Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 17, 2024: SOAP #5279: 1Kings 2: 1Chronicles 29; Psalm 95; 2Thessalonians 1

SCRIPTURE:  2Thessalonians (NIV) 1:6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.

OBSERVATION:  God’s justice is an expression of his holiness.  It is perfect. When we think of justice in our nation, we think of courts and judges.  That is a very important part of justice, but it is only half the story.  In God, justice does not only have to do with punishing the wicked, but also with rewarding the righteous.

Paul points to God’s justice to encourage those suffering persecution. And his inclusion “as to us as well,” indicates that Paul takes courage and strength himself from the thought of God’s justice. This is not the end of the story. What is ahead makes it well worth putting up with this temporary trouble we experience.

APPLICATION:  Those in hospitals want to know when they will be going home. Anyone going through trouble wants to know when it will end.  It will end when Jesus returns.  He will return with great glory, not coming again like a newborn baby in a manger.  The angels will not be limited to announcing his arrival to shepherds.  He will come with “blazing fire” and “powerful angels.”

PRAYER:  Lord, what a day that will be when you return to set up your kingdom on earth!   Then you will rule in holiness and love.  Courts will not be swayed away from truth.  After years of rule by men with selfishness, greed, graft, dishonesty and evil, the world will be ruled by The Only One Worthy!  You proved you are holy by your life on earth and you proved you are loving by dying for our sins!  Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 16, 2024: SOAP #5278: 1Kings 1: 1Chronicles 28; Psalm 91; 1Thessalonians 5

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessaloniang (NIV) 5:16 Be joyful always; 17  pray continually; 18  give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

OBSERVATION:  There are 14 directive phrases that Paul writes to the Thessalonians at the close of this letter in verses 12-22. 

The 10th directive.  In whatever circumstances we find ourselves, we are to be thankful.  Paul is not here telling us to be thankful FOR those circumstances, but IN those circumstances.  However blessed or troublesome our circumstances are, we have something for which we are eternally grateful.  We have His Presence!  We have His Promises!

APPLICATION:  It is the will of God for us to be thankful.  It is good for God when we are thankful.  It is good for us when we are thankful.  It is good for our neighbors when we are thankful.  

A thankful believer makes God look good!  It makes other people want what we have. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, I want you to enjoy my prayers.  May they be full of appreciation and rejoicing in what you have done and are doing around me. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 15, 2024: SOAP #5277: 1Chronicles 25-27; 1Thessalonians 4

(from 2014 SOAP)  

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 4:14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.   

OBSERVATION:  We believe!  We are believers!  Our faith is founded upon historical fact.  We believe Jesus was crucified.  He died.  But that is not all we believe.  We believe that Jesus rose from death.  Jesus came back to life.  Jesus proved that death is not the end.  Jesus passed through death and returned.

APPLICATION:  AND SO …   Believing the first part of the above verse logically leads us to believe the second part.

Because we believe Jesus died and rose, we also believe that those who have died while believing in Him will accompany Him when He returns.  As Paul wrote in another place, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” {2Corinthians 5:8} They are with the Lord as their body lies asleep in death. They will come with the Lord when He returns to this earth.

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for the assurance we have that the parting of death for those who die knowing you—it is only temporary!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 14, 2024: SOAP #5276: 1Chronicles 22-24; 1Thessalonians 3

(reworked from 2018)

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 3:11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

OBSERVATION:  Paul loved the believers in Thessalonica and would love to visit them, but his life was not his own.  God the Father and the Lord Jesus would have to “clear the way” for a visit back to Thessalonica. 

My first thoughts about “clearing the way” has to do with my calendar.  There are times when my planned activities get in the way of God’s plan for me.  I need Him to clear my calendar of commitments and things that would stop me from doing His will. 

Also, Paul’s travel expense account was not in a local bank.  God was his banker and funded Paul’s ministry.  Sometimes Paul worked to not be a burden to others.  (1Thessalonians 2:9)   Sometimes people traveling with Paul took jobs so that Paul would be able to focus full time on ministry.  Sometimes churches send Paul support for his ministry.   God’s funding depended on doing God’s will.  So, Paul needed God to “clear the way” for travel to Thessalonica.  The assurance of God’s authorization comes with the assurance of God’s provision.

