Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 16, 2023: SOAP #4912: 1Kings 1: 1Chronicles 28; Psalm 91; 1Thessalonians 5

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 91:2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” …
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—even the LORD, who is my refuge—10 then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.

OBSERVATION:  The LORD does not recommend a good place to find shelter—He is my refuge!  The LORD does not tell me how to build a safe place—He is my safe place! 

Of course, a shelter is no good unless I am in it.  If I am out from my shelter, then I am in danger of the storm. To stay safe is to stay in the fortress. 

APPLICATION:  So, what am I to do?  I am to make the Most High my dwelling.  I am to make Him my permanent residence! 

It is not for me to convince Him to go with me and protect me; it is for me to go with Him and live under His protection.  As we mature in Jesus, our daily time is more than keeping Him informed of how we will be needing His help.  It will become more of our checking in to see how He would have us fit into His plans for the day. 

There are so many things we can be doing for the Lord but in making Him our dwelling place, we find that ONE thing that HE desires for us.  It is there we enjoy His presence, His provision, and His protection. 

PRAYER:   Lord, more than asking you to keep me safe and well supplied, I commit myself to dwell in your presence, your place of provision and protection.  May I learn to rest in you.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 15, 2023: SOAP #4911: 1Chronicles 25-27; 1Thessalonians 4

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 4:7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
1Thessalonians (Message) 4:7 God hasn’t invited us into a disorderly, unkempt life but into something holy and beautiful—as beautiful on the inside as the outside.

OBSERVATION:  Paul is telling people how to live in order to please God.  In verses 3-5, he tells us how we should treat our physical bodies.  Verse 6 expands the instructions to how we treat others. 

Verse 7 above summarizes those thoughts.  How we keep the inside of our life has a great effect on God—He has taken up residence in us!  As heaven is a holy place, God is working to make our lives holy.  God does not want us putting on an outward show for people to see on the outside yet being unconcerned about what HE sees on the inside!   

God desires that the outside of our lives reflect the inside.  As attitudes inside are cleaned up on the inside, the outside will take on a new appearance for the world to see. 

APPLICATION:  It is my desire to make God feel at home in my life.  It is my pleasure to have Him in me.  It should be His pleasure also. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, what a privilege it is to have you living in me.  May you enjoy living in me.  And may my life be a demonstration to others of your loving presence.  Amen 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 14, 2023: SOAP #4910: 1Chronicles 22-24; 1Thessalonians 3

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 3:5 For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless. 6 But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.

OBSERVATION:  The people in the church in Thessalonica were special to Paul.  He was aware that they were enduring persecution and was concerned that their faith was stronger than the persecution.  So, he sent Timothy on a personal journey.  Timothy had just returned with the good news that the people had remained faithful and that they remembered Paul.   Such news made Paul’s heart rejoice and he wrote this letter. 

APPLICATION:  Today Paul would have taken out his cell phone and given them a call.  Or he would have opened his computer and sent an email.  It is so much easier to keep in touch with those we love today. 

For those of us who have access to cell phones or email, we need to be faithful to follow through with concerns that the Holy Spirit brings to our heart for a brother or sister.  In a phone conversation, we not only have the privilege of praying FOR our friends; we can pray WITH them. 

For those who do not have access to a phone or to the internet, we still have access to the fastest and greatest communication system known to man.  In prayer we can bow before the throne of almighty God and make our concerns known.  There are times when the answers to our prayers are on their way even before we can put them into words!!   God knows our heart and why we are praying. 

PRAYER:   As Vestal Goodman often sang:  Oh Yes, the answers on the way, this I know. Jesus said it, I believe it, and it’s so. Our Heavenly Father knows our need before we pray.  And we can rest assured the answer’s on the way!   

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 14, 2023: SOAP #4909: 2Samuel 24; 1Chronicles 21; Psalm 30; 1Thessalonians 2

SCRIPTURE:  2Samuel (NIV) 24:16 When the angel stretched out his hand to destroy Jerusalem, the LORD was grieved because of the calamity and said to the angel who was afflicting the people, “Enough! Withdraw your hand.” The angel of the LORD was then at the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite. … 18 On that day Gad went to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” 19 So David went up, as the LORD had commanded through Gad…. 25 David built an altar to the LORD there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the LORD answered prayer on behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.

OBSERVATION:  David had sinned.  He has specifically done what God had commanded not to be done.  He had numbered the fighting men.   Now God was bringing punishment on the whole nation.   God loved Israel.  He paused the punishment so that David could make a proper sacrifice.  After the sacrifice, “the plague on Israel was stopped.” 

APPLICATION:  Sometime back I asked the Lord what He was going to do about the 70+ million babies carrying the image of God that had been killed.  He clearly told me that he would be bringing in one illegal alien into our nation for every child that was missing.  God is true to His word!  Anyone who can see the evening USA news can see that God is at work.  Presently, tens of thousands every day are crossing our southern border. 

The United States needs a National Day of Repentance and recommitment to the Lord God who was clearly mentioned in most of our founding documents!   We have turned from God and are reaping the results. 

PRAYER:   Lord, as Nehemiah prayed (Nehemiah 1:5-11), I pray for the United States of America.  We have acted very wickedly toward you.  We have destroyed that which carries your image.  We have made the innocent pay for the sins of the guilty.  Forgive our sins and turn this present-day invasion into a present-day revival for your glory.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 12, 2023: SOAP #4908: 2Samuel 21-23; 1Thessalonians 1

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 1:6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
verse 1:2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers 3. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION:  How the good news of Jesus spreads!  -From Jesus to the disciples and Stephen.  -From Stephen to Paul.  -From Paul to those in Thessalonica.  -From those in Thessalonica to those in Macedonia and Achaia.

Paul’s heart was entwined with those in the Thessalonica church.  His heart rejoiced at their commitment.  And their hearts surely rejoiced that they were included in Paul’s prayers.  Paul had special memories of things about this church for which he gave thanks to God. 

APPLICATION:  Here is a good example of praying for other believers.  We can pray for what comes out of their faith, their love, and their hope.  We can pray for their accomplishments, their work, and their endurance. 

And we can rejoice when others see things in us for which they can pray! 

PRAYER:  Lord, what a special assignment we have—to pray for others.  And what a special privilege to be remembered before your throne in the prayers of others.  Bless those who support the SOAP ministries.  Bless those who work to translate, print, distribute, the SOAPs.  Bless Pastor Andrew and Bishop Emmanuel who are presently on a tour to install two laptops and two printers in six West African countries.  (Bissau, Ghana, Guinea, Togo, Nigeria, Senegal)  Thank you for the provision enabling this increase in the SOAP ministry.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 11, 2023: SOAP #4907: 2Samuel 19, 20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

OBSERVATION:  Here Jesus was giving His disciples the Great Commission.  It was their responsibility to carry on the ministry He had started.  They had been with Him from the beginning of His ministry.  He had even sent them out two by two in preparation for His ministry time coming to their area.  Jesus had taken them aside to teach and answer their questions. 

But Jesus was not depending on them to remember everything.  He was depending on His presence, His Holy Spirit! 

NOTE:  Jesus was not commanding them to be with Him; He was promising to be with them!!!  

Of course, they would be able to fulfill His command!  He was going to be with them!  Of course, they would not forget His words; He was going to be with them! 

APPLICATION:  Jesus is not depending on the strength of my hand to keep me close to Him.  Jesus is depending on the strength of HIS hand to keep me close!  

PRAYER:   Lord, I am depending on your promise to be with me “always, to the very end of the age.”  I too, am depending on your strength to keep me close.  I am depending on your presence to guide me in the way I should go.  Lord, I am depending on YOU!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 10, 2023: SOAP #4906: 2Samuel 18; Psalm 56; Matthew 27

(reworked)

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 27:42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him.

