Tag Archives: faith

The Living Jesus seen through my actions!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 20, 2025: SOAP #5617:  1Samuel 23; Psalm 31,54; Matthew 7

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 7:21 Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven.  Only those who do what my Father in heaven wants will enter.  …
24 “So then, everyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is like a wise man.  He builds his house on the rock. 
25 The rain comes down.  The water rises.  The winds blow and beat against that house.  But it does not fall.  It is built on the rock.   

OBSERVATION:   Jesus knew what he was talking about.  He came to do the will of the Father.  He said that the works he did were really the Father’s works and the words he spoke were also the Father’s. 

Doing the Father’s will led Him to the cross and the grave.  It also led him through the resurrection back to the glory at His Father’s side.     

APPLICATION:   The first work of being a Christian is to believe.   I must believe that the work of Jesus on the cross is the full payment for my sins.  Forgiveness is amazing grace offered to me; I receive it by faith. 

That my life belongs to Jesus can be easily seen by others as I do what He directs. 

Salvation starts in my heart but finds expressions through my actions and words.  If there is no outward expression, there is probably no inward life.  After all, faith without works is dead.

PRAYER:   Lord, not just a hearer, but a doer is what you expect from me.  May my hands and feet please you as much as my heart.  And, Lord, as we celebrate your resurrection today, may it become clear to others that You are alive and living in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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He Already Knows

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 19, 2025: SOAP #5616:  1Samuel 22; Psalm 17,35; Matthew 6

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 6:31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

OBSERVATION:   Our Heavenly Father who created us already knows we need “these things.”  He created our bodies to need them. 

People in the world go to great effort to obtain “these things.”  Here we are instructed to put our efforts on the priorities of God’s structure of authority and doing things right.  When we do that, God will provide the “these things” we need.

APPLICATION:   God has been faithful in providing what I need.  I have no reason to believe He is going to stop. 

I want Him to have no reason to believe that I will stop seeking first His kingdom.

NOTE: To those who have taken orphans into their care, here is a verse to take to the Lord in prayer.  When you are short on food, drink, and/or clothing, go to God with your Bible open to this passage and your finger on these verses.  Then listen and obey.  There are many scriptures upon which those caring for children can stand to bolster their faith.  Seek to bring those children into becoming fruitful members of God’s kingdom. 

PRAYER:   Lord, you know what I need, and I thank you for your faithful provision!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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The Identifying Mark

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 18, 2025: SOAP #5615:  1Samuel 20-21; Psalm 34; Matthew 5

SCRIPTURE:   Matthew (NIV) 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

OBSERVATION:   Love is not only a dominate part of God’s character, He desires that His creation have love as a dominant part of their character!  It was because of love that God send His son to die in our stead for our sins.  (John 3:16)   He said that love would be a distinguishing characteristic of His disciples. (John 13:35)   It is to be the identifying mark that identifies us with Him!  It leaves no mark on our body, but everyone knows it is there! 

APPLICATION:   The love God wants for His people is not a reaction love, but an acting love.  It is not love that returns a favor; it is love that is given when no favor is expected in return.  Simple put, it is the love that God has extended to me.                                                                                                                                                                

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, I who have been loved so much need your help to love those around me.  Let you love flow through me to someone who needs that love today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Programmed for Victory!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 17, 2025: SOAP #5614:  1Samuel 19; 1Chronicles 7; Psalm 59; Matthew 4

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 4:1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. [read through verse 11]

OBSERVATION:   The devil tempted Jesus in each of the three ways mentioned in 1 John 2:15-16, the lust of the flesh (turning stone into bread to satisfy hunger), the lust of the eyes (look at all the kingdoms I will give you if you worship me), and the pride of life (prove you are God, the Son.)  

Jesus proved victorious in each! And He used only what was available to us—-The written Word!  Jesus was being properly prepared to be the perfect sacrifice. Jesus was being tempted in the exact same points as Eve in the garden. The devil’s tactics had not changed. (Gen 3: 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom…)

As Jesus overcame Satan in these same temptations, He proved Himself to be the perfect sacrifice for sin. Paul wrote, “He Who knew no sin … ”  It was not because He had not been tempted or tested.

APPLICATION:   Jesus is not only the perfect sacrifice for sin, He is also the perfect One to live in our lives and heart.  HE HAS ALREADY OVERCOME EVERY TEMPTATION WE WILL BE FACING!!!  He knows what it is like.  He knows what it takes to overcome temptation!  

God is not leaving us like Adam and Eve in the garden, No!  1,  He has given us the same Word/scriptures that Jesus used, 2, Jesus, the Great Victor over temptation lives within us, and 3, God has given us the same Holy Spirit that was with Jesus when He was tempted!!!  God has programmed believers for victory over temptation.

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, You have not left me, like Adam and Eve in the garden, to deal with temptation on my own.  You knew I would only fail.  So, you have given me 1 Your Word, 2 The presence of Your Son, Jesus, and 3 The Holy Spirit to accompany me through each day.  You have programmed me for VICTORY!  May my daily life bring you glory!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Growing in Jesus

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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
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My weakness; HIS STRENGTH!

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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
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He takes advantage of my weaknesses!

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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
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Faithfully Prepared

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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
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Faith in our Giving!

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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
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Learning the Important Things

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
April 08, 2025: SOAP #5605:  1Samuel 3-5; Psalm 77; 2Corinthians 8

SCRIPTURE:  1Samuel (NIV) 3:8 The LORD called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy.  9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 11 And the LORD said to Samuel…

OBSERVATION:   God was speaking!  The God of creation was speaking to a young boy.  Samuel did not yet recognize God’s voice and thought the old priest, Eli, was calling him.  After his third trip to check on Eli, Eli realized that God was calling Samuel.  So, he told Samuel how to respond.  And God cared enough that He called out a fourth time!

What Samuel heard was important, but what God heard was even more important!  First, God heard one of his created beings say, “LORD, I hear you.”  God had been hearing people cry out to Him, but here was a man that could hear God call out to him!  Second, God heard a man, created in His image say, “What you say is important.  I am listening.”  God had been listening to desperate people call to him with what was important to them.  Here was a young man willing to let God tell him what was important to God.  Samuel was saying, I can sleep later; hearing what you have to say is more important than sleep.  Third, God heard a young man say, “I am your servant.  I will follow through with your instructions.”  I will honor your word.

APPLICATION:   I know God hears me.  It is important that God knows that I hear Him! 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, make me like Samuel.  I know you like to hear me come to you with my praise and worship, yes and with my needs.  But when it comes to my wants and needs, it is more important that I hear your word, then you hear my words.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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NOTE:  dear SOAP READING friends; I trust this repeated SOAP burns in your heart as it did mine.  It speaks to the heart of our relationship with the Great God of Glory!   What a special privilege is ours!  But I fear we often fall into the temptation to see His as the answer to all our needs, rather than seeing ourselves as the ones He created for His glory.  His will has priority over our desires!   Leon