Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 15, 2022: SOAP #4577: 1Kings 16; 2Chronicles 15,16; Colossians 1

SCRIPTURE: 2Chronicles (NIV) 15:14 They took an oath [to seek the Lord with all their heart and soul] to the LORD with loud acclamation, with shouting and with trumpets and horns. 15 All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side.

OBSERVATION:  It was more than what they did, it was how they did it!  They did it “eagerly.”  They acted like it was their privilege. They were honored.  They were not being forced.  No one was threatening them.  No one was telling what they would receive, or what they would suffer.  They had an inner motivation.  They did it eagerly.  No wander God responded as He did!

APPLICATION: I can picture a father walking into his house after a long day of work.  He is looking forward to the evening meal and things he enjoys at home.  But most of all, he is looking for a hug and kiss from his wife, and the same from his small son.  The wife greets him at the door and welcomes him home as he expected, but the son remained in his room, playing with his toys.  When dad looks into the room, the boy continues playing but responds with, “Hi, Dad, glad you are home.”  The boy had not been “eagerly” awaiting his father’s arrival.  He did not do anything wrong, but he did not communicate any joy and excitement at his father’s presence. 

Our Heavenly Father is blessed when His children serve Him eagerly.  He loves to be served by people who realize that it is an honor to do things that bring Him joy. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, what an honor it is to be your servant. I am amazed to think that the little things I do every day can put a smile on your face.  As the song says, “Let me be a sweet, sweet sound in your ears.” May you enjoy being with me. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 14, 2022: SOAP #4576: 1Kings 15; 2Chronicles 13,14; Philippians 4

SCRIPTURE: Philippians (NIV) 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

OBSERVATION:  Here is a verse I memorized and wrote on the top of every test I took in my last two years of high school.  It goes along with what Jesus said: “…with God all things are possible.”  (Matthew 19:26)   It is a truth that can be applied in many situations.  In his letter to the saints in Philippi Paul uses this truth to describe his financial situation. 

Philippians (NIV) 4:10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

Paul’s success in ministry was dependent on God’s presence, not on the amount of money available.  Like Jesus, Paul taught and relied on the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  Miracles draw the attention of the lost and make them aware of God’s desire to be involved with people.  Paul’s ministry, and happiness, was just as successful when he had no money as when he had abundance. 

APPLICATION:  A few verses later, Paul writes to those who had sent money for his support.  He wrote: “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Verse 19)   Paul could write this to those who had sent money because God had met Paul’s needs.  He knew God would meet their needs also. 

PRAYER:  Lord, my dependence is on you to meet my needs, and the needs of SOAP ministry, according to your glorious riches. Through your strength I know we can do everything you have given us to do.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 13, 2022: SOAP #4575: 1Kings 13,14; 2Chronicles 12; Philippians 3

SCRIPTURE: Philippians (NIV) 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, 14 I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.

OBSERVATION:  Paul had been an enemy of the church, doing his best to destroy it.  God confronted Saul/Paul on the road to Damascus and rearranged his thinking and gave him a new purpose.  (Acts 9) 

Now Paul was making God’s reason for “apprehending/capturing/taking hold of” him—he was making God’s goal to be his own personal goal.  The reason God chose Paul became the reason Paul walked from town to town, preached day after day, wrote letters to believers, and discipled others.  It was not just the goal of Paul’s ministry; it was the goal for his whole life. 

APPLICATION: When I make God’s purpose for me to be my purpose for me—when I set God’s priority for me as my priority for me, my life becomes focused for the glory of God. 

I may not have a dramatic “Damascus Road” experience as Saul/Paul, but I have something better; I have God’s Word, the Bible!   AND I have the Holy Spirit living within me to apply the scriptures personally to my life!   Every area of my life (husband, parent, pastor, bus driver, etc.) is affected.

