Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 04, 2026:  SOAP #5907:   Exodus 39-40; Psalm 15; Acts 12

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 12:24 But the word of God continued to increase and spread.  

OBSERVATION:  Steven had been stoned to death.  Saul had traveled from city to city to take believers as prisoners to Jerusalem.  James had been recently put to death by Herod.  Peter was then thrown into prison from which he miraculously escaped, being let out of prison by an angel.  The social and political climate was not conducive to Christianity, but the “word of God” continued to “increase and spread.”

APPLICATION:  The above passage obviously could not mean that more Bibles were being printed because the printing press had not yet been invented.  There were very few copies of the scriptures available to the early church.  Yet we read, “the word of God continued to increase and spread.” 

I think that the word of God was spreading because people were receiving the truth of the Gospel and it was being lived out through their daily lives.  The presence of the Holy Spirit was making the truth of scripture obvious to those early believers.  It was not the Word of God written in scrolls or books, but the Word of God written on the hearts of men and women!  

If we want revival in our neighborhood, we must let the Word of God increase and spread in our personal lives.  We must let our neighbors see God’s Word in action every day!  They see us gathering in fellowship groups and churches, but how is the Word of God increasing and spreading in our daily lives? 

PRAYER:  Lord, let your Word, first of all, increase and spread in me and my family.  May it spread to every day and every part of my life.  Then it will increase and spread where I live and where I work.  Amen 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 04, 2026:  SOAP #5907:   Exodus 37-38; Psalm 19; Acts 11

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 11:19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

OBSERVATION:  It is hard for me to read the Book of Acts and not compare it to what is happening today in Sierra Leon. 

Above we read that the Christians scattered by persecution were faithful to witness, but only to the Jews.  However, some began to speak to the Greeks (Gentiles) and found great acceptance.  The “Lord’s hand was with them” indicates to me that miracles were happening and drawing people to the Lord. 

APPLICATION:  What is written above in verse 21 could be said about the SOAP ministry team in Sierra Leon.  The Lord’s hand has been with them the past two months as they conducted a nation-wide ministry to the Muslims.  Well over 100,000 Muslims have received Jesus as their Lord and Savior!  

This afternoon I was blest to visit with Pastor Andrew from Sierra Leon over Facebook, and with my brother in Hawaii over a cell phone as Pastor Andrew recounted some of the miracles and we lifted our voices in praise.  We rejoice with each advancement, and we are encouraged to believe for Liberia who is now preparing for a visit from some Muslim evangelists. 

PRAYER:  Lord, our hearts rejoice in what you are doing in Sierra Leon, and we pray for a continued move of your Holy Spirit across Africa and Asia.  This is your day for reaching Muslims.  Give boldness to every Christian to witness your love and grace, especially to any Muslims with whom they come in contact.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 31, 2026:  SOAP #5903:   Exodus 28-29; Acts 7

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 7:55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to W

OBSERVATION:  From reading this verse one might get the idea that Stephen was in a great revival!   He was full of the Holy Spirit and having visions of God!  He saw the resurrected and ascended Jesus!    

THIS verse gives us insight into Stephen.  The verses BEFORE and AFTER give us insight into Stephen’s circumstances.  He was not in a revival.  The people around Stephen were furious at what he had just told them.  In a very short time, they would take him out of the city and stone him to death.  Stephen was discovering that the One inside him was greater than what surrounded him—even greater than what might happen to him! 

And look who was watching.  Not only was heaven taking note of how Stephen was being treated, Acts 8:1 reveals that Saul, the future Apostle Paul, was watching too!  

APPLICATION:  Praise the Lord my circumstances do not have to rule my spirit!  I can be full of the Holy Spirit no matter what is happening around me or to me!   There are people watching my life today, to see how I handle the tough times.  I want them to see in me what Saul saw in Stephen. 

PRAYER:  Lord, as Saul was watching Stephen that day, there are people watching my life today.  I need Your Holy Spirit.  I want to stay full of Your Spirit.  I want a revival in my heart that can be easily seen by others.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
Also on:  soapsbyleon.wordpress.com

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 30, 2026:  SOAP #5902   Exodus 25-27; Acts 6

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 6:3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them. 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.
8 Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people.

OBSERVATION:  Church growth brought problems.  Good problems, not bad problems.  Problems that needed attention, but if the apostles took care of them, they would not have time to care for their priorities!   These problems did not surprise God; He had already provided for this church growth.  What was needed was already present!  There were people full of faith and the Holy Spirit that could handle these problems!  

APPLICATION:  If I want the church to grow, I should not complain about the problems that growth will bring.  New people might sit in my favorite seat.   pastor may not have as much time for me because he is visiting the new believers. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, growth always brings new problems.  Church growth, family growth, job growth, schooling growth, etc. all brings changes and a needed increase in our faith.  May my attitudes not hinder the growth you have planned for me.  May my knowledge of you and my faith in you keep up with the growth that you bring my way.  May my growth bring expansion to your Kingdom!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Also on:  soapsbyleon.wordpress.com

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 29, 2026:  SOAP #5901   Exodus 23-24; Psalm 14; Acts 5

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 5:18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. 19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. 20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people the full message of this new life.”
…
27 Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” 29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.

OBSERVATION:  Who should they obey?  –the ones who could lock prison doors, or the One who could open prison doors?  
Who should they obey, the ones who can kill, or the One Who can live again?

APPLICATION:  Who should I obey? –the ones who can kill this body, or the One Who can bring it back to life?   
Who should I obey? –the ones who can lock prison doors, or the One who can open them?  

Miracles and healings have been an important part of the many people who have responded to the gospel in Sierra Leon!   God is involved in the world today and He is willing to demonstrate what He can do when there are people who need Him.  From various sources, I read of God moving among the Muslim people.  If you have a Muslim friend or fellow worker, or neighbor…step out in faith to speak to them.  God is drawing them to Him!   Be a part of what God is doing!   

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, continue to remind me of the obvious and use me for your glory.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
Also on:  soapsbyleon.wordpress.com