Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 17, 2022: SOAP #4518:  1Samuel 19; 1Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 4:10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” 11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

OBSERVATION: The devil had tempted Jesus in each of the three ways mentioned in 1John 2:16: the lust of the flesh (turning stone into bread to satisfy hunger), the lust of the eyes (look at all the kingdoms I will give you if you worship me), and the pride of life (prove you are God, the Son.) Jesus proved victorious in each, using only what is available to us — The Written Word!

Also, Jesus was tempted in the exact same points as Eve in the garden. (Gen 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food, pleasing to the eye, and desirable for gaining wisdom, …) Eve was tempted with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. 

The devil’s tactics have not changed. As Jesus overcame Satan in these same temptations, He proved Himself to be the perfect sacrifice for sin. Paul wrote, “He Who knew no sin …” It was not because He had not been tempted or tested. From Genesis to the time of Jesus and to this very day, the devil’s tactics have not changed, but neither has the victory available to us in the life of Christ!

APPLICATION: The life that Jesus now lives in me is not the pre-tested, pre-crucifixion life.  It is a life that has already been tested!  Of course, He knows how to help me!   It is a life that has already been in and out of death’s door!  The One who will be escorting me through death’s door has already been there!!!  

PRAYER:  Lord, you are the Living Word, and you overcame Satan with the written word.  Today, I have both the Written Word and the victorious, resurrected Living Word alive in me.  Victory is mine!!!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 16, 2022: SOAP #4517:  1Samuel 18; 1Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

SCRIPTURE:  1Samuel (NIV) 18:12 Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had left Saul.  13 So he sent David away from him and gave him command over a thousand men, and David led the troops in their campaigns. 14 In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him.  15 When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. 16 But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns.

OBSERVATION: David’s success in battle, in leadership, in life…David’s success was not credited to his great wisdom, or his physical strength, or his personality.  It was not credited to his family nor his finances.  His success in “everything he did” was credited to “The LORD was with him.”  The recognizable presence of God was a sure sign that David was favored of the Lord. 

The presence of God was recognizable!  People could see that God was with David! 

APPLICATION: I am amazed at the many ways God blesses and uses these SOAPs.  It is clear to me that God is with them,  when they are written and when they go out.  They are used in twenty-plus countries and are quickly spreading in West Africa.  The only explanation I have is that God is pleased with them. 

What a privilege to be able to live under the favor of God.  God’s favor is not my location or status in the world; it is God’s location and status in my heart!  (Have I invited Jesus into my heart and made him LORD over all my life?)  When God is in the right location and honored with the right status, trials can then be seen as challenges—as opportunities for Jesus to be glorified in my life!  

PRAYER: To the Lord I sing:  In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.  It my life, Lord, be glorified today. …and a second verse:  In this SOAP, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.  In this SOAP, Lord, be glorified today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 15, 2022: SOAP #4516 (from #2690):  1Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

SCRIPTURE:  1Samuel (NIV) 17:45 David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly towards the battle line to meet him.

OBSERVATION: David vs. Goliath is the common way people think of this story. But in David’s mind, it was different. It was Goliath vs. God! And David knew who was going to win that battle! David did not make this the LORD’s battle, Goliath did. Goliath was the one who defied/taunted God. If it had been David’s battle, without a doubt, Goliath would have won. But it was not David’s battle. It was not even Israel’s battle. It was the LORD’s battle. Goliath did not have a chance to win.

David was not using God to win a battle for Israel; God was using David to win a battle for His honor.

APPLICATION: The enemy wants me to see the battle as mine and to think that I am responsible for the outcome. Thinking this way, I am defeated even before the battle begins. 

God wants me to see the battle as His and let Him be responsible for the outcome! I am not using God to win my battle; God is using me to win His battle!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help understand the principles for which I am fighting! Use me to bring glory to the name of Jesus! Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 14, 2022: SOAP #4515:  1Samuel 15-16; 1Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

SCRIPTURE:  1Samuel (NIV) 16:17 So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.” 18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.”  …
23 Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

OBSERVATION: David had many good noticeable qualities; he was talented, he was a brave warrior, he could converse intelligently, and he was handsome.   But the servant giving the report about David had seen something else—God was with Him!!!

