Tag Archives: christianity

He’s my brother…

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 23, 2025: SOAP #5589:  Joshua 15-17; 1Corinthians 8

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 8:12 When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

OBSERVATION:   Paul knew that idol gods were really nothing and that meat sold in the market that had been dedicated to those idol gods was good meat; he was free to et that meat.  But if someone believed the idol was really a god and they saw Paul eating meat that had been dedicated to that idol, they may be offended and their spiritual life hindered.  So, Paul would refrain from eating that meat so he would not offend his brother. 

Paul’s love for his brother or sister in the Lord was greater than his desire to exercise his freedom.  Giving up his freedom was not done begrudgingly but willingly and lovingly. 

As I grow in my love for God I begin to value what He values.  If it is important to Him, it is important to me.  Members of His body are clearly important to Him, they should be to me also. 

APPLICATION:   The principle in this verse goes far beyond eating meats dedicated to some idol.  Sacrificing something I am free to do or something that is dear to me should not be a heavy burden when it is for my brother.  I am reminded of the song, “He ain’t heavy; he’s my brother.”  (A phrase popularized by Father Flanagan as the motto for Boy

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, I want to love my sisters and brothers as you love them.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Just AND Merciful!!!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 19, 2025: SOAP #5585:  Joshua 3-6; 1Corinthians 40

SCRIPTURE:  1Corinthians (NIV) 4:2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.  3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.  4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent.  It is the Lord who judges me.  5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes.  He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of people’s hearts.  At that time each will receive their praise from God. 

OBSERVATION:   People who rush to judgment often misjudge because they do not take time to evaluate the hidden motives. 

Some things are judged before their appointed time as being bad, but they are not bad just immature. 

Some things are judged good, but the hidden motives of the heart show that they are not good. 

APPLICATION:   God is the only perfect judge.  He knows me perfectly.  He knows the motives behind my actions.  He knows my weaknesses and immaturities. 

He is a JUST judge requiring full payment for sin.  Yet He is a MERCIFUL judge accepting the death of His own Son, Jesus, as the FULL PAYMENT for my sin!      

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that you are my judge.  You know me; you understand me; but best of all, you love me!  You sent your son to die as payment for my sins.  You know my sins, yet when I confess them, you forgive me and give me a clean conscience!  You have forgiven ALL my sins; I give you ALL my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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It’s the Law!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 15, 2025: SOAP #5581:  Deuteronomy 28-29; Galatians 6

(an earlier SOAP with minor changes)

SCRIPTURE:  Galatians (NIV) 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

OBSERVATION:  Here we are given a universal law that affects every aspect of life. 
Verse 6 and 10 show that it applies financially and materially.
Verses 8 and shows that it applies spiritually,
Verse 9 is the application of this truth.  We should always be sowing.  Reaping is assured if we remain faithful. 

God cannot be mocked.  To think that one can sow one kind of crop and reap another is foolish.  When I understand the seriousness of this law, I can greatly appreciate that Jesus took my place to reap the harvest of the sin I had sown.   And by so doing, He set me free to reap the blessings of the seed he sowed in dying on the cross.

APPLICATION: Sometimes my greatest financial need is to understand the truth in these verses.  I need to give with faith that God will bring the reward.  As I sow, God brings the harvest. 

Some people want to reap a harvest by getting others to sow.  But verses about giving in the Bible are not there to be used to motivate others to give to us.  They are there to motivate us to give!  The application of this truth is GIVING. 

Today is too late for me to do more about today’s harvest, but today I can do something about my future harvest.

PRAYER:  Lord, thank you for laws that set order in this world.   Thank you for helping us understand how things work.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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All One in Christ Jesus

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 12, 2025: SOAP #5578:  Deuteronomy 19-21; Galatians 3

SCRIPTURE:  Galatians (NIV) 3:24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. 26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

OBSERVATION:   The Law was given through Moses.  It was an acceptable way of relating to God.  The big problem was that everyone on earth had already broken it.  No one born on earth could fully keep the Law—that is until the virgin born Jesus arrived.  He was born without sin, lived without sin, and died without sin.  He rose from the dead on the third day!  So, when we accept Him as our Lord, He saves us from the penalty of sin.  His death is accepted as the payment for our sins!!!  We receive His forgiveness and cleansing by faith.  We believe that He keeps His promise and we thank Him for doing so!!!  

Receiving His death as the payment for our sins comes with receiving His life within us.  And all who have the life of Jesus within are brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus!   “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus!” (Galatians 3:28)   There is neither African, Asian, or American.  There is neither English SOAP readers nor French nor Bangla nor Hindi nor Urdu speaking SOAP readers etc.; we are ALL one in Christ Jesus! 

APPLICATION:   The law told us to love one another as we loved ourselves (Leviticus 19:18); but Jesus went further, He told us to love one another as HE loved us!  (John 13:34)

We need the Holy Spirit to help us love like Jesus loved.  God loved the world that He sent Jesus. (John 3:16)  We can all SEE God’s love, may the world see our love. 

Those of us who have made Jesus the Lord of our lives should not use these scriptures to motivate people to give to us.  We take our needs to the Lord and He motivates people to give.  We let the Holy Spirit use these scriptures to motivate us to give to others.  

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, help me love like Jesus.  Use me to display your love.  Keep reminding me that we are truly one in Christ Jesus.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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My Victory is in Jesus!

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8Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 11, 2025: SOAP #5577:  Deuteronomy 16-18; Psalm 38; Galatians 2

SCRIPTURE:  Galatians (NIV) 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

OBSERVATION:   This verse stirs two very strong thoughts, the weakness of the law and the power of the cross.  It also leads me to consider how important my righteousness is to God. It is so important that He sent His Son to die!  Amazing!

The battle was won on the cross!  It was there that the price was paid.  It was there that Jesus won over the temptation of trying an easier way.  It was there that the power of Satan’s temptation to move outside the will of the Father was defeated!  Jesus would not give in to the devil’s temptation to move other than in His Father’s will!

Jesus entered death as The Triumphant One.  He remained true to His Father’s will even unto death!   He did not surrender Himself to the devil’s temptations.  He entered the grave as The Victorious One!   He came out as More than a Conqueror!   The three days in the grave was the victory lap taken after the race had been won!

APPLICATION:   When Jesus entered my life as Lord, it is like He takes a victory lap in me.  He breaks the power of sin in me.  He lives His life in me!  Once I was in bondage to sin, now I have the power to resist temptation.  I can confess the weakness of my flesh and the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit!   I can claim the Name of Jesus!  I can speak out what God has done for me!   (Revelation 12:11)

PRAYER:  Lord, by your Holy Spirit, you lead me and empower me to live a life that honors you.  Teach me your way, O Lord, I pray.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Please pray for the SOAP Conference team that is now in Burkina Faso.  Pray for God to do miracles like in the book of Acts.  May many people be drawn to the Lord!  

A Servant

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Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
March 03, 2025: SOAP #5569:  Numbers 32-33; Mark 10

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 10:42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

OBSERVATION:   The world had gotten things upside down.  Jesus put them right side up.  In man’s eyes, rulers are the greatest.  In God’s eyes, servants are the greatest. 

Jesus had come to serve the will of the Father, and to serve man by making the payment for sin.  And in being the servant/slave of all, He clearly was the greatest of all! 

People who have been given authority should use it as a tool to increase their service to others.  Their decisions and their actions should be for the benefit others.       

APPLICATION:   I am a servant of the Most High God.   It is all about Him!  I must remember how Jesus answered the question about which was the greatest commandment: 

Mark (NIV) 12:29  “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

PRAYER:   Lord, what an example you set!  I am amazed at the great extent You went to serve me.  May my life be used to serve your purposes.   Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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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
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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
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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
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