Tag Archives: christianity

Growing in Jesus

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 14, 2025: SOAP #5611:  1Samuel 15-16; 1Chronicles 5; Matthew 1

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 1:18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about:  His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.  19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.  

OBSERVATION:   Here is an extremely important portion of scripture.  For Jesus to be the acceptable sacrifice to pay for sin, His blood line had to be sinless.  In these verses we see that Mary’s pregnancy was not by Joseph, but by the Holy Spirit.  Being born of Mary, Jesus is the Son of man.  Being impregnated by the Holy Spirit, Jesus is the Son of God. 

Being the son of Mary, Jesus was fully human and could physically suffer and die.  Being the Son of God, He was sinless.  When He died on the cross, his death was not needed to cover any personal sins.  So, His sinless death is accepted as payment for the sins of those who accept Him into their lives.     

APPLICATION:   Jesus most often referred to Himself as the “Son of Man.”  Jesus laid aside His deity to live on earth as a man full of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus is proof that the Holy Spirit can live in a human body.  As the Son of Man full of the Holy Spirit, Jesus is my example.   I too must live my life full of the Holy Spirit, being led to live my life like Jesus!  To be like Jesus, I must live my life full of the Holy Spirit!   I must learn to let Him take the lead.  The Holy Spirit helps me understand how to apply the scriptures to my life.   

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, live in me the life you lived in Jesus as He walked this earth.  May the character and nature of Jesus be seen in me. May I grow in love and grace.  Help me see things as Jesus sees them.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

My weakness; HIS STRENGTH!

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 13, 2025: SOAP #5610:  1Samuel 14; 1Chronicles 4; 2Corinthians 13

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 13:4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him to serve you….

OBSERVATION:   Here we see even Jesus weakened Himself to the place people could crucify him!  Then He was resurrected by the power of God and He now lives by God’s power. 

Why did Jesus become so weak to be killed?  I was for our sake.  He died for our sins and He arose with the power to give salvation to all who will receive!!    

The pre-crucifixion Jesus is no longer alive!  When we invite Jesus to come into our lives and become our Lord, He is not moving in as the one we read about in the gospels, but as the one in Revelation 1.  The crucifixion is over!  He is not preparing to suffer!  He is coming again to rule and reign.  He comes into our hearts as the reigning king and Lord!     

APPLICATION:   The power Jesus has in His resurrected life was not for His benefit, but for my benefit!!!  (That is an amazing thought!)  And now as I live in weakness, God’s power shines through me.  It is not power to be used for my benefit, but for serving others!  

PRAYER:   Lord, teach me how to step back from using my limited power to allow Your unlimited power to flow through me.  Help me remember that when I am weak, then I am strong in you.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

He takes advantage of my weaknesses!

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 12, 2025: SOAP #5609:  1Samuel 13; 1Chronicles 2-3; 2Corinthians 12

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

OBSERVATION:   God’s power is best seen in a person’s life in areas where they have little or no power of their own.   Credit cannot go to them, for everyone knows they have no talent, or wisdom, or strength to accomplish what is needed.  All the credit and glory must go to the Lord.  And they are delighted when God gets the glory!  

APPLICATION:   I should be delighted, but at times I am troubled when God calls me to do something out of my comfort zone.  Only after God has proved Himself faithful in accomplishing through me what I could not accomplish myself do I relax and rejoice in His Presence. 

In driving a school bus for 15 years, I had become comfortable, enjoying the interactions with the students.  But last week, the Lord had me working in the front office of an automotive muffler shop.  At times I saw that my weaknesses became His strengths.  I could not talk much about automotive mechanics and exhaust systems, but the Lord helped me turn the conversation to spiritual things. 

PRAYER:   Lord, I know you will never call me to do what you are not willing to do through me.  More and more, help me to relax and enjoy the journey.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Faithfully Prepared

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 11, 2025: SOAP #5608:  1Samuel 11-12; 1Chronicales 1; 2Corinthians 11

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians 11:7 Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge?
2Corinthians 13:10 — the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.  Note: 2Corinthians 10:8

OBSERVATION:   The Lord wants us to be elevators.  May we raise people with strength and confidence.  May we lift them to a higher floor.  If we have to take people down, may we do it in gentleness and carefulness, bringing them down easily and not crashing to the bottom.   The priority however is to build them up and lift them to a higher point of view.  

A word of encouragement, a compliment, a friendly greeting can lift the countenance of a person feeling discouraged, defeated, and/or all alone. 

