LIving like Jesus!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 16, 2026:  SOAP #5978:   1Samuel 18; 1Chronicles 6; Psalm 11; Matthew 3

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

OBSERVATION: The One who had willingly emptied Himself of His God-ness to live on earth as the Son of Man, was now empowered by the same Holy Spirit who was present at creation (Genesis 1:2). This was the same Holy Spirit the angel spoke of when explaining to Joseph, that Mary’s pregnancy was the work of the Spirit of God. (Matthew 1:18 & 20). The Holy Spirit was a major part of Jesus life and ministry.

APPLICATION: I am called to be like Jesus. I also want my Heavenly Father to be pleased with me. 

But I am often not sure how Jesus would live in 2026. The specifics are not always obvious. I need the Holy Spirit to help me in living like Jesus in my clothes, in my family, in my city.  I need the Holy Spirit active in my life.  I need to be like Jesus in hearing and following the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, among the many changes I face today, the one thing that has never changed is my need for You, Your presence in my life, and Your daily direction. Make me like Jesus! Amen.

Pastor Leon
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God is moving on!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 15, 2026:  SOAP #5977:   1Samuel 17; Psalm 9; Matthew 2

SCRIPTURE:  1Samuel (NIV) 17:36 [David talking to King Saul before going off to fight Goliath.  He had just tried on Saul’s armor and did not feel it right.  So, he would take what he knew: a sling and some rocks.]  Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 
37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.”

OBSERVATION: David did not see the battle as the others saw it.  Most saw it as a fight between the Philistines and the Israelites.   Goliath, the nine-foot tall giant, wanted to define it as a battle between himself and one Israelite soldier.  David saw it as it truly was—a battle between Goliath and the Living God!  

This was far more than just the Israelites against the Philistines.  David had no doubt who would win this battle!  He did not need to look for a better weapon, the sling with stones in his hand would work fine. 

APPLICATION: When I find myself in a conflict, I too need to identify who is involved.  I need to boldly declare myself to be on God’s side.  Like David, I need to use whatever is available to me and trust the outcome to God!  If God is with me, I do not need to wait until I have more money, or better equipment.   

SOAP teams from Sierra Leone and Liberia have been invited and are now preparing for a crusade in Guinea Conakry.  They are not taking public-address systems and musical instruments; they are just taking SOAPs.  They will simply be walking in the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit!   Let’s pray for them!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, it is not how much money I have, or how great my plan.  It is knowing that I am on your side and trusting you!  We are not asking you to help us do what we want, but we are surrendering ourselves to you to do what you want. Amen

Pastor Leon
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All They Were Meant To Be

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 14, 2026:  SOAP #5976:   1Samuel 15-16; 1Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 1:20  … an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22  All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23  “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”— which means, “God with us.” 24  When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25  But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

OBSERVATION: God saw Joseph as an honorable man.  He was a man who could be entrusted with Mary who was entrusted with the baby Jesus.  Joseph would take Mary as his wife yet withhold himself from the joys of marriage until Jesus was born.  Joseph would not mess up God’s plan.  He would patiently allow the plan of God to work itself to completion. 

APPLICATION: What has God entrusted to me as Mary to Joseph?  What special gifts has He placed in their lives?  Will I provide a safe environment for them to develop their gifts?  Will I encourage them to fulfill the purpose God has put in their heart?

May our homes be good environments to build faith and learn that serving Jesus is a great honor.  It is more of a joy than a burden.    It is more than worth any sacrifice we may need to make.  Being faithful in little things leads to great opportunities. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, how wise of you to place the pregnant Mary in the care of Joseph.  May you find me faithful in caring for those you have entrusted to me.  May they become all you mean for them to be.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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So Important!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 13, 2026:  SOAP #5975:   1Samuel 14; 1Chronicles 4; 2Corinthians 13

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 13:14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

OBSERVATION: Here is Paul’s final words of this letter to the believers in Corinth.  It is a blessing from the Triune God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  The Father so loved that He gave His only begotten Son. (John 3:16)   Grace and truth came through Jesus. (John 1:17)   And our continuing fellowship with God is through the Holy Spirit. 

The disciples were concerned when Jesus said He was leaving.  They had grown close to Him.  He revealed the Father to them.  They ate together and took trips together.  He explained things to them.  Jesus sent them ahead of Him to the places He would visit.  Jesus died for them—and rose again.  And He was going to leave them. 

