Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 18, 2025: SOAP #5737: Jeremiah 26, 35-36; John 20

SCRIPTURE:  John (N IV)  20:30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.
31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

OBSERVATION:   Surely the writers of the gospels had trouble considering what to write in their gospels.   Everything Jesus said and did was important.  What should they write; what should they leave out?  Of course, the Holy Spirit led and inspired them.  

Today, I found myself in a similar situation.  I was asked to preach in the church I pastored 13+ years 20 years ago.  I sensed that the Lord wanted me to bring them up to date on what God is doing in my life.  There are so many testimonies of God’s working, almost a new testimony every day!  SOAP testimonies are always fresh! 

I did not have time to tell them everything; I had to depend on the Holy Spirit to give the testimonies that would best minister to the people. 

APPLICATION:  Each day we must be listening to the Holy Spirit about what we should say to each person we meet.  Especially when someone seems open for a conversation, we need to follow through with what God brings into our thoughts. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I surrender my thoughts and my words to you.  What you have to say to them is so much more important than what I would say, so I speak through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
Also on:  soapsbyleon.wordpress.com

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 16, 2025: SOAP #5735: 2Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalm 112; John 18

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 18:3 So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 4 Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?”…
10  Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”

OBSERVATION:   Jesus did not let His knowledge and understanding of what needed to be done cause Him shrink back from the assignment.  The plan had been set even before the fall in Genesis 3.  (1Peter 1:20)  Jesus’ part was set before His birth.  Now was the time to set it all in motion.  So, with eyes wide open and clear understanding, He moved ahead.  He took the initiative. 

He was moving ahead to do the greatest thing ever done for man.  Making a way for man’s sins to be wiped off every record!  Yet it was not his thoughts of sinful man that motivated Him—it was His thoughts of the Father! 

APPLICATION:  Many things can motivate me: a personal struggle, a hard time at work, the struggle of a friend.  It may be the desire of a reward. 

I need to consider how I can please my Heavenly Father.  What can I do that will make Him smile.  What is the cup He has given me to drink?

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, I know there is a lot in this world that causes you pain.  May I be one who brings pleasure to you in how I conduct my words and actions.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
Also on:  soapsbyleon.wordpress.com

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 14, 2025: SOAP #5733: Jeremiah 16-17; Psalm 96; John 16

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 16:32 “But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

OBSERVATION:   As I read the above passage, I read into it some disappointment in Jesus.  He knew that He was coming into the most difficult time of His earthly ministry.  He knew that everyone would abandon Him.  He would be all alone. 
     Yet He would not be alone; His Heavenly Father would be with Him!  He had an eternal relationship with the Father.  He had not sinned and caused that relationship to be broken. 
     I believe that relationship remained secure until on the cross, when He who knew no sin, became sin for us and He cried, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me!”  He walked the full way to the cross, abandoned by man, but not by His Father!  

APPLICATION:  A thought stirs my heart: I have the same Heavenly Father as Jesus!  Whatever happens, I too can say, “I am not alone for my Father is with me!”
     It was Jesus who taught us to pray, “Our Father…”  When I say “Our” that means mine and yours.  When Jesus taught me to pray, “Our Father…” that means Leon’s Father AND Jesus’ Father!  
     If Jesus can say, “My Father is always with me,” then Leon can say, “My Father is always with me.  And if Leon can say it, then any SOAP reader who has a personal relationship with Jesus can say it too!!!   

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, you are always with me.  I can walk in the confidence of Your Presence.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
Also on:  soapsbyleon.wordpress.com

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 14, 2025: SOAP #5733: Jeremiah 16-17; Psalm 96; John 16

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 16:7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you….
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you.

OBSERVATION:  How could it ever be good for Jesus to leave?  To the disciples, He was their leader.  He was the one who performed the miracles.  He could answer their questions, and His answers quieted the mocking and scheming questions of the religious leaders.  Surely, they could not understand how His leaving could be good!  

But God had a plan! God was present in Jesus Who was limited to one place and at one time.  It had to be that way for blood to be shed that would cover the sins of man.  But once that was accomplished, Jesus, limited to a glorified yet human body could return to His place with the Father.  Then the Holy Spirit with no physical limitations, came to take over the plan of God, not by walking with man, but by living in man!!!  It is really SO MUCH BETTER!  

APPLICATION: It is SOOO GOOOD!!!   We can have a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit than the disciples had with Jesus!  

Not to appreciate the Holy Spirit shows that we do not value Him.  It shows that we do not understand what He can do in our lives.  If we really want to please Jesus, the Holy Spirit will show us how that works in each individual life. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, I value your presence in my life and how you lead me each day.  I love reading the scriptures with you.  You show me things that specifically apply to me, and things I can send out in these SOAPs.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
Also on:  soapsbyleon.wordpress.com

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 13, 2025: SOAP #5732: Jeremiah 13-15; John 15

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 15:4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing….7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

OBSERVATION:   Jesus had just told of this unique relationship they had with the Son and through the Son to the Father. (John 14:20)  Now He speaks of their responsibility to maintain that relationship. There is no salvation apart from Jesus and His abiding in us is shown as dependent on one thing: our abiding in him! 

We obtain Christ by faith and on the basis of His completed work at Calvary.  We maintain that relationship by our daily walk of faith and obedience.

Fruitfulness is the responsibility of every branch, but fruitfulness is impossible unless it remains attached to the vine.  So it is with us.  We are to be fruitful.  We were created to be fruitful.  Yet the fruit God desires from our lives is to bear unless we are attached!

