Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 25, 2024: SOAP #5257: 1Samuel 30,31; 1Chronicles 10; Matthew 12

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 12:33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

OBSERVATION: When the heart is full and begins to overflow — that is when the contents of the heart become visible.  It is interesting to hear people who have unexpectedly received a reward making a thank-you speech.  Their priorities can be seen.  The same can be said for someone who has unexpectedly been overtaken by some tragedy.

APPLICATION:  What comes out of my mouth when I do not have time to think?  In the moment of surprise, or physical pain, or an emotional jar — what comes flying out of my mouth?

It is important to fill all the shelves, cupboards, and closets in my heart and mind with God’s word.  When someone open a closet containing 70+ years of my memories may they get a good dose of God’s Word!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help me fill my life with so much of the word that every memory cannot be shared without becoming a testimony of Jesus in my life.  May memories be full of what Jesus was doing in my life and what He was speaking to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 24, 2024: SOAP #5256: 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: Perhaps many can identify with the heavy burden they are carrying and being tied or yoked to a heavy burden.  You are getting worn out.  Your strength has been used up.  You need a place of rest. 

Jesus is speaking to you.  He is calling you to Himself.  He is calling you to His side.    Leave your yoke; leave your burden; take His yoke and learn from walking in the yoke with Him.  His burden is much heavier than the one you were carrying but being yoked to Him you find that He carries the load! 

APPLICATION:  Jesus did not promise to get into your yoke with you.  Surely that would make your load easier, but that is not what He said.  He invited you to get into HIS yoke with Him!  

The world, the enemy, even the church loves to get us carrying a heavy load that zaps our strength.  Remember, Jesus said “HIS yoke is easy and HIS burden is light!”

SOAP ministry is HIS ministry.  We are yoked with Jesus.  His joy is our strength.  We are not responsible for its success; it is HIS ministry; He is responsible!  He is the One who sparks a person’s heart when they first read a SOAP.  He is the One who calls people and envisions them with their part.  Yes we are all yoked together, but it is because we are all yoked to HIM! 

PRAYER:  Lord, those involved in SOAP ministry are all part of a team working under your direction.  We know that lives are changed by the faithful application of Your word.  We know that changed lives bring you joy.  Lord, Your joy is our pay and reward.  Since this is Your ministry, we look to you for any necessary resources.  We are finding You to be a faithful ministry leader.  I pray that each one who participated in this ministry may participate in Your joy!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 23, 2024: SOAP #5255: 1Samuel 27; 1Chronicles 9; Psalm 141; Matthew 10

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 10:16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.  17 “Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.  18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

OBSERVATION: Here the sent one is doing the sending. Jesus had been sent from the Father, and now Jesus is sending his disciples. 

Jesus had been sent to a tough assignment—to be crucified for the sins of man!  And here Jesus is not promising the disciples an easy assignment.  They will be arrested, flogged, and brought before governors and kings where they will give witness.  

But look at the promise.  They will not be alone.  They will not need to rely on their wisdom.  They will have the accompanying Holy Spirit to give them words to speak and who will be speaking through them!    

APPLICATION:  I too have the promise of the Holy Spirit being always with me!  It is so important that I learn to rely on the Holy Spirit to give me what to say and to speak through me.  It is important that I pause before opening my mouth to listen to what the Holy Spirit speaks into my heart or whispers into my mind. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I know you are with me.  Your presence and anointing reveal the person and ministry of Jesus in my life.  May I grow in following your lead.  Guide me as I read the Word.  Highlight for me what you are saying to me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Today I had my physical exam needed to continue bus driving.  They needed a paper from my cardiologist which I did not have.  So I was given a temporary extension for three months.  This will allow me to drive through 22 July 20,24.  If I get the release from the cardiologist I will need to start the physical process anew.  I still have not heard about rescheduling the MRI.  I am thinking it will be this week.  I am also thinking that God may be bringing my bus driving to an end.  It is good to know that HE is LORD!   “I don’t know about tomorrow, but I know who holds tomorrow!”  😊 

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 22, 2024: SOAP #5254: 1Samuel 25,26; Psalm 63; Matthew 9

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Matthew 10:1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.

