Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 24, 2022: SOAP #4494:  Joshua 18-20; 1Corinthians 9

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 9:16 Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it.

OBSERVATION: In this chapter Paul had much to say about money and ministry.  People who minister to the church should expect to receive a reward (finances) for their labor.  People who receive such ministry should expect to give in support of that ministry.  However, Paul rejoiced in that he did not have to require a salary for his ministry. 

Not being paid for his ministry, did not mean that he could ignore the ministry and do something else.  He was “compelled to preach.”  Money had nothing to do with it.  He could not ignore the calling of God on his life. 

So, how did Paul fulfill his obligation?  He had two choices.  He could do it as a burdensome responsibility that he could not escape, OR he could do it as a joyful volunteer with an opportunity to serve his LORD! 

APPLICATION: When I serve as a requirement, I may communicate that the people I am serving are not worthy of the time I spend in ministry to them.  As soon as I am free, I will be on to something more enjoyable and productive.  

When I serve voluntarily, I can communicate that the people are valuable; they are worthy of my time and efforts.  It is my privilege and joy to serve them. 

Even when receiving finances, I must remember that I am serving the LORD.  I am working at His directions.  Any money received should be considered as coming from Him and is to be used as He directs.

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I need you in my life to keep my attitude in line with what you are doing.  In writing SOAPs, in driving a school bus, and in serving seniors, may those I serve know that they are valuable to you and to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 23, 2022: SOAP #4493:  Joshua 15-17; 1Corinthians 8

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV)  8:5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6  yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

OBSERVATION: All things came from the One God, the Father.  We live for His purpose and pleasure.  He is originator of all things.  He is the reason for our living.   

All that has come from the Father has come through the work of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  It came through His work in creation and through His work on the cross.  We are now to live through Him.

APPLICATION: The channel through which all things came from the Father is the channel through which I approach the Father!   In coming from the Father, Jesus made a way for me to go to the Father.  Jesus maintained His relationship with the Father as He walked in humility and obedience.  In so doing, He made a way for me to have a relationship with the Father!  

Having a good relationship with Jesus (the Channel) leads me to have a good relationship with the Father. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, you are at work in my life.  Keep my in the center of the “Channel.”  Teach me how to relate to the Father; teach me how to honor the Father with my daily life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 22, 2022: SOAP #4492:  Joshua 12-14; 1Corinthians 7

SCRIPTURE:  Joshua (NIV) 14:9 So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God wholeheartedly.’ [Deut. 1:36] 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.”

OBSERVATION: It had been 45 years since Caleb received from Moses the promise of this special piece of land.  He had held that promise in his heart.  It was too special to forget.  It was more than a promise from Moses—it was a promise that the LORD gave Caleb!   

Verse 10: “Now then…”  Verse 12: “Now give me…”  It was time; and Caleb was making his claim.  It would not be easy, but the Promise Maker was a Promise Keeper and He wanted Caleb to have that land enough to be Caleb’s HELPER!!!  

APPLICATION:  Like Caleb, I have found that my Promise MAKER is also my Promise KEEPER!   I have also found that He is even more committed to fulfilling those promises than I am to receive them…so my Promise MAKER/KEEPER becomes Leon’s HELPER!  

PRAYER:  Lord, you have a plan.  You are working to fulfill that plan.  You want me to succeed in fulfilling my part of your plan.  More than keeping the promised you made, you are helping me establish those promises in my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 21, 2022: SOAP #4491:  Joshua 9-11; 1Corinthians 6

SCRIPTURE:  Joshua (NIV) 11:4 They came out with all their troops and a large number of horses and chariots—a huge army, as numerous as the sand on the seashore. 5 All these [10-12] kings joined forces and made camp together at the Waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. 6 The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel, slain. You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots.” 7 So Joshua and his whole army came against them suddenly at the Waters of Merom and attacked them, 8 and the LORD gave them into the hand of Israel….

OBSERVATION: These kings make an agreement to join their armies to fight against Israel. Surely these kings thought they would have a superior army to defeat Israel. Working together, they could easily defeat Israel. They did not realize that the size of their army had no effect on Israel’s God!

They did not realize that God had promised this land to Israel years before.  They did not realize that God had a plan for His Son to be born in a manger and crucified on a Roman cross, buried in a borrowed tomb and resurrected to life—all for the salvation of the world!  

The size of the enemy did not matter.  There was no way God was going to let His people lose this battle!   

APPLICATION: Israel’s God is my God! The size of the battle in which I am struggling makes no difference to Him! I must keep my eyes on Him; keep my ears open to His voice; and be quick to obey. When I am doing the will of God, the size of the challenge does not matter; the size of the opposition does not matter!  

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, keep reminding me of your greatness!  You are just as able to fulfill your plan for me as you did for Israel.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 20, 2022: SOAP #4490:  Joshua 7-8; Psalm 69; 1Corinthians 5

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 5:6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? 7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.

OBSERVATION: Their boasting about being God’s children was not good; there was sin in their midst.  Their testimony was marred by the sin.  Taking care of the sin was a priority.  Sin, like yeast, grows and spreads.  We are not told to get rid of the “whole batch” but get rid of the “old yeast.”

Before coming to Christ for His forgiveness and justification, sin was a part of their nature.  The whole batch of their life was affected by sin.  But now the blood of the sacrifice made them a new creation!  They are a “new batch without yeast!”  Yes, that is what they “really are!” 

The yeast (sin) must be removed through confession and forgiveness before it “works through the whole batch of dough.”

APPLICATION: I am so glad that God has not only provided for my becoming a new creation; He has also provided for me to stay clean.  As I walk through the world, it is certain that I will need my feet washed.  The attitudes of the world stick in my heart and thoughts.  If not confessed and forgiven, they linger on in me.  In an unguarded moment they show themselves in my words and actions.  The longer I allow them to remain, the more affect they will have in my life.  They will become a hindrance to my testimony. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father thank you for your forgiveness provided by the blood of Jesus.  Holy Spirit, thank you for convicting me when sin tries to take control in my life.  Apply the Word to my heart and mind and make me a vessel of honor for you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 19, 2022: SOAP #4489:  Joshua 3-6; 1Corinthians 4

SCRIPTURE:  Joshua (NIV) 5:13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” 14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” Then Joshua fell face down to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” 15 The commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

OBSERVATION: This man did not come to give battle advice, but to take charge.  Joshua was no longer in charge.  Joshua could only give orders if he could take orders.  The battle plan for taking Jericho was designed to give Joshua the opportunity to prove that he could follow orders. 

Marching around a city once a day for six days and then seven times on the seventh day is not recognized as a great strategy for taking a city.  But it was a great strategy to see if Joshua could follow orders. 

APPLICATION: To me it is black and white.  I am right and the other side is wrong.  Like Joshua, I ask, “Lord, are you for me or for my enemy?”  But more important to the Lord:  is my heart fully surrendered to him?  Can He trust me to do what He says?  Can I follow orders?

Often, the instructions He gives are not designed to fix my problem, but to demonstrate my obedience!   Once the Lordship issue is settled, God brings the deliverance needed.  Obedience proves submission and submission takes priority over everything else.  Once the Lord wins the battle inside me, He can then use me to win battles on the outside!

PRAYER:  Lord even though I may not understand how your plan will work, I do know that no one is more capable of being in charge than you.  I know the wisest thing I can do is to trust and obey you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 18, 2022: SOAP #4488:  Joshua 1-2; Psalm 37; 1Corinthians 3

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.  …  23 If the LORD delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; 24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

OBSERVATION: What does it mean to “delight” myself in the LORD?  To delight is something that happens in my mind and my heart.  It usually includes my feelings.  My countenance carries a look of pleasure.  In my voice can be heard some emotion.  My words and actions express appreciation. 

APPLICATION: As a new husband delights in his wife and as a new wife delights in her husband so I should delight in the LORD!   My delight cannot be hidden from others.  People around me know what delights me.  Not only do I delight in God; God delights in me! 

AND God’s delight in me also shows.  When others are swamped by troubles, they see me walking tall.  When I stumble God holds me steady and re-establishes my feet on the path. People can see how God delights in me.  They see evidence of His Presence. 

