Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 06, 2023: SOAP #4841: Deuteronomy 3-4; Psalm 36; Mark 13

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 13:31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. 32 “No-one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

OBSERVATION:  If we believe what Jesus said about himself, that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), then it is logical to believe the above.  His “words will never pass away!” 

Truth may be hidden, misquoted, denied, but truth is eternal.  Truth remains truth.  Truth will never pass away! 

I just noticed that Jesus did NOT say that heaven and earth might pass away, but that they WILL pass away.  As surely as Jesus words will NEVER pass away, just as certain, heaven and earth WILL pass away. 

APPLICATION: Investing life into that which will pass away is foolish.  There are many investment counselors giving advice on how to invest money for the future.  But for the child of God, in whom the Holy Spirit dwells, investing for the future is not good enough!   We want to invest for eternity!    

Thankfully God has provided the perfect investment counselor, the Holy Spirit.  He is not someone we need to look up, he dwells within us!   He will guide us on investing our money, our time, and our lives for the greatest eternal benefit!   He will help us apply the words of Jesus in our today’s life, to have the greatest eternal good! 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, guide the investment of my life and my possessions for eternal good.  When I bow before the throne in heaven, may my heart rejoice that I followed your lead in investing my money, my time, and my life.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 05, 2023: SOAP #4840: Deuteronomy 1-2; Mark 12

SCRIPTURE:  Deuteronomy (NIV) 1:8 See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore he would give to your fathers— to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them.”

OBSERVATION:  After 40 years of wondering in the wilderness, Israel was about ready to go into the Promised Land.  God had given them the land, but they still must go and take possession of the land. 

To take possession, they would need to fight some battles.  God gave them battle plans and did miracles on their behalf, but they still needed to fight!   God did not send Israel into the promised land to be defeated, but to conquer it, to possess it, to make it a place where the promised Messiah would come! 

God’s promise of the land included His promise to be with them and help them. 

APPLICATION: Many times, God’s promises set the direction for our lives.  We must move ahead with confidence.  We must take on the challenges in faith that God did not send us here to be defeated! 

I must not hold back from what God has promised because it will require a struggle or hard work.  The One who promised, will be with me to ensure the victory. 

PRAYER:   Lord, your promises assure me that you are interested in me and will continue with me through the completion of what you have promised.  There is assurance of victory in taking possession of your promises.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 04, 2023: SOAP #4839: Numbers 34-36; Mark 11 (From an earlier SOAP)

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 11:7 When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

OBSERVATION:  The colt: what an interesting object lesson.  I can learn from the colt for I too carry Jesus, not on my back, but in my heart. 

APPLICATION: The crowd was not cheering the colt, but the One the colt was carrying.  May I carry Jesus in such a manner that He receives the glory and honor He is so richly due. 

The people were laying down their garments on the road, not to make the road softer for the donkey, but in honor of the King.  Any glory I receive, any compliments, must be recognized as belonging to Him. 

I must keep in mind that what people do for me, is really in honor of the King.  Any blessings I receive are because of His Presence!

PRAYER:   Lord, the joy and the benefits of serving you may be mine, but the glory is clearly Yours.  As I enjoy the benefits, may you enjoy the glory!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 03, 2023: SOAP #4838: Numbers 32-33; Mark 10

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 10:13 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

OBSERVATION:  He saw!  Jesus saw what was happening around Him.  Children were being denied their opportunity to be close to Him.  He was being denied His opportunity to be close to them!  
His feelings were aroused. He felt indignation! (much grief, outrage, anger)  It was shameful that the people representing Him would turn children away!!! 
He spoke!  It is not that the children belonged to the kingdom, but that the kingdom belonged to the children!  …and to those who receive it as a child. 
He touched!   No, not just touched them…He picked them up in His arms! 
He blessed!  He blessed what He valued. 

Children were not a side issue to Jesus.  They were an important part of His whole ministry. 

