Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 28. 2024: SOAP #5474: Matthew 28; 1Thes 1-3

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 1: 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance as ye know what manner of men we were among you FOR YOUR SAKE.

OBSERVATION:   Paul was writing to the believers in Thessalonica that what God had done through Paul’s ministry was not for his sake, but for theirs.  They were the reason God sent Paul on the missionary journey.  They were the reason God’s power was experienced through Paul’s ministry.  God loved the people of Thessalonica and sent Paul to them.  He sent the Holy Spirit to accompany Paul and to demonstrate God’s power. 

APPLICATION:   The reason for the SOAP ministry is you, the reader.  The reason God inspires daily thoughts from His Word, is for your sake.  The reason God has me post them on Facebook and other blog sites is for your sake.  The reason God has directed people to print and distribute them is for your sake.  The reason money has been collected to purchase computers and printers, to purchase paper and ink—it is all for you.  God loves you and wants you to be a part of His kingdom!

God often uses words on paper to speak to our hearts, but what He desires even more is to live in us and to speak to us in our hearts and minds.  If that is what you would also like, pray with me…

PRAYER:  Jesus, something is stirring in my heart.  I believe you are trying to establish a relationship with me.  I desire that too.  Forgive me. I accept your death on the cross as the payment for my sins.  Come live in my heart and share this life with me.  Be my Lord.  In Your Name I pray, Amen

…and now you might want to pray, “Thank you Lord.  Thank you for forgiving me.  Thank you for coming to live in my life.  Thank you for making me clean…”
(read 1John 1:9  ,,,he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness!”)

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 27. 2024: SOAP #5473: Psalm 125; Matthew 26-27

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 26:7 A woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.  8 When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked.  9 “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

OBSERVATION:   These two chapters in Matthew have a lot to say about value.  In pouring out the very expensive perfume, Mary, the sister of Lazarus, expressed the great value Jesus had in her heart.   Later in the same chapter (verse 15) Jesus was valued at 30 silver coins by both Judas and the chief priests.  In the next chapter (27:3), Judas realized that Jesus was worth much more than the 30 silver coins he had received.  He tried to renegotiate, to return the coins, but it was too late. 

But the greatest value expressed in these two chapters is not the value of the alabaster box, nor the value of the betrayal, but the value Jesus put on sinners.  He valued them enough to give His life. (27:50)   Mary was willing to give her expensive perfume, Judas was willing to give back the 30 silver coins, but Jesus was willing to give His life!!!  

APPLICATION:   Value is set by how much someone is willing to give.  Your value was set by Jesus on the cross.  How much I value Jesus is seen by how much I am willing to sacrifice for Him.  If I want Jesus in my life, it costs me all I have—He becomes my Lord!  But He is definitely worth that and much more!

PRAYER:   Lord, thank you for valuing me enough to die for me.  Forgive me for not appreciating Your true value!  May it be obvious to those around me that nothing in my life is more valuable than You!  I want my words and actions to express Your great value.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Personal note:  Today was my last radiation treatment!   Praise the Lord!   The doctor told me that everything has gone very well for me during these treatments, and he expects a good prognosis.  In about six weeks I will have a blood test which will reveal how effective these treatments have been.  I will have some continuing treatment and be monitored for two years before they can be more certain, but it looks good!   😊   Thanks for all your prayers!  

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 26. 2024: SOAP #5472: Matthew 23-25

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 24:44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.  45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

OBSERVATION:   Whenever I call Jesus Lord or refer to Him as Lord, I am implying that I am his servant.  Being His servant has responsibilities as well as the potential of great reward.

APPLICATION:  Since I call Jesus my Lord, it is important that I carry out the responsibilities of being His servant.  I need to understand that the assignments given a servant are not for the pleasure of the servant but the pleasure of the Lord!

As the Lord’s servant, I must see the Lord’s assignments as opportunities to please Him.  My joy comes from knowing that I made Him smile.  His joy comes from my faithfulness, not necessarily from my success.  My love for Him is expressed in faithfulness.     

