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Looking at our marriage from heaven’s point of view…

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 10, 2026: SOAP #6185: Job 35, 36; 1Corinthians 7, 8

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 7:16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

OBSERVATION:  “But God wants me to be happy,” is the reason I have heard from a “believer” wanting to justify their desire to divorce, and subsequently their desire to marry someone else.  “God would not want me to stay unhappy all my life.”  No! No! No! 

What God wants is for your spouse to be saved!  God wants you to rejoice all through eternity because the one who was your husband/wife is in heaven too. 

God wants us to love our wives/husbands the way Christ loved us, even when we were unlovable!  Should an unbelieving spouse get a divorce (verse 15), may they never be able to say that they were not loved! 

APPLICATION:  Living for God is so worthwhile, however it is not always easy.  Doing my best to keep the wedding promises I made as a solemn vow before God is always worthwhile, but that too is not always easy.  But we have the promise of His presence every moment of every day! 

The Presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives works to make us the person with whom our spouse enjoys sharing their life! 

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for Sharon, my wife of 58 years!   Thank you for those who have been married long enough to be a good example for others.  We are blest to have their example.  Amen. 

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

The Progression!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 09, 2026: SOAP #6184: Job 34; 1Corinthians 4-6

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 6:15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!

OBSERVATION:  Our physical body is the avenue through which we communicate with the world around us. 

Through our physical characteristics (hair, eye and skin color, height weight, facial features, etc.) the world around us easily identifies us from other people. 

Through words we speak and the actions of our physical body, people come to know our nature and character. 

APPLICATION:  Since Christ came to live in me, my body not only expresses the life of Leon, but also the life of Christ.   My goal is that my body gives a true expression of His glorious life in me. 

Before it was just Leon in this body.  When I received Christ in my life it was LEON and Jesus.  As I grow, it is becoming JESUS and Leon.  Our goal (Jesus and mine) is that I become less and He becomes more until all that is seen is JESUS.  (It honors Him when I choose to let Jesus be JESUS in me.)

PRAYER:  Lord, Today, I pray that someone will see You shining through me and desire to have what I have—which is You sharing this physical body with me.   Amen

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

God is Faithful!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 08, 2026: SOAP #6183: Job 33, 1Corinthians 1-3

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 1:9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

OBSERVATION:  A major characteristic of God is faithfulness.  God is holy and a major expression of His holiness is faithfulness.  God is HOLY, there is no place for evil or sin in His being or actions.  “God cannot be tempted with evil.” (James 1:13)

He is faithful to His people.  He is faithful to truth.  He is faithful to Himself and His character. 

Everything God does for us is because He is faithful.  We get the benefit of His faithfulness to His honoring the death of Jesus by seeing us as acceptable, both now and for all eternity!

APPLICATION:  In desiring God to do something for me, I may be asking Him to slight His holiness or ignore the truth. 

I should be extremely happy to find that God will not break His faithfulness to truth, for only then can I count on His faithfulness to me.   

PRAYER:  Lord, I know your faithfulness is expressed to me; may your faithfulness be expressed through me. May your characteristic of faithfulness be seen in me.  Amen. 

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

Growing in Christ

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 07, 2026: SOAP #6182: Job 31, 32; Galatians 5,6

SCRIPTURE:  Galatians (NIV) 5:6  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision (being under the Jewish law) nor uncircumcision (not being under the Jewish law) has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

OBSERVATION:  Paul is saying that neither being under the Jewish law nor not being under the Jewish law matters.  The only thing that matters is a faith in Christ Jesus that is expressed by love.  Those who have faith in Jesus love God and love people.  Love may not be the only expression of faith, but without love, the other expressions are not believable. 

Distances are measured in inches, feet, yards and miles.  Liquids are measured in pints, quarts and gallons.  Solids are measured in ounces and pounds.  Love is measured in sacrifice.

APPLICATION:  If my faith expresses itself in loving ways, then the depth of my love and the measure of my sacrifice will show the strength of my faith.  Also the strength of my faith will be seen in the depth of my love and the measure of my sacrifice.