APPLICATION:   Almost everywhere I look, I can find people who need a lift.  I need only to look at the faces of those around me.  When people are down, it can be seen on their face.  And better than that, we have the Holy Spirit to encourage us to speak to someone; and He will mix thoughts or words in our thinking to speak to them. 

Today, the Lord wants to use me to bring a word of hope and/or encouragement.  I must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. 

Here is a simple and practical suggestion: if you do not know what to say, start with the main thought from your most recent devotion, the one from this morning or last night.  It is very likely that God knew who you would happen to meet today, and He has prepared you. 

PRAYER:   Lord, show me today someone who needs a lift.  Use me to help lift their burdens.  I believe you are preparing me now to share your love with them.    Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Faith in our Giving!

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 09, 2025: SOAP #5606:  1Samuel 6-7; Psalm 72; 2Corinthians 9

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 9:11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. 12 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 13 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

OBSERVATION:   What a special chapter on the blessings of giving, however it should be noted that Paul was not presenting this truth to motivate people to give to him or his ministry.  He was in Macedonia (Philippi) writing to the believers in Corinth about sending some financial help to the believers in Jerusalem who were experiencing a time of famine. 

My personal application of this chapter to the SOAP ministry:  God is the one who started this SOAP ministry.  I started not because I wanted to, but because He told me to write the SOAPs.  I consider myself blessed to be a part of HIS ministry.  Since the ministry is HIS, after all it is HIS word that is being presented, …since it is HIS, I expect Him to provide the necessary finances.  There should be no pressure from anyone in the SOAP ministry trying to convince anyone to give.  If convincing is needed, that is the job of our senior partner, the Holy Spirit.  

APPLICATION:  When you give in obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit, give in faith.  First: have faith that God is blest in your giving.  Second: have faith that God will use what you give to meet a need.  Third: have faith that your giving is a seed that will produce fruit.  Fourth: have faith that your seed will cause others to give praise to God.  Fifth: have faith that God will bring blessing back into your life.  Note verse 11 above.  Expect to experience the joy of giving.  Expect to experience the satisfaction of being a key part of a ministry team even though you are not physically present with the team!   

PRAYER:   Lord, teach us how to participate in ministry through praying and giving.  Show us how important the support ministries are to what you are doing.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Priorities

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 05, 2025: SOAP #5602:  Ruth 1-2; Psalm 53, 61; 2Corinthians 5

SCRIPTURE:   2Corinthians (NIV) 5:8 We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due to him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

OBSERVATION:   It is good that Paul describes death with two equal but opposing phrases.  The first is “to be away from the body.”  The body in its present form is temporary.  It is temporal.  It is appropriate and proper for our life on earth.  But until Jesus comes, it will be left behind.

The second phrase, “at home with the Lord,” gives us a wonderful comforting thought about death.  Not only does Paul tell where we will not be, he also tells us where we will be!   When death takes us, what a comfort it is for our loved ones to know to where we have gone!  What comfort for those left behind, those with the responsibility of taking care of what we leave behind — our possessions, our family and friends, yes, and our body too.

APPLICATION:   Two things we can take from this passage as priorities.   First, we need to make sure that are ready to meet Jesus, either when He specifically calls for us, or when He comes for all believers!   What could be more important than being prepared for our death!!!  We choose our eternal destiny while here on this earth.  “Eternity” is longer than “forever.”   Now is the time to choose; today is the day of salvation.  Going through death’s door, we will enter eternity without God in hell, or eternity with God in heaven!  The second is to make sure our family will meet us there!  

If you are not sure, pray with me…

PRAYER:   Lord Jesus, I confess to you that I am a sinner.  I humbly request your forgiveness.  What a terrible price You paid to be able to wash me clean from all sin.  I receive the blood of your sacrifice as payment for my sins.  Come live in my life as my Lord.  I surrender my heart and life to you.  Thank you for forgiving me and sharing my life with me.  As you are living in me, may the things I do and say bring you joy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Renewed Thinking

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 03, 2025: SOAP #5600:  Judges 19-21; 2Corinthians 4:

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

OBSERVATION:   Paul was going through tough times.  It was not easy, but he kept things in proper perspective.  Some things have more value than others, and Paul had sorted them out.  He “fixed” his eyes on what was unseen because that was eternal and more important.  Being unseen, it was the eyes of his soul that were fixed.  His thoughts were continuously taken up with the eternal things. 

