Tag Archives: bible

It Was Not Possible!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 09, 2025: SOAP #5636:  2Samuel 17; Psalm 71; Matthew 26

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 26:36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

OBSERVATION:   It all came down to this.  Would the Father require the Son He loved to die for the sins of people?  Was it possible for there to be another way?  Could the creation God loved be saved in any other way?  Did Jesus really need to suffer as payment for our sins? 

The Holiness of God demanded that the payment for sin was death.  Since everyone had sinned, everyone had to die.  Sin could not be allowed into the Presence of the Holy God!  God could never realize the joy of loving His prize creation because sin separated us!  The loving God could never have fellowship with His sinning creation.  But if there was one born without sin, who overcame every temptation and lived a sinless life—then His death could be the payment for people born and living in sin!  So, this Holy and Loving God sent His Son to live that life and be that sacrifice!!! 

APPLICATION:   So, it was not possible for “this cup” to be taken from Jesus!   He must suffer and die as the Holy payment of a Holy God on behalf of sinful people who would then know the Love of God!   And so, in all creation where we can see the majesty and awesomeness of such a great Creator God there is one planet where we can see displayed the Creator’s great ability to love—earth!  

Dear SOAP reader, through accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, we can be the recipients of that love, and through us can be seen the awesome love of our Creator! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, your heart must have been twisted almost to the breaking point as the Son You love requested that the cup of suffering and death be taken from Him.  Yet even though He was your dearly loved Son, you required the same payment from Him as you would from me.   And so, with my sins forgiven I can enter your Holy presence. Just saying “Thanks” is too little, I give you my life as your home.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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That’s Who He Is!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 08, 2025: SOAP #5635:  2Samuel 15, 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 32:2 Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”—and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

OBSERVATION:   The weight of unconfessed sin is heavy.  It hinders a person during the day like the heat of summer wears him down.  It is difficult to peacefully sleep with a guilty conscience. 

Oh, but the humble acknowledgement of sin—the acknowledgement that it is my sin, what a relief!  The joy of forgiveness was always available, but my foolish pride often will not allow my confession. 

APPLICATION:   When I take the responsibility for my sin, Jesus takes the responsibility of removing the guilt!  His sacrifice on the cross has more than enough value to cancel my guilt!  

King David (in the Psalm above) was forgiven on the basis of what Jesus would do.  I am forgiven on the basis of what Jesus has already done!  

Later, after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, the apostle John wrote, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9)

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, you fully understand the evil nature of sin, even small sins.  Yet your love for man led you to make the perfect sacrifice.  Thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sins.  Thank you, Jesus, for coming.  Thank you, Holy Spirit, for opening my eyes to receive the forgiveness Jesus provided. Jesus, you are my Lord and Savior!  You are my “sin-Bearer” and my  “guilt-Remover!”  Thank you!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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In His Wisdom

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 07, 2025: SOAP #5634:  2Samuel 13, 14; Matthew 24

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew 24:4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no-one deceives you.
5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. … 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. … 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.

OBSERVATION:   To be deceived is to believe a lie.  Jesus said of Satan: “When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)  It seems obvious that deception is Satan’s main game. 

In verse 4 above, Jesus warns us.  Yet in verse 5 and 11 we find that many people will be deceived.  And in verse 24 we see that Satan tries to deceive even the “elect.”     

APPLICATION:   Since Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) I need to keep close to Him. 

God knows that we forget what we have heard or even read in the Bible.  God knew that there would be some people who would not even have a Bible to read.  (The first printing press to produce the Bible in book form was in the 15th century)  So, in His wisdom, God has sent the Holy Spirit to live in each of His children.   The Holy Spirit has been given to guide us into all truth (John 16:13).  As we are able to read the Bible, the Holy Spirit will help us understand and apply it to our lives.  But in times and places where no Bible is available, the Holy Spirit can still lead us in paths of truth and to reject the lies that Satan uses to trap us. 

Whenever my thoughts are scrambled, whenever my heart is troubled, or whenever I have an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach, I need to ask God for His wisdom to understand what he might be telling me.  Philippians 4:7 tells us that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds.  As God’s children in whom the Holy Spirit dwells, we need to be careful when we do not have peace and when something disrupts our peace. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, cause a question to arise in my heart every time I am about to be deceived into believing a lie.  Lead me into the path of truth.  Keep me free from deception.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Forgiven!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 06, 2025: SOAP #5633:  2Samuel 11, 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

OBSERVATION:   What a joy and peace is theirs whose hearts are right with God.  Sometimes it is not appreciated until it is lost.  David had sinned and lost his joy.   He knew what it was like to have a heart at peace with God and full of His joy.  Perhaps he had not considered the high cost of spending a night with Bathsheba.  But the act was done, and Bathsheba’s husband had been murdered.  David had lost his peace and joy.  Only God could forgive and restore.      

