Author Archives: SOAPs by Leon

Unknown's avatar

About SOAPs by Leon

At the end of my first year in Bible College, the Lord sent me into the US Navy. It was at a serviceman's center in San Diego where I met and married Sharon. During the final years of the ten years I spent in the US Navy, most with the US Marine Corps as a hospital corpsman, I became the pastor of Bayview Chapel A/G in Kaneohe, Hawaii. After 17 years, the Lord sent us back to my birth state, Kansas, where we were pastors of Andover Assembly of God for 20 years. In retirement, the Lord has given me two assignments: first is to write these daily devotions. You are being allowed to eves drop in on what He is saying to me. You will notice the applications are usually in the first person. The second assignment is to drive a school bus. What a privilege to serve others in this practical way and to interact with people outside the church environment. My heart smiles as I continue to joyfully serve my God and others. :) A third assignment from the Kansas Assemblies of God is to be the ministry coordinator for the Kansas Senior Adult Ministries. My wife, Sharon and myself enjoy traveling around the state of Kansas, visiting the churches and encouraging ministry to senior adults and the ministries of senior adults.

Prepared for Success

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 14, 2028: SOAP #5672: 1Kings 15; 2Chronicles 13,14; Philippians 4

(Armor of God #5)

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

OBSERVATION:   From the above verses, we can see that evil is not a problem limited to earth.  Evil had found a place in heavenly realms. 

Although we often look to Adam as the first sinner, the Bible clearly teaches that there was one before Adam; that one is Satan. God can take what is meant for evil and turn it to be an opportunity for good. 

Earth was prepared as a place where God’s grace and love and wisdom would be clearly demonstrated as being greater than sin.  The stage was set, the Son was sent, the struggle was started, and the Servant (Jesus) defeated the serpent (Satan)!  Hallelujah!

APPLICATION:  The battle has been won, but I still struggle.  The struggle now is not for victory—the victory was settled on the cross. 

Our struggle now is to enforce the victory that has already been won.  Our struggle is with a defeated enemy who has been left to tempt me to see that my commitment is sure.  He has been left to teach me how to use authority.  He has been left here to give me opportunity to participate in his final demise.

The verses following the above passage give the armor I am to put on for my protection and the weapons I am to use in the struggle. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, with the armor for my protection and the weapons you have provided, with the presence of Your Holy Spirit in my life, You have prepared me for success!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Put it on!

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 13, 2028: SOAP #5671: 1Kings 13,14; 2Chronicles 12; Philippians 3

(Armor of God #4)

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God…13 Therefore put on the full armor of God… 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith… 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, 8 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

OBSERVATION:   God wants His people to be strong to fight against the enemy and to stand against temptation.  He has made special provisions for us to live in victory.  He has given us HIS armor!  The armor is hanging in the closet of His Word.  I must not leave it hanging in the closet.  I must take it out of the closet by reading His Word.  I must put it on by living my daily life like it is true!   I believe it is true, so I live and think and act like it is true, because it is!

APPLICATION:  God knows me perfectly.  He has provided the proper protection I need for today.  I put on His armor with a thankful heart and take on the day with faith. 

We have such great benefit in our new life in Christ.  We need only to take advantage of it.  Not just one part, not just the part we enjoy most, not just what we think we will be needing that day, but we are to put on the whole armor of God.  We do this to enable us to take our stand against the tricks of the devil. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, throughout this day, remind me that I am dressed in the armor of God.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Fully Prepared

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 12, 2028: SOAP #5670: 1Kings 12; 2Chronicles 10,11; Philippians 2

(Armor of God #3)

NOTE:  During the next two plus weeks, I will be writing, sending, and posting SOAPs on the thoughts from Ephesians 6;10-18.  For those who do not have a Bible, every verse will be presented with appropriate observations and applications.  For the past 15 years I have often wanted to take more time with such a passage, but always moved on with the daily assigned reading.  I now strongly feel the Holy Spirit compelling me to do so.  I will be using some old SOAPs, combining SOAPs and writing new ones.  May the Holy Spirit anoint my heart as I write them and anoint your heart as you read them!  Amen

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. …
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

OBSERVATION:   Two times in these verses we are commanded to put on or take up the FULL armor of God.  This is not an option.  God does not want us to encounter the enemy unprepared or only half prepared.   

If we understand who it is that we are fighting, we will appreciate this emphasis!  If we take time to understand each piece of the armor, we will appreciate its value. 

APPLICATION:  These verses do not tell me to just wait until God puts this armor on me.  These verses tell me to put it on.  This is for me to do.    I need to read these verses (Ephesians 6:10-18) to discover what this passage is saying to me. 

In faith expressed through the confession of my lips, I claim this armor as mine!  With the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit, I begin to live like it is true, because it is!  

