Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 07, 2025:  SOAP #5818: Job 31, 32; Galatians 5,6

SCRIPTURE:  Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love….
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. …
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

OBSERVATION:  In this chapter, Paul rejoices in our freedom from the law.  However, he is clear to say that does not mean we are free to sin.  The law did not invent sin; it only defined sin.  Sin was already present.  The law showed us the terribleness of sin and provided temporary sacrifices until the Perfect Sacrifice was made.  The law could not free us from sin and being free from the law does not free us to sin.  Paul is clear: using our freedom from the law as an excuse to sin is to forfeit any expectation of heaven—they “will not inherit the kingdom of God.” 

APPLICATION:  There is only one sacrifice that covers my sins—the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.  And there is only one life that gives me power to live above sin—the resurrected life of Jesus living within.  The sacrifice of Jesus put an end to relying on the law given to Moses, but it did not negate the eternal truth that the wages of sin is death.  Repentance means confessing AND turning from sin. 

PRAYER:  Lord, by your forgiveness free me from the guilt of past sins, and by your life free me from the power of temptation today.  Forgive me for thinking it is OK to sin and then ask forgiveness later.  Holy Spirit, make me aware that you will face with me any temptation coming my way today.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 06, 2025:  SOAP #5817: Job 30; Psalm 120; Galatians 3,4

SCRIPTURE:  Galatians (NIV) 3:24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

OBSERVATION:  The law did not bring sin.  It only defined the sin that was present in the world.  Sin entered the big picture when Satan rebelled against God.  Sin spread to the earth in the garden when Adam and Eve ate the fruit forbidden by their Creator.  The law defined sin.  The law helped us recognize sin.  The law showed us there was only one payment for sin—death. 

The law was not given with the thought that man could ever be able to keep the law.  At the same time the law was given sacrifices were established.  The law contained no rewards for perfectly keeping the law, only sacrifices for breaking the law. 

The law also helped us identify the Savior—the only one who was born without sin and perfectly kept the law.  He needed no sacrifice to atone for His sin; He became the sacrifice to atone for our sin!   

APPLICATION:  Oh, the wisdom of God in developing a perfectly holy and perfectly loving plan to deal with sinful man!  Oh, the love of God in sending His Son to be the perfect sacrifice!   Oh, the grace of God that continues to reach out to those who resist is love and direction!  Oh, the joy in the heart of God when a sinful person accepts the sacrifice of the Son to cover their sins!  Their acceptance, and any sacrifice they endure, validates God’s sacrifice in sending His Son and the suffering endured by the Son. 

The penalty for sin is death. Jesus paid my penalty.  The remedy for sin is a life powerful enough to resist temptation.  Jesus moves inside my life now clean through His blood and lives His powerful life through me!  Wow!

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, nowhere in all creation is your character displayed in such splendor as in your dealing with fallen men.  Your wisdom in perfect holiness and perfect love are amazing!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 05, 2025:  SOAP #5816: Job 28-29; Galatians 1-2

SCRIPTURE:  Galatians (NIV) 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

OBSERVATION:  With Christ, I share history.  My computer may be only 2 years old, but the program within may be 7 or 8 years old.  The program may have updates that are older than the computer.  —  The same is true of Leon.  I am only 73 years old, but in me is a life that goes all the way back to the crucifixion.  Christ, who was crucified, lives in me. 

With Christ, I share the present.  Paul was not living the life of Paul, but the life of Christ.  He considered himself dead to Paul and alive to Jesus!  The decisions about his actions were directed by Jesus.  —  The same is true of Leon.  There is a new life source directing my daily thoughts, words, and actions. 

With Christ, I share the future.  In our Father’s house, Jesus is now preparing a place for me that I may be where He is!   What a day that will be! 

APPLICATION:  On my own, I had no hope of being righteous enough to be allowed into heaven.  I could never keep all the demands of the law.  I had even broken the law before I understood it!   But when by faith I accept Jesus’ death as the payment for my sins, I became joined with Him, past, present, and future!  By faith, with Jesus on the cross, I died to myself.  Now, with Jesus living within me, He is training Leon to think of Leon as dead; Christ is living within. And in joyful faith I look forward to an eternity with Him in our Father’s house.  What a life!!!  What a past!  What a present!  What a future! 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, your plan to include me amazes me.  I am eternally grateful for the sacrifices of you in sending your Son, and of Jesus in coming to die for my sins.  Holy Spirit, help me live my life in honor of these sacrifices.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 04, 2025:  SOAP #5815: Job 26-27; Mark 15-16

SCRIPTURE:  Mark 16:3  and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
4  But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.

OBSERVATION:  Because the Sabbath was fast approaching, the body of Jesus had not been prepared for burial as carefully as some would have liked so these ladies took some spices to be placed with the body.  They knew there was a large stone in place.  But that did not stop them.  They were quite certain that they could not move it.  But that did not stop them.  They wondered who might be able to move the stone, but that did not stop them.  They were on a mission of love.   

APPLICATION:  The rock had been moved from the grave, but not from their mind.  In their mind it was still a factor, but they did not let that deter them. 

Their mission of love became a mission of great revelation.  The revelation began with discovering that what they thought stood in their way was already moved!  It ended with discovering that the One they thought was dead was alive!  What a day that turned out to be! 

It was good that they did not let the “rock” in their head keep them from their mission of love. 

PRAYER:  Lord, I do not want the “rocks” in my head keep me from what you have for me today. When you tell me to visit someone, I do not want to let thoughts of “they probably are not home,” or “they probably are too busy to talk to me,” or “they probably will not listen to what I believe God wants me to tell them,” –I do not want to let such thoughts keep me from moving on in faith.  Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 03, 2025:  SOAP #5814: Job 25; Mark 13-14

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 13:11 Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say.  Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit. 

OBSERVATION:  Jesus was talking to his disciples about the end days.   He emphasized the importance of the Holy Spirit.  The people would need to have a close relationship with the Holy Spirit. 

APPLICATION:  I believe that the days about which Jesus was talking are beginning now, or soon to come.   For some, days of trouble are already upon them. 

We must listen to the Holy Spirit.  We need to sharpen our ability to recognize His voice and be quick to do as He directs.  We need to go through each day thoughtfully doing our best as we understand it.  However, when we hear/sense/feel the tugging of the Holy Spirit to change, we should not push those thoughts away as though they are just some crazy thoughts.  If there is nothing morally wrong with them, we should consider that the Holy Spirit may be directing us to change our words or actions. 

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, I consider it a great privilege that you would speak to me and use me for good.  Obviously, You know what is best for me to say and do.   You live within me, and you know what lies ahead.  It may be to a safer path for me any my family, or to a path where I can share the truth of Jesus to a waiting soul; guide my steps.  By speaking to my heart, guide me through this day.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 02, 2025:  SOAP #5813: Job 23-24; Mark 11-12

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 12:28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

OBSERVATION:  A question that had been asked and discussed for generations was now brought to the only One who could authoritatively answer it. 

What Jesus said was most important really was most important!  When Jesus said there is no commandment greater than these, it means that there really are no commandments greater than these!     

APPLICATION:   It is proper.  It is wise.  It is right.  It is good for me to obey God. But the motive God desires from my heart is love!   God’s love for me was proved by His choice to send His son to die for my sins.  I could not force Him to love me; He chose to love me. 

My love for Him is proved by my choice to keep His commandments.  He could force me to keep His commands, but He desires that I obey because I love Him.       

And my love for Him, naturally flows out in love for others, who like myself, are created in His image.   

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, You are strong enough, you could force me.  You are wise enough, you could trick me.  But your love demands that I keep your commands because I love you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
November 01, 2025:  SOAP #5812: Psalm 121; Mark 9-10

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 10:46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. …49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”  …51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.” 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

OBSERVATION:  Blind Bartimaeus was not blind any more!  I believe he was at the front of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem that we read about in the next chapter!  