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I see you at work continuing to reveal and to develop the purpose for my life. Speak clearly to me in simple ways I can understand.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 12, 2022: SOAP #4574: 1Kings 12; 2Chronicles 10,11; Philippians 2

SCRIPTURE: Philippians (NIV) 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 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.

OBSERVATION:  The Bible is written from the point of view that we can control our attitude.  We are as responsible for our attitude as we are responsible for our words and actions. 

We have the greatest example of how our attitude should be…we have the example of Jesus.  The following verses show Jesus to be a humble servant who was obedient unto death.  He did not exalt Himself.  His exaltation came through others.  His Father highly exalted Him and gave Him a name above all names. 

APPLICATION: It is so easy to blame other people or my circumstances for my attitude.  But as I mature in my Christian life, I find the Holy Spirit continuing to work on my attitude.  He is developing an attitude of faith and praise, of gratitude and joy. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, keep working in my life.  Keep working to make me like Jesus.  May Jesus be seen in me, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 11, 2022: SOAP #4573: Song of Solomon 5-8; Philippians 1

SCRIPTURE:   Philippians (NIV) 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!  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.

OBSERVATION:  In these verses, Paul gives three thoughts about death.  First:  for the believer, “to die is gain.”  It is moving ahead in the Creator’s purpose for creation.  It is fulfilling God’s purpose in bringing reclaimed and redeemed people into His eternal presence.     

Second:  to depart from this life is to be “with Christ!”  To live here is to have Christ with me in my circumstances.  To die is to join Him in His circumstances!!!

Third:  Dying is “better by far.”   Staying here, or going there?  This is hardly a choice.  There is no logical comparison.  It is not even close!  It is better by far!

APPLICATION: So, what would make us choose to stay here?  For Paul, it was continuing to bring God glory by serving His church.  It is to be so appreciative of what God has done for us that we are willing to endure whatever suffering may be a part of remaining behind to win more people for Jesus!  It is to be loving God so much that we push aside the risk of suffering in order to do what brings glory to our Lord! 

But whatever choice I may have, there will come a time when I will lay down this body of flesh to enter heaven.  Then I will say with full understanding, “To die is gain!”

PRAYER:  Lord, only you know how many days I have left in this life on earth.  May every one of them count for you. Just thinking about what you have prepared for me in heaven brings me joy; in response, may my life here on earth bring you great joy. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 10, 2022: SOAP #4572: Song of Solomon 1-4; Ephesians

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians (NIV) 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

OBSERVATION:  From the above verses, we can see that evil is not a problem limited to earth.  Evil had found a place in heavenly realms.  Although we often look to Adam as the first sinner, the Bible clearly teaches that there was one before Adam; that one is Satan. God can take what is meant for evil and turn it to be an opportunity for good.  Earth was prepared as a place where God’s grace and love and wisdom would be clearly demonstrated as being greater than sin.  The stage was set, the Son was sent, the struggle was started, and the Servant subdued the serpent!  Hallelujah!

APPLICATION: The battle has been won, but I still struggle.  The struggle now is not for victory for the victory was settled on the cross.  Our struggle now is to enforce the victory that has already been won.  Our struggle is with a defeated enemy who has been left to tempt me to see that my commitment is sure.  He has been left to teach me how to use authority.  He has been left here to give me opportunity to participate in his final demise.

The verses following the above passage give the armor I am to put on for my protection and the weapons I am to use in the struggle. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, with the armor for my protection and the weapons you have provided, with the presence of Your Holy Spirit in my life, You have prepared me for success!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 9, 2022: SOAP #4571: Ecclesiastes 10-12; Psalm 94; Ephesians 5

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians (NIV) 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

OBSERVATION:  As believers in Christ and His redeeming work on the cross it is very important how we live.  But as ones in whom Christ actual lives it is even more important that our lives show His presence.  It is important as a witness to those around us.   But it is even more important to honor Jesus and make him glad to share this body with me. 

APPLICATION:  I like to think of myself as the caretaker of my body/temple.  I need to always keep it clean and presentable.  I also see myself as the host for those who visit my area, especially as the host for Jesus, always the honored guest in my life. 

I have received His gift of justification and have set Him as the LORD of my life.  I know He came from the Holy and Loving capitol of the universe, and I want to make Him feel at home in my life. 

I want to understand God’s will and to stay full of the Holy Spirit. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, make my life a pleasant home for Jesus.  I know there is so much in the world that breaks His heart; may I be one that brings a little joy to His heart. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 8, 2022: SOAP #4570: Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians (NIV) 4:22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

OBSERVATION:  Much about a person is communicated through the clothes they wear.  People cannot see what is happening inside a person, but they can see the clothes.  In the above verses, Christians are told to “put off the old self,” and to “put on the new self.”  It is speaking of our outward life—the part visible to others. 

Our outward actions are expressions of inner attitudes.  God, living on the inside helps me with my attitudes.  And as the inside attitudes change, people can see the change in my life. 

The old self is not proper outerwear for the new Christ-life that is inside.  The things we once did, the way we once talked do not properly display the life of Christ that now resides within. 

APPLICATION: The old attitudes were very often centered on self.  God is helping me establish attitudes centered on God and others.  When I think about how God sees things, and what He thinks about them, my actions change.  The way I talk and what I do changes.    

PRAYER:  Lord, I give you permission to change me on the inside.  Change my heart.  Change my attitudes.  Change my thoughts.  Make the inside of me to be a place you enjoy.  I know that the better you enjoy the inside of me, the more people will enjoy the outside of me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 7, 2022: SOAP #4569: Ecclesiastes 4-6; Psalm 18; Ephesians 3
(Reworked from 2010)

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians (NIV) 3:10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

OBSERVATION:  All creation could see that God is mighty, strong, and powerful. But God wanted also to be seen as loving.  This is the high purpose of God in dealing with man!   This wise God found a way to raise sinful man, whom He loved, from being destroyed by sin.  God made it possible for fallen man to be raised to a place of holiness and honor.  He took man’s sin but did not become sinful!  He died as payment for the sins of the world, yet death could not hold Him!

On judgment day, no one will be able to accuse God of giving any man a special deal.  The payment made by God’s Son, Jesus will be clearly seen as more than sufficient to pay for all the sins of those who have accepted him as their Lord and Savior.

APPLICATION: With great wisdom, God demonstrated His great love for me in that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me.  (See Romans 5:8)   The wisest thing I can do is to accept His forgiveness and surrender to His Lordship. The more I understand the way God expressed His love for me, the more I love Him!   

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, what wisdom!  What love!  What a plan!  What a privilege it is for me to be included!  Jesus, thank you for dying for my sins.  Thank you for saving me from the effects of sin.  You are my Savior and Lord!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 6, 2022: SOAP #4568: Ecclesiastes 1-3; Psalm 45: Ephesians 2

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians (NIV) 2:18 For through him we both [Jews and Gentiles] have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you [Gentiles] are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

OBSERVATION:  The church is built with both Jews and Gentiles.  In the Bible, all nations other than Jews are called Gentiles.  To my knowledge, most, if not all present SOAP readers are Gentiles. 

My heart rejoices when I consider that I am being built together with many Asians, Africans and other Americans.  We all have access to the Father by one Spirit!  Jesus is the “chief cornerstone” and our relationship to each other is based on our relationship with Him!  In Christ, we are joined together, being fashioned together by the Holy Spirit to be a dwelling place on earth for God. 

APPLICATION: God is building, shaping, and forming me to be a part of His church.  He did not design me to go through this world by myself.  There are areas in life that I need help.  There are areas in life that I can be useful to others.  I need them; they need me.  Going it alone is not the Bible plan. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I am learning more and more the importance of being an active part of your church. So many blessings come to me through your church.  Make me a blessing to other members of your church. Amen

Pastor Leon
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