Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 15, 2023: SOAP #4942: 1Kings 16; 2Chronicles 15,16; Colossians 1

SCRIPTURE:  Colossians (NIV) 1:25 I have become its [the church’s] servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fulness—26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations but is now disclosed to the saints.

OBSERVATION:  Paul considered himself, first, a servant of God, and second, a servant of the church.  He was a servant with an assignment.   Paul’s assignment/commission was to help people know that God had something to say to them.  They needed to be aware of the word of God.

But more than just being aware, or observing, the Word of God, they needed to know how to apply it to their everyday lives.  They needed to see the difference the Word could make in their lives. 

APPLICATION:  The Word/Bible/scriptures have much to say about how I live my life.  The Word shows me how to apply truth to my life.  It shows me how the life of Jesus is to be seen in me.  …in me at home.  …in me at school.  …in me at work.  …in me wherever!  

In writing these SOAPs, the priority is the scripture.  Through what verse is God speaking the most clearly to Leon?  The second priority is the application.  What does this passage mean to Leon?  What change is the Holy Spirit working on now.  How is this truth to be lived out in my life? 

PRAYER:  Lord, like Paul, you have made me a servant to those who read the SOAPs.  Help me clearly understand and clearly explain how the scripture applies to my/our lives.  Help parents explain to their children.  Anoint them and give them fresh ways of showing and teaching their children to apply God’s word.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 14, 2023: SOAP #4941: 1Kings 15; 2Chronicles 13,14; Philippians 4

SCRIPTURE:  Philippians (NIV) 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

OBSERVATION:  Here are two verses that are often used as stand-alone passages:  the first about prayer, and the second about peace.  But there is a simple word at the beginning of verse 7 that connects it with verse 6.  It is the word “and.”  Verse 7 is continuing the thought of verse 6.  Verse 7 is the result of the praying in verse 6. 

Taking my requests to people does not result in peace.  What if they are not able to fulfill my request?  What if they are not willing to help?  What if their circumstances change and prevent them from helping me?    Having good intentions does not guarantee their help.   After talking to people, I cannot rest assured that all is well. 

APPLICATION:  So, if I want the peace of verse 7, I must pray like verse 6. 

In “presenting my requests to God” I know I have taken them to the highest authority possible!  I know I have taken them to the most powerful being!  I know I have taken them to the wisest being!  I know I have taken them to the only One who will never run short of resources!   I know I have taken them to One who loves me dearly!  He may use people to answer, but they will be responding to Him and not to my ability to motivate them to give to me. 

These verses do not limit my prayers to specific needs or for certain problems, or even certain people.  These verses give us basic truth about praying for “anything” and “everything!” 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, surely you want your children to have the joy of answered prayers.  Surely you enjoy answering the prayers of your children.  So, you want us to grow and pray according to the guidelines you have set for us.  Holy Spirit, help me pray prayers that the Father loves to answer!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 13, 2023: SOAP #4940: 1Kings 13,14; 2Chronicles 12; Philippians 3

SCRIPTURE:  Philippians (NIV) 3:18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

OBSERVATION:  When a citizen from another country moves into our neighborhood, we can notice their different customs.  They often talk a little differently.  They prepare different foods. They may have unique clothes.  We may overhear family conversations with words that we do not understand. 

As we grow in our Christian life, we begin to change.  Through reading God’s Word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers old thought patterns and habits begin to drop out of our lives.  New priorities and new ways of thinking fill their place.  We see ourselves as citizens of heaven!   Neighbors and those we frequently see begin to ask questions. 

APPLICATION:  These changes happen on the inside, but they are noticeable on the outside.  Our lives become a witness.  We should not need to make any effort to witness; we ARE A WITNESS!   God is making changes that cannot be hidden. 

I always enjoyed the Kaneohe Samoan AG church singing: “Jesus on the inside, working on the outside, Oh what a change in my life!”

PRAYER:  Lord, as long as you live in me, you will be working to make me a better citizen of heaven.  Please, never stop working.  May my life bring you joy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 12, 2023: SOAP #4939: 1Kings 12; 2Chronicles 10,11; Philippians 2

Too Good Not To Repeat (from 2018)

SCRIPTURE:  Philippians (NIV) 2:6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

OBSERVATION:  For Jesus, being born as a man was not enough. Even then He humbled Himself, becoming willing to submit to that which was required of Him, even death. And if that was not enough, and in the justice of God it was not, the death was on a cross, showing it was under the curse of sin.

