Tag Archives: god

The Breastplate

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 16, 2028: SOAP #5674: 1Kings 17-19; Colossians 2

(Armor of God #7)

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

OBSERVATION:   The breast plate is worn on the outside of the chest to protect organs on the inside of the rib cage.  Although it protects digestive organs, the greatest concern is about the lungs, and especially the heart. 

Righteousness is holiness in action.  It is a breastplate of living right.  It is doing what pleases our Heavenly Father.  Daily reading the scriptures is a good way to help us live a life pleasing to Him.  But the best way is to learn how the Holy Spirit speaks to us. 

I find that when I start to do something that displeases my Father, the Holy Spirit troubles my heart.  I get the feeling that something is not right.  I get a sense that this is not something I should be doing at all, or something I should not do now.  I let the peace of God help me make good decisions. 

I cannot remember ever being sorry for following what the Holy Spirit told me to do, but I have felt remorse or guilt when I ignored His leading. 

APPLICATION:  My heart is protected from anxiety and worry when I keep the breastplate in place by obeying God’s Word and doing what the Holy Spirit who lives inside me tells me.  He keeps me from having a guilty conscience. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, thank you for the breastplate of righteousness.  May I never consider it to heavy a burden to carry and be tempted to lay it aside.  Keep me pure.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen

Pastor Leon
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Dear SOAP readers,  Last week several computers and printers were installed in a new area for SOAP.   At a meeting to explain the SOAPS and share about Jesus, a large number of people responded to the call to make Jesus Lord of their lives.  Keep them in your prayers for their growth in loving Jesus.  Pray for the leaders that God will use to help them joyfully grow in faith. 

Importance of Truth!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 15, 2028: SOAP #5673: 1Kings 16; 2Chronicles 15,16; Colossians 1

(Armor of God #6)

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

OBSERVATION:   It is not that we have the belt of truth hanging in our closet, or slung over our shoulder, but it must be buckled round our waist.  Truth gives proper perspective on all matters.  It sets priorities.  It delineates what is necessary and what is optional. 

A soldier must enter the battle on the side of truth.  Knowing that he is fighting for truth gives him stamina and courage.  Truth may not be convenient, but it is always necessary. 

APPLICATION:  Truth tells us that it is not our co-worker or neighbor we are fighting, it is the devil.  Truth tells us that our co-worker or neighbor is as important to our Commander-in-Chief as we are!  That truth helps us to maintain the proper love and respect for those still serving in the enemy’s army.  We were once in that army with them, and it is our prayer that soon they will join us in God’s army. 

PRAYER:   Jesus, you claimed to be the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)  Just having you living in my heart makes truth very important.  May my truthfulness please you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Prepared for Success

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 14, 2028: SOAP #5672: 1Kings 15; 2Chronicles 13,14; Philippians 4

(Armor of God #5)

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

OBSERVATION:   From the above verses, we can see that evil is not a problem limited to earth.  Evil had found a place in heavenly realms. 

Although we often look to Adam as the first sinner, the Bible clearly teaches that there was one before Adam; that one is Satan. God can take what is meant for evil and turn it to be an opportunity for good. 

Earth was prepared as a place where God’s grace and love and wisdom would be clearly demonstrated as being greater than sin.  The stage was set, the Son was sent, the struggle was started, and the Servant (Jesus) defeated the serpent (Satan)!  Hallelujah!

APPLICATION:  The battle has been won, but I still struggle.  The struggle now is not for victory—the victory was settled on the cross. 

Our struggle now is to enforce the victory that has already been won.  Our struggle is with a defeated enemy who has been left to tempt me to see that my commitment is sure.  He has been left to teach me how to use authority.  He has been left here to give me opportunity to participate in his final demise.

The verses following the above passage give the armor I am to put on for my protection and the weapons I am to use in the struggle. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, with the armor for my protection and the weapons you have provided, with the presence of Your Holy Spirit in my life, You have prepared me for success!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Put it on!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 13, 2028: SOAP #5671: 1Kings 13,14; 2Chronicles 12; Philippians 3

(Armor of God #4)

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God…13 Therefore put on the full armor of God… 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith… 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, 8 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

OBSERVATION:   God wants His people to be strong to fight against the enemy and to stand against temptation.  He has made special provisions for us to live in victory.  He has given us HIS armor!  The armor is hanging in the closet of His Word.  I must not leave it hanging in the closet.  I must take it out of the closet by reading His Word.  I must put it on by living my daily life like it is true!   I believe it is true, so I live and think and act like it is true, because it is!

APPLICATION:  God knows me perfectly.  He has provided the proper protection I need for today.  I put on His armor with a thankful heart and take on the day with faith. 

We have such great benefit in our new life in Christ.  We need only to take advantage of it.  Not just one part, not just the part we enjoy most, not just what we think we will be needing that day, but we are to put on the whole armor of God.  We do this to enable us to take our stand against the tricks of the devil. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, throughout this day, remind me that I am dressed in the armor of God.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Fully Prepared

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 12, 2028: SOAP #5670: 1Kings 12; 2Chronicles 10,11; Philippians 2

(Armor of God #3)

NOTE:  During the next two plus weeks, I will be writing, sending, and posting SOAPs on the thoughts from Ephesians 6;10-18.  For those who do not have a Bible, every verse will be presented with appropriate observations and applications.  For the past 15 years I have often wanted to take more time with such a passage, but always moved on with the daily assigned reading.  I now strongly feel the Holy Spirit compelling me to do so.  I will be using some old SOAPs, combining SOAPs and writing new ones.  May the Holy Spirit anoint my heart as I write them and anoint your heart as you read them!  Amen

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. …
13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

OBSERVATION:   Two times in these verses we are commanded to put on or take up the FULL armor of God.  This is not an option.  God does not want us to encounter the enemy unprepared or only half prepared.   

If we understand who it is that we are fighting, we will appreciate this emphasis!  If we take time to understand each piece of the armor, we will appreciate its value. 

APPLICATION:  These verses do not tell me to just wait until God puts this armor on me.  These verses tell me to put it on.  This is for me to do.    I need to read these verses (Ephesians 6:10-18) to discover what this passage is saying to me. 

In faith expressed through the confession of my lips, I claim this armor as mine!  With the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit, I begin to live like it is true, because it is!  

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, thank you for providing for me.  You knew what I would be facing, and you provided armor and weapons for me to be able to stand.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Getting Strong

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 11, 2028: SOAP #5669: Song of Solomon 5-8; Philippians 1

(Armor of God #2)

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power
11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

OBSERVATION:   Paul here encourages his readers to be strong in the Lord.   In the world today there are endless areas in which one can be strong.  A person’s strength may be in their physical body, or in some area of the physical world as agriculture, or engineering, or in relationships, or …   Growing strong in each area involves gaining knowledge and then applying knowledge.  Knowledge without application leaves one weak!  

Being strong in the Lord should be a priority for each of us.  As we become strong in our knowledge of Him, our faith in His mighty power grows.                 

APPLICATION:  As I grow in my knowledge of God’s word AND then apply it to my life, I grow stronger in my faith AND I learn to depend on His strength. 

The more I learn about God, the more my thoughts, speech, and actions change to align with the truth of who God is and what He has said.  People begin to see changes in me and may ask “why?”  Sometimes the changes are so small that we may not recognize them; family and close friends may recognize them before we do.  But with God living within us, it will be impossible not to change!  

PRAYER:   Lord, thank you for loving me.  Thank you for your Word.  May I have the courage to apply it—to think and act like it is true!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Strong in the Lord

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 10, 2028: SOAP #5668: Song of Solomon 1-4; Ephesians 6

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

OBSERVATION:   People have a combination of strong and weak character traits.  Some are strong in patience.  Others seem to have great knowledge.  Some love sports.  But each one has areas of weakness.  Our strengths enable us to serve others.  Our weaknesses cause us to need others.  However there is one area in which we should all be strong.  We should all be “strong in the Lord.”

APPLICATION:  In areas where I am weak, it is obvious that I need to depend on the Lord and his strength.  But I am finding that God’s strengths make my strengths look like weaknesses.  It is much better to rely on God even in areas where I think I am strong. 

PRAYER:   Lord, I want to be strong in my knowledge of you, strong in my relationship with you, strong in recognizing how you speak to me, and strong in depending on you. In dealing with temptation and the devil, I want to be strong in you!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon

NOTE: As I was reading today’s assigned passages, I was considering what I should include and what should be left for another time.  There was an urgency to write SOAPs, but we would not be back to this passage of scripture for another six months.  In pondering the many strong thoughts that came to my mind, I believe the Lord wants me to pause writing SOAPs from the daily Bible readings that is given every day at the top.  Instead, for the next week or so, I will write SOAPs from this passage on the armor of God.  I pray they will be a blessing to each SOAP reader.   😊  Leon

Filled

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 9, 2028: SOAP #5667: Ecclesiastes 10-12; Psalm 94; Ephesians 5

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 5:15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

OBSERVATION:   I have found that being full of the Holy Spirit helps me to live wisely, helps me to take advantage of every opportunity, and helps me to understand the will of the Lord. 