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, thank you for providing for me.  You knew what I would be facing, and you provided armor and weapons for me to be able to stand.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Getting Strong

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 11, 2028: SOAP #5669: Song of Solomon 5-8; Philippians 1

(Armor of God #2)

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

OBSERVATION:   Paul here encourages his readers to be strong in the Lord.   In the world today there are endless areas in which one can be strong.  A person’s strength may be in their physical body, or in some area of the physical world as agriculture, or engineering, or in relationships, or …   Growing strong in each area involves gaining knowledge and then applying knowledge.  Knowledge without application leaves one weak!  

Being strong in the Lord should be a priority for each of us.  As we become strong in our knowledge of Him, our faith in His mighty power grows.                 

APPLICATION:  As I grow in my knowledge of God’s word AND then apply it to my life, I grow stronger in my faith AND I learn to depend on His strength. 

The more I learn about God, the more my thoughts, speech, and actions change to align with the truth of who God is and what He has said.  People begin to see changes in me and may ask “why?”  Sometimes the changes are so small that we may not recognize them; family and close friends may recognize them before we do.  But with God living within us, it will be impossible not to change!  

PRAYER:   Lord, thank you for loving me.  Thank you for your Word.  May I have the courage to apply it—to think and act like it is true!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Strong in the Lord

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 10, 2028: SOAP #5668: Song of Solomon 1-4; Ephesians 6

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

OBSERVATION:   People have a combination of strong and weak character traits.  Some are strong in patience.  Others seem to have great knowledge.  Some love sports.  But each one has areas of weakness.  Our strengths enable us to serve others.  Our weaknesses cause us to need others.  However there is one area in which we should all be strong.  We should all be “strong in the Lord.”

APPLICATION:  In areas where I am weak, it is obvious that I need to depend on the Lord and his strength.  But I am finding that God’s strengths make my strengths look like weaknesses.  It is much better to rely on God even in areas where I think I am strong. 

PRAYER:   Lord, I want to be strong in my knowledge of you, strong in my relationship with you, strong in recognizing how you speak to me, and strong in depending on you. In dealing with temptation and the devil, I want to be strong in you!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

NOTE: As I was reading today’s assigned passages, I was considering what I should include and what should be left for another time.  There was an urgency to write SOAPs, but we would not be back to this passage of scripture for another six months.  In pondering the many strong thoughts that came to my mind, I believe the Lord wants me to pause writing SOAPs from the daily Bible readings that is given every day at the top.  Instead, for the next week or so, I will write SOAPs from this passage on the armor of God.  I pray they will be a blessing to each SOAP reader.   😊  Leon

Filled

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 9, 2028: SOAP #5667: Ecclesiastes 10-12; Psalm 94; Ephesians 5

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

OBSERVATION:   I have found that being full of the Holy Spirit helps me to live wisely, helps me to take advantage of every opportunity, and helps me to understand the will of the Lord. 

The Holy Spirit enters our lives when we first accept the forgiveness that God offers to us through the sacrifice of Jesus. (John 20:22)  He is the one who draws us to Jesus.  But there is a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit available to all believers.  He fills us, he empowers us, the gifts of the Spirit begin flowing through us.  The book of Acts is a testimony of how God uses people who have been “baptized” or “filled” with the Holy Spirit! (Acts 1: 8 and 2:4) Instead of them containing the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit contains them. 

APPLICATION:  The expressions of God’s love were released by Jesus through His spoken word and/or the touch of His hand.  The same was true in the book of Acts.  And God is still the same, He wants to flow through our spoken words and the touch of our hands.  He wants to use us as ministers of His peace, His healing, His wisdom.  Expect God, the Holy Spirit to move in you and through you.  The initial filling of the Holy Spirit is often accompanied by the gift of tongues.  Do not think it strange, but remember that the primary ministry of the Holy Spirit is to exalt Jesus!  

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, thank you for drawing me to Jesus and the cleansing that comes through His death on the cross.  Thank you for living in me.  I ask you to fill me through and through with your Holy Presence and power.  Flow through me in expressions of your love.  I pray in Jesus Name, Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Sealed by the Holy Spirit!

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 8, 2028: SOAP #5666: Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

OBSERVATION:   Here we see the personality of the Holy Spirit. It is possible to cause Him grief.  He is not an impersonal force without feelings.  It is our responsibility not to grieve Him.  Through the choices we make, through our words and actions, we can cause God hurt.  What a shame to hurt the One Who loves us so! 

The Holy Spirit seals us.  A seal is used for several reasons.  One use is for identification.  Jesus’ tomb was sealed with the seal of Rome.  A letter was sealed with wax containing a special identification.  Another use for a seal is as a lock to keep things safe.  And a third use is for security, as a “no trespassing” sign to those who would unlawfully try to enter.  And a seal is often used to validate a document. 

APPLICATION:   We are sealed with God, the Holy Spirit!  How we should appreciate the Presence of the Holy Spirit!  

