Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 5, 2025: SOAP #5543:  Exodus 39-40; Psalm 15; Acts 12

SCRIPTURE: Acts (NIV) 12:6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him.

OBSERVATION:   How often we see in the Bible that as people obeyed, the deliverance was affected.  Jesus told the ten lepers to go show themselves to the priest and as they went, they were healed.  The man healed at the Gate Beautiful was helped to his feet by Peter, and he then went jumping and running through the temple.  I picture the same thing here.  Peter was asleep.  He was probably startled by the appearance of the angel and the bright light.  He probably jumped at the command to “get up.”  I picture that as he was quickly getting on his feet, maybe not even totally awake, the chains fell off.  He probably did not have time to realize where he was, or why he could not jump up without disturbing the two guards sleeping beside him.

“Quick, get up!” and as he did, he was free! 

APPLICATION:   May I be as quick to respond to my Lord’s commands.

PRAYER:  Lord, you are the creator of the heavens and earth.  Nothing is hidden from your oversight.  When you give me a command, there is nothing I can add to your thought process that will better inform you.  There is no need to discuss the possible reactions that others may have.  There is nothing to do but to trust and obey.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 4, 2025: SOAP #5542:  Exodus 37-38; Psalm 19; Acts 11

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 19:9 …The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

OBSERVATION:   David, the author of this psalm, had a high opinion of God’s laws.  They are trustworthy, right, extremely valuable, pleasant, and very worth the effort to pay attention and keep.  God’s laws were important to David because God was important to David.               

APPLICATION:  How important is God to me?  My value of God can be easily seen in my value of His word.  If He is important to me, then His word is important to me.  If His word is not very important to me, then He is not very important to me.   What keeps me from looking into His word? 

Let me encourage you to start writing out SOAP devotionals.  The application forces us to consider the personal aspect of God’s Word!   We ask ourselves questions like…  Why is this important to me?  What does God want me to in this verse?  What should I do differently today because I read this verse?

Writing SOAPs puts you in the scriptures and the scriptures in you! 

PRAYER:   Lord, when I take time to think things through, when I take time and make the effort to write out my thoughts, some things become very simple and very clear.  How I value You can be seen in how I value the Bible, Your Word!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 3, 2025: SOAP #5541:  Exodus 35-36; Acts 10

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 10:33 So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.” 34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism…
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.

OBSERVATION:   People were gathered in Cornelius’ house to hear what God “had commanded Peter to tell them.”  Only one problem, God had not given Peter a special message for this unique congregation of Gentiles/non-Jews.  Peter did not have time to go through his sermons to choose the one most appropriate.  Peter did not have sermon notes in his briefcase. 

Peter just “began to speak.”  And the One who had made it clear to Peter to go to Cornelius’ house, began to speak through Peter.   Peter was just being obedient.  Peter was not prepared; he did not even know how to prepare. 

The Holy Spirit interrupted Peter’s speaking and filled everyone who was listening so full that other languages began to flow out of their mouth.  It was the same thing that happened on the day of Pentecost to the Jewish believers!    (Acts 2)

APPLICATION:  It is so important that we understand how God works.  We do not need to be experts or be great orators.  We only need to be obedient!  God will do what God wants to do, we only need to be obedient.  Peter could not fill the Gentiles with the Holy Spirit, but Peter could open his mouth and speak!  

PRAYER:   Lord, I want to be obedient and do what you give me to do.  You will use my faithfulness to do my little part, and through it you will be faithful to do Your Big Part!   My little part opens the door for you to do far more than I could ever dream!  Through these little SOAPs, you have spoken into the lives of many people.  I am humbled.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 1, 2025: SOAP #5539:  Exodus 30-32; Acts 8

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 8:29 The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”  30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.        

OBSERVATION:   Phillip had just been in a city in Samaria where the whole city accepted the message of Christ; now he is specifically sent to a desert road, to an individual.  It is interesting to note that in both places—in the city and on the desert road—Phillip was not the first to carry God’s message.  John, chapter 4, tells of Jesus spending two days in Samaria where many believed.  And the gentleman in the chariot had been reading in Isaiah before Phillip arrived. 

APPLICATION:  When I am led by the Holy Spirit, I always find that I am not the “first responder.”  God has timed my part in their life perfectly with what He is already doing!   Many times, someone else has already been used by the Lord to speak into their lives.  And I can be assured that the Holy Spirit is present long before I arrive on the scene. When my attention is strongly drawn to someone, I should move out boldly and see how I can be a part of what God is already doing in that life. 

I must remember that I am not the one winning them to Jesus.  That is the job of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit uses my part to mix in with what others have told them. 

PRAYER:  Lord, today, lead me to someone with whom I can share what You have done for me.  May my words encourage them to recognize and accept what You are already doing for them.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 31, 2025: SOAP #5538:  Exodus 28-29; Acts 7

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 7:2 And he [Stephen] said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran, 3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall shew thee.

OBSERVATION: In chapter seven, verses 2 through 53, we read Stephen’s personal defense before the Jewish council.  It is a recounting of Israel’s history from Abraham to Jesus.  A common thread woven through these verses is that Israel had a God who speaks!  God talks to His people.  And He acts in accordance with His spoken promises.  The same God who spoke in creation (Genesis 1), spoke to the Israelites throughout their history. 

They heard God speak.  They understood what God said.  When they followed what God said they had good success.  When they disobeyed, they experienced trouble. 

APPLICATION:  The eternal God is still a speaker.  The Bible is THE WORD of God.  In the WORD of God, I find words specifically directed to me.  As I read the WORD of God, the Holy Spirit, who lives inside me, draws my attention to specific passages I am to apply to my life. 

