Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 14, 2026: SOAP #6006: 1Chronicles 22-24; 1Thessalonians 3

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 3:1 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. 
2 We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith.

OBSERVATION: To Paul, Timothy was his son in the faith, yet he wanted others to see Timothy as more than just Paul’s son, or disciple, so he spoke of him with words that indicate equality.  Timothy was a brother. Timothy was a fellow-worker.  Timothy was sent, not only to check on things for Paul and to bring back a report, which he did, but to strengthen and encourage these believers who had been going through some tough times.

Paul had faith that God would speak through Timothy when he visited Thessalonica.  Paul wanted others to respect Timothy and expect to hear from God when Timothy spoke.  So, Paul wrote and spoke to others using terms that would cause them to listen to Timothy as though God was speaking through him. 

APPLICATION: When I am speaking to my son or dear friends, I can use common names or the nick-names I called them as a child.  But when I am speaking to others about my son or my friends, I need to use terms that show my respect for them.  In that way I will help others to see them the same way.  I can build the esteem others will have for them.  

When introducing a guest speaker to a congregation, I want to say things that will encourage others to open their ears and hearts to hear God speak through this guest.      

PRAYER:  Lord, for those who hear me, use my words to build up others.  May my words build faith that God will be speaking through the ones I introduce.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 13, 2026: SOAP #6005: 2Samuel 24; 1Chronicles 21; Psalm 30; 1Thessalonians 2

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 2:17 But, brothers, when we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. 18 For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan stopped us.
19 For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? 20 Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

OBSERVATION: While Paul was fulfilling his ministry here on earth, the people in Thessonalica were in his heart and on his mind.  Many times Paul’s ministry group had wanted to come to visit them.  Satan had worked in the circumstances to stop them, but a day was coming when they would all be together in the presence of the Lord!  Satan would not be present to stop their sweet fellowship there!   And there in the presence of the Lord they will be Paul’s glory and joy!  

APPLICATION: What a day that will be when we stand in heaven before the Lord.  I am thinking that there will be a time when we can present to the Lord the lives to whom we presented Jesus here in this life.  However the celebration may go, what joy will be ours to see others present because we had a part in their salvation! 

PRAYER:  Lord, what a special privilege is presented to us to be able to present the gospel to someone who does not know you.  And what a great joy awaits us in your presence when we meet them in worship before your throne!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 11, 2026: SOAP #6003: 2Samuel 21-23; 1Thessalonians 1

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 1:4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.

OBSERVATION: Paul recognized that the believers in Thessalonica were chosen by God because the message he brought to them did not just come from him.  Paul was not on a preaching tour by himself.  He was not just accompanied by Silas and Timothy (1Thessalonians 1:1).   He had been sent by the Holy Spirit and He was accompanied by the Holy Spirit!   Although Paul did the speaking, the Holy Spirit demonstrated the power of God with miracles. 

God did not send SOAP teams from Liberia and Sierra Leone into Guinea just to be on their own and try to convince people to follow Jesus.  No!  They were accompanied by the Holy Spirit!  Healings and miracles were God’s way of saying the people of Guinea are important to HIM!   Today God is choosing a people for His own! 

APPLICATION: When we are ministering to the lost people around us, we need to expect the Holy Spirit to be present.  He is present with convicting power.  Miracles and healings do much in attracting people’s attention and in convincing them that making Him Lord is beneficial for them. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, we recognize your anointing on these SOAPs and on those carrying them to their world.  You are finding us usable for our Father’s kingdom.  Make us a blessing to the lost living around us.  Make us a blessing to our Lord.  Make us a blessing to our Heavenly Father.  Amen 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 11, 2026: SOAP #6003: 2Samuel 19, 20; Psalm 55; Matthew 28

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

OBSERVATION:  Here Jesus was giving His disciples the Great Commission.  It was their responsibility to carry on the ministry He had started.  They had been with Him from the beginning of His ministry.  He had even sent them out two by two in preparation for His ministry time coming to their area.  Jesus had taken them aside to teach and answer their questions. 

But Jesus was not depending on them to remember everything.  He was depending on His presence, His Holy Spirit! 

NOTE:  Jesus was not commanding them to be with Him; He was promising to be with them!!!  

Members of the SOAP teams in Sierra Leone and Liberia recently went to the Muslim country of Guinea to join with SOAP workers there to present Jesus to the people there.  They found that the Jesus who walked the roads and streets of Israel and who was with the disciples in Acts was with them in Guinea!  He made blind people see and paralyzed people walk! 

APPLICATION:  Jesus is the same, yesterday, and today, and forever!  Heb 13:8 

PRAYER:   Lord, You are the same today as the days of the Gospels and Acts.  Holy Spirit, stir our hearts and faith to allow you to flow through us to the world around us.  May You be fully YOU in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 10, 2026: SOAP #6002: 2Samuel 18; Psalm 56; Matthew 27

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 27:1 Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. 2 They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
BSERVATION: There was a specific time when the religious leaders officially came to a decision that was pending for some time.  I wonder if there was a scribe who took minutes of that meeting when it became the official decision of the “chief priests and the elders” that day that Jesus would need to die? 

But whenever they made their decision, it was long after the decision for Jesus to die for the sins of man had already been made in heaven.  Revelation 13:8 tells us about “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”  God knew that the logical fulfillment of sin was death and only the death of one not deserving to die could be accepted as the payment for sins committed.  If any part of the creation He loved could be saved from destruction the sin they had taken on must be cleared by the death of someone sinless!   That payment could be made by no other than Jesus, the sinless Son of God!