His presence validates that we are indeed children of God.  He who descended upon Jesus when Jesus was baptized begin to work in us and people recognize that we have been changed.  There is something causing us to be more like Jesus.  As we follow the leading and direction from the Holy Spirit, we see Him working trough us. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, when your Son Jesus returned to heaven, how special it was of you to send the Holy Spirit to become an important part of each believer’s life.   What joy He brings into our lives!  How we need His guidance!  How faithfully He reveals truth.  Instead of grieving the Holy Spirit, may I be a source of joy.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

A Mystery No Longer!

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 7, 2025: SOAP #5665: Ecclesiastes 4-6; Psalm 18; Ephesians 3

A Mystery No Longer!

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 3:4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

OBSERVATION:   Although there are many references in the Old Testament to God reaching the Gentile, the Jews saw themselves as God’s people.  In God’s plan to populate heaven with people, He had to start somewhere.  In sending Jesus to die in payment for our sins, He could not send 25 or 30 Jesuses—only One.  He could only come through one family in one nation.  Jesus was sent to earth through the Jewish nation. 

Once Jesus ministry was complete, the Holy Spirit was given Who revealed that God’s plan had always been to give gentiles the same standing as Jews!  

Jews and Gentiles are members of the same body—the body of Christ.  We have the same Lord!  We have the same Holy Spirit.  We share in the same promises.  We share the same destination—heaven.

APPLICATION:   Whether we live in an Asian or African country…whether we live in Europe or the Americas…whether we live in Australia or the islands of the sea…if we have confessed our sins and received His forgiveness…if we have received Jesus into our lives…then we are all members of the same body!  

The question is not to what kind of church de we attend, but has Jesus forgiven our sins and does He live within?  If so, we share the same life.  God lives in us.  We are brothers and sisters in Christ! 

PRAYER:   Jesus, you prayed that we (the members of your body) would be one. (John 17:21)   Holy Spirit, we need your help.  Work in us and through us in answer to Jesus’ prayer.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Holy Spirit (3)

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 6, 2025: SOAP #5664: Ecclesiastes 1-3; Psalm 45: Ephesians 2

The Holy Spirit  (3)

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 16:12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

OBSERVATION:   I hear Jesus saying that there is so much more that they need to know, but they are not ready to hear it.  There are important things they need to know, but His time for being with them is short; there is not enough time to tell them all they need to know; He is returning to the Father. However, Jesus is not desperate.  There is a plan.

The plan is to send the Holy Spirit.  As the previous verses tell us, the Holy Spirit will bring Jesus words to our memory.  Jesus is not relying on the faulty memory of man, but on the omniscience of the Holy Spirit to remind them!  

The plan is to send the Holy Spirit.  As the following verses tell us, the Holy Spirit will “guide … into all truth.”  It does not matter that Jesus only has a few hours left with them, the Holy Spirit is coming!   It does not matter that their memories are unreliable, the Holy Spirit is coming!  It does not matter that they may feel abandoned for a short time, the Holy Spirit is coming!   It does not matter that they do not know everything, the Holy Spirit is coming!

APPLICATION:   The Holy Spirit who was active in the book of Acts after Jesus ascended back into heaven, is the same Holy Spirit who is active today!  Some of the things happening today are very similar to what happened in the book of Acts. 

God’s plan for today is the same plan for the days of Acts.  God is relying on the presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers!  He is counting on the Holy Spirit to lead us and teach us. 

PRAYER:   Jesus, thank you for sending the Holy Spirit!   Holy Spirit, we know you are here to teach us about Jesus and to work in and through us as you did in the life of Jesus.  May our ears be attentive to what you say.  Show us how to glorify Jesus with our daily lives.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

The Holy Spirit (2)

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 5, 2025: SOAP #5663: Proverbs 30-31; Psalm 33; Ephesians 1

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 16:7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you….
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.

OBSERVATION:   Jesus was preparing the disciples for His departure.  After His crucifixion and resurrection, He only remained on earth for 40 days, and then returned to heaven.  He told them that it was good for them that He was going!  That must have been hard for them to accept, but He told them why it would be good for them.  When He left, the Holy Spirit would sent to them. 

It would be good for them because God the Holy Spirit would not have the limitations that God the Son had to accept in order to be crucified for our sins.  The Holy Spirit would not be limited by a physical body.  He would remain omnipresent and could be with each disciple 24 hours of every day. 

They did not have to wait until Jesus arrived, or go find his location, the Holy Spirit would make each believer’s heart His home!   Through the ministry and presence of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is always with us! 

APPLICATION:   When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to live in our hearts.  Jesus spoke of Him as “another counsellor.”  (John 14:16)  Jesus was leaving, but He was not going to leave the disciples without someone like Himself to walk with them through this world.  He had been with them when they were together, but the Holy Spirit would be IN them!   Really, this was so much better. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, I need you to guide my thoughts as I write these SOAPs.  And I pray for each reader.  Speak to them so that they learn to hear your voice in their heart and mind.  Reveal truth to them so that they may grow stronger each day.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon