Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 20, 2026:  SOAP #5892   Genesis 49-50; Psalm 8; Luke 20

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 20:21 So the spies questioned him: …
22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”…
33 Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”…
39 Some of the teachers of the law responded, “Well said, teacher!”
40 And no-one dared to ask him any more questions.
41 Then Jesus said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is the Son of David?

OBSERVATION:  They were asking Jesus questions to trap him with his own words.  But Jesus answered their questions with such wisdom that “no one dared to ask him any more questions.”   But that was not the end of the questions.  Now it was His turn to ask the questions.    

APPLICATION:  In countries where many people have been raised in the Muslim faith, we often hear questions:  Is Jesus really God?  Did Jesus really die on the cross? …and others.  God’s answers are clearly presented in the Bible.  On several recent occasions when people attended a Bible Fellowship meeting in Sierra Leon for the purpose of asking questions and starting trouble…the Holy Spirit used answers from the Bible to convince them that Jesus is God; and they accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior!   Praise the Lord!   

In other places people are asking, “God, why did you let this happen?  Where were you?” 

But a day is coming when God will be asking the questions:  “Why didn’t you believe me? Why didn’t you trust me? Why didn’t you let me be a part of your life?” 

PRAYER:  Lord, help me live in such a way that it will be easy for me to answer your questions.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 16, 2026:  SOAP #5888   Genesis 39-41; Luke 16

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 16:9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

OBSERVATION:  Priorities for me when I get to heaven: 
First; Nothing will be more important in heaven than seeing Jesus, the One who died for my sins! 
Second: Seeing my family. 
Third: Seeing some of the Old Testament and New Testament heroes of the faith whose stories in the Bible inspired me.    
Fourth: Those who had a part in bringing me to Jesus and helping me grow.  I will have opportunity to thank some very special people. 

But the emphasis in the verse above is not seeing those who were instrumental in bringing me to the Jesus, but in being greeted by those for whom I had a part in bringing to Jesus!   They arrived before I did and were waiting for me.  I invested finances and resources in a way that resulted in their hearing the gospel.   

APPLICATION:   Financial counselors will advise me on how to make sure I have enough money to take care of my final years on earth and leave some for those who continue living on earth once I am gone.  In the above verse, I am told to use my money to ensure there will be people to greet me when I enter heaven.   

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for the finances you have entrusted to my care.  Keep reminding me that they all belong to you.  It is not how much of your money I give, but how much I keep for myself.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 15, 2026:  SOAP #5887   Genesis 37-38; Psalm 7; Luke 15

SCRIPTURE:  Luke 15: 4  “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?…
8  “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?…
20  So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

OBSERVATION:  In Luke 15 we read three stories about lost things.  Take note of a common thread.  The sheep owner searches “until he finds it.”  The woman searches for the coin “until she finds it.” And the Father was still looking for his boy when he returned; he spotted his son coming while “he was still a long way off.”    

Although the sheep owner had 99 others, each one was important.  Although the woman had 9 other coins, this one was important.  And although the Father had another son, this one was important!  They were important enough to not give up searching.   

APPLICATION:  Each one is important to the Heavenly Father.  You are important. He is not willing that any should perish. (2Peter 3:9) He is not willing that you perish.  When it comes to dealing with His children, God is persistent!  

PRAYER:  Pray with me:  Thank you, Lord, for not giving up on me.  Thank you for calling until…  Thank you for loving me until…  Thank you for loving me through the times I ran from you.  Thank you for …!  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 14, 2026:  SOAP #5886   Genesis 34-36; Luke 14

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 14:1  One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched…
7  When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: …

OBSERVATION:  In the first verse we see that people “carefully watched” Jesus, but a little later in verse 7 we see that Jesus was watching people too!  Then he told them a parable that fit the occasion.   

APPLICATION:  Being a follower of Jesus, I should not be surprised when people seem to “carefully watch” my life.  God places me where I can be seen.  He wants people to learn from watching my life.  If I am a new believer, there will be changes that other people will see, maybe changes in some habits, or places I go, or things I do.  Especially if God has healed me of a easily identifiable infirmity or disability.  People will be watching me.  It will give me opportunities for me to give glory to God for what He has done!  

AND as I am in a place where my life can be watched, I find it is also a place where I can watch those around me.  Like Jesus, I should be a people watcher.  Then the message I have should be appropriate to what is happening around me.  The Holy Spirit will draw my attention to people needing a word of encouragement or a witness of God’s mighty power.      
PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, guide my eyes to see what is taking place around me; then guide my words to speak appropriately.    Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 13, 2026:  SOAP #5885   Genesis 31-33; Luke 13

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 13:10  On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

OBSERVATION:  When Jesus was teaching, it was not unusual for something special to happen.  In the verses above, Jesus noticed a woman present who needed healing.  Without reading on, we all know that something special happened.

Jesus is still working in the same way.  I have received two testimonies from Sierra Leon this week of people being healed in the Home Bible Fellowship meetings being held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the new believers.  

The first was of a younger brother of a man who came regularly to the meetings.  His brother could not talk but after they prayed he began shouting, “I can talk, I can talk!” 