PRAYER:  Lord, as your loving servant, how may I bring you pleasure?  What is your pleasure for me today? Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 25. 2024: SOAP #5471: Matthew 20-22

(re worked from 2021)

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 22:29 Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

OBSERVATION:   Jesus was speaking to the Sadducees, who not believing in the resurrection, were trying to trick Him by asking a question about the resurrection!  Jesus answered their question about being married in heaven, and then from the scriptures proved the fact of the resurrection.  God, who is the God of the living, claims to be the God of those who had died long ago. 

If they had known the scriptures and the power of God, they would have no trouble believing in the resurrection!  

APPLICATION:  It is easy to get stumped on the issues of life when I do not know, or forget what the scriptures say.  For then I cannot rely on what the Bible says; I cannot rely on the greatness of God.  I cannot rely on His omnipotence (all powerful).  I cannot rely on His omnipresence (present everywhere).  I cannot rely on His omniscience (all knowing).  In my thoughts, my problems become greater than my God.  I take more time thinking about my problems than about my God.  I forget that He works through ALL things for good!  I forget that He loves me enough to send Jesus to die for my sins.  How could I ever forget that!  

We cannot overemphasize the value of the scriptures and having a personal relationship with God.  God uses the scriptures to keep us from error.  The scriptures need to be a part of our active memory, always the dominant thought in our minds.  We need to see everything in relationship to our all-powerful God! 

Note: These SOAPs go to many places where people do not have Bibles, or even may not be able to read.  Pastors, it is your priority to get the Word to them.  Set up times during the day or several times each week, that they can gather in the home of someone who has a Bible to hear the scriptures read.  If you give out Bibles, assign places where they can be read publicly.  Assign them passages to be read.  There is power in God’s Word! 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, continue to remind me of what the Bible tells me.  Remind me of the power of God.  Remind me that God is for me!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 24. 2024: SOAP #5470: Matthew 17-19

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receives me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Also note: Matthew 18:10 and 19:13-15

OBSERVATION:   Ministry to children has such an important place in church ministry today.  It is good that the church has recognized the value of children’s ministry.  It is good to teach the children at their level of understanding. 

APPLICATION:   However, the priority ministry to children does not begin at church, but in the home.  Children’s pastors have a more common name: PARENTS.

Parents, read the passages of scripture that tell us of Jesus ministering to children.  Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to minister to your children, and to the children God brings into your home. 

Teach them that they are not just a part of the future church, but an important part of the church today!  Teach them how to minister to the Lord.  Let them express their heart to the Lord.  Do not rush them out of the presence of the LORD.  Do not pull them early from the end of a service.  Many times, the service ends with God cementing the things He has been speaking during the worship and word.  Hurrying to your meeting with someone is not near as important as their meeting with the LORD! 

PRAYER:  Lord make us aware of opportunities to minister to our children.  Show us how to make opportunities for them to enjoy your presence.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 23. 2024: SOAP #5469: Matthew 14-16

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

OBSERVATION:   In just over a month, the world will be celebrating the coming of Jesus as a new-born baby lying in a manger.  Without giving up the reality of being God, the Son, he entered the flow of humanity in every way as a man.  He lived as man in every way except without sin.  He was tempted in every way, yet He did not yield to temptation.  He suffered, bled, and died, not for any sins He had committed, but for the sins all the world had committed.  His first coming is something to celebrate!!!  –especially for those whose sins have been forgiven by faith in His sacrifice!!!

But that celebration will become dim in the light of the great celebration that will take place when He returns “in His Father’s glory with his angels!!!”   It is “then he will reward each person according to what he has done.”

APPLICATION:  If we do not get any rewards in this life, it should not be a concern to us.  We should not feel overlooked or unappreciated.  He will reward “each person” at that time. 

“Each person” includes you and me.  We will be rewarded “according to what we have done.”   Is your struggle hard?  Keep faithful.  Be faithful in difficult times.  Be faithful in times of abundance, and in times of lack.  Faithfulness will be greatly rewarded!  

(Note:  I sensed the Holy Spirit nudge me to say that our entrance into heaven is based on our faith in the work of Jesus dying for our sins.  But our rewards in heaven will be based on what we have done in this life.)

