Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 26, 2022: SOAP #4468:  Numbers 19-20; Psalm 28; Mark 5

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 28:6 Praise be to the LORD,

for he has heard my cry for mercy.    

7 The LORD is my strength and my shield;
          my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
          and I will give thanks to him in song.
8 The LORD is the strength of his people,
          a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
9 Save your people and bless your inheritance;
          be their shepherd and carry them forever.

OBSERVATION: As I pondered these verses the following truth came strongly to my thoughts:  Man did not create God so that God would minister to man’s needs.  Man is the creation of God.  Man was created to minister to God’s needs! 

But what does an Eternal, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient, God need?  He needs opportunity to express His love, His compassion, His tenderness.  He is looking for people needing mercy.  He is looking for weak people needing His strength.  He is looking for people needing protection.  He is looking for people who need help! 

The above verses do not show what we can do for God, but what God does for us. 

APPLICATION:  Considering this, my heart leaps for joy and I express myself in song.  My every weakness gives God opportunity to demonstrate His greatness.  My sin gave God the opportunity to express His love.  He took my place on the cross. 

PRAYER:  Lord, my life is, and will be, my testimony of what you have done for me.  Love and appreciation hold me to living a life that pleases you.  May I be quick to tell others of your Love, your Mercy and Grace.   Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 25, 2022: SOAP #4467:  Numbers 17-18; Psalm 29; Mark 4

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 4:1 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. … 2  He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: …
38  … The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

OBSERVATION: In this chapter, Mark shows us the teaching ministry of Jesus.  Jesus was a teacher.  He helped people understand.  He taught them as they listened.  They asked questions as He listened.  He taught them by example as they watched.  He had them minister as He watched.  Then He sent them out and had them report back.  Then He left, but He did not leave them alone. 

Jesus was not depending on the disciples to carry on His ministry.  The ministry was way too important to leave in their hands.  Jesus had taught them how, but they would need power!  He instructed them to wait in Jerusalem until they were filled with the same Holy Spirit that came upon Him when He was baptized in water by John the Baptist!  (Acts 1:4-8)

APPLICATION:  Having been taught, and still being taught by Jesus and His ministers, prepares me to teach also.  He wants to use me to help others understand.  But more than what I have learned from others or by studying on my own…so much more is the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life!  He opens the Word to my mind and heart.  He anoints me to prepare these SOAPs. 

PRAYER:  Lord, you blessed me to be a blessing.  You have taught me to enable me to teach others.  And you have put The Holy Spirit in my life to give a divine touch to this ministry.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 24, 2022: SOAP #4466:  Numbers 14-16; Mark 3

SCRIPTURE:  Numbers (NIV) 14:20 The LORD replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked.

OBSERVATION: The Israelites had refused to go into the Promised Land.  After all that God had done for them, they now refused to enter the Promised Land. 

God was extremely angry with them and (Num 14:11) the LORD said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them? 12 I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them, but I will make you into a nation greater and stronger than they.”

Then Moses prayed an amazingly effective prayer!  He prayed a prayer that changed the mind of God!  The Lord said, “I have forgiven them, as you asked!”

What did Moses say to God?  In Numbers 14:13-19 Moses reminded God of God’s plan for the Israelites: to be a testimony to the world.  And Moses quoted back to God what God had said when Moses asked to see God’s glory in Exodus 34:6-7. 

Moses had a personal experience with God!  What God had said was important to Moses.  It was important enough to remember.  It was important enough to quote back to God. 

APPLICATION:  What God says to Leon is important!  It is important enough for Leon to remember!  It is important enough to quote back to God.  God’s Word and what God has said to Leon should be a part of my prayers. 

God honors His Word!  It blesses God when I make decisions based of His Word.  It blesses God when He hears His Word in my prayers. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, by your Holy Spirit, you personalize your Word to me.  Holy Spirit, continually bring to my memory what God has spoken to me, especially when I am praying.  I want to hold tight to what God has said to me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 23, 2022: SOAP #4465:  Numbers 12-13; Psalm 90; Mark 2

(repeat from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 2:3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on.
5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
…9 Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” He said to the paralytic, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”

OBSERVATION: Friends had heard about Jesus’ miracles and now Jesus was in town. Four of them picked up their paralyzed friend and took him to Jesus.  Because there were so many people wanting to see Jesus, their only recourse was to make a hole in the roof to let the paralytic down into the very room where Jesus was.  These men had “see-able” faith.  Jesus could see their faith; he both forgave the man’s sins and healed him.  This man was blessed because he had friends who had faith that could be seen.  Their faith made a difference in this man’s life.

