Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 09, 2022: SOAP #4693: Nehemiah 1-2; Psalm 133-134; Luke 22

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV)   [Here Jesus is speaking to his disciples in the garden where he went to pray just before being arrested and crucified] …   22:40  On reaching the place he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, …  [After a time of prayer, Jesus returned to where he had left the disciples.]  46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them.  “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

OBSERVATION:  Earlier in his ministry, when his disciples had asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he taught them “Our Father … lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…” (Luke 11:4)

In the verses above, Jesus knew what was just ahead for him, yet he did not ask the disciples to pray for him, but for themselves.  He knew their weaknesses.  He knew they would be tempted.  So here is a place where they needed to pray as he had taught them.

APPLICATION: I do not know what temptations lay ahead so I need to pray as Jesus instructed.   I need to pray for myself.  As long as I am in this world, I will be subject to temptations.  I should pray this prayer every day.

PRAYER:   Lord, do not lead me into places of temptation, and when I do find myself in such places, remind me that you are with me.  Deliver me from evil.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 08, 2022: SOAP #4692: Ezra 9-10; Psalm 131; Luke 21

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 21:1 As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said,

OBSERVATION:  The disciples were interested in the beautiful temple and the gifts that people had brought.  Jesus was interested in the people.  He saw the wealthy giving.  And He saw the poor giving.  He not only saw their gifts; He saw what was left.  He saw their hearts. 

APPLICATION: Obviously, He is watching my giving too.  My giving is important to Him.  The offering I gave today was given for His benefit.  He directed me to the job; He opened the door; He gives me the strength each day.  The money I earn is His to be used as He directs.  He sees what is given; He sees what is left. 

PRAYER:   Lord, my life is yours.  I live for your glory.  You have given me to drive a school bus for my work.  My work is my ministry.  The earnings are yours.  They are given and used at your pleasure.  It is my pleasure to serve you as you have directed me.  Thank you for making me useful.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 07, 2022: SOAP #4691: Ezra 7-8; Luke 20

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 20:20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?” 25 “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” 26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

OBSERVATION:  It was not something difficult to understand.  It was rather simple.  What had Caesar’s image should be given to Caesar, what had God’s image should be given to God!  The coin had Caesar’s image, but the people had God’s image. 

APPLICATION: Every morning, when I look into a mirror, I need to remind myself that what I see was made in the likeness and image of God.  I need to dedicate myself to living each day in such a way that people who see the image of God can also experience the presence of God through my life.  

PRAYER:   Lord, you know me very well.  You know that I cannot live Your Life; I have trouble living my own life.  If people are going to experience Your Life in me, you will have to come and live your own life in me.  Forgive my sins; come into my life and live your life through me.  Thank you for taking charge of my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 06, 2022: SOAP #4690: Esther 9-10; Luke 19

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 19:30 “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no-one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’” 32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” 34 They replied, “The Lord needs it.”

OBSERVATION:  The owners of the colt had something the Lord needed — a colt. They must have been people who would recognize the disciples and know that the reference to “Lord” was to Jesus.  They must have been people that Jesus knew.  He knew how they would respond to His request.

APPLICATION: Do I have something that Jesus needs?  Does He have confidence that I will willing and quickly release it into His use?  What an honor to think that Jesus would give me the responsibility of caring for something that He will need.  He may have given it to me so that it will be readily available when it is needed.  He may be counting on my generosity.

PRAYER:   Lord, more than just calling you Lord, I want to live like you really are my Lord. As Lord, You have the right to tell me what to do with my time and my possessions. I want to respond willingly, quickly, and joyfully. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 05, 2022: SOAP #4689: Esther 3-8; Luke 18

SCRIPTURE:  Esther (NIV) 3:5 When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. 6 Yet having learned who Mordecai’s people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead, Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.

OBSERVATION:  Haman had a plan.  His hatred for Mordecai grew to include all of Mordecai’s people, the Jews.  He set a date; he approached the king; the secretaries wrote out a law; the dispatchers carried the letters throughout the kingdom. 

BUT that was not the only plan!!!  God had a plan!  Unknowingly, A young Jewish maiden had been chosen to be queen!  Her uncle told her she had been brought into the kingdom “for such a time as this!”  (4:14) 

It looked like Haman’s plan was on track to succeed.  It was well underway even before the Jews became aware of it.  Haman did not realize that another plan was under way long before he arrived on the scene.  It was an eternal plan designed by Creator God to send a Savior through the Jewish nation for the salvation of all men!!! 

APPLICATION: Satan’s plan against me can never succeed!  God’s plans for me started long before I was born and will continue long after my death.  My physical death will not end my life!   What God has started here will continue in eternity!  Satan may have plans to bother and distress me here on earth, but God will use those very struggles to build my faith and bring glory to HIM.  

