Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 12, 2026: SOAP #6126: Daniel 3-4; Psalm 81; Revelation 17

SCRIPTURE:  Psalm (NIV) 81:10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. 11 “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me.  12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.
13 “If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, 14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes! 15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever. 16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

OBSERVATION: The importance of a two-letter word cannot be overemphasized.  The meaning of the above passage rests upon the two-letter word: “if.” 

The Sovereign God determines that His actions will be in keeping with the actions His people.  No created being has the power to force The Creator to take such a position; it is His choice alone.  It is an option offered in keeping with His love and yet it is in keeping with His holiness. 

APPLICATION: Knowing that The Sovereign God offers me options, how foolish it would be to ignore them.  1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, I confess that I have sinned and need your forgiveness and cleansing.  Thank you for offering your forgiveness in response to my confession.  Thank you for coming to live in my heart and establishing your righteous reign in me.  I know that Your action of forgiveness is based on my action of repentance and making Jesus the Lord of my life.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 10, 2026: SOAP #6124: Lamentations 3-5; Revelation 15

SCRIPTURE:  Lamentations (NIV) 3:19 I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.  20 I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.  21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:  22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”

OBSERVATION:  It seems like trouble comes easily to our memory.  We do not have to try to think about trouble.  It seems our minds are programmed to ponder trouble.  As we think about the bad things that come our way, we become depressed. 

But those who know the Lord, have something to “call to mind.”  I may not be able to stop thinking about trouble by trying to stop thinking about trouble.  But I can actively place my thoughts on something else. 

APPLICATION: Today I will find hope as I actively think about the LORD’s great love, His compassion which never fails, and His great faithfulness.  How can I be depressed when I consider the greatness of the LORD!  

How can I be depressed when I consider that I am the object of HIS great love? 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, when I think about trouble, I often make it bigger than it really is, but when I think about you, I can never make you bigger in my thoughts than you really are!  Indeed, your grace is amazing; your love is amazing; you are amazingly great!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 07, 2026: SOAP #6121: 2Kings 25; 2Chron 36; Jere 40-41; Rev 12 

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 12:7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon.  And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8  but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 
9  And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth and his angels were thrown down with him.  10  …the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 

OBSERVATION:  John was being shown a vision of things that would come to pass in the future.  Satan was defeated at the cross when the sinless Jesus died for our sins. (Colossians 2:15)  He is defeated and will be thrown out of any access he has in heaven.  He will end up in the lake of fire God has prepared for him and his angels.  (Matthew 25:41) 

But at present Satam has limited freedom to move around and tempt people to break God’s laws.  He cannot touch God, but he gets at God by trying to destroy what God loves.  In the big scheme of things, Satan’s temptations are being used to give us opportunity to prove our love for God. 

APPLICATION: It is good for me to remember that Satan is a defeated foe and the One who defeated him on the cross lives in me.  Jesus defeated Satan by refusing to follow Satan’s temptations to take an easy way.  Jesus resisted even to the point of death! 

Now Jesus lives inside me and He helps me to resist the temptations of the devil.  He has already defeated Satan and He knows Satan’s tactics and the best way for me to overcome Satan’s temptation.  I do best when I let HIM fight my battles.                                                                                                                   
PRAYER:  Lord, I know you are not depending on my strength to withstand the devils temptations.  You have already proved yourself to be victorious and I am depending on your victorious presence in my life. Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 06, 2026: SOAP #6120: Ezekiel 29-32; Revelation 11

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 11:13  At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.
15  The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever.”
16  And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshipped God,

OBSERVATION:  In this reading our attention is drawn to the difference between what was happening on earth and what was happening in heaven.  The inhabitants of earth are reaping the rewards of evil.  Those on earth, who give glory to God, do so motivated by terror. 

The inhabitants of heaven are enjoying the Presence of Almighty God.  Those in heaven, who give glory to God, do so motivated by honor and appreciation for this Perfectly Holy Being who is all powerful and in control. 

