Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 5, 2022: SOAP #4567: Proverbs 30-31; Psalm 33; Ephesians 1

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians (NIV) 1:9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfilment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

OBSERVATION:  What is the mystery to which Paul is here referring? It is that Christ will be the center of all things! All things will have their proper place in relationship to Him! Christ will be the supreme Head. Everything in all creation will be under and respond to His headship. Of course, it includes the church. It also includes world governments. It also includes Satan and his demonic hordes. It means the golden streets of glory. It also means the fiery pit of hell. Not one thing will be out of place. Not one saint in hell, nor one sinner in heaven. The redeemed will eternally reside with their Redeemer in the realms of glory. The un-believer, the un-confessor, the un-repentant will eternally reside with the great un-submitter, Satan himself in hell, the appropriate place prepared for him.

APPLICATION: God will settle all accounts.  Everything will be realigned.  But they will not be settled equally.  We will receive much more than we deserve!  As I was considering this, I sensed the Lord spoke to me, “You will be getting what Jesus deserves!”  On the cross Jesus took what I deserved so that in heaven I could get what He deserves!  I am a “joint-heir” with Jesus!  (Galatians 4:7)

No one will feel like they have been short-changed when they get to heaven.  Everyone will know that they are receiving way more than they deserved. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, no matter how difficult my path in this life, help me keep my eyes focused on Jesus, keeping heaven in view.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 4, 2022: SOAP #4566: Proverbs 28-29; Psalm 60; Romans 16

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.

OBSERVATION:  The letters to churches in the New Testament were written to churches that met in homes or public rooms.  There were no “church” buildings that were designed and built for the early church to use. 

In the Bible, the word “church” never refers to a building.  It is a body of believers, a community that assembles to worship Jesus.  Their commitment to Jesus caused them to be committed to each other.  They gather for worship, fellowship, discipleship, and evangelism. 

APPLICATION:  The growth of the church can make the use of a building very beneficial.  It is good to have classrooms for instruction; it is good to have an auditorium in which to gather for worship; it is good to have a place to store instruments; it is good to have an address to invite others to join us, etc.  Clearly buildings are useful but not required. 

Churches with buildings need to be careful to teach their members what the church really is. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for the blessings you have given me.  Lead me to be a good steward of your resources.  Use the things you have put in my hands, my home, my car, my finances, etc. for your glory.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 3, 2022: SOAP #4565: Proverbs 25-27; Romans 15

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

OBSERVATION:  When people are accepted by God, they start a life of praise.  When they accept others, they are joined by people praising God. 

APPLICATION: If I am to accept others as Christ accepted me, then I need to consider how it was that Christ accepted me.  His example tells me how to accept others! 

God knew I was not perfect; I needed His forgiveness.  He knew I would still fail; I needed his long suffering (with the emphasis on long!)  He accepted me knowing I would need Him a whole lot more than He needed me.  He accepted me and let me know that I am very important to Him.

Christ not only gave me an example, He gives me the command to do it!  Not accepting others would be disobeying His instructions.  Not accepting others would be de-valuing what Christ has done for me.  Rejecting others decreases the value of what Jesus did for me.  Accepting others increases the value of what Jesus did for me. 

Desiring to appreciate the value of God’s acceptance of me, starts with me accepting others. The Life of Jesus is in me and He wants to do through me what He has done in me. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, make me aware of those around me who need acceptance.  Use me.  Let your love and acceptance flow through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 2, 2022: SOAP #4564: Proverbs 22-24; Romans 14

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 14:10 You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling-block or obstacle in your brother’s way.  14 As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself.  But, if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean.  15 If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.

17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit,

OBSERVATION: There are some matters that are very important — but only important to us as individuals.  Mentioned here in this chapter are two:  first, what day we worship and second, what foods we eat. If Paul was writing today, I believe he may have added what type of clothes we wear and what style of music we use in our worship.

In the context, it is clear that we are free in such matters to live in a way that we personally believe is pleasing to the Lord.

APPLICATION: There are two limitations given in exercising these freedoms: first: I am not free to go against my conscience and second: I am not to exercise my freedom when it would be a stumbling block to someone else.

The limitation I place on my freedoms is an expression of the love I have for the Lord and for my brother and sister in Christ. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, it is good to know that you relate to your children as individuals. I want to know you better.  I want to know how I, personally, can make you smile. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 1, 2022: SOAP #4563: Proverbs 19-21: Romans 13

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 13:9 The commandments, “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfilment of the law.

OBSERVATION:  The four “Do not…” commands listed above, together with the other “do not…” commands, are “summed up in this one “do” rule.  In the Old Testament we see an emphasis on what we should not do.  In the New Testament we see an emphasis on what we should do. 

People needed to be protected from the evil in my heart.  The Old Testament law puts restraints on the flesh, like handcuffs.   It obviously does not work very well. 

When we are born again, we die to the flesh and come alive to the Spirit of God now living inside.  The Spirit now living inside me has a different set of “want to’s.”  The flesh was motivated by self. It wanted to serve and please itself.  The Spirit is motivated by love.  He wants to serve and please others.  People do not need to be protected from that. 

APPLICATION: As I walk in the Spirit, and follow the command to love, I do not have to be concerned about the Ten Commandments.  Loving the Lord (Matthew 22:37) takes care of the first four commandments.  Loving my neighbor takes care of the other six. 

