Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 19, 2025: SOAP #5646: 1Kings 4, 5; 2Chronicles 2; Psalm 101; 2Thessalonians 3

SCRIPTURE:  2Thessalonians (NIV) 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.   But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

OBSERVATION:   As Paul begins to close this letter to the believers in Thessalonica, he gives them some prayer requests.  He requests are for himself and the ministry the Lord has given him to spread the gospel (good news of Jesus).  He asks them to pray that others receive and honor the gospel just as those in Thessalonica had done. 

Paul’s faith was in The Faithful One who is our protector.  Paul’s prayer is for God to continue revealing His love to them and through that love, they would persevere through the temptations and struggles they might have. 

APPLICATION:   My faith is also in God.  He started me in this SOAP ministry.  He is continuing to use it.  Like Paul, I am asking you to pray for this ministry.  Pray that others will be open to receive it as you have. 

If God has used it to encourage you, or to spark your faith, pray that God will use it to do the same in someone else.  If God has used it to help you persevere through temptations and struggles, pray that God will use it to do the same in someone else.  Whatever He has done for you, pray for God to use the SOAPs to do the same for someone else. 

PRAYER:   Heavenly Father, thank you for the ministry of the SOAP prayer team and of others who have lifted the SOAP ministry in prayer.   I know you have, and are, graciously answering their prayers in amazing ways.   May you be glorified and may their faith grow as you continue to answer their prayers.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 18, 2025: SOAP #5645: 1Kings 3; 2Chronicles 1; Psalm 78; 2Thessalonians 2

SCRIPTURE:  1Kings (NIV) 3:7 “Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties….
9 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this.
11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice,
12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.
13 Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for— both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.

OBSERVATION:   This was Solomon’s prayer upon becoming King.  It was a prayer of humility and dependence on God.  In answering this prayer, God would make Solomon a better servant.  It was a prayer that pleased God!  God’s pleasure was expressed in abundantly answering the request, and then abundantly giving things not even requested.   

APPLICATION:   Is the Lord pleased with my prayers?  Do I ask in humility?  Are my prayers an expression of my dependence on Him?  Will the answer of my prayers make me a better servant?  Are my prayers ones He enjoys answering? 

PRAYER:   Lord, I want my prayers to please you.  I need your Holy Spirit to guide me in prayer and to pray through me.  May my prayers bring joy to your heart.  Amen. 

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 17, 2025: SOAP #5644: 1Kings 2: 1Chronicles 29; Psalm 95; 2Thessalonians 1

SCRIPTURE:  2Thessalonians (NIV) 1:11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfil every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. 12 We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

OBSERVATION:   Thinking about the coming judgment, Paul is always praying for His spiritual children.  His desire is that they receive gracious rewards rather than just punishment on that day.  (Is that not what any of us would desire for our family and friends?)

Paul wants their faith to be rewarded as they see their efforts succeed.  Of course, we are always called by God to do things that far exceed our abilities.  If we are to succeed, then God must use His power to bring them to fulfillment.

APPLICATION:   Like Paul, praying for the Thessalonians, I want God to look at the SOAP readers and say, “I am glad I sent Jesus for them.”  May they bring joy to God’s heart now and on Judgment Day.

Like Paul, I want SOAP readers to live in such a way that God happily hears their prayers and joyfully answers.

PRAYER:   Lord, lead the SOAP readers by your Holy Spirit.  Teach them what they can do to honor you.  Bless each of their efforts as they do what they believe you are showing them to do.  Heavenly Father, let them know that loving and serving Jesus brings you much joy.   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
May 14, 2025: SOAP #5641: 1Chronicles 22-24; 1Thessalonians 3

SCRIPTURE:  1Thessalonians (NIV) 3:11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.  12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.  13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

OBSERVATION:   When I listen to people praying today, this is not what I usually hear.  Mostly, I hear prayers for healing or for God to give the doctor wisdom as they take care of our friend or family member.  I also hear prayer for people to have good success in their work or in their finances. 

I cannot remember hearing any prayer like the above except from the Apostle Paul in his writings.  But how someone will stand before God on judgment day is VERY IMPORTANT, and surely a matter for prayer! 

APPLICATION:   Lord, for all the SOAP readers, I pray that their love for you and others would increase and become the dominant characteristic of their lives. 

I pray that they be strengthened in their faith, and they easily hear the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to their hearts.   May their lives be blameless.  May their lives be a home for You, where you can enjoy their love and devotion. 

And on that great judgment day, may they stand in Your presence as ones who have brought great honor to you. 

PRAYER:   And this I pray in Your Name, Jesus, the Name above all names,  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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