OBSERVATION: Jesus felt deep concern; he felt compassion for the people, so what was the plan?  His plan was to send workers with His message and in His authority. 

Jesus wants us to pray for the fulfillment of His desires.  Then He will equip and send us in fulfillment of His desires! 

APPLICATION:  God has sent me to the people around me because He loves them.  When I talk to those around me, I am talking to people who were created in God’s image and are greatly loved by God.

PRAYER:  Lord, when I am bothered by what someone says or does, remind me of how much you love them and how special they are to you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 21, 2024: SOAP #5253: 1Samuel 27; 1Chronicles 9; Psalm 141; Matthew 10

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 10:19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time, you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

OBSERVATION: I have watched old movie scenes of communication lines being cut in the Civil War, and in World War I.  I have seen scenes of establishing and breaking communication in World War II.  As a hospital corpsman with a Marine unit in Viet Nam, I usually stayed by the platoon lieutenant and the radio man.  I learned from personal observation the importance of good communication.   Good communication is understandable and up to date.  We trusted the one sending the messages to know the big picture of the war and how we would best serve.

APPLICATION:  As I am engaged in spiritual warfare, God has provided the greatest communication system ever used.  It is the presence of his Holy Spirit dwelling in me 24 hours every day!  Wow! 

He is present in every situation.  He is always with me; He knows what I am facing.  He knows when the problems I face are because of my own making.  He knows what is in the hearts and minds of those I encounter. 

As I learn to limit distractions and focus on hearing his voice, I find his communication to be both understandable and up-to-date.  Better than that, it is up to the minute, even the second!   God has the big picture, and I can trust Him to use me to bring victory for His glory!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I have found that very seldom do I understand the big picture.  Many times my vision is locked into my circumstances.  But I am learning that there is wisdom in taking time to listen to you.  I know that doing what you say is the best way to deal with present troubles and to prepare for the future.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Personal note:  I want to thank those who have prayed for me during the past several days.  A dear friend counseled me to contact the MRI location and ask them some questions; and to make sure they know that I have a pacemaker.  They did not know; their facility is not able to do MRIs for people with pacemakers, so it is presently being rescheduled at a different facility.  Praise the Lord.  I expect it will be this coming week.  Also, on Monday I am to get a physical for another year of bus driving.  Because of an irregular heartbeat I am required to get a physical every year.  So, when the Lord brings me to your mind, pray for me.  If it is time, after 14 years, to stop driving the bus, may the Lord make His will clear.  😊   Leon  

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 20, 2024: SOAP #5252: 1Samuel 23; Psalm 31,54; Matthew 7

(reworked from last year) 

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

OBSERVATION: How amazing to serve a God who wants to be asked!   Earthly fathers love to fill the requests of their children.  And the same is true of our Heavenly Father.  He loves to express His love in tangible means.  He wants others to see that His children are blest!   They will want to be His children too!

Each verse in the passage above has an emphasis on “asking.”  To whom does God give the good gifts in verse 11?   …”to those who ask HIM!”  God often uses other people to answer our prayers, but He wants us to direct our asking to Him. 

People I have asked in the past were willing to help, so it becomes easy to have faith that they will help again.  But, “HOW MUCH MORE” is our Heavenly Father willing to give…much more willing to give to us that anyone else we may be asking. 

APPLICATION:  Considering the passage of scripture above, why would I ask anyone else?  Am I really His child?  Do I really believe that His word is true?  Do I believe that He can provide my needs?  Do I believe that He loves me enough to take care of me?  Do I think God needs my help to answer my prayers?

If I promised my son that I would give him money needed for a special project, and then the next day I overheard him asking his uncle for money for the same project … I would wonder if my son really trusted me.  Did he doubt my word?  Yet, I have done that to God, many times.

PRAYER:  Forgive me Lord for not standing on your promises.  Forgive me for having more faith in people than in you.  Increase my faith as I grow in your word.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 19, 2024: SOAP #5251: 1Samuel 22; Psalm 17,35; Matthew 6

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 6:1 “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

OBSERVATION: Our Heavenly Father has a special place in His heart for the needy.  Proverbs 19:17 tells us that giving to the needy is loaning to the Lord who will reward them.  Here Jesus said that the way we give can cancel our reward!!!  In giving so that people will see our generosity, we are trading our Heavenly Father’s reward for the reward of honor from men!!!   That is a bad trade!!! 

