Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 06, 2023: SOAP #4813: Leviticus 1-3: Acts 13

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 13:1 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

OBSERVATION:  Saul, later known as the Apostle Paul, had been the leader of the persecution of Christians.  When he became a believer, Barnabas was the one who accepted Saul, brought Saul to the disciples, and spoke in Saul’s defense. (Acts 9:26-27)  Barnabas is the one who when sent to Antioch by the Jerusalem church, went looking for Saul and brought Saul to Antioch. (Acts 11:20-26) The church in Antioch had sent these two on a previous mission.  (Acts 11:29-30)   Now, as directed by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas is taking Saul out on his first missionary journey.

Barnabas helped open doors of opportunity for Saul to become involved in ministry. 

APPLICATION: To whom will I be a Barnabas today?  On whose behalf will I speak?  Who will I defend?  For whom will I help open a door of opportunity?

PRAYER:   Lord, thank you for those who have served me (even today) to make me more useful.  Now use me to serve others.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 05, 2023: SOAP #4812: Exodus 39-40; Psalm 15; Acts 12

SCRIPTURE:  Exodus (NIV) 40:36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: 37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

OBSERVATION:  The big picture, the Israelites were on a journey from Egypt to the Canaan.  The little picture, they would make the journey day by day following the cloud by day and the fire by night.  When it moved, they moved.  When it did not move, they did not move. 

There was great incentive to stay close to the cloud; the miracle supply of manna, and the miraculous supply of water were with the cloud.                                                                                              

APPLICATION: The big picture: I am headed for heaven.  The little picture:  I must keep in contact with the Holy Spirit every day.  It is a day by day journey.

I need time in the word for fresh manna every day.  I need the refreshing water of worship and spending time with Jesus.  Through the faithful daily leading of the Holy Spirit, my life can be a blessing in this life, and rejoice when entering heaven. 

PRAYER:   Lord, I may have few or many days remaining in my journey, but having you be a part of every day builds anticipation for arrival in the place you have prepared for me. Holy Spirit, in big things and little things, make each day fruitful.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 04, 2023: SOAP #4811: Exodus 35-36; Acts 10

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 11:15 “As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?” 18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, “So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.”

OBSERVATION:  Through a vision God clearly led Peter to go to the house of a Gentile.  God specifically led Peter to break a Jewish tradition.  Of course, Peter would have to give an answer when he returned to the other apostles.  The above verses are his answer when he reported back. 

Peter had been in the meeting on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) He was aware of the moving of the Holy Spirit.  Peter was also at Cornelius house when the Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Spirit!  He recognized the move of God! 

May every church experience a move of the Holy Spirit that will embolden believers to step out in faith! 

APPLICATION: I was not born a Jew; I am a Gentile.  As a Gentile the above passage has great interest for me.  God has also granted me repentance unto life.  God has also given me the gift of the Holy Spirit just like He did them. 

Jesus is coming soon and there are many who still do not know Him.  I need the Holy Spirit to embolden me speak the truth about Jesus!  

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, let the anointing of the Holy Spirit rest upon our lives.  Use us for your glory.   Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 03, 2023: SOAP #4810: Exodus 35-36; Acts 10

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

OBSERVATION:  Very clearly, God had sent Peter to Cornelius house.  The Gentile family was all gathered to hear what Peter would say.  But it does not say that God had given Peter a specific message for this momentous occasion.  So, Peter starts out talking about Jesus!   Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit, performed miracles, was crucified, rose again on the third day, gave commandment for preaching and testifying…AND without any more to do…the Holy Spirit fell on these Gentiles in the same manner as He fell on the Jews on the day of Pentecost!!!  These Gentiles were verbally praising God in unknown languages the same as the Jews on the day of Pentecost!!! 

APPLICATION: Was this meeting planned?  Definitely, “yes!”  But not by Peter.  This was God’s divine plan to clearly show that His presence and giftings are not limited to one group of people. 

God is moving by His Spirit today…even this very moment.  God’s presence and giftings are not limited to one historical moment.  The Eternal Now is at work today as He was in Acts. 

Let us be careful to go where He shows us, speak when given opportunity, and let God do what only God can do!   Let us take the attitude that God IS NOT going with us, but we are going WITH HIM!  Today we are following HIS agenda. 

PRAYER:   Lord, your Holy Spirit is working in me now.  It is not my words that need to come through this SOAP, but your Words!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 02, 2023: SOAP #4809: Exodus 33-34; Psalm 16; Acts 9

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 9:10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, [GOD Speaking] “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 [Ananias speaking] “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 [God Speaking] But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.

OBSERVATION:  It was a good thing that God went to Ananias!   Ananias was able to provide God some information that would keep God from making a terrible mistake!  

But, it really was a good thing that God went to Ananias!  He was probably the only one who would actually do what God sent him to do! 

APPLICATION: When I recognize that God is wanting me to go somewhere or to someone, I can rest assured that God is already at work at the destination!  I can move ahead with confidence that what is needed for the assignment will be adequately provided.  I am not to move on my evaluation, but in obedience to God’s direction! 

He tells me to go; He goes with me; When I arrive, I find He is already there!

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, it all starts with hearing your voice.  The priority is to hear your voice.  When I am faithfully following your directions, I can trust your provision.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 01, 2023: SOAP #4808: Exodus 30-32; Acts 8

(Repeat from 2016)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 8:1 And Saul was there, giving approval to his death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

OBSERVATION:  If the apostles stayed in Jerusalem, then who were these that “preached the word wherever they went?” They were those who believed in Jesus and had been filled with the Holy Spirit. Obviously they did not need a church building in which to preach. They did not have a license to preach nor a pulpit to stand behind. They had the fire of the Holy Spirit burning in their hearts. They preached by opening their mouths and telling others what God had done for them. They told/preached to those living next door. They told/preached to those they met in the marketplace. “Wherever they went” they spoke about Jesus!

