Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 22, 2025: SOAP #5802: Job 13-14; Acts 17-18

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 17:1 When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, …
11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character…for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.  …
17 So he reasoned in the synagogue [in Athens] with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the market-place day by day with those who happened to be there.

OBSERVATION:  In this chapter we read of Paul’s ministry in three cities: Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens.  We read of Paul presenting, explaining, and defending the scriptures.  We read of rejection and many who accepted his message, Jews and Greeks, men and women.  But one thing seems to be missing: miracles.  We read of no notable healing or miracles in these cities. 

The success of Paul’s ministry in these cities rested in the faithful presenting and defending the scriptures.  The Holy Spirit, who worked miracles through Paul in other cities, anointed Paul in presenting the Word of God. 

APPLICATION:  I cannot over emphasize the importance of being familiar with God’s Word, the scriptures, the Holy Bible.   The more I know the Bible, the more I know my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus.  The more I know the Bible, the more I make myself available to be used by the Holy Spirit. 

PRAYER:  Holly Spirit, use what I know of God’s Word to minister to those around me today!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 21, 2025: SOAP #5801: Job 9-10; Acts 13-14

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 14:3 So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there [in the city of Iconium], speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.

OBSERVATION:  The ministry of the church in the book of Acts followed the example of Jesus.  It consisted of two main parts.  First was the preaching of the gospel of the Kingdom over which Jesus is Lord and King.  Second was the demonstration of the power and authority of that Kingdom seen in “miraculous signs and wonders.”  They did not always happen in that order, but both were commonly a part of Jesus ministry. 

The combination of proclamation and demonstration are effective in bringing others into the kingdom.  Of course, the most effective demonstration is the changes in the lives of those who invite Jesus to live in their life as Lord!  But that often takes time before it becomes obvious.  Healings and miracles are more instantaneous.  People hear the proclamation of Jesus and they see the power of His presence demonstrated in a living situation! 

APPLICATION:  In the gospels I see the ministry of Jesus; in the book of Acts I see the same ministry continuing in the early church.  Today I should expect that same ministry continuing in and through my life.   The same Holy Spirit working through Jesus was working in the book of Acts; today that same Spirit dwells in me.  …and in SOAP readers!  

My heart rejoices as I hear testimonies of God working through the lives of SOAP readers.  The Holy Spirit is present and working today as in Jesus’ day, and in the book of Acts!   The ministry of Jesus continues!!!  

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, today find me a vessel You can work through.  May it be easy for you to work in and through me. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 20, 2025: SOAP #5800: Job 6-8; Acts 12

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 12:6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.
7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.

OBSERVATION:  Just a short time before, James, the brother of John, had been in jail and killed.  Now King Herod had taken Peter into custody.  Perhaps he remembered that Peter had been in jail before.  Perhaps he recalled the time the apostles had just disappeared from the locked and guarded cell only to return to the temple courts preaching.  That would not happen this time.  This time there would be guards at the entrance.  Peter would be chained between two soldiers in the cell with him!   There was nothing that Peter could do—but sleep. 

APPLICATION:  The cell-floor bed was not comfortable, the chains probably hindered his movement, the guards may have been snoring, and the morning did not look too promising, but Peter was sleeping.  He was sleeping so soundly that the angel struck Peter on the side to wake him!  Peter had been walking in the will of God; now he could do nothing but trust God with his future.  We can too! 

PRAYER:  Lord, when circumstances do not look good and I see no way out,  there is only one thing I can do—trust you.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 18, 2025: SOAP #5798: Job 3-4; Acts 8-9

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 9:32 As Peter travelled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. 34 “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and tidy up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
Acts (NIV) 9:41  He took [Dorcas] by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. 42  This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.

OBSERVATION:  This chapter begins with the conversion of a great persecutor of the Jesus followers—Saul.  He became the Apostle Paul, the greatest supporter and spreader of the church. 

The chapter ends with two miracles by the Apostle Peter.  The healing of Aeneas, and the raising from the dead of Tabitha.  These two miracles became keys for many people to become believers in Jesus. 

APPLICATION:  Today we see God working in similar ways.  When God heals someone, it becomes proof that God is present and is more than a bystander.  He is involved with everyday life.  He is active! 

Of course, the greatest proof of God’s presence is a changed life—changed attitudes, changed thinking, changed priorities, more love, new joy, etc.   Living with God sharing our life, changes are inevitable.  But healings demonstrate God’s concern for people as well as become testimonies that others can see.                          

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, fill me and each SOAP reader with fire and with faith.  Use us to minister in Jesus name to the hurting world around us.  May our lives and your action and ministry through us bring many to Jesus!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 17, 2025: SOAP #5797: Job 1-2; Acts 6-7

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 7:2 To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran. 3 ‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’

OBSERVATION:  As Stephen was giving his defense to the Jewish religious leaders, he recounted the history of Israel.  It was a history of God speaking and the people responding to what God said.  It was a history of prophecy that the Messiah would come and now they had killed Him!  BUT HE IS NOW ALIVE! 

In October 2009, God spoke to me through my pastor, Dayton Poe, to start writing SOAPs—to take a scripture from my daily Bible reading and write an observation, application, and prayer.  I did them about every other day until January 1.  I had the intimidation that if I did them on January 1, I would have to do them every day in the year.  Could I believe God for something every day of the year???  Yes, He is faithful.  He has given me this assignment and He is faithful!  

APPLICATION:  If you are reading this SOAP, it is because God has spoken to me to write it and to others to make it available to you.  Someone heard God assigning them to print copies, or to bring copies to your location.  Someone  may have felt the Lord speaking to them to forward you a copy through email or the internet.  Someone may have heard the Lord speak to them to provide money for a computer and printer to be put in your area.  Someone may have provided a bus to bring a SOAP team to your area.  Someone may have translated it into your language; someone may have posted it, or a video of it, on the internet. 

God is still speaking today, and He has gone to great means to get this message to you!  To God, you are that important!!!   Pray with me…

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, you love me and sent your Son, Jesus to die for my sins.  Forgive me and cleanse me from all sin.  I do not want a god that sits on a shelf in my house, I want you to be my LIVING GOD who lives in my heart.  I do not want a god that I only read about in a book; I want you to be a LIVING GOD who shares my life.  Teach me and lead me by your Holy Spirit.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 16, 2025: SOAP #5796: Malachi 3-4; Psalm 148; Acts 5

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 5:42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

OBSERVATION:  The early church in Jerusalem found themselves full of love for God and for each other.  Meeting once a week was not sufficient; it seems they met every day.  They gathered in the courtyard of the temple and also in their homes, moving from house to house.  They did not have personal copies of the Bible to read, but they had people who had spent time with Jesus and had heard Him teach.  They could pass along what they remembered of His teachings. 

APPLICATION:  In West Africa where God has used the SOAP ministry to reach many people, the leaders have encouraged the new believers to be a part of a church.  When there are no churches, pastors are being sent to plant a new church.  But in all those areas, “Home Fellowship Bible Studies” (or whatever they call them) are started which meet at least twice each week.  Our hearts rejoice when we hear reports of these groups growing as new people continue to commit their lives to Jesus! 

Being a believer with the life of Jesus living inside is so much more than a weekly gathering of like-minded people.  It is a daily life that Jesus is living in us!  HIS LIFE finds expression through us every day! 

PRAYER:  Lord, may You find it easy to express yourself through me.  And may those living around me find it easy to recognize You living in me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 15, 2025: SOAP #5795: Nehemiah 13; Malachi 1-2; Acts 4

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 4:7 They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! 9 If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, 10 then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 He is “‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.’ 12 Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

OBSERVATION:  The day before, Peter and John had ministered healing to a cripple who sat at the temple gate (Acts 3:2-11).  Such a crowd was gathered that the Jewish leaders put Peter and John in jail.  Now they were questioning how they could do this. 

The same Holy Spirit that brought the cripple to their attention, the same Holy Spirit who ministered the healing through them, was now speaking through them in their defense!   Under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, Peter spoke truth about Jesus Christ!  

APPLICATION:  They spoke truth, explaining what had just happened to the crippled man, AND they spoke eternal truth: “Salvation is found in no-one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved!” 

Many of us SOAP readers have known this truth for many years, and there are many SOAP readers who have just discovered the great salvation Jesus has made available for us!  We welcome you to the family of God!!! 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, fill us and use us to bring glory to Jesus.  May Jesus be glorified through our words and actions today.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 14, 2025: SOAP #5794: Nehemiah 11-12; Psalm 1; Acts 3

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 3:7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him….
16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

OBSERVATION:  God makes changes in people’s lives that are seeable.  When the Spirit of God interacts with human flesh and blood, some things are going to change—and the change will be easily seen.

APPLICATION:  Some changes will be temporary and seen in my reaction to what God is doing.  It may be a shout, or a burst of joy.  It may be weeping.  Other changes will be lifelong.  Changes in how I see things.  Changes in my attitude.  Changes in how I talk.  Changes in habits.  Changes in health.  Changes in finances…

In the past few months, five or six African communities have had thousands of people commit their lives to Jesus, making Him the Lord of their lives.  As the Presence of Jesus makes changes in their individual lives, for certain He will bring changes to the communities.  There will be “seeable” differences in individual lives and in the community as a whole. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, for a God who never changes, you sure bring a lot of change to my life, and I am so glad you do!  Every change you make in me is for my good, and for the good of the community in which I live.  Keep changing me to be like Jesus. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 13, 2025: SOAP #5793: Nehemiah 9-10; Acts 2

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

OBSERVATION:  The disciples had just received the promised gift of the Holy Spirit.  A large crowd gathered outside, and Peter preached to them explaining what they were witnessing.  God had sent His Holy Spirit as He had promised. 

Peter goes on to say that everyone present could receive the same gift!  They should repent of their sins and receive forgiveness.  They should be baptized.  (This identified them with Jesus who was baptized.  And it identified them with His death, burial, and resurrection.  Being baptized under the water was identifying with His death; coming up out of the water was identifying with His resurrection.)  

APPLICATION:  The promise is to all “who are far off!”  That could be “far off” in distance, as on another continent, OR “far off” as far in another generation, or century, or millennium!  The promise is to Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Australia, Antarctica, and all places in between.  The promise is all the way to year 2025!   The promise is MINE!   

PRAYER:  Lord, when you forgave me and made your home in me, you brought your resurrected life into me!   This life you now live in me is your life that has already defeated sin and death.  What a great privilege is mine!  I want to live my life in the best way to honor you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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