That quality made such an impression that the servant included it in his list of qualities.  It was the one quality that bound all the other qualities together—and enhanced them.  It was the extra in David’s harp playing.  It was the extra in his time at war.  It was the extra in his conversations.  It was the extra in the way David held himself and presented himself.  David belonged to God!  God was with David!

APPLICATION: Noticing the presence of God in my life starts with me.  By faith, I invite Him into my life, forgiving my sins.  I set my life under His Lordship.  I treat Him like He really is a part of my life because He really is!  I talk (pray) to Him.  I read His word (the Bible.)  I do those things that honor Him. 

And as I acknowledge His presence, soon others will recognize His presence in my life.  Soon I can see that Jesus is really living His life through me.  The Holy Spirit is directing my everyday life.  There is nothing too big, or too small for His input and assistance. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I am alive in you, but what is better, You are alive in me!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 13, 2022: SOAP #4514:  1Samuel 14; 1Chronicles 4; 2Corinthians 13

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you— unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.

OBSERVATION: If anyone should know if I am a believer, it should be me! I do not need to go to a doctor, or a lawyer, or a pastor to have an examination to see if I am a Christian. I can examine myself. Does Christ live in me? How can I know?

First, I know it by faith in God’s Word. 1John 1:9 says, “if I confess my sins God is faithful and just to forgive me my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.” Amazing! According to Romans 10:9-10 I confess Jesus as Lord and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. Therefore, according to His Word, I am saved!

Second, I know it by the differences He makes in me! Oh, the peace of His presence! All things do work together for good! (Romans 8:28)

Third, I know it because He talks to me. He is with me, and He speaks into my thoughts. He helps me understand what I read and what I see around me. He puts thoughts in my mind that show me how to live. As I read the Bible, I see the things he has brought to my mind.

APPLICATION: I walk, and I talk with Him! How could it be possible that He is alive in me, and I not know it? (If I am not sure, I need to read the short book of 1John to see what is available for me to KNOW.)

PRAYER:  Jesus, to have you live inside me, and share this life with me, is the greatest joy of life. I want to follow your lead.  I want to make it easy for you to live in me. I want you to enjoy being with me as much as I enjoy being with you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 12, 2022: SOAP #4513:  1Samuel 13; 1Chronicles 2-3; 2Corinthians 12

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 12:12 The things that mark an apostle—signs, wonders and miracles—were done among you with great perseverance….
19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.

OBSERVATION: Here is Paul’s explanation an apostle’s ministry.  It is obviously one of oversight but signs, wonders and miracles are a major part.  It is not that they happened once or twice, but they continue to be seen in that ministry.   And from the context of these verses, an apostle does not exploit or take advantage of those seeking out his ministry.  The purpose of an apostle is for the church, not for selfish gain.

APPLICATION: I am not an apostle, but the purpose of the ministry God has given me is not for my gain, but the strengthening of others.  A gift of ministry has been given to me to make me useful.  If I am useful, I will be used.  If I am used, it is easy to get tired of being used.  But if I cannot be used, I will be useless.  It is much worse to feel useless than to feel used!   With age should come maturity.  It should be easy for people to use me.

NOTE:  Biblical titles are not words of value, but words of function.  Everyone in the church has the same value, being bought by the same sacrifice of Jesus, but we all have different functions.  Some functions, like leadership, require a measure of authority in order to fulfill their purpose.  Authority is a tool God gives to make a person more useful.  It is not for personal benefit, but the benefit of those they are called to serve.  (This is especially true of fathers/parents whose purpose is to serve their families.) 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, may the temptation of feeling used, be replaced with the joy of being useful, to You and Your church.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 11, 2022: SOAP #4512:  1Samuel 11-12; 1Chronicales 1; 2Corinthians 11

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

OBSERVATION: God is truthful and faithful to us.  The Bible reveals flaws in some of the major characters.  God does not rely on perfect people; only Jesus is without sin.  The Bible reveals truth about the enemy of our souls.  He is a great pretender.  He pretends to be good.  He pretends to be an “angel of light.”  But Satan hates God and longs to destroy God’s most cherish creation.  He has no care for man, except as a tool to cause God pain.  If pretending to be good helps Satan convince us to do what he wants, then he will put on a mask pretending to be acceptable, holy and even loving.    

