Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 29, 2023: SOAP #5139: Revelation 10-14

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 14:1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. 3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No-one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.

OBSERVATION:  David, 1500 years before Christ, wrote of singing “a new song” to the Lord.  It is now 3500 years later, and as we look ahead into the book of Revelation, we see “a new song” being sung before the throne.  Surely “new songs” have been present in every generation.  God has been and always will be worthy of new expressions of praise.

APPLICATION:  This past year, God has brought things into my life for which I can express “a new song” of praise — something for which I have never given thanks or praise before.   It may be something that I have taken for granted, or something that came through a new source.  It may not be a great musical composition; it may be only the words; but from my heart I can give Him fresh praise, “a new song” or expression of appreciation.

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for friends who receive these SOAPs.  As they look back over 2023, may their hearts be filled with fresh praise.  Amen

Pastor Leon 
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 28, 2023: SOAP #5138: Revelation 5-9

(reworked SOAP from the past)

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 5:13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

OBSERVATION:  I enjoy music through a good set of headphones.  I like to hear stereo and surround sound.  I like the crescendo of a combined orchestra.  I like to feel music.  But what an incredible music experience this will be when every creature in heaven and on earth joins in a song of worship!  It will be music to be felt! 

APPLICATION: “Every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea!” –surely that includes me!  I get to be a part. 

I have enjoyed playing my trombone in Junior High, High School, and College bands.  I have enjoyed singing in High School choirs, and in Revivaltime Choir my year in college.   But surely nothing compares with what John saw and heard.   And I get to be a part!

(Maybe there will be a special section for SOAP readers!  If so, see you there!) 

PRAYER:  Lord, I am looking forward to being a part of the music in heaven.   May you enjoy this day as I practice my part!   Amen.

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 27, 2023: SOAP #5137: Revelation 1-4

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 4: 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

OBSERVATION:  Here we see worship being given based on what He had done.  He had “created all things!”

APPLICATION:  It seems that man has often tried to pull away from the fact that God is Creator.  Some men have come up with weak theories of how this earth came into being.  But the courts of heaven will resound with the worship of Creator God!  God will be worshipped in Spirit and in Truth.  He will be exalted for His mighty acts! 

PRAYER:  Lord, I do not need to wait until I am at the throne of heaven before I worship you as Creator.  I do it now!   You are the magnificent Creator and Sustainer of heaven and earth, of all things larger than me, and all things smaller than me!  Your works declare your intelligence, wisdom, and power.  They cry out for me to worship you!   You are most worthy!  Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 26, 2023: SOAP #5136: Psalm 117; 119:81-176; 2John; 3John

SCRIPTURE:  3John (NIV) 3 It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

OBSERVATION:  Though not John’s physical children, John had been instrumental in the lives of his readers, and he refers to them as his children.  Children can bring joy in three ways.  First, there is the joy of the relationship.  Second is the joy of observing their growth.  Third is the “great joy” received when someone else has a good report.

APPLICATION:  My heart rejoices today for the second reason.  Our son, Doron, recommitted himself back to the Lord during Covid time and moved back home from a relationship that was not honoring God.  Sharon and I have enjoyed watching him grow in Jesus and re-establishing good relationships.  Today, it was our privilege to fulfill his Christmas gift request.  We gave him a good study Bible!  We had bought him one or two Bibles in the past hoping they would spark his interest to read, but today we joyfully gave him one he requested!  

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for the blessing of families.  Thank you for brothers and sisters in Christ and for the church family.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 25, 2023: SOAP #5135: 1John 1-5

SCRIPTURE:  1John (NIV) 3:8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9 No-one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

OBSERVATION:  On Christmas day, with all the attention given to the birth of Jesus and the events surrounding his birth, it is good to be reminded of the purpose of His coming.  The reason He appeared: “to destroy the devil’s work.”

Those loving Jesus will do their best to keep from sin.  Of course, they do not have the power to live a sinless life by themselves; they need the help of the Holy Spirit. 

APPLICATION:  Jesus destroyed the work of the devil in many ways while He walked on the earth.   He revealed lies and hypocrisy; he pointed out many sins of civil and religious leaders. 

But I am discovering that the greatest way Jesus destroys the devil’s work is by living in Leon!  His presence heightens my desire to please Him.  His presence brings conviction when I move into questionable areas.  He does not always keep me from temptation, but He gives me strength to resist temptation!   

PRAYER:  Lord, I am blest to know that “destroying the work of the devil” is specifically and clearly mentioned as a reason for your coming.  When temptation comes my way, I need your help.   May it be easy for people to identify me as one of your children!   Amen

Pastor Leon 
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 24, 2023: SOAP #5134: John 19-21

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 19:23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus,…30  When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

OBSERVATION:  In reading the assigned chapters in my daily reading plan, it is interesting to me that on Christmas Eve when we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we are assigned to read John 19 about His crucifixion.  …and chapter 2 about His resurrection. …and chapter 21 about another encounter with the risen Lord before He returned to heaven. 

It serves to remind us of WHY he came.  Born in a manger, but He did not stay in the manger.  Grew up in Nazareth, but He did not stay in Nazareth.  His ministry took Him to the temple and into the streets of Jerusalem, but there was so much more.  His ministry took him to Calvary where He was crucified.  Although sinless and morally pure, He died for sin. 