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, help me keep my eyes on the BIG PICTURE!  What you have planned for me far surpasses anything in this life.  While I am here, use me for your glory.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 04, 2022: SOAP #4688: Esther 1-2; Psalm 150; Luke 17

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 17:13 …and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master have pity on us.”
Luke (NIV) 18:39 Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

OBSERVATION:  The ten lepers in chapter 17 and the blind man in chapter 18 were both desperate.  Outside of Jesus, they had no hope – and here He was within hearing distance. 

Note:  Jesus has good hearing – especially for those who are desperate!

APPLICATION:   We need not fear to express our passions and desperate needs!  When we come to know that only He is the answer – we cannot let Him get away without hearing our need!  He may work a miracle of provision, or He may give a word of instruction.  When His answer includes another person, we can be assured that He is already working in their heart. 

Too often we give up on waiting for God and try to find someone who might be more willing to help.  We do not realize that we are giving up on what God can do and taking what we can convince man to do.  

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, full and complete answers can be found nowhere but you!  How desperately we need you!  How often we waste our time looking elsewhere!  Amen.

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 03, 2022: SOAP #4687: Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 138:6 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.

OBSERVATION:  The Lord is highly exalted above all creation, yet his eyes are drawn to the humble.  He knows the value of humility.  He is not looking for those who can put on a good show; he looks for those willing to work behind the scenes.  He is looking for those who serve faithfully even when no one is looking.  He who never sleeps and whose eyes are never closed sees what no one else sees.  He sees what people do when they think no one else is watching. He knows what the proud are doing, but he likes to give his attention to the humble.

APPLICATION: It is important for little children to know that their mom or dad is watching.  Like a little child, it is important for me to know my Heavenly Father is watching. 

If I want to have God’s attention and enjoy His presence “up close” I must learn to walk in humility.  I must be willing to serve those who cannot repay me.  I must serve with equal passion when people are watching and when no one is watching. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I pray that you enjoy watching me. Today, give me opportunities to serve people in ways that no one will know but you.  And today show me someone who is serving where no one notices.  Give me words of appreciation and encouragement.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 02, 2022: SOAP #4686: Zechariah 13-14; Psalm 147; Luke 15

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 15:20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he [the younger brother] was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him….
28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So, his father went out and pleaded with him.

OBSERVATION:  The Father had not waited for the younger brother to come into the house and present himself.  As soon as he heard the younger brother was coming, the Father left the comfort of home and ran to where he could meet him. The Father’s heart of love for His younger son did not allow him to remain at home.    

In verse 28 we find the Father leaving the music and the fine food of the party to go out to where the older brother was. The Father’s love for his older son did not allow him to remain at the party. 

Oh, how the Father loved them both!  His actions proved his love. 

APPLICATION:  The love in my heart is proved by my words AND my actions.  My love can be seen in the sacrifice I am willing to make.  Love calls me to leave my comfortable places.  Love calls me to be vulnerable.  Love calls me to reach out and go out to contact those God is loving through me. 

PRAYER:   Lord, make me an instrument of your grace and peace.  Use me to restore those who have let their relationship with you grow cold.  Teach me to follow the flow of your love.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 01, 2022: SOAP #4685: Zechariah 10-12; Psalm 126; Luke 14

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 126:4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev. 5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

OBSERVATION:  Seeds are small and often appear insignificant, but they contain a promise for the future. They contain resurrection power as they must first die/be planted before the new life springs forth. 

God has provided seeds to eat and seeds to sow.  Our future will be affected by what we do with the “seeds to sow.”

Eating the “seeds to sow” brings an end to the blessing they contain.  Planting them will result in future reaping with songs of joy. 

APPLICATION: Today I need to keep my eyes open to opportunity of sowing seeds.  I need to be faithful in the little things, lending a helping hand, speaking a comforting word, giving money or something I possess.  It is not the size of the seed; it is the power of the life in the seed.  I must serve and give “in Jesus name.”

I must be generous sowing seeds of faith, confidence, and encouragement in the lives of my family, especially my spouse and children. 

PRAYER:   Lord, you have given me the SOAPs, like small “seeds to sow.”  Holy Spirit, plant them in the fertile ground of some reader’s life.   Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 30, 2022: SOAP #4684: Zechariah 7-9; Luke 13

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 13:6 Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig-tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any.

OBSERVATION:  The tree had been planted with purpose.  The owner had expectations.  He expected fruit from his tree.  He did not expect miracles from his tree.  He only expected what was natural for the tree.  He expected the nature of the tree to express itself in fruit. 

APPLICATION: I am God’s tree.  He has placed me here with purpose.  He has expectations from me.  He is not expecting miracles from me.  He does expect me to give way to the Holy Spirit that He has placed in me.  God expects the presence of the Holy Spirit in me to be expressed in a fruitful life. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, you have a plan for me.  You desire that the Holy Spirit express your character through me.  May the fruit of my life bring you joy and honor. May your expectations for me be fulfilled.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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