APPLICATION:   There are so many voices calling and signals vying for our attention today.  It is so easy to let our thoughts get wrapped around the temporal things facing us.  How we need to be like Paul with our minds so impacted by God and His plan that we see everything in the light of eternal values.  When we must think of temporal (seen) things, for we live in a temporal world and are trying to win people in that world, we consider temporal things in the light of eternity!  How can we use them to have the greatest effect on eternity.  Can I give a temporal gift or serve them in such a way that they will want to meet this Jesus I love and serve. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I see the value of keeping everything in the perspective of the eternal.  I am too easily distracted.  Please do not ever stop calling me back to your side to see things as you see them. 
Holy Spirit, you have moved into my life and made me your home.  You are always with me.  You know my thoughts better than any other person, even better than I do.  Renew and refresh my thoughts each day, even every hour if you see it is needed.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

God’s Earth Plan for Man

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 03, 2025: SOAP #5600:  Judges 17-18; Psalm 89; 2Corinthians 3

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 3:6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant— not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

OBSERVATION:   The “letter” is a reference to the written law that was given to Moses.  It included the 10 Commandments.  The “letter” can show me what I have done wrong, but it does not help me to do better.  God understands that I am incompetent to live up to His standards.  But the Holy Spirit living inside me is competent to both help me understand God’s requirements AND help me live them.  (Wow!) 

APPLICATION:   When all I see is the law of God and how I have broken it, I live in condemnation.  When I confess my sins and accept that God the Son, Christ Jesus died for MY sins, I receive His provision of forgiveness.  The Father knew that I would need more than forgiveness.  Forgiven and depending on my own strength, I fall back into sin.  So, He sent the Holy Spirit to live in me.  When I depend on God the Spirit living inside me, I have His provision to overcome temptation.  (Praise the Lord!)  

The law of God the Father gives me understanding of sin!  The death of God the Son, Jesus, gives me forgiveness of sin!  The indwelling of God the Spirit gives me power over sin!

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, thank you for understanding me and fully providing everything I need.  You are amazing!  While I am on this earth, You have designed me to be a temple of the Holy Spirit and to work together with Him.  In that way I can live a life that glorifies Jesus and gives you much joy.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Beauty spilling out…

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 02, 2025: SOAP #5599:  Judges 13-16; 2Corinthians 2

SCRIPTURE:  2Corinthians (NIV) 2:14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

OBSERVATION:   Later in chapter 11 of this letter, Paul gives a list of the things he has endured while serving the Lord.  Five times he had been whipped with 39 lashes, he had been beaten with rods, he had been stoned, he had been shipwrecked three times, he had been hungry and thirsty, cold and naked.  Yet in this verse he is thankful to God who had always led him “in triumphal procession in Christ.” 

The physical crushing and hardships that Paul endured released a special insight into the depth of Paul’s love for Christ and for the church.  People could see evidence of the presence of Jesus in his life.  It was like people could smell a special fragrance that made them realize the presence of Jesus. 

APPLICATION:   We may not always have triumph in our circumstances, but we can always have victory in our spirit and in our attitude.  And when it is obvious to others that we are being beaten down, yet we do not act beaten down—it is then our life becomes a testimony that there is something on the inside (the life of Christ) that is greater than anything the world can throw at us!  

The deep-seated joy and peace that radiated from His presence seems especially noticeable when there is struggle and turmoil on the outside.     

PRAYER:   Lord, I pray for those who are going through great suffering or are in the hospital.  May your presence be easily recognized in their lives.  May your peace flood their room and spill out into the hallway.  May the medical staff look for excuses to visit their rooms.  Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in them.  Amen 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

Our Heavenly Father

Posted on by
Reply

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 31, 2025: SOAP #5597:  Judges 9-10; Psalm 49; 1Corinthians 16

SCRIPTURE:  Judges (NIV) 10:13 [The LORD speaking:] But you have forsaken me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you. 14 Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!”
15 But the Israelites said to the LORD, “We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now.”
16Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the LORD. And he could bear Israel’s misery no longer.

OBSERVATION:   God had chosen Israel as His special people.  He had delivered them from slavery in Egypt.  But Israel put God through much heartache by turning to other gods.  Now they were in trouble and asking for help.  God was understandably angry (verse 7) with them and told them to go to the other gods they had chosen to worship.  But, instead of turning to the other gods, Israel, obviously knowing there was only One True God, got rid of the foreign gods.  Then God had a problem.  The problem—His love!  He could bear their misery no longer!  What a special insight into the character of our amazing God!  

APPLICATION:   Parents who go through ups and down with their children should easily be able to identify with God.  They can become so angry with the decisions their children make, yet they lovingly suffer with their children through the results of those decisions.  

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, forgive me for not paying attention to what you have said.  I need your Holy Spirit to help me not to do those things that hurt you, but to help me do those things that bring joy to your heart.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon