Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 28, 2024: SOAP #5290: Proverbs 7-9; Romans 9

SCRIPTURE:  Proverbs (NIV) 9: 10  “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

OBSERVATION:  What an amazing nugget of truth is tucked away in this scripture. People often get their attention on the “fear of the Lord” which is emphasized numerous times in Proverbs.  There is not a special word here translated “fear.”  This word means simply, “fear” with the idea of being terrified.  Jesus spoke of such wisdom when He said we should fear Him who has to the power to destroy our souls in hell. Some would want us to think of “fearing” God as some reverential awe that engulfs us.  They say, we really do not need to be afraid.  However, in applying my limited understanding of Greek and Hebrew (which is limited to the use of Strongs and Vines) I found that the word used in the phrase “fear God” every time I have looked has the concept of being terrified.  The Holy Spirit showed me that fear is a form of worship and belongs to God alone.

That fear is not wisdom, only the beginning of wisdom.  It will lead us to the wisdom found in the second half of this verse.  This fear is the beginning, not the culmination of wisdom.

APPLICATION:  It is wise to know about God, but the emphasis here is on knowing God.  That personal, intimate knowledge of God fills our minds, our hearts, our lives with understanding.  In relating to Him we discover, come to understand, the real purpose for our existence.

Consider these verses:  Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.   So we can increase in wisdom!  

1Corinthians 1:30.  It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.   We will always be lacking in wisdom if I do not consider Jesus!   My wisdom will never be complete with seeing Jesus as the center of all knowledge and wisdom. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, increase my wisdom as I better understand Jesus and His place in my life.   Amen

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 27, 2024: SOAP #5289: Proverbs 4-6; Romans 8

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 8:5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; 7 the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. 9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

OBSERVATION:  One of the great changes in a person’s life when they accept Jesus as Lord is the way they think.  Their perception changes and continues to change the more they are in God’s Word.

People who are trying to please God through their flesh by keeping the law, or even by doing good works, have their minds set on the things of the flesh.  Their mind is set on what they can do to please God.   

APPLICATION:  A good example of this is a question I was asked from a young person in India. “Does outward adornment affect inward holiness?”  To those walking in the flesh, the answer they believe is “yes.” But, those walking in the Spirit will come to understand that the answer can never be “yes,” only “no.” 

In fact, just the opposite is true.  It is the inward holiness that affects the outward adorning.  The closer a person walks in relationship to Jesus through the Holy Spirit, they will begin to think differently.  The more they think differently, the more their outward adorning will be affected.  As they grow in their love for the Lord, as their mind begins to think about how to please Him, and as they grow in understanding of what pleases Him they will adorn the outside of their earthly temple accordingly.  We ask ourselves, “What does Jesus think about this?  What does Jesus say?”

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, as you live inside me, help me align my thoughts to honor the Father.  Teach me with the word!   Amen

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 26, 2024: SOAP #5288: Proverbs 1-3; Romans 7 .

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 7:4 So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. 5 For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. 6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

OBSERVATION:  God’s work in redeeming us through the death of Jesus was for more than giving us the right to claim that we are Christians.  God expects us to be fruitful.  He expects that people will see through our speech and actions that something has happened inside our life. 

When we were controlled by the sinful nature we were selfish, unkind, rude or impatient, etc.  But now that Jesus has moved into our heart and put His emphasis in our life, things are different.  It is a change that people cannot help but notice!  

APPLICATION:  A fruit tree does not work at bearing fruit—it happens naturally.  And when Christ is given Lordship of one’s life, change begins happening immediately and without effort. 

With the creator of the universe living inside my heart, it is impossible to keep it quiet and to keep it hidden!  Seeing things from His perspective makes a big difference in how I respond.

PRAYER:  Lord, I like to sing, “In my life, Lord, be glorified, be glorified.  In my life, Lord, be glorified today.”  May the “fruit of my life” be proof of your presence!   Amen

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 25, 2024: SOAP #5287: 1Kings 10, 11; 2Chronicles 9; Romans 6

SCRIPTURE:  1Kings (NIV) 11:10. Although he (GOD) had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD’s command. 11. So the LORD said to Solomon, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.
12. Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. 13. Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.”

OBSERVATION:  In this passage we read about God keeping his promise he had made to Solomon in 1Kings 9:3-8. 

God had kept His promise to King David about David’s son Solomon.  God had kept His promise to King Solomon about giving him the great wisdom for which Solomon had requested.  And now in the verses above, we read about The Great Promise-Keeper holding true to His promise about what would happen to Israel if they turned away from Israel’s God!!!  

