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Jesus!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 20, 2025: SOAP #5647: 1Kings 6; 2Chronicles 3; Psalm 97; Romans 1

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God, by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

OBSERVATION:   Through the prophecies in the Old Testament we are assured that Jesus, as a descendent of David, is fully human.  It was the resurrection that “declared with power” that Jesus is the Son of God.    His death proved His humanness.  His resurrection proved His divinity.   His death showed Him to be the Son of man.  His resurrection showed Him to be the Son of God. 

Actions speak louder than words.  There are no words of Jesus that are more powerful than His resurrection.  No one was at the garden grave calling Jesus to come out of the tomb.  No one was speaking to His dead body to come back to life.  The only ones at the tomb were ones making sure no one would steal His dead body.  By His power as God the Son He rose from the grave!  He had laid down His life and He picked it up again.  What a powerful declaration!!!

APPLICATION:   Jesus, the Son of God, has already been and returned from where I am headed—the grave.  He is with me now and from this moment on!  

PRAYER:   Jesus, how powerfully you have spoken.  The truth of who you are fills my heart and life.  Your presence in my life assures me that I have nothing to fear! Amen

Pastor Leon
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Prayer Requests

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 19, 2025: SOAP #5646: 1Kings 4, 5; 2Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2Thessalonians 3

SCRIPTURE:  2Thessalonians (NIV) 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.   But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

OBSERVATION:   As Paul begins to close this letter to the believers in Thessalonica, he gives them some prayer requests.  He requests are for himself and the ministry the Lord has given him to spread the gospel (good news of Jesus).  He asks them to pray that others receive and honor the gospel just as those in Thessalonica had done. 

Paul’s faith was in The Faithful One who is our protector.  Paul’s prayer is for God to continue revealing His love to them and through that love, they would persevere through the temptations and struggles they might have. 

APPLICATION:   My faith is also in God.  He started me in this SOAP ministry.  He is continuing to use it.  Like Paul, I am asking you to pray for this ministry.  Pray that others will be open to receive it as you have. 

If God has used it to encourage you, or to spark your faith, pray that God will use it to do the same in someone else.  If God has used it to help you persevere through temptations and struggles, pray that God will use it to do the same in someone else.  Whatever He has done for you, pray for God to use the SOAPs to do the same for someone else. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, thank you for the ministry of the SOAP prayer team and of others who have lifted the SOAP ministry in prayer.   I know you have, and are, graciously answering their prayers in amazing ways.   May you be glorified and may their faith grow as you continue to answer their prayers.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Prayers that God likes to answer!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 18, 2025: SOAP #5645: 1Kings 3; 2Chronicles 1; Psalm 78; 2Thessalonians 2

SCRIPTURE:  1Kings (NIV) 3:7 “Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties….
9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.
11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice,
12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for— both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.

OBSERVATION:   This was Solomon’s prayer upon becoming King.  It was a prayer of humility and dependence on God.  In answering this prayer, God would make Solomon a better servant.  It was a prayer that pleased God!  God’s pleasure was expressed in abundantly answering the request, and then abundantly giving things not even requested.   

APPLICATION:   Is the Lord pleased with my prayers?  Do I ask in humility?  Are my prayers an expression of my dependence on Him?  Will the answer of my prayers make me a better servant?  Are my prayers ones He enjoys answering? 

PRAYER:   Lord, I want my prayers to please you.  I need your Holy Spirit to guide me in prayer and to pray through me.  May my prayers bring joy to your heart.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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My Prayer for SOAP Readers

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 17, 2025: SOAP #5644: 1Kings 2: 1Chronicles 29; Psalm 95; 2Thessalonians 1

SCRIPTURE:  2Thessalonians (NIV) 1:11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfil every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION:   Thinking about the coming judgment, Paul is always praying for His spiritual children.  His desire is that they receive gracious rewards rather than just punishment on that day.  (Is that not what any of us would desire for our family and friends?)

Paul wants their faith to be rewarded as they see their efforts succeed.  Of course, we are always called by God to do things that far exceed our abilities.  If we are to succeed, then God must use His power to bring them to fulfillment.

APPLICATION:   Like Paul, praying for the Thessalonians, I want God to look at the SOAP readers and say, “I am glad I sent Jesus for them.”  May they bring joy to God’s heart now and on Judgment Day.

Like Paul, I want SOAP readers to live in such a way that God happily hears their prayers and joyfully answers.