God would demonstrate His love for man by making the sacrifice to pay for our sins! 

APPLICATION: The Heavenly Father, knowing that death could not destroy His Son, Jesus, lovingly sent Him to pay for the sins of man. And when the plan is complete, Jesus will be honored and praised and worshipped like no other in all creation.  The Father so loved man that he sent His son to pay the price for sin and enable us to spend eternity with Him; AND the Father so loved the Son that he gave him an assignment that would cause his name, the name of Jesus, to be exalted and honored throughout eternity and above all creation.

PRAYER:  Jesus, I do not want to wait until I am in heaven to honor you for your great work.  I want to start now giving you the praise and worship you deserve.  Amen 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 07, 2026: SOAP #5999: 2Samuel 13, 14; Matthew 24

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew 24:4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no-one deceives you.
5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. …  11  and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. …
24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.

OBSERVATION: To be deceived is to believe a lie.  Jesus said of Satan: “When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)  It seems obvious that deception is Satan’s main game. 

In verse 4 above, Jesus warns us.  Yet in verse 5 and 11 we find that many people will be deceived.  And in verse 24 we see that Satan tries to deceive even the “elect.”

APPLICATION: Since Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6) I need to keep close to Him and ask the Holy Spirit Who has been given to guide me into all truth (John 16:13) check everything that comes into my mind.   

The Holy Spirit dwells in me.  As I am walking with the Lord through each day, the Holy Spirit communicates with me in my heart, in my spirit.  Our relationship is growing.  Of course, I should not knowingly do something that I know is contrary to God or His Word.  But in areas that I do not know the will of God:  when I feel or sense trouble in my heart, I know I need to change directions, or slow down, or do something different.  If I have peace in my heart, I believe I can move ahead correctly.

I learn by trial and error, but the sooner I learn to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, life will go smoother for me.  Sometimes the Holy Spirit will place a thought in my heart/mind that I cannot ignore.  I must pay attention!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, cause a question to arise in my heart every time I am about to be deceived into believing a lie.  Teach me how you speak to me.  Keep me free from deception.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 06, 2026: SOAP #5998: 2Samuel 11, 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 23:25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.

OBSERVATION: A life that is acceptable to God starts on the inside.  The inside is always more important than the outside!  The inside sets the standard for the outside.  If the inside is good, the outside will not be allowed to remain bad.  If the inside is bad, the outside can be made to look good to hide the inside.  So, cleaning up the outside is not a guarantee that the inside will follow.       

APPLICATION: I must remember that God lives inside me and is the first to become aware of my thoughts and attitudes.   By the time they get to the outside where others see them, they are often made more acceptable, but God sees them from the beginning.  If I want God to enjoy living in me, I will need His help in rearranging my thoughts and attitudes.  If I set myself to know His Word and to keep myself aware of His presence, I will be able to count on His help in setting both the inside and the outside of my life in proper order. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, how I need your help to clean up the inside, to keep it clean, and to express Your life on the outside.  May others see evidence of your presence in me.  But most of all, I want you to feel at home in me. May you enjoy living in me. You bring me great joy; may I also bring you joy.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 03, 2026: SOAP #5995: 2Samuel 7; 1Chronicles 17; Psalm 2; Matthew 20

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 20:25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

OBSERVATION: Leadership issues in the Bible are much different than those found in the world, especially in political leaders today.  In some countries, key leaders may have the title “Public Servant” and they use the term “ministry” to describe their office, but it seems they have forgotten what those words mean.  They use their authority to rule and control, instead as a tool to serve others. 

APPLICATION: “How does this work,” I may ask.  Jesus says, “…just as the Son of Man…”  He is saying, “Here’s the way, just follow my example.”  Even in this He is serving me by giving himself as my example.  The emphasis in the gospels is not so much what we can do for Jesus, but what Jesus does for us!!!  And as I grow in my spiritual life, my focus will not be on what others can do for me, but what I can do for others.

I should not be surprised that the Spirit of Jesus dwelling in me inspires me to serves others.  I should not be surprised when I suddenly become aware of a need—the Spirit is showing me an opportunity to serve.  It is usually a need far beyond my ability to meet but when I step out in faith God either multiplies my little or fills in what is missing. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I am your servant.  Use me for your glory today.  Use me to serve others.  I find joy in bringing you pleasure—in making you smile.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 29, 2026:  SOAP #5991: 2Samuel 4,5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.

OBSERVATION: The disciples has found in Jesus a man who was worth following.  He spoke truth with wisdom.  He was a healer.  He was kind and compassionate.  He could quiet the critics with a simple answer.  But He was so much more!  

What they knew of Jesus they had reasoned from their own understanding of what they had observed, but there was more.  The real truth of the nature and being of Jesus needed divine revelation, and in the verse above, Peter had received that revelation from our Heavenly Father. 

Jesus is the Christ, the anointed Messiah, the promised One, the Holy One sent by the Father to reveal the Father and by the sacrifice of Himself to pay for the sins of the world!

APPLICATION: Jesus is definitely worth following; He is my Savior and worthy of being my LORD! 

PRAYER:  Jesus, you were sent by Father God to the earth to pay for and forgive my sins.  I have received your forgiveness and made you the LORD of my life.  I live each day to honor you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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