Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 04, 2023: SOAP #4870: Judges 19-21; 2Corinthians 4

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 4:7  But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

OBSERVATION:  When one sees such wisdom and power coming out of a week vessel it can only mean one thing:  there is something mighty impressive on the inside! 

Only God can get the credit when He does through us what we obviously could not do ourselves.  He is the “Treasure” that should be seen at work in our lives.

Too much of Christianity can be explained in a person working hard to accomplish something for the Lord.  That may be commendable, but that is not what God has designed.  His desire is that His presence in our lives is the only possible explanation for what is accomplished. 

APPLICATION: God often has me in situations that require more than I can do, but never in situations that require more than He can do!  And if I want Him to be seen in me, then I must be willing to be sent into circumstances that require more than I am able to do.

I do not want these daily SOAPs to be seen as something that Leon is doing for the Lord.  I want them to be something God is doing through Leon.  The expansive growth in Asia and across Africa is proof to me that God is speaking and working through the SOAPs. 

PRAYER:   Lord, I belong to you.  Use me for your glory.  Send me to the place where you can best be seen in me.  When people give me credit for what you do through me, may I be faithful and quick to give you the glory.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 03, 2023: SOAP #4869: Judges 17-18; Psalm 89; 2Corinthians 3

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 3:1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. 3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 4 Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God.

OBSERVATION:  Some people like to have letters of recommendation to introduce themselves and their work to others.  In the above passage, Paul claims that the believers in the city of Corinth are his letters of recommendation.  They are not letters written with ink on paper or on a stone tablet but written by the Spirit of God on their hearts.  The presence of God in their lives made noticeable changes—changes that cannot be missed! 

The emphasis that I get from this chapter is that the Law of Moses could only change our outward actions like what we wear, and where we go to worship, but the Spirit of God changes the person on the inside.  The Spirit changes a sour-spirited person into a sweet-spirited person.  The Spirit within changes a hateful person into a loving person; a pessimist into an optimist; a frowner into a smiler. 

APPLICATION: What do people read in the letter known as Leon?  Does God get a good recommendation?  Will they want the Spirit of God living in their life?  Will they want the righteousness, peace, and joy the Spirit brings? (Romans 14:17)

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, live in me in a way that is noticeable to others.  You and I working together, let’s make God look good!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 02, 2023: SOAP #4868: Judges 13-16; 2Corinthians 2

SCRIPTURE:  Judges (NIV) 13:19 Then Manoah took a young goat, together with the grain offering, and sacrificed it on a rock to the LORD. And the LORD did an amazing thing while Manoah and his wife watched: 20 As the flame blazed up from the altar towards heaven, the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame. Seeing this, Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground. 21 When the angel of the LORD did not show himself again to Manoah and his wife, Manoah realized that it was the angel of the LORD. 22 “We are doomed to die!” he said to his wife. “We have seen God!” 23 But his wife answered, “If the LORD had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and grain offering from our hands, nor shown us all these things or now told us this?”

OBSERVATION:  Perhaps Manoah had recently been to the synagogue and heard one of the Levites reading from Exodus 33:20 where God said to Moses:  “you cannot see my face, for no-one may see me and live.”  When Manoah realized that this man who had just received their meal by sending it up in smoke and then rising in the smoke out of their sight was the LORD!   He knew they were going to die.   But Manoah’s wife had some common sense, “If He was going to kill us, why did He tell us what we are supposed to do?”   Good question, Lady!   

APPLICATION: I need that simple common sense today!   If God assigns me a ministry, then surely, He knows what it will take to develop and maintain that ministry!   If He assigns me to build a building, He already know how He will provide.   When God brings me a child to care for, He already knows how much it will cost to feed, cloth, and educate that child.  Does God expect me to convince others to pick up the vision He has given me?   If God gave me the vision and He is going to provide through others, I believe He will give them the vision also.  If He wants them to be a part, when they hear me tell the vision, God will speak to their hearts!  They will be responding to HIM, not to me.  I do not beg or put pressure on them.  I put my pressure on God.     

PRAYER:   Lord, help me to trust you all the way.  These are the principles you have given me for the SOAP ministry.  Three things I ask, be glorified, increase my faith and make this an example for others.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 01, 2023: SOAP #4867: Judges 11-12; Psalm 50; 2Corinthians 1

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 1:8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.

