Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 27, 2024: SOAP #5320:  2Kings 13,14; 2Chronicles 25; 2Timothy 3

(prayerfully repeated from 2013)

SCRIPTURE:  2Timothy (NIV) 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 1 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

OBSERVATION:    What a powerful verse for every believer.  The scripture is useful in teaching us, showing us where we are wrong, showing us how to do things right and helping us grow in righteousness.  I am saved only by the work of Jesus.  I am not saved by my works, but I am saved to work. 

As special as those things are, this passage shows that God has even more in mind.  He wants us ready to do something.  He wants us to be useful in His kingdom.  The scripture works in us to make us useful.  We are to be useful to God and useful to others.  Life is too short to waste our time here.  As long as God has us here, He has something for us to do.

APPLICATION:  By God’s word I am equipped for every good work that comes my way as His servant.  When I refuse to work or serve in the body of Christ, I am not useful to the Kingdom.  I am wasting what God has given me.  I am not living up to the potential God has placed in me.  Simply put, I am not very Christ-like.  Jesus “went around doing good  …  ” Acts 10:38.

Note: consider the above verses along with 2Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” The scriptures are the equipment I need; the Holy Spirit is the empowerment I need.

PRAYER:  Lord, it is your will that I be useful in your kingdom; so, it is your will that I be equipped and empowered.  As I study the scriptures, empower me with your Holy Spirit.  Use me for fruitful ministry.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 26, 2024: SOAP #5319:  Jonah 1-4; 2Timothy 2

SCRIPTURE:  2Timothy (NIV) 2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.

OBSERVATION:    If Satan was trying to limit the spread of the gospel by putting chains on the Apostle Paul and putting him in prison, it would have to be noted as his second greatest failure.  Of course, the first would be causing the death of Jesus who had never sinned and was not under the curse of death.  Without His death, there would be no resurrection!!!

The second greatest failure of Satan would be putting the Apostle Paul in prison.  It resulted in Paul having time to write letters under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit!   Paul could not get out and the Holy Spirit could not be kept out!!!!   Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote letters that have gone far beyond Paul’s limitations of traveling and of time!!!  

APPLICATION:  We all experience limitations.  We can be restricted by poor health, by limited finances, by location, by lack of understanding, by available resources, etc.   BUT God’s Word is not limited.  It is not chained!   When all Paul could do was write letters, he wrote letters.  How glad we are to day to be able to read those letters!   Remember: Paul could not get out, and the Holy Spirit could not be kept out!  

We may not have the resources to build a church building, but we can go out to the streets to witness to someone going past our house.  We may not have opportunity to minister to hundreds of people, but we can teach our children to love the Lord; we can write a letter to someone needing encouragement.    We may not have a large offering to give, but we can give our loaves and fishes and trust Him to multiply it to meet the need! 

PRAYER:  Lord, limitations can be used to focus my attention on what you really want me to do.  Help me not to be disappointed or discouraged because of the limitations I face.  Use the limitations to set the timing for my life.   May my faith lift me to see above and beyond the limitations.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 25, 2024: SOAP #5318:  Joel 1-3; 2Timothy 1

SCRIPTURE:  Joel (NIV) 2:10 Before them [God’s judgment army of locust] the earth shakes, the sky trembles, the sun and moon are darkened, and the stars no longer shine. 11 The LORD thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty are those who obey his command. The day of the LORD is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it?
12 “Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. 14 Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing—grain offerings and drink offerings for the LORD your God.

OBSERVATION:  In this passage we see the two overriding characteristics of God: His holiness and His love. 

As the holiness of God demands justice and punishment for sin, so the love of God cries out for mercy and compassion.   With great wisdom, God sent His Son, Jesus who lived without any sin to die in payment for our sins so God could be compassionate and merciful to us!    

APPLICATION:  How can a holy God bring a sinful man into His presence for eternity?  The answer is THE CROSS!  It was there that Jesus died for the sins of the person who believes and repents. 

God’s holiness demands justice.  God’s love demanded a way of forgiveness. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord!  (Romans 6:23) 

That gift is received by faith, by believing that Jesus died for our sins and that He rose to life again.  …by believing that Jesus will forgive as He said, …by acknowledging that we are sinners and asking His forgiveness.  And finally, by thanking Him for keeping His word!  

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for keeping your promise to forgive.  (1John 1:9)   Thank for coming to live in my heart.  Help me live my life to honor you.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 24, 2024: SOAP #5317:  2Kings 11,12; 2Chronicles 24; 1Timothy 6

SCRIPTURE:  2Chronicles (NIV) 24:24 Although the Aramean army had come with only a few men, the LORD delivered into their hands a much larger army. Because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, judgment was executed on Joash.

OBSERVATION:    I try to give special attention to the word “because.” After it comes the reason for what I just read.  It answers my question “why.” 

Above I read that the outcome of the war was not determined by the size of the army, but by the LORD!  Why was that?  Because Judah had forsaken the LORD! 

APPLICATION:  Today a nation (the United States of America) that is known for producing and selling great weapons of war to other nations who are trying to protect their borders (Israel and Ukraine) is being invaded by an “army” without any weapons!   In this army are some criminals and many drugs. 

Why?  How can that be?  Here is the because…  15+ years ago I was asking the Lord what He was going to do about the many sins being committed every day against those being formed in His image.  He spoke very clearly that He would be bringing one undocumented alien into our country for every child carrying His image that had been destroyed!  70 million at that time!!!  At that time, I wondered how could God do that?   Today it is obvious! 

I do not claim to have the answer for our nation’s border problem, but I know the place to start is in repentance.   We are experiencing the judgment of our Holy God.  May we repent and experience His forgiveness. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, history clearly shows that the founders of this nation looked to you for wisdom in establishing government and laws.  In the civil war we experienced your hand of judgment for slavery, and now we are experiencing your hand of judgment for the destruction of millions who were being formed in your image.  We have sinned and need your forgiveness.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 23, 2024: SOAP #5316:  2Kings 10; 2Chronicles 22,23; 1Timothy 5

SCRIPTURE:  1Timothy (NIV) 5:4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God…
7 Give the people these instructions, too, so that no-one may be open to blame. 8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

OBSERVATION:    It is good to read the Bible and see what a great God we serve.  It is good to see what He has done for us and what we can expect when we serve Him.  But the Bible also speaks of what God expects from us.  What is it that pleases God? 

In this chapter, Paul gives some specific instructions on how we are to treat one another while we are living on earth. 

APPLICATION:  Loving and serving God should make a difference in how we treat those older than us and those younger.  It makes a difference in how we treat widows and church leaders.  We should not show partiality! 

As children of God, in whom His spirit dwells, we should treat others as children of God in whom His spirit dwells!   We should apply the principles presented in this chapter. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I have heard it said that someone was so spiritually minded they were of no earthly good.   May that NEVER be said of me.   And may it never be said of SOAP readers.  Being spiritually minded should make us of more earthly good!  May our lives be pleasing to you.  Amen

Pastor Leon  
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 22, 2024: SOAP #5315:  2Kings 8,9; 2Chronicles 21; 1Timothy 4

SCRIPTURE:  1Timothy (NIV) 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

OBSERVATION:    Paul was writing to Timothy, his young son in the Lord.  He was leaving some instructions on how to lead the church and some comments about Timothy’s personal life.  Reading of the scriptures should be both private and public; it being linked here to preaching and teaching, it is proper to see it as referring to public reading, as the NIV gives it. 

Public reading was so important in the early church days.  It was a part of services in the temple and synagogues, so it would carry over to the gatherings of the early church.  Reading from the scriptures would give a high level of authority to the preaching and teaching.  Doctrine has its foundation in the written Word of God! 

And in a day when scrolls were very few and books not yet being printed, how else would believers get to know the word (letters from Paul, etc.) unless someone read it to them! 

APPLICATION:  Here is a simple ministry that everyone reading this SOAP is qualified and capable of doing:  Reading the Word of God out loud! 

Today, if there are people living in your neighborhood who do not have a Bible, or cannot read, I encourage you to set a time each day or each week for them to come to your home, or yard, to hear you read the Bible! 

A ministry to elderly people who may have trouble with their eyesight—read the Word of God to them.  A ministry to your family around the dinner table—read the Word of God.  When visiting the hospital—read the Word of God.

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, use this simple idea to spark ministries that reach the lost and strengthen believers.  May the Word of God, which you inspired, be powerful in the lives of the readers and the hearers.  In Jesus Name,  Amen! 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 21, 2024: SOAP #5314:  2Kings 6,7; 2Chronicles 20; 1Timothy 3

SCRIPTURE:  2Chronicles (NIV) 20:3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to enquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

OBSERVATION:    The Kingdom of Judah was about to be attacked by a “vast army.”  Jehoshaphat had good reason to be alarmed, but he knew where to go. 

Read to verse 30 and see how God spoke to them, telling them what to do.  Read how it worked out for Judah’s good and God’s glory. 