APPLICATION: Some organizations, have separate manuals for leaders to study and read.  Their leaders receive special training to prepare them for leadership.  In the church there is only one Manual, the Bible!   The oldest and newest members all read the same Bible.  The youngest believer and the seasoned leader all read the same Bible. 

Those who have made themselves familiar with the scriptures should never follow false leaders; the Bible gives the requirements for leaders.  People who love the Bible should be able to identify the “pretenders.”  God cares about His people and protects them with the truth of His Word. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word.  You understand your creation; you know how we can be led astray.  You carefully provided for us in the scriptures.  Holy Spirit, stir our spirit to read and apply the Bible.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 10, 2022: SOAP #4511:  1Samuel 8-10; 2Corinthians 10

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 10:3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

OBSERVATION: Often the toughest strongholds to overcome are the arguments and pretenses in the mind.   If not careful, a person can become a captive of thought processes that hurt them.  Thoughts must be taken “captive.” The mind can become a battlefield.

APPLICATION: The biggest battle I will fight today will be in my mind.  I am not a mind, but I have a mind.  I must take control of my thoughts.  I cannot set myself to stop thinking about something, but I can set myself to start thinking about something else.  The strategy is “thought replacement.”  Replace thoughts about my big problem with thoughts about my big God!  The Bible never tells me how to feel, but often tells me how to think.  I must be open to the Holy Spirit helping me keep my thoughts under control.  The enemy will gladly fill my head with thoughts that are contrary to God’s plan for my life. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I need your help.  I want my life to be a comfortable place for you to live.  Watch over my mind and help me refuse the thought suggestions of the enemy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 09, 2022: SOAP #4510:  1Samuel 6-7; Psalm 72; 2Corinthians 9

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

OBSERVATION: Here Paul closes out his teachings on giving.  In chapter 2, what Paul spoke of as a “treasure,” here he calls an “indescribably gift.”  Paul’s high value of what he possessed caused him willingly and joyfully give his all for the gospel. 

Paul’s teaching, his ministry, his life, his possessions, his past, his future was all set by how he valued his Indescribable Gift! 

The truth about giving we read in chapters 8 and 9 could have been used to motivate people to give to Paul and his ministry.  But that was not Paul.  He used those truths to motivate people to give to others. 

APPLICATION: My value of what God has given me sets my level of giving.  The more I value what God has given me, the more I am willing to give.  The more I value what God has given me, the more I am willing to endure any hard times!  Do I really consider Jesus an Indescribable Gift?  What I am willing to sacrifice shows me the value I have set on Jesus. 

PRAYER:  Lord, it is worthwhile serving you!  It is worth any struggle.  It is worth giving up what I like best. It is worth it because You are worth it!  You are my Indescribable Gift!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 08, 2022: SOAP #4509:  1Samuel 3-5; Psalm 77; 2Corinthians 8

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 8:7 But just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us — see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

OBSERVATION: In this letter to the believers in the city of Corinth, The Apostle Paul is commending them for their faith, their speech, their knowledge, earnestness, and love.  They have grown in their Christian life.  Now he is encouraging them to excel in another part of Christian living — that of giving.

APPLICATION: God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. (John 3:16) When Leon loves the world the way God loves the world, Leon will be a giver too.  Leon’s love can be seen in what Leon is willing to give. 

Since I claim Jesus as my Lord all that I have belongs to Him.  Giving is not a matter of donating my money.  Giving is disbursing His money as He directs.

PRAYER:  Lord, you are a giver.  If I want to become like you, I must grow in my giving.  Remind me that when I give, I am not giving from my resources, but from Yours.  May you have joy in increasing my finances because you have joy in seeing how I manage what you have already given.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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