But His promise was that he would give them another Comforter.  Not another of a different kind, but another of the same kind.  (John 14:16)   Jesus was leaving, but this Comforter would be with us forever!!!   We may not have our Bible with us, or we may not even have a Bible, but we will always have the Holy Spirit who is the author of the Bible. 

APPLICATION: Reading the gospels about Jesus and His disciples gives me an example of what God wants for me.  I need to get as close to the Holy Spirit as the disciples were to Jesus.  My relationship with the Holy Spirit is even better than the disciples with Jesus—it is MUCH better.  Jesus was limited to a physical body, but the Holy Spirit remains omnipresent.  He does not need to leave me to be with you!  This is MUCH better!  No wonder Jesus said it was good for us that he would leave.  He understood how much we needed the “fellowship of the Holy Spirit!”  (John 16:7)

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, thank you for the fellowship you offer to me.  May I be a vessel full of you, poured out by you, and filled again with you.  Help me know the joy of being useful.  In Jesus Name, Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
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MInistries

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 12, 2026:  SOAP #5974:   1Samuel 13; 1Chronicles 2-3; 2Corinthians 12

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 12:12 The things that mark an apostle—signs, wonders and miracles—were done among you with great perseverance….
19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.

OBSERVATION: Here is Paul’s explanation an apostle’s ministry.  It is obviously one of oversight with signs, wonders and miracles as a major part.  It is not that they happened once or twice, but they continue to be seen in that ministry.   And from the context of these verses, an apostle does not exploit or take advantage of those seeking out his ministry.  The purpose of an apostle is for the church, not for selfish gain.

APPLICATION: A TESTIMONY:  On April 8, 2026, a team of SOAP ministry were baptizing new Christians in Sierra Leone.  A man wanting to be baptized was sick in the hospital, too sick for the doctor to release him to go to the baptism time.  After the doctor left, he told his son to call a motorbike and “escape” with him to the baptism place.  There some of the SOAP ministry team advised him to go back to the hospital, but Apostle Alex said “No, they should baptize him.”  After he was baptized, before he came out of the water, he was totally healed and started walking by himself!  When the news spread a lot of sick people from that same hospital came for baptism.  A healing revival started! 

I am not an apostle, but the purpose of the ministry God has given me is not for my gain, but the strengthening of others.  A gift of ministry has been given to me to make me useful.  If I am useful, I will be used.  If I am used, it is easy to get tired of being used.  But if I cannot be used, I will be useless.  It is much worse to feel useless than to feel used!   With age should come maturity.  It should be easy for people to use me.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, may the temptation of feeling used, be replaced with the joy of being useful, to You and Your church.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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My Greatest Strengths

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 11, 2026:  SOAP #5973:   1Samuel 11-12; 1Chronicales 1; 2Corinthians 11

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians 11:30  If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. 

OBSERVATION: To get his readers to believe him, Paul had just reluctantly given a list of his qualifications.  Then he follows with this statement.  Here he is saying that his greatest assets are his weaknesses for in them he must depend on Christ. 

In areas where he is obviously weak, others will have to admit that it was Christ working through him.  And Paul wants all the glory from his life to go to his Lord Jesus Christ.  

APPLICATION: When I do well in an area where I have a natural strength, there can be a tendency for me to take the credit—“look at what I have done!”   There can be a tendency for people to give me the credit. 

But in the areas I am weak—in those areas I have to depend on the Lord.  Those who know me have to give the glory to Jesus too.   And those who see God working through my weaknesses will be encouraged to believe God to work through their weaknesses.    

PRAYER:  Lord, shine through me.  I want others to see what you can do, not what I can do. Use me to do what only you can do. Amen

Pastor Leon
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The Way HE Is!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 10, 2026:  SOAP #5972:   1Samuel 8-10; 2Corinthians 10

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 10:1 By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you— I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” when away!

OBSERVATION: In this verse are two interesting and very desirable characteristics of God, especially as God interacts with man: meekness and gentleness.  Here is how I see these two characteristics being expressed in the amazing relationship between me and God. 

Meekness has to do with my approaching God.  His power is under the control of His love.  He is approachable because I do not need to fear being crushed by His awesome power and glory.  He is so big and yet He touches me without destroying me.  He is careful about my being.  He is meek; I can come close to Him without fear of being destroyed. 