He did not cry out from the cross about the unfairness of His suffering.  The Father in heaven did not reach down and stop the crucifixion. He did not say, “You’ve got the wrong man!”  The reason:  Jesus was dying for sin, sin that deserved such a death.  No, it was not His sin, but my sin!  

APPLICATION:  No one will ever be able to raise an argument against me that a sufficient sacrifice was not made for my sins!  There is no other sacrifice that can be made!  

The baby that was born in the manger is worthy of our worship and celebration.  He is worthy of our lives!  

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, I accept your sacrifice as the payment for my sins.  I confess my sins to you.  Forgive my sins and live in my life as my Lord and Savior.  Thank you for coming to earth, dying for my sins, and now living in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 23, 2023: SOAP #5133: John 15-18 (God speaking to me again as in Dec 2015)

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes . so that it will be even more fruitful.

OBSERVATION:  Fruit must be important because Jesus spoke of it the last time he was with the disciples before going to the cross. The fruit on a tree is an outward expression of the inner nature of that tree. Oranges come from a tree that has the nature of an orange tree, etc. And so it is with people in whom God dwells by his Spirit. There are outward expressions of that inner nature. Galatians 5 gives a list of fruit that can be seen: love, joy, peace, etc. Others who come to believe in Jesus through one’s testimony are also fruit.

APPLICATION:  A Christian who has no fruit is like a fruit tree that bears no fruit. It is unnatural. The branch that bears no fruit is to be cut off. — When I do not feed the spiritual man, the flesh becomes stronger and begins to express its fruit. I take on the attitudes and expressions of the world. — But when I focus on building up my spiritual part by doing things that help me grow in my relationship to God, the fruit of the Spirit can be seen in my life more and more.

PRAYER:  Lord, by your Holy Spirit make me be more like you. May my life bring you glory by having much fruit. Amen

Note:  I received a Christmas letter today from Owen Carr.  This past year there was a gathering to celebrate his 100^th birthday!   It is easy to understand why God has let Bro. Carr continue past normal age…HE IS STILL FRUITFUL!   He is still not too old to read His Bible and pray every day!   He is not too old to seek God for a fresh word to give to other believers!  He has not become trapped in the aches and pains of old age so that he overlooks heaven’s point of view.  What a great example for those of us growing older!   😊   

Pastor Leon 
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 22, 2023: SOAP #5132: John 12-14 (reworked from 2020)

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 14:15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus had just taught them a lesson by example and with words.  They called Him “Teacher” and “Lord.”  Yet He had performed the action of a servant.  He had washed their feet.

It is important for disciples to pay attention to what their teacher says.  They need to know the teachings.  They need to be aware of their teacher’s words. BUT the blessing only comes if they do them.

For the years to come, they would be able to say, “Jesus washed my feet.”  But they would only know the full blessing if they washed someone else’s feet

APPLICATION:  How many times has the forgiveness of Jesus washed my heart.  How can I ever thank Him?  How can I return the blessing He has given me?  I can forgive those who sin against me!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you have been so gracious to me.  You washed me; you forgave me; you cleansed me from all unrighteousness!  (1John 1:9).  Your sacrifice on Calvary was sufficient to pay for all my sins AND sufficient to pay for all the sins against me.  Help me to find the blessing of forgiving others. Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 21, 2023: SOAP #5131: John 9-11 (repeat from earlier)

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 10:2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice … . 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

OBSERVATION:  The Good Shepherd does not go behind the sheep to drive them but goes ahead of them to lead them.

APPLICATION:  I am finding that following Jesus ensures that He arrives first.  He is already there when I arrive!   He already knows what I will be facing.  He already knows what I will be doing when I arrive.  He knows the purpose for my being there because He is the one who led me there.

The necessary provision for the assignment is found in His presence.  In His presence is peace and protection. 

PRAYER:  Lord, gently remind me not to run on ahead.  You have called me to follow.  Amen.

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 20, 2023: SOAP #5130: John 7-8

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 7:16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me.

OBSERVATION:  Of the words used to describe Jesus, the most common are “Jesus,” “Lord,” and “Son” (Son of man, Son of God, Son of David…)  In this verse we have a fourth word commonly used to describe Jesus…the word “sent.”  It is not a common descriptive word, but it shows purpose and mission.  And it is worth noting that the one who most used this word to describe Jesus is Jesus Himself!!!  This is how Jesus saw Himself.  

Jesus saw Himself as being sent from the Father to do the Father’s will, to speak the Father’s words, to work the Father’s works, and to reveal the Father’s heart.  His whole life and mission could be understood in the word “sent.” 

APPLICATION:  If we are faithful in reading the Bible and growing in our relationship with God, we will soon come to understand that there is more to being a Christian than in what Jesus does for me.  He has plans for me.  He makes me an important part of what He is doing.  As He was sent from the Father, now He sends me!   (John 17:18)

I must become as diligent about fulfilling the task, mission, purpose that Jesus has assigned me as He was in fulfilling what the Father assigned Him!!!  Through faithful Bible reading and prayer, through listening to what the Spirit says in the word, through our church and through our circumstances, we will learn God’s assignment(s) for our lives. 

PRAYER:  Lord, you have given me a great example of fulfilling your assignment.  And even more, you have given me the Holy Spirit to accompany me and empower me to fulfill my assignment.  Forgive my sins and failures and help me bring joy to the Father’s heart.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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