Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 18, 2028: SOAP #5676: 1Kings 22; 2Chronicales 18,19; Colossians 4

(Armor of God #9)

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

OBSERVATION:   The shield of faith is not in place of all the aforementioned items of our armor; it is in addition. There is no part of the armor that is unimportant.  We need to keep it all in place.  

And as all the others are important, so is the shield of faith!  It must not be left behind.  It is our faith that extinguishes all the “flaming arrows” or “fiery darts” sent our way at the impetus of the devil.  He is wicked and desires to destroy us.  But our faith is stronger than anything he can throw our way.  After all, the Bible says we can extinguish ALL the flaming arrows/darts!   Praise God!

Faith is the mental confidence that what we know or have been told is real and true.  We are so confident that we base our decisions and actions on its reality.  Others may disagree, but we are convinced!  

APPLICATION:  God has given to all men “the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).  Faith does not have a steady level in our lives.  Our faith can dwindle (1Timothy 4:1); Our faith can grow (2Corinthians 10:15; 2Thessalonians 1:3).  A Smith Wigglesworth book is entitled “Ever Increasing Faith.”  That is what we should want to have said about our faith. 

We must recognize when God is speaking to us and to act accordingly. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, work in my life to increase my faith.  Help me to understand what God is saying to me.  Help me to apply God’s Words to my life.  May each “flaming arrow” that the enemy shoots into my thoughts be quickly extinguished.  Guide me in putting my faith into action.  Anoint me to better serve as you work to continue the ministry of Jesus in the world today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 15, 2028: SOAP #5673: 1Kings 16; 2Chronicles 15,16; Colossians 1

(Armor of God #6)

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

OBSERVATION:   It is not that we have the belt of truth hanging in our closet, or slung over our shoulder, but it must be buckled round our waist.  Truth gives proper perspective on all matters.  It sets priorities.  It delineates what is necessary and what is optional. 

A soldier must enter the battle on the side of truth.  Knowing that he is fighting for truth gives him stamina and courage.  Truth may not be convenient, but it is always necessary. 

APPLICATION:  Truth tells us that it is not our co-worker or neighbor we are fighting, it is the devil.  Truth tells us that our co-worker or neighbor is as important to our Commander-in-Chief as we are!  That truth helps us to maintain the proper love and respect for those still serving in the enemy’s army.  We were once in that army with them, and it is our prayer that soon they will join us in God’s army. 

PRAYER:   Jesus, you claimed to be the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)  Just having you living in my heart makes truth very important.  May my truthfulness please you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 13, 2028: SOAP #5671: 1Kings 13,14; 2Chronicles 12; Philippians 3

(Armor of God #4)

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God…13 Therefore put on the full armor of God… 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith… 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, 8 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

OBSERVATION:   God wants His people to be strong to fight against the enemy and to stand against temptation.  He has made special provisions for us to live in victory.  He has given us HIS armor!  The armor is hanging in the closet of His Word.  I must not leave it hanging in the closet.  I must take it out of the closet by reading His Word.  I must put it on by living my daily life like it is true!   I believe it is true, so I live and think and act like it is true, because it is!

APPLICATION:  God knows me perfectly.  He has provided the proper protection I need for today.  I put on His armor with a thankful heart and take on the day with faith. 

We have such great benefit in our new life in Christ.  We need only to take advantage of it.  Not just one part, not just the part we enjoy most, not just what we think we will be needing that day, but we are to put on the whole armor of God.  We do this to enable us to take our stand against the tricks of the devil. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, throughout this day, remind me that I am dressed in the armor of God.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 12, 2028: SOAP #5670: 1Kings 12; 2Chronicles 10,11; Philippians 2

(Armor of God #3)

NOTE:  During the next two plus weeks, I will be writing, sending, and posting SOAPs on the thoughts from Ephesians 6;10-18.  For those who do not have a Bible, every verse will be presented with appropriate observations and applications.  For the past 15 years I have often wanted to take more time with such a passage, but always moved on with the daily assigned reading.  I now strongly feel the Holy Spirit compelling me to do so.  I will be using some old SOAPs, combining SOAPs and writing new ones.  May the Holy Spirit anoint my heart as I write them and anoint your heart as you read them!  Amen

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. …
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

OBSERVATION:   Two times in these verses we are commanded to put on or take up the FULL armor of God.  This is not an option.  God does not want us to encounter the enemy unprepared or only half prepared.   

If we understand who it is that we are fighting, we will appreciate this emphasis!  If we take time to understand each piece of the armor, we will appreciate its value. 

APPLICATION:  These verses do not tell me to just wait until God puts this armor on me.  These verses tell me to put it on.  This is for me to do.    I need to read these verses (Ephesians 6:10-18) to discover what this passage is saying to me. 

In faith expressed through the confession of my lips, I claim this armor as mine!  With the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit, I begin to live like it is true, because it is!  

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, thank you for providing for me.  You knew what I would be facing, and you provided armor and weapons for me to be able to stand.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 11, 2028: SOAP #5669: Song of Solomon 5-8; Philippians 1

(Armor of God #2)

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

OBSERVATION:   Paul here encourages his readers to be strong in the Lord.   In the world today there are endless areas in which one can be strong.  A person’s strength may be in their physical body, or in some area of the physical world as agriculture, or engineering, or in relationships, or …   Growing strong in each area involves gaining knowledge and then applying knowledge.  Knowledge without application leaves one weak!  

Being strong in the Lord should be a priority for each of us.  As we become strong in our knowledge of Him, our faith in His mighty power grows.                 

APPLICATION:  As I grow in my knowledge of God’s word AND then apply it to my life, I grow stronger in my faith AND I learn to depend on His strength. 

The more I learn about God, the more my thoughts, speech, and actions change to align with the truth of who God is and what He has said.  People begin to see changes in me and may ask “why?”  Sometimes the changes are so small that we may not recognize them; family and close friends may recognize them before we do.  But with God living within us, it will be impossible not to change!  

PRAYER:   Lord, thank you for loving me.  Thank you for your Word.  May I have the courage to apply it—to think and act like it is true!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 10, 2028: SOAP #5668: Song of Solomon 1-4; Ephesians 6

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

OBSERVATION:   People have a combination of strong and weak character traits.  Some are strong in patience.  Others seem to have great knowledge.  Some love sports.  But each one has areas of weakness.  Our strengths enable us to serve others.  Our weaknesses cause us to need others.  However there is one area in which we should all be strong.  We should all be “strong in the Lord.”

APPLICATION:  In areas where I am weak, it is obvious that I need to depend on the Lord and his strength.  But I am finding that God’s strengths make my strengths look like weaknesses.  It is much better to rely on God even in areas where I think I am strong. 

PRAYER:   Lord, I want to be strong in my knowledge of you, strong in my relationship with you, strong in recognizing how you speak to me, and strong in depending on you. In dealing with temptation and the devil, I want to be strong in you!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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NOTE: As I was reading today’s assigned passages, I was considering what I should include and what should be left for another time.  There was an urgency to write SOAPs, but we would not be back to this passage of scripture for another six months.  In pondering the many strong thoughts that came to my mind, I believe the Lord wants me to pause writing SOAPs from the daily Bible readings that is given every day at the top.  Instead, for the next week or so, I will write SOAPs from this passage on the armor of God.  I pray they will be a blessing to each SOAP reader.   😊  Leon

Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 7, 2025: SOAP #5665: Ecclesiastes 4-6; Psalm 18; Ephesians 3

A Mystery No Longer!

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 3:4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

OBSERVATION:   Although there are many references in the Old Testament to God reaching the Gentile, the Jews saw themselves as God’s people.  In God’s plan to populate heaven with people, He had to start somewhere.  In sending Jesus to die in payment for our sins, He could not send 25 or 30 Jesuses—only One.  He could only come through one family in one nation.  Jesus was sent to earth through the Jewish nation. 

Once Jesus ministry was complete, the Holy Spirit was given Who revealed that God’s plan had always been to give gentiles the same standing as Jews!  

Jews and Gentiles are members of the same body—the body of Christ.  We have the same Lord!  We have the same Holy Spirit.  We share in the same promises.  We share the same destination—heaven.

APPLICATION:   Whether we live in an Asian or African country…whether we live in Europe or the Americas…whether we live in Australia or the islands of the sea…if we have confessed our sins and received His forgiveness…if we have received Jesus into our lives…then we are all members of the same body!  

The question is not to what kind of church de we attend, but has Jesus forgiven our sins and does He live within?  If so, we share the same life.  God lives in us.  We are brothers and sisters in Christ! 

PRAYER:   Jesus, you prayed that we (the members of your body) would be one. (John 17:21)   Holy Spirit, we need your help.  Work in us and through us in answer to Jesus’ prayer.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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