APPLICATION:  A tree is fruitful when its nature pushes through its limbs and branches and finds expression outside its structure.  What results is something pleasant to see, pleasing to eat, and helpful to sustain life in those who pick it.  And it contains seeds to start a whole new plant!  

As a believer in Jesus, we become fruitful when the nature of Jesus who lives inside becomes visible in our speech and actions.  Others see us responding as the Holy Spirit and the Word motivates us.  They receive a blessing from something we say or do and a seed is planted in their lives, a seed that can grow into the life of Jesus living in them! 

PRAYER:  Lord, I know I cannot do this without you, but I offer myself to you.  Live through me and make me fruitful.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
Also on:  soapsbyleon.wordpress.com

We are now in Hawaii.  I was able to write out the SOAP while flying and now, in our hotel room can send it to you.  I am not sure what my schedule will be these next two weeks, but am moving ahead knowing we are in God’s will.   Back home it is after 9 pm, but here it is only after 4pm.  😊    We had a special reunion with my bother and some of his family at the airport, then lunch together before bringing us to this hotel. 

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 12, 2025: SOAP #5731: Jeremiah 10-12; John 14

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 3:6 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John (NIV) 14:21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” (Note verses 23 and 24)

OBSERVATION:   In John 3:16 we read that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Becoming a Christian is responding to the great love that God has for us. It is singing, “Oh how HE loves me!” We love Him because He first loved us! We are responding to His great love for us.

However in John 14:21 Jesus is speaking to His disciples.  Here it is God responding to our great love for Him!  We have come to know and love Him. Our love for Him is clearly seen in that His commands are priority in our lives. It is God singing, “Oh how he loves me!”

APPLICATION:  It is an ever-widening spiral. At the center is His great love for me. He gives His Son to die for me. I respond in love, beginning to learn and keep His commands.  He sees my response of love and is so joyful that He reveals even more of Himself and His plan for me. I respond in such appreciation and amazement that I love Him even more! I begin to sacrifice my wants in order to fulfill His wants. He sees my increased love for Him and He reveals His heart to me. I am so enamored with His great heart of love that I am willing to decrease so that He may increase. And on, and on it goes! Ever more and more loving revelation on His part; ever more and more loving surrender on my part.  It is an ever-growing, never-ending story of love.

PRAYER:   Lord, loving you more, bringing greater joy to your heart—that is what life is all about!  Now, how can I make you smile today?  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
Also on:  soapsbyleon.wordpress.com

NOTE:  In the morning Sharon and I will be flying to Hawaii.  I believe the Lord will continue to have me write a daily SOAP, however the time in Hawaii is 5 hours later than our home time.  If I send them out in the evening they will arrive 5 hours later than usual.  The SOAP ministry is HIS.  Since HE is sending me on this assignment, I am sure He will work it all for our good and HIS glory!   😊

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 11, 2025: SOAP #5730: Jeremiah 7-9; John 13

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 13:33 “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

OBSERVATION:   Large corporations and businesses commonly spend lots of money to have someone make a trademark.  It identifies and distinguishes their product from others.  Automobiles and large equipment have their trademark/emblem attached in prominent places where it can be easily seen and recognized. 

Here Jesus gives the trademark by which His disciples will be recognized.  It is a universal identifying characteristic by which ALL men will know.   His disciples, the early church, even those living in the 21^st century, all will be recognized by this characteristic.  Those living in Israel, and disciples living in every country on every continent.  They will all be recognized by this identifying characteristic!  

APPLICATION:  Jesus raised the standard from loving one another as we love ourself to loving one another as Jesus loved us!   I am finding that the only way I can love my brother as Jesus loved me is for Jesus to live in me and cause His love to flow through me!   And that is what He does! 

It is an “inside love,” for Jesus lives in me.  It is also an “outside love” because ALL people will be able to recognize that I am Christ’s disciple.  ALL men will SEE His love flowing through me.  It is not a love that I use to get others to give to me, but a love that motivates me to serve others. 

PRAYER:   Lord, let your love flow through me to those around me.  Holy Spirit, work in me and work through me.  May those around me be able to see Jesus in me.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
Also on:  soapsbyleon.wordpress.com

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 08, 2025: SOAP #5727: Jeremiah 1-2; John 10

SCRIPTURE:  John (NIV) 10: 2 The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3 The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

OBSERVATION:  For those wanting to know something about God and who start reading the Bible from Genesis chapter one, in that first chapter will discover three things.  First: God is!   Second:  God creates!  He makes things.  Third:  God talks!  He spoke the world into existence.  (Genesis 1)   In reading through the Old Testament, one finds pages and pages of God speaking.  Much of the Bible is giving us the spoken words of God. 

God the Father sent Jesus as the Good Shepherd.  (John 10:14)  He leads the sheep; He guards them; He protects them; He provides for them.  The sheep have but two simple things to do.  Learn to recognize their shepherd’s voice and follow. 

APPLICATION:  How does God speak to us today?  He speaks through His infallible Word, the Bible.  He speaks through people and circumstances. 

How do I know when the scriptures I am reading, or what I hear in the sermon, or what just happened to me is really God speaking to me?  I know it because the presence of the Holy Spirit in my heart and life sparks a strong awareness of what I have just read, or heard, or seen.  And the more I give attention to those “eye opening” thoughts and do what I feel strongly led to do, the better I will learn to hear and understand how God speaks to me and what He is saying to me. 

PRAYER:  Lord, you are my Good Shepherd!  Please keep talking to me.  Never stop talking to me.  Keep talking until I learn to recognize Your voice and to do what you tell me to do.  Live in me and live through me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon
Also on:  soapsbyleon.wordpress.com