Tag Archives: christianity

My Loving Lord!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 02, 2025: SOAP #5568:  Numbers 30-31; Mark 9

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 9:7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

OBSERVATION:   Peter, James, and John had accompanied Jesus up the mountain.  They saw his garments glow super white.  They saw Elijah and Moses present to talk with Jesus.  Peter suggested they build three shelters, one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.  Then a cloud enveloped them, and they heard the voice of God.  He was not speaking to Jesus; He was not speaking to Moses; and He was not speaking to Elijah.  He was speaking to them!

They were words of identification: “this is my son!”  This is someone special.  God the Father was identifying with Jesus.  
They were words of relationship:  “Whom I love.” I have an emotional tie to Him.  I expect you to treat Him as someone very special to me. 
They were words of direction:  “Listen to Him.”  Do what He says.  Make sure you can hear His voice. 

APPLICATION:   God the Father may be speaking to someone else, but He has been definitely talking to me.  Fifteen years ago, He told me to drive a school bus.  Two weeks ago, He told me my season for bus driving was over.  I continue to write the SOAPs and I am now living and listening day by day for further direction. 

Do I respect God?  I must identify with Him as my Father.  I must love His Son as my Lord.  I must listen to Him and do what He says! 

PRAYER:   Jesus, my relationship with you starts with acknowledging that I am a sinner and I need the forgiveness you provide through your death on the cross. But that is only the beginning!   Because what follows is a life-long loving relationship learning how to live as Your friend and discovering the joy of having you for my best friend.  Amen

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

Programmed for Victory

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
January 23, 2025: SOAP #5529:  Exodus 6-8; Luke 23

SCRIPTURE:  Exodus (NIV) 6:6 “Therefore, say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD.’” 9 Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.

OBSERVATION:   What promises!   And consider who it is that is making these promises!   It is none other than The Creator of the Heavens and Earth!   If anyone had the power to keep such promises, GOD DID!!! 

If God almighty made such a promise to me, I believe I would be shouting, and dancing, and having a happy party!!!  But not the Israelites, no. They were so discouraged, they did not even hear the promises, or Who it was making such great promises!   We often criticize them, but we must be careful. Because we do the same thing!  

APPLICATION:  Knowing us as well as He does, He has given us a whole book filled with His promises!   If we forget we can go back and read them again!  

And knowing us as well as He does, He has given us the Holy Spirit to accompany us throughout our lives!   He accompanies us 24 hours a day.   He teaches up; He reminds us; He guides us!   We are never left alone.  We must apply what we have been given.  

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ who suffered and died in payment for our sins.  We are so blest!    AND thank you for your Word, written and available.  It teaches us to live in victory.  AND thank you for the Holy Spirit!  His presence assures us that we will always have someone to guide us and remind us of what you have said.   Heavenly Father, you have programmed us for victory and you have provided for our victory.  We rejoice.  Amen 

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

HE made it all; HE lives in me!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
July 04, 2024: SOAP #5327:  2Kings 15-16; Hosea 1; Hebrews 1

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 1:10 He [God speaking to Jesus] also says, “In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. 12 You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

OBSERVATION:    In these verses, God is speaking through the author of the book of Hebrews the same thing He said through the apostle in John 1:3  “All things were made by him and without Him was not anything made that was made.” 
This work of His hands will perish.  It will wear out like a suit of clothes.  It will all change, but JESUS will never change!   He eternally remains the same! 

APPLICATION:  Pick any day in the future; pick tomorrow, or a day next week, or next year, or 50 years from now, or 1000 years from now…Jesus will be the same!   He will be just as loving then as He was when He died on the cross for our sins.   He will be just as holy then as He was when He paid the price for our sins.  He wants us to know that God loves us!  He wants us to be holy, free from the stains of sin.  Because of His death, He forgives us and cleanses us from all unrighteousness!  (1John 1:9) 
What a mistake to let my attention be captivated by that which is going to change and perish rather than keep my attention focused of Him who never changes!!!  What a mistake to focus on the temporary things rather than on the Eternal One!!! 

Note: Your circumstances have changed. They will change again. Some changes will be better and some worse.  Know that He will use the changes to change you for His glory.  Keep your attention on HIM who never changes.  He is with you and will be with you through all the changes.  Keep your ears open to His voice and your hand in His. He loves you!  Amen

PRAYER:  Lord, whatever happens in this temporary world does not change the truth that you, the unchanging God, have made me your dwelling place.  I can always count on your presence.  “You walk with me, and you talk with me, and you tell me I am your own…”  Amen

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