Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 16, 2024: SOAP #5188: Leviticus 26-27; Acts 23

SCRIPTURE:  Leviticus (NIV) 26:12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people.  13 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high.

OBSERVATION:  In all creation we see God’s immense majesty and power displayed in His creative works.  But a very important aspect of God seems to be missing, at least in the portion of the created universe we can see.  Where can one see God’s love?  Only on the earth dealing with man and especially in dealing with fallen man.  God so loved, that He gave His Son! 

But for love to be satisfied, it must be returned.  The one loved must love the one extending the love.  As the love extended was freely given, so the love returned must be freely given.  Without the measure of freedom, there is no way to measure the reality of love!  So, freedom is a key part of God’s plan for man. 

So, the first thing God did with the Israelites was to love them.  The second thing was to give them their freedom.  They were no longer slaves!   They could walk “with heads held high!”

APPLICATION:  Free people love God with the choices they make.  The love in my heart is seen through the choices I make. 

Many choices I make can be seen by those around me, but there are many very important choices that can only be seen by the one living inside.  He knows about unforgiveness and about the meditations of my heart. 

Do I love Him enough to keep the inside of my life a comfortable home for this special guest that shares my life?  Holy Spirit, help me! 

PRAYER:  Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to you.  May they please you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 15, 2024: SOAP #5187: Leviticus 25; Psalm 25-26; Acts 22

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 22:13 He [Ananias] stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him. 14 “Then he said: ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.

OBSERVATION:  After Saul’s trip had been interrupted and he had been blinded by the bright light, Ananias was sent by the Lord to open Saul’s blind eyes and give him a word from the Lord.  

Verse 15 is the basis of what God is calling each of His children to do. We are to tell people what we have “seen” and “heard.” We are responsible for what we personally have experienced and know.

APPLICATION:  When God brings a person across my path—like Saul came across Ananias’ path—I can have confidence that they need to hear what I know.  God has a vast army of people available to do His work.  After I faithfully share what I know, the Holy Spirit can lead them to someone else who can tell them more.  I must be faithful, but it does not all depend on me. 

Also, I must remember, I am not in this alone; the Holy Spirit is with me!  I can have confidence that the Holy Spirit will bring to my remembrance what they need to hear from me.

I am not working FOR the Lord…I am working WITH the Lord!  

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, we are in this together.  Put your thoughts in my mind.  Speak through me to those around me. Use me to honor Jesus!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 14, 2024: SOAP #5186: Leviticus 23-24; Psalm 24; Acts 21

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 21:4 Finding the disciples there [in Tyre], we stayed with them seven days… 7 …landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for a day. 8 … and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist… 16 … [in Caesarea] brought us to the home of Mnason, where we were to stay … 

OBSERVATION:  The church was growing and spreading across the Roman Empire.  Many cities had a group of believers.  So Paul looked for disciples in each city where they stopped during their trip to Jerusalem. 

APPLICATION:  I need to keep my heart open to the Holy Spirit and my eyes and ears open to those around me.  I never know where I will find another believer.  I may be a source of encouragement to them, or they may be a source of encouragement for me.

We do not need to make a connection; Jesus has already made the connection!  The Holy Spirit living within us will help us to recognize His presence in another person. 

It was my first day at Balboa Naval Hospital (1966) and I was wondering how to locate other Christians.  I was certain that some would be there; just how would I find them?   Standing in the lunch line, the Holy Spirit quickened me to watch for someone who would bow their head and give thanks before eating.  Shortly I saw another sailor bow his head in prayer.  When I got my food, I went and sat across from him and bowed my head in prayer.  And so began a great encouraging fellowship!  (Thank you, Boyd!) 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, today help me to notice other believers sharing my space.  Help me to recognize the connection that we already have in you!  Amen

Pastor Leon  
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 13, 2024: SOAP #5185: Leviticus 20-22; Acts 20

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 20:34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.  35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

OBSERVATION:  Paul is giving his farewell sermon to the elders from Ephesus.  They had come to Meletus to meet with Paul.  He closes his sermon with giving himself as an example of how to work and handle money.  He had worked to provide for his own needs and for the needs of those with him.  He did not expect others to provide for his needs.  When people sent money, he thanked them but he did not ask or expect them to send him money.  He used his money to supply his “own needs” and to “help the weak.”  He remembered the words of Jesus about giving and receiving.    