As I gather with other believers, God often speaks to me through a pastor, a teacher, a song, a gift of the Holy Spirit flowing through another believer, and other ways.  The Holy Spirit focuses my attention on what I need to hear. 

Throughout my day, and even as I sleep, my thoughts are captivated and locked into a subject, or a memory.  I use the WORD of God to judge these thoughts.  God will never speak contrary to His WORD. 

It is good to write down what I hear God is saying to me.  It is a way to let Him know that what He says is important and I do not want to forget it.  When He sees I value what He says, He will be more inclined to speak to me again.  It is good for me to review what God has said to me and see if I have done what He told me to do. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, I am so glad you are a speaker.  I am so glad I can trust you to reassure me with love and guide me with wisdom.  I am privileged to hear you speak to me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 30, 2025: SOAP #5537:  Exodus 25-27; Acts 6

SCRIPTURE:  Exodus (NIV) 25:8 “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.  9 Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.
Exodus (NIV) 26:30 Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain.   (also 27:8; 25:40; Acts 7:44; and Hebrews 8:5)
Exodus (NIV) 27:8 Make the altar hollow, out of boards. It is to be made just as you were shown on the mountain.

OBSERVATION:   Moses went up the mountain to spend time with God.  Not only did he bring down the Ten Commandments, but he also brought back plans to build a portable tabernacle.  God not only told Moses; He showed Moses.   Surely there must have been times when the builders went to Moses with questions about the plans and Moses said, “Here is how I saw it on the mountain.”          

APPLICATION:  When I have questions about living out my Christian life, I can go back to the gospels and see how Jesus did it.  I can also think back to how my dad did it.  Visual examples help me better understand God’s written words. 

God wants my life to be a visual example for others to follow.  He wants my life to be a living example of how to live in victory through the hard times. 

PRAYER:   Lord, thank you for coming to earth to show me how to live.  And thank you for the people you placed in my life to show me how live in my world.  May my life be useful as a living example for others of how to live in this world.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 29, 2025: SOAP #5536:  Exodus 23-24; Psalm 14; Acts 5

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 5:2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
3  Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?

OBSERVATION:   There was no requirement for them to give it all but, desiring the esteem of giving the full amount of the sale, they pretended to give it all.  In reality, they kept part for themselves.  I doubt that Ananias and his wife sat down to figure out how they could lie to the Holy Spirit.  Maybe they did not even think of it as a lie.  Surely if they had considered that the Holy Spirit would be listening to their words and evaluating their actions, they would have done it differently.  The following verses give the results.

APPLICATION:   I need to keep at the front of my thoughts that the Holy Spirit is listening to my words and reading my mind.  He takes what I say to others as if I am saying it to Him!!! 

I have asked Him to be my Lord and live in my heart.  There is nothing I do that He is not a part.  He hears every word and even knows my every thought. 

His presence gives peace when I am doing what pleases Him; His presence brings conviction when I start to go contrary to what is in line with His will for me.  His presence is a most valuable asset for those desiring to please God.  Colossians 3:15 tells us to let the peace of God rule in our hearts.  Reading His Word every day, praying (talking with Him throughout the day), and in carefully monitoring the peace in my heart I can stay in the center of God’s will. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, keep me aware of Your Presence today.  Nudge me when I am about to go beyond the truth or say something out of place or hurtful.  Amen.

Pastor Leon  
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 28, 2025: SOAP #5535:  Exodus 21-22; Psalm 12; Acts 4

(reworked from earlier SOAP)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 4:27 Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. 28 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.

OBSERVATION:   What an amazing truth.  In all of their evil, jealous, and murderous spirit, they ended up doing only what God had determined before should be done!

APPLICATION:   When people arise against us and do their worst, we need not fear. The God we serve is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient!  He is always present; He is all powerful, the Almighty, And He is all knowing. 

Our enemy is so limited!  He only has the freedom to do what God allows him to do.  He cannot go beyond what God allows!  

God may just be doing the same thing in our lives as in the verses above.  He has the power to turn the circumstances!  He has the wisdom to do it at just the right time!  He has the love to do it!  In the end we will be able to say: “Ours the victory, His the glory!”    

PRAYER:   Father, help me remember that there are times when you allow people to come against me so that your great love, and mercy, and compassion can be seen shining through me.  I can count on you to use those difficulties so that people can see you through me.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer January 27, 2025: SOAP #5534:  Exodus 17-20; Acts 3

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 3:5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

OBSERVATION:   Are we aware of “what” we have?  We have the same God Peter had!  We have the same Holy Spirit!  We have the same Name with which to bring the authority of heaven to earth!

Peter used his hands to reach out and his physical strength to assist the man to obedience.  He was giving the man more than physical help, but the physical help was part of the package.  God uses what we have but then accomplishes so much more than what we are obviously able so that we get the joy of participation, but He gets the glory!

Peter would not take credit for the healing, but the scripture gives Peter credit for what he did.  He did not do much, but he did what was needed.  He was not the source, but he was a willing vessel.  Peter could not heal him, but he could lift him!  

The effect of the human cooperating with the divine!   Power is released!  Healing is affected!

APPLICATION:  We cannot heal, but we can lift‼  AMEN! I can “lift my eyes to the hills.”  Ps 121:1 I can lift my praise to God.  Ps 63:4 I can lift my prayer/petitions to God. I can lift another’s load. I can lift another’s spirit by words of kindness.

We may, in the name of Jesus, reach out with a dinner, or ride, or $20.00, but God flows through the channel we have created to move by His Holy Spirit and He does what only God can do.  We get the joy of participation, but God gets the glory!

PRAYER:  Thank you, Lord, for letting me be a part of what You are doing!  May You get much glory from my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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