PRAYER:  Lord, like my dad used to sing: “Keep me true Lord Jesus, keep me true.  Keep me true Lord Jesus, keep me true.  There’s a race that I must run; there are battles to be won.  Give me power, every hour to be true.”  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 22. 2024: SOAP #5468: Matthew 11-13

(reworked from earlier SOAP)

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 13:33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

OBSERVATION:   Who better to explain the kingdom of heaven than Jesus, the King of Heaven from all eternity past!  If anyone would know what heaven is like, it would be Jesus!  In parables, Jesus used every day, common things to give understanding about spiritual realities.  In this example He uses the common baking ingredient, yeast. 

When baking bread, the yeast must be worked through the dough until EVERY part has come in contact with its changing power. The same is true of the kingdom of heaven in a person’s life.

APPLICATION:   Not just for Sunday, not just for a morning or evening time—the Kingdom of heaven affects EVERY part of my life.  EVERY attitude is changed.  EVERY decision is based on pleasing the King.  As my life is changed by the presence of the King, EVERY relationship is changed.  EVERY person who spends much time with me recognizes the difference.  Such changes are impossible to hide or to be ignored by others.

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, as yeast is worked through a lump of dough, knead your presence, your word, and your influence through EVERY part of my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 21. 2024: SOAP #5467: Matthew 8-10

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
10:1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

OBSERVATION:   Jesus felt deep concern; he felt compassion for the people, so what was the plan?  His plan was to send workers with His message and in His authority.  Chapter 10 has many instructions as to where they should go and what they were to do. 

APPLICATION:  When Jesus calls us to Himself, He has a plan for us.  He wants to send us out to others that He loves.  They are important to Him and He wants them in His kingdom, so He sends us.  He sends us out into the harvest field of the world.  It is a field that stretches from the house on our right all the way around the world to the house on our left. 

Of course, He does not send us alone.  He is not depending on us for such an important assignment.  He has placed His Holy Spirit in us to work in us and through us!   (Acts 1 & 2) 

PRAYER:  Lord, what a privilege to be a part of the great task of gathering people into your kingdom!  Fill me with your Holy Spirit and anoint me to give your message clearly and to do your works.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 20. 2024: SOAP #5466: Matthew 5-7

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

OBSERVATION:   One does not clean a lamp, put oil in the lamp, trim the wick, light the lamp then hide it away in a closet.  No, they put it where it can fulfill its purpose.   Its purpose is to give light, to reveal what is hidden in darkness, to make things visible, to enable us to walk without stumbling over things we cannot see. 

APPLICATION:  That is why God has each of us where we are.  He wants people to see us!  He wants people to see how He lives in our circumstances.  (He is living in us!  His Spirit is leading us in our daily lives!)  God wants the people who live in our area of the world to have an example of how to live as a victorious believer in our town/neighborhood!  So, He set us where people can see us!   He washed us in His sin-cleansing blood; He put the Holy Spirit within us; no wonder people sometimes take a second look at us. 

PRAYER:  Jesus, let the light that people see in our lives be the light of your presence.  When people take a second look at my life, may they see you more clearly.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 19. 2024: SOAP #5465: Matthew 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 1:19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

OBSERVATION:   In the first chapter of Luke we read that the angel, Gabriel, had been send to Mary to tell her that as a virgin, she would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit.  She accepted the assignment, seemingly without much thought as to how Joseph would be affected.  

But in reading the above in Matthew, we see that God did not leave it for Mary to convince Joseph.  God took the responsibility of making sure Joseph understood why Mary, his promised wife, was pregnant. 

APPLICATION:  I have found no one better than God in taking care of details.  When God has sent me to talk to someone, I arrive to find that He has already been there. When God opens a door for more SOAP ministry and He wants me to be a part of providing money, He has already been talking to others about sending me some finances.  If He does not provide for me to help, then I can rest knowing that He has many other resources. 

For the ten years that the Lord had me in the US Navy, I never had to worry about having what I needed to do my job.  They always provided what I needed to do my assignments.  I know that God is a MUCH BETTER PROVIDER than the US Navy!  

PRAYER:   Lord, when I am faithful to do your bidding, I know you will be faithful to provide what is needed.  It is as simple as that!  You may have already provided, or you will provide through another resource.  You may use my skills and talents, or you may use someone else.  However you do it, I want you to know that it is my pleasure serving you and being on your team.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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