Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 26, 2022: SOAP #4557: Proverbs 1-3; Romans 7

SCRIPTURE:  Proverbs (NIV) 3:21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; 24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. 25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.  26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

OBSERVATION: Solomon’s wisdom for his son encourages him to value good judgment.  He should be actively evaluating his environment and discerning areas of trouble. 

A special blessing for those who trust the Lord is the presence of the Holy Spirit.  He guides them to sound judgment and discernment.  The gifts of the Spirit in mentioned in 1Corinthians 12 include word of wisdom, work of knowledge, and discernment of spirits.  The Holy Spirit helps prepare us for what lies ahead so we do not fear things suddenly appearing.  He helps guide our steps and lets us sleep in peace, sweet peace. 

APPLICATION: Here is a scripture passage that I can apply to my life.  This would be a good verse to meditate on at the beginning of each day.  My confession can be: “I do not know what this day has in store for me, but my confidence is in you, Lord!” 

This would be a good verse to meditate on at the end of each day.  My confession can be: “The Lord has seen me thought this day; He will see me through this night.  My rest will be sweet, not because of my environment, but because of His Presence!”

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the wisdom available through the presence of your Holy Spirit.  Keep drawing my focus to what you are saying to me.  I know you are with me all day long and are speaking to me many times throughout each day.  I do not want to miss a single thing you say.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 25, 2022: SOAP #4556: 1Kings 10, 11; 2Chronicles 9; Romans 6

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NVI) 6:10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

OBSERVATION: We have been set free from the dominance of sin; we now have the ability to choose.  We are now responsible for our choices.

When the Holy Spirit is mixed with the spirit of man, we have a being with a righteous nature.  We now have choices.  Having been freed from the sin nature, we can choose that which honors God.

Paul tells us that we should choose what we do with our bodies.  On one hand we can surrender our bodies to do those things that sin tempts us to do.  This will result in our bodies being instruments of wickedness.

The better choice is that we choose to surrender our bodies to do what God desires.  This is what those who have been brought from death to life do.  One can identify the inner change by the outer change.  That new life is on the inside is readily apparent because of the changes seen in the actions of the body.  Now our bodies serve as instruments of righteousness.

APPLICATION: Sin dominated fallen man.  But God loves us and desires we love Him in return.  He gives us choices.  We prove our love for God by doing those things that please Him.  Our choices prove our love. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I choose you.  Let my love for you be seen in my choices.  May the love and respect I have for you be seen in the choices I make in my life every day.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 24, 2022: SOAP #4555: 1Kings 9; 2Chronicles 8; Psalm 136; Romans 5

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 5:20 The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

OBSERVATION: Sin did not wait for the law to appear before tempting Adam, and then destroying his relationship to his Creator.  The law was not needed for sin to be present.  But when the law was given, it clearly outlined parameters for the life God breathed into Adam.

As to driving my car in the USA:  the edge of the road has always been there, but I appreciate the white line that has been painted there for the last 30 years or so.  Especially in stormy weather, or when bright headlights are approaching, I often look at the white line to judge my place on the highway. It helps keep me in the safe driving lane.  The Word of God helps me keep in the safe living lane.

When sin becomes more prevalent, grace becomes even more prevalent. Remember, grace is always greater than sin!  Grace does not increase at the same rate as sin, but “all the more!”

APPLICATION: We all know the reality of death; we can all know the reality of the righteous life that grace brings to those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord.  It is an eternal life that death cannot stop.  Death becomes a door through which we pass into a greater awareness of the Presence of God!  What a day it was when I accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord.  What a day that will be when I slip out of these physical garments and my spirit soars into His Presence! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you that reigning in life does not have to wait until I die; it starts here and now!  Your grace reigns now in my life.  And through my life it reaches to others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 23, 2022: SOAP #4554: 2Chronicles 6, 7; Psalm 135; Romans 4

Received by faith!

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 4:5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:7 “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

OBSERVATION: Here is the verse from Psalm 32.  In that Psalm, David writes about the terrible time he was having when he tried to cover up his sin. The relief of being forgiven came after he confessed his sin.  The blessedness of being forgiven is contrasted to the miserableness of trying to hide sin, knowing all the time that it is there.

APPLICATION: There is only one covering for sin:  the blood of Jesus shed on the cross.  Adam and Eve discovered that leaves could not cover sin. God provided a blood sacrifice when He skinned an animal and gave them the skin for a covering, but that would only be temporary.  It is the blood of Jesus that covers sin!  That is the only acceptable covering!  It was provided by Someone who perfectly knew the nature and results of sin, and Someone who had never sinned Himself!   His death could be the payment for my sin since He did not have to pay for His own!