APPLICATION:  It is important for me to walk in step with God, not to lag and not to run ahead.  Walking in the center of His presence is where I find the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s anointing and the assurance of His full provision. 

While in the US Navy, I found that when I obeyed my assignment, I did not have to carry the burden of provision.  Now I am finding that God is a much better provider than the US Navy! 

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, as my love and appreciation for you grows in my heart, so grows my desire to live in the center of your will.  Being sure of your will for me brings the assurance of your provision.  You “clear the way” for me to do as you direct.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 13, 2024: SOAP #5275: 2Samuel 24; 1Chronicles 21; Psalm 30; 1Thessalonians 2

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 30:4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name. 5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

OBSERVATION:  What a wonderful God we serve.  His anger flows from His love, for those who do not love do not have as much capacity for anger. Perhaps it could be said that love lends it strength to anger. When someone hurts the ones I deeply love, I become very angry.  When someone hurts ones I do not love very much, I do not become as angry.  If I am full of self-love, I will become very angry when I do not get my way.  On the other hand, if I love God deeply, I will become very angry when He is mistreated.  (Jesus became angry when people misused His Father’s house.)

APPLICATION:  Does God get angry?  He certainly does. God is love.  He loves intensly.  His anger is hot.  We see his anger expressed at people who mistreated Israel. I believe His anger at the way people have treated the Son He so loves will cause the half hour of silence in heaven.

However His anger does not last forever!  Praise the Lord!   Anger subsides when the situation has been properly settled, and on the cross, God provided the perfect/only solution for sin.  He provided a way for forgiveness to be offered without making excuses for sin.  He provided a way for forgiveness without making little of sin.  He did not say, “Forget about it.”  He did not say, “That’s nothing.”  He did say, “That is terrible, but I will pay a sufficient price!”

And so, His anger lasted but a moment.  It was poured out on Jesus. Jesus was forsaken when he became sin and hung upon the cross.

But for those who reject God’s gracious offer of forgiveness, they will experience his anger for all eternity.  Even in heaven there will be 30 minutes of silence. (Revelation 8:1) I tend to believe that it will be a time of God’s anger at a world which rejected the One He loved and sent.

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, I confess my sins and accept the payment you made on the cross as the payment for my sins.  I set you as the Lord of my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 12, 2024: SOAP #5274: 2Samuel 21-23; 1Thessalonians 1

SCRIPTURE:  2Samuel (NIV) 22:1 David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 2 He said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—from violent men you save me.

OBSERVATION:  The Lord does not provide a fortress for me: He is my fortress.  He is my deliverer.  God does not provide me a place for refuge; He is my refuge. He is my shield. 

God is not so much interested in what He can do for me as interested in what He can do with me.  The protection God has provided is in the relationship I have with Him.  “God is my rock, IN WHOM I take refuge!”

APPLICATION:  Many times, I want God to provide for me what He has promised to be to me.  I must make myself aware of His presence. When I live in an awareness of His presence, I find I already have what I was looking for. 

PRAYER:  Lord, living here is a walk of faith.  In faith I live as though your word is true.  You are my fortress; in you I have peace, forgiveness, and restoration.  You are my refuge and in you I have peace.  With your presence I have confidence to face the world.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 11, 2024: SOAP #5273: 2Samuel 19, 20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 55:16 But I call to God, and the LORD saves me.
17 Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.
18 He ransoms me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.

OBSERVATION:  The Psalmist discovered that God was a dependable and trustworthy friend!  God does not work behind office doors on which are posted the hours the office is open.  There is not a sign hanging in the window that says He is out to lunch, and we must come back in an hour.  He has no sign with a number to call in case of emergency.  He takes distress calls evening, morning, and noon! 

He is the ONE to whom we call!  He is the ONE who hears our cry!  He is the ONE who has given us many promises on which we can place our faith.  He is the ONE who has sufficient resources to meet our needs. 
 

APPLICATION:  I should spend more time talking to God about my needs than talking to people!  I should spend more time in prayer than on Facebook!  

