Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 10, 2025:  SOAP #5821: Job 35, 36; 1Corinthians 7, 8

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 9:20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.
21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.
22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

OBSERVATION:  The “gospel” is the good news about what Jesus has done for us in dying for our sins.  In this chapter we see some of the sacrifices Paul made to take the gospel to people who did not know.  He worked hard without pay.  He traveled to distant locations.  He crossed cultural barriers.  He worked to support himself and his ministry.  He endured physical suffering and even prison.  And what did Paul write in verse 23 above?  “I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.!”

APPLICATION:  What were Paul’s blessings?  The blessings of seeing lives changed.  The blessings of seeing Jesus worshipped and appreciated for Who He is and what He has done!   The blessing of eternity and knowing that his earthly life made a difference.  The blessings of the fellowship in eternity with those who committed their lives to Jesus!  

PRAYER:  Lord, I pray these same blessings on those called to share the gospel through SOAP ministry.  Bless those willing to give time in serving to print and distribute, and travel to distant villages and cities to share the gospel in the SOAPs.  May those who have given money know that they too will “share in its blessings.”  But Lord, most of all, may you be blessed in this harvest time.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 08, 2025:  SOAP #5819: Job 34; 1Corinthians 4-6

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.

OBSERVATION:  This passage is about the body people call “Leon.”  (and yours too!)
“…temple of the Holy Spirit.”  He went to all that trouble to purchase me so that I could fulfill His original plan in creating man. 
“…who is in me, whom I have received from God.”  The one who took such pains in creating me, the one who sent His Son to purchase me by His death, He is the one who gave me the Holy Spirit to live in His temple.
“…not my own.”  I belong to the One Who bought me! 
“…bought with a price!”   What an amazing price that was!  He was willing to pay far more than I thought I was worth! 

APPLICATION:  What does that mean for my everyday life?  How am I to respond to such amazing love?  “Therefore,” Leon, “honor God with your body!”  Talk and act like your body is the favorite castle of the Creator of all the Universe and He is presently in His favorite home! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, your enemy, satan, has tried to convince me that I am not worth very much but the price you paid for me proves I am worth a lot to you!  You did not purchase me to be a place you visit on weekends or vacations, but a favorite place where you can enjoy living!  I know it is taking a lot of patience and effort on Your part to remodel me for your glory.  May the outside of this temple honor you, and the inside be a pleasing place for you to live.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 08, 2025:  SOAP #5819: Job 33, 1Corinthians 1-3

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 2:11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him?  In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.  13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.        

OBSERVATION:  There is no greater teacher than the Spirit of God.  How to hear and understand the Spirit as He speaks to us should be one of the first things we learn. 

Unless specifically directed by the Holy Spirit, one does not need to travel to another location or attend a special school; the GREATEST TEACHER actually lives within us!   Even if He directs us to a school on another location, He continues to be our TEACHER!  

APPLICATION:  The Holy Spirit has many ways of speaking to us.  He uses scripture, sermons, songs, things we see in nature, other people, and just fresh thoughts that seemingly pass through our thinking.

Make special note of strong thoughts or inclinations that cross your mind.  In a sermon, or conversation, you may hear others voicing the same thoughts.  When the same thought comes to you from many different sources, pay special attention.  God is speaking to you.   If you have a question, ask God to show you something in His Word that will clarify the issue.  Trust what you read in God’s Word and trust the Holy Spirit!  

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit use me to help others recognize how you speak to them.  In so many ways, you are speaking to us today!  You have not left us here to figure things out on our own.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 07, 2025:  SOAP #5818: Job 31, 32; Galatians 5,6

SCRIPTURE:  Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love….
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. …
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

OBSERVATION:  In this chapter, Paul rejoices in our freedom from the law.  However, he is clear to say that does not mean we are free to sin.  The law did not invent sin; it only defined sin.  Sin was already present.  The law showed us the terribleness of sin and provided temporary sacrifices until the Perfect Sacrifice was made.  The law could not free us from sin and being free from the law does not free us to sin.  Paul is clear: using our freedom from the law as an excuse to sin is to forfeit any expectation of heaven—they “will not inherit the kingdom of God.” 