OBSERVATION:  If Jesus would have come down from the cross, they would have believed in him — or so they said.  But their believing in him would have gained them nothing.  There would have been no forgiveness of sin if Jesus had come down from the cross.  Our sins are forgiven because he stayed on the cross.  The wage of sin is death, not suffering.  Jesus had to do more than suffer; he had to die.  He stayed on the cross until he died, and now we can believe on him!

He had to die, He had to be buried, He had to rise again on the third day like He promised!  (Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19)

APPLICATION:  I am so thankful that Jesus did not take a short cut in dealing with my sins.  He took my sins as if they were his own.  He suffered, shed his
blood, and died.  My sins are more than covered by the payment Jesus made.

He rose from the dead on the third day and now He lives the resurrected life in me!   It is a life that has already defeated death!  When the time comes for me to die, there is no one I would rather have with me than Someone who has already “been there and done that!”  He will allow me to draw on His fearless approach to death. 

PRAYER:   Lord, with my sins forgiven and my faith resting wholly in you, I will pass
through death as you did. I will join you in the courtroom of heaven.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 09, 2023: SOAP #4905: 2Samuel 17; Psalm 71; Matthew 26

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 71:9 Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone….
14 But as for me, I shall always have hope; I will praise you more and more. 15 My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. 16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.
17 Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. 18 Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.

OBSERVATION:  One of the greatest concerns of senior citizens should be the next generation.  That they know the Lord should weigh heavily on our hearts.

In this passage, I hear David saying,” Do not take my life from the earth until I have passed on my testimony to the next generation.” 

APPLICATION:  Each generation must take the responsibility to pass along truth to the next generation.  We must pass on the truth that is recorded in God’s word.  AND we must pass on the truth of how God was working in our lives.  We must not let them think that the working of God ended when the last pages of the Bible were written.  We must not let them think that the working of God stopped with the last generation or the one before that. 

We must tell them what God has been doing in our generation and lead them to expect that God will also be working in their generation!!!   

PRAYER:   Lord, help me plant in the lives of the next generation, a sure expectation to hear you speak and to see your works.  Personally reveal yourself to them, I pray.   Amen 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 08, 2023: SOAP #4904: 2Samuel 15, 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 25:14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17 So also, the one with the two talents gained two more.  …   19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.  20 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with the two talents also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.’  23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

OBSERVATION:  The one returning with 4 talents received the same commendation as the one who returned with 10 talents.  One might think that returning with 10 talents would deserve a greater reward. 

The key, I believe is in verse 15:  the master gave “each according to his ability!  The master was not rewarding fruitfulness, but faithfulness! 

APPLICATION:  We often look at the outward, visible results of ministry.  We consider how great the ministry, or how large the congregation, or how big the building.   We must remember that God is looking beyond size or amount; He is also considering the faithfulness of the heart!   Fruitfulness is important to God.  Faithfulness will result in fruitfulness, but only God can correctly judge. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, keep my motives pure.  Help me have a servant’s heart that is free from pride and comparison with others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 07, 2023: SOAP #4903: 2Samuel 13, 14; Matthew 24

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 24:42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come….
44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

OBSERVATION:  There are some things that we cannot know.  We know that Jesus will return, but we do not know when.  We do not know if we will be present when Jesus returns for His church or if we will leave earth individually.  That knowledge is not available to us. 

Praise the Lord, we can know that we are ready!  We can know that our sins are forgiven. 

APPLICATION:  Today I attended a funeral of a man younger than myself.  Monday I will attend a graveside service for a lady older than myself.  I remember as a young pastor doing my first funeral for a person younger than myself.  Such opportunities serve to keep me aware that I must “keep watch” and “be ready.” 

Thoughts of the return of Jesus should not be buried and forgotten.   Keeping those thoughts active in my mind will help me to “be ready.”  Such thoughts will help me make wise decisions as to how I spend my time, my energy, and my money. 

PRAYER:   Lord, thank you for your sacrifice on the cross to insure I am ready to join you in heaven when my time comes to leave this world.  Thank you for your Holy Spirit who helps me keep watch and aware of the times in which I am living. 

Pastor Leon
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