APPLICATION:   Not only can God forgive and restore, He does it willingly to those who confess their sins and ask His forgiveness.  Through the death of His Son, Jesus, my debt has been covered.  I have been forgiven. Peace and joy are mine!     

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, If I confess my sins; you are faithful and just to forgive my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness.  (1John 1:9) With my mouth I confess that I have sinned; with my mouth I confess that Jesus is my Lord.  (Romans 10:9-10) Thank you for your forgiveness and the joy of your salvation.  I surrender my life to your control.  Help me to sense when you are pleased and/or displeased with how I think and what I do. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Your Invitation!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 05, 2025: SOAP #5632:  2Samuel 10; 1Chronicles 20; Psalm 20; Matthew 22

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 22:8 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. 9 Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ 10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

OBSERVATION:   Jesus often used parables/stories to emphasize what He was teaching.  His stories were all real to life.  They were not about fictional things, but things people understood from their everyday life. 

In this story Jesus was emphasizing that our Heavenly Father is preparing a grand banquet in honor of His Son, and He wants the great hall full of guests.  He wants heaven to be full so His invitations have gone out.  But some of those invited have chosen not to come.  So with urgency He tells His servants, “Go out, and invite anyone you find!”  

There is only one requirement: they must be willing to come!  They did not need a ticket, or to bring a gift, or even have the right clothes.  They did not need to pass a test to be eligible to come.  They only had to be willing to accept the invitation, to believe that it was a genuine invitation personally offered to them.  A necessary wedding garment would be provided. 

APPLICATION:  Last Sunday night such an invitation went out to a large gathering of people invited to hear about the SOAPs.  About 19,000 responded to the call to make Jesus the Lord of their lives.  They provided their names and phone numbers, so now they too are receiving the SOAPs every day!  

Pray with me that the SOAPs will help them grow in loving Jesus and experiencing His love and grace.  Pray that the joy of the Lord will flood their hearts and homes. 

If you, dear SOAP reader, have not yet asked Jesus to forgive your sins and invited Him to be the LORD of your life, pray with me…

PRAYER:   Lord, I confess that I have sinned and need your forgiveness.  I invite you to live in my heart as my Lord.  With thanksgiving, I receive your offer of forgiveness.  Amen 

Pastor Leon
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…because of The LORD!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 04, 2025: SOAP #5631:  2Samuel 8,9; 1Chronicles 18,19; Matthew 21

SCRIPTURE:  2Samuel 8:6 He put garrisons in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to him and brought tribute. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went. …
14 He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went.

OBSERVATION:   Surely David invested effort in procuring victory, but the Bible gives him no credit.  All the credit and glory belongs to the Lord.  “The LORD gave David victory wherever he went!”  Victory was not because David was such a great general, but because he served such a great God!  Victory came at the Lord’s prerogative. He could have given it to another, but He gave it to David.  They were David’s victories.  The glory was the LORD’s.  The LORD gave victory to David; David gave glory to God!  The victory belonged to David, but the glory belonged to the LORD! 

The truth in this passage is the same truth I see in the SOAP ministry.  The LORD very clearly instructed me to start writing these devotions.  The LORD has faithfully given me something to write every day for the past 15+ years.  I have done no advertising; the LORD brings them to people’s attention.  The growth in the printing and distribution of the SOAPs can only be understood in that the LORD was working.  The LORD has caused them to spread in places I would have never gone, nor would current SOAP leaders gone.  The LORD takes this ministry personally. 

APPLICATION:   In preparation for battle, or for any ministry, the priority must always be ensuring that I am on the LORD’s side.  That must take priority over the LORD being on my side.  It is good to have the LORD on my side, but so much better when I am on His side!!!  It is good to work for the LORD, but so much better to work with the LORD.  I am assured of victory when I am doing what He is doing. 

PRAYER:   Lord, when I am working with you I have the assurance of your power and wisdom.  I can trust you for provision.  I can depend on you for direction.  You always have a plan and, in your timing, you will show me.  You will turn the struggles into victories.   Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Doing it The Jesus Way!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 03, 2025: SOAP #5630:  2Samuel 7; 1Chronicles 17; Psalm 2; Matthew 20

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew 20:26 …whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—
28 just as THE SON OF MAN DID NOT COME TO BE SERVED, BUT TO SERVE, AND TO GIVE HIS LIFE AS A RANSOM FOR MANY.”

OBSERVATION:   That is how verse 28 is marked in my Bible – bold and underlined.  It is a purpose statement Jesus gives for His own life.  This is why He came.  Here is the reason for His presence.  This is an important verse revealing motive.  Recently as I read this passage, I noticed I had missed something very important.  I missed the first two words of the verse: “just as…”  Jesus was telling us about His purpose to use Himself as an example for applying the previous two verses to our lives.  “If you want to be great, you must become a servant (vs 26), —even a slave (vs 27); and here is your example (vs 28).  Do it like I do it!  Follow my example!”

