Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 18,  2024: SOAP #5494: John 2-4

Observation: Today, instead of doing the usual SOAP format, I believe the Lord would have me send you a portion of an email I received from Bishop Emmanuel David in Liberia, West Africa.  He writes: 

“The SOAP MINISTRY is getting bigger beyond my imagination that’s why I have tried to get a secretary so that he can always be prepared my report now only for the SOAP MINISTRY because the SOAP MINISTRY is all over the 15 citizens, 50 big towns and 100 Villages all over Liberia, and we have 700 workers as a team members in the SOAP MINISTRY here in over Liberia…

So for the past 5 months now we have buy and install 65 computers and printers in different places all over Liberia all of this money come from Liberia and my churches in Liberia to buy those computers and printers to God be the glory Amen… 

For the past few months God had been really dealing with me concerning the SOAP MINISTRY, through my dream and vision God said SOAP MINISTRY is a tools i have give you for evangelism so that my people will get safe and come to me.

That is why I have decided to sacrifice leave my life and do everything I can do towards the SOAP MINISTRY…

In May 2024 we install 25 computers and printers all over some towns and villages in Liberia during this period we decide to distribute the SOAPs to 100,000 people all over Liberia but to God be the glory we end up to distribute to 600,000 people all over Liberia for 30 days we was on that distribution and also installing 25 computers and printers that was our biggest SOAPS distribution all over Liberia, and doing this distribution 200,000 Souls was saved which they give the life to Jesus praise God, and those Souls we send them in different churches and up to now that they are growing…” (They have a major SOAP distribution and outreach the end of December 2024.) 

Prayerful Application:  Surely the coming of Jesus is drawing near.  God loves people and He wants many to be saved.  Among many ways God is reaching people, He is using the SOAPs.  God wants to use you too.  Make copies of the SOAPs and pass them to your friends, neighbors, fellow workers, etc.  God will use the SOAPs to open conversations and the Holy Spirit will give you things to say.   Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 17,  2024: SOAP #5493: 2Peter 1-3; John 1

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men….
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

OBSERVATION:   John was quite probably the closest disciple to Jesus.  In His gospel, He presents Jesus as God, the Son.  He does not begin his gospel with the birth of Jesus, but goes back before the creation of the earth, even back before the Father had a plan for a creation through which He could demonstrate His great capacity to love.  Jesus was already there in the beginning!   The man-plan was conceived in the heart of God and Jesus was the lamb “slain from the creation of the earth.”  (Revelation 13:8)   Jesus knew the plan when He left heaven to be born of the Virgin Mary. 

The plan had to express God’s great love, but also could not besmirch God’s holiness.  There could be no question as to whether the sin sacrifice was holy and could be accepted as payment for sin.  There could be no question as to whether the sacrifice had the value to cover the sins of all mankind. 

APPLICATION:   If my sins are covered by Jesus’ sinless death, there is no question.  They are covered!   If Jesus has forgiven me, there is no question, my sins are forgiven!  

If we confess our sins, He if faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness!   (1John 1:9)

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for the peace, comfort, and assurance word brings to our troubled heats.  We can have confidence that it is true and that you have done, and will do, as you have promised.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 16. 2024: SOAP #5492: 1Peter 1-5
(reworked from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  1Peter (NIV) 1:20 He was chosen before the creation of the world but was revealed in these last times for your sake.

OBSERVATION:   The plan of salvation was decided before Genesis 1:1. From this verse I understand that God’s plan in dealing with sin was in place even before Adam and Eve sinned in the garden.  Although God created man holy and without sin, in His foreknowledge He knew man would need salvation.  I believe Satan had sinned prior to this and God in perfect Holiness and Justice removed Satan forever from His place of authority and prepared a place for him and the fallen angels with him. 

But even sin could be used for the glory of God. God would use the opportunity afforded by sin to demonstrate His great capacity for love and mercy, even to the point of making a perfect Sacrifice to atone for sin.  So, God created man and placed him in an area of Satan’s influence.  He allowed Satan to work his evil influence.  (NOTE:  when we influence others to do evil, we are very closely imitating Satan!)  But before Satan even entered the picture, God had a plan to provide redemption.

