Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 15, 2023: SOAP #4791: Genesis 37-38; Psalm 7; Luke 15

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 15:6 … Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’…
9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ …
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So, they began to celebrate. 25 …music and dancing.

OBSERVATION: The three stories Jesus tells in this chapter all have something in common; what was lost was found and there was rejoicing: a sheep, a coin, and a son. 

The Lord showed me that the value of what was recovered set the tone for the rejoicing.  Surely the rejoicing for finding the sheep and the coin was genuine.  But oh, the rejoicing in the Father’s heart on the recovery of His son! 

APPLICATION:  Jesus’ stories/parables were all true to life.  People could easily identify with what He said.  He did not use fictional characters to teach eternal truth. 

Here, what was a story for Jesus, is reality for Sharon and me.  Having our son back home is such a joy.  Having him back in right relationship with Jesus is even a greater joy.  Hearing him talk about what God is saying to him, causes my heart to rejoice.  The blessing God gave us years ago in Doron, has been restored to our home.  Rejoice with us!!!  

PRAYER:   Truly, Lord, You are the great Promise Keeper!  We can trust you to keep your word.  Thank you for watching over our son. Thank you for watching over the word that was planted in his heart in his younger years.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 14, 2023: SOAP #4790: Genesis 34-36; Luke 14

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 14:12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

OBSERVATION:  Jesus had been watching the guests at a banquet and made two comments.  First to the guests: instead of taking a place of honor, they should choose for themselves a humble seat, because it is better to be blessed by being escorted to a place of more honor than to be asked to move to a place of less honor.  Second to those hosting the banquet:  Invite people who cannot repay you, because there is One watching who can repay and you will be repaid when it really counts.

APPLICATION: Proverbs 19:17 reads: “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.” When God sees me doing a kindness for someone from whom I expect no repayment, he takes it personally.  He looks at it as though I did it for him!    He takes the responsibility for the repayment, if not in this life, then certainly in the one to come.

I do not need to be rich to invest in the Kingdom of God.  I can invest time and talents in a child, a young person, an elderly grandparent, or neighbor.  The opportunities to invest in the kingdom are numberless!

When I do something for those who cannot repay me, it is noticed by the ONE who will certainly repay me.  Repayment I receive in this life will be a blessing now.  But the repayment I will receive in heaven, will last for all eternity!

PRAYER:   Lord, you have done more for me than I can ever repay.  Today give me the joy of serving you by giving to someone who has no means to repay me.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 13, 2023: SOAP #4789: Genesis 31-33; Luke 13

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 32:9 Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ 10 I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. …
11 Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children.
12 But you have said, ‘I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.’”

OBSERVATION:  When Jacob had left, it was because Esau had threatened to kill him. (Genesis 27)   Now God is sending him back home.  Jacob is terrified of meeting His brother.  He split his herds and family into several groups and sent them ahead to meet Esau.  Then Jacob prayed.  In prayer, he reminded God that it was at God’s direction he was returning home.  He humbly confessed his unworthiness of God’s blessings.  He prayed for God’s intervention to save him from Esau’s wrath.  And he closed by praying the promise God had given him. 

APPLICATION: When God gives an assignment, He gives His promise.  It is not uncommon to encounter difficulties when doing God’s assignments.  Like Jacob, when we face those difficulties, we need to pray.  And when we pray, we should pray the promises!  Jacob finished his prayer with, “But YOU have said…”    

God will often use people to fulfill His promises; He may use me to let people know, but it is not for me to try to convince people to help.  My focus should be on God and His word.  The Holy Spirit is a much better persuader than am I.  God will be blessed when I put my whole trust in Him. God will be blessed when people respond to His call.

What are God’s promises to me?    

PRAYER:   Thank you for using me in your kingdom.  Thank you for your promises of your Presence and your provision.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 12, 2023: SOAP #4788: Genesis 29-30; Luke 12

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 12:49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!
Luke (NIV) 22:42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done.
Matthew (NIV) 27: 46  About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

OBSERVATION:  In these three passages, I see the natural human reluctance to suffering and death.  It is natural to recoil from such a horrible death as crucifixion.  But for Jesus, it was even worse.  He who had never sinned was dying as a sinner.  He who had never had a cross word with Father God was now experiencing being forsaken. 

In Luke 12:50 Jesus wishes it was already over and He mentions that it is distressing to anticipate what is about to happen to Him.   He knew it was necessary, but wishes it was already over.  He dreaded it but He did it!

APPLICATION: It is no wonder that Jesus can help me face things that I wish were already in the past.

PRAYER:  Jesus, thank you for not backing out on your commitment to suffer and die on the cross in payment for my sin. I am so grateful! I love you! Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 11, 2023: SOAP #4787: Genesis 27-28; Psalm 4; Luke 11

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 28:10 Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran. 11 When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. 12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying….
16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”

OBSERVATION:  It was just a “certain” place to stop at the end of a day’s journey.  It was where he was when the sun was setting.  It was a convenient place to rest for the night.  There was nothing “religious” about this place.  Jacob had not planned on a meeting with God, but that is what happened.  So, in the morning Jacob called it “the house of God…the gate of heaven.” 

APPLICATION: The presence of the Lord turns any place into the “house of God!”  In the “house of God,” we can recognize God’s presence.  And we hear His voice.  He speaks to us personally!   Of course, I often sense God’s presence and hear His voice speaking to me in a worship service at church.  But being in a religious building has never been a pre-requisite.  God and I enjoy each other’s company on the school bus, in my office at home, and in many other places. 