We see five steps of emptying/humbling that the Son completed:
1.  …from being God to making Himself nothing;  2. …to taking on the nature of a servant;  3. …to becoming a man;  4. …to death;  5. …to death under the curse as a criminal.

What a contrast to the five “I wills” of satan in Isaiah 14:13 and 14:
1. “I will ascend to heaven;  2. I will raise my throne above the stars of God;  3. I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain;  4. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;  5. I will make myself like the Most High.”

It was satan’s goal to raise himself to the place from which Jesus was willing to descend.  How we should appreciate the great sacrifice of our Precious Savior.  It is no wonder that the Father has highly exalted Jesus! Note:  Philippians 2:9,10.

APPLICATION:  Satan’s goal was to gain for himself; Jesus goal was to gain for others — for me! Being like Jesus means that I must be willing to humble myself.  The life of Jesus in me is one honoring my Heavenly Father and serving others.

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, today, help me walk humbly before God and people. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 11, 2023: SOAP #4938: Song of Solomon 5-8; Philippians 1

SCRIPTURE:  Philippians (NIV) 1:23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

OBSERVATION:  Paul is considering the benefits of his death or his continued life.  Dying would mean being in heaven with Christ.  Living would mean remaining alive on earth.  Paul saw God’s purpose for his life was for others.  God had Paul on earth to help believers to grow/progress in the faith. 

And here the Lord showed me something more.  Paul was not only to help the believers to grow; he was also to help them to have “joy” in the faith—to be joyful!  Because of Paul’s visit, their “joy in Christ” would “overflow!” 

APPLICATION:  Here is a worthy goal for my life.  May my life and my presence encourage people to grow…and more than that, may they have joy…joy that overflows.  May people have abundant rejoicing in Christ Jesus because of me. 

Joy makes us attractive to the world.  We should let it show!!!  

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for making me a joyful person.  Your presence in me and your promises to me cause me to rejoice!  Use me to spread your joy to others.  Holy Spirit, help me lift the vision and spirit of those around me.  Lord, may you be glorified in their joy “on account of me.”  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 10, 2023: SOAP #4937: Song of Solomon 1-4; Ephesians 6

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

OBSERVATION:   In requesting prayer for himself, Paul gives direction in how he would like for them to pray for him.  He knows their love for him and realizes that their prayers may be influenced by that love.  Without direction, they may pray for God to work circumstances for him to be released from prison.  They may spend too much prayer time asking for his health, or that he gets enough to eat or drink.  So, he tells them what to pray.

Paul gives them two ways to pray for him.  He wants prayer that “words may be given” to him.  I believe he is wanting the anointing of the Holy Spirit to speak prophecy and words of wisdom through him. 

Second, he wants them to pray that he will not let fear affect what he might say.  His desire to bring clear revelation to that which had been hidden in mysteries.

APPLICATION:  Each believer has times when we need the Holy Spirit to give us boldness to speak truth.  Surely, we should pray for our pastors to have such boldness and speak the words given to them by the Holy Spirit. 

As God has given me to write these daily SOAPs, this is an appropriate prayer request from me.  Only God knows how many thousands read these SOAPs every day, but if it was only one, I need the Holy Spirit to give me the words and boldness to send them out. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, I need your anointing to write the messages that you give me each day.  Help me write them fearlessly and clearly.  Help me to make them easy to understand and easy to apply to our daily lives.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 09, 2023: SOAP #4936: Ecclesiastes 10-12; Psalm 94; Ephesians 5

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 5:8 … Live as children of light …10 and find out what pleases the Lord.

OBSERVATION:  You have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.  You have been transferred from under Satan’s control to under God’s control.  So, make it a priority to find out just what it is that pleases the Lord!   I like to say, “All we have to do is to make God smile!”  If that is our goal, we need not fear.  When we sense that we are accomplishing this goal, we have a great sense of fulfillment.

When we love someone, it is a natural desire to please them.  It pleases us to see them happy.  We enjoy seeing them smile.  Note the extremes to which parents will go to see their young child smile.  Our love for God should motivate us the same way. 

APPLICATION:  This passage tells me that it is my responsibility to “find out what pleases the Lord.  If the Lord commands me to do this, then I can count on the fact that this is possible.  And I can count on the presence of the Holy Spirit to help me. 

People with a strong desire to please God, should spend daily time reading the Bible, God’s Word.  The Holy Spirit will join us in God’s Word to show us how we can please God. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, help me live my life in ways that makes the Heavenly Father smile.  May He enjoy watching His Son Jesus living in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 08, 2023: SOAP #4935: Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

OBSERVATION:  Here we see the personhood of the Holy Spirit.  He is not an impersonal force. He can feel the pain of disappointment. 

There are two ways in which the Holy Spirit can be grieved.  First, He can be grieved when we do those things that he has forbidden.  Second, He can be grieved when we do not do those things he desires.

APPLICATION:  I believe I have more often grieved the Holy Spirit by not doing what he wanted me to do.  I found some excuse for not following those thoughts in my mind.   There was a strong impression that I should do something.  I did not recognize the thoughts or impression as being from Him.  I ignored them and pushed them aside. 

I have discovered a good question to ask myself: “If I do not do this, or say this, will I feel like I have missed God?”  If the answer is “yes,” then I set myself to do it.

In stepping out and doing or saying what I believe the Holy Spirit desires there is always a risk.  The devil wants me to think that I will look foolish and that those thoughts were just of my own mind.  But faith in God lifts me above the enemies attempt to frustrate the plan of God for that moment. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, You know my heart.  I would rather make a mistake of trying to obey you than making the sure mistake of ignoring you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 07, 2023: SOAP #4934: Ecclesiastes 4-6; Psalm 18; Ephesians 3

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 3:6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus….
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

OBSERVATION:  I cannot read this passage without my mind filling with thoughts about the eternal plans and purposes of God.  They are mind expanding thoughts.  It is like looking through a telescope at a distant object on the horizon and trying to determine what I am seeing. 

Joining Jews and Gentiles in the church is a major part of God’s plan for it is through the church that God’s wisdom is displayed in all its varied brilliance!  God’s wisdom is on display for “rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms!”  What kingdoms, what authority structures, what governments are in the heavenlies over which these rulers and authorities reign? 

God’s power and might are clearly seen in creation; what is being demonstrated through the church?  It must be His LOVE!  It must be His capacity to Love fallen creation!  

APPLICATION:  When I consider that God’s manifold wisdom is being seen in His interaction with me, it makes me have a strong desire to make Him look good!  I want to be and do things that cause people to honor Him!   May the magnificent glory of God be seen in me.  May my life be a telescope through which people can get a glimpse of Jesus.  May the image of Jesus seem to be much closer as they view Him through the lens of my life. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, help me to be easily identified as a God-lover.  May people who see me, see Jesus.  May people who know me, want to know Jesus.  Amen 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 06, 2023: SOAP #4933: Ecclesiastes 1-3; Psalm 45: Ephesians 2

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

OBSERVATION:  When God is in the picture, things change!   We were all by nature children of wrath!  BUT GOD changed us and made us sit together with the Holy Son of God in heavenly places!!! 

God is RICH in mercy and has GREAT love!   He is not running short of mercy!  There is enough mercy for all who accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  He has great love!  His love causes Him to be merciful.  His mercy provides the avenue through which His love can reach people. 

APPLICATION:  Sin separates me from God.  If there was no mercy, I would still be accountable for my sins and separated from God.  I would have no access to the grace and love that God has for me.  His mercy did not change the nature of sin, nor the result of sin.  God is just.  The results of sin has always been and will always be death.  God’s mercy lifted sin’s penalty from me and placed it on Jesus.  I did not get what I deserved!   He is not about to run out of mercy. He is not hesitant to give me more mercy in fear that there might not be enough for others!

PRAYER:   Holy God, you are just and loving.  In your wisdom you found a way to reach me in love without your holiness being marred by my sin.  On the cross, at great cost to yourself and to your Son, Jesus, your mercy removed what I deserved.  Your grace continues to give me what I do not deserve!  No wonder I love you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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