Although this verse does not mention how many, or what types of sin are covered, clearly, we can see that we are only blessed if ALL our sins are covered.  One sin will send us to hell as well as one hundred.  A person on their way to hell could not be considered blessed.  To be truly blessed, they must ALL be forgiven!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, the only sacrifice that could pay for my sin would have to be made by someone who did not have any sins of their own for which they must pay.  Your Son, Jesus, did just that.  Now you have forgiven me and accepted me as your child.  I thank you and give my life to you. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 22, 2022: SOAP #4553: 1Kings 8; 2Chronicles 5; Psalm 99; Romans 3

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 3:27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law?  No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

OBSERVATION: Paul was writing to Jews who boasted in how well they kept the law.  It was the Law given by Moses, including the Ten Commandments, and many ceremonial laws about worship, clothing, eating and other aspects of daily life.  As Jesus proved, even the religious leaders could not keep all the commands of the law.  They had no basis for boasting. 

But the main reason for excluding boasting is because we cannot be justified by anything we do, only by something someone did for us!   That someone is Jesus!  What He did was to give His life as a sacrifice for our sins!  We receive the benefit of His sacrifice only by faith!   We cannot boast about how hard we worked to earn it.  We cannot boast about how much we deserve it.  Only with faith in God’s love for us and in the sacrifice of Jesus for our sin can we boast. 

APPLICATION:  Only based on Jesus’ sacrifice for me do I stand justified before the Lord.  The Holy God made a way for me to be “just-as-if-I’d” never sinned.  Since God has that much invested in me living a holy life, I should be concerned too.  I should be concerned when I give into temptation to sin.  I must be quick to repent and ask forgiveness.  The Holy Spirit will help me grow in resisting temptation. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you are so interested in me being holy that you sent Jesus to die in my place. Holy Spirit continue to work in my life, helping me resist temptation and overcome the tendencies to do things that do not honor the Father. Forgive me for acting like sin is not a big thing and does not matter.  It matters to you and should matter to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 21, 2022: SOAP #4552: 1Kings 7; 2Chronicles 4; Psalm 98; Romans 2

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 2:28 A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.

OBSERVATION: How clearly Paul, under the anointing and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gives God’s judgment on circumcision.  Outward circumcision does not make one Jewish!  The proof of circumcision is not proof of Jewish-ness.

It is not the flesh that needs to be circumcised, but the heart.  Cutting the flesh does not control the heart but cutting away the pride and selfishness of the heart controls the flesh!  When the “heart” work is done, it is not visible to men!  But it is visible to God.  Our praise and acceptance come from Him! 

How we enjoy the praise of men.  It is encouraging to know that others appreciate what we do.  It lifts us, putting courage in our hearts to continue.  When little children perform something that brings a smile to their parents, they often repeat it again and again.  The pleasure and praise of their parents is reason enough for the child to repeat it.

APPLICATION: How much more should I value the praise of my Heavenly Father!  Knowing that I have pleased Him and brought a smile to His face, puts courage in my hearts to do it again!  When I receive praise from Him, I have faith that He will also come to my aid.  I am doing that which pleases Him.  Jesus mentioned that His Father was pleased with Him and that He only did that which pleased His Father. (Luke 9:35; John 5:30)

PRAYER:  Lord, to please you, that is my goal!  Your praise is much more important to me than the praise of people. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 20, 2022: SOAP #4551: 1Kings 6; 2Chronicles 3; Psalm 97; Romans 1

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures

OBSERVATION: Paul begins his letter to the Romans simply with his name.  He gives his credentials in the next few phrases, but they are not attached directly to his name.  Many, out of respect, refer to him as the “Apostle Paul,” but he merely introduces himself as “Paul.” What does Paul list first, as he identifies himself further?  Not the high position of one of the key leaders of the church, nor as a writer of Holy Scripture.  His first identification is as a servant.

Yes, Paul identifies himself as an apostle, but that was not a title he took on himself.  He was “called to be an apostle.”  Is fulfilling the ministry of an apostle, Paul was being a servant.  He was doing the bidding of his Lord. 

APPLICATION:   In identifying himself as a servant, Paul identifies himself with the One he serves; Jesus came not to be served, but to serve.  And that is how I must see myself.  I am a servant of Jesus Christ.  I am a better husband, a better dad, a better pastor, a better SOAP writer, a better bus driver, etc. when I first see myself as a servant of Jesus.