Love, expressed through sacrifice, and faith are separate characteristics, but in people who love Jesus, they are tied closely together. 

PRAYER:  Lord, may my faith grow strong and my love for you be well known.  Amen. 

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

Continuing every day!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 06, 2026: SOAP #6181: Job 30; Psalm 120; Galatians 3,4

SCRIPTURE:  Galatians (NIV) 3:11 Clearly no-one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” [Habakkuk 2:4]
12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”

OBSERVATION:  If people could be justified, having their sin so removed that it was as if they had never sinned, then Jesus would not have been sent to die for our sins.  But it is impossible for one who has already broken the law to so perfectly keep the law that their past sins are covered.  And all have sinned, there is no one righteous, not even one!  [Romans 3:10]

It is faith in Jesus.  Faith that His death on the cross is the payment for my sins.  I became a believer that Jesus came to die for my sins; I began thinking and living in appreciation for His sacrifice. 

APPLICATION:  I am ONLY made righteous by faith, and I must continue to live by faith.  Having a loving relationship by faith with God’s Son who died for my sins results in my wanting to please Him.  The way I live should demonstrate my love for God and my faith in what He has done.  Big and small decisions should demonstrate my love for Jesus.  My actions should reveal that Jesus is now living inside me as my Lord. 

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, I have sinned and am unable to cleanse myself from the results of my sins. Thank you for dying for me. I receive your death as the payment for my sins.  I receive You in my heart to live your life through me.  May my faith and love for you be easily seen in my words and actions. Amen

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

Not I but Christ!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 05, 2026: SOAP #6180: Job 28-29; Galatians 1-2

SCRIPTURE:  Galatians (NIV) 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

OBSERVATION:  With Christ, I share history.  My computer may be only 2 years old, but the program within may be 7 or 8 years old.  The program may have updates that are older than the computer.  —  The same is true of Leon.  I am only 73 years old, but in me is a life that goes all the way back to the crucifixion.  Christ, who was crucified, lives in me! 

With Christ, I share the present.  Paul was not living the life of Paul, but the life of Christ.  He considered himself dead to Paul and alive to Jesus!  The decisions about his actions were directed by Jesus.  —  The same is true of Leon.  A new life source is directing my daily thoughts, words, and actions. 

With Christ, I share the future.  In our Father’s house, Jesus is now preparing a place for me that I may be where He is!   What a day that will be! 

APPLICATION:  On my own, I had no hope of being righteous enough to be allowed into heaven.  I could never keep all the demands of the law.  I had even broken the law before I understood it!   But when by faith I accept Jesus’ death as the payment for my sins, I became joined with Him, past, present, and future!  By faith, with Jesus on the cross, I died to myself.  Now, with Jesus living within me, He is training Leon to think of Leon as dead; Christ is living within. And in joyful faith I look forward to an eternity with Him in our Father’s house.  What a life!!!  What a past!  What a present!  What a future! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, your plan to include me amazes me.  I am eternally grateful for the sacrifices of you in sending your Son, and of Jesus in coming to die for my sins.  Holy Spirit, help me live my life in honor of these sacrifices.  Amen.

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

The Confirmation!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 04, 2026: SOAP #6179: Job 26-27; Mark 15-16

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 16:20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

OBSERVATION:  The life and ministry of Jesus was confirmed by His works—by the miracles and healings. 

As Mark ends his epistle, we see that Jesus also confirmed the message of His disciples in the same manner—by the miracles and healings.  A read through the book of Acts verifies this.  Jesus continued His ministry through His disciples.  They were not sent out on their own.  By His Spirit HE accompanied them and “worked with them.”  

APPLICATION:  If Jesus confirmed His word by healings and miracles…if He confirmed the words of His first disciples in the same way…then we should not be surprised when He does the same today. 

