Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 19, 2022: SOAP #4581: 2Kings 1-3; Psalm 82; 1Timothy 1

SCRIPTURE: 1Timothy (NIV) 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

OBSERVATION:  What does God consider important?  God considered Paul faithful.  Faithfulness is far more important than ability.  Ability has to do with skill; faithfulness has to do with character.   Ability is useless without faithfulness.  Someone may have great ability, but if they are not faithful, their ability cannot be depended on.  Faithfulness makes ability available.  God could count on Paul to be where needed and to represent Him truthfully.

APPLICATION: How God sees me is more important than how people see me.  People may consider my abilities, but God considers my faithfulness.  He has proved many times that His abilities can easily fill in my weaknesses.  However, faithfulness is different.  Lack of faithfulness on my part removes the opportunity for me to use my abilities and for Him to use His abilities through me.

There may be times when I see a task as small and not very important.  I push it aside and leave it for someone else to do.  All the time I am professing that I will be faithful in the big things.  But the size of the task makes no difference in faithfulness.  Faithfulness in that which is little prepares me for faithfulness in that which is large.  And who am I to set importance?  The small thing may have much more importance in God’s kingdom than the thing I consider to be large.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, when I am faithful, I am like you.  I count on your faithfulness.  I want you to be able to count on my faithfulness.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 18, 2022: SOAP #4580: 1Kings 22; 2Chronicales 18,19; Colossians 4

SCRIPTURE: Colossians (NIV) 4:5 Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

OBSERVATION:  Here we are given two characteristics that should be in every believer’s conversation:  full of grace and seasoned with salt.  [Note: Jesus was known for gracious words. (Luke 4:22)] 

Full of grace:  this speaks to me of kindness and seeing the best in others.  It is focusing on the positive rather than the negative things in the other person’s life.  It is a person we like to be around.  It is a person we like to have talking about us. 

Seasoned with salt:  in this I see that their conversation makes others thirsty for what they have. 

APPLICATION: People often have a dominant theme in their thinking and if you listen to them for long, or if you speak with them for a while, that theme will start being expressed.  When you see them, you expect the conversation will be about their favorite sports team, or their favorite automobile, or their favorite politician, or their favorite…

I want my words, and the attitudes that are revealed in my speaking, to express love for my wonderful Savior.  When people leave my presence, I want them to be thinking, “I sure would like to know Leon’s God.” 

PRAYER:  Lord, like You, may my mouth be full of gracious words.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 17, 2022: SOAP #4579: 1Kings 20,21; 2Chronicles 17; Colossians 3

SCRIPTURE: 2Chronicles (NIV) 17:7 Also in the third year of his reign he [Jehoshaphat] sent to his princes, … to teach in the cities of Judah. 8 And with them he sent Levites, … and with them priests. 9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.
10 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

OBSERVATION:  Here we see the ministry of the Levites, some of which were driven out of Israel by King Jeroboam.  [He had made a separate place and worship in Samaria to keep those in Israel from going to Judah to worship in the temple.]   Now the Levites were building up the ministry in Judah.  In verse 9 we are told that they traveled throughout Judah and taught the people the Word of God.  Then in verse 10 we are told that the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah. As the people grew in their knowledge of God’s word, they grew in stature and esteem in the eyes of those around them.  How important is the knowledge of the Word!

The Word of God was spread by traveling ministries who carried the available scriptures with them.  There were no books/Bibles to be kept in homes.  But what the people gained from the Word of God being read and explained had a great effect on the people, and on the nation! 

APPLICATION: I honor the Word by reading or hearing it.  But the greatest honor I can give to the Word is to apply it.  The Word must make a difference in me.  The Holy Spirit quickens my mind as I read/hear the Word.  The Holy Spirit brings it to my memory as I go throughout each day.   

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, it is obvious that you honor those who honor your Word.  May these SOAPs honor you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 16, 2022: SOAP #4578: 1Kings 17-19; Colossians 2

SCRIPTURE: Colossians (NIV) 2:13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having cancelled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.  15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

OBSERVATION:  Here it is!  The triumph was on the cross.  That is where the battle was fought!  And that is where the victory was won!   In the eyes of man, when Jesus was taken off the cross, he was defeated.  But in the light of eternity, He was the VICTOR! 