APPLICATION:   The authority God has given me is a tool to use in serving others.  It is not how many people I can rule, but how many people I can serve.  Jesus is my example of not taking the comfortable way and making choices that serve me but making choices that serve others.  Today, in my life, I want to embolden and underline the two words previously missed. 

I want to serve “Jesus way.”  And since He is living inside as my LORD, I can count on Him to express Himself through me. 

PRAYER:   Lord, you are my example in using whatever authority is mine today, be it over others or just over myself.  I want to make decisions that please you and serve others.  As best I can, I want to use this day “just as” you would.  I am counting on your presence in me to help me.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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“there”

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 02, 2025: SOAP #5629:  1Chronicles 16; Psalm 106; Matthew 19

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 19:1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan.  2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.

OBSERVATION:   Jesus was moving toward Jerusalem where he would offer his life as an atoning sacrifice for sin.  He did not invite the “large crowds” following Him to join Him in Jerusalem.  He did not tell them to meet Him at the temple.  No, He ministered to them—“He healed them there.”   They did not need to be in Jerusalem; they did not need to be in the temple; they only needed to be in the Presence of Jesus!    

APPLICATION:   A building, even a church building, is not necessary for the ministry of Jesus.  Costly musical instruments and talented musicians are not necessary; a choir is not necessary.  The only thing necessary for the ministry of Jesus is the Presence of Jesus.  If I am with only one person, and Jesus is present, His ministry can be effective there!      

Several months back, a gentleman was walking in Freetown, Sierra Leone, going to a doctor’s office to see about his sickness.  Someone met him on the street, gave him a SOAP and told him that Jesus could heal him.  Jesus did! 

This past Sunday evening, in several large auditoriums people were gathered for a presentation of SOAPs.  After a call to receive Jesus, prayer was offered for healing.  Several testimonies have been received from people who were healed.  Physical healings are personal proofs of God’s presence, His love, and His power!  People can be healed walking on the street or in a gathering of people if Jesus is there! 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, continue to remind me wherever I am, Jesus can do what is necessary there!  May I recognize His Presence and release a knowledge of His Presence in that place by my words and actions.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Forgive? How? …just as…

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 01, 2025: SOAP #5628:  1Chronicles 14, 15; Psalm 132; Matthew 18

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 18:32 “Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.  33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow-servant just as I had on you?’  34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

OBSERVATION:   Jesus was telling the story of a servant whose master had forgiven him a huge debt.  Later it was reported to the master that this same servant had refused to forgive a much smaller debt and had his debtor thrown in prison until he paid.   The servant did not consider the master’s generosity sufficient to cover the debt the other servant owed him.  The above verses give the master’s response.      

APPLICATION:   The Holy Father God considers Jesus’ death to be more than sufficient payment to cover all my sins against Him.  It honors Him when I consider Jesus’ death to be more than sufficient payment to cover all the sins of others against me!   Forgiven, I forgive! 

To say, “I cannot forgive just as He forgives,” is to ignore the presence of the Great Forgiver living in me!   He is not requiring of us something He has not done for us nor something He will not do through us. 

REMEMBER: Forgiving is a choice; forgetting is a process!  When I remember an offence, I must remember it as forgiven and use it as an opportunity to give praise to God for what He has done for me.

PRAYER:   Lord, I “show forth your death” when I consider your death as sufficient payment for sins against me.  May you be glorified in my life.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Bearing My Burdens

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 30, 2025: SOAP #5627:  2Samuel 6; 1Chronicles 13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 68:19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah

OBSERVATION:   In this psalm, David presents God as majestic over all the earth and the peoples of the earth.  He has total victory over his enemies.  He is the mighty general leading a great army.  His chariots are tens of thousands and thousands of thousands!    Yet he cares for his people.  He bears their burdens!  

APPLICATION:   While other gods were burdens that their worshippers had to carry, my God daily carries my burdens!   He uses His strength to serve me!    He encourages me to cast my cares on him because he cares for me!    

Worry is a great burden, yet knowing that God is with me and that He has all knowledge and wisdom—and that He loves me and is present to help me and show me what I should do—it makes my worries melt away.  I roll my burdens and worries on Him knowing that the troubles will not be ignored, but He will deal with them in love and wisdom.  And when it is time for me to do something, He will show me what to do and He will be with me to help me!  

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, you are amazing.  You are so great, yet you care for me—you carry my burdens!  You sent Jesus to bear the burden of my sins to the cross where His sinless blood became the payment for my sins!  He took the burden of my sins and replaced it with His peace and joy.  I am blessed!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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