APPLICATION: I have the same Holy Spirit living in me. At the bus barn, at the grocery store, waiting at the gas station for my car to be filled with gasoline, at the restaurant, everywhere I go I can do the same!

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, embolden me and use me wherever I am to tell people about Jesus and what He has done for me. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 31, 2023: SOAP #4807: Exodus 28-29; Acts 7

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 7:27  “But the man who was ill-treating the other pushed Moses aside and said, ‘Who made you ruler and judge over us? 28 Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’ 29 When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons.
30 “After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai.

OBSERVATION:  Moses was providentially raised in the palace of Egypt.  But his heart was with his people, the Israelites.  He tried to take things in his own hands, killing an Egyptian who was mistreating an Israelite.  But his people were not ready to accept Him as their savior.  With his deed known, Moses fled to Midian where he lived for 40 years.  While the Israelites were crying to God for deliverance, Moses was building a family, tending sheep on the backside of the wilderness. 

APPLICATION: Joseph was in prison for two years after telling the dreams of the baker and the cup-bearer.  Two totally unnecessary years…but he was totally in the will of God!   
Moses lived 40 years in Midian, away from family and friends, unable to help those with whom he identified…but he too was totally in the will of God!

Some lessons I have learned through similar times:  1.  God is responsible for His Word.  I am not to make it happen; I cannot make it happen.  2.  I should maintain a daily relationship with the Lord.  Be a worshipper!  He will work on my attitudes.  The lessons I learned as I stayed faithful now prove to be fruitful.  3.  I should willingly and faithfully serve in lesser places.  4.  I have been greatly surprised at how God has used small things done as a servant.  5.  I can trust God to bring opportunities to me rather than seek them out myself.  His opportunities come with His timing.

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, I can trust you and your wisdom to have me in the right place at the right time.  I can trust you to give me the words that best express what you want to say through me.  I do not need to understand; your presence assures me that I am with you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 30, 2023: SOAP #4806: Exodus 25-27; Acts 6

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 6:1 In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.

OBSERVATION:  People were becoming believers in Jesus and joining the church.  The church was growing.   That’s great, but church growth brought problems.  The Greek-speaking Jews complained that their widows were being overlooked.  So the church chose seven me with Greek names and gave them the responsibility of caring for the widows.  And the church growth continued, rapidly. (Acts 6:7)   

Church growth continued, but now with trouble from outside the church.  Jews from other nations began harassing Stephen.  I am wondering if some of the new Christian believers had not come from this synagogue.  Hmmm. 

APPLICATION:  Success does not always mean that we will have no more trouble.  Satan is usually around to stir people against us.  However we know that the One who is with us is greater than the one who is against us!  (1John 4:4)

I can count on His presence! 

PRAYER:   Lord, how I appreciate your never-ending presence!  I am never alone.  You are never without an answer to what challenges me.  As I keep my eyes on you, and my ears open to you, I can move ahead with confidence.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 29, 2023: SOAP #4805: Exodus 23-24; Psalm 14; Acts 5

(reworked from 2021)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NVI) 5:41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

OBSERVATION:  It was not until 1440 that Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press.  So, the church in the book of Acts had no Bibles in their homes.  They could not have a daily Bible reading plan.  Yet the early church did not have a lack of spirituality due to a lack of Bibles.  They met daily.  The Holy Spirit was present in their gatherings.  They read the scriptures  publicly.  Anointed teachers taught them spiritual truth.

APPLICATION: There are places in the world today where no Bible is available in their language, or affordable in the marketplace.  Yet they too need daily spiritual input.  In such places, as in the book of Acts, daily church gatherings would be a priority for teaching, fellowship, worship, and prayer.  As in the book of Acts, church buildings are not necessary.  Such meetings can be in public places and from house to house.

If I am serious about my physical life (about which I have been reminded this week, is continuing to age), then I am serious about food.  I do not consider it an inconvenience to pause during the day just to eat.   So, if I am serious about my spiritual life (which will never die) I must be serious about spiritual food.  I need it daily!

PRAYER:   Lord, it is not my Sunday life, but my daily life that shows how much I love you.  May my daily life show how important you are to me. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Special NOTE:  I rejoice with the brothers in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Ghana who were able to raise USD17,500 to purchase 50 computers and printers!  Only (10% came from USA!)   Their sacrificial giving shows that they value the SOAP and are willing to made sacrifices to provide it for others.  God has promised His blessings to those who sow into His kingdom.  So. I expect to hear of future financial blessings in these countries.     

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 28, 2023: SOAP #4804: Exodus 21-22; Psalm 12; Acts 4

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! …
13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished, and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

OBSERVATION:  Yes, they had been with Jesus.  But Jesus was gone.  He had returned to His Father.  So, what made the difference?  As Jesus had instructed them, they had also been in the upper room on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came like Jesus had promised.  The Holy Spirit filled them with power and courage.  They had boldness to speak in witness of Jesus. 

APPLICATION: I need to develop a relationship with the Holy Spirit.  Jesus said the Holy Spirit would be another comforter like Jesus was.  As the disciples interacted with Jesus, so I should interact with the Holy Spirit.  The BIG difference is that the Holy Spirit dwells within me and is with me 24 hours every day.  The disciples did not have it this good with Jesus!  They were not able to ask questions anytime, and any place. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, fill me afresh and anew till a witness for Jesus flows from me.  Not one that has to be thought up, but one that flows out without even thinking.  One that comes from Your fountain within.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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