PRAYER:  Lord, my heart is filled with joy and peace in knowing that you delight in me.  May your heart also be filled with joy in knowing that I delight in you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 17, 2022: SOAP #4487:  Deuteronomy 32-34; 1Corinthians 2

SCRIPTURE: [This is a portion of God’s Word.]  1Corinthians (NIV) 2:12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

OBSERVATION: [This is what I see in the above scripture put into my own words.]  God created man for fellowship.  God wanted a living being to love and to love Him in return.  Sin spoiled God’s plan, but sin provided the opportunity for God to reveal how much He can love!  He gave His own Son to pay the needed death penalty for man.  But the fellowship that God desired was still less than what God wanted.  Man was still too man-centered and world-centered.  God sent the Holy Spirit, not to die for us, nor to walk with us, but to LIVE IN US!  The Spirit teaches us spiritual truth.  He helps us remember what Jesus has said.  He gives us direction. 

APPLICATION: [This is how Leon is to apply the truth to my daily life.]  The Holy Spirit works to direct my thoughts, He gives me understanding from the scriptures, He helps me make good decisions.  When I hear truth from the Bible, or from a teacher, or see God at work around me, the Holy Spirit stirs my heart.  I understand that God is speaking to Leon!  He is saying something I need to remember and apply to my life. I have found that the Holy Spirit helps keep my joy level on full! 

PRAYER: [This is a short prayer regarding the above.]  Holy Spirit, I need your fellowship.  I need to learn from you.  Help me understand the things God speaks to me. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 16, 2022: SOAP #4486:  Deuteronomy 30-31; Psalm 40; 1Corinthians 1

SCRIPTURE:  Deuteronomy (NIV) 31:3 The LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the LORD said….
6  Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”…
8  The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

OBSERVATION: In Moses farewell message to the children of Israel he gives them two promises from the LORD God.  In verse three above Moses tells the people that “God himself” will go ahead of them.  In verse six, Moses tells the people that “the LORD your God goes with you.” 

So, Moses, which is it?  How can both be true?  Is God going ahead or with?  In verse eight, Moses tells Joshua that BOTH are correct!  “The LORD himself goes before you AND will be with you!!!”

APPLICATION: It is a promise that only God can keep.  God is with me AND He goes before me.  As I walk with God and step out in faith, not knowing how things will work out, I find that God has already arrived at my destination and has things well under control!  He arrived long before I got there.  He has been there a long time!  

When I become aware of His Presence, paralyzing fear melts away.  Through meditating on God’s Word, through worship, through prayer, and through fellowship with other believers I can increase my awareness of His Presence! 

PRAYER:  Lord, as you were with the Israelites in the wilderness, you were also at work inside the Promised Land.  As you are working in me to increase my faith, you are also at work in the circumstances into which you are leading me.  You are preparing for a victory celebration!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 15, 2022: SOAP #4485:  Deuteronomy 28-29; Galatians 6

SCRIPTURE:  Galatians (NIV) 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

OBSERVATION:  Here we are given a universal law that affects every aspect of life. 
Verse 6 and 10 show that it applies financially and materially.
Verses 8 and shows that it applies spiritually,
Verse 9 is the application of this truth.  We should always be sowing.  Reaping is assured if we remain faithful. 

God cannot be mocked.  To think that one can sow one kind of crop and reap another is foolish.  When I understand the seriousness of this law, I can greatly appreciate that Jesus took my place to reap the harvest of the sin I had sown.   And by so doing, He set me free to reap the blessings of the seed he sowed in dying on the cross.

APPLICATION:  Sometimes my greatest financial need is to understand the truth in these verses.   I need to give with faith that God will bring the reward.  As I sow, God brings the harvest. 

I must remember that there is both a negative and positive application to this law.  I can sow to reap destruction OR I can sow to reap eternal life.  Today I want to sow good things into people’s lives.  In that way I will be preparing for a future harvest of blessing. 

It is too late for us to do more about our present harvest, but we can do something about our future harvest.

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for giving laws to set order in this world.     Amen

Pastor Leon
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