APPLICATION:  Consider this email I received today from Sierra Leone… 
“…And also few days ago we have a testimony that happened in Kailahun City SOAP MINISTRY team who is president in Kailahun city doing the home Fellowship Bible study with the new convert to give the life to Jesus doing the SOAP MINISTRY  Conference there they said everyday new …people are coming to the Bible study and giving their life to Jesus, and they said this all happened just because of one miracle that the Lord did on Monday during their Bible study…….. They said there was this man who name is (Abraham) Who has been blind for 15 years somebody brought him to the Bible study and they said during the Bible study they was praying and the said in the midst of the prayer the man (Abraham) shouted I can see I can see my eyes have open and they say immediately they stop the prayer and start checking him and people came forward and testified that this man has been blind for 15 years almost everybody in the city Kailahun know him God is at work Praise the Lord Amen 🙏.
This testimony have shook the whole city right now thousands of people are going for the home Fellowship Bible study everyday into the five venue that they have in Kailahun City, And because of this five Pastors have come to start five churches in Kailahun city right now.”

PRAYER:  Jesus, Christ, you are the same yesterday, today, and forever!  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 30, 2025:  SOAP #5810: Job 21; Mark 5-6

SCRIPTURE:  Mark (NIV) 5:39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

OBSERVATION:  Many people would think that the notation at the end of this passage is unimportant, but having driven a school bus for 15 years, I know that children get hungry.  It is special to me that Jesus noticed this simple need for some food for a hungry stomach!   The story would have been complete without mentioning it, but mentioning it shows that Jesus is aware of even small, and unimportant issues of a young girl’s life. 

Of course, Jesus raised her back to life, that is why He went to her home.  But it was for more than that…He was interested in her, her needs, and her ongoing life. 

APPLICATION:  Of course Jesus forgave me.  That is why He came and died on the cross!  But He is also interested in all the aspects of my life.  There is no part of my life that He does not share.  There is no need of which He is unaware.  He wants me to bring my needs to Him in prayer, but I should never think that my telling Him is the first He knew about it!  

PRAYER:  Lord, you know my needs even before I ask.  I trust you to guide me and provide for me as I life for you and do your will.  You know what I need even before I ask.   Amen

Pastor Leon us
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 27, 2025:  SOAP #5807: Job 18; Psalm 114; Acts 27-28

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 27:23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.

OBSERVATION: Paul is aboard a ship headed for Rome to stand trial before Caesar.  The ship is caught in a terrible storm.  For fourteen days the crew had nothing to eat.  On the third day into the storm, they had thrown the ship’s tackling overboard. 

In the verses above, we have Paul speaking to the crew and fellow passengers on the ship.  They consisted of the crew, Roman soldiers, fellow prisoners, and some traveling companions of Paul, including the author of the book of Acts. 

Listen to Paul as he describes His God.  Paul belonged to God and Paul served God.  Paul’s God was a speaker; He talked to Paul.  Paul’s God knew where Paul was and how to get a message to Paul.  He had sent a messenger to Paul “last night!”  Paul’s God made promises to Paul that included the people around him.  They would all survive the present danger.  Paul’s God could be trusted.  It would be “just as he told me!” 

APPLICATION:  Paul was not talking about the storm.  He made no comments about the wind and the waves.  He made no comment about being a prisoner.  No, Paul did not talk about the unimportant things; he talked about the Important One!   He had heard from the God of the wind and the waves.  He had a message from God.  (The ship was wrecked in the storm, but all were saved!) 

PRAYER:  Lord, as I move through a world full of turmoil and trouble, I want to keep my focus on you!  Your enemy, and my enemy, wants to get my focus off you and onto the storms that surround me.  Help me to hear what you are saying and to speak from heaven’s point of view.  Amen 

Pastor Leon
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