Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 16, 2024: SOAP #5157: Genesis 39-41; Luke 16

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 39:2 The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant….
20 … But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warder…23 The warder paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.

OBSERVATION:  God was at work in the life of Joseph.  God knew the future.  He was using slavery and a prison to position Joseph to be readily available when Pharoah needed someone to interpret his dreams.  Each step in moving Joseph closer to Pharoah took time, but Joseph remained faithful during the long process.  God used Joseph to minister to others and make godly impressions.  When the time came for His ministry, there was nothing to hold Joseph back from answering Pharoah’s call.  He was ready and available!  

Everyone around Joseph could see proof of God’s favor even when he was a slave/servant or a prisoner. 

APPLICATION:  The same God is at work in each of our lives.  We can trust Him.  We need to take encouragement from Joseph’s life.  We need faith that God is using the present troubles in our lives to position us for future blessing and fruitful ministry. 

That same God has been at work in my life.  He has led me and taught me in preparation for writing SOAPs.  I can see where even small things were preparing me for this time of ministry in my life. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, help me to walk in faith and hold steady when passing through difficult times. The story of my life is not finished yet. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 15, 2024: SOAP #5156: Genesis 37-38; Psalm 7; Luke 15

(reworked from earlier)

NOTE: The younger brother who had taken his inheritance and squandered it had now returned home.  The joyful father was throwing a great celebration, but the older brother was jealous and would not come to the party.  So, the
Father goes out to him … 

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 15:31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

OBSERVATION:  Talk about unused potential!  This son had “always” been with the father!  “Everything” the father had was his!   And yet this son had not appreciated it, nor enjoyed it.  He had labored dutifully but not joyfully!   He had more responsibility and chores because His brother was gone.  He was more aware of the absence of his brother than of the presence of His father!!!

APPLICATION:  Many times, I have been more aware of what I did not have than of God’s Presence in my life.  I have held back from doing what I could because I did not have everything I thought I needed.  I have thought more about what the enemy could do to me than how the One living in me could protect me.

PRAYER:  Lord, forgive me for not counting on your Presence, your promises, your power, and your plans for me.  Forgive me for wasting my time worrying about what the devil can do to me.  Forgive me for focusing on what I do not have instead of appreciating what I do have.  Your Presence is more than enough for my every need!   Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 13, 2024: SOAP #5154: Genesis 34-36; Luke 14

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 35:3 Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.”… 21 Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder.

OBSERVATION:  In Genesis 12:7-8 we read of Jacob’ grandfather moving through this same area and doing the same thing; building an altar and pitching his tent.  Now as Jacob is returning home and after successfully encountering his brother who had earlier threatened to kill him, he does the same thing.  He built an altar and pitched his tent. 

APPLICATION:  To me that speaks of the priorities established in the lives of Abram and Jacob.  Building an altar speaks to me of permanence.  It is built to last.  But pitching a tent is done understanding that it can be moved.  It is of a temporary nature. 

Only my relationship with God is eternal!  It will not be stopped by the grave.  As we used to sing: “This world is not my home; I just a passing through.”  My relationship to possessions, work, houses and lands, is only temporary.  They may not even last until death, but certainly they will not pass through death!  They will all be left behind. 

How foolish to focus on the temporary and ignore the permanent!

PRAYER:  Lord, help me keep my priorities in proper order.  Re-align my priorities with your priorities.  Teach me to look at things with heaven in view.  Amen

Pastor Leon 
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 13, 2024: SOAP #5154: Genesis 31-33; Luke 13

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 13:22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, but he did not wait until he arrived to begin ministering.  The people in Jerusalem were important.  The people he met along the way in the towns and villages were just as important.

His ministry was where He was, using what was available.  He did not wait until he had a tent, or a building with comfortable chairs for the people to sit while he taught them.  He did not wait until he had a band with musical instruments to accompany His ministry.  He did not wait until he had some proper PA equipment.  He was a teacher; He did what a teacher does. 

APPLICATION:  I can become so task orientated that I miss opportunities to minister to the people I meet on the way. 

I can get in such a hurry to get where I am going that I ignore the people I meet along the way.

Or I can get my mind so full of how the ministry should happen and what is needed to enable me to do the ministry, that I miss the opportunities to just minister! 

PRAYER:  Lord, I need your Holy Spirit to keep me aware of those with needs around me.  Help me not to miss anyone needing my ministry whom you have placed in my pathway today.  I depend on your Holy Spirit to empower and enable me to minister as needed. Amen.

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 12, 2024: SOAP #5153: Genesis 29-30; Luke 12

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 12:16-21   Verses 18 “Then he said, ’This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
Luke (NIV) 12:31-34  Verse 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

OBSERVATION:  In the two passages above we see Jesus speaking of how we prepare for the future.  The first is save, Save, SAVE!  Build a bigger barn with stronger locks to keep your possessions safe.  The second one is give, Give, GIVE!  Put it where no thief can steal it. 

APPLICATION:  In the first, we are putting wealth into safe-keeping to be available later in life.  In the second, we are sending it ahead into eternity, for after we die.      

There are so many ways to lose earthly wealth.  Disasters, stock market drop, inflation, currency de-valuation, sickness, and on, and on, and on…  But putting wealth into the kingdom of God, puts it out of reach for all those things!  Its value will only increase!  

Investing in God’s kingdom brings joy as we see kingdom ministries grow.  There is also joy as God continues to supply funds for continual investment in the Kingdom. 

PRAYER:  Lord, there is not a better financial counselor than you!  All things are open before you.  Your wisdom far exceeds the financial advisors and planners on earth.  By your Holy Spirit, show us how to invest for eternity.  Amen.

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 11, 2024: SOAP #5152: Genesis 27-28; Psalm 4; Luke 11

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 4:1 In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain. 2 For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart.

