Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 2, 2022: SOAP #4533:  2Samuel 7; 1Chronicles 17; Psalm 2; Matthew 20

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 20:13 “But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am not being unfair to you. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

OBSERVATION: When the landowner is generous with his money, he can be joyful in the giving.  From what I observe in the USA, when the government is generous with the landowner’s money, the landowner can become resentful.  He resents that they are wasting his money. 

And so often when the needy receive money from the government, they come to expect it as a right owed to them instead of a generous gift for which they should be grateful.  

Government involvement breeds resentment and expectation.  Christ teaches generosity and appreciation.  God’s generosity to me is to be the motivation for my generosity to others. 

APPLICATION: The Lord wants me to be generous with what I have.  I can be generous with the money God has given me. 

Even more important, I can be generous with the gospel.  God has blessed me with understanding of His character and His word.  He graciously reveals truth.  I trust God’s generosity to me flows through me in these SOAP devotions.  I have been blest to be a blessing.

PRAYER:  Lord, everything I have really belongs to you; it should be easy to be generous.  I want to appreciate your generosity to me by being generous to others.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 2, 2022: SOAP #4533:  1Chronicles 16; Psalm 106; Matthew 19

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 19:13 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

OBSERVATION: The disciples were watching out for Jesus and tried to stop people from interrupting him with unimportant matters.   Jesus was needed for more important issues.  The disciples needed an adjustment in their priorities and Jesus did not hesitate to make the correction.  Rather than hindering them, they should be encouraging them to “come” to Jesus. 

Instead of using adults to teach children, Jesus used children to teach adults!  (Matthew 18:2-6)   Children are important!!!  Jesus takes it personal when we welcome children; He takes it as though we welcome Him!

APPLICATION: The value of my time can never be compared to the value of His time!  If Jesus took time to recognize and bless children, so should I.   After all, He is my example. 

After stepping down from being the senior pastor, I asked the Lord what I could do.  I was still healthy and able to be useful.  What would He have me do?  I asked the question as I was at a stop sign.  In turning the corner, I saw a school bus with a sign “drivers needed.”  The Lord said, “You can drive a school bus.”  So, 12 years ago, I graduated from senior pastor to children’s minister.  What a privilege is mine. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help me to be like Jesus to the lives of the children you have placed in my life, my home, my neighborhood, and my bus.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 1, 2022: SOAP #4533:  1Chronicles 14, 15; Psalm 132; Matthew 18

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 18:15 “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

OBSERVATION: These guidelines have great benefit.  First:  They are relational.  There is high value on the relationship.  Second:  They allow for misjudgment and correction.  One may find out that things are not as they appear.  Third:  There is a strong emphasis on restoration and working to restore the fallen.  Fourth:  They allow for sin to be dealt with without hanging out the dirty laundry for all to see.  Fifth:  They show that the church is too important than to allow sin to continue.   Sixth:  They show the Father’s love flowing through people.  The guilty person is important to the one doing the confronting and there is a desire to help and not cause further hurt.

APPLICATION: I should not be surprised that our loving and holy God gave specific standards for dealing with sin.  Sin harms the individual, the church, and the Savior.  There is great wisdom in following the scriptures.

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for caring enough to provide for correction and restoration.  How you love us, and how you love your church!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 30, 2022: SOAP #4532:  2Samuel 6; 1Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 17:22 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. 23 They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief.

OBSERVATION: The disciples could not see the resurrection because they were looking through his betrayal and death.  It was difficult to look through the suffering and see the resurrection.  They saw what was the closest to them.  They loved Jesus and were filled with grief that he would have to suffer.

Jesus was not ignoring the betrayal and suffering ahead, but His focus was on the third day.  Sure, there was going to be suffering, but there was also going to be rejoicing.  Sure, there was going to be a struggle, but there was also going to be victory! 

APPLICATION: Learning from the disciples:  How many times have I been discouraged because of the hardship I am experiencing.  I should be rejoicing in His promise.  Faith in God’s promise should be expressed in my attitude, words, actions while I am going through the difficulty.  It does not take faith to rejoice when the battle is over.