APPLICATION:  Three questions:  How is my faith visible?  Are my friends blessed because of my faith?  Whose life will be changed today because Jesus sees my faith?

PRAYER:  Lord, may the things I say and do make my faith “see-able.”  Let my faith make a difference in someone’s life today.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 22, 2022: SOAP #4464:  Numbers 10-11; Psalm 27; Mark 1

SCRIPTURE:  Numbers (NIV) 11:1 Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them, his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. 2 When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the LORD and the fire died down.

OBSERVATION: They could have been talking about how the miracles in Egypt had broken them free from slavery.  They could have been talking about walking through the Red Sea on dry ground!!!  They could have been talking about Pharoah’s army drowned in the Red Sea!  They could have been talking about the pillar of fire that gave them light and heat at night, and the cloud by day that provided shade in the dessert!  They could have been talking about God speaking on Mt. Sinai!  They could have been talking about the water that came from the rock!  They could have been talking about the provision of manna for their daily food!   There were many things they could have talked about—things that would have shown appreciation for the One who had answered their prayers and delivered them from the hand of Pharoah.  But they complained about how difficult it was to move their household in the wilderness. 

Instead of using words to appreciate the Lord, they let their words anger Him!!!  What a mistake!   How foolish to anger the One they were depending on!

APPLICATION:  Surely, I have as much as the Israelites for which to be thankful, even more!  They were depending on God to get them to the Promised Land.  I am depending on God to get me to heaven!!!   They had the visible presence of God in the cloud and pillar of fire.  But I have the presence of God alive inside me!!!  They had Moses to tell them what God said.  But I have the Bible I can read for myself each day!!!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, since you created my ears, I should not be surprised that you can hear every word I speak.  That is why I pray, because I know you hear me.  I want my words to please you and bring you joy.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 21, 2022: SOAP #4463:  Numbers 8-9; Acts 28

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 28:7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

OBSERVATION: Here again we see the prisoner Paul being the center of attention.  Obviously, Paul had a good attitude.  Paul had much for which he could complain.  But it would have been difficult for Paul to have a mouth full of complaining, then pray and minister healing to the sick. 

If we should read of Paul having a “poor me, pity party” many of the things he wrote to the churches he loved would lose some of their value. 

APPLICATION:  The Lord wants His people ready to minister to others at a moment’s notice.  I must guard my heart.  I must guard my thoughts.  I must guard my words.  I must not allow grumbling and complaining to dull my sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. 

Instead of complaining about obvious inconveniences, I need to keep my heart full of the goodness of God.  Being ready to be an instrument of God’s grace is much more important that having the freedom to express my irritation at some inconvenience. 

I need the Holy Spirit to help me be like Jesus.  He was God yet He did not take offence at being a man and being mistreated as a man!  (Philippines 2:5-7)

May the testimony I leave with others not be dulled by a complaining attitude. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I am so glad you are living in me.  I need your help to keep a kind and peaceful attitude when I am irritated by my circumstances and how others treat me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 20, 2022: SOAP #4462:  Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 27

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 27:23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.

OBSERVATION: Paul is aboard a ship headed for Rome to stand trial before Caesar.  The ship is caught in a terrible storm.  For fourteen days the crew had nothing to eat.  On the third day into the storm, they had thrown the ships tackle overboard. 

In the verses above, we have Paul speaking to the crew and fellow passengers on the ship.  They consisted of the crew, Roman soldiers, fellow prisoners, and some traveling companions of Paul, at least the author of the book of Acts. 

Listen to Paul as he describes His God.  Paul belonged to God and Paul served God.  Paul’s God was a speaker; He talked to Paul.  He sent a message to Paul “last night!”  Paul’s God made promises to Paul that included the people around him.  They would all survive the present danger.  Paul’s God could be trusted.  It would be “just as he told me!” 

APPLICATION:  Paul was not talking about the storm.  He made no comments about the wind and the waves.  He made no comment about being a prisoner.  No, Paul did not talk about the unimportant things; he talked about the Important One!   He had heard from the God of the wind and the waves.  He had a message from God. 

PRAYER:  Lord, as I move through a world full of turmoil and trouble, I want to keep my focus on you!  Your enemy, and my enemy, wants to get my focus off you and onto what surrounds me.  Help me to speak from heaven’s point of view.  Amen 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 19, 2022: SOAP #4461:  Numbers 5-6; Psalm 22; Acts 26

(reworked from 2016)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 26:24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”  25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable.

