Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 15, 2023: SOAP #4972: Isaiah 22-24; Hebrews 12

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 12:9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

OBSERVATION:  What a thought: “That we may share in his holiness.”  Of course, God’s discipline is for our good!  It is designed to make us more like Him!

His holiness is imputed to us through the sacrifice of Jesus.  Verse 14 says without it “no man will see the Lord.”  It is His holiness.  Jesus died for our sins and imputes His holiness to us, then the Spirit teaches us to live out that holiness in our daily lives.  The Holy Spirit helps us move holiness from the inside to the outside where it can be seen by others. 

We share in it because (first) Jesus is imputed to us, and (second) the Holy Spirit enables us to live it.  As we grow in Christ, the carnal ways that once dominated our flesh are being replaced by spiritual ways in line with the nature and character of Jesus! 

APPLICATION:  Accepting Jesus into my life makes a big change.  I begin to see things differently—from His point of view.  As I am faithful to read and listen to His word, He reveals things to me that need changing.  The Holy Spirit is my resident tutor.  He reveals God’s word to me.  He teaches me, He corrects me.  He makes sure I learn the lesson when God disciplines me.  He becomes to me like Jesus was to the disciples—only better.  He is with me 24 hours every day! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me enough to discipline me.  Help me be mature enough to know that it is for my good.  I want to respond in a way that brings the greatest good into my life and the greatest glory to the Father!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 14, 2023: SOAP #4971: Isaiah 19-21; Hebrews 11

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him….
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

OBSERVATION:  From the world’s perspective, many of the heroes mentioned in this chapter of faith, were failures.  Some of them died.  Some of then did not accomplish very much.  People of the world might have considered them failures.  But they succeeded in the greatest and most worthy task afforded mankind:  they pleased God!!! 

And even more, in verse 16 we read:  “God is not ashamed to be called their God…”  God liked to be known as their God.  It brought Him joy when they were recognized as His people.  Their actions did not bring God any grief. 

APPLICATION:  Here is a worthy goal for me.  I do not want to make God ashamed of me because of my responses to things around me, or my attitudes, or my comments.  May He not be ashamed to be known as Leon’s God. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, there are times I really need your righteous input into my heart and mind.  Help me respond with a sweet spirit when I think I am being mistreated.  May the kindness and gentleness of Jesus, along with His strength, be seen in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 13, 2023: SOAP #4970: Isaiah 15-18; Hebrews 10

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 10:35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37 For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay.

OBSERVATION:  My faith in God reaches two ways.  It reaches to the past, where just as God promised, He sent His son to die for my sins.  God’s promises were true, and He kept His word.  My faith reaches back into the past and brings the truth of what Jesus did into my present.  I am NOW a child of God.  My sins ARE forgiven! 

My faith also reaches to the future.  God has promised a heavenly home.  He has promised me a place in His heavenly kingdom.  God’s promises are true.  God is a promise keeper.  My faith reaches forward into the future and brings the truth of what God has promised into my present!   I NOW live as though this world is not my home and I am just passing through! 

APPLICATION:  In Christ I live in great appreciation for the past joined with great anticipation for the future.  The things of this world loose their attraction when viewed with the perspective of what Jesus did and what God has for me in eternity. 

Sharon and I lived for 10+ years in Hawaii.  When we speak of that time, people often say, “I sure would like to go to Hawaii.”  I always tell them, “If you are going to heaven, you will not feel like you have missed a thing!” 

I am going to heaven; how about you?  If you would like to, pray with me… 

PRAYER:  Lord, looking back over my life, I confess that I have many sins for which I am sorry.  But looking further back, I see that you died for my sins.  I ask, and receive, the forgiveness you provided by bleeding and dying on that cross.  Thank you for forgiving me.  I make you the Lord of my life.  And now I look forward to living eternally with you and those who have set their hearts to live for you here on earth.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 12, 2023: SOAP #4969: Isaiah 11-14; Hebrews 9

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 9:24 For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. 25 Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

OBSERVATION:  My heart is broken as I consider the terrible suffering Jesus endured for me on the cross.  Also the suffering of the Roman whipping.  But for Jesus that was only a small part of His suffering.  From the cross He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”  He who had never known sin, who had never sinned, was bearing the sins of the world.  The punishment would not be complete without breaking His fellowship with the Father!  The eternal, loving relationship of the God the Father and God the Son was broken.  Was this the reason He cried in the garden, “Father if it is possible let this pass.”  But, no—the full consequence of sin had to be experienced for Jesus to be the perfect sacrifice. 