OBSERVATION:  There are always people who will tell us what to do.  Get out of here while the getting is good.  Run. 

But they do not always see the trouble that lies in wait; they do not see the arrows that we will face.  They are just giving advice based on what they can see. 

But David had something they could not see; David had a refuge!

APPLICATION: David did not need to run.  He had already found his refuge!  The Lord is everything a refuge should be and more.  He is our hiding place.  He is our safety.  He is our peace.  He is our rest.  He renews our strength and our mind.  Our soul is restored.  (He does more than the spas or makeovers promise on their television advertisements.) 

Just a short time in our refuge; we leave with restored vitality, renewed hope, and fresh vision. 

PRAYER:  Lord, you are my safe place, my refuge.  In you I find peace and safety.  In you my strength is renewed, and my hope turned into faith.  In you I find fresh vision for the future.  You are my refuge!   Amen

Pastor Leon 
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 10, 2024: SOAP #5151: Genesis 25-26; Psalm 6; Luke 10

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 10:29   But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”  … (Jesus tells the story about the robbed traveler an two who passed by) …  Luke 10:33   But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34   He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him …. 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37   The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

OBSERVATION:  The first question was for Jesus from the expert in the law: “Who is my neighbor?”  The second question was from Jesus: “Which one was a neighbor to the man in trouble?”  According to Jesus, being a neighbor is not so much a question of living on the same street, but of traveling the same road and a willingness to get involved.

APPLICATION:  In applying the truth of this story to myself, a third question could be who is my neighbor?  I am in trouble.  Who will help me today? 

But when considering the words of Jesus, the third question is Who needs my help? To whom will I be a neighbor today? 

PRAYER:  Lord, sometimes I am more interested in who is a neighbor to me.  Today help me see to whom I can be a good neighbor.   Amen.

Pastor Leon 
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 09, 2024: SOAP #5150: Genesis 23-24; Luke 9

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 9:1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick … . 6 So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere … . 10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done.

OBSERVATION:  Why did Jesus “call the disciples together?”  The obvious reason was so He could “send them out!”  But they needed equipping in order to be effective when they were fulfilling their mission.  He did not trust their ability to accomplish His desired plan.  So, while they were together, He empowered them and gave them authority over demons and sickness.  This would make them more effective when He sent them out.  They ministered in His power and delegated authority!

APPLICATION:  We see the same pattern when Jesus left.  He gave the disciples authority (Matthew 28:19); He told them to wait in Jerusalem for the power (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4); then He sent the Holy Spirit to empower them (Acts 1:8 and 2:1-4).  He sent them out in the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)!

Why did Jesus have the early church gather in Jerusalem?  So, He could send them out to the nations.  But they needed equipping to be effective when they were fulfilling their mission.  Jesus did not trust their ability to accomplish his desired plan.  So, He sent the Holy Spirit to empower them in using their delegated authority!

The same is true in 2024.  There is a gathering of SOAP leaders today in West Africa.  SOAPs are printed and distributed in all 17 West African nations.  God is sending these leaders, and other SOAP ministers into our world.  He knows we cannot complete His mission in our own power.  So, He will fill us, He will baptizes us to overflowing in the Holy Spirit and we will go in His power!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, baptize us afresh like you did the early church on the day of Pentecost.  Anoint us, fill us, and enable us to accomplish your will.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 08, 2024: SOAP #5149: Genesis 20-22; Luke 8

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 8:15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus is explaining the parable of the seed and the Sower.  The seed is the Word of God, and the ground is the lives into which the Word is sown.  He has just explained about the seed that falls on the path that is immediately taken away.  Then He explained about the seed that falls on rocky ground that grows but has not roots to sustain it in hard times.   Thirdly He explains about the seed that falls among the thorns which choke the life out of the plant.  And in verse 15 He explains about the seed that falls on good soil.   Here the seed reaches its designed potential of producing a crop.

APPLICATION:  The King James Version reads “bring forth fruit with patience.”  The NIV reads “by persevering produce a crop.”   It takes time for the seed sown to produce a crop.  In the natural world it may take two or three seasons to pass before the full crop is reaped.  In the spiritual world, it may even take several years, or even several generations.  But with patience and perseverance the crop will come.

This truth can be seen in these SOAPs.  When God instructed me to write them each day, only a few saw them.  But day after day, writing and posting, God began to bring them to more people’s attention.  Today, as I am starting my 15^th year of daily writing and posting SOAPs, they are read by thousands in 15+ countries.  Faithfulness is the key that releases the miracle in the seed! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, You sowed your Son, Jesus into this world.  You have been reaping a harvest of believers in every generation.  One day before your throne will be a gathering of redeemed “from every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation!” (Revelation 5:9)   Many SOAP readers will be there!  What a great harvest that will be!    Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 07, 2024: SOAP #5148: Genesis 18-19; Psalm 3; Luke 7

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 7:2There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.”
6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.

OBSERVATION:  The Jews spoke to Jesus on behalf of the centurion.  He was an officer of Rome and had authority over them, yet he used his authority to serve them.  He desired Jesus’ help, not for himself, but on behalf of his servant, someone under his authority. 

APPLICATION:  Verses 1-10 of Like 7 have many great truths, but the Lord directs me to two simple applications.  First, I should be willing to carry the concerns of others to Jesus.  When someone dumps their heavy load on me, I should take them to Jesus!  There are so many limitations to what I can do, but not to what He can do! 

Second, I should seek Jesus’ help for problems at home.  He is interested in every aspect of our lives.  He can help those in our household! 

PRAYER:  Jesus, what a kind and gracious friend you are to me.  Use me to bring others to you.  Use me to help their faith increase.  Use my limitations to point them to your unlimited abundance.  Amen

Pastor Leon 
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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