Of course, we did not realize how great the victory was until the resurrection, even yet we do not grasp the fullness of that victory.  But we enjoy it, and we celebrate it.  When we partake of communion, we are “showing the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1Corinthians 11:26)   In the Bible we have the command to celebrate His death by taking communion.  But is there a command to celebrate His resurrection?

Yes, YEs, and YES!!  We are to live every day celebrating His resurrection!  The resurrected Jesus now lives inside every believer!  He is the honored Guest of our lives.

APPLICATION:  I celebrate His resurrection EVERY DAY!  The resurrected Jesus lives inside me.  His life is seen in me every day!  I live every day in living communion with the resurrected Jesus!  The way I talk, the way I act, walking in love and holiness, etc. are the ways I celebrate His resurrected life now living in me. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, continually remind me that the One who died on the cross for me, is now ALIVE in me.  Help me honor Him in all I say and do.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 15, 2022: SOAP #4577: 1Kings 16; 2Chronicles 15,16; Colossians 1

SCRIPTURE: 2Chronicles (NIV) 15:14 They took an oath [to seek the Lord with all their heart and soul] to the LORD with loud acclamation, with shouting and with trumpets and horns. 15 All Judah rejoiced about the oath because they had sworn it wholeheartedly. They sought God eagerly, and he was found by them. So the LORD gave them rest on every side.

OBSERVATION:  It was more than what they did, it was how they did it!  They did it “eagerly.”  They acted like it was their privilege. They were honored.  They were not being forced.  No one was threatening them.  No one was telling what they would receive, or what they would suffer.  They had an inner motivation.  They did it eagerly.  No wander God responded as He did!

APPLICATION: I can picture a father walking into his house after a long day of work.  He is looking forward to the evening meal and things he enjoys at home.  But most of all, he is looking for a hug and kiss from his wife, and the same from his small son.  The wife greets him at the door and welcomes him home as he expected, but the son remained in his room, playing with his toys.  When dad looks into the room, the boy continues playing but responds with, “Hi, Dad, glad you are home.”  The boy had not been “eagerly” awaiting his father’s arrival.  He did not do anything wrong, but he did not communicate any joy and excitement at his father’s presence. 

Our Heavenly Father is blessed when His children serve Him eagerly.  He loves to be served by people who realize that it is an honor to do things that bring Him joy. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, what an honor it is to be your servant. I am amazed to think that the little things I do every day can put a smile on your face.  As the song says, “Let me be a sweet, sweet sound in your ears.” May you enjoy being with me. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 14, 2022: SOAP #4576: 1Kings 15; 2Chronicles 13,14; Philippians 4

SCRIPTURE: Philippians (NIV) 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

OBSERVATION:  Here is a verse I memorized and wrote on the top of every test I took in my last two years of high school.  It goes along with what Jesus said: “…with God all things are possible.”  (Matthew 19:26)   It is a truth that can be applied in many situations.  In his letter to the saints in Philippi Paul uses this truth to describe his financial situation. 

Philippians (NIV) 4:10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. 14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

Paul’s success in ministry was dependent on God’s presence, not on the amount of money available.  Like Jesus, Paul taught and relied on the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  Miracles draw the attention of the lost and make them aware of God’s desire to be involved with people.  Paul’s ministry, and happiness, was just as successful when he had no money as when he had abundance. 

APPLICATION:  A few verses later, Paul writes to those who had sent money for his support.  He wrote: “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Verse 19)   Paul could write this to those who had sent money because God had met Paul’s needs.  He knew God would meet their needs also. 

PRAYER:  Lord, my dependence is on you to meet my needs, and the needs of SOAP ministry, according to your glorious riches. Through your strength I know we can do everything you have given us to do.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 13, 2022: SOAP #4575: 1Kings 13,14; 2Chronicles 12; Philippians 3

SCRIPTURE: Philippians (NIV) 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, 14 I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.

OBSERVATION:  Paul had been an enemy of the church, doing his best to destroy it.  God confronted Saul/Paul on the road to Damascus and rearranged his thinking and gave him a new purpose.  (Acts 9) 

Now Paul was making God’s reason for “apprehending/capturing/taking hold of” him—he was making God’s goal to be his own personal goal.  The reason God chose Paul became the reason Paul walked from town to town, preached day after day, wrote letters to believers, and discipled others.  It was not just the goal of Paul’s ministry; it was the goal for his whole life. 

APPLICATION: When I make God’s purpose for me to be my purpose for me—when I set God’s priority for me as my priority for me, my life becomes focused for the glory of God. 

I may not have a dramatic “Damascus Road” experience as Saul/Paul, but I have something better; I have God’s Word, the Bible!   AND I have the Holy Spirit living within me to apply the scriptures personally to my life!   Every area of my life (husband, parent, pastor, bus driver, etc.) is affected.

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I see you at work continuing to reveal and to develop the purpose for my life. Speak clearly to me in simple ways I can understand.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 12, 2022: SOAP #4574: 1Kings 12; 2Chronicles 10,11; Philippians 2

SCRIPTURE: Philippians (NIV) 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

OBSERVATION:  The Bible is written from the point of view that we can control our attitude.  We are as responsible for our attitude as we are responsible for our words and actions. 

We have the greatest example of how our attitude should be…we have the example of Jesus.  The following verses show Jesus to be a humble servant who was obedient unto death.  He did not exalt Himself.  His exaltation came through others.  His Father highly exalted Him and gave Him a name above all names. 

APPLICATION: It is so easy to blame other people or my circumstances for my attitude.  But as I mature in my Christian life, I find the Holy Spirit continuing to work on my attitude.  He is developing an attitude of faith and praise, of gratitude and joy. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, keep working in my life.  Keep working to make me like Jesus.  May Jesus be seen in me, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 11, 2022: SOAP #4573: Song of Solomon 5-8; Philippians 1

SCRIPTURE:   Philippians (NIV) 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!  23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

OBSERVATION:  In these verses, Paul gives three thoughts about death.  First:  for the believer, “to die is gain.”  It is moving ahead in the Creator’s purpose for creation.  It is fulfilling God’s purpose in bringing reclaimed and redeemed people into His eternal presence.     

Second:  to depart from this life is to be “with Christ!”  To live here is to have Christ with me in my circumstances.  To die is to join Him in His circumstances!!!

Third:  Dying is “better by far.”   Staying here, or going there?  This is hardly a choice.  There is no logical comparison.  It is not even close!  It is better by far!

APPLICATION: So, what would make us choose to stay here?  For Paul, it was continuing to bring God glory by serving His church.  It is to be so appreciative of what God has done for us that we are willing to endure whatever suffering may be a part of remaining behind to win more people for Jesus!  It is to be loving God so much that we push aside the risk of suffering in order to do what brings glory to our Lord! 

But whatever choice I may have, there will come a time when I will lay down this body of flesh to enter heaven.  Then I will say with full understanding, “To die is gain!”

PRAYER:  Lord, only you know how many days I have left in this life on earth.  May every one of them count for you. Just thinking about what you have prepared for me in heaven brings me joy; in response, may my life here on earth bring you great joy. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 10, 2022: SOAP #4572: Song of Solomon 1-4; Ephesians

SCRIPTURE: Ephesians (NIV) 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

OBSERVATION:  From the above verses, we can see that evil is not a problem limited to earth.  Evil had found a place in heavenly realms.  Although we often look to Adam as the first sinner, the Bible clearly teaches that there was one before Adam; that one is Satan. God can take what is meant for evil and turn it to be an opportunity for good.  Earth was prepared as a place where God’s grace and love and wisdom would be clearly demonstrated as being greater than sin.  The stage was set, the Son was sent, the struggle was started, and the Servant subdued the serpent!  Hallelujah!

APPLICATION: The battle has been won, but I still struggle.  The struggle now is not for victory for the victory was settled on the cross.  Our struggle now is to enforce the victory that has already been won.  Our struggle is with a defeated enemy who has been left to tempt me to see that my commitment is sure.  He has been left to teach me how to use authority.  He has been left here to give me opportunity to participate in his final demise.

The verses following the above passage give the armor I am to put on for my protection and the weapons I am to use in the struggle. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, with the armor for my protection and the weapons you have provided, with the presence of Your Holy Spirit in my life, You have prepared me for success!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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