PRAYER:  Lord, you are making love a priority in my life.  Show me a new way to express that love to you.  Then, show me practical ways I can express that love to someone today. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 31, 2022: SOAP #4562: Proverbs 16-18: Romans 12

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

OBSERVATION: If I am doing something for my friend, I should do it in a way that my friend would appreciate.  It is for them.  If I buy a present for someone special, I should buy something THEY would enjoy, not necessarily something I would enjoy.  Doesn’t it seem logical that if I am giving an offering to the Lord, I should do it in a way that HE considers acceptable—a way that brings Him pleasure?  A living sacrifice means that I am sacrificing/giving up my ways, to do things His way.  To do things, not just right, but in a way to bring Him pleasure.  . 

APPLICATION: If I say I have given my life to Jesus, I should consider what HE likes.  If I say that HE lives inside me, I should live not to offend HIM in my words or actions.  It may not be easy.  A sacrifice never it.  I can sacrifice my vocabulary and attitudes to walk and talk like Jesus.

PRAYER:  Lord, your pleasure is my goal.  May I sense your smile each day as I do things that please you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 30, 2022: SOAP #4561: Proverbs 13-15; Romans 11

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 11:12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fulness bring! …
15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

OBSERVATION:  Definitely not all individual Jews, but as a nation Israel rejected Jesus.  Paul was then sent to the Gentiles.  Israel’s rejection of Jesus worked to the reconciliation of the Gentiles (the non-Jewish world).  But a time is coming when Israel will accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. 

If their rejection brought the gentiles reconciliation, what will their acceptance bring?  Verse 15 says, “Life from the dead!”  I see this as referring to the end time—to the time of the church being gathered to the Lord in the air.  The time when the “dead in Christ will rise first.  After that, we who are alive will be caught up together with them … in the air. And so will we be with the Lord forever!”  (1Thessalonians 416-18)

APPLICATION: If I see this correctly, this means that we need to keep our eyes on Israel.  Israel again became a nation in 1948.  It is such a small nation compared to those surrounding.  But it is a nation in God’s plan.  Miracles brought it into existence, and it has taken miracles to keep it.  When we hear of a great number of Jews accepting Jesus as Lord, we should lift our eyes to heaven to see the return of Jesus for His church. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, keep us aware of what is happening in the world around us, especially in Israel.  Give us wisdom in understanding the times in which we live.  May these days not take us unaware. (1Thessalonians 5:4-10) Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 29, 2022: SOAP #4560: Proverbs 10-12; Romans 10

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 10:1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. …
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? …
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

OBSERVATION: In these verses we can see that people are saved by responding to what they know.  The must put their faith in what they know.  Their knowledge comes from what they have heard.  What they hear comes from someone sent. 

It is so important that they know the truth.  The, the truth that one’s righteousness comes from God, and they cannot depend on their own good works.  As verses 9 and 10 say: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Faith, even zealous faith, cannot save if it is not based on knowledge of truth.  Saving faith is based on truth. 

APPLICATION: I am not saved by how good of a husband or parent I am.  I am not saved based on my ministry as a pastor.  I am not saved by how many SOAPs I write, or how well I drive a school bus.  I want to do those things in a way that shows my love for God and what He has done for me.  My salvation rests only on what Jesus did for me by dying on the cross for my sins. 

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for forgiving my sins.  Use me to tell others about you and what you have done for them.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 28, 2022: SOAP #4559: Proverbs 7-9; Romans 9

SCRIPTURE:  Proverbs (NIV) 9:8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.
10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.”

OBSERVATION: It is wise for those who carry the weight of their sins to fear God.  The “fear of the Lord” is not wisdom, only the beginning of wisdom.  It will lead us to the understanding found in the second part of this verse.  Understanding comes from “the knowledge of God,” not just knowing about God.  It is that personal, intimate knowledge of God that fills our minds, our hearts, and our lives with understanding. In relating to Him we discover and come to understand the real purpose for our existence.

APPLICATION: The better I know God, the better I understand the world around me. The better I understand His character, what breaks His heart, what makes Him smile then the better I understand this world He created and my place in it.  The better I understand His holiness, the better I understand what sin is and why His Son had to pay such a terrible price for my sins.  The better I understand His love, the better I understand why He sent His Son. 

PRAYER:  Lord, To know You. I want to know You more. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 27, 2022: SOAP #4558: Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 8:3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so, he condemned sin in sinful man, 4 in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

OBSERVATION: Paul wrote the book of Romans to people he had not yet visited.  So, he presents an over-all view of the believer’s life.  He covers the Holy God’s judgment on sin.  He covers being justified by the sacrifice of Jesus.  Now that his readers are justified, here in chapter 8, Paul tells them how they are to be living now. 

With the life of the Spirit of God in us, we live in dependency on the Holy Spirit.  Paul tells us how to think (vs. 5).  He tells us to glorify God with our body (vs. 11).  Paul tells us to live as children of God (vs. 14-17). 

We can live this way because we do not need to worry about our past sins.  The righteous requirements of the law have been “fully met” in us!!!

APPLICATION: In a desire to include more people, many organizations have lowered their standards.  They have lowered their requirements to belong.  God also desires to include people in His kingdom.  He wants to include everyone.  He wants us to meet His standards.  But God does not lower His standards to a level I can meet.  NO!  But through the death of Jesus to pay for my sins and the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life, He raises me to meet His standards!!! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, as a Holy God you did not lower your standards to include me, but as a Loving God, you raised me to “fully meet” your standards!  My eyes fill with tears as my heart overflows with gratitude!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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