Learning from Jesus:  when I am talking about the difficulties ahead, or difficulties I am now experiencing, I need to be sure and talk about the promises of God.  I cannot forget the “third day” part of the discussion.  When I speak of my death, I need to speak of the joy of heaven.  I need to speak to my family of the reunion we will have in heaven. And in my current struggles, I need to look through the trouble and see the victory ahead. 

PRAYER: Jesus, as you passed through death and returned to our Father, so I will pass through death and join you in heaven.  May my conversation about death always include the continuation of my life in your presence.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 29, 2022: SOAP #4530:  2Samuel 4,5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16

“…in His Father’s glory…”

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 16:26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. 28 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

OBSERVATION: “…in his Father’s glory…”  It is a phrase that has again caught my attention.  In reading my previous SOAPs, it is mentioned but not explained.  So, my thoughts again wrap themselves around this phrase as I ask the Lord to reveal it to me. 

Is it the glory that Jesus had with the Father before the world began? (John 17:5 )  The glory that he willingly laid aside to fulfill the will of His Father? (Philippians 2:6-9)   Is it the Father’s glory that has been now restored to Jesus? 

Or, is it the glory of a proud Father who appreciates the great sacrifice made by the Son in doing His Father’s will?  Is it the glory of a Father who appreciates the victory won by His Son?  Is it the glory of a Father who now has a whole family of sons like His only begotten Son?  Jesus now stands in the center of that glory! 

Maybe it is both!  ? 

APPLICATION: What a grand presentation that will be when Jesus appears “in His Father’s glory with His angels!” 

My dear SOAP readers, there are so many of us; most that we have never met.  Let us plan on meeting there.  Together we can bow in worship at the feet of Jesus.

PRAYER:  Lord, on the basis of your great sacrifice, cleanse my heart from all sins.   (1John 1:9)   Holy Spirit, prepare me for that meeting with my brothers and sisters at the feet of Jesus.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 28, 2022: SOAP #4529:  2Samuel 3; 1Chronicles 12; Matthew 15

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 15:32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.” 33 His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” 34 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” 35 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. 37 They all ate and were satisfied. Afterwards the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 38 The number of those who ate was four thousand, besides women and children.

OBSERVATION: What a wonderful story of Jesus feeding 4,000 plus women and children!  In reading it this time, the Lord seemed to draw my attention to the fact that this miracle started with a lack—a need.  It was a need that was impossible for man to meet but not impossible for God.  Jesus used their lack to demonstrate His provision. 

APPLICATION: There are so many lessons we can learn from this.   God is a miraculous provider!   Nothing is impossible with God.  The people sat down in preparation for a meal before the bread was multiplied.  Their need was an opportunity for Jesus to perform a miracle. 

Remember, the greater the need, the greater the miracle! 

Sometimes when we have a need, we go to people to ask for money.  We need to go to God.  (Philippians 4:6)   He will often use those people to help, but they will be responding to the Spirit’s leading rather than our convincing them to give.  Then God gets the glory because I trusted Him AND because they heard His voice and responded by giving. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, remind me that my lack is the opportunity for God to work a miracle. Use this SOAP to build faith in the reader’s hearts.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 27, 2022: SOAP #4528:  2Samuel 2; 1Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 14:15 …Send the crowds away, so that they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

OBSERVATION: The bread was now in the hands of Jesus.  He gave thanks and broke the loaves into edible pieces.  Now a link was needed—a way to get the bread and fish from the hands of Jesus to the hands of hungry people.  Five thousand (plus) people seated on the ground would take up a large space.  The ones sitting along the outer edge of the crowd were just as hungry as those seated near Jesus.  There needed to be a way to get the broken pieces of food to everyone.  Praise the Lord, there was a way!  Jesus “gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

