Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 08, 2026: SOAP #6031: Ecclesiastes 10-12; Psalm 94; Ephesians 5

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 5;25  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

OBSERVATION:  Why did Christ “give himself up” for the church?  The first is to make her holy.  Our only hope for holiness is Christ!   We who are stained with sin can never cleanse ourselves.  It must come from another.

We are cleansed by the water that flowed from His wounds and the water of the Word. As we make ourselves available to the Word, the spirit takes the truth and applies it to our lives.  It is not just the Word that cleanses us, but the “washing” action of applying that word.

WE are to be washed by the Word.  These SOAPs take the word and apply it to my life in the application portion. As I apply the word, I am being washed by the word.  Some stains take more scrubbing than others.  The word can be the mild detergent needed on soft hearts. The Word can also be the extra-strength detergent needed to get out hard stains.

APPLICATION:  So, often, as my wife and I go to the market, on our list of things needed is soap.  We buy a large container, but it is always running out.  Sharon uses soap in every load of wash.  We do not get our clothes very dirty, but detergent/soap is needed to get them clean.  When things are “extra” dirty, we use stronger detergent.

And like Sharon, the Holy Spirit uses the word to clean up my life, even the small portions in these SOAPs.  The Holy Spirit is excellent in applying the Word to my heart.  He is the author of the Word.  He knows the Word, and He knows Leon.  He lovingly applies it as needed.   Through the Word, He brings me comfort, encouragement, direction and cleaning.                                                                                                   

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, wash me in the Word every day.  May my life bring our Father great joy.  May Jesus know how much I appreciate all He has done for me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 08, 2026: SOAP #6031: Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 4:8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.”
9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

OBSERVATION: Since Jesus is God and was in the beginning with God, there could be no possibility of his ascending, seeing as there was no place higher to which to ascend–unless He first descended.  For the ultimate good for man, and for the glory of His Father, He did just that!  (To climb a ladder when you are already standing on the top rung would require you first stepping down.)

Jesus is Worthy of His exalted position, not only because He is God, but because He willingly descended to fulfill the will of The Father, defeated the enemy, and then rose in glory.  Indeed, He is Worthy!    

APPLICATION:  Jesus is God and has always been God.  But we have another reason to worship Him.  He is worthy because of what He has done!  He descended from His high position, took the place as a man within the stream of humanity, lived without sin, suffered and died to pay for the sins of man, rose from the dead, and has ascended to a pace of glory in heaven.  He is worthy because of what He did!   Note:  Revelation 5:9.
Note to someone:  You are called to be like Jesus.  Often you will find your most fruitful ministry will happen once you are willing to “step down.” 

PRAYER:  Jesus, you are worthy of all honor and praise.  You died for me.  You provided for me to be forgiven.  You sent your Holy Spirit to live within me to give me power to live victoriously.  You are worthy of all my praise and worship.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 07, 2026: SOAP #6030: Ecclesiastes 4-6; Psalm 18; Ephesians 3

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

OBSERVATION: Paul is certain.  He has no doubts.  None of the things listed have the power within themselves to separate us from God’s love!  Satan will try to use them to pry us out of God’s loving arms, but He cannot. In all of these things we are not defeated, but more than conquerors. Jesus has already won the victory over them and leads us in triumph through these times!

Some people may push their interpretation of this verse too far, saying that we can never loose our salvation,  but this passage must be understood in the light of all the scripture.  Consider Psalm 66:18; John 15:1-2; Hebrews 6:4-6; 2Peter 2:20.  The God of love gives us a choice because love is only satisfied when the one returning the love chooses to do so.  It is not a choice unless we can make it, and God allows us to do just that.

This verse presents great security for the believer!  It is an amazing love from an amazingly powerful Heavenly Father expressed through His Son and the keeping power of the Holy Spirit!

APPLICATION:  God is very interested in us living holy lives.  First He sent His Son, Jesus to pay the full penalty for our sins, and then He sent the Holy Spirit to live in each believer.  

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, how special it is to have you living in me every day, all day!  Keep showing me and teaching me  how my life can best serve our Father.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 06, 2026: SOAP #6029: Ecclesiastes 1-3; Psalm 45: Ephesians 2

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 8:32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

OBSERVATION: How valuable we are to God.  He invested the life of His Son, Jesus, to provide the way for us to be brought back into His family.   Jesus came to earth to live as an example, to die as the payment for our sins, to raise from the dead and then to return to heaven to be at the Father’s right hand interceding for us!   Then He sent the Holy Spirit to live in us!   He is really interested in us succeeding in this life!  

Yes!  There are struggles and difficulties that we face.  Is it worth walking through whatever the devil throws our way?   Yes, YEs, and YES!  It is well worth any struggle we may need to endure.  He is with us here and we will be with Him for all eternity in Glory!!  

APPLICATION:  I can count on the presence of the Holy Spirit to help me face whatever comes my way.  Satan tries to throw me off course with many obstacles.  I must remember that Jesus considered me worth dying for; I consider Him worth living for!   His love for me caused Him to leave heaven to take my place and die for my sins; my love for His should cause me to live a life that honors Him. 