The Holy Spirit enters our lives when we first accept the forgiveness that God offers to us through the sacrifice of Jesus. (John 20:22)  He is the one who draws us to Jesus.  But there is a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit available to all believers.  He fills us, he empowers us, the gifts of the Spirit begin flowing through us.  The book of Acts is a testimony of how God uses people who have been “baptized” or “filled” with the Holy Spirit! (Acts 1: 8 and 2:4) Instead of them containing the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit contains them. 

APPLICATION:  The expressions of God’s love were released by Jesus through His spoken word and/or the touch of His hand.  The same was true in the book of Acts.  And God is still the same, He wants to flow through our spoken words and the touch of our hands.  He wants to use us as ministers of His peace, His healing, His wisdom.  Expect God, the Holy Spirit to move in you and through you.  The initial filling of the Holy Spirit is often accompanied by the gift of tongues.  Do not think it strange, but remember that the primary ministry of the Holy Spirit is to exalt Jesus!  

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, thank you for drawing me to Jesus and the cleansing that comes through His death on the cross.  Thank you for living in me.  I ask you to fill me through and through with your Holy Presence and power.  Flow through me in expressions of your love.  I pray in Jesus Name, Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Sealed by the Holy Spirit!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 8, 2028: SOAP #5666: Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

OBSERVATION:   Here we see the personality of the Holy Spirit. It is possible to cause Him grief.  He is not an impersonal force without feelings.  It is our responsibility not to grieve Him.  Through the choices we make, through our words and actions, we can cause God hurt.  What a shame to hurt the One Who loves us so! 

The Holy Spirit seals us.  A seal is used for several reasons.  One use is for identification.  Jesus’ tomb was sealed with the seal of Rome.  A letter was sealed with wax containing a special identification.  Another use for a seal is as a lock to keep things safe.  And a third use is for security, as a “no trespassing” sign to those who would unlawfully try to enter.  And a seal is often used to validate a document. 

APPLICATION:   We are sealed with God, the Holy Spirit!  How we should appreciate the Presence of the Holy Spirit!  

His presence validates that we are indeed children of God.  He who descended upon Jesus when Jesus was baptized begin to work in us and people recognize that we have been changed.  There is something causing us to be more like Jesus.  As we follow the leading and direction from the Holy Spirit, we see Him working trough us. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, when your Son Jesus returned to heaven, how special it was of you to send the Holy Spirit to become an important part of each believer’s life.   What joy He brings into our lives!  How we need His guidance!  How faithfully He reveals truth.  Instead of grieving the Holy Spirit, may I be a source of joy.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Pastor Leon
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A Mystery No Longer!

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 7, 2025: SOAP #5665: Ecclesiastes 4-6; Psalm 18; Ephesians 3

A Mystery No Longer!

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 3:4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

OBSERVATION:   Although there are many references in the Old Testament to God reaching the Gentile, the Jews saw themselves as God’s people.  In God’s plan to populate heaven with people, He had to start somewhere.  In sending Jesus to die in payment for our sins, He could not send 25 or 30 Jesuses—only One.  He could only come through one family in one nation.  Jesus was sent to earth through the Jewish nation. 

Once Jesus ministry was complete, the Holy Spirit was given Who revealed that God’s plan had always been to give gentiles the same standing as Jews!  

Jews and Gentiles are members of the same body—the body of Christ.  We have the same Lord!  We have the same Holy Spirit.  We share in the same promises.  We share the same destination—heaven.

APPLICATION:   Whether we live in an Asian or African country…whether we live in Europe or the Americas…whether we live in Australia or the islands of the sea…if we have confessed our sins and received His forgiveness…if we have received Jesus into our lives…then we are all members of the same body!  

The question is not to what kind of church de we attend, but has Jesus forgiven our sins and does He live within?  If so, we share the same life.  God lives in us.  We are brothers and sisters in Christ! 

PRAYER:   Jesus, you prayed that we (the members of your body) would be one. (John 17:21)   Holy Spirit, we need your help.  Work in us and through us in answer to Jesus’ prayer.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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