Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 13, 2022: SOAP #4514:  1Samuel 14; 1Chronicles 4; 2Corinthians 13

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you— unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.

OBSERVATION: If anyone should know if I am a believer, it should be me! I do not need to go to a doctor, or a lawyer, or a pastor to have an examination to see if I am a Christian. I can examine myself. Does Christ live in me? How can I know?

First, I know it by faith in God’s Word. 1John 1:9 says, “if I confess my sins God is faithful and just to forgive me my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.” Amazing! According to Romans 10:9-10 I confess Jesus as Lord and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. Therefore, according to His Word, I am saved!

Second, I know it by the differences He makes in me! Oh, the peace of His presence! All things do work together for good! (Romans 8:28)

Third, I know it because He talks to me. He is with me, and He speaks into my thoughts. He helps me understand what I read and what I see around me. He puts thoughts in my mind that show me how to live. As I read the Bible, I see the things he has brought to my mind.

APPLICATION: I walk, and I talk with Him! How could it be possible that He is alive in me, and I not know it? (If I am not sure, I need to read the short book of 1John to see what is available for me to KNOW.)

PRAYER:  Jesus, to have you live inside me, and share this life with me, is the greatest joy of life. I want to follow your lead.  I want to make it easy for you to live in me. I want you to enjoy being with me as much as I enjoy being with you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 12, 2022: SOAP #4513:  1Samuel 13; 1Chronicles 2-3; 2Corinthians 12

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 12:12 The things that mark an apostle—signs, wonders and miracles—were done among you with great perseverance….
19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.

OBSERVATION: Here is Paul’s explanation an apostle’s ministry.  It is obviously one of oversight but signs, wonders and miracles are a major part.  It is not that they happened once or twice, but they continue to be seen in that ministry.   And from the context of these verses, an apostle does not exploit or take advantage of those seeking out his ministry.  The purpose of an apostle is for the church, not for selfish gain.

APPLICATION: I am not an apostle, but the purpose of the ministry God has given me is not for my gain, but the strengthening of others.  A gift of ministry has been given to me to make me useful.  If I am useful, I will be used.  If I am used, it is easy to get tired of being used.  But if I cannot be used, I will be useless.  It is much worse to feel useless than to feel used!   With age should come maturity.  It should be easy for people to use me.

NOTE:  Biblical titles are not words of value, but words of function.  Everyone in the church has the same value, being bought by the same sacrifice of Jesus, but we all have different functions.  Some functions, like leadership, require a measure of authority in order to fulfill their purpose.  Authority is a tool God gives to make a person more useful.  It is not for personal benefit, but the benefit of those they are called to serve.  (This is especially true of fathers/parents whose purpose is to serve their families.) 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, may the temptation of feeling used, be replaced with the joy of being useful, to You and Your church.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 11, 2022: SOAP #4512:  1Samuel 11-12; 1Chronicales 1; 2Corinthians 11

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 11:13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

OBSERVATION: God is truthful and faithful to us.  The Bible reveals flaws in some of the major characters.  God does not rely on perfect people; only Jesus is without sin.  The Bible reveals truth about the enemy of our souls.  He is a great pretender.  He pretends to be good.  He pretends to be an “angel of light.”  But Satan hates God and longs to destroy God’s most cherish creation.  He has no care for man, except as a tool to cause God pain.  If pretending to be good helps Satan convince us to do what he wants, then he will put on a mask pretending to be acceptable, holy and even loving.    

APPLICATION: Some organizations, have separate manuals for leaders to study and read.  Their leaders receive special training to prepare them for leadership.  In the church there is only one Manual, the Bible!   The oldest and newest members all read the same Bible.  The youngest believer and the seasoned leader all read the same Bible. 