APPLICATION:  There is only one sacrifice that covers my sins—the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  And there is only one life that gives me power to live above sin—the resurrected life of Jesus living within.  The sacrifice of Jesus put an end to relying on the law given to Moses, but it did not negate the eternal truth that the wages of sin is death.  Repentance means confessing AND turning from sin. 

PRAYER:  Lord, by your forgiveness free me from the guilt of past sins, and by your life free me from the power of temptation today.  Forgive me for thinking it is OK to sin and then ask forgiveness later.  Holy Spirit, make me aware that you will face with me any temptation coming my way today.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 06, 2025:  SOAP #5817: Job 30; Psalm 120; Galatians 3,4

SCRIPTURE:  Galatians (NIV) 3:24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

OBSERVATION:  The law did not bring sin.  It only defined the sin that was present in the world.  Sin entered the big picture when Satan rebelled against God.  Sin spread to the earth in the garden when Adam and Eve ate the fruit forbidden by their Creator.  The law defined sin.  The law helped us recognize sin.  The law showed us there was only one payment for sin—death. 

The law was not given with the thought that man could ever be able to keep the law.  At the same time the law was given sacrifices were established.  The law contained no rewards for perfectly keeping the law, only sacrifices for breaking the law. 

The law also helped us identify the Savior—the only one who was born without sin and perfectly kept the law.  He needed no sacrifice to atone for His sin; He became the sacrifice to atone for our sin!   

APPLICATION:  Oh, the wisdom of God in developing a perfectly holy and perfectly loving plan to deal with sinful man!  Oh, the love of God in sending His Son to be the perfect sacrifice!   Oh, the grace of God that continues to reach out to those who resist is love and direction!  Oh, the joy in the heart of God when a sinful person accepts the sacrifice of the Son to cover their sins!  Their acceptance, and any sacrifice they endure, validates God’s sacrifice in sending His Son and the suffering endured by the Son. 

The penalty for sin is death. Jesus paid my penalty.  The remedy for sin is a life powerful enough to resist temptation.  Jesus moves inside my life now clean through His blood and lives His powerful life through me!  Wow!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, nowhere in all creation is your character displayed in such splendor as in your dealing with fallen men.  Your wisdom in perfect holiness and perfect love are amazing!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 05, 2025:  SOAP #5816: Job 28-29; Galatians 1-2

SCRIPTURE:  Galatians (NIV) 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

OBSERVATION:  With Christ, I share history.  My computer may be only 2 years old, but the program within may be 7 or 8 years old.  The program may have updates that are older than the computer.  —  The same is true of Leon.  I am only 73 years old, but in me is a life that goes all the way back to the crucifixion.  Christ, who was crucified, lives in me. 

With Christ, I share the present.  Paul was not living the life of Paul, but the life of Christ.  He considered himself dead to Paul and alive to Jesus!  The decisions about his actions were directed by Jesus.  —  The same is true of Leon.  There is a new life source directing my daily thoughts, words, and actions. 

With Christ, I share the future.  In our Father’s house, Jesus is now preparing a place for me that I may be where He is!   What a day that will be! 

APPLICATION:  On my own, I had no hope of being righteous enough to be allowed into heaven.  I could never keep all the demands of the law.  I had even broken the law before I understood it!   But when by faith I accept Jesus’ death as the payment for my sins, I became joined with Him, past, present, and future!  By faith, with Jesus on the cross, I died to myself.  Now, with Jesus living within me, He is training Leon to think of Leon as dead; Christ is living within. And in joyful faith I look forward to an eternity with Him in our Father’s house.  What a life!!!  What a past!  What a present!  What a future! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, your plan to include me amazes me.  I am eternally grateful for the sacrifices of you in sending your Son, and of Jesus in coming to die for my sins.  Holy Spirit, help me live my life in honor of these sacrifices.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 04, 2025:  SOAP #5815: Job 26-27; Mark 15-16

SCRIPTURE:  Mark 16:3  and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
4  But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.

OBSERVATION:  Because the Sabbath was fast approaching, the body of Jesus had not been prepared for burial as carefully as some would have liked so these ladies took some spices to be placed with the body.  They knew there was a large stone in place.  But that did not stop them.  They were quite certain that they could not move it.  But that did not stop them.  They wondered who might be able to move the stone, but that did not stop them.  They were on a mission of love.   

APPLICATION:  The rock had been moved from the grave, but not from their mind.  In their mind it was still a factor, but they did not let that deter them. 

Their mission of love became a mission of great revelation.  The revelation began with discovering that what they thought stood in their way was already moved!  It ended with discovering that the One they thought was dead was alive!  What a day that turned out to be! 

It was good that they did not let the “rock” in their head keep them from their mission of love. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I do not want the “rocks” in my head keep me from what you have for me today. When you tell me to visit someone, I do not want to let thoughts of “they probably are not home,” or “they probably are too busy to talk to me,” or “they probably will not listen to what I believe God wants me to tell them,” –I do not want to let such thoughts keep me from moving on in faith.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 03, 2025:  SOAP #5814: Job 25; Mark 13-14

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 13:11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say.  Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 

OBSERVATION:  Jesus was talking to his disciples about the end days.   He emphasized the importance of the Holy Spirit.  The people would need to have a close relationship with the Holy Spirit. 

APPLICATION:  I believe that the days about which Jesus was talking are beginning now, or soon to come.   For some, days of trouble are already upon them. 

We must listen to the Holy Spirit.  We need to sharpen our ability to recognize His voice and be quick to do as He directs.  We need to go through each day thoughtfully doing our best as we understand it.  However, when we hear/sense/feel the tugging of the Holy Spirit to change, we should not push those thoughts away as though they are just some crazy thoughts.  If there is nothing morally wrong with them, we should consider that the Holy Spirit may be directing us to change our words or actions. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I consider it a great privilege that you would speak to me and use me for good.  Obviously, You know what is best for me to say and do.   You live within me, and you know what lies ahead.  It may be to a safer path for me any my family, or to a path where I can share the truth of Jesus to a waiting soul; guide my steps.  By speaking to my heart, guide me through this day.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 02, 2025:  SOAP #5813: Job 23-24; Mark 11-12

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 12:28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

OBSERVATION:  A question that had been asked and discussed for generations was now brought to the only One who could authoritatively answer it. 

What Jesus said was most important really was most important!  When Jesus said there is no commandment greater than these, it means that there really are no commandments greater than these!     

APPLICATION:   It is proper.  It is wise.  It is right.  It is good for me to obey God. But the motive God desires from my heart is love!   God’s love for me was proved by His choice to send His son to die for my sins.  I could not force Him to love me; He chose to love me. 

My love for Him is proved by my choice to keep His commandments.  He could force me to keep His commands, but He desires that I obey because I love Him.       

And my love for Him, naturally flows out in love for others, who like myself, are created in His image.   

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, You are strong enough, you could force me.  You are wise enough, you could trick me.  But your love demands that I keep your commands because I love you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 01, 2025:  SOAP #5812: Psalm 121; Mark 9-10

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 10:46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. …49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”  …51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

OBSERVATION:  Blind Bartimaeus was not blind any more!  I believe he was at the front of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem that we read about in the next chapter!  

APPLICATION:  Consider this email I received today from Sierra Leone… 
“…And also few days ago we have a testimony that happened in Kailahun City SOAP MINISTRY team who is president in Kailahun city doing the home Fellowship Bible study with the new convert to give the life to Jesus doing the SOAP MINISTRY  Conference there they said everyday new …people are coming to the Bible study and giving their life to Jesus, and they said this all happened just because of one miracle that the Lord did on Monday during their Bible study…….. They said there was this man who name is (Abraham) Who has been blind for 15 years somebody brought him to the Bible study and they said during the Bible study they was praying and the said in the midst of the prayer the man (Abraham) shouted I can see I can see my eyes have open and they say immediately they stop the prayer and start checking him and people came forward and testified that this man has been blind for 15 years almost everybody in the city Kailahun know him God is at work Praise the Lord Amen 🙏.
This testimony have shook the whole city right now thousands of people are going for the home Fellowship Bible study everyday into the five venue that they have in Kailahun City, And because of this five Pastors have come to start five churches in Kailahun city right now.”

PRAYER:  Jesus, Christ, you are the same yesterday, today, and forever!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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