life, your pure spotless life.  Oh, how you love me; Oh, how you freed me; Oh, how you cleansed me from sin. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 12, 2022: SOAP #4604: Isaiah 11-14; Hebrews 9

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews (NIV) 9:8 The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.
9 This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshipper. …
13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

OBSERVATION:  The sacrifices of the Old Testament could not “clear the conscience of the worshipper.”  The inside of the worshipper is very important to God.  He knows that we cannot freely worship Him if we have a guilty conscience.  The Old Testament sacrifices were acceptable to God only because they were an illustration of the perfect sacrifice that was coming. 

But the perfect sacrifice, Jesus dying on the cross, was a spilling of sinless blood.  It cleanses the inside; it “cleanses the conscience.”

APPLICATION: I must receive Jesus as my and my Lord to enjoy the full benefit His death.  Knowing that the full effect of His death has been applied to my heart sets my conscience free from guilt.  The value of Jesus death on the cross more than covers the cost of my sins. 

PRAYER:  Jesus, thank you for dying for my sins.  I confess my sins and receive your forgiveness.  I acknowledge you as my Lord.  Thank you for forgiving me.  Thank you for a clear conscience. I want to live my life to bring you joy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 11, 2022: SOAP #4603: Isaiah 8-10; Hebrews 8

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews (NIV) 8:1 The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.

OBSERVATION:  The preceding context tells us of the perfect high priest, one who would never need to be replaced, one who makes himself to be the perfect sacrifice on our behalf, and one who intercedes for us.

APPLICATION: The verse above tells me that is exactly what I have! He has completed His sacrifice and is now seated at the majestic throne in glory! From that place of honor, He is interceding for me before the highest court in all creation!  He is representing me before Creator God!  This is not an unrealistic dream; this is reality!  “We do have…” 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus to be the sacrifice I needed. Thank you for hearing his intercession on my behalf. I am so unworthy, but so thankful. Amen

Pastor Leon
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NOTE:  Sharon and I will be traveling the next couple of weeks, so my times in posting the SOAPs may be varied from day to day.  Like today, some may be several hours early, and like yesterday, some may be late.  When they are early, it is because my evening will be full of times of special fellowship. For those who might be interested, today we are in Ohio visiting Pastor Harry Pishcura and his family.  

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 10, 2022: SOAP #4602: Micah 5-7; Hebrews 7

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 7:11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come—one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law.

OBSERVATION:  The Old Testament law showed us the holiness of God and how far short we came in keeping the law.  It was weak and could not in itself bring man to God. 

Its priesthood was weak.  All its priests were sinners.  Before a priest could make a sacrifice for our sins, he had to first make a sacrifice for his own sins.  Its sacrifices were weak.  The blood of bulls and goats could never be an acceptable payment for the sins of a man. 

APPLICATION: The law taught me how terrible my sin really is. The law taught me to look for another priest.  The law taught me to look for a better sacrifice. 

I found both in Jesus.  Jesus is the perfect high priest!  He had no personal sins needing His payment!   Jesus is also the perfect sacrifice. 

His death on the cross shows me the terribleness of my sin and what God’s holiness demanded.  His death also showed me the great love God had for me. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, accepting you as my savior, means that I have given up looking elsewhere for the perfect priest and perfect sacrifice.  I have found it all in you!  Thank you for loving me.  Thank you for dying for my sin and making me acceptable to a Holy God.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 08, 2022: SOAP #4600: Micah 1-4; Hebrews 6

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews (NIV) 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus “went before us” into the courts of heaven.  As the King James Version says, Jesus was our “forerunner!”  He went before us into heaven with His blood shed on the cross as the payment for our sins.  He made the way for us to follow Him and for us to be welcomed into heaven. 

So, He sends us through death into glory.  He accompanies us on the trip he has already taken.  And He will be waiting to welcome us into heaven! 

APPLICATION: Jesus has taken the part of a “forerunner” for me on many occasions.  Every place to which Jesus has sent me, I have found that He was already there.  He sent me.  He accompanied me as I went.  And He was waiting there when I arrived.

