Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 6, 2024: SOAP #5391: Ezekiel 29-32; Revelation 11

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 11:13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 ¶ The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon. 15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshipped God,

OBSERVATION:   Let me draw your attention to the difference between what was happening on earth and what was happening in heaven.  The inhabitants of earth are reaping the rewards of evil.  Those on earth, who give glory to God, do so motivated by terror.  The inhabitants of heaven are enjoying the Presence of Almighty God.  Those in heaven, who give glory to God, do so motivated by honor and appreciation for this Perfectly Holy Being who is all powerful and in control. 

APPLICATION:  It is good to consider the differences between the Kingdom of Heaven and the kingdoms of this earth.  There are so many!  I am so blest to be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven!  I hope it is also obvious to others!  As we read the Gospels we can note what Jesus said about the kingdom of God.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for living in me and making me now a part of your kingdom.  May it be obvious to others that I consider myself honored and greatly blest to be a part of your kingdom.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 5, 2024: SOAP #5390: Ezekiel 25-28; Revelation 10

SCRIPTURE:  Ezekiel (NIV) 28:25 “‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When I gather the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, I will show myself holy among them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob 26 They will live there in safety and will build houses and plant vineyards; they will live in safety when I inflict punishment on all their neighbors who maligned them. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.’”

OBSERVATION:   It is interesting to watch Israel.  In some ways it is like watching a favorite television series.  The main character is in great trouble and it seems there is no way out, BUT we all know that there will be another program next week and the main characters will all be present!  And so it is with Israel.  They are surrounded and it looks like everything is against them, but we can read what God has promised!  

APPLICATION:  I am so blest to know that the God of Israel is Leon’s God too!  He has made promises to me!   I see that He is the almighty, omnipotent Promise-Keeper!  I do not know how He will do it, but I that is His problem!   Everything I know about Him assures me that I can trust Him!  I do not use my mind to figure out how He is going to do it; I use my mind to remember what He has done for me in the past and to remember what He has said to me.  Knowing Him is the key to walking in hope and peace and victory.  Like Israel, I am not perfect, but God’s promises are based on His character and not mine!  

This SOAP ministry is the fulfillment of God’s promises to me as a young boy.  I was to be a missionary and go to other countries.  Knowing the He had a plan for my life, I was very careful to follow where He led me.  Then back in my home state, when it seemed my ministry life was winding down, God told me to write SOAPs.  Instead of “winding down,” God’s ministry was just “winding up!”  All the promises and dreams I had as a child of my future ministry have been fulfilled beyond my wildest dreams!  

Know, SOAP reader, that the God of Israel can be your God too!  Pray with me…

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I know I am a sinner and need to be forgiven and cleansed of my sins in order to have a relationship with you.  Please forgive me and accept the payment of Your Son’s death as the payment for my sin.  Make my life your home.  Help me live a life that honors you.  May others know that you are the Lord, my God.  In Jesus Name, Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 4, 2024: SOAP #5389: Ezekiel 22-24; Revelation 9

(reworked from 2010)

SCRIPTURE: Revelation 9:20 The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshipping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk.
21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

OBSERVATION:   God had given Israel a history of His gracious works on their behalf, but they did not repent.  God had sent prophets to speak to them, warning them of the results of their sin, but they did not repent.  God had given them examples of how other nations had reaped the results of their sin, but they did not repent.  And here a third of mankind will be killed, yet the remaining will still not repent! 

What an amazing statement.  I think even God is surprised.  How powerful is evil that can hold onto a man, or a nation, even when it is obvious they should repent and call on God.     

APPLICATION:  God deals with me for my good and for His glory.  What does it take to get me to repent? 

When I see His goodness, I should be drawn to repent of any sin out of my love and appreciation for Him.  When I see His judgment on the world around me, I should be quick to repent.  When His hand of judgment comes to me, either because of the sin in the world in which I live or because of my own personal sin, I should be quick to repent. 

Like Nehemiah (1:6-7) I should pray as though the sins of the nation were my own.   And like the prophet Habakkuk (3:2) I can pray, “in wrath remember mercy.”  Because of His great love, God is quick to forgive and be merciful. 

PRAYER: Lord, I want to be quick to repent!  I acknowledge that your judgments are always right, yet I ask you to be quick to show mercy.     Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 3, 2024: SOAP #5388: Ezekiel 20-21; Psalm 111; Revelation 8

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

OBSERVATION:   Anyone who has some concept of the greatness of God’s power and His hatred of sin, they know it is wise to fear Him.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning; it is just a good starting place—but there is so much more. 

Knowing that God is holy and that I have broken His laws (I have even broken my own laws of right and wrong) should cause me to fear Him.  But knowing His interest in man and His promises, especially that He sent His Son, Jesus to die for my sin gives me assurance of His love!!!  He forgives!!!  He makes my life His home!!! 

As I follow His directives, my understanding increases.  My understanding of life, of who I am, of why I am here, of suffering, of tribulation, and so many other things begin to logically find their place in the way I think. 

APPLICATION:  I want to grow in my knowledge of God and understanding of the world into which He placed me.  I believe God knows what is happening and has a plan for this world and for me.  The more I understand about His wisdom and love, the more I can trust Him with matters that I do not understand.  It just makes so much sense!

PRAYER:  Lord, it is my great honor to have you living in me.  It is my joy to serve you.  The more I know you, my faith in you increases and the more logical it is to trust you with things I do not understand.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 2, 2024: SOAP #5387: Ezekiel 17-19; Revelation 7

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 7:13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes— who are they, and where did they come from?” 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. 16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

OBSERVATION:   The Lamb will be their shepherd!  Jesus is the only One who could be both the Lamb and the Shepherd.   Jesus had been introduced by John the Baptist as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. (John 1) Jesus claimed to be the Good Shepherd who gives his life for his sheep.  (John 10)

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us windows in the scriptures through which we can see into eternity. What a difference!  We trust you to reward those who have been mistreated, to honor those who have been ridiculed, and to comfort those who have been heartbroken. Amen.

Those who have endured tribulation during their life on earth, will find things very different during their life in heaven.  At times life can seem very unfair.  Some people seem to never get a break.  As they are coming out of one struggle, they find another one waiting.  But a day is coming … 

APPLICATION:   … a day is coming when God will set things right.  For those who have had their sins forgiven based on Jesus’ death, they can smile through the troubles of this life.  They can walk in confidence that a better time awaits.  Death may stop the suffering of this life, but it does not stop the promises of God!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us windows in the scriptures through which we can see into eternity. What a difference!  We trust you to reward those who have been mistreated, to honor those who have been ridiculed, and to comfort those who have been heartbroken. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 1, 2024: SOAP #5386: Ezekiel 15, 16; Psalm 70; Revelation 6

SCRIPTURE: Revelation (NIV) 6:15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

OBSERVATION:   We like to think of God as a God of love.  Sometimes we forget that He is also Holy.  The face of God is so capable of expressing love that we do not consider that a holy God is very capable of expressing anger!  When the object of His love is being hurt, He can get very angry.  And we must remember that this is the Almighty, Omnipotent God!   He has unlimited power and ability to express His emotions.  No wonder the kings and generals of the earth will try to hide from His wrath—even calling for the mountains to fall on them to hide them from God!  

APPLICATION:  Today is a day of grace.  A day in which God expresses His love and forgiveness to those who accept what Jesus did to pay for our sins.  We do not need to hide from His face but run to His face and embrace.  I know this day of grace will end—and I believe quite soon. 

So, if you have not made Jesus your Lord and Savior, then do it today, before you go to sleep tonight!  It is that important!  Come and enjoy the great peace that accompanies His presence in your life.  He will be like a drink of cool water to your dry and thirsty soul. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, what an honor to know your Son, Jesus.  I am blest that He has forgiven my sins and now by His Spirit lives in my heart.  Fill me with your peace and joy.  Live in me.  For it is in the Name of Jesus, I pray,  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 31, 2024: SOAP #5385: Ezekiel 12-14; Revelation 5

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 5:5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He came and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9 And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

OBSERVATION:.   The Lamb, Jesus, was worthy of worship and praise because He is almighty God.   He is our creator, and we should honor Him because we all come from Him.  He is the reason we are here. 

Yet in Heaven there was a specific reason for worship.  He was the only one worthy to open the seal of the scroll.  He was worthy BECAUSE of what He had accomplished on His earth assignment!  He had completed His assigned task successfully!   He was born into a sinful world, yet He had not yielded to temptation!  He died as though He was guilty, yet He was totally innocent.  His blood was not needed to pay for His sins, so it could be accepted as payment in full for those who confess their sins and receive Him as their Lord!   

APPLICATION:  Believing the above to be true, I pray…

PRAYER: Jesus, I accept your death as the payment for my sins.  Forgive me and make me clean.  I confess you as Lord of my life.  May my life honor you. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 30, 2024: SOAP #5384: Ezekiel 8-11; Revelation 4

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 4:9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”
verse 9 (KJV) …for thy pleasure they are and were created

OBSERVATION:.    God is the mastermind behind all creation. Another being did not suggest that God use His magnificent powers to make stars and suns, to make planets with moons.  It was all His idea and is all created by His will and for His pleasure. 

That being true, one should expect to see the character of the Creator in all creation.  His perfect holiness is seen in the stars and planets staying true to their set courses.  People can work with the elements that make up this earth because once they discover the laws displayed by that element, they can have faith that it will always be the same!   God’s holiness is immutable!  

But if God is good, there must be more to God than just holiness.  It is holiness mixed with love that makes God good.  So, where can we look to find God’s love.  No place is the extent of God’s love seen other than His dealing with the man He created and gave the ability to make choices.  He would love man back into His family.  He would lovingly convince man that loving and serving Him would be worthy of any sacrifice, even death.  He paid the ultimate penalty for man to be redeemed, and men would willingly pay the ultimate penalty in loving God! 

APPLICATION:  We all have opportunity every day to express our love for the One who died for us.  We were created by His will and for His pleasure.  God’s wisdom, displaying both His holiness and His love, is being displayed through the church to rulers and authorities in heavenly realms. (Ephesians 3:10)  In small ways and big ways, God is displaying His character through me every day! 

PRAYER: Lord, I have been created by Your will and for Your pleasure.  May my life bring you honor and delight.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 29, 2024: SOAP #5383: Ezekiel 4-7; Revelation 3

SCRIPTURE: Revelation (NIV)3:6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  (Also verses, 13 & 22) 

OBSERVATION:.   God I a speaker!  He has many ways to communicate.  He reveals Himself to us through what He does and what He says.   

APPLICATION:  I do not read the above verse to say that IF we are listening, He will be speaking.  I read it to say that God IS speaking, and we should be listening. 

God has something to say.  He spoke to us clearly through His Son, Jesus.  When Jesus returned to heaven, the Holy Spirit was sent to live in us.  Jesus work on the cross forgave and cleansed our sins.  He made us holy and clean, so we could be a good dwelling place for the Holy Spirit.  As Jesus walked and talked with His disciples, so the Holy Spirit walks and talks with us now. 

The Holy Spirit, who is the author of the Bible, will speak to us through our reading.  Reading the scriptures is a major way God speaks to us.  He often speaks to us through other people and even through our circumstances.  Many times He places a thought in our mind, a persistent thought that is hard to shove aside. When we believe it may be the Holy Spirit, it is to our benefit and to God’s glory if we will follow through with what that thought requires.  When we do so, we learn how the Spirit works in our life. 

When we pray, we can ask the Holy Spirit to speak to us.  He is a good teacher and enjoys teaching those who want to learn.  

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, I believe you are speaking to the church today.  Give me a keen ear to hear and understand what you say to me and what you want to say through me.  It is my pleasure to have you living in my heart!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 28, 2024: SOAP #5382: Ezekiel 1-3; Revelation 2

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  (also verses 11, 17, and 29 and chapter 3, verses 6, 13, and 22)

OBSERVATION: The Holy Spirit had something to say to the churches.  But the church would not hear the Spirit talking.  The Spirit had to find someone with the capacity to hear Him speaking and communicate it to the church.  He found just the man.  John, having been one of the three closest disciples to Jesus, he was uniquely prepared to hear the Holy Spirit speaking and write down what he heard and saw.   And having been exiled to the tiny island of Patmos for preaching the good news about Jesus, he had plenty of time to listen to what the Spirit was saying to the churches.    

APPLICATION:  It is important to know that the Holy Spirit is still speaking.  Through the gifts of prophecy, tongues, interpretation of tongues, discernment, word of wisdom, word of knowledge the Holy Spirit speaks through people to the church. Through unique thoughts He places in the stream of my daily thinking—the Holy Spirit is still speaking, and I should be listening. 

We should expect the Holy Spirit to speak to us.  It is as normal as a mother giving instructions to an one of her children to be passed on to the other brothers and sisters. 

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, find me one willing to recognize and respond to your voice.  May I learn to recognize your voice as easily as I recognize my family’s phone numbers when they show up on my phone.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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