PRAYER:  Jesus, I am your servant.  In success or failure, I am your servant.  Doing what appears important, or doing what seems unimportant, I remain your servant.  Pleasing you is the priority of my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 19, 2022: SOAP #4550: 1Kings 4, 5; 2Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2Thessalonians 3

SCRIPTURE:  2Thessalonians (NIV) 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.

OBSERVATION: In 2020 I used this verse to give a testimony about the spread of SOAPs in Asia.  Today I believe the Lord would have me give a testimony of how the SOAP ministry is spreading in Africa. 

Pastor Andrew Borbor first read the SOAPs on Facebook.  After a short while, he began using them for devotions with his wife, and then took them to his church.  The Lord gave him a strong desire to see them spread across Sierra Leone and all of West Africa.  He took them to the churches in Freetown who received them joyfully.  Soon they were willing to give offerings to provide paper and ink.  Soon he was printing 7-8000 copies and a motorbike was purchased to help deliver the SOAPs.  Pastor Andrew has been invited to conferences to explain how the SOAP ministry can be a blessing to the pastors and churches.  (We have experienced so many miracles in Freetown!!! –printers and laptops, word of mouth, being at the right place at the right time…)

The SOAPs are now downloaded and printed in each of the fourteen West African countries.  In Kenya.  Pastor Charles Owino has used them to start discipleship schools along a circuit that he takes frequently. 

APPLICATION:  There are many testimonies of God’s blessings on the SOAPs and SOAP ministry. It is God’s ministry, and He takes care of it.  One aspect of what God is doing that really blesses me:  most of the finances comes from the people being blessed by the SOAPs.  As the Lord enables me, I am blessed to be a part of helping with initial costs.  When I started writing SOAPs, the Lord assigned me to drive a school bus.  That ministry has been a blessing to the SOAPs.  Now, most of the driving is over for the summer.  But God will faithfully provide as needed through other sources.    

PRAYER:  Lord, use the SOAPs to build faith in Asian and African countries.  You provided for six million Israelites living in the wilderness for 40 years, you can surely meet our needs!  Prove yourself the Abundant Provider for your people in Asia and Africa.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 18, 2022: SOAP #4549: 1Kings 3; 2Chronicles 1; Psalm 78; 2Thessalonians 2

SCRIPTURE:  2Thessalonians (NIV) 2:7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.

OBSERVATION: The Bible does not give us every detail of the future, but it gives us enough information to trust that God has everything under control.  In this verse I see three very important issues regarding evil and the future.

First:  Evil is not the final authority.  Evil cannot advance further than allowed.  There is a limit.  There are boundaries.  Job may have thought differently while going through his time of trouble, but God allowed Satan only so much freedom.

Second:  I see that evil will be revealed, which from the context seems to imply that the restraints will be removed.  The man of lawlessness will come into a place of recognition and increased but limited authority.  

Third: I see that timing is of great importance. There will clearly be a great victory over Satan, the false prophet, and the beast! Of that, the Bible is clear.

In the release of the evil, Jesus will be glorified as His great power will be seen over a great enemy. Whoever can hold back evil, must have greater power than evil!  Whoever “overthrows” evil definitely has greater power than evil! 

APPLICATION: This verse gives me hope that evil can be restrained.  Through prayer, the sword of the Spirit and in the power of the Holy Spirit, evil can be resisted.

In the release of the evil, mankind will clearly be given the choice of obeying or rejecting evil.  They will no longer be tricked into obeying evil as it will be clear to all for he will be revealed.

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, keep me aware of what is happening in the world and in our country.  Help me to recognize evil, in me, in my country, and in the world.  Use me to resist evil.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 17, 2022: SOAP #4548: 1Kings 2: 1Chronicles 29; Psalm 95; 2Thessalonians 1

SCRIPTURE:  2Thessalonians (NIV) 1:12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION: For me, the portion of verse 12 that I think of most often is that “Jesus may be glorified in you (me).”   It is my desire to make Jesus look good.  I desire to have people see how wonderful He is.  I want Him to be honored in and through my life.  I want to make Him smile.  I want Him to be glad He lives in me.  

However, Paul added another small phrase: “and you in him.”  Paul was praying that Jesus would be glorified in my life, AND that I would be glorified in Him!  God wants me to be to be glad my life is all wrapped up in Jesus.  He wants to make me look good.  He wants people to see excellence in me.  

APPLICATION: I like it when people admire Jesus because of something I have said or done. I like it when God is glorified in me. 

God likes it when people see and enjoy me because of something He does or directs me to do. He likes it when I am glorified in Him.   

PRAYER:  Lord, be glorified in my life.  And thank you for making me more likeable to others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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