Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 17, 2022: SOAP #4428:  Genesis 42-43; Psalm 5; Luke 17
(Reworked SOAP from January 17, 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 17:3 So watch yourselves. “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”  

OBSERVATION: Does Jesus say that the person who does the offence should repent?  Yes, but that is not the message in this passage.  Jesus is not speaking to the one offending, but to the one offended.  Notice, Jesus did not say “watch them,” but “…watch yourselves.”  This is what to do when your brother sins against you. 

The emphasis is not on what the offender should do, but on what the offended should do.   The offended is not to evaluate the sincerity of the apology.  (How could someone be sincere if they repent seven times!)  If the offender can return seven times, obviously the offended party did not cut off any contact.  In this verse, The Great Forgiver is telling the offended to forgive!  

APPLICATION:  Without forgiveness, things can never be settled.  As mercy triumphs over justice, so forgiveness triumphs over offence.  Nothing can change what has happened.  There is no way to go back and do it differently.  Acknowledgment and repentance may settle the issue in the heart of the offender, but only forgiveness can settle it in the heart of the offended.

Forgiveness does not have to be requested, or even acknowledged, to be given.  This is not forgiveness requiring a promise of future perfection.  This is not forgiveness that holds a grudge.  (How would I like for God to hold a grudge against me?) Forgiveness flows from a forgiven heart. 

PRAYER:  Lord, if there is anyone in the universe who knows about forgiveness, it is You!  You told us to request forgiveness from you in the same way we forgive others.   Let my forgiveness of others show how much I need, appreciate, and value your forgiveness.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 16, 2022: SOAP #4427:  Genesis 39-41; Luke 16

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 40:23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.
Genesis 41:1 When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: …
9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings….
14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.

Romans (NIV) 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

OBSERVATION: The life of Joseph shows me that God can be trusted to take situations, good and bad, beyond my control and work them together for good.  Joseph did not mistreat others because he had been mistreated!   The bad things that happened to Joseph provided Joseph with good opportunities to let God be glorified. 

Joseph is a great example of good things and very bad things working together to bring about good. 

The things in Joseph’s life worked together for Joseph’s good; he became second in charge of all Egypt.  They worked together for Egypt’s good; they had food to eat during a time of famine.  They worked together for good for Joseph’s family; they moved from a land of famine to Egypt where food was available.   They worked together for everyone’s good!!!

APPLICATION:  Joseph had to be willing to let God’s plans be worked out in his life.  Joseph did not let bitterness hinder him from reaching out to others.  I must look for the new opportunities that trouble brings my way.  In the darkness of my troubles, the light of Jesus can shine even brighter. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, what you did in Joseph, do in me.  Help me to see the bigger picture when the world around me draws my attention earthly things.  Help me live with heaven in view.  Amen.

Pastor Leon Ma
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 15, 2022: SOAP #4426:  Genesis 37-38; Psalm 7; Luke 15

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 15:1 Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering round to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”

OBSERVATION: When something clean and pure contacts something dirty and contaminated, it is expected that the dirty will contaminate the clean.  But in this verse, we see the pure sinless Jesus purposefully intermingling with sinners.   Jesus even reached out and touched the lepers.  He did not get leprosy, but they were made clean!  (Luke 5 & 17)   Jesus did not become contaminated, but sinners left forgiven, and lepers left clean!

APPLICATION:  When I confessed my sins to Jesus and invited him into my life, He did not become contaminated, but I became forgiven and justified — just as if I had never sinned!   Amazing!

1John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

In the verse above, John was writing to believers.  Obviously, God wants His children to be free from sin.  How foolish to hide sin and to pretend I have never sinned.  How wise to confess my sins and let Jesus do what only Jesus can do—forgive and cleanse!

PRAYER:  Lord, I am so glad you are willing to intermingle with sinners.  Although you hate sin, you are not afraid of it.  Your righteousness is greater than sin!   When I confess my sins, you both forgive me and cleanse me!  Your death pays for my sins; your love forgives me; and your life lifts me to live as your child!   Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 14, 2022: SOAP #4424:  Genesis 34-36; Luke 14

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 14:12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.  13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

OBSERVATION: Jesus was having a meal in the home of a “prominent Pharisee.”  Jesus gave some financial advice.  People will speak kindly of you when you invite them to your home.  They may even later invite you to their home.  They will “repay” you according to their ability. 

But Jesus had a better investment.  It was an investment with a sure return.  It was an investment that would pay off when it really counted!  Investing in those who cannot repay you is an investment that will mature when you arrive in heaven!!!  

APPLICATION:  When I do something for those who cannot repay me, it is noticed by the ONE who will certainly repay me.  Repayment I receive in this life will be a blessing now.  But the repayment I will receive in heaven, will last for all eternity!   

Everyone has opportunity to invest for the future in the Kingdom of God.  There are many ways to invest money, but if one does not have money, surely, they have some time they can invest in a child, a young person, an elderly grandparent, or neighbor.  The opportunities to invest in the kingdom are numberless! 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, show me the opportunities available to me for investment.  On resurrection day, may I have valuable returns to lay at the feet of Jesus.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 13, 2022: SOAP #4423:  Genesis 31-33; Luke 13

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 32:9 Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ 10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups. 11 Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. 12 But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’”

OBSERVATION: Jacob had left home in fear of his brother’s threats to kill him.  Now he is returning home and will soon meet his brother Esau who is coming to meet him with 400 men.  In fear, Jacob did a very logical thing—he prayed! 

First, Jacob began his prayer by reminding God of His command for Jacob to go back home and of His promise to prosper Jacob.  Then Jacob spoke with humility of how far God had brought him.  Third, Jacob mentions his fears about Esau.  Last, Jacob ends his prayer by reminding God of His promises! 