Those who have made themselves familiar with the scriptures should never follow false leaders; the Bible gives the requirements for leaders.  People who love the Bible should be able to identify the “pretenders.”  God cares about His people and protects them with the truth of His Word. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word.  You understand your creation; you know how we can be led astray.  You carefully provided for us in the scriptures.  Holy Spirit, stir our spirit to read and apply the Bible.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 10, 2022: SOAP #4511:  1Samuel 8-10; 2Corinthians 10

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 10:3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

OBSERVATION: Often the toughest strongholds to overcome are the arguments and pretenses in the mind.   If not careful, a person can become a captive of thought processes that hurt them.  Thoughts must be taken “captive.” The mind can become a battlefield.

APPLICATION: The biggest battle I will fight today will be in my mind.  I am not a mind, but I have a mind.  I must take control of my thoughts.  I cannot set myself to stop thinking about something, but I can set myself to start thinking about something else.  The strategy is “thought replacement.”  Replace thoughts about my big problem with thoughts about my big God!  The Bible never tells me how to feel, but often tells me how to think.  I must be open to the Holy Spirit helping me keep my thoughts under control.  The enemy will gladly fill my head with thoughts that are contrary to God’s plan for my life. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I need your help.  I want my life to be a comfortable place for you to live.  Watch over my mind and help me refuse the thought suggestions of the enemy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 09, 2022: SOAP #4510:  1Samuel 6-7; Psalm 72; 2Corinthians 9

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

OBSERVATION: Here Paul closes out his teachings on giving.  In chapter 2, what Paul spoke of as a “treasure,” here he calls an “indescribably gift.”  Paul’s high value of what he possessed caused him willingly and joyfully give his all for the gospel. 

Paul’s teaching, his ministry, his life, his possessions, his past, his future was all set by how he valued his Indescribable Gift! 

The truth about giving we read in chapters 8 and 9 could have been used to motivate people to give to Paul and his ministry.  But that was not Paul.  He used those truths to motivate people to give to others. 

APPLICATION: My value of what God has given me sets my level of giving.  The more I value what God has given me, the more I am willing to give.  The more I value what God has given me, the more I am willing to endure any hard times!  Do I really consider Jesus an Indescribable Gift?  What I am willing to sacrifice shows me the value I have set on Jesus. 

PRAYER:  Lord, it is worthwhile serving you!  It is worth any struggle.  It is worth giving up what I like best. It is worth it because You are worth it!  You are my Indescribable Gift!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 08, 2022: SOAP #4509:  1Samuel 3-5; Psalm 77; 2Corinthians 8

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 8:7 But just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us — see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

OBSERVATION: In this letter to the believers in the city of Corinth, The Apostle Paul is commending them for their faith, their speech, their knowledge, earnestness, and love.  They have grown in their Christian life.  Now he is encouraging them to excel in another part of Christian living — that of giving.

APPLICATION: God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. (John 3:16) When Leon loves the world the way God loves the world, Leon will be a giver too.  Leon’s love can be seen in what Leon is willing to give. 

Since I claim Jesus as my Lord all that I have belongs to Him.  Giving is not a matter of donating my money.  Giving is disbursing His money as He directs.

PRAYER:  Lord, you are a giver.  If I want to become like you, I must grow in my giving.  Remind me that when I give, I am not giving from my resources, but from Yours.  May you have joy in increasing my finances because you have joy in seeing how I manage what you have already given.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 07, 2022: SOAP #4508:  1Samuel 1-2; Psalm 66; 2Corinthians 7

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 66:1 Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
2 Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!
3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.
4 All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you; they sing praise to your name.” Selah
5 Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works on man’s behalf!

OBSERVATION: The Psalmist encourages everyone on earth to make a loud noise of praise to God.  They are to “shout with joy!” They are to “sing praises.” 

They had many reasons to “make His praise glorious!”  God had done awesome deeds in creation!  God had worked many miracles in delivering Israel out of slavery from Egypt. 

APPLICATION: If the Old Testament saints had reason to praise God, how much more do I have reason!  Jesus entered death and rose victorious.  Jesus suffered and died to pay for my sins.  He rose from the grave and now lives in my life!  No Old Testament saint should ever out-shout me!  …especially on resurrection Sunday!!!

