Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 28, 2023: SOAP #4863: Judges 4-5; Psalm 39, 41; 1Corinthians 13

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

OBSERVATION:  Growth is a part of God’s plan.  He has programmed growth into every living thing.  Of course, growth means change.  In the verses above, we see two areas of growth.  The first is the growth between how we thought as a child and how we think now.  The second is change that will come from how we think now and how we will think in heaven!  

APPLICATION: I can consider the changes in my thinking from being a new believer to now.  Getting to better know the scriptures continues to change everything.  It has changed the way I see myself, the way I see God, and the way I see everything in life.  It has been a big change!   But a bigger change is coming!!! 

The day I see Jesus face to face!    What a change that will be!  Now it is like looking through a smudged, dirty mirror.  It is hard to see some of the specifics, some of the details.  But it seems the more I know the scriptures, the more the smudges are removed, the more the details become clear.  But when I see Jesus face to face!  There will be no glass between that needs to be cleaned!   It will be clear!   The details will be easily seen! 

PRAYER:   So I am singing: 
What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see. 
When I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace. 
When He takes me by the hand and leads me through the promised land.  What a day, glorious day, that will be!!!  (James Hill)  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 27, 2023: SOAP #4862: Judges 1-3; 1Corinthians 12

SCRIPTURE:  Judges (NIV) 2:18 Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD had compassion on them as they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their fathers, following other gods and serving and worshipping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. 20 Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel and said, “Because this nation has violated the covenant that I laid down for their forefathers and has not listened to me, 21 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. 22 I will use them to test Israel and see whether they will keep the way of the LORD and walk in it as their forefathers did.”

OBSERVATION:  Why was God angry with the people He had chosen for His own — people through whom He would send Jesus to be the Savior of the world? He was angry and let their enemies defeat them because He is a Promise Keeper. God had blessed them AS HE HAD PROMISED and given them the land in which they had now settled. Now God was punishing them AS HE HAD PROMISED because they refused to honor and obey Him. God was being true to who He is!

Why did God not give up on the Israelites and let them be destroyed by the other nations?  Because God is a PROMISE KEEPER!  He was faithful to the promises He had made to Adam, to Moses, and to Abraham! 

APPLICATION: What a chapter!  We may not like it, but it reveals important characteristic about our eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, omni-present God! 

God is so loving that He sent His own son to make the acceptable sacrifice for my sins!  God is so holy that He demanded the full payment for sin even though His own sinless Son was making the payment!   There was no special deal for Jesus! 

PRAYER:   Lord, I am ashamed of how carelessly at times I have lived for you. I am sure I have stirred your anger, but the cross proved sufficient to cover my sins.  May my life bring you joy.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 25, 2023: SOAP #4860: Joshua 23-24; Psalm 44; 1Corinthians 11

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 44:1 We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago. 2 With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our fathers; you crushed the peoples and made our fathers flourish. 3 It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them. 4 You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob.

OBSERVATION:  The Psalmist knew the history of his people.  He knew what the Lord had done for the Israelites.  He knew how God had led them to the Promised Land.  He knew how God had given them victory.  He knew why and how the wars were won.  If God had not been on their side, they would have surely lost. 

APPLICATION: It is so important that we pass on to the next generation the testimonies of what God has done.  When we tell our history, we must be sure that God gets ALL the glory.  We are not telling our stories to make us look good in the eyes of our children, but to make God look good. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, anoint me as I talk to my son and to the children I interact with.  As I review my history, guide my words.  May I make God look great.  May they want to serve the God that their dad, their grandparent, their bus driver serves. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 25, 2023: SOAP #4860: Joshua 21-22; Psalm 47; 1Corinthians 10

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 10:24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others … . 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks, or the church of God —  33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

OBSERVATION:  My attention was drawn to the word “seek.”  These verses address our thought life.  When I am seeking something, it has the focus of my attention.  I am actively thinking.  Paul carefully considered how his life could best serve “the good of the many.” 

What was Paul’s goal in serving others?  “…that they may be saved.”   He may have helped them in various ways, but his goal was their salvation! 

APPLICATION:  Verse 25 tells me how to apply my thoughts.  With the Holy Spirit’s help, my mind can be re-trained to think of others first—to seek how I can serve others.    

How does this work out in my everyday life?  When I have some extra time, do I consider what I would like to do, or how I can use the time to help someone else?   When I have some extra money, do I consider how I can use it to please myself, or use it to serve someone else?  

My goal in serving others is not to provide money, or food, or other physical needs, but their salvation.  Where will they spend eternity?  

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, keep reminding me of why I am here, and why I do what I do.  …so that many “may be saved.”   In reading your Word, you speak to me.  In writing the SOAPs you clarify what you are saying to me.  In sending out the SOAPs, you use them to bless and speak to others. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 24, 2023: SOAP #4859: Joshua 18-20; 1Corinthians 9

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 9:13 Don’t you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

OBSERVATION:  Of course Paul’s readers would know about the support of those working around and in the temple.  They were mostly Jews.  In the Old Testament, the Priests and Levites received their food from the sacrifices that were made at the tabernacle and later in the Temple.  Specific parts of the offerings were designated as belonging to those serving. (Leviticus 7:32-34) The tithes (10%) of their money was to be given in support of the Levites. (Numbers 18:24-28)

In the verses above, Paul shows that the same principle carries over to the New Testament church—“in the same way.”  Believers do not bring animal sacrifices as in the Old Testament, but as Old Testament Priests and Levites expected to be fed and supported by the sacrifices, so New Testament preachers/ministers can expect to receive their lively-hood from those to whom they minister.

Note: this is not a suggestion; “the Lord has commanded…” 

APPLICATION: Those who claim to be Christians should expect to give money in support of ministers and ministries today.  Tithing (10%) is a good place to start, but the New Testaments highly encourages giving even more.  Believers who do not tithe are missing out on working and living with God as their partner.

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, you have been faithful in providing for me, my family, and the ministry you have assigned.  60+ years of tithing have proved to be the wisest financial investment I could have ever made! Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 23, 2023: SOAP #4858: Joshua 15-17; 1Corinthians 8 (reworked)

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 8:9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling-block to the weak. 10 For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, won’t he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

OBSERVATION:  Knowledge had set them free.  They knew that an idol was really nothing but a painted and decorated stick.  Knowing this, they also knew that there was no special power if the meat they were about to eat had been dedicated to that god.  But not everyone had grown in their spiritual walk to have that issue settled in their heart and mind.  Weaker/younger believers had changed their allegiance from the idol-gods to the One True God.  But some still thought the idol-god had some power.  When weaker believers saw a brother eating some meat that had been offered to an idol, they would be offended.

APPLICATION: So, what is a person to do?  Remember that the freedom door swings both ways.  We are free to eat, AND we are free not to eat!  Selfishly I may swing freedom’s door to get and/or do what I want!   Lovingly I may swing freedom’s door the other way not to offend my brother.

If ever there was one who used His freedom to serve others at great cost to Himself, it was Jesus!  No one forced Him to leave heaven and take on the limitations of a human body.  He willingly accepted the limitations of being a baby. He took the cross willingly.  He did it for me!  He loved me more than He loved His freedoms and the privilege He enjoyed of being God in heaven! 

Missionaries often lay aside the freedoms of their home country to accept the limitations of living in a country to which God has sent them. 

PRAYER:  Lord when I am frustrated because someone is offended by my freedom, remind me of the limitations you accepted for me. May I  willingly and lovingly accept limitations not to offend someone for whom you died.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 22, 2023: SOAP #4856: Joshua 12-14; 1Corinthians 7

SCRIPTURE:  Joshua (NIV) 14:10 “Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old!  11 I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. 12 Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there, and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”  13 Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance.

OBSERVATION:  Caleb had previously been in the promised land as one of the 12 spies sent in by Moses.  Ten of the spies brought back a message that caused fear in the hearts of the Israelites.  Joshua and Caleb spoke of God’s promises.  Moses made a promise to Caleb that he would inherit the land where the spies had traveled.  Now, after 40 years of wondering in the wilderness until that generation died, God had brought them in and had given them victory.  The land was being divided; Caleb takes the promise to Joshua. 

