Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 28, 2022: SOAP #4498:  Judges 4-5; Psalm 39, 41; 1Corinthians 13

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

OBSERVATION: Changes comes to us as we mature, and changes come to us when we become Christians.  When we were sinners, we talked like sinners; we thought like sinners; and we reasoned like sinners.  We tried to make sense of the world as it revolved around us.  What a change in our talking, thinking, and reasoning when we became believers! 

At the beginning we talked like new believers, we thought like new believers, we reasoned like new believers.  God loved us.  He was always there for us.  We found Bible truths that helped us live a better, joy filled life. 

But as we grew in our spiritual life, we began to talk, think, and reason like mature believers.  We began to realize that God’s plan does not revolve around us, but around Jesus.  We learn that Jesus not only blesses us, but He expects things from us.  More than just our Savior; He is our Lord! 

These are natural progressions to our talking, thinking, and reasoning.  As we grow in our knowledge of God and His Word—and as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, mental changes may come without any conscious effort on our part. 

However, I am quite sure that even greater changes are coming when we see Him “face to face.” 

APPLICATION: My mind is such an important part of my Christian life.  I need to allow the Holy Spirit to influence me in how I think.  

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I surrender my thoughts to your supervision.  May my thought life make a pleasant place for Jesus to dwell.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 27, 2022: SOAP #4497:  Judges 1-3; 1Corinthians 12

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

OBSERVATION: The three truths in this short verse are foundational to understanding this chapter.    

First: these gifts are for “each one.”  The presence and working of the Holy Spirit is to be experienced by every believer. 

Second:  these “manifestations” are a way the Holy Spirit makes His presence known.  When a believer says or does something that is impossible for man to know or do, it is proof of the presence and working of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is manifesting Himself—making His presence known through people. 

Third:  The working of the Holy Spirit in a believer is for the “common good.”  It makes them useful to God and beneficial to the church. 

APPLICATION: God wanted to have us in His kingdom family, but He also knew that we could not save ourselves, so He sent Jesus.  After Jesus gave us the Great Commission and returned to heaven, God knew that we could not do what He wanted us to do in our own strength.  Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until the were filled with power.  If the early church, who had seen and walked with Jesus, needed the Holy Spirit, how much more does Leon need the presence and working of the Holy Spirit!  I need Him every day! 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, mold me into the image of Jesus, fill me with your presence, speak through me, work through me, and make me a blessing to others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 26, 2022: SOAP #4496:  Joshua 23-24; Psalm 44; 1Corinthians 11

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

OBSERVATION: Paul was a leader, but before he was a leader, he was a follower.  He could never be a better leader than a follower.   A good leader is a good follower of an even better leader. 

The best leaders are great followers of Jesus, the greatest leader!

APPLICATION: Today’s SOAP is not to present a thought that I can apply to my life, but a question about which I can meditate throughout today. 

What is “the example of Christ?” 

What did Paul see in Christ that he wanted to pass along to others? 

What do I see in Christ that I want to pass along to others?

The first leaders I had were my parents!  As parents, we are the first leaders our children will have.  My parents were good examples of what Paul was saying.  May I follow their example of following Jesus!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, among the many possibilities, today show me something specific in Christ that will improve my service to others.  Then help me set a good example for others to follow.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 25, 2022: SOAP #4495:  Joshua 21-22; Psalm 47; 1Corinthians 10

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 10:24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others….
32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks, or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

OBSERVATION: The instructions that Paul gives for living were modeled by Jesus.  Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life a ransom for many.  (Matthew 20:28)

Paul was “seeking” how to serve others, especially in ways that would bring them to salvation.  He was not just sitting around waiting to see what opportunities would come his way.  He was thinking about ways to serve others; he was “seeking.”

APPLICATION: God will not allow me to carry an attitude of doing what I want to do no matter how it affects others. In honoring God, my goal is to serve others, not to offend others. God wants to use my life for the benefit of others, especially for their spiritual benefit.

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, make me a useful servant.  May my life bring joy to Jesus and benefit to those around me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 24, 2022: SOAP #4494:  Joshua 18-20; 1Corinthians 9

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 9:16 Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.

OBSERVATION: In this chapter Paul had much to say about money and ministry.  People who minister to the church should expect to receive a reward (finances) for their labor.  People who receive such ministry should expect to give in support of that ministry.  However, Paul rejoiced in that he did not have to require a salary for his ministry. 

Not being paid for his ministry, did not mean that he could ignore the ministry and do something else.  He was “compelled to preach.”  Money had nothing to do with it.  He could not ignore the calling of God on his life. 

So, how did Paul fulfill his obligation?  He had two choices.  He could do it as a burdensome responsibility that he could not escape, OR he could do it as a joyful volunteer with an opportunity to serve his LORD! 

APPLICATION: When I serve as a requirement, I may communicate that the people I am serving are not worthy of the time I spend in ministry to them.  As soon as I am free, I will be on to something more enjoyable and productive.  

When I serve voluntarily, I can communicate that the people are valuable; they are worthy of my time and efforts.  It is my privilege and joy to serve them. 

Even when receiving finances, I must remember that I am serving the LORD.  I am working at His directions.  Any money received should be considered as coming from Him and is to be used as He directs.

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I need you in my life to keep my attitude in line with what you are doing.  In writing SOAPs, in driving a school bus, and in serving seniors, may those I serve know that they are valuable to you and to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 23, 2022: SOAP #4493:  Joshua 15-17; 1Corinthians 8

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV)  8:5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6  yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

OBSERVATION: All things came from the One God, the Father.  We live for His purpose and pleasure.  He is originator of all things.  He is the reason for our living.   

All that has come from the Father has come through the work of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  It came through His work in creation and through His work on the cross.  We are now to live through Him.