APPLICATION:  We surely do not want to miss the Lord’s reward.  We know that He is loving and abundantly generous.  We clearly do not want to disqualify ourselves from His reward. 

Whenever I see pictures on Facebook of generosity being given to the poor, my heart hurts.  Many of those pictures come from poverty areas of the world.  They need the abundant blessing of the Lord.  They need the reward of our Heavenly Father. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help us to apply the scriptures to our activities.  We need the blessings of our Heavenly Father.  We do not want to miss even one.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 18, 2024: SOAP #5250: 1Samuel 20-21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5

(reworked) 

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

OBSERVATION: I remember an abandoned fire base in Viet Nam where I found some waxed cloth used as packing for ammunition.  When twisted tightly, it could be used as a crude candle.  The benefit of candles is light.  We place them in our homes where their light gives the greatest benefit.  And so God intentionally places His people where their lives will be best seen by others.

APPLICATION:  I do not have to make my light shine; I am to let my light shine.  It is the nature of light to be seen.  God does not want me hidden from the world, but He has carefully placed me where I will be seen.  It is not my wise words but my good deeds that men are to see.  And the result of their seeing my good works, they will praise God!

Our location is for HIS benefit!  The hard things we face are for HIS benefit.  He wants people to see how He can live and work in us.   Through our weaknesses people can see His strength!  

PRAYER:  Lord, when I find myself in a dark place remind me that you put me there to let your light shine through me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 17, 2024: SOAP #5249: 1Samuel 19; 1Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 4:23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Mark (NIV) 3:14 He appointed twelve—designating them apostles— that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach

OBSERVATION: These verses contain Jesus basic method of ministry. First part was teaching and preaching about the kingdom. The kingdom is a structure of authority with a king. Jesus helped them understand the Kingdom of God by telling them stories (parables) from everyday life.

The second part was demonstrating that authority. Since he was not setting up an earthly government for the nation of Israel, He demonstrated the authority by healing, driving out demons, and miracles. The authority of the kingdom of heaven made big differences in their earthly lives.

A third very important part of Him ministry was choosing disciples who would be with Him and then He could send them out.  They would hear every sermon and watch Him do the miracles.  He would ask them questions and they could ask Him questions. 

APPLICATION:  It is interesting to note that the church in the book of Acts was established following these same principles. Teaching, demonstrating, and discipling.  May it be said that the church in the 21^st century is still using the same principles. 

Note:  this ministry should start in our homes.  Teaching God’s Word, demonstrating how our faith is lived, and training our children. 

PRAYER:  Lord, use me to proclaim and demonstrate your word.  Use me to help others make your word a central part of their daily lives.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 16, 2024: SOAP #5248: 1Samuel 18; 1Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

OBSERVATION: The One who had willingly emptied Himself of His God-ness to live on earth as the Son of Man, was now empowered by the same Holy Spirit who was present at creation (Genesis 1:2). This was the same Holy Spirit the angel spoke of when explaining to Joseph, that Mary’s pregnancy was the work of the Spirit of God. (Matthew 1:18 & 20). The Holy Spirit was a major part of Jesus life and ministry.

APPLICATION:  I am called to be like Jesus. But I am often not sure how Jesus would live in the USA in 2024. The specifics are not always obvious. I need help in living like Jesus in my clothes, in my family, in my city, at my age of 76.  Jesus only lived 33 years as a man on earth.  How do I live like Jesus as I grow older?  Obviously, I need the Holy Spirit to be active in my life. I need Him to speak to me in ways I can understand.  I need Him to open the riches of God’s Word, the Bible to my heart and mind. 

I need to be like Jesus in hearing and following the Holy Spirit.  I need to pay attention to the soft impressions the Spirit brings to my mind. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, you understand every day of my life as you understood every day of Jesus’ life on earth.  As I move through this day, reveal to me how I can best honor Jesus.  And, through these SOAPs, make me a blessing to others.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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