At 85, one would think that Caleb’s fighting days were over.  But Caleb remembered what God had said through Moses.  And he knew he could count on the “Promise Maker” to be a “Promise Keeper!”

Caleb had seen God at work in the battles the Israelites had fought in approaching the Promised Land, and in taking possession.  God was clearly fighting for the Israelites!   Caleb knew that same God would be helping him!  

APPLICATION:  I am only 75, but what difference does age make!  Caleb’s helper is Leon’s helper!   He can lift me above my troubles.  He makes all things work together for my good!   He can even make my mistakes work together for my good and for God’s glory. 

PRAYER:   Lord, raise up an army of senior citizens who will accept an impossible challenge and believe that God, as their helper, will take them to victory!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 21, 2023: SOAP #4855: Joshua 9-11; 1Corinthians 6

(a repeat from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 6:9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

OBSERVATION:  God’s life-changing power—it is amazing!   For those who have been cleansed and set apart for God’s Presence and purpose, they are also justified, which amazingly means made “just-as-if-I’d” never sinned!   What we were has been removed and only exists as a memory of our past.   What we are is clean and useful to God as though we had never sinned!   It is truly amazing!

APPLICATION: How I live demonstrates my appreciation for what God has done for me.  To continue, or return to what Jesus died to forgive would be like spitting in His face.  It is my desire and His will that I live like Jesus.  It is His Presence that enables me to do so.  With His Presence, I am a new creation!

PRAYER:   Lord, I am amazed at your grace in accepting me, forgiving me, and cleansing me.  I am Yours!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 20, 2023: SOAP #4855: Joshua 7-8; Psalm 69; 1Corinthians 5

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 69:6 May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the LORD Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me, O God of Israel. …
13 But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation….
16 Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.

OBSERVATION:    At heart, David was a God-lover.  He had sinned and realized that his actions could affect others.  David did not want God’s people to be disgraced and put to shame because of his sin.  David did not want his actions to be a hindrance to anyone’s trust in God.

The Psalmist was not approaching God on the basis of how he deserved God’s love, but on the basis of God’s character.  He was counting on God’s goodness and love.  He was counting on God to show him favor and be merciful.

APPLICATION: It is humbling to realize how holy, just and righteous God is and how unworthy I am.  I have to depend on His mercy and His love for me.  He made a sacrifice so awesome that it more than covers my sins.  Not only do I need to depend on Him, He wants me to depend on Him.  I must depend on Him when I am in trouble, when I am tempted, when I am tired, when I am disappointed, when I am happy, when things are going my way and when they are not.  At all times I must depend on Him! 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, according to 1John 1:9, if I confess that I have sinned, you are faithful and just to forgive my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.  My trust is in you.  I trust you to take care of the sins I have committed and the sin nature that tries to control my thoughts and actions.  By dying to myself, I come alive to you and learn to let you live through me..  Thank you for forgiving me and making me a part of your family.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 19, 2023: SOAP #4854: Joshua 3-6; 1Corinthians 4

SCRIPTURE:  Joshua (NIV) 3:7 And the LORD said unto Joshua, “This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.”

OBSERVATION:  What a change! Moses had led them out of Egypt and for forty years in the wilderness.  He was gone.  There was a new leader!   A new leader, but the same God!   Joshua was not Moses, but God was still God!!! 

It is good to note that God’s word to Joshua was that God would take the responsibility of proving that He would be continuing with Joshua as He had been with Moses!   Reading on in the book of Joshua, shows us how God did just that! 

APPLICATION: A few children who started riding my bus 13 years ago graduated last year.  Teachers changed each year, but their bus driver remained the same.  School buildings changed in middle and high school, but their bus driver remained the same.  Longevity has benefits for the students…and for the bus driver. 

Longevity as a Christian is good for homes and churches.  BUT time always come for change.  It is in the times of change that we must have confidence in a God who never changes.  He continues, faithfully the same through the change. 

If I remain calm, trusting God in through the confusion of the change, God, Himself, will prove that He remains the same after the change as He was before! 

PRAYER:   Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) The changes I experience do not change you!  You will be the same when the change is through. My heart rejoices in your faithfulness. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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