PRAYER:   Lord, lead the SOAP readers by your Holy Spirit.  Teach them what they can do to honor you.  Bless each of their efforts as they do what they believe you are showing them to do.  Heavenly Father, let them know that loving and serving Jesus brings you much joy.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pleasing God

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 15, 2025: SOAP #5642: 1Chronicles 25-27; 1Thessalonians 4

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 4:1 Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

OBSERVATION:   Here we see that our goal is to please God.  Our whole lives should be lived for the approval and pleasure of God.  When we accepted Jesus as our Savior (saving us from the wrath of God that will be poured out on sin), when we acknowledged Him as our LORD, He cames to live in us by His Holy Spirit. 

If I am going to please God, first, I need to know what pleases Him and what displeases Him.  Of course, there are many scriptures in the Bibe that can help us understand what God likes and dislikes.  But not everyone has a Bible—but every believer has something even better!!!   The scriptures were written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and He cames to live in us when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior!!!!   Amazing, the author of the scriptures actually lives within us!!!

APPLICATION:   Of course, if I have a copy of the Bible, I need to be reading it.  But if I do not have a copy of the Bible, I need to learn to hear the Holy Spirit speaking in my heart.  When things please God, the Spirit is peaceful.  When things do not please God, the Spirit stirs uncomfortable feelings or thoughts.  It is then I need to be quiet and open my heart to what He is saying.  Many times, the Holy Spirit will bring a strong thought to my mind to show me what to do.  Of course, God also uses people to bring us His messages.  When He does, you will sense the Spirit within giving approval.

Be sure to spend time every day, just talking to God—praying.  Be sure to make some of the time just being quiet and listening.  Whatever portion of scripture you have, value it.  Let God know that His word is important to you.   

PRAYER:   Lord, However you speak to me is important!  Speak into my heart and mind.  Speak to me through people you have sent to help me.  Help me understand how much you love me and how I can best please you.   Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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In Jesus’ Name, Amen

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 14, 2025: SOAP #5641: 1Chronicles 22-24; 1Thessalonians 3

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 3:11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.  12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.  13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

OBSERVATION:   When I listen to people praying today, this is not what I usually hear.  Mostly, I hear prayers for healing or for God to give the doctor wisdom as they take care of our friend or family member.  I also hear prayer for people to have good success in their work or in their finances. 

I cannot remember hearing any prayer like the above except from the Apostle Paul in his writings.  But how someone will stand before God on judgment day is VERY IMPORTANT, and surely a matter for prayer! 

APPLICATION:   Lord, for all the SOAP readers, I pray that their love for you and others would increase and become the dominant characteristic of their lives. 

I pray that they be strengthened in their faith, and they easily hear the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to their hearts.   May their lives be blameless.  May their lives be a home for You, where you can enjoy their love and devotion. 

And on that great judgment day, may they stand in Your presence as ones who have brought great honor to you. 

PRAYER:   And this I pray in Your Name, Jesus, the Name above all names,  Amen

Pastor Leon
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God’s Word at Work!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 13, 2025: SOAP #5640: 2Samuel 24; 1Chronicles 21; Psalm 30; 1Thessalonians 2

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 2:3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts….
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

OBSERVATION:   No tricks, no deceitfulness were used by Paul to reach out to the Thessalonians.  Paul was not interested in building his kingdom, but God’s.  It was God who was using Paul to build the eternal Kingdom!  Paul had been chosen by God and entrusted with a noble assignment.  The good news of God’s great love for man, and the extent He went to show it, had been entrusted to Paul.  

Paul’s motive was, to put it most simply, to make God smile.  The test that concerned Paul, was not the approval of man, but the approval of God.  God considers the heart, the motives.

Paul’s was thankful for their openness to God’s Word.  Though it came through men, they accepted it as from God.  It is a life-changing word that Paul could see was presently at work in those to whom Paul was writing.

APPLICATION:   It was a joy for Paul to see people accept the scriptures as the Word of God and to see the Word at work in their lives.  Paul’s thankfulness is very understandable.

Every SOAP begins with a Scripture about which I write an Observation.  I prayerfully ask God to give me an Application of that scripture to my life.  Then I close with a short Prayer. 