PRAYER:  Lord, I want to make your praise glorious!  You are the risen Lord over death, hell, and the grave!  And you have chosen to make my heart your home!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 06, 2022: SOAP #4507:  Ruth 3-4; Psalm 64, 65; 2Corinthians 6

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 6:16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 17 “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

OBSERVATION: That is what we are!  We are the temple of the living God.  But these verses tell reveal that God wants more.  If we separate ourselves, we will be His sons and daughters.  He will be more than a builder; He will be a Father—our Father! 

To be God’s temple in which He dwells is indeed a high honor.  But to be His son or daughter!  That is amazing!!!  More than being His handiwork, as His children, we carry His DNA! 

APPLICATION: My relationship with a builder is technical.  We communicate about his work.  He shows me his handiwork. 

But my relationship with my father is personal.  We talk about what he likes and dislikes.  I ask about his time in France during World War II.  I ask why he married my mother.  I ask questions I would never ask a builder, but this is my dad, my father. 

Rather than asking so much what I want Him to do for me, I need to ask what I can do for Him.  What can I do that would pleasure Him?  What does He think about what I am doing?  What causes Him pain?  How can I make Him smile?  I need to honor Him as my Heavenly Father. 

PRAYER:  Sovereign LORD, you are God, my Creator.  You are awesome in power and wisdom.  Yet to me you are so much more.  You are my Heavenly FATHER!  You love me and treat me as your son!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 05, 2022: SOAP #4506, from #2315:  Ruth 1-2; Psalm 53, 61; 2Corinthians 5

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 61:1 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.
2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.
4 I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah

OBSERVATION: The psalmist had learned there was no place on earth from which he could not call on God. In times of trouble when he needed a strong foundation, he trusted God to be a rock that was bigger than himself. He remembered when he had been overcome by the enemy; he had found God to be his refuge. God had been his strong tower from which he could overlook the battle below. From his vantage point in the tower the psalmist had viewed the enemies battle plans.

APPLICATION: I have never been in a place from which I could not call on the Lord. I have never been in a place where I could not sense His Presence. He has been my courage; he has been my strength. He has been my wisdom; He has been my source. He has been with me in the air (in small planes, Marine helicopters, and passenger jets), on land (in cars, busses, and trains) (on mountain tops and in caves) and sea (in small fishing boats and US Navy ships). In churches, in hospitals, and in prisons.  He has been with me on three continents and several islands of the sea. He has been with me in war and peace; in Viet Nam and at home. He has been with me when the air was filled with the sound of whizzing bullets and exploding shells; He has been with me when the air was filled with the sounds of people worshipping. His voice has assured me; His hand has sustained me; His presence has satisfied me.

PRAYER:  Lord, from everywhere on earth that I have been, I have called on you and found you to be a rock bigger than myself and my circumstances. You are my refuge and my strong tower. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 04, 2022: SOAP #4505:  Judges 19-21; 2Corinthians 4

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 4:1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

OBSERVATION: “By setting forth the truth plainly…”    How important it is that those who minister the Word, present it clearly.  Words must be used that are easy for the hearer to understand. 

 It should be clearly set forth in our lives as well as in our preaching.  The active truth should not be hard to identify.  It should be plain; it should be easily seen.  The leader’s life should be a good example of how to live.. 

A leader must maintain a clear testimony, especially for the lost who have a great tendency to point out the hypocrisy of Christian leaders who say one thing but do another. 

APPLICATION: “…we commend ourselves to everyman’s conscience…”    It should be easy for people to believe me.  I should live my life in a way that does not contradict what I say.  One message in my words and another message in my life causes confusion in those to whom I am ministering.  People should be getting the same message from my life as from my preaching.

NOTE:  This is especially true for parents!

The application is where the truth of the scripture interacts with my life.  In the application I discover why God put that truth in the Bible.  In the application I show God that His word is important to me.   It is not something to be ignored. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help me faithfully apply the scriptures to my life.  May other be able to see that I live out the truth you have revealed to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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