Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 20,  2024: SOAP #5496: John 7-8

(repeat from 2010, the first year of writing SOAPs)

SCRIPTURE:  John 8:28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.
29 The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.”

OBSERVATION:   In chapter 8, Jesus reveals a lot about Himself.  Although it is not limited to this chapter, five verses in this chapter give a word that reveals how he viewed Himself.  I was amazed when it caught my attention and even more amazed when I came to realize that most of the times this word is used in the gospels, it is Jesus speaking of Himself.  Here, in verses 16, 18, 26, 29, 42 Jesus uses the word “sent.”  He was here to do the bidding of Another. 

His purpose in life was to fulfill the desires and plan of His Father. 

APPLICATION:   If I am to be like Jesus, then I too must see myself as being “sent.”  Even as the US Government sent me to Viet Nam and I was there to accomplish the assignment they gave, so God has “sent” me into the world to accomplish His will for my life.  His will is my priority. 

My purpose in life is to fulfill the desires and plans of my Heavenly Father.

PRAYER:  Lord, like you I want to be able to say, “I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.”    Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 19,  2024: SOAP #5495: John 5-6

(reworked from 2019)

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 5:6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no-one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” 8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath,

OBSERVATION:   In John 2 we saw servants filling vessels with water and serving it to the master of the banquet based only on the word of Jesus.  In John 4 we read of a royal officer who, based on the word of Jesus, returned home to find his son healed.  And here in John 5 a crippled man heard Jesus say, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk!”   And, based on the word of Jesus, the man “picked up his mat and walked.”  

APPLICATION:   I can never over-emphasize the importance of recognizing the voice of Jesus and doing what He says!   His words are a good foundation for my actions. 

First: His words are true.  They come from truth.  He speaks what He knows.  Second, His words are backed by His character.  His character is so pure that the Father accepts His sinless death as the payment for my sins and the sins of the whole world!  His character is without a flaw.  He backs His word.  

I must discern what He is really saying from what people claim He is saying.  He is not responsible to uphold any man’s words, even if they claim they are speaking His words. The better we know the scriptures and the character of God, the better we will be able to discern the difference.  The Holy Spirit often works through the gift of discernment.  (1Corinthians 12:10)

PRAYER:  Jesus, you are my key to victory.  You are my key to overcoming temptation.  Speak to me each day as I meditate on Your Word.  And speak to me throughout each day as we walk together.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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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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