PRAYER:   Lord, I am greatly humbled to see how you are using these SOAPs every day.  In them You show us that you love us.  You are interested in our lives.  And you speak to us each day.  Touch each reader with you Holy Spirit today.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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No Longer Motivated by Fear!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 12, 2025: SOAP #5639:  2Samuel 21-23; 1Thessalonians 1

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 1:2 We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. 3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

OBSERVATION:   What Paul says in this verse 4 is something of which he is confident. This is something that is obvious to him.

He addresses them as “brothers loved by God.”  What greater blessing can there be in the whole earth than to be loved by God.  It means that God is benevolently inclined to me.  It means that He intends me good.  It means that he will go to any length for my good, which is obviously proved by Calvery!  Knowing that God loves me is a thought to make any day a good day!

APPLICATION:   What is this of which Paul is so certain?  It is that they were chosen of God.  They had received Jesus, God Son, as their Lord and Savior.  God had looked them over and chose them.  God had seen that they were created in His image and now had His Son living within them.  God could not refuse His Son!  They had potential for special communion with Him.  How special it is to be chosen!

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, may every thought I think, every word I speak, and every action I make be a proper response to this truth—that my Heavenly Father is for me and loves me.  As His child, I do not respond out of fear for what He might do to me, but out of love because of what He already did for me.  He sent His Son to die for my sins!!!  His Son now lives within me.  Now I serve Him because I love Him. I am responding to His great love for me.  Holy Spirit, help me live my life in a way that brings joy to my Heavenly Father’s heart!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Jesus ALONE is Lord!!!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 11, 2025: SOAP #5638:  2Samuel 19, 20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

OBSERVATION:   Jesus was preparing to leave his disciples.  He makes a simple statement: “All authority has been GIVEN to me.”   Jesus did not usurp authority.  Jesus did not gain authority by deceiving people.  Jesus did not fight to gain authority.  It HAS BEEN GIVEN to Him!  It is His!!!   

Jesus was judged WORTHY to receive all authority.  Father God, sitting on the throne of heaven judged that Jesus’ hearts and thoughts were pure. Nothing evil could be found in His being.  In His essence He was pure.  His actions were perfectly in line with His assignment.  His sacrifice proved His obedience even unto death.  His sinless blood which flowed from a sinless life was more than sufficient to cover the sins of all men.  His complete humility was worthy of ultimate exaltation. 

Jesus was judged worthy to receive ALL AUTHORITY.  He not only has authority on Friday, or Saturday, or Sunday, but every other day also.  He not only has authority on spiritual matters, or relationship matters, but on every aspect of life.  He has complete authority over all the disciplines of life.    

APPLICATION:   It is for me to judge Jesus to be worthy of ALL AUTHORITY in my life.  I GIVE Him ALL AUTHORITY because I judge that He is WORTHY!  His worth is obvious.  He needs not to fight me to prove that He is powerful enough to bring about my surrender.  Although, if necessary, He loves me enough to do that because as my Creator He knows what is best for me!  It is good for me to see Him as He really is—WORTHY!!!    

PRAYER:   Jesus, you are LORD of my life.  On my knee I bow and with my tongue confess that you alone are LORD!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Service or Relationship?

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 10, 2025: SOAP #5637:  2Samuel 18; Psalm 56; Matthew 27

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 27:63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

OBSERVATION:   They put a seal on the tomb of Jesus and posted a guard to make sure no one could get into the tomb and steal the body.  It was the best they knew how to do.  They could stop man from breaking in, but they could not stop Jesus from breaking out!!! 

APPLICATION:   I may find myself limited by what man does, but if I am working and walking with Jesus…He is never limited!  He cannot be limited!  It is important for me to work WITH Him, not just FOR Him. 

Sometimes I come up with a good idea of something I can do for God.  Just because it is something I think would please Him, I need to check with Him.  I have found He does not always help me to what I want to do FOR Him.  But He always helps me do what I do WITH Him.  He wants my relationship more than my service! 

Note:  If you know that God has given you a special ministry, then count on His presence to be with you.  Be faithful to use what you have for the Lord but realize that He is the One who does what you cannot do.  Count on Him for your provision.  Remember, He wants your relationship even more than your service.  Cast your cares upon Him, not on someone on the internet.  Ask Him for some promises in His word that will cause your faith to grow. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you sent your Son, Jesus, to die in my place for my sins.  You love me and want us to have a loving relationship.  As I grow in my relationship to you, you give me assignments where you teach me to rely upon you, your presence and your promises.  I am blessed as I grow in you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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