APPLICATION: The channel through which all things came from the Father is the channel through which I approach the Father!   In coming from the Father, Jesus made a way for me to go to the Father.  Jesus maintained His relationship with the Father as He walked in humility and obedience.  In so doing, He made a way for me to have a relationship with the Father!  

Having a good relationship with Jesus (the Channel) leads me to have a good relationship with the Father. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, you are at work in my life.  Keep my in the center of the “Channel.”  Teach me how to relate to the Father; teach me how to honor the Father with my daily life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 22, 2022: SOAP #4492:  Joshua 12-14; 1Corinthians 7

SCRIPTURE:  Joshua (NIV) 14:9 So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.’ [Deut. 1:36] 10 “Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! 11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. 12 Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there, and their cities were large and fortified, but the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”

OBSERVATION: It had been 45 years since Caleb received from Moses the promise of this special piece of land.  He had held that promise in his heart.  It was too special to forget.  It was more than a promise from Moses—it was a promise that the LORD gave Caleb!   

Verse 10: “Now then…”  Verse 12: “Now give me…”  It was time; and Caleb was making his claim.  It would not be easy, but the Promise Maker was a Promise Keeper and He wanted Caleb to have that land enough to be Caleb’s HELPER!!!  

APPLICATION:  Like Caleb, I have found that my Promise MAKER is also my Promise KEEPER!   I have also found that He is even more committed to fulfilling those promises than I am to receive them…so my Promise MAKER/KEEPER becomes Leon’s HELPER!  

PRAYER:  Lord, you have a plan.  You are working to fulfill that plan.  You want me to succeed in fulfilling my part of your plan.  More than keeping the promised you made, you are helping me establish those promises in my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 21, 2022: SOAP #4491:  Joshua 9-11; 1Corinthians 6

SCRIPTURE:  Joshua (NIV) 11:4 They came out with all their troops and a large number of horses and chariots—a huge army, as numerous as the sand on the seashore. 5 All these [10-12] kings joined forces and made camp together at the Waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. 6 The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel, slain. You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots.” 7 So Joshua and his whole army came against them suddenly at the Waters of Merom and attacked them, 8 and the LORD gave them into the hand of Israel….

OBSERVATION: These kings make an agreement to join their armies to fight against Israel. Surely these kings thought they would have a superior army to defeat Israel. Working together, they could easily defeat Israel. They did not realize that the size of their army had no effect on Israel’s God!

They did not realize that God had promised this land to Israel years before.  They did not realize that God had a plan for His Son to be born in a manger and crucified on a Roman cross, buried in a borrowed tomb and resurrected to life—all for the salvation of the world!  

The size of the enemy did not matter.  There was no way God was going to let His people lose this battle!   

APPLICATION: Israel’s God is my God! The size of the battle in which I am struggling makes no difference to Him! I must keep my eyes on Him; keep my ears open to His voice; and be quick to obey. When I am doing the will of God, the size of the challenge does not matter; the size of the opposition does not matter!  

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, keep reminding me of your greatness!  You are just as able to fulfill your plan for me as you did for Israel.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 20, 2022: SOAP #4490:  Joshua 7-8; Psalm 69; 1Corinthians 5

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 5:6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? 7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.

OBSERVATION: Their boasting about being God’s children was not good; there was sin in their midst.  Their testimony was marred by the sin.  Taking care of the sin was a priority.  Sin, like yeast, grows and spreads.  We are not told to get rid of the “whole batch” but get rid of the “old yeast.”

Before coming to Christ for His forgiveness and justification, sin was a part of their nature.  The whole batch of their life was affected by sin.  But now the blood of the sacrifice made them a new creation!  They are a “new batch without yeast!”  Yes, that is what they “really are!” 

The yeast (sin) must be removed through confession and forgiveness before it “works through the whole batch of dough.”

APPLICATION: I am so glad that God has not only provided for my becoming a new creation; He has also provided for me to stay clean.  As I walk through the world, it is certain that I will need my feet washed.  The attitudes of the world stick in my heart and thoughts.  If not confessed and forgiven, they linger on in me.  In an unguarded moment they show themselves in my words and actions.  The longer I allow them to remain, the more affect they will have in my life.  They will become a hindrance to my testimony. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father thank you for your forgiveness provided by the blood of Jesus.  Holy Spirit, thank you for convicting me when sin tries to take control in my life.  Apply the Word to my heart and mind and make me a vessel of honor for you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 19, 2022: SOAP #4489:  Joshua 3-6; 1Corinthians 4

SCRIPTURE:  Joshua (NIV) 5:13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” 14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” 15 The commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

OBSERVATION: This man did not come to give battle advice, but to take charge.  Joshua was no longer in charge.  Joshua could only give orders if he could take orders.  The battle plan for taking Jericho was designed to give Joshua the opportunity to prove that he could follow orders. 

Marching around a city once a day for six days and then seven times on the seventh day is not recognized as a great strategy for taking a city.  But it was a great strategy to see if Joshua could follow orders. 

APPLICATION: To me it is black and white.  I am right and the other side is wrong.  Like Joshua, I ask, “Lord, are you for me or for my enemy?”  But more important to the Lord:  is my heart fully surrendered to him?  Can He trust me to do what He says?  Can I follow orders?

Often, the instructions He gives are not designed to fix my problem, but to demonstrate my obedience!   Once the Lordship issue is settled, God brings the deliverance needed.  Obedience proves submission and submission takes priority over everything else.  Once the Lord wins the battle inside me, He can then use me to win battles on the outside!

PRAYER:  Lord even though I may not understand how your plan will work, I do know that no one is more capable of being in charge than you.  I know the wisest thing I can do is to trust and obey you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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