Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 28, 2024: SOAP #5169: Exodus 21-22; Psalm 12; Acts 4

(worked)

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 12:6 And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.

OBSERVATION:  Silver that has been purified in an earthen furnace, then purified again, and then purified again up to seven times, would surely be considered pure.  

The Word of God does not need a furnace to purify it; it is already purer than silver that has been refined seven times.  Generation after generation, decade after decade, year after year, God’s Word is placed in earthen furnaces — in the hearts of people.

APPLICATION:  Find a family who has held the Word of God in high regard for generations and see the purity of the Word shining through. 

Find a person who has held the Word of God in high regard for decades and see its effect on that life. 

God’s Word is not put in the furnace to make it pure, but to prove it is pure.  It can take the heat!  And those who hide it in their hearts discover that they too can take the heat.  It continues to be proven pure time and time again.

PRAYER:  Lord, Your word is pure.  It remains trustworthy and true.  It continues to be a proven foundation for every life.  Amen

Pastor Leon 
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 27, 2024: SOAP #5168: Exodus 17-20; Acts 3

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 3:2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

OBSERVATION:  Money is an important part of ministry, but lack of money is never a reason to stop ministering.  The ministry that Jesus left the church was based on the power of the Holy Spirit rather than the power of money!

APPLICATION:  I believe I will give an account to the Lord of how I use the money He provides or enables me to earn, but how much more will I be held accountable for the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit he has given me!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, forgive me for the times I have hindered the flow of your ministry through me.  Find me a willing and useful vessel through which you can flow.  Use me today however you deem best.   Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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January 2024 SOAP UPDATE:    

Greetings to all in Jesus’ Name! 

When I started writing the SOAPs 15 years ago, I never dreamed that they would grow to the point where money would be useful to purchase computers and printers, paper and ink, and payment for internet access.  But that is what has happened.  It was God’s direction to me to write them.  God has been faithful to give me scriptures each day and what to write.  And God has been faithful in providing for the expansion of this ministry. 

When God directed me to start writing SOAPs, He also directed me to start driving a school bus.  Obviously, God had a plan; the money from driving the bus carried the SOAP ministry for the first ten years.  Then God began sending some support from time to time which has lately become more regular.  As the ministry has expanded, God’s provision has expanded. 

I never want to ask people to give!  It is God’s ministry; we only look to HIM for finances.  His provision is the proof that He considers it His ministry.  He will use people, but the motivation must come from their heart. 

The greatest way I see SOAP and money melted together is in testimonies of how God provides.  …and there have been so many testimonies!!!  

There is no official organization and to my knowledge, no one presently working with SOAPs receives a salary.  Many are making personal sacrifices to make the SOAPs available to others.

There is a team of 7-8 Christian leaders in 4-5 West African countries who want to purchase 85 laptops/printers to provide SOAPs for 4-5 nations. They are doing it on their own. They are very committed brothers and sisters who have been working with SOAPs for several years. They have seen a tremendous impact on their churches with the use of the SOAPs and want to see it spread through the 17 countries of West Africa. After this, they have a goal of helping the East African countries grow the SOAP ministry.

The bulk of money from past similar endeavors has come from Africa! But they will receive it from whoever wants to give. They have many testimonies of spiritual growth through SOAP use.

I do not want to see SOAPs as a fundraiser operation, so have limited my personal push. But I will gladly respond to your questions and pass along what is sent to me.

A day is coming when I will need to stop bus driving to take care of more SOAP ministries…Lord give me wisdom. There just is not enough time in the day to cover everything. Ha! 

Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 26, 2024: SOAP #5167: Exodus 14-16; Acts 2

SCRIPTURE:  Exodus (NIV) 16:35 The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan.
Acts (NIV) 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to breaking of bread and to prayer … 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.  They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.

OBSERVATION:  God has designed that we have a daily relationship with Him.  As the children of Israel came out of Egypt, they depended on God for their daily food.  God was faithful to provide a day’s measure of food each day for six week days and two measures on the sixth day (none on the seventh.) 

And when the church was born on the day of Pentecost it became their practice to join daily for teaching and fellowship. (Copies of the scriptures were not available in their homes.)

APPLICATION:  God has generously supplied many copies of the scriptures in many forms for me to study.  For the last 15 years God has assigned me to write a short daily thought (SOAP) about something in God’s Word. 