APPLICATION:  When I have financial needs, I have found that often my greatest need is to give.  Giving is like sowing seeds into the ground.  Moisture and time cause them to sprout, grow, and produce more seeds.  Some seeds I can eat, and some must be planted for a future harvest.  My planting now may be small, but it will increase.

Consider:  the portion of seed I eat is the largest it will ever be but the portion of seed I plant is the smallest it will ever be!   I plant by giving!

I believe the Holy Spirit is leading me to write this to some specific persons—persons who this week in some way have asked for money.  Ask God to show you something you can give, something of value to you, maybe some money, or some possession, or a service—something that will be a blessing to someone else.  The size of the gift is not the issue.  Give, not expecting anything in return from the one to whom you give it, but expecting God to bring His blessing to you.  

PRAYER:  Lord, You are the seed multiplier!  You multiply the seed to meet my needs and to give me more to plant.   I am the seed planter.  Amen! 

Pastor Leon 
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 12, 2024: SOAP #5184: Leviticus 18-19; Psalm 13; Acts 19

SCRIPTURE:  Leviticus (NIV) 19:36 Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt. 37 “‘Keep all my decrees and all my laws and follow them. I am the LORD.’”

OBSERVATION:  This chapter contains many varied commandments for the Israelites.  They range from harvesting, family relationships, sexual issues, sacrifices, etc.  And attached to fifteen of them we read, “I am the LORD,” or “I am the LORD your God.”  

God was declaring that He had the right to put these boundaries on the Israelites.  He was Creator God!   More than that, He was their personal God!  They were not trying to identify with Him; He was identifying with them!   They were not claiming Him; He was claiming them!  The commands in this chapter were to make them recognizable as His children! 

In these verses, Israel was not claiming that Jehovah was their God; God was making the claim.  He made the statement that He was their God!  He wanted the Israelites to live like it. 

APPLICATION:  It is one thing to hear a someone claim to have met the President of the United States; it is a much greater thing when the President calls that person by name out of a crowd!  Everybody know because it was spoken by the President. 

To be able to claim God as “my” God is a great honor; but for God to claim me as HIS son, is a greater honor.  For Him to make the claim that He is Leon’s God means so much more.  Then satan knows with whom he is dealing!!!  

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father,, may the truth that You are my God be seen in all I do and say.  May I be easily recognizable as your child.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Pastor Leon  
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 11, 2024: SOAP #5183: Leviticus 15-17; Acts 18

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 18:9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. 10 For I am with you, and no-one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” 11 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

OBSERVATION:  As Paul was moving from city to city, preaching the good news about Jesus, God would give him specific direction.  It is interesting to me that God gave Paul general directions in sending him out on these journeys, but the specific instructions came as Paul was moving in obedience to the general call.  Stay here; Go there; Do not go there.

APPLICATION:  When the Lord had me start writing the daily SOAPs, I had no idea that they would every reach so many places.  But in faithfully doing the little that God gave each day, God has brought growth.  It is the same with a newborn baby.  If we feed them every day they grow.  Growth is built into God’s plans. 

Some people want their ministry to jump from infant stage to adult stage, but that is not God’s way.  A solid ministry needs the maturity gained through the older child and teen years. 

PRAYER:  Lord, may I continue to be faithful in preparing and sending these SOAPs.  Lord, I pray for each parent, give them grace and strength to lead their children as they mature through troubled times.  And Lord, I pray for each young pastor leading a church of new believers.  Fill their hearts with love for those who are still new in faith.  Fill their minds with the wisdom that comes from Your Word.  May they be joyfully faithful through the struggles of leading Your people.  For it is in Your Name I pray, the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Pastor Leon  
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 10, 2024: SOAP #5182: Leviticus 13-14; Acts 17

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 17:15 The men who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible. 16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the market-place day by day with those who happened to be there.

OBSERVATION:  Waiting times, we have all been in times when we were just waiting…  We were waiting for a friend needing a ride…or waiting for a friend to give us a ride.  We were waiting at home for the arrival of a family member or the visit of a dear friend.  Or maybe we were just waiting for time to pass so we could move on to the next thing on our schedule. 