APPLICATION: God has made children an important part of my ministry.  School bus driving is not something I can drop when a more important opportunity comes my way.  The children on my bus are important, to God and to me.  Being faithful to them is being faithful to God. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, give me words of kindness, encouragement, hope, and blessing for the children around me.  May I be a trustworthy and dependable friend. Keep me serving them with eternity in view.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 02, 2023: SOAP #4837: Numbers 30-31; Mark 9

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 9:36 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37″Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”

OBSERVATION:  Everyone who works with children should commit this verse to memory.  That would include parents, teachers, children ministries, children’s hospitals, orphanages.  Those who are struggling to feed orphans that have become a part of their family should especially hold this verse dear to their heart. 

When we welcome children in the Lord’s name we are welcoming the Lord himself!   He becomes a part of every activity of the family.  Not only do we welcome Jesus, we also welcome the One Who Sent Jesus!!!   Yes, Abba Father God is made to feel at home in our family!!!  

APPLICATION: We can depend on God!!! 
–We can depend on His peace.  The Prince of Peace is now smiling on us! 
–We can depend on His wisdom.  He is interested in our home, so He will give us understanding in how to lead our home. 
–We can depend on His provision.  He may place a call in one of His children to help carry the financial load.  He may lead us to a job in which we can earn what is needed.  He may multiply what we have. 
–We can depend on His completeness!  We must learn that God often does not give us what we need until we see HIM as what we need! 

PRAYER:  Lord, may this word you have given me be effective in the hearts of those struggling under the responsibility of providing for children.  As they fix their eyes on YOU, ease the load and show them what you can do.  Increase their faith in you.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 01, 2023: SOAP #4836: Numbers 28-29; Mark 8

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 8:1 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”…
5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. 6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterwards the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus had compassion for hungry people!  Jesus HAS compassion for hungry people!  He understands the need for food to sustain strength.  He is concerned. 

APPLICATION: Here is a verse that those needing to feed orphans should take to heart.  In prayer they should lay their open Bible before the Lord, asking in faith, “Do it again!”   He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever!  He is the God of compassion!  The world needs to see His compassion. 

We can be thankful that God can meet more than food needs and we have the Holy Spirit to lead us in applying our faith. 

We must remember that God did not give us a ministry, or a family so that we could meet all the needs.  He is developing faith in us.  He wants us to trust Him to be the provider.  He may provide us a job; He may lead others to help; He may work a miracle—but if we are looking to Him, He gets the glory!

PRAYER:   Lord, we place the little we have in your hands.  You only multiplied what was in your hands.  Like you did for the hungry crowd, multiply it to meet our need today. So, we place what we have in your hands and listen for instructions. Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 28, 2023: SOAP #4835: Numbers 24-27; 1Corinthians 13

(reworked SOAP from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres….
13  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

OBSERVATION:  This chapter gives the best explanation of love that can be found as the Author of real love inspires the Apostle Paul to write.  This love is not the physical attraction I feel when I am close to someone that pleases me.  This love is not the emotional satisfaction I experience when working with like-minded people.  This love is the choice I make that puts others ahead of me.  One of the best expressions of this love can be observed in the living out of the marriage vows because this is the love promised before God in the marriage covenant.

APPLICATION: From reading this chapter one thing is clear: love is not easy.  If you think differently, read the passage again.  Love is best shown in our dealings with those who get under our skin, but that is not easy.  Love is best shown when I would rather be angry, but again, that is not easy.  Love is best shown in how I deal with people who misuse me, and again, that is not easy.

Obviously, this love is beyond my human potential.  If I am going to love like this, I need help…lots of help!  So, I pray…

PRAYER:   Lord, the only hope I have of expressing this love is if You love through me.  Lord, today, I surrender myself to you.  I believe your life was given on the cross as payment for my sins.  Forgive me.  Live in me.  Thank you for accepting me as your child. Love through me today.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 27, 2023: SOAP #4834: Numbers 21-23; Mark 6-7

SCRIPTURE:  Numbers (NIV) 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfil? 20 I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it.

OBSERVATION:  In Numbers 14 we read that Israel refused to enter the Promised Land.  God was angry with them and told them that they would be wondering around in the wilderness for 40 years until all that generation died.  Then they decided they wanted to enter, but it was too late and they were defeated because God was not with them. (Numbers 12:42-45)   In their wonderings they came close to the country of Moab ruled by Balak. He was afraid of them and hired a prophet to come and curse them. 

But the prophet would only speak what God gave him to say, and God refused to curse Israel.  They had sinned.  God was punishing them, but God would not curse them!   Back in Abraham’s day, God had promised that the Messiah would come through his descendants.  And God would not break that promise even though Israel had rebelled against His will.  They would have trouble and a whole generation would die in the wilderness, but God refused to curse them! 

All that God did in delivering them from Egypt was preparation for entering the Promised Land.  How soon they forgot His mighty acts! 

APPLICATION: We can rejoice in knowing that God’s blessings are on His children.  He may correct us, and punish us, but He does not curse us!  He will work out His will for us. When the 40-year detour for Israel was completed, God appointed Joshua to lead His children into the Promised Land.  God kept His promise!  

PRAYER:   Lord, when my enemies rise up against me, help me remember that you are for me! Your favor brings comfort to my heart.  Your blessings are greater than their cursing.  I am blest to be your child.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 26, 2023: SOAP #4833: Numbers 19-20; Psalm 28; Mark 5

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 5:35 While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” 36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

OBSERVATION:  Jesus was on His way with Jairus to minister to Jairus’s sick daughter.  He was interrupted by the touch of a woman who touched Him in faith and received her healing.  While Jesus was talking to her, Jairus received news that his daughter had died. 

The Spirit drew my attention to the reaction of Jesus.  He did not try to explain to them that they did not yet have all the facts.  Jesus did not give them a sermon on Who He was and what He could do.  He just ignored them and started the journey to Jairus’ house. He did not stand around ignoring them; His focus was on a girl that needed His touch. 

APPLICATION: I need the presence and ministry of the Holy Spirit in my life to help me respond to those around me.  There are times when I should give an answer and there are times when I should just keep my mouth shut and move on.

The Holy Spirit can give me what needs to be said, or the Holy Spirit can give me peace about ignoring it and moving on. 

In driving a school bus, I often hear conversations happening behind me.  I have learned to hold my peace and ignore them.  But there have also been times that the Holy Spirit has so strongly stirring in my heart and mind that I was forced from within to speak out.  Sometimes God uses the words I say and sometimes He just uses the fact that I got involved. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, I am counting on your presence to guide me through this day.  In your wisdom, lead me to ignore what satan would use to delay me or cause me to change my focus.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
February 25, 2023: SOAP #4832: Numbers 17-18; Psalm 29; Mark 4

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 4:35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

OBSERVATION:  Mark, the author of this gospel, was not one of the apostles, so he was not with them during this event.  Someone who was, relayed the story to Mark and he included it in his gospel.  That other boats were present made an impression in his mind.  The Holy Spirit inspired Mark to include the single line: “There were also other boats with him.”  They would have been in the middle of the “furious squall.”  Their boats would have also been “nearly swamped.”  They would have also benefited from the “calm.”

APPLICATION: I have noticed how people with a storm raging in their lives can trigger storms in the lives of those around them.  I want to have the Storm-calmer so in charge of my life that their storms do not affect me. 

More than that, I want the presence of the Storm-calmer in my life to bring peace to those around me.

May people enjoy sailing in the calm waters that surround my boat.  It will give me opportunity to introduce them to the One who calms the waters. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, may the presence of the Holy Spirit within me maintain peace in me, and use me to introduce them to Jesus, the Storm-calmer.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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