The second was of a young person who led his blind father to the meeting.  They prayed for him and then they led him back home.  Early the next morning there was a commotion in the father’s room as he was shouting, “I can see!”  He had been blind for 16 years, so everyone in his area knew him and knew he was blind.  They followed him back to the Bible study and committed their lives to Jesus!  

APPLICATION:  When I gather with others to hear the Word and the Holy Spirit makes me aware of the presence of Jesus, I should expect something special, something unique, something only God can do.  I should never settle for anything less. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, build in me an expectation to see manifestations of your presence.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 12, 2026:  SOAP #5884   Genesis 29-30; Luke 12

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 12:22  Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear…
29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

OBSERVATION:  For our physical lives, there is nothing more basic than food and clothing.  Of course, God knows this because He created us!   He perfectly understands our physical bodies. 

In these verses, Jesus is speaking to His disciples.  He is speaking as their Creator. (John 1:3)   And He is speaking as their LORD.  They were His disciples. 

APPLICATION: In claiming these scriptures for my life, I need to live acknowledging God as my creator and that He is my LORD.  I need to put my trust in HIM and look to HIM for my daily provision.  He may use someone else to be a part of His answer, but it is always best when they are responding to Him and not to me. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, I am blest to know that you already know by needs.  I want to honor you by depending on you to keep your word.  I want to honor you by taking the job you provide and by being a careful, happy worker.  May you be glorified in my life.  In Jesus Name, Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 09, 2026:  SOAP #5881 Lu 9:30  Two men, Moses and Elijah,   Genesis 23-24; Luke 9

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 9:1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick….
6 So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere…
10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus plan of evangelism consisted of two major parts.  First, He preached, and second, He healed and performed miracles.  In the above passage, we can see that He sent out his disciples with the same plan; preaching and healing. 

The evangelism emphasis in Sierra Leon this past month, has followed Jesus example.  There was a call for people to take the gospel to every part of the nation.  2,000 people responded.  They were divided into 20 teams and assigned cities and villages in specified areas.  They went door-to-door sharing the gospel and praying for healings and miracles.   Oh, the testimonies!  …and the thousands who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior! 

APPLICATION:  They have started 1,050 Home Bible Fellowship meetings, meeting on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.  People are still coming to give their lives to Jesus. Some meetings are over 1,000!  We have a goal of providing one Bible for each fellowship group and are still about 250+ short.  Praise the Lord, they have the SOAPs. 

Wherever two or three gather in the name of Jesus, HE IS PRESENT!  (Matthew 18:20)  When you meet another believer, know that He is present and expect that He will do something that will make His presence known!  

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, when I read “For God so loved the world…” may I not be thinking of the planet earth, but the individual I will be meeting today.  Help me see everyone I meet today—help me see them as an opportunity to be your witness.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 06, 2026:  SOAP #5878   Genesis 15-17; Luke 6

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 6:47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When the flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

OBSERVATION:  God is a speaker who speaks to us in many ways.  If you have committed your life to him…is you realized that you were a sinner and needed His forgiveness…if you sensed in your heart that you should make Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life—that is proof that you have heard His voice.  It probably was not a voice you heard with your ears, but a strong conviction you heard in your heart. 

That is the way God speaks.  Whatever it is God uses to get the message to us, He convinces us, assures us in our heart and mind that He is talking to us. 

When I read the Bible asking God to give me a scripture portion for today’s SOAP, I listen in my spirit for something that catches my attention and causes me to re-read that verse. 

APPLICATION:  If you do not have a Bible, that does not mean that God cannot talk to you.  Just know that HE LIVES IN YOUR HEART!  He can talk to you wherever you are and at any time of the day!!!  If something grabs your attention, pause and consider if God is showing you something you can do for Him.  …or someone who needs prayer. …or someone needing a word of encouragement. 

PRAYER:  Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.  What can I do for you today? Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 05, 2026:  SOAP #5877   Genesis 12-14; Luke 5

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 5:1 One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding round him and listening to the word of God, 2 he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

OBSERVATION:  When I read this story, I cannot help but think about Joshua, the owner of a second-hand business in Freetown, Sierra Leon.  When Pastor Andrew, looking to buy printers for the SOAP ministry, first walked into the store, Joshua was joining 4 or 5 other businessmen to purchase a container of used items from the USA.  They would divide up the laptops, computers, etc. and sell them in their stores.  Like Simon’s boat, Jesus got into Joshua’s “boat,” his business.  He began giving to the SOAP ministry.  If we bought 8 printers, he would donate one.  He began printing the SOAPs and taking them to his church.  His business, under the blessings of God, grew to where he purchases whole containers himself.  Then he started providing, at a good price, the paper needed for printing the SOAPs.  With God’s blessings, he has become a major part of the SOAP ministry!  

APPLICATION:  Jesus got into Simon’s boat, and Jesus has gotten into Joshua’s “boat.”  Whatever our “boat,” it is good to have Jesus in it with us!  He can work far beyond our ability.  And what joy it is to know that He is being blest by being a part of what we are doing. 

PRAYER:  Lord, whatever my “boat,” I want you to be in it.  I want to follow your directions.  Use me for your glory!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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