O have often stated that my times are in His hands—meaning that He runs the times of my life.  He sent me to Bible College; He sent me into the USNavy; He appointed me to be a pastor of two congregations; He assigned me to write SOAPs.  It is easy for me to see that He was running the big picture of my life. 

But what about my waiting times?  What about the in-between times?  Are they available to Him?  Can He use them for His glory?  He can turn waiting times into the most important times of our day, times to be long remembered! 

APPLICATION:  Instead of becoming impatient and recalling all the things I need to get done, I can look around for opportunities to serve someone who needs the gospel, or just a word of encouragement.  I can see if there is an opportunity that needs what I have to offer. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, my times are in your hands, including my waiting times.  In faith, I ask you to remind me of this in my next waiting-time.  May my waiting times be for your Holy Spirit to work through me.  Be glorified in my waiting times.   For it is in the name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen 

Pastor Leon 
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 8, 2024: SOAP #5180: Leviticus 7-9; Acts 15

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 15:13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. 14 One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshipper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

OBSERVATION:  The church has never needed a building to have a place of prayer or a place to sing to the Lord! In the city of Philippi, believers met on the bank of a river and later Paul and Silas had church in the inner prison with their hands and feet in stocks. As the church lives its daily life out in the open people can hear and see what God is doing. 

The building is not a church just as a house is not a family. The building is where the church meets just as the house is where the family lives. 

APPLICATION:  While church buildings are a blessing and allow for many different avenues of ministry, we sometimes forget that the church’s best ministry usually happens outside the building. It is a family praying over their meal in a restaurant. It is praying in the yard with a neighbor who has recently experienced a death in their family. It is what is overheard as two believers stop to chat in the marketplace. It is how the believer handles the difficult boss at work.

PRAYER:  Lord, being a part of your church does not start when I enter a building or stop when I leave. I carry your Presence with me everywhere I go. Holy Spirit help me to live the truth!  Amen

Pastor Leon  
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 8, 2024: SOAP #5180: Leviticus 7-9; Acts 15

(repeat)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 15:36 Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.

OBSERVATION:  Barnabas saw something special in Mark.  Maybe it was only with the eyes of faith, but he remained true in accepting Mark.  How blessed we are that Barnabas did so or we would not have had the gospel of Mark.

Barnabas has proved to be a special blessing to the church.  In Acts 9 we read that Barnabas accepted Saul/Paul when it was unpopular; here in chapter 15, he remained true to Mark when Paul would not accept him as a traveling companion.  These two (Saul/Paul and Mark) benefitted greatly from the ministry of Barnabas and both wrote parts of the New Testament (Paul’s letters and Mark’s gospel).  Saul/Paul and Mark were like fruitful trees that grew out of the fertile soil of Barnabas.

APPLICATION:  May I not be so quick to write people off my “acceptable” list.  They may not be perfect, but neither am I.  The Lord’s Prayer tells me to ask for forgiveness in the same way I forgive others.  That would imply that I should ask for acceptance in the same way I accept others!

PRAYER:  Lord, like Barnabas, help me to allow imperfect people to grow out of the soil of my life. Amen.

Pastor Leon 
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 6, 2024: SOAP #5178: Leviticus 1-3: Acts 13

(repeat from 2014)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 13:2 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.

OBSERVATION:  In these verses we see the official beginning of Paul’s (then known as Saul) missionary journeys.  It is notable to see the coordination of the work of the church and the Holy Spirit.  Verse 3 reads that they were sent off by the church.  Verse 4 reads that they were sent by the Holy Spirit.  They were sent out by the church in Antioch and later they reported back to the church in Antioch.

APPLICATION:  It is no surprise to me that God gives authority to those who are under authority.  In submission one learns to lead.  If I cannot submit to others, I am not qualified to lead.  If I cannot hear the will of God for my life through the people God has placed in my life, I probably cannot hear His will from God.  My ministry is greatly hindered when I cannot submit to the authorities God has placed in my life.

PRAYER:  Lord, In complete submission to your Father’s will, you became the Head of the church.  You are the perfect example of a submitted leader.  Keep reminding me of this.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
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