APPLICATION:  God keeps all His promises, not because we are so deserving of His love or of his judgment.  He keeps them because He is true to Himself!   He is true to His word!

The reason Calvary was so agonizing was because God was keeping His promise to judge sin.  Jesus had no sin, but He was carrying my sin, and yours.  God’s judgment is that the wages of sin is death.  Jesus bore the full expression of God’s wrath against sin!   God was keeping His promise to judge sin, and at the same time God was keeping His promise to send a Savior!  What an amazing God!!! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, what a Promise Keeper you are!!!   Jesus, what a Savior you are!   My hear overflows with gratitude!    Amen

Personal Note:  I saw the Urologist this morning and arrangement will be made to get a biopsy.  Then they will know what is needed.  Thanks, everyone, for your prayers! 

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 24, 2024: SOAP #5286: 1Kings 9; 2Chronicles 8; Psalm 136; Romans 5

SCRIPTURE:  1Kings (NIV) 9:4 “As for you, if you walk before me in integrity of heart and uprightness, as David your father did, and do all I command and observe my decrees and laws, 5 I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised David your father when I said, ‘You shall never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’
6  “But…
…if you or your sons turn away from me and do not observe the commands and decrees I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, 7 then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. Israel will then become a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples.

OBSERVATION:  In the verses above we read two very different promises.  They were both made by the same God.  They were both made to the same people.  The first is something to eagerly anticipate; the second is something to dread. 

APPLICATION:  It would be a shame to think that only one, the one we liked, was true for us!   It would be disastrous to think that only one of the promises was for us.  It would be tragic to think that God was only prepared to fulfill the first one.  It would be a grand mistake to think that “The Great Promise-keeper” would forget about the second promise. 

It would be a grave mistake to think that God will overlook sin.  Remember, it was He who sent His Son, Jesus, to die as the penalty for sin!  This is not something He is likely to forget!!!  

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you are much too holy to forget any of your promises.  For those who receive your Son, Jesus, as their Savior, He bore your promise of punishment for their sins so that they may share your promises of eternal blessings.  I am trusting Jesus’ death on the cross to be the payment for my sins and I am placing Him as the head of my life.   Amen

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 23, 2024: SOAP #5285: 2Chronicles 6, 7; Psalm 135; Romans 4

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God.
3 What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. 5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

OBSERVATION:  The matter before us is the relationship of faith and/or works to salvation.  Which one brings us salvation?  The Jews put a great emphasis on keeping the Law of Moses.  It was important to them how well they DID in keeping the law.  Since they could not keep it perfectly, they ended up taking pride in at least doing it better than anyone else.  Surely God would be impressed with their efforts; they were impressed!   

Here the writer of Romans bypasses Moses and goes even further back to Abraham.  Moses gave them the Law, but Abraham was their father!  It all began with Abraham.  In their consideration of Moses, the emphasis was on the work of keeping the Law.  But what did Abraham discover about his relationship with God, since he did not have the Law of Moses?

APPLICATION:  How was Abraham able to be the “friend of God?”  How did Abraham become the father of the nation, he who had no children of his own? It was simply by faith.  Abraham believed.  He believed what God said.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, I do not have faith in my works for my salvation, but in the completed work of Jesus!  Without sin, He died for my sin; now I enjoy justification. Amen
If you have never made Jesus your Lord, pray with me:  Lord, I confess that I have sinned and ask your forgiveness.  Come live in my life as my Lord.  Make my life your home.   Amen. 

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 22, 2024: SOAP #5284: 1Kings 8; 2Chronicles 5; Psalm 99; Romans 3

(Reworked SOAP from 2010)

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus

OBSERVATION:  All have sinned and come short of God’s standard.  Neither the Gentiles, without God’s written code, nor the Jews, with God’s written code, were able to meet God’s holy requirements. The most glorious thing about verse 23 is the first word of verse 24!  The truth expressed in verse 23 does not nullify the truth expressed in the next verse.  For all mankind, the second is as equally available as the first is absolutely true.  For the believer, both are equally AND absolutely true.

Both the Jews and Gentiles have sinned.  BUT both the Jews and Gentiles can be brought into right standing without any cost to themselves.  It is a gift freely given, one clearly not deserved!  It is given through the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus!

APPLICATION:  The better I understand how hopeless I was in sin, the better I appreciate the grace of God that justifies me—made me just-as-if-I’d never sinned!   I was hopelessly lost in sin, but now I am gloriously made clean!   What a great God!  How logical and proper to commit my whole life to him!  

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for saving me from sin and its results.  I am yours.  Use me as you desire.  Speak through me.  Touch through me.  Live through me.  Amen. 