APPLICATION:  To face trouble without remembering what God has promised is foolish.  If God has given promises about my future, then I can trust God to take care of my present!   If God has promised to prepare a place for me, then I can trust him to take care of the journey to get me to that place!

PRAYER: Oh, Lord!  How important it is for me to know your word and your promises to me.  Making them a good part of my prayer life is one way of letting you know that I cherish your words; I have not forgotten what you have said to me. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 12, 2022: SOAP #4423:  Genesis 29-30; Luke 12

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 12:29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

OBSERVATION: Do we need food?  We are instructed to consider the ravens. (vs. 24)   Do we need clothing?  We are instructed to consider the lilies. (vs. 27) 

Why?  Because we are more important than ravens and lilies! 

To whom are we more important?  To God, but Jesus does not call Him God; Jesus calls Him Father! 

Whose Father is He?  Jesus says He is “your Father!!!” 

APPLICATION:  God feeds the ravens. (vs. 24)   God clothes the lilies. (vs. 27-28)   But when it coming to taking care me, Jesus calls Him my Father! 

The One Jesus called “Father,” is my Father too!  He is my Heavenly Father but I need not wait until I get to heaven to enjoy His loving care! 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, when I accepted the payment of Jesus on the cross for my sins, I became a member of your family.  You have always been and will always be God.  But through Jesus, you have become my Father!  What a blessing is mine!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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January 11, 2022: SOAP #4422:  Genesis 27-28; Psalm 4; Luke 11

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 28:10 Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran.  11 When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.  12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

OBSERVATION: The Creator of the Universe was talking to one man, Jacob.  God was not demanding that Jacob serve Him and fulfill His plans.  God was telling Jacob what He (GOD) would do for Jacob!!!  God was not looking for promises from Jacob; He was making promises to Jacob!

APPLICATION:  God does want me to serve Him.  He wants me to be committed to doing His will.  But the more I understand what God is doing, the more I see that what God does for me is much more than what I will ever be able to do for Him! 

God is a promise-maker and promise-keeper.  His greatest joy is for me to believe Him and act like His promises are true. 

God wants me as a trophy of His love and grace.  He wants the world to see what He has done for me and what He is doing in me.  And not only that, consider Ephesians 3:10.  God is using us to demonstrate His great wisdom to “principalities and powers” in “heavenly places.”  WOW!!! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you have me as a trophy of your love and grace. You have set me on display so that others can see your work in and through me.  You want people to see me.  You want beings in the heavenlies to see how much I love you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 10, 2022: SOAP #4421:  Genesis 25-26; Psalm 6; Luke 10

Note:  This SOAP was written in 2010 and repeated in 2019, but the SOAPs are primarily for me, and this is something I still need to consider!Very seldom do I repeat a SOAP and when I do, it usually has a different point.  I believe this is the first time I have repeated one a third time without any changes. 

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 10:41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

OBSERVATION: Jesus was in the village and Martha had opened her house to him.  The visit to her house seems not to have been planned, so now that he was present there were many things needing her attention, very likely the preparation of a meal.   There was so much to do and Martha needed more help.  Her sister Mary should be helping, but where was she?  Mary was with the honored guest, just listening!  In Martha’s mind, Mary was doing nothing-but to Jesus what Mary was doing was the most important.  Martha was doing something for Jesus (“making preparations”);  Mary was doing something to Jesus (listening).  Martha was serving, but Mary was pleasing.

APPLICATION:  Today, I too will have many things demanding my attention.  I too have that same “Honored Guest” in my life.  I too will be misunderstood.  I too need to take time from my busy-ness and listen to Him!  I want to do more than just serve Him, I want my serving to please Him!

PRAYER:  Lord, many things will demand my time today.  You are the Honored Guest in my life.  I want to listen to you!   Your pleasure is my goal.   Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 9, 2022: SOAP #4420:  Genesis 23-24; Luke 9

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 9:24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

OBSERVATION: What a question!  The answer should come quickly.  But if the answer is slow in coming, one should take time to ponder it carefully. 

Earth living is temporary.  Life on the other side of death is eternal.  The things that should be valued in this temporary life are the things that will be most valuable in eternal life. 

Some people live their lives as though death is the end-all. They do not consider life after death.    

Some people live their lives as though this life will have no effect on a future life after death.  They live this life to please their present desires.  They do what seems good now. 

APPLICATION:  To spend my time and resources to gather things that will not fit into my casket—that is foolishness.  To spend my time and resources in helping those whom I will meet in heaven—that is wisdom.

To confess my sins to Jesus, to thank Him for His forgiveness and cleansing, and to take Jesus as my Savior and Lord—this is the beginning of wisdom. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help me to live a life that lets everyone around me know that Jesus is my Savior and Lord.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 8, 2022: SOAP #4419:  Genesis 20-22; Luke 8   (Repeat from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 8:22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So, they got into a boat and set out.

OBSERVATION: There were only two things the disciples needed to know: 1) they were going to the other side of the lake and 2) Jesus was going with them.  He did not tell them about the storm they would pass through, nor about the demon possessed man they would encounter when reaching the other side.  The storm put them in “great danger,” but the One with them was greater than the storm!  The man was possessed with a “legion” of demons (a full Roman legion consisted of 6,000+ men) but the One with them was greater than the demons!    

APPLICATION:  When the Lord says, “Let’s go…,” he is not promising a trouble-free trip.  But he is promising to go with me!   When the Lord says, “Let’s go…,” he may not tell me what I will encounter, but I can proceed with confidence that “greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world.” (1John 4:4) And although I may not know it, he has a plan and a purpose for the trip. 

PRAYER:  Lord, As I go through this day, not fully knowing what is ahead, I am assured that you are with me, and you are greater than any storm or need I will encounter.  Lord, I am counting on you!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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