OBSERVATION: Festus had invited King Agrippa to listen to Paul and then give advice on what charges to write out when sending Paul to Rome. As Paul is passionately speaking to King Agrippa, Festus loudly interrupts. Two dynamics were at work as Paul was speaking. First, he was speaking truth that could not be denied. It was reasonable. Second, the anointing of the Holy Spirit was upon Paul as he spoke. The Holy Spirit was convicting the hearts of the hearers. The Spirit’s presence can be seen in Festus’ reaction. He had to respond. He interrupted King Agrippa’s hearing.

APPLICATION:  When I am speaking to a large gathering, or to a single individual, it is a team ministry. God depends on me to open my mouth and speak the truth; I depend on the Holy Spirit to do the anointing and convicting. 

The same is true with the SOAPs.  They also are a team ministry.  The Holy Spirit draws my attention to a passage of scripture.  He makes it clear how it applies to my life.  Then I write out the SOAP and send it on its way.  The Holy Spirit applies it to your life.  And for some the team is even larger as another person translates it into your language or someone else prints it on a sheet of paper for you to read. 

But however it arrives to each of us, the SOAPs were started by the Holy Spirit and finally applied by the Holy Spirit to our lives. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, may I always speak word that are true and reasonable. I want to speak words that you can anoint. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 18, 2022: SOAP #4460:  Numbers 3-4; Acts 25

SCRIPTURE:  Numbers (NIV) 3:25 At the Tent of Meeting the Gershonites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle and tent, its coverings, the curtains…—and everything related to their use…. 30-36 … the Kohathite clans … were responsible for … The Merarites were appointed to take care of …
Numbers (NIV) 4:19  … Aaron and his sons are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry. …47-49  All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to do the work of serving and carrying the Tent of Meeting numbered 8,580. At the LORD’s command through Moses, each was assigned his work and told what to carry. Thus they were counted, as the LORD commanded Moses.

OBSERVATION: The task of moving the tabernacle across the wilderness was great.  It was too great for any one person.  So, the Lord broke it down into small pieces.  Each family was responsible for their assignment.  Each man age 30-50 had a responsibility. 

The responsibilities was similar, but each responsibility was different.  In crossing the wilderness, they did not all carry the same thing.  Each had to be faithful. 

For a big plane to fly across the sky, many engineers had to be faithful in designing their assigned responsibility.  One designed the engine, another the wind, another the landing gear, another the tail assembly, etc. The plane flies because all were responsible and faithful.

APPLICATION:  For the church to move across the world today, it takes many people being responsible for their assigned ministry. 

When I am faithful to fulfill my responsibility, God aligns it with others who are faithful to fulfill their responsibility.  Their responsibility is different than mine, but it works together with mine to fill in a part of the bigger picture in which God is glorified.  No part is too small or insignificant. 

And so it is with SOAP.  I carefully listen for what God is saying, type it out and send it over the web.  Others read and forward it to family and friends.  Others translate it and post it on the web.  Others print it out and pass it out by hand. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you have designed your church so that each member, in small or large ways, has opportunity to demonstrate their love and commitment to you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 17, 2022: SOAP #4459:  Numbers 1-2; Acts 24

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 24:16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

OBSERVATION: Paul is on trial before Felix.  The lawyer representing the Jewish religious leaders has made his case against Paul.  Now Paul in beginning his defense makes the statement contained in the verse above.  His goal is to keep a clear conscience.

Paul said, “strive;” it was a goal worthy of the effort required.  Paul said, “always;” it was a goal worthy of a continued effort. 

APPLICATION:  To keep a clear conscience requires having morals that are more than just words.  It requires a moral code by which I judge my own actions. 

Keeping a clear conscience has often required me to apologize and ask for forgiveness. 

The greatest aid I have in keeping a clear conscience is the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life.  He is active in establishing a moral code in my life.  He is active in measuring my actions by that moral code.  And He is active in helping me get back in line when I fail.  He is active in convicting me, forgiving me, and assuring me that the blood of Jesus on the cross has been accepted as the payment necessary for my sins. The blood Jesus shed on the cross has more value than the combined debt of all my sin! 

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, the blood you shed on the cross is the only agent for cleansing a guilty conscience.  It is readily available to all who come in faith to acknowledge their sins and receive your forgiveness.  What a wonderful feeling:  a clear conscience and a clean heart.  Thank you, Lord, for both.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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