OBSERVATION:  Paul wanted others to be informed about his difficulties.  FIRST:  In the verses preceding, he wrote how his life was an example for others.  And SECOND: in the verses following (verse 11), Paul thanks them for praying for him. 

APPLICATION: FIRST: one way for God to receive the glory from my life is for others to see Him at work in me.  Seeing how God brings me through difficulties that are obviously too hard for me, builds faith that God will do the same for them. 

SECOND: for those who love us enough to pray for us, it should be expected that we keep them informed of how we are doing.  God is answering their prayers as we move ahead.  They will glorify God as they hear of the prayers He has answered. 

PRAYER:   Lord, for you to receive glory, you will lead me through difficulties to victory.  You will lead me from one victory and through difficulties to another victory!  Give me victory over temptation.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 31, 2023: SOAP #4866: Judges 9-10; Psalm 49; 1Corinthians 16

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 16:1 Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

OBSERVATION:  The churches had been asked to help the people living in Jerusalem.  Paul was encouraging the church in Corinth to receive a weekly collection, on the first day of every week.  Each person doing what they are able, doing it faithfully on the first day of every week, the amount will grow to help meet the need in Jerusalem.  

APPLICATION: Several times I have been asked to send money to buy Bibles.  I do not have enough money to meet those needs, so I prayed.  I know that the Lord is very concerned that His people have access to His word.  The Lord showed me that the church should take a special offering every week for the purpose of buying Bibles.  When enough money is gathered, purchase one Bible and present it to a deserving individual or family.  Then start a weekly offering for a second Bible.  There could not be a more worthy reason for an offering.  Once all the needed Bibles have been purchased, offering can be taken for neighboring churches needing Bibles.   God will bless the efforts made to obtain Bibles and He will add His increase.  

PRAYER:   Lord, there are people that need your word.  May their desire be so strong that they are willing to sacrifice to provide Bibles for their friends, and then for themselves.  Add your blessing to their efforts.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 30, 2023: SOAP #4865: Judges 8; Psalm 42; 1Corinthians 15

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 15:3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

OBSERVATION:  Here Paul is giving priority information.  This is of utmost importance.  If this is not right, then nothing else matters. 
Here is the foundation of truth:  Jesus, the Christ, bled and died on the cross, not in payment for His sins, but in payment for our sins.  He was buried and on the third day He returned to life!   This was all done as prophesized in the scriptures.  There were many reliable witnesses of the risen Christ, most of whom were alive at the time of Paul’s letter to those in Corinth. 

APPLICATION: That is the foundation of my salvation.  I am not saved by works, but only by the work of Jesus!   Satan cannot take anything away from Jesus’ work on the cross; I cannot add anything to it!  
It is my faith in His work that activates my salvation.  When I believe that He died for MY sin and ask His forgiveness…He forgives me, cleanses me from sin, and makes my life His home!   (1John 1:9; Revelation 3:20)
I move from knowing about Him to Knowing Him!   What a difference!   And what a difference He makes in my life! 

PRAYER:   Yes, Lord.  I believe you died and rose again.  You died as the payment for my sin, and you have forgiven me.  You now live within me.  Every day I live in honor and appreciation of your great sacrifice.  Amen.

NOTE:  if you are not sure about your relationship with Jesus.  You can talk to him.  Talk to Him like He is right there with you, sitting across the table or desk.  Tell Him you believe what Leon wrote and you are asking His forgiveness and inviting Him to enter your life as Lord.  You will be blest!  

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 29, 2023: SOAP #4864: Judges 6-7; Psalm 52; 1Corinthians 14

(Reworked SOAP from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 14:40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

OBSERVATION:  This is the last verse in chapter 14, the subject being the times when Christians gather; today we call it a “church service” or “mass.”  The words “come together” have been repeated five times, 11:18, 20, and 33; 14:23 and 26.  This verse could be a summary of the previous 4 chapters. 

Although Paul deals with several specific issues about “coming together”, the overriding theme is that things should be done in a way that people can understand.   God desires that people be strengthened in their faith and encouraged to live appropriately.   God wants His people to be able to understand.  That is to be a priority of church leadership. 