Recently it has come to my attention that some SOAPs are being distributed in places where some people do not have their own Bible, and/or cannot read.  What an opportunity for a special ministry!!!  If there are such people in your area, invite friends to your home to listen to you (or a guest) read the Bible for 15 or 30 minutes every day or once a week.  You do not need to be a teacher, let the Word speak for itself.  You might ask your pastor for a passage to be read.  He might give you one that goes along with his sermon. 

PRAYER:  Lord, use us to spread Your Word.  May our lives make the Word attractive.  May our actions show we honor Your Word.  Use us for your glory.  In Your Name we pray,  Amen.

Pastor Leon 
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 25, 2024: SOAP #5166: Exodus 12-13; Psalm 21; Acts 1 (reworked)

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 1:4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.”…
14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus, the Passover Lamb, was in the grave three days, then was among them 40 days (Acts 1:3) before ascending into the heavens. While with them, Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem until they were filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5) which happened on the day of Pentecost. Pentecost came 50 days after Passover. So this would leave about 7 days in between Jesus’ ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. In these middle days the disciples and those with them “joined together constantly in prayer.” During this time Peter called a meeting in which Matthias was chosen to take the place of Judas. (Acts 1:15-26)

APPLICATION:  The “in-between” times are times of the Lord’s timing and positioning.  Joseph was in prison where God had him positioned for the right time when Pharoah would call.  And here, God had the early church positioned in Jerusalem for the right time on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit would be outpoured!  

“In-between times” should be times of prayer. When I do not know what to do, I know what to do — pray!  Waiting time, whether minutes, hours, or days, should be prayer time. I need to keep myself aware of His presence and be expecting Him to talk to me.  Hearing Him is worth the wait!!!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, after completing one assignment and waiting for the start of the next, help me to spend my “in-between” time in a keen awareness of your Presence. Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 24, 2024: SOAP #5165: Exodus 9-11; Luke 24

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 24:46 He [Jesus] told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.

OBSERVATION:  This is the resurrected Jesus meeting with His followers for the last time before returning to heaven.  Jesus was saying, “This is what just happened (Christ suffered and rose from the dead), and this is what is to happen now.” 

I hear Jesus saying, “I did my part, now it is for you to do your part!”  “I suffered and rose from the dead, now you preach repentance and forgiveness of sins through Him to all nations.” 

APPLICATION:  It is a message with two parts.  The first part, repentance, is what we do.  The second part, forgiveness, is what He does.  The two parts hold equal force or weight.  As surely as man repents is as surely as God is to forgive!!!   (Note: 1John 1:9) 

Both parts of the message are to be preached to all nations.  All nations need to hear the part about repentance, and all nations need to hear the part about forgiveness! 

PRAYER:  Lord, I acknowledge that I have sinned.  I repent.  I turn from my sins.  It was for my sins you died on the cross.  I humbly receive your forgiveness. You died for me; I will live for you.  Make my heart your home.  Help me do what honors you, for it is in your Name, the Name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 23, 2024: SOAP #5164: Exodus 6-8; Luke 23

SCRIPTURE:  Exodus (NIV) 6:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.”…6  “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD.’”

OBSERVATION:  Moses had told Pharoah that God wanted His people to celebrate a festival in the dessert.  Pharoah refused.  Instead he gave them even more work to do.  Now they would need to gather their own straw with which they would make the bricks!   Moses goes to the LORD.  Read verses 1-8 to get all of God’s response. 

God’s response is not to tell them what they should do, but to tell them what HE will to do.  God had a plan, and His plan was not built on what they could do.  It was HIS plan, and HE would do what needed to be done!!! 

APPLICATION:  God often gives us assignments that are too big for us.  Everyone can see that we will surely fail.  But if we let the Holy Spirit speak to us through the scriptures, we will find that God’s plans do not depend on us!  Our obedience is never sufficient to accomplish His plan. 

Note that verses 6 through 8 contain 3 “I am’s” and 8 “I will’s”.  The “I am’s” speak of current relationship. That is Who He is!   The “I will’s” speak of His commitment to what He will do.  He will fulfill His word!   

PRAYER:  Lord, I know I can count on you to accomplish your will in my life.  You knowingly make my assignments larger than my abilities to teach me to trust you.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 22, 2024: SOAP #5163: Exodus 3-5; Luke 22

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 22:31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

OBSERVATION:  The disciples were celebrating the Passover Supper with Jesus on the night he would be taken off to be crucified.  Jesus knew what was in store for Him; He also knew what was in store for Peter.

Amazingly, the Creator of the universe had taken the time to pray for Peter!  He did not pray that Peter would not have any troubles, but that Peter would not be lost.  He did not pray for Peter not to fail, but that his faith would not fail!   And He gave Peter an assignment for Peter to do after the failure!   Yes, Peter would fail; but Peter would still be valuable to Jesus!