If God directs me to tell someone about my needs, in obedience, I must tell them.  But it is not my place to beg or pressure them to meet my need.  That is God’s place.  If I believe that my begging and pleading will have more effect on a potential helper then what God can do—obviously I do not know God very well. They will respond to a word from the Lord much sooner than to all my begging and pleading. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, with faith in our hearts and your word fresh in our mind, we call on you now.  We are not waiting for an appropriate prayer time.  Our need is now and now is the appropriate time to pray.  Hear the desperate prayers of SOAP readers.  Some need money, some need food, and some need healing.  Increase their faith in you and your promises.  As they are faithful to read your word, lead them to promises on which they can stand.  Increase their faith.  And may their increased faith be an example for others.  In Jesus Name I pray, AMEN!     

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 10, 2024: SOAP #5272: 2Samuel 18; Psalm 56; Matthew 27

(reworked from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew 27: 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

OBSERVATION:  They were interested in keeping people from breaking into the tomb; they were not considering that Someone might be breaking out!  They made the tomb as secure as they knew how, but it was not enough.  The heavy stone, the Roman seal, the Roman guard, and death itself could not keep Jesus from breaking out of that tomb. 

APPLICATION:  It is truly amazing for me to have the resurrected Jesus living in me.  There is no power in the world or universe strong enough to box Him in.  Satan may try to box me in and put me in a grave.  He may use the latest technology.  He may do his best.  People may do their best.  But people, religious leaders, governmental leaders and Satan himself have already met their match at the empty tomb!   Satan has no power to entomb me in fear or doubt, or despair, or discouragement, or unhappiness.  I only need to remind him.  The resurrected life of Christ within me can never be entombed again!  

PRAYER:  Lord, I never want to forget your power to break out of that tomb.  I never want to forget that same power is at work in me.  Amen. 

Personal note:  I received a call with the results of the MRI.  I have three spots on my prostate and a biopsy is needed to determine how serious they are and what course of action should be taken.  Obviously, I do not need a consultation to determine that the main course of action is prayer and trusting God!   😊   I will be sent to a urologist for consultation and possible scheduling a biopsy within the next few weeks.  I will keep you informed.  Thanks for your prayers. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 09, 2024: SOAP #5271: 2Samuel 17; Psalm 71; Matthew 26

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 26:73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.” 74 Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don t know the man!” Immediately a cock crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the cock crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus was on trial, and Peter was close by.  Peter had just denied knowing Jesus two times.  But the way he talked gave him away.  Probably those from Galilee had unique and recognizable ways of saying certain words.  So, Peter began to curse and swear.  The accent may identify Peter with Jesus, but the curse words were meant to break that tie. 

APPLICATION:  The way I talk has a lot to do with how others think of me.  Jesus’ presence in my life affects how I act and how I talk.  It affects the things I talk about and the way I talk about them.  Complaining and worrying is replaced with faith-filled words of what God can do. 

The way I talk can have a lot to do with how others think of Jesus.  My faith can encourage their faith. 

That Jesus is living on the inside should be easily recognized by my speech.      

PRAYER:  Lord, you are living inside me; I want to be careful not to offend you with my conversation today.  And may people see you in my actions and hear you in my words as you live your life through me today.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 08, 2024: SOAP #5270: 2Samuel 15, 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 25:37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’  40 “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’…
45 “He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

OBSERVATION:  Jesus takes personally what we do for the poor and needy. We are to do it as unto Him and He takes it as if it were done to Him!  

Matthew 6:2-4 tells us that our Heavenly Father is watching such ministry that is done in secret and He rewards it.  But when such ministry is done to gain the praise of people than that becomes their “reward in full.” 

APPLICATION:  If that is the way Jesus takes such ministry, then we should minister to the poor and needy as though they were Jesus.  For sure, they are not Jesus, but we should treat them with kindness and respect as we treat Jesus.  We should honor the fact that they are the creation of God and bear His likeness and image.  Even if they do not know that they are the creation of God and carry His image, we know and we should treat them accordingly. 

PRAYER:  Lord, your word says that we are not to do such ministry for the world to see, but we can be assured that our Heavenly Father is watching!   (Matthew 6:2-4)   And when He sees, He rewards!  A reward from the Father is always much better than a reward from people.  May we not settle for less than a full reward from the Father!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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