APPLICATION: When I am writing a letter, or a SOAP, or a book, I need to consider how the readers will best understand.   When I sing a song I need to make sure the listeners can understand.  When I live my life, I need to make sure that those around me understand the priorities and purpose God has given me.  What is God saying through me?  Is that message clear to others? 

I need to be careful that my actions enhance and not negate my message. This was true as a senior pastor; it is also true as a school bus driver!  

PRAYER:   Lord, help me to talk and act in ways that make You easily seen and understood.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 28, 2023: SOAP #4863: Judges 4-5; Psalm 39, 41; 1Corinthians 13

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 13:11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

OBSERVATION:  Growth is a part of God’s plan.  He has programmed growth into every living thing.  Of course, growth means change.  In the verses above, we see two areas of growth.  The first is the growth between how we thought as a child and how we think now.  The second is change that will come from how we think now and how we will think in heaven!  

APPLICATION: I can consider the changes in my thinking from being a new believer to now.  Getting to better know the scriptures continues to change everything.  It has changed the way I see myself, the way I see God, and the way I see everything in life.  It has been a big change!   But a bigger change is coming!!! 

The day I see Jesus face to face!    What a change that will be!  Now it is like looking through a smudged, dirty mirror.  It is hard to see some of the specifics, some of the details.  But it seems the more I know the scriptures, the more the smudges are removed, the more the details become clear.  But when I see Jesus face to face!  There will be no glass between that needs to be cleaned!   It will be clear!   The details will be easily seen! 

PRAYER:   So I am singing: 
What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see. 
When I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace. 
When He takes me by the hand and leads me through the promised land.  What a day, glorious day, that will be!!!  (James Hill)  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 27, 2023: SOAP #4862: Judges 1-3; 1Corinthians 12

SCRIPTURE:  Judges (NIV) 2:18 Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the LORD had compassion on them as they groaned under those who oppressed and afflicted them. 19 But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their fathers, following other gods and serving and worshipping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. 20 Therefore the LORD was very angry with Israel and said, “Because this nation has violated the covenant that I laid down for their forefathers and has not listened to me, 21 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. 22 I will use them to test Israel and see whether they will keep the way of the LORD and walk in it as their forefathers did.”

OBSERVATION:  Why was God angry with the people He had chosen for His own — people through whom He would send Jesus to be the Savior of the world? He was angry and let their enemies defeat them because He is a Promise Keeper. God had blessed them AS HE HAD PROMISED and given them the land in which they had now settled. Now God was punishing them AS HE HAD PROMISED because they refused to honor and obey Him. God was being true to who He is!

Why did God not give up on the Israelites and let them be destroyed by the other nations?  Because God is a PROMISE KEEPER!  He was faithful to the promises He had made to Adam, to Moses, and to Abraham! 

APPLICATION: What a chapter!  We may not like it, but it reveals important characteristic about our eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, omni-present God! 

God is so loving that He sent His own son to make the acceptable sacrifice for my sins!  God is so holy that He demanded the full payment for sin even though His own sinless Son was making the payment!   There was no special deal for Jesus! 

PRAYER:   Lord, I am ashamed of how carelessly at times I have lived for you. I am sure I have stirred your anger, but the cross proved sufficient to cover my sins.  May my life bring you joy.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 25, 2023: SOAP #4860: Joshua 23-24; Psalm 44; 1Corinthians 11

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 44:1 We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago. 2 With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our fathers; you crushed the peoples and made our fathers flourish. 3 It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them. 4 You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob.

OBSERVATION:  The Psalmist knew the history of his people.  He knew what the Lord had done for the Israelites.  He knew how God had led them to the Promised Land.  He knew how God had given them victory.  He knew why and how the wars were won.  If God had not been on their side, they would have surely lost. 

APPLICATION: It is so important that we pass on to the next generation the testimonies of what God has done.  When we tell our history, we must be sure that God gets ALL the glory.  We are not telling our stories to make us look good in the eyes of our children, but to make God look good. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, anoint me as I talk to my son and to the children I interact with.  As I review my history, guide my words.  May I make God look great.  May they want to serve the God that their dad, their grandparent, their bus driver serves. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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