Gentleness has to do with God approaching me.  Gentleness is power under control.  He knows my limitations and gently draws me to him.  He gently leads and guides me.  His conviction warns me that I am headed down the wrong path. He is patient and quick to forgive. He is careful about my feelings.  During life’s storms, He shelters me.  His Word gives comfort and strength.        

APPLICATION: If man was designing a god, surely, we would want him to be meek and gently.  But God is not meek and gentle because we made him that way, nor because man made a law that a god should be that way.  God is meek and gently because that is just the way HE is.  It is His nature in dealing with sinful men who repent and make Him their LORD…in dealing with His children! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for being approachable!   Thank you for approaching me in tenderness and kindness.  Make me more like you!  May I be meek and approachable.  And may I reach out to others in a gentle way.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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 HIS and my generosity!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 09, 2026:  SOAP #5971:   1Samuel 6-7; Psalm 72; 2Corinthians 9

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 9:11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 14 And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.

OBSERVATION: From the context, we see that Paul is writing to people who were being challenged to give to help the church in Jerusalem.  Jerusalem was going through hard economic times. 

APPLICATION: When God gives through us, it has three obvious benefits.  The first is supplying the need to which it was given. 

The second is the glory God receives when people hear how God met the need.  The monetary gift came through us, but God receives the glory. 

The third is that the people receiving the help will pray for us. And as givers we receive the blessing of knowing that we are actively participating in God’s work and God will reward us. 

PRAYER:  Lord, you are always doing things to help me and make me look good.  May I do things that make you look good!  May I use the money, you generously provide me, to bring you pleasure.  And may you receive praise from those who benefit from my generosity.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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…as HE directs.

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 08, 2026:  SOAP #5970:   1Samuel 3-5; Psalm 77; 2Corinthians 8

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 8:3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.  Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.  5 And they went beyond our expectations; having given themselves first of all to the Lord, they gave themselves by the will of God also to us. 

OBSERVATION: The Corinthians believers were not just making a donation.  They gave according to their ability.  They gave beyond their ability.  They gave willingly.  They considered it a privilege to give.  They exceeded Paul’s expectations.  The Corinthians believers were givers.  Where did such sacrificial giving begin?  It began by giving “themselves first of all to the Lord.” 

APPLICATION:  Sharon and I have given ourselves to the Lord, and since we claim Jesus as our Lord, all that we have belongs to Him.  So, giving is not a matter of making a donation; it is much more.  Giving is willing and joyfully disbursing His money as He directs.    

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, May you have joy in increasing our finances because you have joy in seeing how we manage what you have already given.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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I want to take this opportunity to express my thanks and appreciation for everyone who has participated in the SOAP ministry by giving.  When I started writing SOAPs I never expected such growth and fruitfulness.  When Pastor Andrew told me that he had a vision to help them spread across Africa, I told him that he had a bigger vision than I did.  But now I see that his vision was from the Lord.  It has been a blessing to me to see much of the financial support for the SOAP ministry come from Africa.  It is also a special blessing for God to allow many non-Africans to be a part of He is doing in Africa, and especially Muslim-Africa.  There is a powerful prayer ministry targeting Africa; God is a prayer-answering God!   And God has, through His people, provided finances to keep the SOAP ministry moving ahead!    May God’s blessings be easily recognized in each one who participates.  😊

My PLEASURE brings Him PLEASURE!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 07, 2026:  SOAP #5969:   1Samuel 1-2; Psalm 66; 2Corinthians 7

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 66:1 Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
2 Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious! …

Observation:   I do not have to praise God; my arms are not twisted until I give in and praise His name.  I get to praise God; it is my joy; it is my pleasure.  And I should do it in a way he deserves.  My praise should be enjoyable to Him!  He should take great pleasure and delight in my praise to Him! 

 If the Old Testament saints had reason to praise God, how much more do I have reason!!!  Jesus entered into death and rose victorious.  Jesus suffered and died to pay for my sins, and rose from the grave and now lives in my life!!!  No Old Testament saint should ever out-shout me! 

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 66:8 Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard;

Observation:   Not only should God hear my praise, the people around me should also hear my praise to God!  They should hear the sound of joy in my voice.  They should hear respect and honor.  They should hear my appreciation.     

APPLICATION: May those overhearing my praise start thinking, “Leon must serve a wonderful God!  His God must be real special.  I wonder if I could meet that God?”   

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, guide my thoughts so that the words that come out of my mouth bring pleasure to my Heavenly Father.  And may they influence the people who hear what I say.  May they also want to serve my God!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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