PRAYER:  Lord, when I consider Who you are and what you have done for me a great love overflows in my heart.  May each day I live make you glad that you came to earth.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 05, 2026: SOAP #6028: Proverbs 30-31; Psalm 33; Ephesians 1

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 8:31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

OBSERVATION: The word of the one who justifies is stronger than the word of the one who condemns! The one who justifies is stronger than death. It is not just His death that is testifying that I am justified. It is His LIFE that testifies!

I can walk through the cemeteries and point out the graves of those who have died for others. The tombstone gives witness that their lifeless bodies are below. But the One Who justified us is alive and present at the Throne room of heaving declaring my guiltlessness!

From man’s point of view one would wonder at such a God who is so gracious!   If He never gave us another thing, what He has already done for us is far beyond any reasonable expectation.  He did not just give Himself, He gave His Son!   For a father to sacrifice his son is amazing.

God does not grudgingly give us the additional support.  He does not say, “What more do you want?  I have already given you more than you are worth! You’re not getting anything more!”  What He does say is, “I have already invested the greatest possible sacrifice.  I will provide everything necessary to ensure your victory and success in life.  I want your life to be to the glory of My Son, so I will continue to invest in you!

Again, He does not do so grudgingly, but graciously!  He does it willingly.  He does it joyfully.  He does not make us feel like failures for needing more, but He makes us think that it brings Him joy for us to depend on Him!  And for sure it does!  Amazing!

APPLICATION:  Isaac Watts said it so well:  “Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.”

PRAYER:  Lord, what could I ever withhold from you.  Giving you my all is so small in comparison to what You have given me!   Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 04, 2026: SOAP #6027: Proverbs 28-29; Psalm 60; Romans 16

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

OBSERVATION: In an uncertain world, it is good to have things that are certain. It is good to have things that we can count on to never change. This is better than having it engraved in stone.  It is here recorded in God’s Word that God is actively involved in weaving the pieces of our lives together that good will ultimately result!

This verse is not for everyone; it has limitations. It for those who love Him. It is for those who are following the calling “according to His purpose.” For the person who loves God and is pursuing God’s calling, there is absolutely nothing to worry about.  God is in control.

For those who choose to walk with Him, he had a predestined plan.  A fisherman goes into the forest to get lumber for a boat he is building.  When he chooses a tree, he already knows what his plan is for that tree.  For those of us who have responded to the call of the spirit, God has a plan!   It is to be developed into the likeness of His Son Jesus!

APPLICATION:  What peace is brought into our lives as we consider that God is working through all things, good things and bad things, for our good and His glory.  We can walk ahead in confident trust.  We can allow His peace to fill our lives. 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, I am yours.  Use me for your glory.  I want to live in honor of your Son, Jesus who gave His life as payment for my sins.  And I want to live in obedience to your Holy Spirit who has taken up residence in my life.  I want my love for you to be easily seen by those around me.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 02, 2026: SOAP #6025: Proverbs 22-24; Romans 14

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 8:19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

OBSERVATION: Sin affects everything on earth, its effect is even seen in heaven, and on God Himself!  There is no other explanation for God the Son being limited to a body, and it is a body with the scars of suffering! 

This earth can never reach its full potential while being ruled by sinful man. Not only is the earth groaning under the mismanagement of sin-dominated governments, so also are people.  Even people in whom the Holy Spirit dwell are affected by the sin present in the earth.  

We have the first fruits which are a taste and a promise of more to come.  If the first fruits are so grand, how exceedingly grand will be the fullness of God’s promise!

APPLICATION:  So, having a taste and longing for more, we “eagerly” look forward to the resurrection with the new body and being with HIM and like HIM!  What a day that will be!  In heaven, we will be well rewarded for any suffering we must endure here.  Suffering here is temporary; our life in heaven is eternal!   What a glorious future awaits the believer!  

PRAYER:  I like to sing, “It will be worth it all, just to see His face, when He claims us for His own.  Then for a million years, to sing amazing grace; It will be worth it all when we get home!”  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 01, 2026: SOAP #6024: Proverbs 19-21; Romans 13

SCRIPTURE:  Romans (NIV) 8:17  Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

OBSERVATION: So we can be confident that we are God’s children.  As children live and grow in their family, they come to understand that there is both responsibility and privilege in being a member.  As a child, I am also an heir.  As a young child, that might not mean too much, but I will come to learn that it is very important!   It means that when I leave my childhood behind, I will walk out with the possessions and authority of the family.  This will bring even greater responsibility and privilege!

I come to learn that there is one very special member of this family.  His Name is Jesus!  He is the Anointed One, the Messiah.  I am a part of His family!  I am a joint heir, a co-heir with God the Son!  It is amazing, but true!  Here too, I share in both the suffering and the glory.  I share in the suffering of the troubles and struggle in the battle against the devil.  I also share in the glory He has rightfully earned!  I have the responsibility of sharing in his sufferings and the privilege of sharing in his glory.

APPLICATION:  Suffering and glory are intertwined, however Paul says that though intertwined, they are not comparable!   The amount of future glory far outweighs any present suffering!  They are not even worth comparing!

The suffering is earthly; the glory will be heavenly!  The suffering is temporary, the glory will be eternal!  The suffering is often from the hands of man; the glory will come from the hand of God! The suffering is often misunderstood, even by our closest friends, but the glory will be clear to all!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, what a great privilege you have given me, making me a joint-heir with your Son, Jesus!  You made me your child, now I need the Holy Spirit to show me how to live as your child.   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
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