Tag Archives: spiritual-warfare

The “GO” of the GOspel

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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 17, 2028: SOAP #5675: 1Kings 20,21; 2Chronicles 17; Colossians 3

(Armor of God #8)

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:   In 1969, upon arriving at Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division in the northern area of South Viet Nam, I quickly learned how important shoes are in war. A man is greatly disadvantaged to have sore feet or poor footing.  Footwear must be comfortable enough not to cause sores, yet strong enough to protect.  They must protect the ankles from turning and provide grip on the many surfaces over which the battle will transpire.  Many times, we would cross a river, or move along in a mountain stream, only to climb to the ridge on the other side.  Feet softened by the water, and beginning to dry, tend to crack in the climb.  And I soon learned that descending the mountain was much harder on feet than climbing.

All of this to emphasize the importance of feet in warfare!   Our feet need to be fitted with the proper shoes.  The shoes need to fit.

APPLICATION:  This part of the armor emphasizes the “go” of the Gospel.  An army in the barracks is subject to many inside troubles, arguing, fighting, etc.  But at army in the field, engaging the enemy has little personality problems.  We must come to realize that the very fact that we are taking the battle to the enemy is a major part of our armor.  The devil will not be so available for attacking us if he must defend himself against our attack.  Like David with his sling, let’s run to the battle!  (1 Samuel 17:48)

PRAYER:   Lord, you did not place your Holy Spirit within us and give us this armor so that we would set back and watch the world pass us by.  Obviously, you intend for us to be actively sharing the gospel with others.  Teach each of us the unique ways we can effectively take this good news to others.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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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
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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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. 

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