APPLICATION: It is good to consider the differences between the Kingdom of Heaven and the kingdoms of this earth.  The United Stated began as a God-honoring nation, but as we approach the “days of the book of Revelation,” the differences between born-again Christians and just nominal Christians is becoming more and more obvious. 

I am so blest to be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven!  I hope it is obvious to everyone! 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, thank you for living in me and making me a part of the kingdom of God.  Guide my words and actions that it becomes obvious to those around me that this world is not my home; I am a citizen of heaven. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 05, 2026: SOAP #6119: Ezekiel 25-28; Revelation 10

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 10:5 Then the angel I had seen standing on the sea and on the land raised his right hand to heaven.
6  And he swore by him who lives for ever and ever, who created the heavens and all that is in them, the earth and all that is in it, and the sea and all that is in it, and said, “There will be no more delay!

OBSERVATION:  There are key moments in life when things change.  There is no more waiting for that long anticipated moment to arrive.  We wondered how it would be, but in that moment, we are living it.  It is here, and everything changes. 

Moments like the death of my parents, like when I got married, like when the Lord moved us from Hawaii to Kansas…life changing moments.  After those moments, everything is different!  

APPLICATION: Many people would rather not think about the judgments promised by God.  I must not make that mistake.  The same God who promised blessings also promised judgment. 

I cannot stop it; I cannot change it!  But I can change how it will affect me.  Before the coming time of judgment, I can place myself in the merciful care of my Creator!   I can accept the payment made to cover my sins.   And soon it will happen; I will be standing before Him!   The anticipation will be over; the moment will be the reality.  There will be no more delay!           

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for graciously taking on yourself the burden of paying for our sins.  The day of your appearing is fast approaching.  We want to be ready!  And we want to bring many with us!  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 02, 2026: SOAP #6116: Ezekiel 17-19; Revelation 7

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation 7:9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no-one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
10 And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne and to the Lamb.”

OBSERVATION:  Before leaving Jesus had given the commandment to go into the entire world and make disciples.  (Matthew 28:19-20)  We refer to that commandment as The Great Commission.  The promise of the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:8 was that they would be His witnesses beginning at Jerusalem and spreading to the whole world. 

In Revelation 7:9 above we see that every nation is represented; every tribe; every nation; every people group; and every language.  The great commission will have been fulfilled. 

APPLICATION: Two things come to mind when thinking of the above verses: First: I definitely want to be a part of that multitude!   Second: I want to help someone else be a part.   I want to play a part in fulfilling the great commission!

To do so, I must learn to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.  He will cause my steps to cross with someone who needs Jesus.  When I start with a friendly greeting, I can trust the Holy Spirit to use that greeting or He will place a thought in my mind to continue a conversation.   Everyone I will meet today gives me an opportunity to represent Jesus! 

PRAYER:  Lord  I want you to find me faithful serving you and faithful in reaching out to others.  Speak through me, I pray. Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 01, 2026: SOAP #6115: Ezekiel 15, 16; Psalm 70; Revelation 6

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation 6:14 The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.
15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains.
16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!
17 For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

OBSERVATION:  The Bible which reveals so much about God’s great love and amazing grace also has a lot to say about His wrath.   The personal characteristics that give rise to love also give rise to anger.  A loving mother can get extremely angry when someone or something attacks the child she loves. 

God is love.  Before God ever created a man to love, there was love in the Trinity.  God the Father loves His Son, Jesus.  God the Son loves His Father.  The Father loved the Son and wanted a whole family of sons like Jesus.  God the Son loved the Father and was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to bring the man He had created into a loving relationship.  So, when man fully rejects Jesus, God the Father gets mad.  And when man fully rejects God the Father, Jesus gets angry! 

Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

APPLICATION: If I only know God’s love, I can come to use Him for my purposes.  When I recognize His anger, I respect Him.  He is worthy of my love and my respect because God does not stop being holy to be loving. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I know your anger is held in by your holiness and righteousness.  You will never be angry without proper cause.  I want to live to bring you joy.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 31, 2026: SOAP #6114: Ezekiel 12-14; Revelation 5

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 5:1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no-one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no-one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside.

OBSERVATION:  The scroll needing to be opened was in the hand of the one sitting on the throne.  If anyone could open it, the omnipotent, omniscient could open it.  Bu, no he could not.  He was not legally qualified.  Everything in heaven must be holy, perfectly clean. 

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 5: 5  Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

OBSERVATION:  The scroll of judgment could only be opened by one who had fully endured the temptations to sin yet had resisted.  And only one meeting those qualifications was available:  JESUS!  He had endured every temptation to sin, even unto death, but did not sin!  

APPLICATION: Jesus is the only name under heaven, given among men, by which we can be saved!  He is the only one who has paid the price for our sins!  (Acts 4:12; 1Timothy 2:5)  Those who are still carrying the weight of their sin should hurry to receive the forgiveness He has purchased by His death.  Those who have received His forgiveness and made Him their Lord can walk in the love and freedom He provides. 

PRAYER:  Lord, forgive the sins of everyone who confesses that they are a sinner and surrenders their heart and life to you.  Fill their lives with peace and joy.  And Lord, for all who have already received your forgiveness and made you the Lord of their lives, may they receive the joy and confidence that you will lead them every day for their good and your glory.  Amen 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 30, 2026: SOAP #6113: Ezekiel 8-11; Revelation 4

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 4:8  Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.”
9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

OBSERVATION:  In the revelation given to him, John is invited into the throne room of heaven.  It is grand beyond description.  Everything there focuses on the throne. The One seated there is the center of all attention.  He is before all things, and He created all things. 

Obviously, if He was before all things and He created all things, then all things were created for His purpose.  (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17)

APPLICATION: When this life is over, we will be judged according to the perfect life of Jesus living within us.  His death will be the payment for our sins.  We will be rewarded for the service we have done for the kingdom of God. 

For our entrance into heaven, we will be judged according to the life of Jesus.  Once there, we will be rewarded for our deeds of loving service.  God is our faithful Judge; He will be faithful to judge that Jesus’ blood is sufficient to caver the cost of our sins; and He will be faithful to reward each one for their acts of obedience and service. 

PRAYER:  

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
August 28, 2026: SOAP #6112: Ezekiel 1-3; Revelation 2

SCRIPTURE:  Revelation (NIV) 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Note verses 11, 17, and 29) 

OBSERVATION:  In the first chapter of the first book in the Bible, we see that God speaks.  It is one of the first things we learn about God as we search the scriptures.  Continuing on in the Old Testament we can read pages and pages of God speaking.  John introduces Jesus as the Word.  God is a talker.  Surely He created us with two ears so we could be sure to hear what He had to say. 

And, as we come to the last book in the Bible, we see that God is still speaking.  He is not speaking into the wind but speaks to His people.  He wants them to hear and understand.  

APPLICATION: God has spoken in many ways, but most clearly through His Son, Jesus.  (Hebrews 1:1-2) And, after the resurrection and Jesus’ return into the heavens, God continued to speak.  He spoke through the written gospels and letters sent to the churches. 

God speaking is the main emphasis in the passage above, but just as important is the part about us hearing.  We only get the benefit of God speaking if, and when, we listen.  We must focus our attention and listen to what God is speaking to us.  The presence of the Holy Spirit in our heart will draw our attention to where God is saying something for our benefit.  We must not let the world distract us from what God is saying.   

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, surely the most important use for our two ears, is to listen to what you are saying.  Thank you for the Holy Spirit who helps focus my attention on what you are saying to me.  May I be so grateful that the God of the universe speaks to me that I am careful to listen and quick to obey.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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