Recognizing God’s voice is key.  Because when I know that (#1) God is sending me, then I can have confidence that (#2) He will go with me.  And (#3) I will find He is already there! 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, stop me from running out on my own, or ahead of your divine timing. Help me not to confuse my will with your will.  I need your plan and your provision.  So, help me move in your timing.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 08, 2022: SOAP #4600: Hosea 13-14; Psalm 100, 102; Hebrews 5

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews (NIV) 5:7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him

OBSERVATION:  Although prayer was an often habit of Jesus, it seems to me that verse 6 above is referring to Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane where He was arrested by the Romans.  He had cried out in deep agone, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”  It was so agonizing that His sweat was like “drops of blood!”  (Luke 22)

Did the Father hear Jesus, His Son who was on a mission to do the Father’s will?  Surely He did!  Jesus had reverently submitted himself to the Father.  Could the Father have recalled the mission and delivered His Son from the suffering of the cross?  He was the only “one who could save him…”

APPLICATION: But for the sake of His own faithfulness to His promises to the Old Testament believers…  But for the sake of those created in His image…  But for the sake of the joy set ahead (Hebrews 12:2) for His own Son…  …the Father did not answer this heart-wrenching prayer from His Son. 

Not answering that prayer hurt the Father even more than it hurt His Son. (Just ask any father.) 

PRAYER:  Father, I want to live each day in appreciation for what you and your Son did for me.  I want to be a source of the joy from His sacrifice that Jesus now enjoys.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 07, 2022: SOAP #4599: Hosea 10-12; Psalm 73; Hebrews 4

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews (NIV) 4:2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard it did not combine (KJV. mix) it with faith….
6 It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience. 7 Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.”

OBSERVATION:  The promises come from God.  God has also given each one “the measure of faith.”  (Romans 12:2)   God’s promises have no value to us unless mix them with faith.  But faith is more than a mental acknowledgement that God is real and that His word is important.  Verses six and seven give two characteristics of NOT mixing in faith. 

In verse six, the expression of “no-mix-faith” is disobedience.  The main expression of faith is obedience.  Some may remember singing, “Trust and Obey, for there’s no other way…”  When I believe God is really God, then I will do what He says.  It is foolish to disobey God!   I trust Him; I believe Him; I do as He says!  

In verse seven we find another characteristic of “no-mix-faith:” a hard heart.  It is acting as though God is quite unimportant.  It is ignoring Him.  It is being so busy that there is no time for God.   It is making an issue of living “MY” life the way “I” want.  God slowly gets pushed totally out of the picture.   

APPLICATION: When I believe God, I make it a point to do what He says.  What He says is important.  I know that obeying Him blesses Him AND a benefits me!   Careful obedience is the best way to tell God that I believe Him, and I trust Him.

When I tell God what He told me in the past, I am not jogging His memory, I am showing Him that I remember and that His words/promises are important to me! 

PRAYER:  Lord, I believe your promises.  I know I can trust you!  Amen

Pastor Leon    
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 06, 2022: SOAP #4598: Hosea 6-9; Hebrews 3

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews (NIV) 3:5 Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future. 6 But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.

OBSERVATION:  Moses WAS faithful as a servant…  Moses faithfully fulfilled what God assigned him to do.  He finished His part in God’s plan.  He moved on and Joshua took his place as the leader of the Israelites.  But note the difference: 

Christ IS faithful as a son…  Jesus lived, died, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven where He continues His ministry even to today!  Here He is said to be over God’s house, speaking of the believers in whom God dwells as a temple.  In Ephesians they are called “His body” over which He is head. (Ephesians 1:22-23). He is, He remains the head of the church.  He is over God’s house, the church! 

APPLICATION: Jesus continues His ministry as Head of the church, as being over God’s house.  Jesus IS faithful over God’s house.  That being true, I AM (present tense) His house, His temple in which He dwells.  That is who HE IS!  That is who I AM!

It is proper for me to make my outside look like someone important is living inside.  But it is more important that the inside be a place where my holy and honored guest feels at home.  With Jesus on the inside of me, He will help fix the outside of me. 

PRAYER:  Lord, how my heart smiles when I recall the Kaneohe Samoan A/G church singing: “Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, Oh what a change in my life!” Continue to build me together with other SOAP writers and readers. Make us a house for your glory!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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