Personal note:  My thanks to those praying for me.  Today was the last day of driving elementary school students.  Tomorrow will be the last day for High School and Middle School students.  June 3-20 I will be driving for summer school.  Friday I have an appointment with a Urologist to set up a biopsy of areas found on the MRI. 

SOPE note:  Bishop Matthew Same (Kenya) purchased eleven computers and printers in Sierra Leone and has returned to Kenya where they are being set up for receiving and printing SOAPs.  He will be setting up an East Africa SOAP Team.  Praise the Lord! 

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 21, 2024: SOAP #5283: 1Kings 7; 2Chronicles 4; Psalm 98; Romans 2

(The following SOAP is from 2021, but it follows so well with yesterday’s SOAP, I believe the Lord would have it repeated today.)

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 2:2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.

OBSERVATION:  God never uses feelings, or impressions, or false testimony as a basis for his judgments.  Human judges may at times have to rely on such, but not God. His judgments are always based on truth!  No one can fool Him!  No false testimony will be received.  No excuses will be allowed.

APPLICATION:  In God’s court there is not a prosecuting attorney.  Truth and reality are the same thing.  Reality demands that I plead guilty.   There is no need for a prosecuting attorney, but there is a defense attorney, Jesus, God’s own Son.  He is not present to argue that I am innocent.  MY Defense Attorney defends me by arguing truth, not the truth of my guilt, but the truth of His payment on the cross! 

God’s holiness reveals that the only penalty for sin is death.  God’s holiness demands sin’s penalty must be paid.  Either I will pay the penalty by my death and eternal separation from God, OR I accept the payment Jesus has already made and make Him the Lord of my life.  He joins me now in this life and I will join Him in life after I die.  My sin is reality; Jesus’ payment on the cross is also reality!  

Reality also includes my confession of sin and acceptance of Jesus as my Savior and Lord.  (I trust every SOAP reader has accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord.)

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, truth is so important to you. Truth and reality are the same to you.  They are the same in nature.  To know you is a study in reality.  To study creation is an endeavor of reality. Jesus, thank you that your death and resurrection is also a reality.  Your accepting my confession and forgiving my sins is also a reality for which I am eternally grateful. Amen

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 20, 2024: SOAP #5282: 1Kings 6; 2Chronicles 3; Psalm 97; Romans 1

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

OBSERVATION:  The Bible does not say they were wise, only that THEY claimed to be wise.  They came up with their big ideas.  They figured out all the possible explanations, except those that acknowledged God.  They judged themselves to be wise, while, in reality, they had become fools.

Judgments cannot stand alone.  Judgments are made on the basis of our knowledge of what is acceptable, or perfect.  We know what is true, and we judge something as to how it relates to true.  We know the need and we judge something at how well it meets the need.  We have some concept of beauty, and we judge how well it meets that concept.  Judging is never done on the basis of what is being judged alone, it is always done on the basis of knowledge or opinion already present in the mind of the one doing the judging.

APPLICATION:  When we leave out the knowledge of God, we have no basis, no foundation, for making a rational judgment. Since God created all things, His character and purpose must be a consideration in all true judgment. 

If we ignore the reality of God’s existence, His actions and purposes our judgments may appear wise to those who also ignore the reality of God.  But in reality they will always be, and in the end prove to be, foolish!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, like the proverb says, “The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”  I do not just want to know about you, I want to know you.  What pleases you?  What makes you smile?   Amen  

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

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 19, 2024: SOAP #5281: 1Kings 4, 5; 2Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2Thessalonians 3

SCRIPTURE:  2Chronicles (NIV) 2:5 “The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods. 6 But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?

OBSERVATION:  King Solomon had it right! He was building a Great House for a Great God, who was so great that Solomon’s temple could not begin to hold him!

Since Solomon’s temple could not hold God, why was Solomon building it?  He was building it as a proper place to burn sacrifices before the Lord!

APPLICATION:  Solomon’s Great God is the One Who lives in me by His Holy Spirit! As King Solomon was building a temple that was worthy of such a Great God, so I should conduct my life in this earthly temple in a way that is worthy of such a Great God! 

“For we are the temple of the Living God!  (2Corinthians 6:16)   Many gods made of stone have temples made of stone, BUT we have a LIVING GOD who deserves a living temple.  Everyday, and in every activity of our life, people around us should see the LIVING GOD working in our lives. 

David’s son, King Solomon, built a temple of stone.  David’s Son, King Jesus, is now building a temple made of living stones!!! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, forgive me for not displaying your greatness in this temple of my body. May the walls of my temple be covered with your love and holiness. May the story of your Amazing Grace be written on each wall. Amen

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