Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 22, 2022: SOAP #4464:  Numbers 10-11; Psalm 27; Mark 1

SCRIPTURE:  Numbers (NIV) 11:1 Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the LORD, and when he heard them, his anger was aroused. Then fire from the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. 2 When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the LORD and the fire died down.

OBSERVATION: They could have been talking about how the miracles in Egypt had broken them free from slavery.  They could have been talking about walking through the Red Sea on dry ground!!!  They could have been talking about Pharoah’s army drowned in the Red Sea!  They could have been talking about the pillar of fire that gave them light and heat at night, and the cloud by day that provided shade in the dessert!  They could have been talking about God speaking on Mt. Sinai!  They could have been talking about the water that came from the rock!  They could have been talking about the provision of manna for their daily food!   There were many things they could have talked about—things that would have shown appreciation for the One who had answered their prayers and delivered them from the hand of Pharoah.  But they complained about how difficult it was to move their household in the wilderness. 

Instead of using words to appreciate the Lord, they let their words anger Him!!!  What a mistake!   How foolish to anger the One they were depending on!

APPLICATION:  Surely, I have as much as the Israelites for which to be thankful, even more!  They were depending on God to get them to the Promised Land.  I am depending on God to get me to heaven!!!   They had the visible presence of God in the cloud and pillar of fire.  But I have the presence of God alive inside me!!!  They had Moses to tell them what God said.  But I have the Bible I can read for myself each day!!!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, since you created my ears, I should not be surprised that you can hear every word I speak.  That is why I pray, because I know you hear me.  I want my words to please you and bring you joy.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 21, 2022: SOAP #4463:  Numbers 8-9; Acts 28

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 28:7 There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and for three days entertained us hospitably. 8 His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, placed his hands on him and healed him. 9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

OBSERVATION: Here again we see the prisoner Paul being the center of attention.  Obviously, Paul had a good attitude.  Paul had much for which he could complain.  But it would have been difficult for Paul to have a mouth full of complaining, then pray and minister healing to the sick. 

If we should read of Paul having a “poor me, pity party” many of the things he wrote to the churches he loved would lose some of their value. 

APPLICATION:  The Lord wants His people ready to minister to others at a moment’s notice.  I must guard my heart.  I must guard my thoughts.  I must guard my words.  I must not allow grumbling and complaining to dull my sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. 

Instead of complaining about obvious inconveniences, I need to keep my heart full of the goodness of God.  Being ready to be an instrument of God’s grace is much more important that having the freedom to express my irritation at some inconvenience. 

I need the Holy Spirit to help me be like Jesus.  He was God yet He did not take offence at being a man and being mistreated as a man!  (Philippines 2:5-7)

May the testimony I leave with others not be dulled by a complaining attitude. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I am so glad you are living in me.  I need your help to keep a kind and peaceful attitude when I am irritated by my circumstances and how others treat me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 20, 2022: SOAP #4462:  Numbers 7; Psalm 23; Acts 27

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 27:23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.

OBSERVATION: Paul is aboard a ship headed for Rome to stand trial before Caesar.  The ship is caught in a terrible storm.  For fourteen days the crew had nothing to eat.  On the third day into the storm, they had thrown the ships tackle overboard. 

In the verses above, we have Paul speaking to the crew and fellow passengers on the ship.  They consisted of the crew, Roman soldiers, fellow prisoners, and some traveling companions of Paul, at least the author of the book of Acts. 

Listen to Paul as he describes His God.  Paul belonged to God and Paul served God.  Paul’s God was a speaker; He talked to Paul.  He sent a message to Paul “last night!”  Paul’s God made promises to Paul that included the people around him.  They would all survive the present danger.  Paul’s God could be trusted.  It would be “just as he told me!” 

APPLICATION:  Paul was not talking about the storm.  He made no comments about the wind and the waves.  He made no comment about being a prisoner.  No, Paul did not talk about the unimportant things; he talked about the Important One!   He had heard from the God of the wind and the waves.  He had a message from God. 

PRAYER:  Lord, as I move through a world full of turmoil and trouble, I want to keep my focus on you!  Your enemy, and my enemy, wants to get my focus off you and onto what surrounds me.  Help me to speak from heaven’s point of view.  Amen 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 19, 2022: SOAP #4461:  Numbers 5-6; Psalm 22; Acts 26

(reworked from 2016)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 26:24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”  25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable.

OBSERVATION: Festus had invited King Agrippa to listen to Paul and then give advice on what charges to write out when sending Paul to Rome. As Paul is passionately speaking to King Agrippa, Festus loudly interrupts. Two dynamics were at work as Paul was speaking. First, he was speaking truth that could not be denied. It was reasonable. Second, the anointing of the Holy Spirit was upon Paul as he spoke. The Holy Spirit was convicting the hearts of the hearers. The Spirit’s presence can be seen in Festus’ reaction. He had to respond. He interrupted King Agrippa’s hearing.

APPLICATION:  When I am speaking to a large gathering, or to a single individual, it is a team ministry. God depends on me to open my mouth and speak the truth; I depend on the Holy Spirit to do the anointing and convicting. 

The same is true with the SOAPs.  They also are a team ministry.  The Holy Spirit draws my attention to a passage of scripture.  He makes it clear how it applies to my life.  Then I write out the SOAP and send it on its way.  The Holy Spirit applies it to your life.  And for some the team is even larger as another person translates it into your language or someone else prints it on a sheet of paper for you to read. 

But however it arrives to each of us, the SOAPs were started by the Holy Spirit and finally applied by the Holy Spirit to our lives. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, may I always speak word that are true and reasonable. I want to speak words that you can anoint. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 18, 2022: SOAP #4460:  Numbers 3-4; Acts 25

SCRIPTURE:  Numbers (NIV) 3:25 At the Tent of Meeting the Gershonites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle and tent, its coverings, the curtains…—and everything related to their use…. 30-36 … the Kohathite clans … were responsible for … The Merarites were appointed to take care of …
Numbers (NIV) 4:19  … Aaron and his sons are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry. …47-49  All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to do the work of serving and carrying the Tent of Meeting numbered 8,580. At the LORD’s command through Moses, each was assigned his work and told what to carry. Thus they were counted, as the LORD commanded Moses.

OBSERVATION: The task of moving the tabernacle across the wilderness was great.  It was too great for any one person.  So, the Lord broke it down into small pieces.  Each family was responsible for their assignment.  Each man age 30-50 had a responsibility. 

The responsibilities was similar, but each responsibility was different.  In crossing the wilderness, they did not all carry the same thing.  Each had to be faithful. 

For a big plane to fly across the sky, many engineers had to be faithful in designing their assigned responsibility.  One designed the engine, another the wind, another the landing gear, another the tail assembly, etc. The plane flies because all were responsible and faithful.

APPLICATION:  For the church to move across the world today, it takes many people being responsible for their assigned ministry. 

When I am faithful to fulfill my responsibility, God aligns it with others who are faithful to fulfill their responsibility.  Their responsibility is different than mine, but it works together with mine to fill in a part of the bigger picture in which God is glorified.  No part is too small or insignificant. 

And so it is with SOAP.  I carefully listen for what God is saying, type it out and send it over the web.  Others read and forward it to family and friends.  Others translate it and post it on the web.  Others print it out and pass it out by hand. 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you have designed your church so that each member, in small or large ways, has opportunity to demonstrate their love and commitment to you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 17, 2022: SOAP #4459:  Numbers 1-2; Acts 24

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 24:16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

OBSERVATION: Paul is on trial before Felix.  The lawyer representing the Jewish religious leaders has made his case against Paul.  Now Paul in beginning his defense makes the statement contained in the verse above.  His goal is to keep a clear conscience.

Paul said, “strive;” it was a goal worthy of the effort required.  Paul said, “always;” it was a goal worthy of a continued effort. 

APPLICATION:  To keep a clear conscience requires having morals that are more than just words.  It requires a moral code by which I judge my own actions. 

Keeping a clear conscience has often required me to apologize and ask for forgiveness. 

The greatest aid I have in keeping a clear conscience is the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life.  He is active in establishing a moral code in my life.  He is active in measuring my actions by that moral code.  And He is active in helping me get back in line when I fail.  He is active in convicting me, forgiving me, and assuring me that the blood of Jesus on the cross has been accepted as the payment necessary for my sins. The blood Jesus shed on the cross has more value than the combined debt of all my sin! 

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, the blood you shed on the cross is the only agent for cleansing a guilty conscience.  It is readily available to all who come in faith to acknowledge their sins and receive your forgiveness.  What a wonderful feeling:  a clear conscience and a clean heart.  Thank you, Lord, for both.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 16, 2022: SOAP #4458:  Leviticus 26-27; Acts 23

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 23:23 Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. 24 Provide mounts for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”

OBSERVATION: The irony of the situation cannot be missed.  Here the same Roman government that crucified Jesus at the insistence of the Jews, now goes to great ends to protect Paul from those same Jews!

It is interesting to me how God used the Roman government for His glory.  First was the tax that brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem.  Then the crucifixion (Acts 4:28). The arrest of Paul by the Romans protecting Paul from the Jews.  The peace of the Rome (Pax Roma) allowed Paul to move freely to spread the gospel.  The later imprisonment of the Romans gave Paul the impetus to write much of the New Testament as letters to churches.

Paul’s life was serving God.  That which limited Paul focused him!  Prison limited his visiting the churches, but it focused his ministry on writing letters.  Prison limited his travel but expanded his ministry.

APPLICATION:  That which seems to stand against my ministry may be used by God to expand my ministry!  Lack of resources may limit Leon’s plans, but it can never limit the gospel!  Like blowing wind and flowing water, when its movement is limited, it will find another way around, or over, or under.  The Holy Spirit is more powerful than blowing wind and flowing water!

If your ministry is limited to your family, focus on what God is doing in their lives.  Pray for them; encourage them.  If your ministry is limited to a small group, focus on them and their growth in loving Jesus. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, may I be a channel through which you can readily flow. Keep reminding me that what limits me does not limit you! Keep reminding me that what seems to be against me, may work out for good! Keep me walking in faith that it will!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 15, 2022: SOAP #4457:  Leviticus 25; Psalm 25-26; Acts 22

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 25:4 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; 5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

OBSERVATION: Here is a logical prayer of someone who loves the Lord their God with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their mind. (Matthew 22:37)   

If they love God to this extent, they will want to know God’s ways.  They will want to know why God does what He does.  They will want to know what is important to Him. 

They will want to know the paths He takes.  They will want to know His character.  Where He likes to go.  What bothers Him. 

Since He is the embodiment of truth, they want their facts to line up with His facts.  They want to know how His truth deals with the facts. 

APPLICATION:  I love the Lord with all my heart, soul, and mind.  Why are these important to me?  Because the Lord is not just a god, the Lord is MY God, MY Savior!   God is more than an occasional thought that crosses my mind, He is the source of my hope all day long!   He is an active part of each conversation! 

PRAYER:  Show me your ways, O LORD.  Teach me your paths.  Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior.  My hope is in you all day long.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 14, 2022: SOAP #4456:  Leviticus 23-24; Psalm 24; Acts 21

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) Christians in Jerusalem advising Paul on a way to prove he still practiced the Jewish law—Acts 21:24 Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everybody will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law…
Jews in Jerusalem starting a riot over Paul—Acts 21:29 (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple area.)…
Roman commander arresting Paul—Acts 21:38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the desert some time ago?”

OBSERVATION: The elders of the church in Jerusalem assumed that Paul’s paying the temple tax for himself and four other men who had taken a similar vow would be proof that Paul was following the law. 

Some Jews in Jerusalem were zealous to protect the temple and Jewish religion.  In seeing Paul in the temple area, they assumed that he had brought his non-Jewish friends there also. 

Upon hearing the rioting happening in the city and seeing Paul at the center, the Roman commander assumed that Paul was an Egyptian who had started riots in the past. 

APPLICATION:  The above assumptions changed the course of Paul’s life.  As tragic as they were, God used them as the first steps to get Paul to Rome.  God used Paul to minister to many along the way to Rome.  While in prison, God used Paul to write letters that are now part of our scriptures.  I feel certain that Satan now knows the great mistake he made in having Paul locked in prison! 

At times my life can be affected by the assumptions of others.  But I can rest in God.  God’s will for my life is greater than any man’s assumptions about me!  What the devil meant for evil, God turns for good.  A diamond dropped in the mud is not changed by its circumstances, neither can my circumstances change me. 

PRAYER:  Lord, your power on the inside is greater than any power on the outside!  Wrong assumptions by others cannot determine my eternal destination nor my usefulness in God’s kingdom!  Amen.

Pastor Leon                        
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 13, 2022: SOAP #4455:  Leviticus 20-22; Acts 20

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 20:32 “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

OBSERVATION: These are Paul’s final words to the elders of the church in Ephesus.  He began by giving them a report of his own life and ministry.  He gave them a warning and committed them to God and God’s Word.  He ends with words about money.  He gives himself as an example of working to supply his own needs and those who traveled with him.  He gives himself as an example of a “hard worker.”  He gives himself as an example of a giver.  His work had purpose: to supply his own needs and to enable him to help the weak. 

APPLICATION:  It is true: it is more blessed to give than to receive!  As a giver, God has added a joyful purpose to my work.  I am not just serving me; I am serving God; I am serving others. 

When it is hard to get up early and go to work, the Lord provides joy in considering the blessing I will have in giving.  When the children are way too loud, when the weather is way too cold, when the country roads are way too dusty, I have found that the joy of the Lord is my strength!  HE rides my bus!

PRAYER:  Lord, what a privilege that you would use me to work in my community.  You have provided special opportunities to minister.  Those I meet at work every morning know that I am a pastor, but most of all they know that I am a Christian. Shine through me! Amen.

Pastor Leon
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