APPLICATION:  Yes, my heart is broken, BUT MY HEAERT ALSO REJOICES!   It is over!!!  He only needed to suffer ONCE!!! 

I am amazed that One so great went to such extreme lengths to save me.  He must really love me!   He must have some plan for me that is greater than any of my dreams. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I have been cleansed by your blood.  I have been filled with your Holy Spirit.  Use me for your glory, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 11, 2023: SOAP #4968: Isaiah 8-10; Hebrews 8

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 8:8 But God found fault with the people and said: “The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah….
10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people….
13 By calling this covenant “new”, he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete, and ageing, will soon disappear.

OBSERVATION:  The old covenant had been completed.  On the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished!” …and IT WAS FINISHED!!!   No more sacrifice of animals; the perfectly holy sacrifice for sin had been completed!  Now God could move forward in His plan—the plan He had for man when He created him in the garden!   Now God could do a NEW thing!  More than living among them; He would live IN them!   This was a BIG change!  This was NEW! 

APPLICATION:  The more I understand about God’s plan, the more I am amazed at God’s willingness to share His life, His fellowship, His purpose, His work, His joy, His sense of accomplishment—all this He shares with me!  

He lives in me!  I have the life of God in me!  

PRAYER:  Lord, I want to live my life showing my appreciation for what I have on the inside.  It is my great honor to have you alive in me.  May my attitudes, my words, and my actions communicate the great esteem I have for you.  Speak through me, Lord.  Touch through me.  Be glorified in me, I pray,  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 10, 2023: SOAP #4967: Micah 5-7; Hebrews 7

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 7:11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come—one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?
12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law.
13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no-one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus came to fulfill the Old Testament law.  Once fulfilled, new changes were brought into the worship of Creator God. 

Especially for the Jews, this was a BIG change.  The priesthood had changed. From the tribe of Levi to the tribe of Judah.  The sacrifices had changed, from many animals to one human.  The calendar had changed from daily, monthly, annual to once-for-all.  The location had changed, from the tabernacle to the world.  The worshippers had changed, from only Israelites to gentiles now included.  The worshippers had changed, from those bringing animal sacrifices to those who worship in Spirit and truth.

APPLICATION:  …and the changes continue in my life!  From knowing about God, to knowing God.  From a special place of worship once a week, to an ongoing, seven-days-a-week walk with God living inside me!  From relying on my own efforts to be good enough to please God to relying on what Jesus did to please God for me!  From living to please myself to living to please God.  From evaluating things according to how they affect me to evaluating them according to what does God think about them.  YES, the changes continue…

PRAYER:  Lord, after all you have done for me, it is only right that I should want my life to bring you joy.  Holy Spirit, continue to work your changes into my life.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 09, 2023: SOAP #4966: Micah 1-4; Hebrews 6

SCRIPTURE:  Micah (NIV) 4:11But now many nations are gathered against you. They say, “Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!” 12 But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan, he who gathers them like sheaves to the threshing-floor.
Hebrews (NIV) 6:16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument.17 Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.

OBSERVATION:  In creation, God’s character traits can be seen everywhere—except His love.  God prepared the world to be inhabited by man, his unique creation created to make choices.  He was designed to be susceptible to temptation.  Satan would be allowed to tempt man to sin and when that happened the Jesus, God the Son, would come and demonstrate God’s ability to love.  He would be the sinless sacrifice that holiness demanded to cover the sins of man!  Jesus would come as one person to one family in one nation—that nation, Israel. 

In Micah’s prophecy, the nations gathered against Israel do not know God’s promises, plans, and purposes for Israel.  But Hebrews assures us that God’s promises are a solid foundation for our faith!   First: they are His word, which has the foundation of His character.  Second:  He gave them with an oath sworn on Himself (since there was no higher power to call as a witness.) 

APPLICATION:  My sins are forgiven based on the promises in God’s Word!  I have the promise of His presence now and the promise of eternity in heaven with the Lord!  I am blessed!  I miss so much when I do not live by His promises!

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for your promises!   They are a solid foundation!  Help me know them and build my life on them.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 08, 2023: SOAP #4965: Hosea 13-14; Psalm 100, 102; Hebrews 5

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 5:12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

OBSERVATION:  Our spiritual life grows through stages as does our physical life.  The truth of God’s word is our spiritual food.  We need it as much as we need meat, vegetables, fruit, etc.  When we were first born, we were given food appropriate for an infant.  And then began the daily process of weaning us off the milk, off the baby food, to food that needed to be properly chewed and digested. Verse 14 indicates a part of spiritual maturity is being able to distinguish “good from evil.”  That maturity comes from “constant use” as we are faithful in applying God’s Word to every situation in our daily lives.

APPLICATION:  As the food I just ate is being processed over the next few hours, so God’s word that I am now pondering will need to be processed into my decisions and actions as I go throughout this day.  Growth takes time.  It is a continual, on-going process. 

I may not get it right the first time, or much better the second time, but if I do not quit, I will improve.  Maturity does not come through church-time use, or devotion-time use, but through “constant use.”

PRAYER:  Lord, may I be as desirous of growing as you are of seeing me grow.  May I not be content with where I am, but always have a desire to live more like you.  May I be constantly aware of the need to “use” your Word in every situation I face today.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 07, 2023: SOAP #4964: Hosea 10-12; Psalm 73; Hebrews 4

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 4:13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

OBSERVATION:  Here are two all-inclusive words.    From this truth, NO ONE is excluded; EVERYONE is included.  Not a person on earth can say that this truth does not apply to them. 

The omnipotent, omnipresent God sees everything!   Nothing is outside His view. 

But that is only the first part of this verse.  The last part tells us that we will all answer to this All-seeing God.  We will be required to give an account!   No one will escape. 

APPLICATION:  This is a truth about God that can either terrify us or bring us great comfort us. 

For those who have ignored Jesus who was sent to die for their sins and have refused to make Him the Lord of their lives…this verse should terrify them.  For those depending on their own good works to answer for them when they give account for their lives…what if their works do not measure up to God’s requirements?  That is a scary thought!   Jesus showed us God’s requirements:  NO sin.  Not even one!  

But for me this verse brings great comfort!   God knows my heart!  He sees that Jesus is alive on the inside.  When my actions do not work out, He sees my heart!  He fully understands my intentions.  While here on earth, the Holy Spirit guides me according to the Bible, helping me to live a life pleasing to God.  And when I “must give account” I will be judged according to the life of Jesus.  My life is hidden with Christ in God! (Colossians 3:2-4) 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for forgiving me and accepting the blood of Jesus to cover my sins.  Holy Spirit, thank you for being my daily companion.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 06, 2023: SOAP #4963: Hosea 6-9; Hebrews 3

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 3:1 Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.

OBSERVATION:  This is more than a suggestion.  Jesus is not to cross our thoughts once a week, or even once a day.  Jesus is to be a permanent fixture in our thoughts. 

APPLICATION:  How I think is very important.  People who are soulish tend to let their emotions color their thinking.  People who are worldly let the cares of the world affect their thoughts.  People who are carnal tend to let their physical body affect their thinking.  People who are spiritual tend to mix God in their thoughts.  Every subject that crosses my mind should come under the inspection of my knowledge of God. 

People hear our words and see our actions, but God knows our thoughts.  He knows the motives that lead to our actions. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, put a guard in my mind.  May you enjoy living among the thoughts in my heart and mind.  Forgive me for lingering on thoughts that are contrary to your ways, on thoughts that make you uncomfortable.  May you be pleased with my thoughts!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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