PRAYER:   Lord, it is my joy to walk and talk with you.  I like it when you interrupt me in those “certain” places where I am not expecting you.  I like it when you reveal your plan for my life.   I am glad that you have found a way to use me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 10, 2023: SOAP #4786: Genesis 25-26; Psalm 6; Luke 10

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 26:26 Meanwhile, Abimelech had come to him from Gerar, with Ahuzzath his personal adviser and Phicol the commander of his forces. 27 Isaac asked them, “Why have you come to me, since you were hostile to me and sent me away?” 28 They answered, “We saw clearly that the LORD was with you; so, we said, ‘There ought to be a sworn agreement between us’— between us and you. Let us make a treaty with you 29 that you will do us no harm, just as we did not molest you but always treated you well and sent you away in peace. And now you are blessed by the LORD.”
30 Isaac then made a feast for them, and they ate and drank. 31 Early the next morning the men swore an oath to each other. Then Isaac sent them on their way, and they left him in peace.

OBSERVATION:  Those who had previously wanted Isaac to leave, now saw that God was with him and wanted peace with him.  They recognized that they would not be able to prevail against Isaac since the Lord was on his side.

When people recognize the presence of God is with someone, it makes a difference in how they think about that person.  It makes a difference in how they treat that person. 

APPLICATION: May those around me come to recognize that God is on my side. May I always live, secure in the knowledge that God is on my side! I do not need to be frightened or frazzled.  God is on my side!

May I only do those things, and only say those things, that make God enjoy living in me.  May God know that I appreciate His Presence. 

PRAYER:   Lord, your Presence makes a difference—a difference that can be seen by others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 09, 2023: SOAP #4785: 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 in order 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 2023.  God has sent me into the world.  He knows I cannot complete His mission in my own power.  So He filles me, He baptizes me to overflowing in the Holy Spirit and I go in His power!  

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

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 08, 2023: SOAP #4784: Genesis 20-22; Luke 8

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 8:22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So, they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples….

OBSERVATION:  Two confessions!  Two statements!  First: “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.”  Second:  Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

The first was a statement of faith and purpose; the second was a statement of fear.  Not one disciple reminded them of what Jesus had said.  In the storm, the waves spoke louder than Jesus.  In the storm, they had more faith in the waves to cause their death than faith in His words to go to the other side. 

After everything was calm, Jesus had a question for them, “Where is your faith?” Jesus was greater than the storm, the wind, and the waves!   He was also greater than their negative confession!

APPLICATION: I am so glad that the ONE with me is greater than my negative confessions. I am glad HE challenges me to put my faith in HIS word. HE is greater than my circumstances! HE amazes me with HIS ability to overcome what seems impossible. The more I know HIM, my confession changes from my hopelessness to HIS ability!

PRAYER:   Lord, with you nothing is impossible.  When I am with you, I do not need to worry about what might happen.  You are greater than anything we (you and I)  will face together.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 07, 2023: SOAP #4783: Genesis 18-19; Psalm 3; Luke 7

(mostly a repeat from 2012)

SCRIPTURE:  Genesis (NIV) 19:15 [The LORD was preparing to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah] With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.” 16 When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. 17 As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”

OBSERVATION:  Lot was hesitant and dragging his feet.  There was so much that they would have liked to take with them.  They were literally being pulled by their hands out of their home and out of the city of Sodom.   The impatience of those pulling them from their home was really an expression of mercy in saving them from the judgment that was fast approaching!  

Lot was unaware of the magnitude of the disaster coming. The forest ranger with news of an approaching forest fire; the police officer with the news of a fast-moving hurricane; the doctor with information about a fast-growing cancer; each has a message of mercy that can come across in a very impatient manner.  Patience is not the virtue needed in urgent situations.

APPLICATION: The conviction of the Holy Spirit is an urgent matter.  He is saying, “Now is the time!”  The enemy of our soul is present to say, “You have plenty of time.  Do it tomorrow.”  Our eternal destiny lies in the balance.  Heaven or hell. 

When God brings me into a place of urgency and demands instant obedience, it is not because He is impatient, but because He is merciful.  It is to my harm when I ignore the urgency of the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, as I grow in you, help me to respond quickly to your direction for my life.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 05, 2023: SOAP #4781: Genesis 15-17; Luke 6

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
35 But love your enemies, do good to them…
36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
38  Give, and it will be given to you…

OBSERVATION:  Jesus is teaching us how to live lives pleasing to the Father.  It is worthy to note that Jesus was not teaching us what to expect from others, but what others should expect from us.  He is not telling us to expect mercy from others, but to be merciful to others.  We do not use these verses to get others to give to us, but to motivate us to give to others. 

God expects us to be merciful.  He clearly commands us to be merciful.  He expects us to be forgiving to the point that we should not expect to receive forgiveness if we do not forgive.  But not only does God expect to see mercy in our lives, He, Himself, gives the example we are to follow!  He sets a high standard for mercy!

APPLICATION: I am to be merciful “ … just as … ” my Heavenly Father is merciful.  The mercy I have received, I am to extend to others.  The more I understand the mercy I have received, the more I understand the mercy I am to show. 

Receiving mercy is a “feel good” matter.  It definitely makes me feel better knowing that God has forgiven me.  But it is also a “do good” matter.  I am to pass on what I have received.  The blood of Jesus that covers my sins against God can also cover the sins of others against me!

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, you graciously accept the death of your Son as the payment for my sins.  May I learn to be merciful and accept that same death as the payment for those who sin against me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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