APPLICATION:  As I read this passage, here are some questions to ask myself: 
Am I serving the same God Jehoshaphat was serving?
Do I remember what God has done in the past?
In prayer, do I recount what God has done in the past?  (vs. 6-9)
Do I give God thanks and praise for the past before asking for help?
Does God know that I am thankful for His past help? 
Does God know He can expect praise when He answers the present request?
Do I lay out my problem to God? (vs. 10-11)
Where is my focus?  …on God in heaven or someone on the internet? (vs.12)
Do I believe God has an answer? Am I open to the Spirit speaking? (vs.14-17)
How am I responding to God’s instructions? (vs 18 worship, vs 19 praise)
How long does it take me to obey? (vs 20)
How am I approaching my problem?  With praise?  (vs 22-23)
Have I made known what God has done for me? (vs 26-27)
What did I do when I joined with other believers? (vs 28)
How are others responding to what God has done for me?  (vs 29-30)

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for showing me how Jehoshaphat prayed.  Thank you for the assurance that you will answer—that you still respond to faith.  Lord, thank you for the desperate times that force us to rely on you.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 19, 2024: SOAP #5312:  2Kings 4,5; Psalm 83; 1Timothy 2 

(Reworked for today from 2011)

SCRIPTURE:  1Timothy (NIV) 2:4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men…

OBSERVATION:  I remember as a very young boy, our family lived in Texas where my dad attended College.  In the summers we would stay with my grandparents in Kansas where my dad helped with the farm work.  I remember being awakened one night by Uncle Urban who had driven out to let us know that the Arkansas River was flooding and would soon be at our door.  We had to leave in a hurry.  I remember the long drive as we followed my uncle to his home.  He knew which bridges were already underwater and which roads would lead to crossable bridges.  We trusted him and followed him readily.  He was our way out of trouble.  He was the only one who had come from a place of safety and knew the way to take us with him back to that place of safety. 

APPLICATION:  Having a great desire to escape the judgment coming on sin, I am so glad that Jesus came from a place of safety and made the necessary sacrifice to provide me peace with God.  He not only knows the way to heaven, He is the way—the only way!   Sometimes I look for short-cuts, but He knows the best places to cross the rivers.   

PRAYER:  Lord, You are the only one who came to where I am from where I want to be.  You are the only one who knows the way to heaven!  You are the way!  I place my life in your hands and I trust you.   Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 19, 2024: SOAP #5312:  2Kings 1-3; Psalm 82; 1Timothy 1

SCRIPTURE:  1Timothy (NIV) 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

OBSERVATION:    For those desiring to be like Jesus it would be good to note the purpose statements Jesus made throughout the Gospels.   What Paul wrote here to Timothy is the same thing Luke recorded in his gospel (Luke 19:10):  “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”  

APPLICATION:  Knowing the purpose statements of Jesus will help us better understand the life He is now living in us. 

Why is our attention drawn to someone who may not know Jesus as Lord and Savior?  It is because the One living in us came “to seek and to save” that person.  God is giving us the joy of sharing in His special plan.  His purpose is becoming our purpose. 

If we have a strong urge to pray for a missionary or a lost relative, we can know that is Jesus being Jesus in us. 

PRAYER:  Lord, Help us not to miss any opportunities today to speak to someone about your great love.  May we experience the joy of the Holy Spirit leading us and speaking through us.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 18, 2024: SOAP #5311:  1Kings 22; 2Chronicales 18,19; Colossians 4

SCRIPTURE:  Colossians (NIV) 4:16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. 17 Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.”

OBSERVATION:   In closing his letter to the church in Colossae, Paul adds a personal comment to Archippus.  Archippus had received a personal assignment from the Lord and he needs to take it seriously.  It should not be left undone.    

If I start “a ministry” with the idea of serving the Lord, that is good but that is not nearly as important as having a ministry given to me by the Lord.  If I start it, then I will be evaluating it to determine if I should continue or look for something else to do.  BUT if the Lord assigned that ministry to me, I cannot leave because it is hard.  He sent me there!  He gave me that ministry!  I must be committed until HE directs me otherwise. 

APPLICATION:  The SOAP ministry was not my idea.  It was first presented to me by Pastor Dayton, and the next morning God made it clear that this was HIS assignment for Leon!    I am not asking God to help me with my ministry.  I am making myself available for God to use me in HIS ministry! 

Writing SOAPs is a simple idea that has expanded far beyond my initial thoughts.  It’s success is based on two things:  God’s faithfulness, and my faithfulness.  He has been faithful to give me a word for each SOAP, and for 14+ years I have passed them in a daily SOAP. (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) 

If God has given you children, then complete the ministry as a parent as unto the Lord.  If God has given you neighbors, then complete the ministry of being a neighbor.  May your neighbors soon learn that Jesus is living next door!  

PRAYER:  Lord, may everyone who reads these SOAPs be encouraged to be faithful in the simple things you give them to do.  Our faithfulness allows you to use these ministries far beyond our initial dreams.  Lord, may I faithfully complete my assignment.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon   Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Personal Note:  Here is a quick update on what is happening in my life. 
–This is the last week of bus driving for summer school.  Summer school is only morning classes for four days each for three weeks. 
–On Thursday I have an appoint with my regular doctor for an annual check.
–Next Thursday I have an appointment for a stress test on my heart.  The results are needed to get my Department of Transportation physical for bus driving next year.    
–A biopsy appointment has not been scheduled; I have not been informed why but God is in control!!!   😊    
–Thanks for your prayers.  God has given me this SOAP assignment and He will complete it!!!