APPLICATION: As the disciples were the link through which Jesus fed five thousand, I am (we are) the link Jesus wants to use to reach those seated in my (our) area.  I (we) must take the good news of Jesus to those with whom I (we) interact. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, make each one who reads this SOAP a link to reach someone who lives in their area. May the peace and joy of Jesus be seen in our lives and draw people our loving Savior. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 26, 2022: SOAP #4527:  2Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 13:1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered round him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. Matthew (NIV) 13:36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

OBSERVATION: It was the custom of Jesus to go to the synagogue and He was often seen in and around the temple in Jerusalem.  He read the scriptures and made comments.  (Luke 4:16-21).  But the ministry in Matthew 13 did not happen in the temple or synagogue.  It happened in the places where people lived their daily lives, as did much of Jesus’ ministry.  The church in the book of Acts conducted their ministry in the same manner.  When a meeting place was needed, they used and/or rented what was available.  (Acts 19:9-12; 20:38)   People were not attracted to the beautiful buildings but to the teachings and miracles. 

APPLICATION: When starting a church, if a church building is available, praise the Lord and use it for God’s glory!   If not, ask God for something to rent.  If nothing is available in your area, start the church in your home, or in a park.  Brother Paul Lowenberg started many Canadian Pentecostal churches in taverns and pool halls.  He and his wife walked the railroad tracks from town to town and slept in the homes that were open to them.  Lack of finances and facilities did not stop them. 

From considering the ministry of Jesus and the book of Acts, buildings are optional, teaching the Word of God and miracles are essential!  Buildings cost money, teaching the Word and miracles do not. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, sometimes the church is more concerned about a lack of money than the lack of Holy Spirit activity.  We spend more time praying to people for money than praying to you for a greater anointing.  In these last days, we need the faith that comes from your Word, and we need the Holy Spirit anointing. Grant these we pray. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 25, 2022: SOAP #4526:  1Samuel 30,31; 1Chronicles 10; Matthew 12

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 12:46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” 48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

OBSERVATION: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are a very close family in the spiritual realm.  They are one in essence yet separate in assigned functions.  Yet they all participate in everything they do.  Jesus said if we had seen Him we had seen the Father.  (John 14:9)   The Spirit was sent from the Father and the Son. (Luke 24:49)   The Spirit presents the Son as the Son presents the Father.  (John 15:16)

In Matthew 12, Jesus presents the unique relationship we enjoy with God, we have become members of Jesus’ closest earthly family!  He calls us brothers and sisters.  We are the sons and daughters of God.  As our earthly life makes us a part of our earthly family, the life of God makes us a part of God’s family. 

APPLICATION: It is good to remember that this special relationship is God’s plan.  It was not something that a man dreamed up and convinced God that He should allow us to become that close to Him. 

It was always His plan that He would live in me.  It was always His plan that I should be called His son.  It was always His plan to allow me to participate in what He is doing in the world. 

PRAYER:  I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God.  I’ve been washed in the fountain; cleansed by His blood.  Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod.  For I’m part of the family the family of God.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 24, 2022: SOAP #4525:  1Samuel 28,29; Psalm 109; Matthew 11

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

OBSERVATION: The creator of the universe invites us to come to Him.  He is caring and supportive.  He knows we need rest; He knows the kind of rest we need. 

APPLICATION: When I am weary and carrying a heavy load, I am not looking for an additional restriction designed for pulling additional burdens.  To keep in the same mode as the scripture, I want to be taken to a stall where there is water, clean straw, and a good meal.  I want a place of rest for my body. 

Jesus knows that the kind of rest I need is not inactivity, but purposeful activity that makes our time worth while and our work worth the effort.  It is labor that has a promise of a harvest.  His purpose is not to use me up or wear me out, so He yokes me to Himself!!!  He carries the yoke and He pulls the load.  I have the pleasure of His companionship and the privilege of being identified with Him!  And He shares with me the joy of our accomplishments!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, I know that all creation is centered around you, but sometimes it seems that you have centered your life around me.  I am humbled!!!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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