…and that is what He is doing in the SOAP ministry in West Africa.  Reading the testimonies I receive, sometimes two or three times each week, is like reading through the book of Acts.  (I forward them by email to the SOAP Prayer Team. If you are willing to pray for the SOAP ministry, and want to receive those testimonies, send me your email address.)     

PRAYER:  Lord, let Your Word flow through me unhindered.  Then increase my faith to see Your Confirmation of Your Word. Amen

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

Coordinated with the Holy Spirit!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 03, 2026: SOAP #6178: Job 25; Mark 13-14

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 13:11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say.  Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 

OBSERVATION:  Jesus was talking to his disciples about the end days.   He emphasized the importance of the Holy Spirit.  The people would need to have a close relationship with the Holy Spirit. 

As Jesus walked every day in relationship with the Holy Spirit, so should I walk every day being aware of the Spirit’s presence and tuning my heart and mind to hear His voice.  My past response to what I sensed was the Holy Spirit’s direction assures Him that I will faithfully do what He shows me today.  And my response today will give Him assurance that I will respond and obey tomorrow. 

APPLICATION:  I believe that the days about which Jesus was talking are beginning now or soon to come.   So, I must sharpen my ability to recognize His voice and be quick to do as He directs.  I need to go through my day thoughtfully doing my best as I understand it.  However, when I hear/sense/feel the tugging of the Holy Spirit to change, I should not push those thoughts away as though they are just some crazy thoughts.  If there is nothing morally wrong with them, I should consider that the Holy Spirit may be directing me to change my words or actions. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I consider it a great privilege that you would speak to me and use me for good.  Obviously, You know what is best for me to say and do.  The smartest thing I can do is to follow your directions.  I count on You to give me directions; I also count on you to empower me to do as you direct. I believe that what you give me to do will be coordinated with what you are doing in others. Amen

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

Now, as close as the mention of His Name!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 02, 2026: SOAP #6177: Job 23-24; Mark 11-12

SCRIPTURE:  Job (NIV) 23:3 If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling!

OBSERVATION:  Job is suffering even though he is innocent.  His suffering is because Satan has claimed that Job serves God only because God blesses him.  Job has questions.   He thinks that his suffering is coming from God and he wants to confront God and demand some answers. 

Job did not know that God’s Son, Jesus, would come to earth, our dwelling.  God knows where we are!  Jesus walked among us.  He became findable!  Job did not know that God, the Holy Spirit, would be sent to live in us! 

APPLICATION:  I am so thankful that Jesus is findable!  Wherever I am, I need only call out for him in faith that He is present and hears me.  I praise God that He has come to my dwelling. 

Of course, He knows where to find me; His Spirit now lives in me! 

PRAYER:  Jesus, Job wanted to find your dwelling; I am so glad that you know where I live.  Thank you for coming to where I live.  You made yourself findable!  Now, You are as close as the mention of your Name!  Amen

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

It will be worth the climb!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 01, 2026: SOAP #6176: Psalm 121; Mark 9-10

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 9:2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah…” 7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” 8 Suddenly, when they looked round, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus gave the invitation; Peter, James, and John accepted and chose to go with Him.  What a special time awaited those three disciples because they chose to accompany Jesus that day.  It was a “high mountain” so it required some effort.  It was not a quiet afternoon stroll along the sea. 

But they accepted the invitation; they invested the effort; and they reaped the reward of spending time with Him!  What was that reward?  They received a new vision of Jesus.  They saw Jesus in His glory!  They saw two Old Testament heroes.  They heard a heavenly conversation! 

APPLICATION:  Sometimes being with Jesus requires effort.  Jesus does not always take the easiest path.  Sometimes Jesus is not ministering to thousands; sometimes His presence is most noticeable when there are only a few. 

Wherever He leads, it is worth the effort to go with Him, to stay close! 

PRAYER:  Lord, knowing that I am in your presence increases my faith.  Hearing the voice of Your Spirit gives me confidence to take the next step.  Not knowing what lies ahead, but knowing I am with you, makes me know it will be worth the climb.  Amen

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