APPLICATION:  Jesus also knows my failures before I do them.  Yet he does not cancel me out because I am going to fail.   He can see me on the other side of failure.  He gives me an assignment for after the failure.  He lets me know I will still be valuable to Him.  He will still have something for me to do. 

His love and attitude toward me makes me do my best to keep faithful to Him. I do not want to disappoint Him.  I want to please Him.  I want Him to know that He is my greatest priority!  

PRAYER:  Lord, I still like to sing that chorus: “Keep me true, Lord Jesus, Keep me true.  Keep me true Lord Jesus, keep me true.  There’s a race that I must run; there are victories to be won.  Give me power, every hour, to be true.” AMEN
https://youtu.be/hqaLuchjXj8

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 21, 2024: SOAP #5162: Exodus 1-2; Psalm 88; Luke 21   (reworked) 

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 21:31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 “I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

OBSERVATION:  In looking around the world, many of the things mentioned in the previous verses  are happening now. We can be assured that God’s kingdom is soon to be established on the earth. While earthly and heavenly things come and go, there is one thing that remains — God’s Word.

APPLICATION:  The more of God’s Word I have in my heart, the more peace and security I have. The more of God’s Word I have in my mind, the more I understand what is happening around me. The more I put into practice the principles of God’s word, the more stability I have in times of trouble. The more I share God’s Word with those around me, the greater is the effect I have in their lives.

JUST A THOUGHT from the Lord:  If you have a Bible and live in an area where many people do not have a Bible, or cannot read, invite some to your home every day or once a week for 30 minutes when you can read from the Bible for them.  Ask your pastor for a reading assignment. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, my life is based on Your Word.  It is underneath me as a sure foundation.  It is in me as the preserver of life.  It is easily seen around me in all of Your creation.  It is above me shining a light on the path I should take.  Thank you for Your Word! Amen

Pastor Leon 
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 20, 2024: SOAP #5161: Genesis 49-50; Psalm 8; Luke 20

  (repeat from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 8:3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

OBSERVATION:  David considers the immensity of “ …the work of your fingers” and then the smallness of man and wondered “Lord in the midst of something so great, you care for someone so small!”  Later in verse six David considers “ …the work of your hands” and realizes that God not only cares for us, but has given us a place of honor within His creation.

APPLICATION:  David considered the “work of God’s fingers” and the “work of God’s hands” and responded with wonder and appreciation. So, what response should come from our hearts when we consider “the work of God’s Son!!!”  Hebrews 3:1 tells us to “consider … Christ Jesus.” 

In creation, God worked un-opposed, but in redemption, Jesus had to overcome all the forces of hell.  Jesus, tempted in every way as we are, died in victory as he refused to surrender to Satan’s will.  Jesus rose in glory with victory over death, hell, and the grave!  And we have this treasure (His resurrected life) in earthen vessels (our human bodies).  Consider that!!!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, today help me not to just see with my eyes but consider with my heart.  May the work of Your hands draw praise from my lips and may the work of Your Son draw worship from my heart.  Amen.

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 19, 2024: SOAP #5160: Genesis 47-48; Psalm 10; Luke 19

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 19:45Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers’.”

Isaiah (NIV) 56:7 these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”

OBSERVATION:  If the temple in Jerusalem was to be known as a “house of prayer,” how much more should “HIS” house, the body of Christ, the church be known as a “house of prayer.” Prayer is a dominant characteristic of “his” house.  One of the first things people should recognize when they visit a fellowship of believers is that prayer is important. And when we meet new friends, how long does it take them to recognize that we are people of prayer?   If He has taken up residence in our lives, then our physical bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should be a “house of prayer.”

APPLICATION:  I do not have to go someplace to pray, wherever I am is a place of prayer.  I can tell people I will pray for them, but the truth is…I can pray for them right then and there.  Not only can I pray for them, but I can also pray WITH THEM.  It is good to pray for people, but even better to pray with them. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, even now, this SOAP reader and I join in prayer.  If my friend does not know Jesus as both LORD and Savior, right now, as they confess their sins, sweep through their heart and life with the blessed assurance that every sin is forgiven.  Let today be the beginning of a special relationship between you and this SOAP reader! 
And praying with those who already know Jesus, we ask you to fill our hearts with your Holy Spirit. Use us today for your glory.  May we be bold to step out and do as you prompt us.  In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon