Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 09, 2025: SOAP #5789: Nehemiah 1-2; Psalm 133-134; Luke 22

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 22:24 Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

OBSERVATION:  On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus was with His disciples.  The issue arose as to who would be the greatest in the kingdom.  Jesus had the perfect squelch!  There was no question, HE was the greatest!!!  But being the greatest, He moved among them as a servant!  

He washed their feet!  He directed the Passover meal!  And He was preparing to do the greatest act of service ever done for man: He would give His sinless blood as payment for the sins of man!   HE was the greatest there, and HE was among them as one who serves!  

APPLICATION:  No one is more worthy to be served than Jesus!  I am called to be His servant.  I serve Him out of love and respect.  BUT I am not even worthy to be His servant until I have let HIM serve me!  He is the greatest servant! 

I receive Him as my Savior and He washes away my sin under the blood H shed on the cross!  I receive Him as my Lord and He serves me by directing my life in ways that honor Him and bring great joy to my heart!  

PRAYER:  Lord, I confess my sins, I am sorry for my sins; I receive your forgiveness.  Take the place as Lord of my life.  Use me to serve others and glorify you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 07, 2025: SOAP #5787: Ezra 9-10; Psalm 131; Luke 21

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 21:1 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.  2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.  3 “Truly I tell you,” He said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others.  4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” 

OBSERVATION:  Jesus was watching people as they gave their offerings at the temple.  He saw the large gifts; He also saw the smallest gift.  What impressed him was not the amount of their gift, but the amount remaining after their giving.  It was not the size of the giving, but the size of the “remaining.” 

Only Jesus can truly measure the sacrifice.  This poor widow’s impressive sacrifice was measured not by the amount given, but by the amount remaining after the giving. 

APPLICATION:  Jesus watches my giving too.  Although I am able to give more than in earlier years, I also know that I have more left over after my giving.  Knowing that I am a steward and that it all belongs to God, I know that he is just as interested in what remains with me as in what is given away.     

PRAYER:  Lord, may you be pleased with the offerings I give, both with what I give, and with what remains.  But Lord, when it comes to my heart, it is ALL yours. The money in my possession is ALL yours also.  So, the real issue in giving is what do you want me to do with your money?  I love and trust you, so I will obey you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 07, 2025: SOAP #5787: Ezra 7-8; Luke 20

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 20:20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor.
21 So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?” 25 “Caesar’s,” they replied. He said to them, “Then give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

OBSERVATION:  Did they hear what they were saying???  “You speak what is right!  You do not teach to please some and condemn the others.  You do not show partiality!  You teach God’s ways truthfully!”  They were the spies sent to trap Him in His words!  But what great words of commendation they were speaking. 

With their mouth they commended Him, but with their hearts they were seeking to discredit Him. 

APPLICATION:  Before condemning them, I need to check myself.  Do I call Him Lord in my prayer, but then live like I am Lord?  Do I sing beautiful songs of surrender and worship when I am with other believers, but then live like the world is more appealing to me when I am out on my own? 

The Lord wants me to take His words seriously.  But I must remember: He takes my words seriously.   He wants me to listen to Him.  But I must remember He listens to me. 

PRAYER:  Let the words of my heart and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Oh Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14) Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 05, 2025: SOAP #5785: Esther 3-8; Luke 18

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 18:16 Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
17  I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

OBSERVATION:  Mark 10:16 says that Jesus did not just do as the parents requested, but did more; He took them up in his arms!   They were more than just an object lesson.  They were special to Him! 

The kingdom belongs to such as come like children.  We have to receive it the same way the children receive it.  They cannot earn it, and neither can we.  Children receive it based only on the promise of God and that is the only way I can receive it too.     

APPLICATION:  Now, if I am going to be like Jesus, I cannot ignore children.  I cannot be too busy to act like they are not nearby or are unimportant.  Jesus takes the way I treat children as though I was doing it to Him.   

In this passage we have two great examples.  The first is given to us by Jesus.  How children receive the Kingdom of God is the way we are to receive the Kingdom!   The second example is that of Jesus accepting the little children.  We should receive the children the same way. 

PRAYER:  Lord, today I will have opportunity to serve you by serving children.  May I be a blessing to the children and to you!  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 03, 2025: SOAP #5782: Ezra 5-6; Psalm 138; Luke 16

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 16:9 [Jesus speaking:] I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

OBSERVATION:  Today in America the stock market is growing and many people are considering what to do with money they do not need to meet present living demands.  There are many financial advisors giving advice on how to invest money so that it will be available when a person is not able to earn a livable wage or when they may be sickly at the end of their life.  Of course, they are many ways to invest money that will benefit children and grandchildren.      

The verse above shows us that Jesus is also a financial adviser!  He looks much further into the future than the advisors we see advertising around us today!   He tells us to invest our money for eternal values. 

When we get to heaven, what a blessing it will be when we are greeted by others who are present because we used our earthly money to help the gospel get to where they could hear it!  

APPLICATION:  I rejoice to hear of people in Sierra Leone sacrificing money and time to take the SOAP to areas where people have yet to hear a good salvation message to which they can respond!   …and not only in Sierra Leone but also in other areas of Africa, and in Asia, and in other parts of the world!  What a greeting they will have in heaven!!!  

It is harvest time.  Be generous in sowing the seed of the gospel.  But do not neglect working in the harvest yourself!  It is harvest time!   Invest your money in ministry that is winning souls, AND invest your money in your own efforts to win people to Jesus. Buy some food for a neighbor.  Do something special for a fellow worker. 

PRAYER:  Lord, use me in your great harvest field.  May I meet people in heaven who are there because I used my money in some way to reach them.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 02, 2025: SOAP #5782: Zechariah 13-14; Psalm 147; Luke 15

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 15:1  Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering round to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”

OBSERVATION:  It seems to be the nature of this world that when something clean makes contact with something dirty, that which was clean becomes dirty.  We have all experienced walking into a dark, dirty shed and accidentally rubbing against the wall or something stored in the shed.  And when we are back in the light, we see that our clothes are dirty. 

At the last supper, Jesus took the common role of a servant and washed the disciples feet.  Walking on dirt roads, wearing sandals, feet would get dirty; it was a custom for a servant to wash the feet of a guest entering the house. 

APPLICATION:  So consider this miracle:  when sinful Leon came in contact with sinless Jesus, Jesus did not become sinful, but Leon became forgiven and justified!!!  Leon was made just as if he had never sinned!   It is a miracle!  Jesus can do that for Leon because on the cross He died for Leon’s sins! 

Is Leon grateful?  Oh, yes!   Has Leon dedicated His life to live for the pleasure of Jesus?  Oh, yes!  Would Leon like for others to join him in living for Jesus?  OH YES!   Pray with me…

PRAYER:  Lord,I know you will welcome anyone joining me in prayer.  You will do for them what you did for me.  Hear their request for forgiveness.  Accept their invitation to enter their heart.  Become the most important part of their life. Become their Lord.  Make them clean and fill them with joy. …for it is in your Name we pray, Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 01, 2025: SOAP #5781: Zechariah 10-12; Psalm 126; Luke 14

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 14:23  “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.

OBSERVATION:  Jesus was telling a story about a wealthy man giving a great banquet.  Invitations had been sent, but many invited were too occupied with their own lives and refused to come.  So the master sent his servants to invite whoever they could, but still there was room for more.  So he sends his servants to the country roads and lanes and tells them to convince people to come.  He wants his house to be full!!! 

APPLICATION:  This coming weekend SOAPs will be used in Kailahun, Sierra Leone to invite people to Jesus.  Three communities in that area have invited the SOAP team to come.  They have purchased 100 computers and printers for the SOAPs to be distributed.  They are sending a bus to bring SOAP workers to their area.  Every SOAP reader, PRAY!  

There are many people who only know about Jesus from references in the Koran, but when they hear Who He really is, and what He really did, and the relationship He wants with us, and what He is doing today…and when the Holy Spirit is moving among them, so many are doing what so many of us SOAP readers have done; they are making Jesus their Savior and Lord!  Pray for the SOAP team going to Kailahun.    

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, with the anointing of your Holy Spirit, you are using these SOAPs far beyond what I ever dreamed.  You had a much bigger plan for them than I did.  We pray for the Kailahun area.  Take what is available, multiply it to meet the needs of reaching these precious souls.  Demonstrate the power of your Kingdom through healings and miracles.  Heavenly Father, we too want your house to be full!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 29, 2025: SOAP #5779: Zechariah 4-6; Luke 12

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 11:13  If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” 
Luke (NIV) 12:11  “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12  for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

OBSERVATION:  In Luke, chapter 11 we saw that the Holy Spirit is a gift from our Heavenly Parent, our Creator.  He made us.  He knows our limitations.  When we succeed, it makes Him look good, makes Him feel good.  He created us to live victoriously in this world.  He knows what we need.  He gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us succeed. 

There has been more than one time when I wished my Spanish teacher, or math teacher, or English teacher was with me.  I faced a challenge and could sure use their expertise!  

But in Luke, chapter 12 we see that the Holy Spirit is a teacher who is always with us!  When we are in trouble, at that moment He will teach us what we should say.  He is the teacher I need!  

APPLICATION:  How I need to learn to listen to the Holy Spirit.  I must learn how He speaks to me.  I must quickly recognize His voice.  I must learn His touch that says, “Don’t be in such a hurry.  Take time.  You are not seeing everything clearly.  Remember what you read in the scriptures this morning.” 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, you are a teacher that is always with me.  You are the valuable gift given to me by the Heavenly Father.  Thank you for your presence in my life and for your directions.  Forgive me for the times I have ignored you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
September 27, 2025: SOAP #5777: Haggai 1-2; Psalm 129; Luke 10

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 10:9 Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’

OBSERVATION:  Evangelistic ministry, as Jesus directed the apostles, consisted of two major parts.  First was the demonstration of the power of God, and second was the information about the kingdom of God.  Sometimes the teaching preceded the demonstration, but both were clearly present. 

People need to know that God’s kingdom, His structure of authority, is present and how to personally become a part of that Kingdom through faith.  And it is good when they can see a demonstration of that authority making a difference in everyday lives.  The demonstration of God’s power over sickness helped them realize that God’s kingdom is not some fantasy.  It is REAL and affects reality!!!                                                                                               

APPLICATION:  When we invite Jesus to forgive our sins and make our lives His home, things change.  His presence in us makes a difference, a difference that people can see. 

The special move of God now happening in Sierra Leone started with God healing a key leader!  The move of God has now spread to 10 communities and Bishop Sam says that there are 15 other communities wanting the SOAP team to come!  The Kingdom of God is expanding through SOAPs in Africa and Asia! 

PRAYER:  Lord, we pray for two things.  First, may your presence in our lives make such a noticeable difference that people want what we have.  Second, Holy Spirit give us the words to say as we explain that “The Kingdom of God is near you!”  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!
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