In all creation we see God’s holiness, wisdom (omniscience) , might (omnipotence), supremacy, and omnipresence.  But where do we see God’s love?  Only in dealing with fallen man do we see the greatness of His love, mercy and grace as He forgives and restores those who have hurt Him. 

APPLICATION:   Jesus was revealed for my sake.  In him God has provided the sacrifice needed for my sin and the strength trust Him and walk in obedience to His laws, I find he prepares me for what needed for my victory.  As I look ahead, I see that God has great understanding of me and thoughtfully prepares me for the future. 

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for loving me and the many things you do for my benefit.   Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 15. 2024: SOAP #5491: James 1-5

SCRIPTURE:  James (NIV) 2:20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did….
24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone….
26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

OBSERVATION:  As the pendulum swings from side to side, so the church world has swung from faith to works to faith to works…  Even as individuals, we can find ourselves swinging back and forth.  However, we must all remember that balance is the key. Works without faith will not save you and faith without works is dead.  Our faith must be in the saving work of Jesus on the cross, dying for our sins.  Our works are the evidence that our faith is in Him.  How important it is for us to grow in both faith and works.  Unseen faith is made visible by our works. 

APPLICATION:   Both love and faith are made visible by works.  If I want the world to see Jesus in me, it will be through my words and my actions.  As Jesus pointed many times to His works, we should do the same.  It is one thing to point to Jesus works, but we should also be able to point to our works.  (John 10:25, 37-38) (Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.) How will my faith be seen today? 

PRAYER:  Lord, prompt me by your Spirit not to forget the works. May it be easy for others see that you are working through me.   Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 14. 2024: SOAP #5489: Hebrews 12-13; Jude

(reworked from earlier SOAP)

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

OBSERVATION:   God’s word should be the basis of our attitude toward money.  My life is to be free from the dominance of money.  The love of money should not run my life.  My life is to be run in accord with what is in God’s Word.  Contentment should be a major characteristic toward material things. 

It is good when we can back up our words by God’s words.  What I say should be based on what He has said.   When it is, I can speak boldly with confidence.   

APPLICATION:   Two important things I need to know about speaking: (1) when to speak and (2) what to say. 

The better I listen to the Holy Spirit, the better I will know when to speak. 

And the better I know God’s word, the better I will know what to say.          

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, as I read the Bible, impress truth upon my heart.  And as I talk with those around me, it prompts me to speak that truth boldly.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 13. 2024: SOAP #5488: Hebrews 9-11

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 11:13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them…
26 He [Moses] regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.

OBSERVATION:   A main characteristic of “living by faith” is that one sees more than what is happening in the present.  The present is just a short bridge between the past and the future.   People living by faith have a past, but their focus is the future.  Their present circumstances may seem less than desirable, but, like Moses, they are “looking ahead.” 

Also, for those in enjoyable, pleasant present circumstances, they too need to be “living by faith.” They too are living in the temporary, headed for a permanent eternity.    They need to use their present resources to prepare for eternity. 

APPLICATION:  Acknowledging that I am a sinner, believing that Jesus’ death on the cross can be accepted as payment for my sins, leads me to ask forgiveness and make Jesus the Lord of my life.  That takes care of my personal entrance into heaven. 

Then doing the things that please the Lord and bring Him joy, those are the things He will reward in heaven.  We do those things because we love Him, not because we are looking for a reward.  But from the scriptures we know that our loving God is generous. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I serve you because I love you.  The joy I get from serving and pleasing you is reward enough.   Your “well done” will make my heart rejoice.  But from the scriptures I know that you are a loving God and generous.  Like Moses, I am “looking ahead.”   Amen  

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 11. 2024: SOAP #5487: Hebrews 5-8

(From 2014)

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 7:19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
7:25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.    

OBSERVATION:   What a difference!!!  The law could tell what was done wrong and give a token penalty offering, but it could never change the heart.  It is the heart from which our actions proceed.  But Jesus can save COMPLETELY.  He makes an acceptable sacrifice to more than cover the penalty for sin, AND by His Spirit He lives inside, working to change the heart!  Wow!  

APPLICATION:  The sacrifice of the dying Jesus is more than sufficient to pay for all my sin!  The presence of the living Jesus is more than sufficient to establish victory in my daily life.      

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for understanding my weaknesses and knowing how to be what I need.  Your sacrifice redeemed me by paying for my sins; Your continued presence enables me to live in victory.  Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 11. 2024: SOAP #5487: Philemon; Hebrews 1-4

SCRIPTURE:   Philemon (NIV) 1:7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. 

OBSERVATION:   I believe Philemon had “refreshed the hearts” by kind words and deeds.  Maybe it was a short conversation, or a stay in his home, Philemon provided a pause in the stress of life to renew their strength and their outlook on life.  After the short pause, they could re-enter their stream of life with new strength and a fresh vision. 

Paul had been a beneficiary of Philemon’s kindness and had heard others mention it.   Paul had been made joyful and received encouragement from Philemon’s practical ministry.  Perhaps Paul had been a guest in Philemon’s home. 

APPLICATION:  God would be pleased if today I would be like Philemon.  I will have opportunity today to “refresh” someone by words of encouragement or an act of kindness.  There will be someone I meet today whom I can bless because I am the only one available or I have the needed resources.  It may be a short meeting as our paths cross at work or in the market.  They may be encouraged by my smile, a quick greeting, a word of encouragement, a quick testimony, etc. 

The Lord may use me to lift someone’s burden or lighten their load. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, it may be only a short meeting, so help me not to miss the opportunity today to “refresh” someone in need or someone who is discouraged.  Doing so will bring me joy and bring you glory.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 10. 2024: SOAP #5486: 2Timothy 1-4

(reworked from 2020)

SCRIPTURE:  2Timothy (NIV) 1:6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

OBSERVATION: This word that Paul writes to young Timothy is a good word for the church today, especially for senior citizens, like me, soon to be 77.  It is our responsibility to “fan into flame,” or as the King James says, “stir up the gift.” We must keep the gift of God activated in our lives.

Some people think that they need a special recognized position to use their ministry gift.  Every one of us already have that position: it is called “servant.”  A true servant does not need recognition, or position, or salary to use God’s gift to benefit the church. 

APPLICATION: Keeping the “gift of God” active in my life is my responsibility.  I should not need a pastor or evangelist to fan into flame the gift God has given me.  I should not need to go to a church service to have the “gift of God” stirred in my life; I should go to church with the gift already stirred in my life.   

By daily reading the scriptures, by consciously walking and talking with the Lord about everything around me, by recognizing and acknowledging His presence, by special times of prayer, by praying without ceasing, by singing His praise throughout the day—by doing these I build a continual awareness of His presence.  In His Presence, the gifts are kept simmering on the fire.  They stay hot and ready for use.      

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, your gifts active in my life make me a useful servant.  What a shame it would be if no one benefited from the gifts you have given me.  Help me keep the gifts active in my life.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 9. 2024: SOAP #5485: 1Timothy 5-6; Titus 1-3

SCRIPTURE:  Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—

OBSERVATION:   Paul’s purpose was to build up the body of Christ by encouraging their faith and increasing their knowledge of the truth.  “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” Paul wrote in 1Corinthians 8:1.  But here Paul gives the purpose of knowledge—to lead us to godliness.  Knowledge of the truth should make us better lovers of God and of others. 

APPLICATION:  Knowledge that God is with me and guiding my steps helps me remain calm when things do not go as I planned.  There is great peace in knowing that God is with me.  Instead of fretting over the problem, I can look for an opportunity to let Jesus shine through me.  Often my problem becomes an unexpected opportunity for ministry.  

NOTE:   Any knowledge I gain should lead to making me a better servant.  First, increased knowledge helps me to be a better servant of others.   I have more opportunities to help others.  Second, increased knowledge helps me to better serve the Lord.  Increased knowledge of His character helps me know what pleases Him.  And He is glorified as I serve others in His Name. 

PRAYER:  Lord, the knowledge that you are faithful to take care of my problem sets me free to look for the opportunity to serve you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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